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Tips for Getting a High Home Valuation

Written by Richard Colum on July 14, 2011 · Leave a Comment

There are a number of reasons you may need to have a home valuation performed. One of the most common reasons is when you’re trying to sell your home and you or the buyer want to know what it’s worth. Other reasons include refinancing so you can use some of the equity of your home and wanting to know if your Australia investment property has risen in value. No matter which reason you’re having a valuation performed, there are some things you can do to help make the most of your valuation. Complete Any Improvements Before the Valuation If you’re [...] Read more »

Tips and Ideas for Preparing to Move

Written by Richard Colum on July 8, 2011 · Leave a Comment

So you’ve finally found the perfect family home in Australia and it’s time to pack up all of your belongings and prepare for your move. Whether you’re planning for a move to Australia or just moving from one state to another, the moving process can be stressful. You can reduce stress and streamline the moving process by following some simple tips and ideas. Create a List Start by creating a list of everything you need to do. It’s best to create this list in chronological order so that you can check it off as you go. Some ideas for a [...] Read more »

Taking the Best Photos of Your Australian Property

Written by Richard Colum on June 30, 2011 · Leave a Comment

The saying goes that a picture is worth a thousand words, but most property buyers want to see more than just one picture. That’s why it’s important that you work with your Australian real estate agent to take the best pictures of your property as possible. Not every agent will stress the importance of photo marketing or provide you with tips and techniques to make sure your property photographs well. Depending on how the agent works, whether they send out a photographer they work with or take the pictures themselves, it’s up to you to make sure your property is [...] Read more »

How to Avoid Spending Too Much on a Renovation

Written by Richard Colum on June 24, 2011 · Leave a Comment

The Australian real estate market consistently experiences ups and downs when it comes to market price. When the market is down, many homeowners decide to forego buying a new home and renovate their existing home instead. The price is often cheaper than buying a new home and it increases the future selling price of the home. There are numerous benefits to renovating a small or outdated home, but there are pitfalls that homeowners can fall into when renovating. The main pitfall, and the one that can affect the future sale of your home, is spending too much on a renovation. [...] Read more »

Choosing Whether to Rent or Buy an Australian Home

Written by Richard Colum on June 16, 2011 · 8 Comments

If you’re moving to Australia or simply moving to a new part of Australia, you may be struggling on whether or not to rent or buy an Australian home. Figuring out which choice to make depends upon your situation and whether or not you can afford to purchase a home that meets your needs. Renting may be cheaper in the beginning but cost you more money in the long run. Buying may seem ideal, but not if you don’t plan on staying too long. Here are some points to consider when choosing whether to rent or buy. How Long Will [...] Read more »

Why It’s Important to Use an Australian Real Estate Agent

Written by Richard Colum on June 9, 2011 · 3 Comments

Whether you’re buying or selling Australia real estate, it’s important to work with an experienced real estate agent. Many sellers think that they can sell their home by owner, but there are a number of things that a real estate agent brings to the table that you can’t get without their help. Sure, you may have to pay a commission or agent fees when buying or selling, but many people find that working with an agent is less time consuming and stressful than trying to sell by owner. Agents Know the Current Laws and Contracts Needed There are a number [...] Read more »

Is It Best to Purchase a New or Older Home?

Written by Richard Colum on June 6, 2011 · Leave a Comment

When you’re in the market to purchase Australia real estate, you will need to choose between brand new construction and an older home. Australia has a number of historical homes, everything from the Victorian era to Art Deco homes. The increase in Australian residents has also caused an explosion of brand new construction. New construction has all the perks of never having been lived in, but older homes offer unique layouts and the history of a home can lend charm and character not found with newer homes. The Benefits of Buying a New Australian Home If you purchase directly from [...] Read more »

Deciding Whether to Buy a New Home or Renovate Your Existing Home

Written by Richard Colum on May 19, 2011 · 1 Comment

Deciding Whether to Buy a New Home or Renovate Your Existing Home is a decision that is rewarding and exciting especially if it is your first home. When you have the need for a larger home, you may be struggling with whether or not to buy a new Australian home or undertake a renovation of your current home. You can easily add a good percentage of square footage simply by renovating, but you may want to look around at the available real estate before deciding what to do. There are a few things you need to research before making the [...] Read more »

How to Screen Tenants for Your Australian Rental Property

Written by Richard Colum on May 12, 2011 · Leave a Comment

So you’ve decided to invest in an additional Australian property, but now you need to sublet it out to a promising renter. When you were in the market for your new property, the excitement at an additional income source may have overshadowed the fact that you need to conduct research on a person’s background before confidently renting out your property. When you’re a landlord, there’s a lot that can go wrong. You need to make sure that you’re subletting the property out to reputable renters. The last thing you want is for your Australian investment property to become trashed, decreasing [...] Read more »

How to Increase the Value of Your Australian Home

Written by Richard Colum on May 5, 2011 · Leave a Comment

If you plan on selling your home in the future, one thing you need to do is work on increasing the value of your home. Many homeowners, who know that they’re only in a home for a few years, fail to take the necessary steps to increase the home’s value. Many just hope that the home naturally appreciates in value as a result of a good economy. But with the national economy a perpetual roller coaster of good and bad times, it never hurts to be proactive in raising the value of your home. Minor Improvements Everyone knows that the [...] Read more »