One of the great benefits of buying a property is that you can borrow large sums of money to purchase your first/next property. However, obtaining finance can be quite difficult. The best way to apply for finance is through a mortgage broker. Apply for finance with a mortgage broker A mortgage broker can assess your circumstances without bias. You may bank with the ANZ or Westpac on a daily basis....
Setting up the right flooring plays an integral part to presenting your property to another level. We often use this analogy... Would a man/woman look sophisticated wearing a suit/blouse with a pair of thongs on their feet? This is a rhetorical question, of course not. The right flooring can turn your home into something special, but making the decision between timber flooring or tiled flooring can...
An expression of interest is the first step in the buying process for real estate. As buyers advocates, this initial stage is where you place an official holding reservation on a property. The expression of interest sets out the proposed details including the terms & conditions of the offer, purchase price and time frames to act. It is a non-binding offer and does not in itself constitute a...
The butler pantry… who doesn’t love a walk-in cupboard! There are some traditional home treats that we don’t see anymore. Features like transom windows, vestibules, and sleeping porches, to name a few. One traditional home feature that has very much come into demand is a butler pantry. This is happening in both brand-new properties and remodels or renovations. Traditionally, a butler’s pantry...
How to prevent condensation this winter t's critical to maintain your investment property. It attracts good tenants, but also influences the income you earn (rent) and the capital growth over time. Certain parts of the year can require your attention. Melbourne is certainly in the middle of the winter season and the weather has been very cold. One sneaky concern arises with these cold mornings, and that's...
Melbourne is a highly desirable place to live. In fact it has been ranked the best place in the world by Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) from 2011-2018. Many inner city suburbs have contributed to Melbourne's culture, environment and stability. So what are the most populated suburbs? Melbournians love their city and have little desire to live to far away from it. As the land scarcity increases...
Amenities is a silent achiever when buying property. This is relevant if buying to occupy or invest. In this article, we take the opportunity to highlight how amenities should never be overlooked when sourcing the right investment property. It is widely known that the further we live from Melbourne (or any city for that matter), the fewer amenities become available. The closer we are to the inner cities...
Spiral staircases are becoming more popular to your normal traditional staircase. They are becoming a modern display feature to a large double storey family home. Today spiral staircases are known for being space-efficient as well as magnificently beautiful and even majestic. As family needs and tastes change, we are seeing common feedback to the stunning look of a spiral staircase bringing the home to...
According to research conducted by the Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV), homes located within some of Melbourne’s best public school zones have asking prices in excess of $100,000 more to similar properties that position outside school zones. Its becoming public knowledge to learn housing prices within school zones are higher to neighbouring properties, but the price differences may surprise...
Overcapitalising - How to avoid this problem. This is a very common word used in both the finance and real estate industry. Many investors and owner occupiers would also be familiar with this term. Overcapitalising is caused in situations where you pay to much on renovations or home improvements. Implementing capital improvements such as laying high quality outdoor decking, changing a gazebo into an...