Author: Kylie Davis

10 ways to be a top tenant

Seeking a great rental property can be a challenging, even demoralising experience at times. Suitable properties might be thin on the ground, or above your budget and they all seem to attract a never-ending stream of potential tenants to compete with you for the lease. You need to stand out from the pack to get…
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A guide to Australian property styles

The rich history of architecture that Australia has enjoyed since settlement can make house-hunting a fascinating and rewarding experience if you love to step inside homes of bygone eras. Even 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 true…
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How to find good tenants quickly

An investment property that sits empty for weeks will burn a hole in your pocket. Avoid this by working with your property manager on a plan to find a new, trustworthy tenant as soon as the current one leaves. Good tenants who pay their rent on time and respect your property are gold, and you…
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14 ways to make downsizing successful

Downsizing your property is often regarded as a logical and practical lifestyle change but it can also be an emotional experience. It signals a new phase in your life but can also represents the end of what used to be. Turning your back on a family home of two decades or more can be upsetting.…
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How to minimise the risks of buying off the plan

Horror stories of buying new apartments off the plan are easy to find but can blow the risks far out of proportion. To make a successful purchase, it’s essential you conduct your own research and take extensive advice from a financial adviser as well as your solicitor or conveyancer. They should be familiar with off-the-plan…
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How to spot trouble in a 1970s home

Back in their day, homes built in the 1970s were the height of sophistication and design-smarts. But now they’re coming up for 50 years old and may be showing their age. Homes from the 1970s have a lot of merits. They were overwhelmingly designed to be comfortable family homes and as such usually have open…
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9 tips to feng shui your apartment

Feng shui is a powerful strategy when trying to sell your apartment and can add thousands of dollars to its value if you get it right. If you’re a buyer in the market, you’ll find the logic of feng shui will resonate strongly. The surrounding area is actually more important from a feng shui perspective…
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8 quick tips to negotiating a sale

It’s natural to be anxious when selling your home even when you have the best real estate agent on your side. Your agent will understand the stress that comes with such a large transaction, but their work can be undermined if you reveal anxiety or emotion to prospective buyers during price negotiation. This is especially…
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11 secrets to being a stress-free landlord

Selecting a tenant for a rental property always carries an element of risk. A bad choice can cost thousands of dollars in unpaid rent, damage to property or both. There are no guarantees in property, but it is possible to enjoy the stress-free experience of renting property and building your personal wealth. But remember, there…
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Investing in a holiday house

Who hasn’t been on holiday and stopped at the window of the local real estate agent to dream about buying a holiday home to escape the rate race? Whether it’s a ski chalet, lakeside cabin or an apartment overlooking the beach, the idea of having your own bolthole in a beautiful part of the world…
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