Finding asbestos can be a distressing experience when you renovate or buy given its well-documented history as a toxic material. Asbestos is a natural substance of thin fibrous crystals that if inhaled attacks the lungs, causing them to stiffen with deadly consequences. You might find asbestos in any pre-1990 home, as the material was used…
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The decision to downsize is often emotional, requiring you not only to say goodbye to the family home that holds so many memories but let go of possessions that no longer have a place in your life. Downsizing remains an important option for those approaching later years and looking for less stress. Once the kids…
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Installing a brand new bathroom is a great way to prepare your house for sale and achieve the maximum possible sale price. Brand new bathrooms and kitchens have the most impact on buyers during inspections, and they will certainly set your home apart from most of the properties currently for sale in the neighbourhood. Planning…
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When the heat in a booming property market eases down a notch, sellers need to become more competitive to maximise the value of their homes. Some buyers may feel they have the whip-hand, thinking they can low-ball you because the banks predict rising interest rates. But that’s not true if they’ve set their heart on…
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Deciding when to sell your home which is so often your great financial asset, is one of the biggest decisions directly affecting your wealth. Sometimes, a sale will be forced due to personal circumstances or a change in employment. But if you have a choice in the timing, then it pays to study not only…
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With so much attention on the current election campaign and the prospect of higher interest rates, it’s easier for first-time buyers to decide to wait and see where the market is heading. But that can be a mistake. Instead, you should focus on your own game and stick with your ambition to enter the property…
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Homeowners are refinancing in their droves, taking advantage of record-low interest rates to climb the property ladder, maximise the value of their existing property or hunker down for a rate rise. New figures show 363,978 properties were refinanced last year, an increase of 27.9% on 2022. One driver for this activity has been speculation about…
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With electioneering in full-swing, it’s no surprise that housing affordability and the prospect of interest rate rises are at the top of most Australians’ minds. Homeowners should be watching the timing of what seems to be an inevitable rate rise. The Big Four banks are suggesting it’s coming as early as June. But the Reserve…
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Believe it or not, the humble laundry is emerging as an influential part of the home for today’s buyers and renovators. Upstaged by new kitchens and bathrooms, many buyers rarely gave a thought to the laundry beyond its practical function. Until now. New interior designs and increasingly sophisticated washing machines have put the laundry at…
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When you’re thinking about placing your home on the market, one of the first thoughts is whether you need to renovate before selling or how much work you really need to do to get your home ready. Nobody likes leaving money on the table, and it would be a crying shame if you failed to…
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