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Top Tips for Staging your Craigieburn Property for Sale

The term staging has been buzzing in the real estate industry for a long time. However, staging encompasses much more than simply renovating a home before putting it on the market. Staging a home aims to attract the greatest number of potential buyers, resulting in a faster and more profitable sale. From a thorough cleaning to a complete renovation, staging can take many forms.  During home staging, a home’s best features are highlighted and an inviting atmosphere is created by cleaning, decluttering, depersonalizing, and rearranging furniture and décor. Staging your home is all about showing off your property for sale in Craigieburn in the best way possible while giving it a modern feel.

Let’s take a look at the top tips for staging a property for sale in Craigieburn

1) Decide a Budget: Before staging your house, you’ll need to determine how much you can afford to spend on agent’s fees, marketing costs, conveyance/solicitor fees, lender fees, auction fees, and home staging fees. If your budget permits, you can choose to refurnish certain rooms partially or fully.

2) Get Professional Help: It’s worth hiring a professional to make sure your home is styled to appeal to the widest range of buyers. Invest in professional stylists to come in and assess your furniture, storage needs, and any improvements you can make one-on-one.

3) Create Enough Space: To attract a wider audience, declutter and create a sense of harmony and space in your home. Select a style that complements your home and ensures it flows through every room. Adding the right furniture, color themes, flooring, etc. creates the illusion of space.

4) Deep Clean: Keeping your home clean shows potential buyers that you care for it. From the floors to the ceilings, and everything in between, you should clean every inch of your house.

 5) Flooring: When staging the floors, make sure to focus on common areas such as the living room, dining room, and kitchen. For kitchens and bathrooms, ceramic tile, high-quality vinyl tiles, or stone is a good choice.

 6) Lighting: Utilize natural light in your home. In preparation for showings, open all your curtains and blinds & add fixtures where necessary, and turn all the lights on. The result is a brighter, more welcoming home.

7) Walls and Ceilings: A crack in the wall or ceiling may indicate problems with the foundation, which is a red flag to buyers. If your home has foundation problems, either fix them or tell potential buyers about them; fixing any foundation problems is better for selling the home.

8) Exterior: A buyer’s first impression of a home can be greatly impacted by the exterior and entryway. So, maintain your lawn, hedges, and trees, and remove weeds. Washing the windows thoroughly and adding a deck or patio with outdoor furniture is another way to maximize the use of the exterior of your home.

Conclusion:

Now that you have learned how to stage your house, a qualified real estate company is what you need. They will know how to make your house look it’s very best with the least amount of effort to get you the best sale deal.

Need help with property for sale in Craigieburn? SKAD Real Estate is a full-service real estate firm in Craigieburn, providing expert advice on all aspects of residential and commercial real estate, including sales, property management, leasing, and special projects.

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5 Tips to Know Before Renting a House in Epping

Even though the rental property is a risky investment, it is one of the most stable assets you can own. Despite the benefits of owning a rental unit, managing a business requires a great deal of effort. Many investors in this situation outsource this time-consuming task to a realtor rather than doing it themselves. 

 

Whether you’ve just invested in a new property or are deciding to turn your house into a rental home, this guide will help you with tips to know before deciding to give your house for rent in Epping:

 

1) Get your Home in Shape: You should ensure that everything in your house is in good working order before you list it for rent. Make sure that all appliances, power outlets, and water outlets work properly, and paint your home if needed. The house may need basic utilities like cupboards, stoves, fans, and light fixtures for a completely bare house. The more appealing your home is, the easier it will be to find tenants.

 

2) Set a Rent: Setting a very high rent may be tempting, but it will only make it harder for you to find a tenant. While your rent should be competitive, you shouldn’t undervalue your property simultaneously. Generally, your house rent should be between 2.5 and 3% of its capital value. There is no definite value for this; it also depends on the location, amenities, and other factors. Look at the average rent for similar properties in your area, and you can also charge higher amounts if you have premium furnishings or fittings in your home.

 

3) Estimate the Tax: After renting out your house, the tax implications will be different. The income tax department treats rent received as income and taxes it accordingly. While the imposable tax on rental income, other allied matters, such as mortgage payments, maintenance expenses, etc., are also taken into account. Whatever the case may be, you should be informed about this matter and consult with a tax expert if necessary.

 

4) Screen Potential Tenants: Renting a house for the first time requires screening potential tenants. Finding responsible tenants will also prevent expensive and time-consuming evictions. Find out who the prospective tenants are, where they work, and why they are moving. Make sure you check their criminal history, eviction history, and credit report. These background checks will give you a better understanding of how responsible a potential tenant has been in the past. 

 

5) Using a Realtor to Fill Rental Vacancies: It doesn’t matter how good your rental property is if no one knows about it. To avoid long vacancy periods, which are costly, a good marketing plan is essential. When you rent a property through a real estate agent, you have access to connections and resources that will make the process easier. Realtors with extensive experience typically have a deep understanding of the rental market in an area.

 

Bottom Line:

Renting out your property can be a good source of income; however, if you are renting out a house for the first time, you must constantly learn and adapt to be successful.

 

To learn more about lending your house for rent in Epping, get in touch with SKAD Real Estate, an expert in residential sales & rentals using insight, marketing, and creative ideas to stay ahead of the competition. 

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What are the Types of Residential Properties?

Having ranked sixth on the world’s best places to live list, Australia has become one of the most sought-after investment destinations worldwide. Depending on where you live in Australia, there are different types of housing. In Australia, residential property has always been a popular investment option. The area is not only filled with incredible new-build properties, but also with beautiful architecture and history.

For many investors, residential properties have historically produced satisfactory returns over the long term. There is no doubt that property investment has made more people wealthy than shares, and it has the potential to significantly affect the wealth of the small investor because there is the potential for growth and even more beneficially, growth with bank money.

In this article, we will discuss the different types of residential properties:

1)  Studio: Generally, a studio apartment or loft is a home with an open floor plan layout without interior walls. This is also known as a studio apartment, which is a large room with a living room, kitchen, and bedroom. The studio is similar to a hotel room, but with an additional kitchenette. In addition to the living room and bedroom, there is a separate bathroom. 

2) Townhouses and Semis: Most townhouses or terraces have two stories, three bedrooms, and a small courtyard. Due to their smaller size and lack of land, townhouses are generally considered units rather than houses. The adjacent townhouses may share a wall and be connected as several connected cottages in a neighborhood. There is a unified style to the design, and parts of the interior may even be decorated in the same manner.

3) Single-Family Home: A single-family home (SFH) is a home built on a single lot without any shared walls. Occasionally, there is an attached or detached garage. There is more privacy and space in single-family homes than in other types of residences, and they often come with private front and back yards. 

4) Condominium: A condominium is a single unit within a larger building or community. It is common for condos to share a wall or two with other units, and most have homeowners’ associations, for which residents pay a monthly or annual fee. These types of residential properties are popular in urban, high-density areas. Here, the homeowner plays a minimal role in maintenance and upkeep in this case.

 5) Multi-Family Home: A multi-family home is the least common type of residential building. Essentially, they are homes that have been converted into more than one unit. There can either be row houses or multiple floors, and they can range in size from duplexes to fourplexes.

 6) Luxury Homes: Investing in luxury homes is the most expensive form of residential property. In modern settings, they tend to include cutting-edge appliances and more utilities than other types of properties.

7) Apartment: The apartment is at least three floors high, with one or more units per floor. Each unit has a hallway. The apartment usually has an elevator with each ach unit houses having one or more families.

Conclusion:

Your choice of investment property impacts your long- and short-term returns. So, make sure your residential property provides the highest percentage of land ownership while taking into account overall income and capital growth as well as ongoing maintenance costs.

Interested in residential properties? SKAD Real Estate can provide you with an engaging, transparent, and efficient property management solution.

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Real Estate

Top Reasons to Choose Thomastown to Buy a Property

There is no such thing as a get-rich-quick scheme when it comes to property investment. To succeed, you must plan, prepare, and do your homework. Be aware of your budget and what you can and cannot afford. Even though many newbie investors just focus on the fee, and overall look of the property, the location is the most crucial factor. As one of Australia’s many suburbs, Thomastown is a haven for young couples or families looking to settle down. 

If you’re looking for houses for sale in Thomastown, then here are the top reasons why you should buy in Thomastown:

 

1) Low-key, leisurely living:

Thomastown is located approximately 17 km north of Melbourne’s CBD. It is bound by Merri Creek in the west and Mahoneys Rd in the south. In addition to the commercial area on High Street, the suburb is traversed by Edgars Creek and its surrounding parks. The southern border of the area is occupied by the Keon Park railway station, as well as a shopping center nearby. Additionally, Thomastown has a large Italian, Greek, and Macedonian population. Bundoora, Lalor, and Wollert are nearby suburbs. 

 

2) Homes:

The housing options in Thomastown are diverse. Thomastown houses sell for a median price of $588,000 and apartments for $438,000 on average. This represents a median gross yield of 3.4%. Most homes in the suburb are detached houses, 8.5% are semi-detached, row, or terrace houses, and 5.8% are flats or apartments. Among these houses, 44.1% are owned outright, 24.4% have a mortgage owing, and 26.7% are rented.

 

3) Lifestyle:

Thomastown is not a suburb that offers a great deal of nightlife or fine dining despite its shops and plenty of food options. Nevertheless, with easy access to other parts of Melbourne, you can always go somewhere close by if you feel like it. For those that prefer a quieter lifestyle, Thomastown offers many interesting options. Thomastown also has a multicultural heritage. The area is home to many nationalities and cultural heritages. There are many restaurants and shops nearby, as well as schools, and recreational venues like golf, swimming, and the Thomastown train station.

 

4) Population:

Thomastown’s estimated resident population in 2021 is 20,233, with a population density of 1,349 persons per square kilometer. As a whole, the population has an average age of 38 years old, encompassing people of all ages and stages of life. 16.4% of the residents are children 0-14 years old, while 20.1% of the population is 65 years and older.

 

5) Affordable:

According to a recent report, Thomastown, a suburb in Melbourne, is proving particularly popular with first-home buyers and investors. The median prices of houses in Thomastown, Epping, etc. were all below $500,000 in the year to July, and almost all sales were for less than $600,000. In today’s market, Thomastown’s affordability and proximity to the city are the major factors that attract buyers. Thomastown’s median apartment price is around $295,500, and its median rent is $300, reflecting a 5% yield.

Conclusion:

With an impressive selection of attractions, experiences, and lifestyles on offer, Thomastown is one of the best places to live in Victoria, Australia.

Are you in search of houses for sale in Thomastown? SKAD Real Estate helps people connect with value-driven properties with great service, responsiveness, and reliability.

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Properties Real Estate

Tips to Consider Before Buying a House in Craigieburn

The process of buying a home can be increasingly challenging. A home purchase involves many factors to take into account. Although everyone goes through the home buying process at their own pace, working with a trusted advisor is more important than ever. By being educated about the process and having an agent at your side, you can make informed decisions about your next steps toward homeownership.

Most importantly, to buy a house you need to research, plan and have the patience to make a successful purchase. So, here are a few tips to consider before buying a home in Craigieburn:

 

1) Choosing what to buy:

A home purchase should be based on what you can afford, what you need now and in the future, and your lifestyle. It may be more practical to live in a unit or a townhouse if you are single, work a lot, or spend a lot of time away from home. For a large family, the number of bedrooms is important, so buying land and building a house is more common than purchasing an existing one.

 

2) Ways to buy:

There are mainly 2 ways to buy a property: Private Treaty & Auction.

  • A private treaty refers to buying a house through a real estate agent or directly from the owner. In both cases, the agent or owner will try to ‘sell’ you the property by emphasizing its strengths and downplaying its weaknesses. Don’t be rushed, take your time, ask questions, and, if you need to look at the property again or again, do not hesitate to request it.
  • Auction: In most auctions of property, a reserve price is set. The reserve price is the lowest amount the seller is willing to accept for a property. The reserve price, however, is not disclosed to the buyers.  At times, the bidding may result in a realistic price being set by the buyers, rather than by the seller.

 

3) Location:

Ensure that the house is easy to access from the main roads and check the traffic flow. Take into account various aspects of the surrounding area, such as accessibility, location, road conditions, amenities, locality, construction quality, infrastructure development, markets, schools, hospitals, etc.

 

4) Consider the silent costs:

Make sure you budget for these often ignored costs before signing the dotted line, such as council rates, stamp duty, lenders’ mortgage insurance, loan fees, conveyancing & building, and pest inspections.

 

5) Rental and Re-Sale Value of the Property:

A house’s rental value as well as its potential resale value is very important to account for. This applies to both those who buy the house primarily to rent it out or resell it as well as those who plan to purchase it and live in it for the rest of their lives. During the process of finalizing a house, you should consider the future gains you may be able to reap. As a result, it’s crucial to understand the location of the property.

 

Conclusion:

Our homes are our most valuable investments. Almost all of our earnings go toward buying it. As a result, prior to investing, make sure you consider the following basic points. 

Looking at properties for sale in Craigieburn? SKAD Real Estate offers an engaging, efficient, and transparent property management service across Thomastown, & Craigieburn.

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Properties Real Estate

5 Actions Which Help to Buy your Dream Home in a Booming Market

Despite the rapid shifts in lives, jobs, and economies during the last two years, the real estate market appears poised for growth. But is there any imminent slowdown? With so many people coming off the sidelines, the market is getting extremely competitive. The cost of buying a home may require the buyer to give up all of their life savings, or they may end up with hefty home loans. The investment of buying a house is not something that can be easily altered or rectified. 

With such demand for homes, and no sign of things slowing down soon, how can you get the property you are looking for? Well, here are 5 actions that could help you to buy your dream home:

 

1) Plan your Finances:

The task of preparing your finances before buying a house is one of the most critical and challenging. Your budget should be your priority. Preplan your loan because it defines how much you can spend and gives you instant access to your funds. Home loans have made it easy for people to push their budgets. Setting up a budget instead will prevent you from getting into financial difficulties in the future.

 

2) Use a Trusted Realtor.

The fact that realtors get a cut of the sale price makes some buyers cautious about using them: they believe it will raise the total price. It is important to remember that the seller pays the commission, not the buyer. From negotiating a price to dealing with home inspections, a savvy realtor who works for you can protect your interests.

 

3) Real Estate Market Analysis:

The purpose of a real estate market analysis is to gather information about a city or district’s rental potential so that we can decide if it is worth investing in. Performing market research ensures that the project is viable and fits the existing market. In this way, you can understand the changes and trends in the real estate market, be able to compare prices of similar properties and be able to market your properties successfully & invest wisely.

 

4) Get to Know the Sales Process:

Before you begin, make sure you understand the different sales processes. Be sure to check the title, and the contract paperwork, including a zoning certificate, drainage diagram, a plan for the land, and a Certificate of Title that confirms current ownership and encumbrances on the property. State-by-state, legal paperwork associated with buying property varies. 

 

5) Organize Necessary Inspections:

An important part of the legal checklist for buying property is the building inspection. From electrics and plumbing to any renovations, or if boundaries are in the correct position, everything should have been approved by the council. If you do your homework and follow your legal checklist, owning real estate grants you many options – you can buy, sell, renovate, invest, bequeath, or just enjoy.

 

Final Thoughts:

The decision to buy a house is a big one that requires planning, budgeting, and patience to ensure that you make the right decision. With this blog, we hope that you can make better choices for yourself. 

Looking for a house for sale in Truganina? SKAD offers services in residential sales & rentals, a one-stop-shop for our customers.

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Blog Real Estate

How to Buy your First Rental Properties in Thomastown with These 5 Simple Steps

If an investor has the right expectations, owning a rental property can offer a variety of benefits. Choosing the right location, understanding market conditions, and finding great tenants are the keys to success as a beginner rental property investor. By meeting these criteria, you can better prepare yourself for the benefits of renting. To make things easier, here are 5 simple steps on how to buy your first rental property in Thomastown: 

1) Source of Finance:

One of the most significant benefits of owning rental property is its passive income source. The income is recurring and requires relatively little effort to maintain. But, of course, you’ll want to work out your finance options before investing in rental property. Financing a rental property can be more challenging, but there are many options available today. In addition to conventional lenders, such as banks and credit unions, investors may obtain rental property financing from private lenders or through joint ventures.

2) Do Your Homework:

Before you go too far, it is crucial to plan what you want to do and how you plan to do it. Do you prefer a single-family or multi-family home? What kind of location are you looking for? Do you have a particular pricing range in mind? Just getting started involves responding to these questions. Basically, you should have a clear plan of action if you wish to accomplish your goals.

3) Choose the Right Location:

Real estate investing still adheres to the golden rule: location. Location plays a crucial role in buying first rental property assets. A desirable location will increase demand and value, which will lead landlords to increase rental asking prices. Home location determines everything moving forward, so learn about the area before buying.

4) Track income and expenses:

Keeping track of rental property income and expenses can quickly become overwhelming, even for experienced real estate investors. There are a number of expenses and incomes that affect the return on a rental home, including rental income, security deposit, leasing fees, property management fees, repairs, and maintenance, landscaping, insurance, property taxes, etc. 

5) Know How To Calculate ROI:

An aspiring real estate investor should also know the potential ROI that they stand to make by investing in any given rental property. By understanding your potential ROI, you can better decide where to invest, save, or spend on renovations and upgrades. Before signing on the dotted line, map out your budgets and forecast the profit potential of any investment you are considering making if you’re considering purchasing a rental property. 

Following these steps will help you calculate ROI on potential rental property investment:

  • Estimate annual rental income
  • Estimate annual expenses
  • Determine net operating income (NOI)
  • Add up total upfront costs

Conclusion:

The process of buying a rental property isn’t that difficult. Being a successful full- or part-time landlord, however, requires some research and effort. Understand the type of property you’re seeking, and whether you are knowledgeable or in need of assistance. An understanding of your real estate market and the target audience of prospective tenants is critical.

Looking for rental properties in Thomastown? SKAD Real Estate manages properties transparently, engagingly, and efficiently.

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Properties

3 Steps for Perfect Exterior Paint Preparation

Do you have a worn-out appearance on the outside? Is it time to update your house? A great method to improve curb appeal and give your home fresh life is to repaint. You must begin by thoroughly preparing the exterior paint if you intend to do the work yourself. Like any housework, this will also need elaborate planning. When looking for rental properties in Craigieburn, any potential client will look for a house that is aesthetically pleasing – at least that is what will matter as the first impression. 

So, when you are planning to re-paint the exterior, it is always good to consult a colour specialist. You shouldn’t cut corners here because the exterior of your home is exposed to the weather. More pigment is used in more expensive paint, making it thicker and lasting longer. Long-lasting tackiness is a sign of cheap paint, especially during periods of high humidity, the paint will remain sticky for an extended period of time while good paint dries considerably more quickly.

Let us look at the three steps for exterior painting – 

Clean Your Surface

Cleaning your surfaces is necessary before you ever open a paint can. Paint won’t adhere correctly if you apply it to a dirty surface. The paint gets peeled off, get blistered, and cracked as a result. Use a medium-bristled hand brush to remove debris and flaking or lose paint from your exterior. To clean difficult-to-reach areas, use a household broom. With a scraper, remove caked-on dirt. Warm water and detergent should work well to remove fine dust and grime. Before continuing, wipe down with a cloth or brush, give it a thorough rinse, and then let it dry fully. You can come across regions where mould has grown when cleaning. Use fungicidal wash to clean such places.

Fix Any Damage

Exteriors are vulnerable to the harsh sun, wind, and rain, so some damage is inevitable. Before you start painting the exterior of your home, you should repair any damage. Purchase external filler or plaster to patch up tiny gaps and cracks. Fill the fracture after making sure the area is tidy and free of stray debris. Using a damp knife or pallet, spread the filler. You might need to add layers of your external filler to cracks and holes that are deeper than 1 cm in order to fill them. Before adding a fresh layer, be sure the previous one is dry. Finish by once more using a knife to smooth the filler. Finally, use sandpaper to smooth up the surface of the mended area.

Seal and Prime

You must seal and prime the surface before painting it if it is porous, such as brick or wood. Without it, the paint will penetrate the surface and leave an uneven finish. To seal and prime edges and hard-to-reach places, use a little paintbrush. The other bigger areas should be primed with a roller before the building is painted. Before you begin mending the walls, they must be entirely dry. Sand the surface smooth when it has dried. Rotten wood should be removed and replaced when necessary because the paint won’t adhere to it. To have a smooth, even finish for your primer and paint to stick to, patching and mending takes time.

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Properties

10 unexpected things that affect the value of your property

What, in your opinion, has the greatest influence on real estate prices? You would be correct if you said its location. But did you know that there are a plethora of other variables, most of which are outside your control, that could also play a role? Here’s what the experts of real estate in Thomastown have to say –

Location
The most evident aspect of a property’s value that can be changed is its location. Is there a city center around the property? Is it near a popular waterfront area? Is it close to restaurants, stores, schools, and public transportation? Properties in these neighborhoods will cost more because people typically choose to reside close to their places of employment and leisure.

Supply and demand
Property prices will rise in a market where demand outpaces supply. This is because more buyers are competing for a limited supply of houses, which raises prices. The supply may outpace demand if you own an apartment in a neighborhood where numerous new apartment complexes have recently been built. This can restrict the appreciation of your house.

Interest rates
Property values may alter if the Reserve Bank modifies its monetary policies. Borrowing money is more affordable when interest rates are low. Prices typically increase as a result of consumers being able to borrow more money and stretch their budgets further. Borrowing becomes more expensive when rates climb. As a result, price rise may be slowed and borrowers may have to make budget cuts.

Economic outlook
The property market may be impacted by the state of the economy as a whole. More Australians can afford to buy a home when the economy is growing strongly, creating jobs and favorable labor conditions, which drives up property values.

Property market performance
Your property’s value may also be impacted by how well the local real estate market is performing. Expect prices to decrease if there is minimal demand for homes in the neighborhood and the listed properties are selling for significantly less than the asking price. Additionally important is the real estate market’s overall success.

Population and demographics
The demand for homes in a suburb increases as more people decide they wish to live there. The neighborhood’s demographics will also have an impact on property values. As the population rises, increased immigration also increases the need for housing. This also raises pricing.

Property size and features
A property’s qualities and size as a whole affect its value as well. The value of a home can be influenced by features like extra bathrooms, garages, swimming pools, and outdoor recreation facilities. In crowded cities, the availability or scarcity of parking spaces is another crucial consideration, although the practicality of a home’s layout is always crucial.

Aesthetics
One should never undervalue a property’s curb appeal. Since first impressions count for a lot in real estate, the outside appearance of a home can rapidly increase or decrease its worth by tens of thousands of dollars.

Investment potential
The potential an asset offers to investors also has an impact on its value. Several variables come into play, including the potential rental income from a property and the capital gain an investor will experience when they ultimately decide to sell the home.

Energy efficiency
A home constructed with high-quality materials is probably worth more, in part because doing so makes the home easier to heat and cool. Items like solar panels, insulation, and double-glazed windows can add value and appeal given the high cost of power and gas bills.

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Properties

Boom or bubble: What the next 24 months will look like for the Australian property market

What do you think the property markets in Australia will look like in 2022 and beyond? This is a popular question now that the housing market has shifted from a strong and broad-based upswing across Australia to one that can best be defined as multi-speed.

At one end of the range, Australia’s two major cities, Sydney and Melbourne, are experiencing flat to declining home values, while Brisbane and Adelaide are experiencing quarterly growth of more than 20% on an annualised basis. There’s also a demand in property for sale in Craigieburn Victoria and other cities in Australia; so, the real estate market looks promising in the coming months. The property cycle has progressed to the next stage, which has been accelerated by an earlier and more aggressive interest rate tightening cycle.

Experts expressed their forecasts for where property prices in Australia would be by the end of 2022 in March. On average, panellists predicted a 12% price increase across the country in the next 24 months.

Nobody expects prices to rise in a straight line. There will be ups and downs, but this gives you a reasonable idea of where we might finish up. Finally, certain cities may have a bigger increase while others may see a lower increase.

Houses

There has been some pretty dramatic rise in the house prices as the economists shows. In cities such as Sydney, there has been an increase of upto 12% which add $120k to the value of the average house. Australian Bureau of Statistics showed in its latest report that median Aussie income is about $48,360. So, homeowners in Harbour City can earn 24% more than the average income, just by living in their homes.

Apartments

Apartments, on the other hand, may not fare as well. While unit prices have remained stable for the time being, the closure of international borders to students and the ongoing use of online courses have led to lower rental income for homeowners across the country. As a result, apartments are seen as a high-risk investment.

For example, the gap between wage and house price increases continues to widen. However, Australia’s national house price to income ratio is still moderate on a worldwide scale, placing 27th out of 34 nations according to Statista, far below the United States, Canada, Germany, and even Ireland. Over the following 24 months, economists estimate a 12% increase in prices. This indicates that the two windows of opportunity for first-time home buyers may have closed. Now, more than ever, credit is more affordable, so it might be a good time to start looking into it. Markets can go up as well as down, so keep that in mind. Above all, buy where you want to live, not where you think property prices will rise – though maybe be a little more careful when it comes to apartments.

First home buyers set to decline in 2022

First-time buyers started the year off on a high note, with a record-breaking number of first-time buyer loans, but that has dwindled month after month. According to ABS lending data, the number of new loans taken out by first home purchasers has decreased by 11% in a year. However, the amount borrowed by them has increased by 1%. (because house prices are going up). The value of investor mortgages increased by 83%.

High density living more affordable 

As the difference between home and unit values widens to roughly 38%, high-density living will become more enticing in 2022. As demand becomes more constrained due to affordability concerns, we may witness a shift in demand to the unit sector in the coming year.

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Real Estate

Things to know before buy a new home

Whether this is your maiden chance buying a home or you’ve done it before, the real estate market can be difficult to navigate even for the most seasoned of us. Here are the top things you should know before you start playing. If you are looking for the houses for sale Thomastown, keep the following points in mind – 

The deposit

First and foremost, the more you save for a deposit, the less you will need to borrow from the bank, allowing you more room to cover any additional expenditures associated with home ownership. The deposit is a percentage of the property’s purchase price that represents your commitment to the property, thereby giving you partial ownership. So, before you go for property for sale in Craigieburn, be careful about your capacity of deposit.

Deposits can take years to accumulate, so understanding this phrase early in the buying process is critical. Typically, a five to twenty percent deposit is required; however, this can vary depending on your income, budget, and whether or not you have a guarantor, in which case a lower deposit may be required.

Lender’s Mortgage Insurance (LMI)

If you don’t have a 20% down payment, you may be compelled to pay for Lenders Mortgage Insurance, which protects the lender in the event you default on your mortgage payments. It’s crucial to understand that LMI is intended to protect the mortgage lender, whereas mortgage protection insurance is intended to protect you, the borrower.

The guarantor

When applying for a house loan, a guarantor can provide additional security. A guarantor is usually a third party, such as a parent or a family member. If you don’t have a large deposit, a guarantor can help by providing additional security – often, the guarantor’s existing home equity would serve as this security.

A guarantee is not required to make any loan repayments, but if the borrower fails to do so, the lender will turn to the guarantor to make the payments.

The silent costs matter

  • Council rates
  • Stamp duty
  • Loan fees
  • Additional insurances
  • Conveyancing
  • Building and pest inspections

The above points are vital to understand before you finalise the payment. Overlooking the costs can be really difficult for you to manage later.

Choosing a home and suburb

It all boils down to your long-term housing goals when deciding where to buy and what to buy. If you’re looking for an investment property, your criteria will differ from those who are looking for a place to call home.

If you’re looking for a long-term property as your first buy, the best suburb for you will depend on your own preferences and your budget. Do you intend to start a family in this house? Consider purchasing a home near schools, public transportation, parks, and other amenities. How far will you travel to get to work? These are the kinds of questions you should ask yourself before taking out a mortgage. The suburb you choose is determined by your lifestyle and long-term aspirations.

Before buying a home, you should research the median house price in the region, as well as what other houses are selling for, if there has been growth or drop, and how many listings are available for sale.

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Real Estate

Hidden cost for open home

Before you start jumping onto the property ladder, there are a number of considerations that cannot be overlooked. As a first time home owner, it is always good to have a thorough discussion with the experts before you go for the houses for sale Thomastown. The average home price of the area or the type of loan you are planning to take, are all vital financial points that need to be discussed with the professionals of real estate for sale Craigieburn. 

Let’s have a look at the most common hidden costs associated with a home purchase – 

Conveyancing & legal fees

Conveyancing and legal fees are the costs of hiring a conveyancer or another professional to complete the necessary legal documentation when purchasing a home.  There are usually three stages: contract preparation, contract exchange, and contract completion.

There is generally the option of selecting a fixed cost because conveyancing and legal fees can be relatively uniform — because each house transaction follows a similar process. Conveyancing and legal fees vary depending on the complexity of the transaction and who performs the job, such as a conveyancing firm with a team of conveyancing solicitors or a private lawyer or solicitor.

Stamp duty

Stamp duty is a tax that is levied on specific transactions and papers. In this example, it refers to the tax you must pay when buying a home. The amount of stamp duty you pay is determined by the property’s worth, whether you are an owner occupier or an investment, and the state where you purchase it. Many states also provide incentives to first-time home buyers who are owners. You will pay more if the house is more expensive.

Pest & building inspections 

When you hire professionals to assess your home for concerns, you must pay pest and building inspection fees. It is crucial to establish whether a property has any severe difficulties, such as structural or foundation or pest infestations. The studies offered are detailed and can help you determine your pricing point while also assuring you that you will not be surprised later. Hire a licenced inspector that is familiar with the properties in your area and has experience with the type of property you have.

Building Insurance

It makes sense to have a thorough understanding of teh budget and expense before you invest your life savings in real estate. While your lender will need you to have building insurance, you should also have a look at the other insurance plans. Mortgage protection insurance, for example, can protect you against the mortgage payments if you become very ill. If you are unable to work due to an accident, serious trauma, or illness, income protection insurance can help you meet your bills.

Mortgage registration & transfer fees

The charges of registering a mortgage and transferring property ownership are known as mortgage registration and transfer fees. The prices for each differ by state. Some have a flat rate, while others have a sliding scale. The state government determines the transfer charge, which covers the transfer of property title from one party to another.

Moving

The expense of finally moving in is an additional cost that many people overlook when purchasing a home. The cost of relocating is determined by a number of factors, including where you are moving from and to, how much you need to move, and so on. Many removalists bill by the hour, while interstate removalists bill by cubic metres or number of boxes.