Author: Kylie Davis

6 basic rules for buying off the plan

There should be two upsides to buying an off-the-plan – competitive pricing compared with similar properties already built and the fact your property will be brand new. These benefits don’t come without a challenge: you must commit to a purchase based on a scale model, artist’s impression and floor plan. As a physical inspection is…
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How to be a ‘rent-vestor’

Rent-vesting is an increasingly mainstream strategy for those seeking to break into the property market or expand their portfolio without impacting their lifestyle. It breaks the traditional approach of buying a property and living in it. It means you can rent in the area you love and buy in the suburb you can afford. It’s a…
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8 tips for stress-free moving with kids and pets

There’s no denying that moving home is stressful. Boxes disappear inside the removal truck at one end and reappear at the other in random locations around your new house.  The anxiety of not finding anything can be amplified by screaming children wanting toys or something to eat. So, if you’re juggling kids, pets – or worse, both…
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Common mistakes property buyers make and how to avoid them

Life can be tough for property buyers at the moment. There are seemingly endless inspections of properties that never seem suitable, auction-stress and, sometimes, the heartbreak of missing out. There’s also the anxiety of gaining loan approval, although with the right mortgage broker guiding you, that stress can be significantly reduced.  You might be surprised…
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8 pro tips to reduce the running costs of your home

Maintaining your home should be a mix of love and diligence that sometimes requires a little TLC from your bank account. Staying on top of the work around your property is key to ensuring it remains a comfortable and enjoyable refuge from the trials that life throws at you and attending to jobs while they…
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5 ways to give your home a new lease of life

With property delivering record-level prices and not a lot of stock for sale, some owners are putting plans to sell on hold, fearing they may not be able to find their next dream home.  If you feel you need to re-evaluate your options right now, consider the option of renovation.  It can provide an opportunity…
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A quick guide to Australian property styles

The rich history of Australian architecture can make house-hunting a fascinating and rewarding experience if you love to step inside homes of bygone eras. A basic understanding of this nation’s architectural history will help guide you towards your ideal home and provide a better idea of a property’s actual value. Homes with a strong, well-recognised…
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Is open-plan living right for you?

Open-plan living is often billed as the perfect floor plan that brings family together in a single room where cooking, conversation and the screen share the same space.  It has been a popular feature of modern homes for the last three decades and more. However, a growing school of thought – encouraged somewhat by lockdowns…
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How immigration affects the value of your home

There’s much talk in real estate about how the Covid-related fall in immigration might affect property prices over the next few years. If you’re thinking of buying at the moment, it’s worth exploring. Property prices have long been sustained by new people settling in Australia. Immigration hovered at an annual 200,000+ before Covid. But government…
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Five reasons downsizing is a great idea

The strength of the current property market is encouraging an increasing number of owners to consider selling their family home and downsizing. Thanks to the current boom in prices, if you’ve owned your home for many years, it’s likely you could do very well financially from this strategy right now. But mistakes can be made…
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