Mortgage costs are going up.
Although the Reserve Bank cut the cash rate twice during 2016, lenders have been increasing their mortgage rates. And experts are predicting more out-of-cycle increases.
But haggling can pay off, as Graeme and Kim Perry, who live just outside Wollongong in NSW, have found. Continue reading How to avoid squeeze of rising mortgage rates
by Richard Wakelin
Winter has truly arrived in much of Australia in recent days. With the onslaught of cold and wet, it would be hibernation weather were modern-day humans allowed to do such a thing.
Although that’s not an option for us, the property market does tend to go into a burrow until spring. In June and July, auction volumes across Australia are typically below half that seen in autumn and just a third of the numbers reported in the peak selling season, which is October through to early December.
Continue reading Why late winter, early spring is prime time to sell your property
Hands up who has moved house in a torrential downpour. IT. IS. NOT. FUN.
Slippery conditions can pose a safety hazard, and getting wet in cold temperatures is draining – both physically and mentally. Finally, rain can ruin boxes, damage your stuff and even lead to mold growth if you don’t unpack and dry your things immediately after moving.
Here are some tips to help keep a rainy-day move, a safe, healthy and happy one: Continue reading Tips for Moving in the Rain
The house down the street just sold, but yours is still on the market. Why can’t you attract a buyer?
It’s a common question and the answers aren’t as much of a mystery as they might appear.
These are seven of the most common reasons why houses don’t sell: Continue reading 7 reasons your house isn’t selling
Walk-in robes have become much more than just a closet; they are now considered must-have features for more and more home buyers.
Regardless of whether they are large or small, make sure you are making the most of this space by following a few basic tips. Continue reading Walk-in robes: make a big impact in a small space
Property Professor Peter Koulizos explains why Autumn could be the best time to sell your home.
Spring time was considered the best time to sell as the football season was over and more people would attend weekend home opens. Spring time is also a great time to have the garden looking wonderful as the weather is getting better.
The problem with selling in the Spring is if everyone else thinks that this is a good time to sell, they too will put their property on their market, thus increasing supply and possibly dampening demand.
However, a 2010 study by RP Data showed that the best time to sell a residential property is in Autumn. This makes sense for a number of reasons. Continue reading Why you should sell your house in Autumn
We all know that before you sign the papers to take over your new home, there are some very important checks to be made; like building and pest reports.
But once your mortgage is up and running, and you’ve just moved in, the last thing you want to find is that you’ve just inherited previous tenants past problems and the costly repairs begin.
However, here are 10 very simple maintenance checks which can sometimes make the difference between buying your dream house and stepping into a costly nightmare. Continue reading 10 Things to Check Before You Buy a Home
Come rain or come shine…the real buyers will be out like the postal service.
You may only get one visitor but you can be sure they are serious about buying.
While you don’t want someone trudging through your home, over newly cleaned carpets and polished floorboards with wet, muddy feet; there are a few precautions you can take to protect your home while still making the prospective buyer feel welcome, warm and happy when they enter your home. Continue reading Should I Still Hold My Open House In The Rain?
Smart investors have a small window of opportunity to nab festive-season property bargains, says a leading market commentator.
CPREA (Certified Practicing Real Estate Agents) chairman Geoff Baldwin said whilst there is no doubt that the market has slowed as we approach Christmas, there is now a “short but attractive opportunity for property buyers to negotiate harder and save thousands”. Continue reading Property buyers could save thousands before Christmas
Prepare a bushfire survival plan.It doesn’t matter whether you’re in the country, city or suburbs – if your home is in an area even remotely at risk of bushfire you need to have a bushfire survival plan.
Generally speaking, this should apply to:
