Tag: country_au

Ensure pets included in bushfire plan

Fire services across Australia respond to up to 60,000 reports of bushfires every year.  That incredible number means that at any given time, there are literally dozens of bushfires raging in each state. It’s so common most of us don’t even think about it until the weather turns hot and blowy, and there’s a bushfire…
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Market stability offers chance to upgrade

A return to stable value growth suggests that a decision to sell your property in 2024 will deliver a predictable result, avoiding the boom-bust behaviours we’ve witnessed over the past three years. Predictions of price growth around 2% to 3% this year will deliver a good return on the back of a surprisingly strong 8.1%…
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Renovators benefit from easing costs

Homeowners and investors looking to renovate will be delighted that fast-rising construction costs are coming under control. New data shows that during the three months to December, 2023, costs rose only 0.8% which was a significant fall from the 4.7% quarterly rise recorded in the third quarter of 2022. Construction costs rose 2.9% last year,…
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Rejuvenating hardwood floors before sale

If you plan to sell your property when it’s vacant, one of the most important features will be your flooring. A beautiful timber floor can set a property apart from others if it has been well maintained. It’s a great idea to assess the flooring to determine whether it needs a little TLC before going…
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Quick ways to prepare your apartment for sale

New Year always sees a new crop of apartments come onto the market as owners seek to upgrade or investors re-evaluate their property portfolios and cash out. If you are in either of these categories, make sure you maximise the value of your apartment by showing it in its best light. Staged apartments featuring fit-for-purpose,…
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Property features that fail to impress

Do you have any “special features” in your home that may actually turn away buyers? Ask your agent to give you an honest assessment of how the market will receive your property and, if there are some problem areas, consider fixing them to optimise your sale price. Our handy checklist highlights some of the features…
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Prepping for a five-star paint job

One of the most cost-effective ways to prepare your home for sale is to give it a fresh coat of paint. Many owners will take on this task themselves, and they’ll do an outstanding job. On occasion, however, their painting skills will let them down. Usually, the problem is all in the preparation. Be aware…
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Ideas to reduce your power bills

If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to reduce your power bills, it’s essential you understand which of your appliances are the most thirsty for electricity. We probably all know by now that leaving devices on standby doesn’t save much more electricity than if you were using them. Good examples are the TV, its…
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How to prep your home for a late summer sale

The summer break offers an excellent opportunity to assess plans for 2024 and beyond, including whether it’s time to seek a new opportunity in the real estate market. While the market has endured 13 interest rate increases since May 2022, most predictions suggest they will begin to fall around mid-year, although the Reserve Bank of…
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How to give your kitchen a budget facelift

The kitchen is a place where families gather and memories are made, so it’s only natural it can be a focal point for buyers during a property inspection. If you’re considering selling soon and are worried about the quality of your kitchen, you’ll be delighted to know there are many ideas to give it a…
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