A room full of leafy green plants looks lush and welcoming, and also offers tangible health benefits. With a little know-how, houseplants are easy to keep alive and will make your house feel more like a home. Read on for some easy beginner’s plants to try and how to look after them. Greener, healthier living Studies have shown that in hospitals, house plants can increase tolerance...
Selling a deceased estate can be emotional and daunting, especially if you are inheriting property from your parents. It is a complicated process to have to deal with at an already difficult time. However, with the right help and support, you can get through it. Here are some of the essential things you need to know about winding up an estate. How is probate obtained? If the decea...
School holidays are fast approaching, and parents and grandparents around the country are looking forward to these with both relief and trepidation. With many parents now working from home or grandparents helping out by looking after the kids, the question is how do you spend your holidays at home? On the one hand, there’s a welcome break from the regular schedule of making lunches and getting ...
When you have to sell your home due to debt or divorce, this can be an extremely traumatic experience. However, with the right help and advice, it is possible to get through it and move onto the next phase of your life. Here is some essential information to help you make the transition as smoothly as possible. Selling your home due to debt The combination of cooling in the propert...
According to Google (and the empty shelves at the supermarket), we were cooking up a storm whilst at home during ISO. From prom cakes to bread and more, people were heading to the kitchen to keep themselves entertained. And perhaps we’re onto something? If you’re interested in reigniting your interest in cooking, here are a few interesting ways you may be able to add some fun and f...
Gone are the days when you could simply wave your kids off on a Saturday morning and not see them again until dinner time. With the lure of screens, video games and the kitchen close by, many children are now more than happy to stay inside for hours. But we all know how good fresh air and exercise is for growing bodies and minds. ‘Green time’ improves focus and mood, is great exercise and...
Neighbours are unique because we know them well – sometimes, a little too well – and yet we aren’t always friends. But good relationships with our neighbours can make life easier. So how do you ‘love your neighbour,’ and what should you avoid when it comes to establishing healthy relationships? Live and let live Sometimes, it’s about simply being tolerant, particularly in ci...
There’s a joke that does the rounds every now and again: “If your husband says he will fix something around the house, he will do it. There’s no need to keep nagging him every six months.” While this might give some people a chuckle, the truth is we all put off the cleaning and repair jobs that don’t exactly spark joy, especially when life gets busy. If you’re ready to roll up your sleeve...
Christmas is just around the corner and for many families, this can be an expensive time of year. But, it doesn’t have to be. If you follow our tips you can avoid a budget blowout and still have an enjoyable and memorable festive season. 1. Do some Christmas budget planning If you’re well-prepared for the festive season, you will be unlikely to overspend on last-minute rush purcha...
Buying and selling houses can be tricky, particularly if you are selling and buying a home at the same time. Should you buy a new property first, or sell your current home before purchasing a new one? It's an age-old conundrum. We take a look at the pros and cons in the light of the current housing market, to help you make the right decision. How to buy a new house in the current housing...
The season from September to November is generally the most popular time to sell a home. This has a number of advantages for sellers, but it is essential to start preparing your house for sale early if you want it to stand out from the many other properties on the market. Here’s everything you need to know about getting your home ready. Why getting your home ready for the spring market m...
Here are the most common reasons why people are continuing to sell homes whilst we continue to live in these uncertain times, and why a home sale can actually turn out to be a positive move. Why is the property market slow? Life still presents many different reasons why people need to sell their homes. Whatever the market conditions there is no need to wait if you need a quick sal...
While globally there's a huge amount of uncertainty, in Australia we feel that our property market has escaped relatively unscathed. True, property sales are slowing or even declining in some areas. However, we believe that once buyers and sellers recalibrate for this ‘return to normal’ market, we will see renewed confidence. The market might appear to be tapped out, but that is far from the tr...
We’re all looking at ways to reduce our energy bills right now. While some actions, such as adding solar panels, require a significant outlay and aren’t possible for many of us, there are other simple ways to reduce your energy consumption that are surprisingly easy to implement. Hang on to the energy you do generate Once you’ve turned on your heater or your air conditioner,...
If you are in the process of deciding to put your home on the market, you will no doubt be wondering what the rapidly changing landscape in interest rates and inflation means for your home sale. Here are some common questions we are hearing right now. Please get in touch if you have more. Can I sell my house now for a good price? Yes, homes continue to go on the market, and ...
12 months in review Looking back over the past 12 months we're pleased to share that home values are still the highest they’ve been for decades, although we’ve seen slight declines since February 2022. In July 2022, according to CoreLogic, Australian home prices fell by 1.3%. However, we must remember that this fall comes off extraordinary growth. Through the heady days of FOMO du...
Owning your own home is a goal or dream for most Australians these days, but we all had to start somewhere, but exactly where? No matter your stage of life, if you’ve decided it’s time to take the plunge into homeownership and the responsibility of a mortgage rather than paying rent, there are things you need to know. Here’s some advice that might help you along the way to owning your first hom...
Are you thinking of selling your home? You should know exactly what it’s worth before making such an important decision. Let us do a quick “Comparative Market Analysis” for you, for free, and with no obligation. Also known as a CMA, this analysis compares your home to others that are currently on the market and to those that have recently sold. As top real estate agents, We can help you or some...
Buying or selling a home is a complicated process that involves many people. It’s also one of the biggest financial investments you’ll probably make in your lifetime. That’s why it’s so important to find a team that is dedicated to helping you make the best decisions possible. As the local Agency of choice, We are recognised as one of the top leaders in the real estate business. We provide...
You may have signed up to a 30-year home loan. But that doesn’t mean your home loan needs to run the full distance. We show you how you may be able to pay off your home loan quicker and become mortgage-free sooner than you might have thought. A home loan may seem like a long financial commitment, especially if you’ve signed up to a 30-year term. But there are ways you could reduce the term of y...
Having the right real estate agent by your side when buying or selling a home is critical. So how do you choose the right Agent? The most important factor is experience. Find a real estate agent who has extensive experience in your neighbourhood. Don”t just sign up with anyone, ask questions! A few questions to consider: Do you work full time or part time? How long have you been selling homes ...
As real estate agents, we take pride in helping families, friends, neighbours and colleagues buy or sell a home. We’ve always been passionate about it and truly enjoy doing it. Recently a client asked, what is the best way to refer people to you whom I care about? The reason he asked was that in the past few weeks, he had recommended a friend and two colleagues to us. We asked him the names of ...
One of the most common questions in real estate is “why is that home on the market for so long?” We hear it from buyers who assume there is something wrong with the property and we hear it from sellers who are concerned it might not be the right time to sell. The good news is that there are steps that can be taken ahead of time, or to correct the situation and get that home sold. There are defi...
Lifestyle changes are often the reason behind our decision to sell. Whether you are relocating, have a growing family or are downsizing, working out when to time your sale can be daunting – especially for first-time sellers. Your decision to sell your property may not coincide with the perfect market conditions. Therefore it is important to know what is happening in the property market and the ...
Don’t make these mistakes! The rules of real estate are always changing. On the one hand, affordability is hovering at an all-time high, interest rates remain low, and there is a large number of homes to choose from. The bad news? Lending practices are tighter and creative financing is, well, a little less creative due to strict regulations. Still, buyer power for those looking to purchase a ho...
Most people have walked through beautiful model homes and wished their own home had all those modern features. Model homes showcase the latest in upgrades and decorating styles. When we get home all we can see is the tile in our bathrooms and yesterday’s details in our kitchens. These things can become overwhelming if we are considering a home sale in the near future. “Can I even sell my house ...