Blog

Found your dream home? How to purchase by bridging the gap.

Thursday 05 Jul 2018

Sometimes the perfect property comes your way by surprise, but perhaps you’re not quite ready in the relocation stakes.  Bridging finance could be an option for you to consider between buying and selling.   Often considered a bit risky or expensive, some bridging finance can mean that you are essentially carrying two loans at once and other types of bridging finance will allow you to only pay the end loan amount, while selling your original property, usually over a 6-12 month per ....

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What’s your side hustle? In 2018 it might be time to find one.

Thursday 21 Jun 2018

New 80% LVR requirements being enforced by APRA mean that the rules have changed for home loan borrowers in 2018 and banks are now slashing the number of mortgage products with a maximum LVR of 95%. Put simply that means that if you’re saving for a house deposit, you’ll need a lot more than last year or the year before.  Saving for a deposit is probably the hardest part of buying a property and leaving some asking where they will find the extra cash. It’s no secret that pe ....

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Should I stay or should I go? When to buy, sell or hold

Saturday 26 May 2018

Most homeowners make a move from one property to another at some stage in their life and it’s one that leaves them asking plenty of questions.   The most common is, “should I buy or sell first?” because deciding to place your home on the market often sparks fears of being left without anywhere to go.   There are plenty of options but often they are time consuming and costly. Renting in-between ownership can mean two moves and being tied to a lease for a certain period ....

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"I'll have what she's having", how to find to your inner confidence and forget about social proof

Saturday 19 May 2018

In a changing market, buyers can no longer rely on social proof and need to have the confidence to go out on their own.   Social proof, also known as informational social influence, is a psychological phenomenon where people depend on the actions of others to reflect correct behaviour for a given situation. Social proof tends to occur in social situations where people are unable to determine the appropriate mode of behaviour, so an individual will rely on surrounding people to possess more ....

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When it comes to negotiating, do you run for the hills?

Friday 11 May 2018

Not everything in life is negotiable, but experienced negotiators can secure a good real estate deal in any market. And that goes for both buyers and sellers. Being able to identify a good deal all comes down to doing your homework and being ready, willing and able to bring your negotiating skills to the table. So why is it that so many people run for the hills when it comes time to negotiate?   Most people think that negotiating with another person feels like conflict and it’s one of ....

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When the going gets tough… the tough get a Buyers’ Agent

Thursday 03 May 2018

Contribution by Veronica MacDonald, Inner West Specialist Buyers’ Agent, Cohen Handler   A question that we are commonly asked is when should I consider engaging a buyers’ agent? Clients engage us at very different stages of their property search. For some it maybe as soon as they make the conscious decision to buy a property and for others it may be after searching for periods greater than 12 months.   Those who make the decision to engage our services may do so because th ....

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You snooze you lose... why the early bird catches the worm

Sunday 29 Apr 2018

Have you ever found a property that ticks all the boxes only to discover it’s been sold before you could blink?   Most sellers go to market very motivated with the aim of getting their properties sold, at a great price and in good time.  After all, they fork out thousands of dollars for photos, internet ads, brochures and signboards, and have to spend the next four weeks knowing that spotless isn’t good enough when it comes to open houses and often having to clear out the f ....

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In an industry where anyone can acquire a real estate license, how do sellers choose the right Agent?

Monday 16 Apr 2018

It’s long been perceived that real estate agents don’t have the best reputation, so when it comes to selling your greatest asset, it’s critical to do your homework. Agents vary in experience and expertise, and along with a myriad of brand names, their fees vary as do their negotiation and communication skills. We suggest that along with a healthy list of sales in your area, you take a good look at the prices each agent achieves, because you will soon discover that some agents d ....

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Pot plants, glass jars & fruit bowls… how far is too far in Real Estate Photography?

Thursday 05 Apr 2018

All real estate bosses want to be innovators, but the latest trend in real estate photography we think is a worry. Overwhelming feedback from those who matter most (otherwise known as the buyer) is that being forced to scroll through 20 images of which at least one third are close ups of the home owners possessions (which by the way aren’t for sale) is not only a pain in the back-side but an insult to the buyers intelligence.  A seller therefore needs to seriously ask themselves, &ldq ....

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If you’re on the property buying treadmill, it’s time to get real estate fit

Friday 30 Mar 2018

If you’re getting nowhere fast with your pre-auction offers and have a regular “the one that got away” story, you might need to overhaul your buying strategy.  Because sooner or later, yesterday’s price might just look like a bargain. You’re finance ready, have made your shortlist, know what you like, are firm on location, and boom – you’ve found the right home. So what now? Communication is the key, and knowing the Agent’s rules is the first ....

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