Emergency preparedness should be an important concern for both home owners and renters alike. Get Ready Queensland encourages all Queenslanders to follow their three-step plan to be prepared: make a plan, pack supplies and check your insurance. For more support resources and assistance, visit the Get Ready Queensland website. Remember, it’s not … Read more
Fixer-uppers are homes that require renovations or repairs. The extent of necessary work varies by property, but it can generally be expected that a fixer-upper will need at the very least some cosmetic work. In more serious cases, structural repairs may be necessary. Why do people buy fixer-uppers? The lower … Read more
Alternatives to mortgages for home renovation If a mortgage isn’t the best option, you have alternatives. Keep in mind that these may be easier and faster to obtain the funds you are seeking, but come with a higher interest rate and shorter term payoff requirements. Lines of credit You can … Read more
Are you planning a home renovation? There are several mortgage types you can take advantage of to fund the costs of renovations, so consider this option before you drain your savings and get stuck with a half-finished kitchen remodel. Mortgage increases or refinancing If you have a straightforward renovation planned … Read more
The First Home Buyers Grant was introduced in 2000 as a government scheme. It is intended for people buying a home for the first time, to help offset the Good and Services Tax (GST) that is paid when purchasing a house. The grant provides a lump-sum payment between $7,000 and … Read more
Does your mortgage include mortgage insurance? You could lower the size of your deposit or remove the need for additional guarantees by purchasing this type of insurance policy to increase your lender’s ability to secure their risk. Doing so can be an important bargaining chip if you are applying for … Read more
The bathrooms Perfect number of bedrooms, but too few (or too cramped) bathrooms? No problem. Expand and refurbish tiny water closets – or consider adding a master bath to the main bedroom and letting your teenager take over the shared hall bath. When it comes to luxury, switching out a … Read more
Are you having a hard time finding the house of your dreams? You might be overlooking one important detail: There’s no reason to necessarily keep the house you end up buying as is. In fact, the odds of checking every single item of your “want” list in a single house … Read more
Are developers and builders still in business? Since building defects seem to becoming the rule rather than the exception, it’s important to know what methods of redress are available should you buy a unit with problems that appear later. Due diligence in this area is vital. Those living in structures … Read more
With prices climbing for single-family homes, more and more Australians are opting for flat living. Over the past few decades, apartment dwellers have increased to encompass 10% of the population, with an estimated occupied flat for every five houses. Nearly half the residential property listings in Sydney and Perth are … Read more