Category: Owner

How to make a wall-to-wall statement in your home

Wallpaper is not a fad that’s going to disappear any time soon. Gen Z and Millennials are embracing big and bold patterns as they modernise the look and feel of their first homes.  And unlike many fashions in property, it’s really a case of anything goes when it comes to wallpaper. Block patterns, stripes and…
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Not even a democracy sausage can dampen home values

Australians are normally a careful people when it comes to money, and the prospect of a federal election is enough to put most property purchases on hold as buyers wait to see which party and policies win the day. Not this time. Buyer demand for homes across Australia showed no sign of stalling as the…
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If gardening is a chore, embrace chaos theory

Conventional thinking suggests we all love a neat and tidy garden – flowerbeds are organised and weed-free, hedges clipped, roses in bloom and trees shaped to perfection. When selling your home, this is the perfect philosophy to attract the greatest number of potential buyers. Of course, it’s not the only approach to gardening.  An increasing…
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Do security lights really protect against burglars?

One question that vexes many homeowners when they go away for the weekend or even on an extended vacation is whether to leave on the lights to give the impression someone is present. And is there any point in keeping the exterior lights on?  Is any burglar really going to be fooled? Motion sensor lights…
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Six ways to stop wasps ruining your summer

If you’ve ever had an infestation of wasps in your garden, or a nest under the eaves of your home, then you’ll know how distressing this can be. Walking outside to enjoy your summer starts to feel like you’re taking your life in your own hands, running or walking quickly before attracting the attention of…
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What are the tax implications of inheriting property?

Inheriting property can be a wonderful gift from a loved one, but it comes with a significant drawback – you’re in the sights of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Taxes like capital gains and the estate and inheritance levy become an immediate issue.  It is essential you receive professional advice to ensure you abide by…
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It’s not only money that matters when renewing a mortgage

It’s always good to know your options when it comes to mortgages. While so much time and effort is spent on finding and buying the right property, we often don’t think enough about the type of mortgage we’re choosing. And we think about mortgages even less when interest rates fall, as if that is the…
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Five tips make your bedroom a relaxing haven

Have you ever been to someone’s home and immediately felt the occupant led a busy and stressed life?  Perhaps, you’ve seen clothes dropped onto a kitchen countertop, or the living room has throw-blankets scattered or left on the floor. These are signs of a person, couple or family on the hamster-wheel of modern life and…
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Eight tips to look after houseplants this summer

Summer is just around the corner, and many owners will be looking forward to enjoying their gardens in the warm weather. You may be one of thousands of people promising that this year you’re going to get on top of the garden situation. Enough with the overgrown hedges and ugly weeds in the lawn –…
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Residential values up 39% over five years, says CoreLogic

There’s always conversation among owners and buyers about the price of property and how quickly values have risen since the outbreak of the pandemic. Have we had an historic boom because of Covid? Have prices been rising faster than ever before? New data from industry researcher CoreLogic says value increases have not matched the boom…
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