Before signing on the dotted line buyers should make sure the property owner has obtained all the required building permits for works that have been completed. The new owner becomes responsible for any illegal works, this could mean costly rectification. If the vendor has undertaken works on the property as an owner builder that were…
After several years of subdued activity the Melbourne property market has experienced price increases this year. The upward movement in price became evident last February as auctions began. It was inevitable that prices would rise as historically the Melbourne property market rarely remains stagnant for more than two years. Early auction results in 2020 indicated…
Before purchasing a brand new property, buyers should always research what materials, products, fixtures and fittings have been used during construction. It is not enough to rely on the building drawings or even the specification document. A case in point is the cladding fiasco that has cast a shadow over the Victorian building industry. After…
The buyer advocacy profession is desperately in need of a regulatory framework. It is up to the Real Estate Institute of Victoria and the Estate Agents Council to initiate change.If past performance is anything to go by, positive initiatives are unlikely to occur. The service of buyer advocacy started in Australia about 25 years ago.…
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…
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…
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…
Your Buyers Advocate Newsletter Every property investor needs a good handyperson, plumber and electrician. Having these three contacts will not only help take the stress out of being a property investor it will also save substantial amounts of money. Consistent high quality workmanship, reliability and a competitive price are rare with tradespeople provided by a property…
Marketing photos taken with wide angle lenses combined with undersized and strategically placed display furniture to make rooms appear larger. Artificial lighting to make rooms appear brighter. Newly painted walls and architraves to hide what could be rising damp. Sensual aromas from plug in diffusers greeting you at the entrance. Welcome to the world of…
Releasing a deposit to the seller prior to settlement is always risky. If a deposit is released prior to settlement the purchaser is deemed to have accepted title. On signing of the contracts many selling agents will attempt to get the buyer to sign what is known as a Section 27 release of deposit statement.…