Sunday Blog - Expert property investment insights

We are often asked the question, “will I recoup the fee I pay from your negotiating power?” The answer is, “maybe, but not necessarily.” It is almost impossible to measure. We can’t simulate the same negotiation again with a DIY negotiator as the variable. Consumers seek the services of a Buyers Agent for multiple reasons,…

Now that Melbourne’s dismal property market downturn is behind us and auction clearance rates have struck 80%, many property pundits are contemplating their missed opportunity and feeling despondent about the fact that they could have, (-but didn’t) purchase an investment property in the pre-election, buyer’s market conditions. Taking this property as a case in point; past clients…

The importance of selecting a great property manager can’t be understated. We adopt a seven step process with our investor clients, and the interviewing, selection and matching of a great property manager is one of our seven steps. Our team even consists of a dedicated Post-Sales Advocate to fulfil this important selection and introduction. Being…

Nobody likes it. Plenty of investors don’t understand it. There is often some degree of controversy around it, and the rules are quite confusing. So how do we navigate land tax? Land tax is a state-based tax, not a federal tax. All of the states have varying tax rates and tax thresholds*, with the Northern…

The number of people I’ve met who believe that auction success is solely based on budget is numerous. Plenty of buyers believe that bidding style has zero impact on their chances of success. What they misunderstand is two-fold. Firstly, they are assuming that every other potential bidder is resistant to any sense of fear, intimidation,…

These days we inspect plenty of properties with retro-fitted solar panels and inverter controls. Since the introduction of government initiatives, (both State Government means-tested and Federal incentives), we’ve witnessed a strong uptake in solar energy adoption. Just over two million households, or 21 per cent of Australian households have solar panels. While most solar panel…

I remember years ago, hearing a conveyancer say, “and I had to be firm. I told the caller that their lack of planning was not going to be my emergency.” What was she talking about? She had a prospective client decide to purchase at auction without a contract review, and it wasn’t until the contract…

This blog comes all the way from sunny Hanoi in Vietnam, a beautiful place I’ve chosen to recharge my batteries in with my family during the summer break. Arriving in a new country comes with its surprises and the little tips I’ve picked up from locals during my stay has reminded me of some of…

Today is 22nd December. Christmas is just three days away. Solicitor’s offices are now all closed and buyers have decided that they’ll enjoy the festive cheer and recommence their property search in 2020. But are vendors and agents doing the same? No, not at all. This year has been an unusual year in property for…

We have all seen and questioned this before; does the order of an auction have any impact, (positive or negative) on the outcome of the auction or the resultant sale price? Auction television shows like “The Block” fuel conversation around this phenomenon, where viewers and participants alike wonder whether they are in a position of…

Due diligence counts for everything. It’s the hardest, most time-intensive part of our process. From strategy formulation to searching, bidding to settling, due diligence is a critical and serious step in the process. So what is due diligence? In our case, it involves us considering every possible negative facet and either eliminating the risk, or…