Use Real Estate Signage to help sell your House

Using the right sign to increase the chances of selling and exposing your property can be an important aspect of the highly competitive real estate market. The difference between eye catching and bland in real estate signage can mean the difference between a sale or not, so creating a visually impressive and informative advertisement is essential.

While there are many different types of real estate signage in Brisbane, there are a few common elements that will help the effectiveness of the advertising. This includes photos, illustrations, text, contact details as well as the intended target demographic market and the property itself. Also important is the exposure of the real estate business or person selling the property.

The most effective methods of real estate signage will include the following characteristics:

  • Eye catching

Strong photographs and images can often express what words cannot. Effectively using images of the property is an important part of selling it.

  • Minimal text

Too much text will clutter up signs, as the main aim is to attract attention and interest from would be buyers. Text that is included needs to be accurate and descriptive.

  • Prominent contact details

This is very important as it allows would be buyers to contact the relevant people to arrange an inspection, talk about the property and indicate their interest in buying. Use multiple forms of contact such as phone numbers and email.

Placing your signs in appropriate places is another important factor in attracting interest to the property you wish to sell. Signs in multiple locations that indicate or lead to your location will increase the audience that will view the advertisements. This includes placing signs in prominent positions for both foot and vehicle traffic.

Creating and using real estate signage is a great way to create interest and attention for any property you wish to sell. When used effectively and featuring the design tips above, real estate signage can increase the chances of you selling your property tenfold.

Do you want to buy Established or Off Plan Management Rights?

There are numerous management rights for sale throughout the country, both established and off-plan. Before looking at which is the best option and what the benefits of owning management rights are, you first need to know what it means.

What is Management Rights?

Management rights is a property related business enabling the owner of a unit in a community living complex, such as an apartment block or row of townhouses, to have the right to act as caretaker of the complex and also operate as a letting agent. The owner of these management rights is often called the Resident Manager.

Established or off-plan?

There are reasons for and against both options with a benefit of an established complex being that it has gone through all the teething problems in terms of initial defects to the property. Also, establishing the level of income is easier as accounts are available. An off-plan complex can, potentially, provide you with more of a challenge. However, it does allow you to develop the business as you think fit and earn more commission as the rental may well be higher for a brand new complex but the Body Corporate can be more demanding as it is a new investment.

What are the benefits of owning Management Rights?

Before looking at the benefits it might be a good idea to look at what a Residents Manager does.

The Resident Manager, who acts on behalf of the Body Corporate and the owners of the other units, will live in the complex and provide the same service that would have been provided by an exclusive management company. They undertake such things as maintaining the communal areas outside such as the gardens, lawns, paths, pool, barbeque area and the communal areas inside such as the entrance and the lifts/stairs.

He or she will also deal with the rental of the units they are responsible for prior to the tenant moving in, with any queries the tenant may have whilst living in the property and, should the tenant leave, the administration relating to the departure and the re-letting. However, in order to operate as a Letting Agent a special license will be required.

Some of the benefits that may attract you to choose to own Management Rights could be:

  • Living where you work

As a Residents Manager you couldn’t get any closer to working from home. Although you may choose to work out of your own unit, many complexes provide an office to work in so that you are able to keep just that little distance between the office and your home. In this respect you will not be involved in the long commute into the office that many workers are faced with and, of course, you will not have the transport costs that most people have who travel to work.

  • Income

There is no doubt going to be a continuous demand for these types of properties, particularly ones that are well maintained, so this type of business is likely to provide you with a steady income stream from your regular duties and the letting of units. You may also be remunerated for miscellaneous work you are asked to do by owners of the units, tenants and the Body Corporate.

  • Qualifications

Other than having to deal with figures and hold a special license to operate as a Letting Agent you don’t need any particular qualifications but you do need some common sense.

  • Investment

Hopefully, the unit you have purchased will be a good investment as well as the management rights business, so, should you decide to stop the business, you could sell the rights and hopefully make a substantial profit.

Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of management rights in terms of the benefits and whether to buy on an established or off-plan complex.

The House That You Don’t Want – Bad Things to Look Out for When Buying a House

Buying a house can be exciting, especially for first time buyers. However, it’s imperative that you make sure to check every inch of the house before you purchase it. One way to check the entire home is to have a formal house inspection. If you decide to do the inspection on your own, instead of paying a professional, then make sure to double check the following areas of concern:

The Ceiling

Check every ceiling in the house for stains, cracks or water marks. If a ceiling has water marks then this usually means there’s damage to the roof and it could be costly to fix or replace a roof.

The Kitchen

The kitchen is typically the one room that can drive up an asking price due to the appliances, cabinets and the flooring. Check to see if there are any noticeable cracks in the floor and the cabinets. Look to see what material the cabinets and the counter tops are made out of. Are they natural like wood or fake like particle board? Are the counter tops durable to handle wear and tear? Check to see if the appliances are still under warranty and if they operate smoothly as intended.

The Bathroom

The bathroom is another crucial area for checking before purchasing a home. Look for leaks behind the toilet, the tub or under the bathroom sink. Make sure the toilet and the sinks work normally. Check for any cracks in the floors or walls.

Heating and Insulation

Check to see how old the furnace is because older furnaces tend to break down and cost more to operate during the cold weather. Double check the windows and the walls to make sure they are properly insulated. This will not only keep in the warm air but it will also keep out the cold air.

Windows

In addition to insulation, the thickness of the window panes can reduce outside noises especially if you live near a busy street or a public market. Also make sure the windows let in enough light, can be easily open, and do not have any cracks or chips in the glass.

Other Areas to Check

In addition to the previously mentioned high risk areas, there are several more locations and aspects of the house to check:

  • Make sure all the smoke detectors are working.
  • Check the sprinkler system if the house has one.
  • Look for any cracks in the sidewalks or driveways.
  • If the house has a basement, check for leaky pipes.
  • Make sure the air conditioning unit is newer and doesn’t cost a lot to run during the warm weather.
  • Check for faulty wiring in every room by turning on lights and plugging items into the outlets.

 

So Many Kit Home Designs, More Than You Expect

Kit homes are thought to be small and simple dwellings that can only be used as outhouses or storage areas. However, contrary to the belief, kit homes are modern alternate living spaces that provide immense benefits.

Kit homes are made out of individual pieces that are prefabricated in a factory. These individual pieces of a unit are assembled and packaged with plans, manuals and instruction guides. The kits can then be purchased as per the design chosen.

Halley Homes

Kit homes provide several benefits like flexibility of design, cost effectiveness, durability, eco-friendliness, speedy construction and custom-built as a do-it-yourself project.

The best thing about kit homes is that they can be custom designed in so many ways that it becomes difficult for the owner to choose a style right away. Moreover, the availability of several designs and plans pushes the owner to change his mind over and over again to find the perfect solution.

Kit homes can be chosen from the several types of designs and materials available. Here are the different types of kit homes you could choose:

Steel Frames: those individuals looking for modernistic homes can choose from the steel framed kit home designs. These homes provide modern looking housing solutions that exude sharp geometric features that enable the owners to create homes as per their preference. One may put in as much or as little character and individuality in the kit home to save money and time.

Log Homes: those individuals who are looking for rustic style of alternative living spaces can choose from the log home type of kit homes. These homes are available with a variety of floor plans, window options, bedroom and bathroom sizes and plans, wrap around decks and covered front porches.

Panelised Homes: kit homes with panelised parts are easy and quick to erect. These homes come with walls that are already built and only need to be raised at the construction site. These types of kit homes can be easily constructed and finished with the owner’s specifications. The pre-built walls can be used to make multi-storeyed houses or simple stand alone cottages.

Post and Beam Homes: kit homes are also available in the post and beam style of construction. Irrespective of the size of the kit home to be built, the post and beam style of kit homes are available in a large variety of plans. Cape Cod, Colonial or Saltbox homes can be built with this style of construction giving the option of high ceilings and open areas that come with these plans.

Choosing a kit home from the available variety of options can be a little daunting. However, there are certain aspects, which can help one choose the right kit home design. These factors are the home layout of the kit, foundation option, energy efficiency and cost.

Kit homes purchased to serve as alternative living spaces can be chosen as per the requirement and budget of the owner. Whether the house is needed as an extended accommodation for the growing family or as a ranch style home for vacation or retirement, there are several varieties of kit homes in different price ranges.

The internet is the best medium to find the relevant kit home as there are several options to explore and research. One may be surprised to find so many kit designs at one place.

Author Bio –

Chris Jeff  is an online enthusiast and part time blogger. Currently, he is writing for Halley Homes . For over 18 years Halley Homes has been a leader in modular construction, delivering exceptional quality homes and commercial buildings throughout Australia.

 

Queensland’s Housing Shortage Hitting Renters Hip Pocket

The rental market in Queensland is experiencing a major hike in rental fees due to the dramatic shortage of housing. Various towns throughout the state have seen rental fees rise over 100 per cent and it appears that it’s only going to get worse as more people are moving into the region and less rentals become available. Additionally, the overall global economy has had a negative impact on the Queensland rental market as well.
Global Economy

Economic hardships have plagued major cities and countries throughout the world. This global economic crisis has directly impacted the Queensland region by impeding the progress of developing new inner-city developments. The lack of new inner-city rentals has added to the overall crisis of not having enough places for people to live.

Availability

Recent reports have come out stating that various towns and cities throughout the territory are almost completely empty of rentals. Mining towns have seen the largest increase in rent due to the ratio of people to available rentals. The town of Moranbah experienced a 113 per cent increase in rental fees. Various suburbs of Brisbane have seen rental prices rise anywhere from 44 per cent to over 100 per cent. Conversely, the city of Brisbane is expected to see its rental availabilities drop to approximately 1 per cent by the end of the year; thus continuing to fuel the rise in rental feels.

Why Landlords Raise the Rent

Landlords are able to increase the rental fees because they know that people will pay them due to the lack of availability. This means that renters could see their current apartments, townhouses and homes dramatically rise in rent as landlords look to take advantage of the rental shortage.

Financial Assistance

Because rent has been going up, and available rentals have become scarce, organisations that assist those in need have seen a dramatic rise in the number of people needing help. Places like the Salvation Army have been overrun by families suffering from increased rent or mortgages they can’t pay off.

Public Housing

With the tough economic climate and poor housing market, more families have had to seek living accommodations through public housing. Unfortunately, public housing has also reached its limits as there are not enough units available for those in need. A recent report stated that there are over 70,000 people on the waiting list for public housing.

It’s unclear how long they will have to wait and there are no guarantees that the list won’t continue to grow. Therefore, now is the time to reduce expenditures a

Stamp Duty Slashed! – What This Mean for Home Buyers!

Stamp duty, also known as transfer duty, is a tax placed upon “dutiable transactions” of property in Queensland.  This tax covers transactions like taxi and limousine services, business assets, trusts and property, like real estate. This tax is based on the value of the property. In regards to the housing market, the tax duty is based on the value of the home. However, the Queensland government has recently decided to offer concessions for paying transfer duties to home buyers, starting this week.

History

A few years ago, the government decided to implement a stamp duty (transfer duty) on the transfer of real estate property, including homes, which greatly upset the housing market. Additionally, the economy began to decline, which caused the housing market to fall even further. Currently, the housing market is trying to recover from the recent fall and rebound from an increase in abandoned homes and short sales. Queensland, the first territory to offer a slash in transfer duty, is hoping that this slash will help jumpstart their embattled housing market.

Conditions

The transfer duty concessions began on Sunday, meaning that only contracts beginning on or after July 1st qualify for the new tax break. To receive the transfer duty concessions, prospective home buyers must purchase the home as their principle place of residence. Additionally, first time home buyers who purchase a home as their primary residence, will receive a greater tax break. Investors, and others who have owned homes before or currently own multiple homes, are not eligible for these concessions. If you meet the requirements, you can save up to $15,000 on homes that are valued up to $509,000.

Principle Place of Residence

All residents of Queensland can qualify for these concessions if they are buying the home as their principle place of residence. This means that home buyers will have to live in the home on a daily basis. Additionally, the following factors might also be taken into consideration when determining if the home is your primary place of residence:

  • If the residence’s utilities are in your name
  • It’s where your family lives
  • The amount of time you live there
  • If your mail is delivered there
  • If it’s the address you use for voting

First Time Home Buyers

First time home buyers will not have to pay any transfer duties if this home becomes their principle place of residence. This is a huge bonus for those that have been wanting to but their first home but have been unable to due to their finances, the housing market, and the transfer duties, so take a look and see if you can save on your home today.

How to Get The Most for Your House in This Economic Climate

Selling your house can be a challenging process, especially with all of the tasks that go in to successfully completinga sale. In the current harsh economic climate, selling a house is even tougher. Fortunately, there are a few ways for which you can improve your chances of selling your house and getting the most out of it.

Get A Realtor

Ideally, it would be nice not to have to pay a commission to a realtor. Unfortunately, rough economic climates, like what we currently are experiencing, makes it vital to get a realtor to help you get the most out of selling your house. Realtors have a better understanding of the housing market including, tax breaks, interest rates, equity, staging, and more. All of these services require someone who’s well educated and possesses awealth of experience especially during economic downfalls.

The Right Listing Price

If there are houses in your neighbourhood for sale, check to see how much they are listed for. These house can provide a great barometer for what the asking price should be for your home. If there’s more than one house in your neighbourhood currently on the market, try to list your asking price in between the highest and lowest asking prices. Additionally, realtors can check the market over the previous several months, or years, to compare previous sales of houses that are similar to yours. This can help to find a more accurate asking price.

Duration Of Listing

The duration of your house’s listing can directly impact the perception of the home. Some experts believe if your house has been listed for over 60 days then you should remove the listing and wait a before relisting. Removing the listing can prevent buyers from thinking something’s wrong with the house due to how long it’s been on the market.

Repairs

Fixing up your house can make it look more impressive and add more equity to the home. If there are holes in the walls, broken fences, faded paint, or damaged appliances, repairing them before putting the house on the market will make your home much more appealing.

Presentation

Another important factor in selling your home is how presentable it looks. The appearance of house both indoors and outdoors can make or breaking your asking price. Ensure that the landscape is clean with no dead brushes or brown patches of grass. Keep everything trimmed and well maintained.

The inside of the house also needs to look highly presentable. In addition to making necessary repairs, make sure the house isn’t cluttered, the windows are open to provide plenty of light and remove unnecessary furniture to make rooms look bigger. Another suggestion would be to add a room deodorizer or a scented candle. A pleasant fragrance can make potential buyers feel more comfortable and enjoy their visit.

 

How to Find The Right Home Loan

No matter whether you are a first-time home buyer, or looking to upgrade to a larger home, you need to do your research when it comes to finding the right home loan. You have a lot of options, and you want to make the right decision that will help you stay on top. Here are some things you need to take into consideration when choosing a loan:

Calculate Your Max Loan

First of all, you need to determine the maximum amount that you can secure on the basis of your debts, expenditure, and income. Take all of your expenditures into consideration when doing so; you don’t want to end up securing a loan that you can’t actually afford without undue sacrifice.

Estimate the Repayment Package

Based on the current interest rate, determine the minimum you’d have to pay back each month over the life of the loan. Also figure out the maximum you may have to pay if rates change.

List The Pros and Cons of Rent vs. Buy

If you’re currently renting, or going from a smaller home purchase to a larger one, sit down and list all of the pros and cons of each place. How much more will you spend at the new place? Are you willing to make sacrifices as needed to come up with the extra money, or is the new place well within your means? Figure out how purchasing the home will impact your long-term financial stability.

Figure Out All Added Costs

A home loan is only a small part of purchasing a house. You also pay other fees when you first purchase the home, plus ongoing taxes that are owed to the government.

Types of Loans

There are several types of loans you may secure in order to purchase a home. Check with your lender to see what they can offer you. Some of the loans available are listed below:

No Frills or Basic Loan

This is a variable rate loan with a fairly low interest rate. Check to make sure that the loan conditions are not too restrictive for your needs.

Standard Variable Rate Loan

This is like a basic loan in that it is variable rate, but has more bells and whistles and tends to be more flexible than a basic or no frills loan. The rate is slightly higher.

Fixed-Rate Loan

The interest rate on this loan is set for a certain period (usually one to five years) so your repayments are always the same during that time frame, no matter if interest rates rise or fall.

No matter what type of loan you choose, always do your research before you sign on the dotted line. If you need help, talk to a mortgage expert for more advice.

 

Apartment Living – Living of the Future

Renting an apartment has many benefits that owning a home may not have,like monthly payments and no maintenance costs. It’s an increasing market due to the current economic climate. Renting apartments have become viable options especially in metropolitan areas that have high mortgages on homes.

Housing Market

Unlike when renting or owning a home, the housing market has no significant impact on the overall rental costs with apartments. In fact, a declining housing market makes renting an apartment even more appealing because you won’t lose money in renting an apartment like you can when the value of your home depreciates due to the economy.

Money

Renting apartments cost significantly less than owning or renting a home. The lower rent can allow you to save money for other things like a vacation. Additionally, you don’t have fork out a larger upfront payment when renting an apartment. Typically, it’s first and last month’s rent and maybe an additional security deposit. This is a fraction of what home owners pay when first purchasing a home.

Another financial benefit of renting an apartment is that there are no unexpected costs. You know how much to pay every month, which makes it easier to plan your financial budget.

Amenities

Unlike most homes, apartment complexes have several amenities that can make the living experience much more enjoyable. Many complexes have a fitness centre that you can exercise in for free. Additionally, some complexes also have tennis courts, basketball courts, laundry rooms, sand volleyball courts and swimming pools. All of these amenities are free to use for residents. Most rental homes don’t have these amenities.

Repairs

When living in an apartment, you don’t have to pay for repairs to appliances, heaters, air conditioners and other items that come with the apartment provided that you didn’t purposely damage them. The apartment complex takes care of all of the maintenance. When owning a home, you are responsible for paying to fix appliances and other household items, which can quickly add up.

Other Benefits

In addition to lower rent, the amenities and free maintenance, there are a few more benefits for renting an apartment:

  • It’s easier for you to up and leave the region if you have a career that requires you to move.
  • Apartments have flexible leases, like 6 months or 12 months, which can better suit your desired length of stay.
  • Can provide tax breaks at the end of the year.

So if you’re looking to rent, consider an apartment instead of a home and enjoy the numerous benefits associated with apartment living.

 

 

To Buy or To Rent

Buying or renting a home can be a difficult decision for some due to the many factors that go into making this decision like income and the housing market. Both buying and renting has its advantages and disadvantages. It’s important to weigh both the pros and cons of buying and renting before making a major decision that can impact your life for years to come.

Advantages of Buying

One of the biggest advantages of purchasing a home is the tax deductions for payments on mortgage interest and property taxes. These savings will add up over the loan’s duration and can help you get more money back on your taxes. In addition to tax breaks, buying a home is a solid investment especially during the current economy which has seen the housing market drop significantly. Buying a house at these lower prices will pay off down the road when the market recovers and the value of your house rises.

Other advantages of buying a home are:

  • Building up equity
  • Maintaining great credit
  • A sense of pride and accomplishment
  • Establishing roots

Disadvantages of Buying

The depreciation of a home’s value is the biggest risk when considering buying a house versus renting. If the housing market or the economy suffers a downfall, values of homes can drop, leaving the owners owing more money than the house is worth.

Other disadvantages of buying a home are:

  • You have to pay for all of the maintenance
  • Additional costs like insurance, security and upgrades

Advantages of Renting

Renting is the best choice for those who live in metropolitan areas where the price of buying homesand the cost of living is very high. Renting assures that you will be able to have a place to live, pay your bills and afford other amenities in life.

Other advantages of renting a home are:

  • Less money up front.
  • Best option if you plan on moving sooner than later.
  • It’s good for those who don’t have the income to afford buying a house.
  • It’s good for those who don’t have good enough credit to get a loan.
  • You don’t have to pay for maintenance on the home.
  • Don’t have as many additional expenses as homeowner do.

Disadvantages of Renting

When the housing market declines and owners are losing value in their homes, they tend to raise the rent to cover their losses. This means that renters will have to pay more just to stay in their home or have to pay more when looking to find a place to rent.

Other disadvantages of renting are:

  • No return on your investment.
  • Cost you more in the long run.
  • Not as many tax breaks compared to owning a home.
  • Unpredictable raises in rent.
  • Have to answer to a landlord.