Blog

Here’s our step-by-step guide to home improvements. Have fun!

1. Set out your goals. 

Work out your why…Is it to live in and enjoy for the next 30 years, or to flip? To add more light or more space or make the home more modern? Answering these questions will help formulate your plan. For our past and present clients, think of this as our ‘Plan of Attack’ document we put together at the beginning of your property search. Write out what you're doing and why, this will be your anchor throughout the process. 

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You’ve been saving for a while now, you've spoken to a finance professional, and they’ve said you can buy a house for around $600k. Well done! You should be really proud of yourself! 

In this blog we’re going to show you a few areas and property types which we deem to be good investment options. We will also show you an example of a recently sold property that reflects what we would consider to be good real estate. 

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If you’re looking to buy a house, townhouse or courtyard apartment it’s important to understand what easements are and how they might affect the value or usability of the land you’re purchasing.

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You don't want to move out to the sticks just to accommodate a furry friend. You want to maintain your inner city lifestyle but welcome a fur baby into the fold. Here's a curated list of companions perfectly suited to high rise living...

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Our top tips to ensure you stay together in the process!

So you’re in the market for a love shack? One of the largest demographics we work with is couples, we’ve truly seen it all. So unless you’re also in the market for some hefty couples counseling bills, listen up kids.

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Firstly, what is Capital gains tax (AKA CGT)... It is a levy you are obliged to pay on the capital gain made from the sale of an asset.

A capital gain (or loss) is the difference between what you paid for an asset and what you sold it for (less any fees incurred during the purchase). So, if you sell a property for more than you paid for it, there will be a capital gain. And if you sell it for less, that is considered a capital loss.

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Here we are.. Comin’ at ya with the next round of common questions asked by first home buyers…

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We love working with first-home buyers. Helping them navigate what can be a very confusing and stressful time is one of the most rewarding parts of our job! We were first home buyers once too and know just how critical the right guidance is to long-term success in property ownership.

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As a general rule, we don’t buy off the plan (OTP) property for our clients. However, there are some circumstances within which an off-the-plan purchase may fit. It really comes back to your property purchasing strategy. Are you buying for cash flow and depreciation? Or to be able to value add and for capital growth? Answering questions like these might be able to give you an answer as to whether or not off-the-plan purchases are right for you!

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We’re always talking to our clients about whether a property has room to add value through renovation, but why? Because it’s a great way to manufacture your own growth in the property. Rather than sitting back hoping the market will go up in your favour. You’re putting the performance of the property in your own hands.

What do we mean by ‘value-adding’? We mean spending a dollar, to make 3 (or more!).

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So you’ve watched advocates bidding like crazy on The Block and you’re wanting to know more about buyers' advocates and how it all works.

First of all, what you see on the block is NOT a good representation of what we do.

The thought of purchasing inflated real estate for our clients so we can get our name in lights for a few minutes doesn’t quite fit in with our business ethos.

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No matter how good or bad a property appears to be, we always recommend getting a building and pest inspection. 

We have seen perfect looking 5 year old apartments riddled with water leaks, and what you perceive to be dilapidated houses come back with structurally sound concrete stumps and perfect plaster work! All they need are some new weatherboards and a heavy duty paint job!

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First of all.. What is ‘zoning’?

Zoning is a framework, generally set out by state and territory governments and applied by local councils, which dictates what can be built where and how. It regulates the pace and pattern of development, growth and character of an area.

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You may have heard the term thrown around, but what constitutes an off market property? It refers to a property being sold without any public advertising. When we say ‘public advertising’ we mean it hasn't been uploaded to any online portals, which costs the vendor thousands of dollars.

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We’re talking in person auctions.. they may take place in front of the property on the street, inside the property or in a boardroom at the agents office. Let’s unpack a few strategies and considerations, but remember… Just like real estate itself this is not an exact science, there is no one particular formula for success when it comes to auctions.

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So you're ready to move. You already own a property and you’re looking to up/down size into the next one. The most common question we get with clients in this position is, ‘Should I buy or sell first?’

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So often we hear clients start their search, picking apart property with a fine tooth comb.. But unfortunately property is imperfect. Property needs money spent on it and they simply wont tick all your boxes.

Its very common for clients to come to us exhausted and overwhelmed with their spreadsheets and lists of property must-haves. We’d like to think we are magicians and property developers, but we’re not. We can't build our clients' dream home, we can merely work out what is non-negotiable and what's negotiable. Typically, this is determined by what can be changed and what can't. The orientation can’t be changed, the location, property style, access to amenities and transport, can’t be changed. These are the things to look for and focus on. 

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The market was extremely strong in 2021, with auction pass ins a rare occurrence. However, this year we are seeing it back as a common scenario for a property to pass in at auction, and often promptly sell to the highest bidder in negotiations afterwards. 

We want to explore what this means and how to navigate it - if you find yourself in the hot seat!

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While we recently touched on the basics of depreciation, we're going to explore how it can make/save you money this week. While it seems counter-intuitive, let us explain…

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If you’re looking for a sea and tree change, Beaumaris has it all. Bordered almost exclusively by golf courses, parks and beautiful beaches, it’s no wonder Beaumaris is highly sought by families looking to live in a safe bayside environment.

Harking back to the good old days of suburban living, the tree lined streets come whisper quiet and the neighbours extra friendly. With a handful of shopping strips and ‘The Concourse’ where you’ll find the buzz, you may be able to get a good coffee and some eggs on toast but you’d be hard pressed to find much more! No that’s not true, there's definitely a cute pizzeria that opened up in the early 2000’s somewhere in there (no wait, that was Black Rock)!

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