POST XMAS AND NEW YEAR Money Saving Tips

With Christmas, present buying, holidays and celebrations behind us, many home owners and investors are now faced with ‘The Bill – or credit card debit’ to manage in conjunction with mortgage payments. 

Many will agree that the last 12 months has been very challenging with regards to the economy, job security and property investment in general.

Our property management team is aware and understands the pressures that such an economy can place on property investors and tenants, and it is our priority to place a high importance on ensuring that rents are paid on time, that we obtain competitive maintenance quotes and that we carefully manage preventative maintenance and renovation costs to assist in alleviating your financial pressures.

As a value-add to our property investors, we have taken the time to research the Top Money Saving Tips for this month’s newsletter.

Make it your 2011 New Year’s resolution to action our ‘To-do’ list

ü Money Saving To-Do Tips

Number 1# Tip is to not avoid financial pressures

• Establish a budget outlining your income and expenses

• Establish a property maintenance plan and budget to cover the unexpected need of a new hot water system, oven or stove, and don’t forget to allow for renovations and improvements, such as carpet replacement, painting and new curtains, etc. Make sure you put a little extra away each month for these costs

• Review your home loans

• Can you get a better rate elsewhere? Is it time to fix your rate? Do you want to split the mortgage to fixed & variable? Can you align your repayments with your pay day or income cycle to minimise interest?

• Pay your wage/s into your home loan to reduce your monthly interest

• Establish a line of credit or redraw facility on your home loan.  Transferring your credit card debt to your home loan can greatly reduce credit card interest charges

• Review your car insurance

• Review your house insurance

• Review your phone, mobile, and Internet phone plans

By reviewing your insurance policies and ensuring you are on the best plans can save yourself $1000s.

Before making any financial decisions about the management of your finances, we strongly recommend that you consult your accountant, financial manager or bank manager to determine the most effective way to save money for your situation. ■

Merry Christmas to All - Holiday Security Tips

Christmas is a time to rejoice, let your hair down and enjoy the company of family and friends.

If you are planning to be away from your home over this period we would like to remind you of some thought-provoking holiday security tips.

ŸKeep Christmas trees and presents hidden from the outside view Ÿ Remove all ladders and climbing objects from around the house Ÿ Notify neighbours that you are going away and have them collect your mail/newspapers Ÿ Leave a light on inside Ÿ Hide all money, jewellery and valuables Ÿ Don’t hide a key outside your property or leave notes – Be Safe!

The Team @

David Deane Real Estate

WE'VE MOVED !!!

We have moved to our brand new, custom built showroom at

2 Dixon Street (Cnr Gympie Road) Strathpine.

Opposite Westfield Shopping Centre

We see our move as a launch pad for amazing client service and results to delight both sellers and landlords.

Please feel free to call in for a look around and a coffee.

Please note there will be disruptions to our telephone, fax and email services on Thursday 16th and Friday 17th December.

We hope to see you soon.

The Team at

David Deane Real Estate

Christmas Real Estate comment ...

Sales are being made – buyers have not gone away. 

"A Tumultuous year" would be our best description of 2010. The continuing financial crisis, ridiculous charges for utilities (water, power, petrol, food costs) have contributed to more market uncertainty and wanning confidence for many. The election fiasco and ending the subsidised home grant all contributed.

WHAT AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE TAKEN ADVANTAGE AND GRABBED SOME GREAT HOMES AT EXCELLENT PRICES. BARGAINS WILL NOT BE AROUND FOR EVER, OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS NOW.

It’s always these canny buyers who make big returns from residential homes over the long term. They will lead the next boom with capital gains and low payments, the stuff from which great stories start.  Interest rates have never been so low for so long. We believe those that lock in rates now will not only sleep well but be well placed as rates continue to rise to pay mounting governmental debt on all levels. It really is time to eliminate one tier of government, as we simply can’t afford to continue to shovel money into these bottomless pits. Governments on all levels need to re-address theIR roles, basically to provide utilities, health, security and education at the lowest price possible. All other areas of focus are no more than fanciful political diversions.

Local Buyers will find the task of finding the right homes a lot easier on www.daviddeane.com.au our award winning website which is updated daily. Everything listed is really available correctly priced with all contracted homes marked accordingly and removed when settled.

The local market is certainly over supplied at the moment or is it? Within 5kms of Strathpine there are 1200 homes listed for sale, with only 15/20 selling each week. Add to this 100 new listings each week and the buyer absorption rate blowing is out to almost two years supply. That’s the bad news…

The good news is that  less than 15/20% of homes listed represent buyer value, and they are obtaining significant inspections, offers and selling. Make no mistake there plenty of buyers for well-priced well presented homes. We have 500 active buyers registered with our team, now.

Many sellers are chasing prices that were obtainable last year but are overpriced today by generally 10/20%. It is a very tough decision to loose money from the original purchase price but sometimes the early loss is the best. If nothing else the share market has taught us that.

This is a market for high negotiation skills and determination by sales people. The weak ill-informed will not be around next year to talk up listing prices to dream levels, over promise and under deliver. The team at our office has been training for ten years to handle a market like this and are ready to get sellers sold. Our record and figures speak for themselves. 

Finally thankyou to the thousands of sellers, buyers, landlords and tenants who have selected the team at David Deane real estate to complete their real estate transactions over the 2010. So many of you have given us glowing references which we are very proud to receive, thank you.

2011 sees us open the first ever purpose built real estate showroom on the northside of Brisbane. It provides excellent facilities for clients and staff never before seen. We see our move as the launch pad for amazing client service and results to delight both sellers and landlords. Please feel free to call in for a look around and a coffee. Seasons greetings from all our team may we all spare a thought for those families doing it tough along with our forces overseas.

David K Deane

Principal

HOLIDAY SECURITY CHECKLIST

Is yours one of the few houses in the street with an alarm, dog or well-secured doors and windows or where the occupants come and go at irregular times?  Then  give yourself a big tick for offering the least opportunity i.e greatest opposition or risk to aspiring thieves. But if you were going away this Christmas you might want to make your home even less attractive to opportunistic thieves by using this holiday security checklist.

Firstly, try to think the way the thieves do. Does your home look neglected, abandoned, unused? Make it look occupied by carrying out the following activities

• Leave a light on inside if you intend returning home after dark. The light should be visible from the street and give the impressions that the house is occupied. Consider using an automatic lighting timer.
   
• Never leave notes on your door. Thieves can read too.
   
• Keep blinds and curtains partly open to give the house a "lived in" appearance if you are gong away for some length of time.  
   
• Cancel all regular deliveries, e.g. newspapers so the stockpile doesn’t give the game away.

• Ask a friend or neighbour to keep an eye on your home and collect any other deliveries which may be made during your absence.

• Ask the Post Office to hold your mail.

• Ask a friend or neighbour to park a car in your driveway from time to time.

And remember to make things tough for anyone who has the temerity to have a go.

• Lock away all portable garden equipment, tools, ladders or anything that could be used to break into your house.

• Securely lock your garage; most breaking-in implements are found there.

• Lock all doors and windows.

• Take your keys or leave them with a friend. Do not hide them.
   
•  Remove all money and valuables to a safe place such as your bank.

• Notify your local Police of your absence.

Have a great Christmas holiday.
 

source

RENTS TO RISE AS HOME BUILDING SLOWS

Tenants in Sydney, Perth and Brisbane are likely to be slugged with annual rent increases of up to 7 per cent over the next two to three years.

Housing analysts have forecast rent rises across all Australian capital cities as new home construction fails to keep up with demand, home borrowing stabilises at weaker levels and the population continues to grow.

Economic forecaster BIS Shrapnel says renters will have to get used to annual increases of between 5 to 7 per cent in Perth, Brisbane and Sydney, and 3 to 5 per cent in Melbourne, Hobart and Adelaide over the next 24 to 36 months.

BIS Shrapnel analyst Angie Zigomanis said new dwelling construction had not been adequate over the past 12 months.

‘‘We expect rental growth to pick up again,’’ Mr Zigomanis said.

‘‘The last 12 months has shown marginal rental growth, but we expect that to get closer to the mid-single digits over the next few years.’’

As the economy picks up, any vacant rental stock should become ‘‘pretty rapidly filled,’’ Mr Zigomanis said.

read more

WESTPAC, NAB COMPLETE RATE RISE QUARTET

Westpac has joined the other three major banks in raising mortgage rates more than the Reserve Bank with a 35-basis-point increase.

The move came just over an hour after National Australia Bank raised its standard variable mortgage rate by 43 basis points.

While Westpac's increase is the smallest of the big four, it still has the highest standard variable mortgage rate.

The standard variable mortgage rates for the big four banks are:

NAB - 7.67 per cent
ANZ - 7.80 per cent
Commonwealth - 7.81 per cent
Westpac - 7.86 per cent


Read more...

'URGENT' REPAIRS

Most tenancy agreements state that the owner of the rental property is obliged to conduct ‘urgent repairs’ as they arise. What constitutes an ‘urgent’ repair and what happens when landlords try to ‘save money’ by refusing to carry it out?

Throughout Australia and New Zealand, landlords as well as tenants are subject to residential tenancy legislation. For example, in QLD landlords have to keep the property in good condition, they are obligated to lodge the bond with the Rental Bond Board, and there is a limit to the amount of bond that can be charged.

Urgent problems are usually defined as those that radically reduce the tenant’s ability to live in a property, such as a dangerous electrical fault, or serious infestation leading to large-scale structural damage.

A rental property owner who does not see to urgent repairs is asking to pay more for repairs in the long run as tenants have the right to hire qualified trades people to carry out urgent work and send the bill to the owner of the property. It is unlikely that a tenant will shop around for the best price, since ultimately the cost is legally payable by the owner.

Always remember to check with an experienced local property manager to make sure you are complying with all governing legislation and regulations.

http://www.localpropertynews.net/

iPhone service

iPhone news. All our office uses an iPhone. Mine died today, so I drove 15km to the nearest apple shop.
"No sir we can't help you today, we can make an appointment to check it out for NEXT wednesday". Ok I can use an old one in the meantime, but how hard can it be to change a battery?
Well can I leave it with you? NO! (Then the entire staff clapped someone who had just purchased a computer).
Thanks apple that's rotten service.

Why are rents still rising?

Last year rents in many parts of Australasia rose more than at any time for the last half a decade – and it seems they are still rising. This is because landlords have to pass on their rising costs to tenants, isn’t it?

It’s certainly true that many people find this explanation for rent increases plausible. However, this argument doesn’t actually look at the deeper issues involved in rent movements.

After all, if landlords can pass their costs on, why do they complain about them so much? The truth is that experienced landlords know they can’t pass their costs on unless tenants are prepared to pay for them.

The important concept behind preparedness to pay is the real reason for rent fluctuations – up or down – and that is supply and demand. 

During the recent housing boom, investors put money into new apartment blocks and supply was at least keeping pace with demand and probably exceeding it, with the result that rents stayed low because competition amongst landlords to get tenants was high. In other words, the rental market belonged to the tenants.  The investors who bought the apartments weren’t so worried about rental income because they could see high capital appreciation just around the corner if they decided to sell in a few years.

As the boom came to an end, many investors turned to other forms of investment, taking their money out of real estate and building fewer apartment blocks. Thus the supply of rental apartments gradually dwindled, but – you guessed it - the demand for accommodation kept growing. This growth actually increased above its normal rate because fewer first home buyers were going into the market because they couldn’t cope with the high interest rates and the price of homes.

Landlords could finally raise rents without fear of losing tenants because finally it had turned into a landlords’ market. And naturally they could afford to ‘pass on’ any extra ‘costs’ or whatever explanation they want to use to justify the rent rises that followed. But the truth is, the only reason they can ever afford to raise rents is that there are more people wanting to rent a property than property available.

Source:  http://www.localpropertynews.net/

Who is making sales locally?....The REAL Story

Source:  Published house sales on realestate.com.au,
collated by markettracker each week.

The 10 Common Mistakes That Cost Homesellers Thousands of Dollars!

Selling your home can be a nerve racking, exhausting experience. Last minute calls, inconvenient showings, price adjustments, and the uncertainties of being stuck with a house that doesn’t sell for months on end can all take their toll. If you are not completely prepared you could end up losing thousands of dollars in profit! 

The difference between a profitable, smooth transaction and a miserable experience is often a fine line. The majority of home selling nightmares are caused by a lack of knowledge. This report is designed to make you aware of the 10 common mistakes that 

cost sellers serious money. 

1. IMPROPER PRICING - Set the price too high and it will sit unsold and develop the 

identity of a problem property, with the accompanying stigma of what real estate agents 

call a "stale listing."  On the other hand, price it too low and you may give away 

thousands in profit to a total stranger. Either way you lose. Setting the appropriate price 

involves the evaluation of numerous different factors...and it's critical! 

2. NOT PROVIDING EASY ACCESS - Accessibility is a major key to a profitable sale.  

A lock-box is best, while appointment-only showings are most restrictive.  The more 

accessible your home, the more showings, and the better the odds are of finding a 

person willing to pay top dollar. In today's competitive market, buyers who can't get a 

viewing will go on to other homes, and purchase elsewhere. 

3. BAD HOUSEKEEPING- The prospective homebuyer's first impression is the most 

important. An unbelievable amount of home sales have been lost to unmowed lawns, 

cluttered rooms, bad stains, dirty kitchens and bathrooms, unpleasant odors, etc. 

Imagine you are the buyer and clean your home from top to bottom...military style. 

4. FAILURE TO MAKE REPAIRS - Often even minor improvements will yield as 

much as three to five times the repair cost at the time of sale. There are literally 

thousands of homes for sale, and buyers buy what they see. Seemingly small fix-up 

jobs can make the difference between a closed sale at top dollar and a home that 

languishes on the market for months on end. 

5. POOR SHOWING TECHNIQUES - Your home should be neat and clean, but that's 

just the beginning. There are lots of little details that make a big difference. Knowing 

exactly what to say and do when buyers come through your home is crucial.  

6. RELYING ONLY ON TRADITIONAL SALES METHODS - Sellers who are 

innovative and willing to offer new strategies of attracting homebuyers will always 

outperform those who rely on traditional methods. Today’s market demands around the 

clock advertising exposure, and response-generating marketing techniques.  

7. MAKING SELLING DECISIONS BASED ON EMOTION- You must realize that 

selling your home is a dollars and cents business transaction. Don't let your emotional 

ties to your home affect your judgment. Remember, purchasers are not buying your 

home, they are buying a house to make into their home.   

8. FAILURE TO UNDERSTAND MARKET CONDITIONS - Just like the stock 

market, there are current market conditions for houses as determined by supply and 

demand. Many buyers shop dozens of homes comparing values, so it is very difficult to 

find a buyer willing to pay more than current market value. No single person, firm, or 

agent has any control over the market! 

9. WASTING TIME WITH UNQUALIFIED PROSPECTS - Countless hours of 

valuable time can be wasted showing and negotiating with "buyers" who can't buy no 

matter how much they love your house. Buyers should be pre-approved for a loan 

before you begin dealing with them. 

10. PICKING THE WRONG REAL ESTATE AGENT - The vast majority of all homes 

are sold by real estate agents, but all agents are not the same - not even close. The 

agent's experience, knowledge, and marketing plan can have a huge impact on your 

success. Signing up with the right agent can make all the difference in the world. 

Don’t fall victim to these costly errors! 

Being armed with the right knowledge can make all the difference in how your home 

sale turns out. Make the right decisions. A little time spent now can save many hours of 

frustration down the road! 

Market Comment - October 2010

We are now starting to feel like spring with the warmer weather. Despite this the sales market has been slow to shake off the winter chills. We are working harder than ever to get owners sold and on their way to new destinations. Many of them have adjusted their prices to attract buyers, some great buying at present.

There remains almost 10 months supply of houses on the market within 5km of our office.Many of the 1100 homes listed for sale are well over priced, by over ambitious agents who are not only short of sales but listings as well ( we promise the truth based on current facts).


Although sales numbers have been reduced our team have gained significant market share this quarter. We are leaving no stone unturned to get our sellers 'sold' at the highest price possible. This has meant a review of marketing, skills and fine tuning of our negotiating skills. We are also very fortunate to have a large local client base who we keep informed very regularly.

It is hard for anyone to make a balanced decision when almost every agent claims to sell more, be No#1 or specialise in your home. Sellers are being bombarded with telemarketers, letters and newsletters chasing the 'listing' at any cost.

Now here is the truth about who is selling what locally, I hope it helps:

As you can see there are plenty of local agencies having a really tough time many with less than 1 sale per month.

Real estate today is complex balance of legal minefield, technology, information, high skills and strong negotiation skills fine tuned over many years experience. It is no place for anyone not 100% committed to client excellence.

Our rental team is also working well despite increased numbers available. We now have six full time certified property managers strongly led by co-director Belinda Johnston.


We are well and truly ready for our new show room at 2 Dixon st, right beside Westfield. Our craftsman are on the home straight finishing off inside. It will be the premier real estate facility on the northside of Brisbane.

SMART INVESTORS THINK IT THROUGH

Many inexperienced  residential property investors start talking about selling their investment property when the market slows down. After all, the market is bad, therefore it’s time to get out of the market – right?

Wrong!  Is the investor going to realise a good return on their investment by selling when the market is slow? Of course not!  Shrewd investors – whether they invest in the stock market, antiques, art or property – have a more fruitful strategy. When the market is low is the time to borrow more money and buy a second property. Selling now will be a poor return on their investment, but buying now means greater rewards when the market does improve. After all, experienced investors know that the market is cyclical They know that when the market is hot is the worst time to buy as buyers tend to outnumber sellers and they end up competing for stock that is snapped up at alarmingly  increasing prices.  In fact they may well profit from the faulty logic of the inexperienced property investor by buying the very investments being dropped onto the slow  market by the less experienced who think property is no longer the go.

When the market slows down, the smart investors speed up, so that they are expanding their property portfolios when the market is in their favour inorder to be sitting pretty when the next boom comes along. 

http://www.localpropertynews.net

TRUST YOUR LUCK

Many home buyers get all excited when they find a property they like, make an offer and get it accepted all in a short time frame. They think all their Christmases have come at once. Or do they?

After the initial exultation, many buyers spend sleepless nights wondering if they have made the right choice. After all, it was a bit too easy wasn’t it? Maybe they have paid too much? Surely they must have missed something. Something must be wrong with the property. 

Buyers’ remorse is not uncommon, and is based on self-doubt stemming from the stress involved in spending so much money on a transaction home owners undertake (usually) only a few times in a lifetime.

Buyers should always put in place the necessary checks (building and pest reports for example) but those who get their longed-for property purchase wrapped up quickly should think themselves lucky that they struck a motivated and realistic vendor when so many have an inflated sense of what their property is worth.

http://www.localpropertynews.net/

THE ASPECT AFFECT

There are many variables that affect the sale price of a property. Not all homes that look the same sell for the same price. Even when they seem to be equal (size, condition, features), some homes just seem to sell for more. What is the difference?

A young recent arrival from France rented an apartment in Sydney. She complained that the property had no light and was dull all day and of course, never got any sun. She said she had made sure to choose a property that faced south so why was this happening? The look of consternation on her face when she realized that southern hemisphere rules regarding aspect are different from northern hemisphere ones was the best demonstration anyone could hope to see of the importance of that elusive variable that has a demonstrable impact on the sale price of homes – aspect.

Unfortunately, many people whose homes are not ideal in terms of aspect overlook this when setting the asking price of their homes. There aren’t many buyers who come from overseas bringing with them northern desirability criteria for aspect. Most buyers have northerly aspect on their wish list, and will only drop it from the list if the price is right.

www.localpropertynews.net

August agent sale contracts

It's Ekka Time!!

By Claudia Johnston

SELLING A TENANTED PROPERTY

While many investors still own every investment property they ever bought as part of a self-funded retirement portfolio, there are others who want or need to sell a property because their circumstances – personal or financial - have changed. Is it better to give the tenant notice to quit before putting the property on the market or should they sell it while the tenants are still in place?

The obvious answer is to keep the tenants in residence. This incurs the least loss of income and unless the house is really dirty and untidy, a house usually presents better with furniture and household items making it look lived in.

However, there are times when a tenant in residence could be a financially less rewarding scenario. Tenants who do not want to move can put a lot of obstacles in the way of a sale. They can limit and postpone inspection access almost at whim in spite of legally having to provide ‘reasonable access’ (what is ‘reasonable’ to one person may not be ‘reasonable’ to another). By the time this sort of obstacle is sorted out, valuable time has been lost and many purchasers have moved on. If the market is not trending up, this can result in a lower sale price as the market drops before the property can be sold. Furthermore, if the seller is using the money for another financial project, delays in having the money available could cost them the project or render it more expensive if bridging loans are required. 

Disgruntled tenants can also highlight the property’s faults in order to put off prospective purchasers and while many owners are happy to absent themselves from the property to allow the agent to show the purchasers around at their leisure and improve their selling prospects, tenants have no such motivation to leave the property and many reasons to stay watchfully present.

Sometimes property owners have no inkling that tenants will behave badly in the event of a sale, but there is a bit of basic research investors can do to try and determine whether their tenants will play ball. Ask your agent how easy it has been for the agent to get access for periodic maintenance inspections or for tradespeople who have been contracted to carry out work on the property. Tenants who have been slow to concede access for activities such as repairs that will benefit them are highly unlikely to come to the party when they think they will ultimately lose their home to a successful purchaser.

Source: Courtesy of www.localpropertynews.net

Recruitment Career Night

CONGRATULATIONS to Adrian Dickinson of Bray Park!!

CONGRATULATIONS to Adrian Dickinson of Bray Park! Adrian and his band RVLR were selected from 100 entries to perform at SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS later this month! 

This is a huge opportunity for Adrian and his band to be seen and move up in the music industry! Congrats again Adrian and band! We wish you all the best!  

Adrian and his partner Tanya recently purchased a property in Bray Park through David Deane Real Estate.

Morton Bay Rate Payers Action Group

Finally we are seeing the people rise up and challenge the excesses of governments on all levels, and we salute their efforts.
'Working families' are hurting from the never ending parade of governmental tax and basic charge increases. Pretty much all essential utilities are in freefall. Water is just one, but aligned to power, petrol, gas and rates it has gone too far. Its time for all governments to cut their endless wastage and imposts on the orderly flow of our community. If they cannot account for the waste its time to handover to someone else. Its not just charges and taxes its the provision of essential services which has deterioted to to such a poor level given the record taxes we paying.
We have a great country which is being driven back into the dark ages by bad government and self serving politicians, who focus only on re-election, with little or no leadership accumen.
We encourage all stakeholders to join the revolt and lend real support to the residents action group. Make no mistake these incompetents are not wasting millions they have graduated to billions. A billion is an awful big number?

TIP: Negotiating Tenancy Terms

When letting rental properties most associate the term period to a six or 12-month tenancy.

There is no law that states that you can only enter into a six or 12-month tenancy.

It can often be prudent to negotiate an eight-month or 11-month tenancy to maximise your income.

If your property has a pool and you are renting the property in January you would not want to enter into a six-month tenancy as the property may become vacant in winter, making it more difficult to secure a tenant.

It is also financially beneficial to try and have the tenancy agreement expire during a high tenant-demand period (such as January or February) to reduce vacancy periods and obtain the highest possible rent.

When negotiating tenancy terms our office will take into consideration all of the market conditions to ensure that we are entering into an agreement that will maximise your income. ■

HOW TO SUSS OUT A GOOD LOCATION

What do most experienced investors say about where to buy? Are a ‘good’ suburb and a ‘good’ location interchangeable terms? Real estate investors need to distinguish between ‘good’ in terms of ‘classy, expensive, elite’ and ‘good’ as in ‘llikely to go up in value’. While ‘good’ suburbs in the classy sense are also ‘good’ in the sense that they are likely to go up in value, there are many not-so-classy suburbs where the prices are more accessible for starting investors that will experience capital growth (on a percentage basis) just as fast as their more elegant cousins. So what exactly do estate agents, investors and experienced home buyers mean when they agree that a location is a ‘good’ one for capital gain? Experienced investors usually look for proximity to services or potential services such as transport, schools and other amenities, as well as areas of employment. Those who want even more support for their choice often analyse demographic trends so they can pinpoint areas of future housing need. For example it is possible to work out how many people in any given year are reaching what statisticians call the formation age. Those born twenty five years ago are now statistically ready to enter the housing market, either to rent or to buy - obviously creating demand. Investors should look at the history of the cycle of supply and demand for their chosen area and understand how this pattern relates to housing cycles generally. http://www.localpropertynews.net/

Experienced investors who understand the housing supply and demand cycle buy when the market is low. Yet this is the very time when many novice investors decide to sell their one and only property and invest somewhere else.Successful investors not only hold on to their property long term thereby maximising gain and income/cost ratio, they buy more properties whenever their accountant or financial adviser gives them the go-ahead. Another location investment indicator is rental vacancy rates. Areas where vacancies are low are not only likely to provide secure rental income but should also deliver good capital gain; prices increase because of demand from investors attracted to the rents and renters who are motivated to buy. In fact, no single indicator tells the whole story. As in any other field of human endeavour the luck factor can be minimised if people know that there are several indicators to consider. It also pays to seek advice from a wide range of sources: accountants, real estate agents, financial planners and other investors.

DOES YOUR HOME HAVE HIDDEN QUALITIES?

Many home sellers forget that their home is more than meets the purchaser’s eye. They no longer remember that behind the smart décor there is attention to detail and quality workmanship. But these features often cost a lot even though they aren’t immediately apparent to purchasers. Could they add value to a home? Most purchasers like to take their time to compare properties for sale before making a decision, so making sure your agent has access to information about even the improvements that aren’t obvious and visible may not only add dollars to the price of your home, but also determine a purchaser’s choice in favour of your property over the one round the corner. There are very few purchasers who don’t gravitate to good workmanship or attention to detail in maintenance. It’s true that in a very active market, purchasers often make their decisions based only on a quick analysis of the major features of the home; they don’t have the time to pay attention to detail because they will lose the property to a buyer who is prepared to move faster. When the market slows down, however, they have a lot more time to be fussy about even the smallest details in the effort to ensure they are making a good buy.  http://www.localpropertynews.net/articles/sellers-buyers/20100601_hidden_qualities.htm

Hidden improvements can include things like insulation, sound-proofing, plumbing and electrical work, soil improvement and so on. Purchasers often use this kind of information simply to help them to confirm their soundness of their choice; the quality of the maintenance and attention to detail makes them feel comfortable and secure in the knowledge that their choice is a sound one. Most agents will prompt vendors to tell them about the improvements they have made over the years, but it is a good idea to have a list ready for the agent’s very first visit, in case you forget something. It also helps the agent to accurately appraise the value of the property in the first place.

DOES YOUR HOME HAVE HIDDEN QUALITIES?

Many home sellers forget that their home is more than meets the purchaser’s eye. They no longer remember that behind the smart décor there is attention to detail and quality workmanship. But these features often cost a lot even though they aren’t immediately apparent to purchasers. Could they add value to a home? Most purchasers like to take their time to compare properties for sale before making a decision, so making sure your agent has access to information about even the improvements that aren’t obvious and visible may not only add dollars to the price of your home, but also determine a purchaser’s choice in favour of your property over the one round the corner. There are very few purchasers who don’t gravitate to good workmanship or attention to detail in maintenance. It’s true that in a very active market, purchasers often make their decisions based only on a quick analysis of the major features of the home; they don’t have the time to pay attention to detail because they will lose the property to a buyer who is prepared to move faster. When the market slows down, however, they have a lot more time to be fussy about even the smallest details in the effort to ensure they are making a good buy.  http://www.localpropertynews.net/articles/sellers-buyers/20100601_hidden_qualities.htm

Hidden improvements can include things like insulation, sound-proofing, plumbing and electrical work, soil improvement and so on. Purchasers often use this kind of information simply to help them to confirm their soundness of their choice; the quality of the maintenance and attention to detail makes them feel comfortable and secure in the knowledge that their choice is a sound one. Most agents will prompt vendors to tell them about the improvements they have made over the years, but it is a good idea to have a list ready for the agent’s very first visit, in case you forget something. It also helps the agent to accurately appraise the value of the property in the first place.