The Victorian Government’s Consumer and Planning Legislation Amendment (Housing Statement Reform) Bill 2024 is an expansive piece of legislation that touches all parts of the real estate sector. It has been predominantly developed based on the objectives outlined in the Housing Statement. Let's take a closer look at the reforms which will affect the rental market.
Read MoreFor years, property investors have been directing their attention toward Adelaide and Brisbane, lured by strong capital growth, attractive yields, and relatively investor-friendly regulations. This heightened demand, however, has now led to significant price increases in those markets, reducing affordability and making it harder to find value. As a result, many investors are now reconsidering Victoria as an alternative investment destination.
Read MoreThe Melbourne property market is constantly changing, and buyers are always on the lookout for the next suburb hot spot! It’s one of the most common questions we get asked… Where should we buy for capital growth?
Now keep in mind when we’re looking at annual growth rates, we’re still recovering from the great COVID boom, and some areas (ahem - Toorak) have seen a drop in median house values by as much as 25% over the last 12 months!
Read MoreOne of the most common questions we hear from buyers is, "Which property type is going to make me the most money?" Easy question, but the answer isn't always straightforward. Various factors, including market conditions, location, personal circumstances and goals, all play a significant role in determining the best investment for you.
However for the sake of simplicity, let’s break the options down into three residential categories: houses, townhouses, and apartments (12+ units in a block).
Read MoreBuild-to-Rent (BTR) is a relatively new concept in Australia, particularly in Victoria, but it has gained significant traction in recent years. Unlike traditional residential developments, where properties are sold to individual buyers or investors, BTR developments are owned and managed by a single entity, typically a developer or institutional investor. These properties are designed exclusively for renting, often with high-quality amenities and professional management to attract long-term tenants.
Read MoreWe love helping people make smart real estate moves that lead to serious financial gains. Not everyone has millions in the bank to spend on flashy renovations or luxury properties—but as we’ll show you, that’s not always necessary! Today, we’re looking at a recent sale in Northcote that’s a great example of how small, thoughtful improvements can significantly boost a property’s value over time.
Read MoreWhen it comes to buying a home, the layout can make all the difference to the liveability. A well-designed floor plan not only maximises space but also enhances your lifestyle, offering comfort, functionality, and flexibility. In our experience as buyer advocates, we've seen hundreds of floorplans, but a few stand out for their thoughtful design and efficient use of space. Here we showcase a few recent floor plans we’ve seen and loved. Obviously design is subjective, but we think these are some great layouts!
Read MoreI have a special admiration for anyone brave enough to take on the challenge of renovating. No matter how many times you do it, renovating remains a formidable yet immensely rewarding task.
I have done it several times both personally and professionally. Sometimes simply small cosmetic updates and other much more extensive projects. I love guiding clients into buying property with fantastic fundamentals, that they can add value to over time. Ideally spending a dollar and making three!
Read MoreBrunswick
Brunswick is a vibrant and eclectic inner-city suburb that has long been a hotspot for property investors in Melbourne. With its proximity to the CBD, excellent public transport options, and a rich cultural scene, Brunswick attracts a diverse range of residents, including students, young professionals, and families. The suburb's strong café culture, trendy bars, and boutique shopping add to its appeal, while the mix of period homes, modern apartments, and townhouses provides varied investment opportunities. Its popularity with renters ensures a high demand for rental properties, contributing to stable and strong rental yields.
Read MoreThere’s a general consensus amongst buyers in the market and people in the industry that apartments are bad investments…. And who can blame them really, from a capital growth perspective they haven’t performed well for years, they can be riddled with issues when it comes to build quality (combustible cladding anyone?), and body corporate fees and special levies can be a costly ongoing problem to manage.
But that hasn’t always been the case....
Read MoreYou had your hopes up, building inspection paid for, contract checked and budget set… you’d told your friends and family. You were ready to be the buyer. The one putting the sold sticker on the board… this is the one.
But there’s another buyer prepared to pay more than you, now you’re clapping while the agent walks over to shake their hand, walk them inside to sign contracts, and take their picture in front of the house. It’s a tough pill to swallow, being the underbidder. But it happens, even for professional bidders like us.
Read MoreHere’s the question we’re asked most often: where is the most undervalued suburb in Melbourne?
And our response every time is the same: Brunswick. It's always been the poor cousin to Northcote and Ascot Vale, both of which took off years ago. But Brunswick is nestled right in the middle, with fantastic access to public transport and plenty of parklands. It also still has large family homes for sale, while they’ve been razed in most other northern suburbs to build tiny rows of townhouses. Sydney Road is starting to thrive with new bars, cafes and lifestyle shops, while Lygon St is well on its way.. But let's delve into why we think it's one of the best.
Read MoreTo buy first then sell, or sell first then buy… that is the question echoed around the world. Particularly for vendors/buyers transacting in hot markets!
It’s something we advise many of our clients on, the answer is often different for each person and is completely dependent on their individual situation. Largely related to financial circumstances, stress management, whether they have somewhere else they’re able to go should there be a crossover and suitable timing of a move.. Or two!
Read MoreAn ‘off-market’ property that’s for sale, but not listed on the traditional real estate platforms so most people don’t know about it. The allure is that prices are often lower with less competition, which leads a lot of clients to ask us the same question: How many off markets will you show me?
The fact is, we can show clients off-market opportunities until the cows come home. But not all of them are good. In fact, we’d probably recommend only one in 10. And that’s because once we scratch the surface, we almost always find problems.
Read MoreYou've found the perfect home. The keys are in your hand, the mortgage is settled, and you're ready to start your new life in a space that's entirely your own. But there's a lingering temptation that can derail your newfound domestic bliss: staying glued to real estate websites like RealEstate.com.au or Domain.com.au. This habit can be surprisingly detrimental, much like staying on dating apps after finding "the one."
Read MoreWinter in Melbourne brings more than just chilly weather and cosy evenings by the fire. It also ushers in unique dynamics within the real estate market. If you’re considering buying or selling property during this season, understanding these trends can help you make informed decisions. Here's a look at how Melbourne's real estate market behaves over winter, particularly in terms of stock availability and off-market sales.
Read MoreWe’re going to preface this by saying that when it comes to property and building inspections, everything is relative.. Relative to the property type, age, renovation, location, price point etc etc. What’s important is how you interpret the information.
We expect 99% of the reports we get to come back with some form of defects.. Some are more problematic and expensive than others. Instead of being thrown or turned off by the long and intimidating reports which literally point out everything that’s wrong with the property.. It is important to take into consideration if you were expecting the issues, if they are fixable, what the cost would be, if it’s then still a viable option in terms of budget and future planning, and are they typical for a like for like property of the same age and value.
Read MoreStarting this off with an important reminder that we are fully aware that we are not lawyers. Property lawyers and conveyancers are the best people to turn to on matters like covenants and property contracts in general. We rely completely on their guidance and advice when it comes to matters of the law. They are the ones who (if given the opportunity prior to purchase) will alert you to any covenants you need to be made aware of.
However, as a buyer, there is some ground-work you can do (before you start throwing contracts their way for formal review) to get an idea of the state of play. From there, engage the experts to formally advise on how best to proceed.
Read MoreWe know you’ve been preparing your outfit in preparation for your big social media announcement, visualising yourself popping bottles in celebration… But before we get ahead of ourselves, let's prepare for game day first shall we?
Specifically, what you plan to do if you are the highest bidder, but the auction has not yet reached the vendors reserve and the property is passed in to you. The agent approaches and leads you inside to negotiate…. It’s a very daunting moment for those who have not experienced it before.
Read MoreWe uncovered this townhouse pre-market for a client, it wasn't in the right area for them unfortunately so we didn’t pursue.. However, we saw what it could be, and so did the eventual buyer! There are so many takeaways in this transformation... So let's get into it!
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