Record low interest rates and new government incentives have made it possible for first home buyers to enter the market. But saving up for your first deposit can feel like a small mountain to climb. It can still take six years or more to save for a deposit, according to a survey published by Domain.…
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Modern house designs often emphasise the garage, combining easy access into a property with the aesthetic of sleek double-doors that obey your command at the touch of a button. If a garage plays a dominant role in your home design, then how much value does it add to the property? A double-garage is one of…
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During the hot days of summer, with the cricket and tennis underway, what better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than lazing next to the swimming pool? If you’ve got a pool, this is a great time to be selling – the possibilities of summer are endless, and the sight of a crystal clear pool…
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Getting really good financial and accounting advice is essential for investors who intend to purchase property using their self-managed super fund. Buying property through a self-managed fund has become a popular way to transact, especially for those who aim to retire in the next decade or so. But seeking professional financial advice before committing to…
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There are three key ways to understand the value of your property and keeping them in mind makes it easier to understand how you can add value to your investment down the track. Those three elements are Land, Dwelling and Extras. Let’s step through each of these: Land In some respects, there’s not much you…
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So many uncertainties haunt a large-scale renovation project that it’s no wonder most homeowners opt to trade up rather than endure the disruption of building works in their lives. Money is also a key consideration because more renovations run over budget than don’t. Life gets tricky if you run out of cash or the lender…
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Headlines are popping up with increasing regularity that suggest there’s never been a better time to buy a property. Prices that were at a record-growth pace just 12 months ago have levelled out because of Covid-19 – but are expected to move again in 2021 – and the official Reserve Bank cash rate is at…
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With summer well and truly heating our homes, you’ve probably fired up the air-conditioning unit and decided to worry about the electricity bill later. But there’s a better approach that will add value to your home as well as give you a comfortable living experience. It’s called passive cooling, and it aims to work with…
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Selling a home is an intense undertaking at the best of times, but your nerves can get on edge when your prospective buyer sends around their building inspector. Any responsibly written “Contract of Sale” will make a successful transaction contingent on the building report. Detrimental findings in an inspector’s report have the potential to end…
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Good buying opportunities exist in the market right now, and you wouldn’t be the first owner to consider delving into the equity of your home to purchase an investment property. Others may be thinking about using that equity, or even increasing their loan, to capitalise on the Federal Government’s promise of a $25,000 grant for…
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