Monthly Archives: September 2021

Whether you are building or undertaking a major renovation, check current legislation in your region to ensure that the work provided is under warranty. Most states require builders to be fully registered and this includes offering warranty insurance. 

This is geared towards protecting both parties, but particularly the owner in the event of substandard workmanship. Not only does unacceptable work translate to an initial waste of your time and money, but the quality (or lack thereof) of the work conducted may also contribute to devaluing your home in the long term — especially if the work is not remedied when it comes time to sell. 

Once the legalities have been streamlined by a qualified conveyer and your contractor and design plans are firmly in place, the next step is to devise a mutually agreeable (and contractually stipulated) timeline. Of course, leeway for small timing blowouts is often perfectly natural and usually accountable, so long as they don’t affect your bottom line.

Making dollars and sense

While on the subject of finance, make sure that your renovation is taking shape in line with your growing savings account. Renovations invariably attract extra expenses, so if budgets are tight, putting aside a regular weekly amount, however meagre, will be a welcome relief upon project completion. 

Material savings

Once your project has been carefully planned, the purchase of building materials is another area where it pays to check the marketplace. The classifieds sections of newspapers or online marketplaces can also be invaluable for picking up low-cost recycled materials, such as timbers from various origins, which only add to your home’s appeal and unique qualities. Meanwhile, the rise of supermarket-style hardware outlets may provide affordable alternatives to the corner hardware store, but also balance whether price or quality finish is your major motive. 

Sales benefits of agent selection

When the time comes to sell, agent selection can be the difference between a good and a great sale.

As most real estate agents attest, prospective vendors should “interview” agents before choosing which one best suits them. Again, only by asking questions, attending auctions and viewing different personalities in action can sellers gauge who is best to handle the emotional process of selling one’s home. And remember that reputation, rather than cost, should also play its role. 

Invest the time, apply these basic rules and, more often than not, you’ll be the winner.

Doing your research pays dividends at renovation and sale time.

The best-dressed windows serve a valuable dual purpose of keeping the winter chill at bay and blocking harsh sunlight at the height of summer.

But they should also enhance and blend with your interior style in a cost-effective and energy-efficient way.

Dream drapes that frame a realistic outlook 

Designer drapes needn’t cost the earth, nor contain non-natural materials that are used at the expense of the environment. 

Bamboo blinds fit the bill. They are not only affordable, portable, can be made to measure online or at your local hardware store, but they provide privacy and shade with a dappled sunlight effect that is at once warming and charming.

In addition, bamboo blinds are also offered in a range of styles, colours and textures to provide more protective coverage or allow you to see more of the light. 

Dressed to impress, regardless of living arrangement

Whether you choose blinds, shutters, full-length drapes, sheers or contemporary coverings depends on interior style, living arrangement and, of course, budget.

If renting, select window accessories or additions that have not only been approved by your landlord or rental provider but are also good to go whenever you are.   

Owner-occupiers and investors could opt for a combination of Roman or Venetian blinds, with the addition of UV block-out drapes or linen sheers. Choose functional, easy-to-maintain fabrics and materials.

Curtains and blinds suppliers

There’s no shortage of curtains and blinds companies that are priced to suit every design style. Whether you choose from high-end to budget-oriented suppliers, this is purely a matter of taste, circumstance and budget. 

Most retailers offer a free measure and quote on most window coverings and dressings. Product warranty, competitive rates and installation are usually included in the fee. But to be sure, always inquire about exactly what’s included in the bill prior to payment.   

Cleaning tips

For most blinds, a light regular dusting will maintain their quality and new look. Gently using the dusting brush on your vacuum cleaner provides a deeper clean. 

With lighter sheers, gentle machine washing and ironing on a low heat will generally serve maintenance purposes, but always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines.

For heavier drapes, it is best that these are dry cleaned once or twice annually, depending on necessity.

A light oiling prior to summer for Cedar and timber blinds will enhance the wood grain and protect against long-term sunlight fading. 

Exterior style

As for the outside appearance, the smartest facades feature panels in fibre cement and other durable materials to create patterns of visual and protective appeal.

There’s a range of panels on offer at architectural and interior design companies, such as CSP Architectural, James Hardie and other commercial/residential building product suppliers. 

The dire consequences of Australia’s Black Summer bushfires in 2019-2020 remain a tragic legacy. There were around 24 lives and countless wildlife lost, 2,448 homes, up to 6,000 buildings and millions of hectares destroyed as a result of partially preventative measures. 

And with spring and summer temperatures set to soar in the Southern Hemisphere, protecting loved ones and assets is our number one priority.   

In light of the Victorian Black Friday bushfire tragedy of 2009, the CSIRO produced a paper outlining the features of a house with high fire resistance. Major factors included steel wall frames, with gypsum board linings for further protection, concrete slab floors, eliminating timber in the roof and brick-veneer external cladding.

This doesn’t mean that danger is imminent to those in bushfire-prone areas — the only certainty is that homeowners should be well prepared for fire season.

Expect the unexpected

Where you live will dictate what to do before, during and after a fire.

For example, those close to paddocks or grass should be wary that grass fires can travel up to 60km/h, and that grass taller than 10cm will have a higher flame height and intensity (radiant heat).

In preparation, create fuel breaks around your property and the assets you wish to protect. If caught, move somewhere with minimal vegetation such as a well-grazed paddock. 

If you live in an urban area near grasslands, walk at least two streets back if a fire starts. If you live one or more streets away, grassfire is unlikely to spread into built-up areas. But stay indoors and keep all windows and doors closed, place towels or blankets around the bottom of doors and window sills, and don’t use your air-conditioner.

Practise makes perfect

As with most things in life, planning for an outbreak of fire is the key.

“Fire by its very nature is unpredictable and difficult to control, especially on hot, dry, windy days,” the Country Fire Authority advises. “Not everyone thinks clearly in an emergency. A written and preferably well-practised plan will help you remember what needs to be done during a crisis.”

Perhaps the decision about when to leave is the most critical one you can make as a family. As the CFA maintains, it is by far the safest option to protect yourself.

This should include staying informed by monitoring conditions and tuning into an emergency broadcaster via radio.

Leaving early means being away from high-risk areas before any signs of fire. It includes not waiting for a warning, smoke or a siren.

The alternative action of staying put should be pre-determined and well planned. 

For example, planning to stay to defend your property requires at least two fit adults, at least 10,000 litres of water and appropriate firefighting hoses and pumps.

Last, but not least, always have a backup plan. Having a plan that identifies your shelter and last-resort options may just save your life.

Be prepared

—Pack an emergency kit (including pet transport containers) and leave it in a handy place.

—Scan important documents and photos and store them on a USB.

—Buy a battery-operated radio, torch and extra batteries.

—Save important contact numbers on your phone, including family and emergency contacts. 

—Mark your escape routes and petrol stations on hard-copy maps.

—Arrange in advance with neighbours how you can help each other.

Shop around. These two words describe the best possible philosophy in any sphere of real estate — be it buying, building, renovating, searching for a mortgage or insurance, or simply choosing an agent to sell your home. 

And while it’s easier said than done, each of these requirements will take time and energy to carry out. But it’s worth remembering that your efforts will be rewarded many times over in terms of self-satisfaction, presentation and many happy returns. 

The ‘keep it simple’ rule applies. Overcomplicating any matter can only lead to communication breakdowns, arguments and unnecessary stress for all parties. 

It is often said that you make money in real estate when you buy (rather than sell), so acquiring local knowledge will avoid the chance of overpaying, and the long-term negatives of added interest and overleveraging that accompany one of the property market’s most derided moves. 

Assess your priority list

By doing your homework, not only do you know what you are paying for, but you also acquire knowledge of the local market and the best people to help shape your future. 

As any buyer discovers, their budget will govern exactly where and what they can buy. But prioritising your wish list (i.e. size, location, house type) and focusing on a particular area are the first steps in the right direction. This may entail driving through the streets of an area you like and highlighting a target area to start searching seriously. 

Flexibility is the key

Depending on whether you are a first-home buyer or are looking to add to your investment portfolio, keeping an open mind is just as crucial to the process as the time-honoured principles of price, position and potential. 

Buying the worst house in the best street is always sound advice, however, one should always be wary of over-capitalising, especially if planning to renovate.

Set your limits

Shopping around and knowing one’s limits, financially speaking, will largely remove panic buying during auction competition while allowing you to stick to a game plan and reap the rewards in the long term. 

The same can be said for house and contents insurance, with special rates often offered to existing policyholders. 

Adhere to a financial plan

The next step is finance. Conventional wisdom suggests that mortgage expenses should not exceed one-third of your salary, which is where shopping around for the best loan product can also help.

Whether you opt for the cheapest mortgage rate or the flexibility of mortgage offset accounts depends largely on the individual, but be sure to read the fine print of honeymoon loans, as what appears attractive is likely to have some restriction or catch. 

With many real estate brands reporting record growth in recent months, coupled with interest rate lows, flexible lending and working arrangements, pioneering practices are rising to the challenges of pandemic-driven consumer behaviour.   

Embracing new technologies reaps results

Digital marketing, advances in augmented reality and virtual auction platforms have all played a part in the upsurge in real estate sales.  

Responding to pandemic restrictions, consumers are not only focusing on necessity spending, but they are also embracing the surfeit of online entertainment options. For example, online subscriber platforms such as YouTube TV are currently receiving adoption rates that rival or surpass free-to-air networks. 

This is reflected in consumer spending, which, despite the economic downturn, recently increased by 1.5 per cent, nationally. What this indicates is that a cautionary approach to savings is offset by YOLO (you only live once) spending patterns. In other words, a personal reward system prevails amid widespread lockdown limitations.

How can estate agencies analyse this shift in discretionary consumer spending and capitalise on sales platforms? Diversification clearly holds the key, as is evidenced by an increase in national home values this year by an average of $1,990 per week, according to CoreLogic.

Why “off markets” are switched on

Industry experts attest that with a slowdown in physical activity in the property sector, innovative service methods are also combatting COVID limitations. 

As residential markets lost a little steam in the past few months, switched-on agents are urging potential buyers to seize alternative upsize/downsize/early retirement opportunities.

The benefit of off-market sales for buyers may result in price reductions. For vendors, the peace of mind of a fast-tracked sale and the ability to diversify into other investment areas overrides flexible sales methods and outcomes.

Simply put, off markets represent a potential boom for all industry participants. They ultimately enhance long-term gains for the seller, offer an otherwise unlikely entry point for FOMO-racked buyers, and provide a pivotal role for agents.

How to seize the moment

Your local estate agent is crucial to the off-market equation. Whether through personal or financial circumstances, vendors and homebuyers are advised to express their willingness and/or interest in prompt or negotiable sales opportunities. 

Extending your search profile as it adapts to changing priorities and life stages will ensure that your real estate agent is able to not only develop an ongoing relationship with their clients but importantly to apprise them of tailored sales solutions as they arise.

In a non-physical environment, agents and business practitioners who offer heightened personalised service pave pathways for success.

If you read any auction stories in the Sunday papers or online, the words “clearance rates” will inevitably be mentioned.

They indicate the strength of the selling market by measuring the percentage of homes sold at an auction or beforehand. The higher the clearance rate, the greater the buyer demand on that particular weekend.

Choose your moment

Most people know that timing is essential in any real estate transaction, so recognising the relative strength of the market will help buyers and sellers choose the best time to make their move.

Knowledge is power

Empowered with the knowledge that the market is powering full steam ahead, prospective vendors can take advantage of when the market is hot. 

The post-COVID supply shortages throughout Australia and New Zealand are a prime example of high demand producing some unprecedented results. 

In all Australian states, auction clearance rates hover between 81 per cent (in Queensland) and up to a whopping 100 per cent in Western Australia and the Northern Territory. 

The preliminary auction clearance rate for combined capital cities was recently reported as 84.7 per cent — later scaled down to 79.7 per cent. But this figure represents a significant increase on the same period last year when the combined capital cities clearance rate was 63.6 per cent. 

Record highs in New Zealand markets

The national average asking price of $796,000 for a New Zealand property is 15 per cent higher than recorded a year ago. With the exception of Otago and Auckland, every region reached record average asking prices.   

Impact of high clearance rates

A consistently high clearance rate places the pricing advantage in the hands of the seller.      

Of course, when the percentage is not high, it shifts to become a buyer’s market. This is when those properties ”passed in” present an ideal chance for buyers to use their negotiation skills. 

The market is clearly weighted in favour of vendors, and particularly with properties at the more affordable end of the scale, which often create a bidding frenzy.

But where financial incentives might fall short, patience could hold the key for buyers. 

Incentive advantages

The record-low interest rates, combined with government stimulus, such as the First Home Owner Grant, provide the enticing impetus for first-time buyers. 

Biding one’s time and seizing unexpected opportunities when they arise is the surest way to secure the property on your wish list — for the right price. 

Augmented-reality technology and pandemic restrictions are quickly changing the way we buy, sell and rent property. 

But for an initial property inspection, wherever and whenever possible, it pays to adopt a hands-on approach. 

In addition to the areas that should be covered in every home inspection, we also recommend a grab bag of useful tools to help you gain the full measure of your summation. 

Access all areas

Whether you start from the ground up or descend from the roof level, it is essential to check carefully and seek qualified assistance before doing so. 

The spaces and places that should be scrutinised in any property inspection include: the foundation; roofline; basements, garages and attic spaces; gutters, eaves and downspouts; exterior rendering and paintwork; doors, window frames and seals.

In terms of all-important internal connections and utilities, you should also conduct a qualified inspection of all electrical panels; light switches and power outlets. This includes thermostats, heating/cooling and ventilation systems. 

The plumbing fixtures should also be checked by an expert to ensure reliability and working order. This includes tap fittings and water heaters. 

If viewing an established residence, request service records and also seek to receive warranty contracts and other documentation to safeguard and save time, money and stress in the long term.  

Logistically speaking, and before any home inspections take place, it is important to assess a property’s rates and fees to evaluate affordability prior to your purchase decisions. 

The representative real estate agent and financial advisors can assist in this area. 

Questions to engage your agent

You should also arm yourself with knowledge before deciding if your chosen property is a prudent investment. 

The types of questions you should be asking your agent include:

Why is the property on the market?; How long has it been for sale?; Have there been prior offers?; Is the vendor open to negotiation prior to auction dates?; Has the property been affected by flooding or other damage; Are recent building inspection reports available? 

Requesting information about comparable recent sales in the area will also provide a marketable estimate in terms of budget, affordability and capital gains. 

Tools of the trade

The Australian Apartment Advocacy recently launched its Apartment Buyer and Owner Education Kit, which outlined several commonplace items you should take with you when inspecting potential properties of interest.  

Although geared towards the Australian apartment sector, the education kit is also useful for most types of homes in any country.

For example, a mirror should be used to check the tops and bases of doors to ensure they are sealed and won’t expand, a hairdryer can check that all your power outlets are working, while batteries will confirm remote controls are also functional – and holding a tissue up can help identify any draughts.

It is also important to ask for a flood test on your balcony at the final inspection, to ensure water is draining to where it is supposed to go. Better yet, test it yourself: a marble should roll towards drainage points.

A professional building inspection might set you back between $700 and $800, but in the long term, this is a small price to pay for buyer peace of mind.

Lockdown realities are not only changing the way we live and work, but also the environment in which we do so.  Given our close proximity to and focus on our homes, many householders are looking to redecorate.

Those seeking to make a change or replace outdated furniture and continue to improve their decorating style, are looking primarily in the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom.

Here are some handy makeover tips, designed to match every style and budget:

Find pieces that have multiple purposes

If you’re short on budget or even storage space, it’s an excellent idea to find items that have more than one use. An ottoman is a must-have, as it doubles as seating, impromptu table, storage and pull-out bed. Other multi-functional pieces include a versatile buffet unit, a bed base with drawers, an entertainment unit with shelves or a hallway console table. All of these can act as hidden storage for books, toys, gym equipment or can even be used to display art.

Try painting rather than purchasing

If you own your home, painting or utilising wallpaper is a cost-effective way to transform the mood of your home, especially if you do it yourself. For example, for your living areas, choose crisp whites or sage greens for a fresh and modern look. Kitchens are often a sticking point, but many householders don’t realise that painting the cupboards or cabinets can completely transform the space.

Incorporate layers of texture

People often decide on their style, colours and pieces, but they often fail to think about texture when redecorating. Simply put, it means creating visual interest and diversity in your space through layering, juxtaposing materials, colours and fabrics. Texture can be created through touch or the display of objects — and it has the ability to make your space feel luxurious, without the hefty price tag.

Invest in quality items and save on accent pieces

Rank items in order of priority and then decide how much you could realistically spend on each. Once you have finalised your budget, invest in bold furniture items that will attract the most attention — a couch, accent chair, dining table or bedhead.

Stack it up with bunk beds

If you have children who share a bedroom or need extra room for sleepovers, bunk beds are a great space saver. Instead of a traditional bed, bunk beds are unique, affordable, multifunctional and invite imagination into the space.

If you’re planning to put your property on the market, the importance of presentation cannot be overemphasised — and never more so than in the garden. 

An appealing outdoor zone and landscaped gardens can hugely increase the value of a home, which is why prospective sellers should start putting their green thumbs to good use now. 

This is why:

A tidy sum

An independent real estate agent survey estimated that more than 40 per cent of estate agents believe manicured lawns alone can boost your home’s value by up to 20 per cent.

Almost 90 per cent of potential buyers say a nicely presented lawn improves the look and feel of a property; 45 per cent confirm it adds lifestyle and relaxation appeal; and a safe playing area for the kids also rates strongly, at 42 per cent.     

Keeping up appearances

Rather than leaving it to the last minute, sellers can start tidying up their yard. 

This not only avoids an unnecessary bill for the maintenance man, but it also delivers a great deal of personal satisfaction in knowing you have made your mark in creating a better living environment. 

The cleaning and tidying process can be carried out over several weeks, removing the mess, stress, weeds and danger of physically overdoing the outdoor chores. 

Even if a major job must be undertaken, there is still plenty of time to organise family and friends to lend a hand in a working bee, and then kick up your heels and celebrate afterwards – social restrictions notwithstanding. 

Group effort gains maximum benefits

Better still, encourage your neighbours to do likewise and offer to help them in their endeavours. 

It’s obvious that all parties will benefit from any short-term arrangement. 

Come auction day, it will be easy to see why the natural beauty of your clutter-free garden has never looked so appealing. 

Outdoor rooms with a lifestyle view

The desire for outdoor/indoor living means most buyers view the garden as an extra room. 

If budget permits, the addition of an outdoor kitchen, gas-plumbed barbecue and entertainment zone can raise property values beyond expectations, especially if weatherproofed.

Visit gardening and hardware stores, view lifestyle publications and websites, and always shop around for ideas that match your budget. 

Your local real estate agent can also assist with indoor/outdoor tips — and advice on how to present your property for sale in the best possible light.

Homes built for the future encompass increasingly popular passive design principles. From green ratings and solar energy to orientation, insulation and glazing, constructing a certified passive-design property is not only an exercise in cost-cutting and energy efficiency, but it can also add resale value. 

Passive principles

Buildings built in accordance with the Passive House (Passivhaus, a concept developed for Germany’s cold climates to ensure the highest level of thermal comfort with minimal energy input) standard are said to be the most energy-efficient buildings worldwide — known to reduce energy consumption by up to 90 per cent.

Green Star ratings

A Green Star is the trusted mark of quality for the design, construction and operation of sustainable buildings. But what are its benefits?

Improved ventilation, including other indoor environmental standards, and low-toxic materials are the health-giving qualities. 

Green Star-certified buildings use 66 per cent less electricity and produce 62 per cent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than the average building. They also use 51 per cent less potable water than average buildings and recycle 96 per cent of their waste (compared with 58 per cent for the average new construction project). 

Passive design homes are well insulated, airtight and largely reliant on passive solar heating and cooling to minimise energy use. 

Orientation, spatial zoning, thermal mass, ventilation, insulation, shading and glazing are the seven core components of passive homes, creating a holistic approach to building design that results in improved energy performance. 

If not new, then improved

Although passive designs are most often applied to newly constructed buildings, passive design can also be used to refurbish existing buildings. To date, retrofitting passive house design features to older buildings has been successful in countries such as Austria, Germany and Switzerland, where cold winters denote the need for increased warmth and energy efficiency.

If building from the ground up isn’t possible, installing shades, movable shutters, glazed windows, better ventilation systems, insulation, north-facing windows and similar features can help enhance the building’s energy efficiency.

A brighter future 

A passively designed home could well be your gateway to achieving a cost-effective and comfortable lifestyle that benefits both the environment and property values.