Author: Kylie Davis

How rising building costs boost home values

New business insolvency data is a sharp reminder for owners and buyers that the building industry is still operating on shaky ground across Australia. Those who want to renovate before selling, or buy land and then build, need to carefully consider their risks before pushing ahead. Insolvency data from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission…
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Seven tips to make your tapware bright and shiny

Preparing your home for sale always takes a little time and a touch of elbow grease – after all, you don’t want your potential buyers to experience a cluttered and untidy home. The bathroom and kitchen are often the most time-consuming areas to clean before you open your doors to buyers.  These are also the…
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More properties on the market as spring arrives

As we herald the start of the spring selling season, there’ll be a few owners who’ll be anxiously watching the trends for buyer demand and prices. Some owners won’t give it a second thought – they’re the ones selling in Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane, which are thriving markets currently.  Those in the other capital cities…
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How gardens can add a ‘touch of magic’ when you sell

Have you ever wondered why some houses achieve great sales prices while others are passed in at auction or languish on the market, slowly losing their value in the eyes of buyers? What is the magic formula for a successful property sale? Our agents will tell you there’s no “magic” but a combination of logical…
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Five ways to create an eco-friendly home

As environmental awareness continues to rise, the demand for energy-efficient and sustainable homes has surged, prompting a shift in the features that buyers now look for in their next home.   Eco-conscious buyers are actively seeking properties that align with their values and have cheaper energy costs. Sellers are responding by incorporating green features into upgrades.…
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Rents rises slowing but more than twice inflation

The cost of rents is slowing but continues to grow at more than twice the level of our 2.5%  inflation rate, according to the new National Rent Report released by Rentals.ca. Average monthly rents are now $2,201 with increases registering in Vancouver and Toronto. While the growth in rental costs is at its slowest for…
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Quiet market set to ignite with more rate cuts on the way

It’s the calm before the storm – two interest rate cuts are now complete but the housing market remains stubbornly poised for growth as buyers and owners wait to see the impact. Home sales fell 0.7% in July, compared with the June numbers, according to the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA).  June had recorded a…
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How hard will the BoC go on the next rate cut?

For months now, owners have been keeping a keen eye on the falling rate of inflation in the hope it would signal cheaper mortgage costs and boost the property market. Now Canada’s inflation is 2.5%. It doesn’t mean anything is any cheaper, but it signals the fast pace of price rises, which most global economies…
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Should you open a branch of The Bank of Mom and Dad?

Parents are being called the “Sandwich Generation”, caught between helping their own children as well as their mothers and fathers, a consequence of living longer. The days when parents’ greatest concern was paying for the kids’ college education have now morphed into helping them onto the property ownership ladder. It’s amazing to think that almost…
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Affordability emerging as Canadians enjoy two rate cuts

WIth two interest rate cuts under our belt, and more promised by the Bank of Canada, how is this affecting the spending power of those wanting to buy their first home, or upgrade to a bigger property? So far, Canada has seen rates cut for two successive months, moving the cost of cash from 5%…
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