Category: Buyers

Prices are climbing but only fools rush in

You can’t beat the confidence of our country – even with a pandemic and the associated economic and social challenges, we continue to demonstrate our optimism about the future by investing in real estate. Home values are increasing across America, and that means prospective buyers need to be more diligent than ever in assessing the…
Read more

Eight emotions when buying a new home

Every buyer goes through a series of emotions from the moment that they begin their search for a new home to the euphoric time when they take possession of the front door key. Let’s not sugar-coat this:  buying property can be stressful for a time. And first-time buyers must deal with the anxiety of dealing…
Read more

How to buy a ‘fixer-upper’

Some buyers regard them as diamonds in the rough – homes that are rundown or neglected.  These buyers can see through the grime and the dilapidation and can’t wait to start renovating. If you’re one of those folks, then you’re a breed apart.  The archetypal fixer-upper is only right for a buyer who has sufficient…
Read more

The ‘5 Cs’ of loan applications

So, you’ve endured months of hardship and frugal living and to save enough money to use as a deposit for a home. Now comes the loan application and knowing for sure how much you’ll be able to spend. Lenders will put a magnifying glass to your application, especially in the aftermath of the banking royal…
Read more

Lockdown extension creates a calm before auction storm

Our continuing lockdown across Victoria has been a sobering experience that has created uncertainty, delay and stress in all our lives. But it is essential that we remain optimistic about our future, and that has never been more relevant than for those who’d been planning to buy or sell a home in the current spring…
Read more

10 ways to check you’ve found your dream home

It’s easy to become distracted by bright and shiny features when you’re walking through a home for the first time.  A new bathroom or a modern kitchen can quickly capture your attention and divert you from other important aspects of the property. While your agent will have used your initial brief to scope out its…
Read more

What does the word ‘escrow’ mean?

You’ll often see sign boards outside homes that state the property is “in escrow”, but what does that actually mean? It means the house is not sold, but a deposit has been taken and a deal is in its final stages. A deposit is known as “earnest money” and represents a small percentage of the…
Read more

5 things to check before closing

You’ve finally found a place to buy and the offer has been accepted. Closing is underway. Thank goodness you never need to inspect another home again. Right? Wrong. You should go through the property one last time to ensure everything is in order. Here’s what to look for: 1. Is everything present and accounted for?…
Read more

4 hot condo design trends

Condo and apartment designs are always moving with the times, embracing new technologies that enhance lifestyle while never losing sight of providing the modern idea of a comfortable, stylish home. Global best practices are quickly implemented by local designers who pick up the latest buzz of excitement in new home living.  New trends can either…
Read more

How to deal with defects in your dream home

You’ve found the home of your dreams but it needs a bit of work. How do you ensure your dream home doesn’t become a money pit? As your agent, I see this situation often and have been around long enough to know that few causes are hopeless if you’ve really found your perfect home. Here…
Read more