HTML5 Shim and Respond.js add IE8 support of HTML5 elements and media queries [if lt IE 9]> <![endif] StartFragment crazyegg End Facebook Pixel Code [if lt IE 9]> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/sites/all/themes/saturday/css/ie.css" /> <![endif] StartFragment crazyegg StartFragment When it comes to property investment, you always need to understand the "why" before buying anything. That's because if you don't know why you're investing, you're more likely to make a mistake. And that's why I've developed this new series, which will explain the "whys" of a number of different property investment strategies. Investing 101 One of the key investing fundamentals is that you need to

HTML5 Shim and Respond.js add IE8 support of HTML5 elements and media queries [if lt IE 9]> <![endif] StartFragment crazyegg End Facebook Pixel Code [if lt IE 9]> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/sites/all/themes/saturday/css/ie.css" /> <![endif] StartFragment crazyegg StartFragment Should I rent out a property furnished or not? This is a common question asked by landlords when deciding to rent out their property. Some landlords might think that they will get a better rental return if their property is furnished or they might be moving and need a place to home their furniture or surplus furniture without the costs of removal or storage. It seems like an attractive option but

HTML5 Shim and Respond.js add IE8 support of HTML5 elements and media queries [if lt IE 9]> <![endif] StartFragment crazyegg End Facebook Pixel Code [if lt IE 9]> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/sites/all/themes/saturday/css/ie.css" /> <![endif] StartFragment crazyegg StartFragment While clearance rates across the country have recorded a decline over the weekend, the increase in housing stock coming to the market is positive news for buyers. This week marks exactly one year since the combined capital city auction market last recorded a clearance rate above 70 per cent, with selling conditions progressively weakening over the last year. As property values have fallen, fewer ho

HTML5 Shim and Respond.js add IE8 support of HTML5 elements and media queries [if lt IE 9]> <![endif] StartFragment crazyegg End Facebook Pixel Code [if lt IE 9]> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/sites/all/themes/saturday/css/ie.css" /> <![endif] StartFragment crazyegg StartFragment Off-the-plan doesn't need to mean cookie-cutter. Here are a few fun ways you can personalise an off-the-plan home. While I’m sure we'd all love to live in an architecturally designed masterpiece reminiscent of something you’d see on Grand Designs, the truth is that most people who decide to build new will use a volume builder. Volume builders come with many advantages. They're cheaper, and can ease

HTML5 Shim and Respond.js add IE8 support of HTML5 elements and media queries [if lt IE 9]> <![endif] StartFragment crazyegg End Facebook Pixel Code [if lt IE 9]> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/sites/all/themes/saturday/css/ie.css" /> <![endif] StartFragment crazyegg StartFragment As we head into 2018, I believe this year will be one of market transition across the country. It will also be a year of finance, with those who can secure it likely to be the ultimate winners. It's no great surprise that Sydney and Melbourne are transitioning out of the strong price growth they've experienced over recent years. However, that doesn't necessarily mean they're going backwards. Inste

HTML5 Shim and Respond.js add IE8 support of HTML5 elements and media queries [if lt IE 9]> <![endif] StartFragment crazyegg End Facebook Pixel Code [if lt IE 9]> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/sites/all/themes/saturday/css/ie.css" /> <![endif] StartFragment crazyegg StartFragment Auctions have changed quite a bit over recent years, but one thing that hasn't is the need to stick to your budget like bees to a honey pot. That's because, there's more training given to agents today on how to handle auctions as well as how to work the crowd. However, in my early years of investing, one of the best ways to stall an auction was to ask, "Is the property on the market?" That doesn't

HTML5 Shim and Respond.js add IE8 support of HTML5 elements and media queries [if lt IE 9]> <![endif] StartFragment crazyegg End Facebook Pixel Code [if lt IE 9]> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/sites/all/themes/saturday/css/ie.css" /> <![endif] StartFragment crazyegg StartFragment Now that the chilly season is upon us, it's important to make sure your home is warm and cosy this winter. Temperatures are finally starting to cool and while our winters might pale in comparison to those in Europe, our fragile Australian temperaments will have us reaching for the heater, stat. With the cold weather set to continue, it's important to know how to keep your home toasty warm using the

HTML5 Shim and Respond.js add IE8 support of HTML5 elements and media queries [if lt IE 9]> <![endif] StartFragment crazyegg End Facebook Pixel Code [if lt IE 9]> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/sites/all/themes/saturday/css/ie.css" /> <![endif] StartFragment crazyegg StartFragment Follow these tips the next time you move house. Congratulations! You have sold the house and found the new one. Start making lists. Lists will be your friend. Make lists and check them off. We are discussing packing and moving here, so assuming you have already arranged change of address, told the utility companies to turn off the old, and start with the new, redirected mail at the post office, cha

HTML5 Shim and Respond.js add IE8 support of HTML5 elements and media queries [if lt IE 9]> <![endif] StartFragment crazyegg End Facebook Pixel Code [if lt IE 9]> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/sites/all/themes/saturday/css/ie.css" /> <![endif] StartFragment crazyegg StartFragment Owners of income producing properties are eligible to claim tax deductions for a number of expenses involved in holding a property, according to Bradley Beer, BMT Tax Depreciation. Most investors are aware of some of the deductions they are entitled to; for example, they know they can claim their Property Manager’s fees, council rates and any repairs and maintenance costs. However, all too often in

HTML5 Shim and Respond.js add IE8 support of HTML5 elements and media queries [if lt IE 9]> <![endif] StartFragment crazyegg End Facebook Pixel Code [if lt IE 9]> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/sites/all/themes/saturday/css/ie.css" /> <![endif] StartFragment crazyegg StartFragment End Facebook Pixel Code [if lt IE 9]> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/sites/all/themes/saturday/css/ie.css" /> <![endif] Driven by platforms such as Airbnb and Stayz, the short-term rental market in Australia has doubled in value over the past two years to $1bn and supports over 40,000 full-time jobs, according to a new report from MadeComfy, a short-term property management speciali

HTML5 Shim and Respond.js add IE8 support of HTML5 elements and media queries [if lt IE 9]> <![endif] StartFragment crazyegg End Facebook Pixel Code [if lt IE 9]> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/sites/all/themes/saturday/css/ie.css" /> <![endif] StartFragment crazyegg StartFragment Did life get in the way, moving your home goals down the priority list? If you’re looking for quick fixes that will add high impact to your home’s aesthetic, check out our budget-friendly interior design hacks room-by-room. Living space Your living space is central to your home. It forms first impressions and brings the family together. Spice up your living room with: 1. Bottles & jars Display

HTML5 Shim and Respond.js add IE8 support of HTML5 elements and media queries [if lt IE 9]> <![endif] StartFragment crazyegg End Facebook Pixel Code [if lt IE 9]> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/sites/all/themes/saturday/css/ie.css" /> <![endif] StartFragment crazyegg StartFragment If you're anticipating a kitchen or bathroom reno, don't order a pallet of boring white tiles. These tiles are much more cool and chic. Remodeling your kitchen or bathroom can get pretty exxy, which is why you need to do your research first. After all, you don’t want to find out the brand new tile floor you’ve just paid for isn’t even in style anymore - after you’ve already laid it. We’ve seen clea

HTML5 Shim and Respond.js add IE8 support of HTML5 elements and media queries [if lt IE 9]> <![endif] StartFragment crazyegg End Facebook Pixel Code [if lt IE 9]> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/sites/all/themes/saturday/css/ie.css" /> <![endif] StartFragment crazyegg StartFragment Make a plan My original 7 year plan was on butcher’s paper. My goals were my motivation, my driver, my inspiration. What did I need to do to achieve these goals? I was very bold and set milestones and decided on achieving a portfolio of 9 properties in 7 years. I achieved my property goal in 3 years! We now have portfolio growth modelling to help investors plan. It is more predictable and reliable

HTML5 Shim and Respond.js add IE8 support of HTML5 elements and media queries [if lt IE 9]> <![endif] StartFragment crazyegg End Facebook Pixel Code [if lt IE 9]> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/sites/all/themes/saturday/css/ie.css" /> <![endif] StartFragment crazyegg StartFragment The Royal Commission has sparked a lot of controversy and debate about Australian lending policy and the ramifications will be lasting, says James Nihill. There has been a lot of talk about proposals to reduce borrowing capacity that has resulted in a knee-jerk bank-bashing reaction against this. But when you investigate the finer detail of what is proposed combined with the way that borrowers are

HTML5 Shim and Respond.js add IE8 support of HTML5 elements and media queries [if lt IE 9]> <![endif] StartFragment crazyegg End Facebook Pixel Code [if lt IE 9]> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/sites/all/themes/saturday/css/ie.css" /> <![endif] StartFragment crazyegg StartFragment Data collected by BMT Tax Depreciation, Australia’s leading tax depreciation specialist, indicates that in the 2016-2017 financial year there was a 22 per cent growth in the number of schedules requested for granny flats nationwide. Of the states Queensland, Western Australia and New South Wales saw the highest growth in the number of depreciation schedules requested for this type of property. “Key

HTML5 Shim and Respond.js add IE8 support of HTML5 elements and media queries [if lt IE 9]> <![endif] StartFragment crazyegg End Facebook Pixel Code [if lt IE 9]> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/sites/all/themes/saturday/css/ie.css" /> <![endif] StartFragment crazyegg StartFragment When a market is transitioning it takes a while for both sellers and landlords to catch up. If a market is softening, for example, people will often stick to prices that they think they already know because they’re in denial to a degree. They falsely believe that their property is protected by the price slump. In Sydney, the market is down by about 2.1 per cent compared to the December quarter, yet

HTML5 Shim and Respond.js add IE8 support of HTML5 elements and media queries [if lt IE 9]> <![endif] StartFragment crazyegg End Facebook Pixel Code [if lt IE 9]> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/sites/all/themes/saturday/css/ie.css" /> <![endif] StartFragment crazyegg StartFragment Strong growth in investment properties and holiday homes as a financial asset was identified in the latest report by Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI). “In 2002, around one quarter of households approaching retirement had a second property and this grew to 30% in 2014,” the research network said. This growing appetite for acquiring more properties, specifically residential one

HTML5 Shim and Respond.js add IE8 support of HTML5 elements and media queries [if lt IE 9]> <![endif] StartFragment crazyegg End Facebook Pixel Code [if lt IE 9]> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/sites/all/themes/saturday/css/ie.css" /> <![endif] StartFragment crazyegg StartFragment No, probably not, writes Lachland Goddard. It’s impossible to tell the future, but it is possible to have an understanding of what drives the value of housing in Australia and then track how these factors will shift over the coming years. What Determines The Price Of Housing? Many factors come into play when determining the price of an individual home. However, from a macro level, the below five c

HTML5 Shim and Respond.js add IE8 support of HTML5 elements and media queries [if lt IE 9]> <![endif] StartFragment crazyegg End Facebook Pixel Code [if lt IE 9]> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/sites/all/themes/saturday/css/ie.css" /> <![endif] StartFragment crazyegg StartFragment A premium price is data driven. It's about looking at comparable blocks of land and comparable houses to give a baseline figure on the value of a property. Any increase on the baseline is considered a premium price. "There’s a distinct DNA in getting a premium price in real estate," explains Sam Danckert. "Some interest can be attributed to timing of who is in the market and relative competition, w

HTML5 Shim and Respond.js add IE8 support of HTML5 elements and media queries [if lt IE 9]> <![endif] StartFragment crazyegg End Facebook Pixel Code [if lt IE 9]> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/sites/all/themes/saturday/css/ie.css" /> <![endif] StartFragment crazyegg StartFragment In the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy in London last year, product conformity has arguably become a matter of life and death. A panel of industry experts will come together at DesignBUILD 2018 to discuss this urgent problem as well as, following the Lacrosse fire here in 2014, what the building industry and government regulators should be doing now in Australia, including suggested changes to s