Methods of sale

When selling a property choosing the correct method of sale is crucial to a successful outcome. There are many different methods that can be used. Auction, private sale, tender and expressions of interest are the most popular amongst selling agents in Victoria. The state of the market, the property’s location and attributes, likely level of…

Property market review

Pre-buying checklist

As the saying goes “by failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” Before starting your property search there are many tasks to carry out. Putting in the necessary preparation will give buyers a higher probability of a successful outcome. It pays to engage my services early in the buying process as I will guide…

Home Buyer Fund; friend or foe?

The Victorian Homebuyer Fund (HBF) is an initiative by the Victorian government to financially assist eligible home buyers enter the property market. According to the banks that are administering the scheme it is proving to be extremely popular. On first impressions the scheme appears to be generous as the government provides an interest free loan…

Top ten home maintenance tips

All homes have areas that require maintenance due to normal wear and tear. Even brand new homes have minor defects on completion. Obtaining a pre-purchase building report will identify these maintenance items and defects.If identified early these types of works are not expensive to rectify.  The following are my top ten common maintenance issues found…

Editorial – October 2022

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my small but loyal following of clients. I provide independent, unbiased property advice, your support has allowed me to continue to assist a wide range of people who otherwise would have made inferior property decisions. Quality property advice means you buy the best fit property at…

Market snapshot – October 2022

It certainly doesn’t pay to be over confident when it comes to the Melbourne property market. In a short period of time market conditions can change dramatically. It was November last year when I left a message with a real estate agent requesting an inspection of a property. The agent in question didn’t return my…

Ban the bribe

Donations to political parties by property developers should be banned. Successive Victorian governments have caved in to the powerful and affluent interests of those property developers that have lined their pockets through donations. I have always considered Melbourne one of the great cities of the world: sophisticated and consisting predominately of a combination of low-rise…

The building report

The building report

There are several different types of building reports available to property buyers. It is important that buyers commission the report that best fits the type of property they are considering. The most common report requested by residential buyers is the pre-purchase building and pest inspection report. This report is useful when buying an established class…

Not Cool!

For many people buying a home can be a highly emotional experience. Invariably it is the largest financial outlay a person will make.There are not only financial consequences, decisions are being made about the very essence of a person’s lifestyle; where to live and all the implications of that choice. Feelings of doubt, fear and…

A winning tenancy application

Your Buyers Advocate Newsletter To ensure success tenants should treat a rental application the same way they would a job interview.The first important step is to make sure your application is complete. The following is a list of important information that should be included; Reference letters- from past landlords and employers.This will establish your employment…