With the chilly weather fast approaching, it’s the perfect time to start planning winter crops in your back garden. And if you’ve never thought of popping a few veggie seeds into pots or creating a vegetable patch, this may be the ideal moment. The brisk conditions we’ve been experiencing are perfect for so-called cold-season crops,…
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Discipline around maintenance is essential to keep your home in great condition as neglected properties can cost a lot of money to put right before a sale. A worse result is when a property fails to reach its value potential because it’s rundown. While many buyers may be home-hunting for a fixer-upper, more want a…
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Owning a swimming pool is one of those dreams that go hand-in-hand with the Great Australian Dream of owning a home on a quarter-acre block. If you’re looking for a new home right now, should you only consider properties with a pool or be prepared to install one after you’ve moved in? Swimming pools do…
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The Reserve Bank of New Zealand is proposing to ease mortgage loan rules this month to give buyers a better opportunity to find finance. It will allow lenders to increase from 10% to 15% the number of loans they can issue that require a Loan-to-Value Ratio above 80%. The Reserve Bank imposed the regulation in…
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Real estate prices could be at a turning point according to forecasts from leading industry researcher, Core Logic. With data showing that average values were down just 0.6% in April, negative market sentiment could be coming to an end. CoreLogic economist Kelvin Davidson issued an important reminder about prices, saying property values were still $200,000…
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When you start planning a move to a new home, your mind buzzes with a thousand thoughts, yet one important decision may be forgotten: what to do with your pets? Moving home can be a source of anxiety for cats and dogs that have grown familiar with their current surroundings and even the local neighbourhood.…
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Understanding how real estate agents describe different types of property can be a challenge if you’re unfamiliar with the market. While a picture is worth a thousand words in real estate, they don’t pick up the subtle differences between the array of property types available. These common descriptors will help explain some of the real…
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Did you know that it is important for everyone to have a home evacuation plan in place, even if you do not live in a natural disaster prone area? While the frequency and severity of disasters such as floods, cyclones and bushfires can vary depending on location, it is important for all Australians to be…
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What should you consider when trying to decide the best time to buy or sell your home? Any stage of the property cycle can be a good time to make a move for you and your family, it really comes down to your personal circumstances. This checklist will help you consider whether the time is…
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With the onset of autumn and the colder, shorter days, it might seem crazy to suggest you start planning if you want a new swimming pool by next summer. As Australians, we love a swimming pool: almost 3 million of us live in a house with one. But how much will an installation cost? There…
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