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2024December“Your Christmas-Ready Check List” Are you ready for Christmas? It arrives the same time every year so we should be organised, but somehow we often find ourselves in a last-minute panic. See how you measure up against our Christmas-Ready Check List: 1. Outdoor Living Areas CONTINUE READING “4 Signs You Are Ready To Sell” Selling your home is a big decision, and one many people struggle with for quite a while before they actually go ahead. Here are four signs that you are ready to sell: 1. Favourable Market Conditions CONTINUE READING |
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2024November“Guide To Selling Your Melbourne Property In Summer” Selling your Melbourne home in the heat of mid-summer can have its challenges, but it also provides an opportunity to showcase some of the most enticing features of your property. But first, you should start by decluttering and deep cleaning before the marketing campaign begins… CONTINUE READING “Decoding Auction-Speak And Tips On How to Win At Property Auctions” Victoria’s property auction season is in full swing. When there are more buyers than properties, auctions enable vendors to sell for the best possible price. But many buyers find bidding at auction quite stressful, so let’s make it a little easier by explaining some of the auction sales jargon and giving you a few tips on how to win at auctions. Auction terms you’ll hear frequently:… CONTINUE READING “The Lateset Podcast Is Out Now! Property Mama – Adventures In Real Estate” This week’s engaging Property Mama – Adventures in Real Estate podcast is out now! Catch Episode 40: The Mouldy Mansion and Salvaged Treasures right here or on Apple, Amazon or Spotify podcast apps. CONTINUE READING “Where Are Melbourne’s First Home Buyers Finding Affordable Homes?” While most Australians aren’t finding it any easier to buy a home, mostly due to the skyrocketing cost of living and house prices and mortgage interest rates remaining stubbornly high, a recent study by PropTrack indicates there are a few affordable hotspots if you know where to look… CONTINUE READING “The Lateset Podcast Is Out Now! Property Mama – Adventures In Real Estate” This week’s engaging Property Mama – Adventures in Real Estate podcast is out now! Catch Episode 39: Auction Antics – Undercover Agent Style right here or on Apple, Amazon or Spotify podcast apps. CONTINUE READING “More Rental Reform To Further Deplete The Rental Market” “The Labor Government has implemented more than 130 rental reforms to restore fairness and respect for renters everywhere – this makes it six more. Victoria is leading the nation.” – Premier of Victoria Hon Jacinta Allan MP Leading the nation? To where, homelessness? CONTINUE READING “The Lateset Podcast Is Out Now! Property Mama – Adventures In Real Estate” This week’s engaging Property Mama – Adventures in Real Estate podcast is out now! Catch Episode 38: The Property Rollercoaster – Heartbreak To Hilarious right here or on Apple, Amazon or Spotify podcast apps. CONTINUE READING “Six Melbourne Suburbs Have Seen Huge Growth This Year. Is Yours On The List?” An interesting article by Realestate.com.au recently revealed that the median value of almost 280 suburbs across Australia grew by over $205,000 in the past year, according to research by Proptrack. While median prices in Melbourne have only changed marginally in comparison to Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, there were six Melbourne suburbs that enjoyed significant increases to their median prices over the past year… CONTINUE READING |
2024October“The Lateset Podcast Is Out Now! Property Mama – Adventures In Real Estate” This week’s engaging Property Mama – Adventures in Real Estate podcast is out now! Catch Episode 37: Hidden Contract Traps Could Cost You Thousands right here or on Apple, Amazon or Spotify podcast apps. CONTINUE READING “The REIV Welcomes Steps Towards Stamp Duty Reform” Relief is in sight for home buyers purchasing off-the-plan units, apartments or townhouses with the Victorian Government’s plan to offer uncapped stamp duty concessions to ALL buyers of off-the-plan strata properties in Victoria. REIV CEO Kelly Ryan hopes this is the first step in comprehensive stamp duty reform… CONTINUE READING “The Lateset Podcast Is Out Now! Property Mama – Adventures In Real Estate” This week’s engaging Property Mama – Adventures in Real Estate podcast is out now! Catch Episode 36: The $45,000 Auction Blunder. When Real Estate Goes Wrong right here or on Apple, Amazon or Spotify podcast apps. CONTINUE READING “Quarterly Update On Median House Prices” Victorian property prices haven’t experienced the same level of significant growth that many other states have seen in recent years, in fact there has been a decline both in metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria property values since 2021 and and 2022 respectively. Metropolitan Melbourne reached its peak of $1,135,500 in Q4 of 2021 before declining to $910,000 in Q4 2023. Since then, prices have remained steady to reach $916,000 in the September 2024 quarter… CONTINUE READING “The Lateset Podcast Is Out Now! Property Mama – Adventures In Real Estate” This week’s engaging Property Mama – Adventures in Real Estate podcast is out now! Catch Episode 35: Landlords Play Nice And Tenants Fight Back right here or on Apple, Amazon or Spotify podcast apps. CONTINUE READING “How Have Higher Land Taxes Affected The Victorian Rental Market” Recent data analysis featured in PropTrack Market Insights indicates the higher land taxes imposed by the Victorian government have impacted the Victorian rental market in several ways. New land tax thresholds were announced by the Victorian government in May 2023 and came into effect in January 2024. For perspective, the cost increase on unimproved land valued at $500K amounted to an additional $1,175 per annum and impacted an estimated half a million investors… CONTINUE READING “The Lateset Podcast Is Out Now! Property Mama – Adventures In Real Estate” This week’s engaging Property Mama – Adventures in Real Estate podcast is out now! Catch Episode 34: Agents Behaving Badly – Caught On Camera! right here or on Apple, Amazon or Spotify podcast apps. CONTINUE READING “September Update On Victoria’s Housing Crisis” The housing shortage, lack of affordable homes to buy and shortage of long term rental properties are hot topics Australia wide. Queensland’s housing and homeless crisis is spiraling, and escalating house prices combined with record low vacancy rates in South Australia means low income earners are struggling to find affordable homes to rent, let alone buy. And New South Wales estimates a current shortfall of over 220,000 social housing dwellings. It’s the same story in Victoria… CONTINUE READING “The Lateset Podcast Is Out Now! Property Mama – Adventures In Real Estate” This week’s engaging Property Mama – Adventures in Real Estate podcast is out now! Catch Episode 33: From Vanishing Homes To Sneaky Land Swamps right here or on Apple, Amazon or Spotify podcast apps. CONTINUE READING |
2024September“Wages vs Interest Rates And House Prices: The Widening Gap” While house prices in Victoria haven’t risen at the same rate as some Australian states, recent data from Canstar highlights the difficulty couples and single income buyers still face when trying to secure a big enough home loan to purchase a property. With property price growth outpacing wage growth across the country and mortgage interest rates remaining high, Victoria’s couples and especially single-income buyers face quite a challenge… CONTINUE READING “The Lateset Podcast Is Out Now! Property Mama – Adventures In Real Estate” This week’s engaging Property Mama – Adventures in Real Estate podcast is out now! Catch Episode 32: Hilarious Final Inspections Gone Wrong right here or on Apple, Amazon or Spotify podcast apps. CONTINUE READING “The 7 Most Important Jobs To Do In Your Garden This Spring” Have you recently bought a new home and the gorgeous garden that you fell in love with has suddenly become a jungle? Or are you planning to sell, and are wondering how to make the garden more presentable without creating a whole new landscape? Now is the time to start tackling the spring garden chores while the soil is still soft and manageable, the garden-munching insects haven’t ravaged everything yet, and the intense heat hasn’t set in. These 7 tasks will get your garden under control and looking its best… CONTINUE READING “The Lateset Podcast Is Out Now! Property Mama – Adventures In Real Estate” This week’s engaging Property Mama – Adventures in Real Estate podcast is out now! Catch Episode 31: Under The Hammer – Confidence, Strategy And Smiling Your Way To Success right here or on Apple, Amazon or Spotify podcast apps. CONTINUE READING “The REIV’s Perspective On The Government’s 7.5% Short Stay Levy” The government’s recent changes to short-stay accommodation regulations have the potential to create disruption far and wide, from the short and long term rental property markets to the wider tourism industry, as well as Australian and international holiday-makers. After reviewing the Short Stay Levy Bill introduced by the Victorian Government, and seeking feedback from their own members, the REIV have outlined their concerns… CONTINUE READING “The Lateset Podcast Is Out Now! Property Mama – Adventures In Real Estate” This week’s engaging Property Mama – Adventures in Real Estate podcast is out now! Catch Episode 30: The Auction Masterclass – Insider Secrets To Outbidding The Competition right here or on Apple, Amazon or Spotify podcast apps. CONTINUE READING “Victoria’s Housing Shortage Blame Game: It’s NOT The Average Property Investor’s Fault” If you’re struggling to find a home to rent in Victoria, you are certainly not alone. The Victorian government has imposed regulations and land taxes which have negatively impacted the property investment market causing rent hikes along with a mass exodus of investors, thereby creating a shortage of affordable rentals. A recent report by PropTrack refers to a study which suggests short term rentals like Airbnb may also be contributing to the lack of affordable long term rental properties, but is that really the case… CONTINUE READING “The Lateset Podcast Is Out Now! Property Mama – Adventures In Real Estate” This week’s engaging Property Mama – Adventures in Real Estate podcast is out now! Catch Episode 29: The Shocking Truth Behind Real Estate Underquoting right here or on Apple, Amazon or Spotify podcast apps. CONTINUE READING |
2024August“Spring Is In The Air And Property Listings Are Ready To Bloom!” With Spring just around the corner, the trees are beginning to blossom just as the real estate market is set for its seasonal bloom. So what should you do if you’re thinking about putting your home or investment property on the market this Spring… CONTINUE READING “The Lateset Podcast Is Out Now! Property Mama – Adventures In Real Estate” This week’s engaging Property Mama – Adventures in Real Estate podcast is out now! Catch Episode 28: Insider Tactics to Dominate Your Next Real Estate Auction right here or on Apple, Amazon or Spotify podcast apps. CONTINUE READING “It’s Time Victoria Tightened Its Auction Bidding Rules” Melbourne might host the highest number of property auctions in the country but it has some of the worst practices, leaving sellers and buyers at risk of losing thousands of dollars. Real estate experts are calling on the Victorian government to tighten regulations around auction processes in order to protect buyers and sellers from disingenuous bidding practices. While bidders in the other states including New South Wales, Queensland and… CONTINUE READING “The Lateset Podcast Is Out Now! Property Mama – Adventures In Real Estate” This week’s engaging Property Mama – Adventures in Real Estate podcast is out now! Catch Episode 27: Critical Insights & Costly Mistakes Every Buyer Should Know right here or on Apple, Amazon or Spotify podcast apps. CONTINUE READING “Why Sydney Buyers Love Melbourne Real Estate” Real estate agents and buyer advocates report increased enquiries from Sydney buyers keen to purchase a home or an investment property in Melbourne, with Melbourne’s comparative affordability the biggest drawcard. As Australian house prices continue on an upwards trajectory, the median house price for combined capital cities reached $1,154,394 in June 2024, according to… CONTINUE READING “The Lateset Podcast Is Out Now! Property Mama – Adventures In Real Estate” This week’s engaging Property Mama – Adventures in Real Estate podcast is out now! Catch Episode 26: The Truth Behind Deals And Ethics In Real Estate right here or on Apple, Amazon or Spotify podcast apps… CONTINUE READING “Melbourne Suburbs Where House Prices Rose And Fell – How Did Your Suburb Fare?” Domain’s House Price Report for the June quarter showed some significant rises and falls to median house prices across a range of suburbs – some not necessarily where you might expect. Family buyers seeking affordable suburbs may have contributed to increased median prices in suburbs such as Keilor, which saw the biggest increase of… CONTINUE READING “The Lateset Podcast Is Out Now! Property Mama – Adventures In Real Estate” This week’s engaging Property Mama – Adventures in Real Estate podcast is out now! Catch Episode 25: When Vendors Move The Goalposts! right here or on Apple, Amazon or Spotify podcast apps… CONTINUE READING “Proposed Minimal Rental Standards Inciting Maximum Commentary” There has been plenty of rhetoric around the Victorian Government’s proposed minimum rental standards over the past couple of months, with REIV’s CEO Kelly Ryan the latest to chime in. The controversial proposal – which is open for consultation – imposes potentially impactful changes on landlords during a period when the rental market is already under significant stress… CONTINUE READING |
2024July“The Lateset Podcast Is Out Now! Property Mama – Adventures In Real Estate” This week’s engaging Property Mama – Adventures in Real Estate podcast is out now! Catch Episode 24: Seize The Deal – The Power Of Early Offers In Real Estate right here or on Apple, Amazon or Spotify podcast apps… CONTINUE READING It’s the end of an era which may have some home owners feeling a little nostalgic! From the 3rd August 2024, all new property titles in Victoria will be issued in electronic format as we move to a fully electronic title system. Land transactions that involve an existing paper title will see that paper title cancelled and a new electronic title issued… CONTINUE READING “The Lateset Podcast Is Out Now! Property Mama – Adventures In Real Estate” This week’s engaging Property Mama – Adventures in Real Estate podcast is out now! Catch Episode 23: Misguided Negotiations – When Real Estate Agents Miss The Mark right here or on Apple, Amazon or Spotify podcast apps… CONTINUE READING “Metropolitan House Prices Fall” Victoria continues to buck the national trend of escalating property values according to the Real Estate Institute of Victoria, with the June quarter showing a slight drop in median house prices across the metropolitan Melbourne area. House prices in Melbourne fell 1.5% in the June quarter, taking the median house price to $912,000. Units in Melbourne fell 0.1% to reach a median price of $629,000… CONTINUE READING “Seven Reasons Why Winter Is The Best Time To Buy Property” When it’s cold and rainy outside, Saturdays are better spent indoors – snuggled on the couch with a steamy latte and the footy on TV, right? Wrong! In fact, studies show that cold, wet, wintery days are the ideal time for serious house buyers to find their perfect home at a good price. See why you should get off the couch, pop on your beanie and head out to a few open inspections this weekend… CONTINUE READING “Proposed Changes To Rental Standards – What’s In Store?” The Victorian Government has proposed changes to rental standards which could negatively impact the rental market even further, with significant costs potentially in store for landlords. In a media statement released by the REIV, proposed changes outlined by the government include introducing minimum standards for energy efficiency and safety in rental properties… CONTINUE READING |
2024JuneAs we close out the 2023/2024 financial year, we’ve seen plenty of movement in the real estate market. Across the nation home prices have risen by 5.9% during the 2023/2024 FY according to a report by realestate.com.au, due to high demand and low stock in most capital cities. Melbourne saw 0.8% price growth during the period, with 3% to 6% growth forecast for the 2024/2025 financial year… CONTINUE READING “How To Win At Auctions: Tips From The Experts” When the property market is experiencing low stock and demand is high, auction numbers ramp up as strong competition helps vendors to get the best result. But many buyers dislike auction – the crowds, the frenetic pace, the uncertainty and the pressure. If that’s you, these tips shared by… CONTINUE READING “My New Podcast Is Live! – Property Mama – Adventures In Real Estate” I am THRILLED to share that my very first podcast… Property Mama – Adventures in Real Estate is now LIVE! Property Mama – Adventures in Real Estate is where I share all about the shenanigans that I have seen (and continue to see) over my almost three decades of buying and selling real estate… CONTINUE READING “First Home Buying: Where To Look And What To Buy” Many believe that interest rates and house prices have made buying a first home unachievable in most Australian cities – without help from the Bank of Mum and Dad at least. But if you know where to look and what to buy – and you’re prepared to compromise a little – it can be done. A recent report by LJ Hooker identified Melton in Melbourne’s west as an affordable option for first home buyers, with a median house price of $478,500 and a median unit price of $374,750, as at May 2024. For an option closer to the city the report suggests units and townhouses in Brunswick, just 5kms north of the Melbourne CBD… CONTINUE READING “Mortgage Stress Is Becoming Evident” With talk of a recession looming, it isn’t surprising that the early warning signs of financial stress are being seen in surging mortgage hardship claims and quick home resales, as reported recently by the ABC. Data from CoreLogic shows a recent increase in homes reselling within a three year period, which many are attributing to mortgage stress. That theory is supported by a recent ASIC report… CONTINUE READING “What You Need To Know About The Vacant Residential Land Tax” The amended Vacant Residential Land Tax comes into effect on the 1st January 2025. If your property has been vacant during 2024 for more than six months, you could be hit with a VRLT in 2025. Currently, the VRLT applies to vacant homes in Melbourne’s inner and middle suburbs, but from January 1st 2025 it will apply across the state, to all Victorian properties… CONTINUE READING |
2024May“Why Winter Is A Great Time To Sell Your House” Everyone says spring is the best time of year to sell property. But is it? In fact, every season brings pros and cons to selling a home. Spring sees flourishing weeds and windy days, but no temperature extremes. Summer days can be scorching, but homes with pools look extra cool and inviting. Autumn is picturesque but leaves can clog gutters and cover driveways. And winter… well it might be miserably cold and wet, but indoors can feel even more inviting. When you sell in winter there is generally less competition in the market… CONTINUE READING “State Budget Ignores Opportunity To Incentivise Investment In The Property Sector” The release of the Allan Government’s first budget sees a missed opportunity to attract investors back into Victoria’s struggling property sector. With housing supply and affordability issues at a crisis point and a disincentivising property tax regime sending investors away in droves, Victoria needed the 2024-25 State Budget to step up and encourage property investment… CONTINUE READING “Build-To-Rent Projects Could End Our Accomodation Shortage” Chances are you’ve not heard about build-to-rent projects, which isn’t surprising. But experts suggest they could be the answer to our current housing crisis… CONTINUE READING “Statewide Campaign To Enforce Minimum Rental Standards” The Victorian government recently announced a statewide campaign to further educate landlords, agents and tenants on the minimum standards for rental properties. The move is applauded by the Real Estate Institute of Victoria, who have long been advocating for increased education and awareness of minimum rental standards in the property sector. In response to the government’s announcement, the REIV said… CONTINUE READING |
2024April“What REALLY Goes On Behind Closed Doors In Real Estate?” There’s never a dull moment in the real estate world. Seriously, being involved in buying and selling property is a new and unpredictable experience… Every. Single. Time. There is so much happening behind the scenes that sometimes things get a little wobbly and go pear-shaped, which makes for interesting stories and great learning opportunities. Which is why hugely successful property advocate Wendy Chamberlain has launched the Property Mama – Adventures In Real Estate website, pulling back the curtains to expose many riveting experiences in the world of real estate… CONTINUE READING “Melbourne Ranked 2nd In The World For Second-Home Buying” Real estate comparison site GetAgent has analysed global search terms by second-home buyers to determine the most popular cities in the world for purchasing a second property. Australia featured strongly in the list, with four Australian capital cities ranked in the top ten locations… CONTINUE READING “Victorian Tenants Are In Extreme Pain With No Band-Aids In Sight” Market researcher Suburbtrends recently released their April Rental Pain Index report based on March 2024 data. It highlights the tough – and worsening – market conditions facing tenants today. From the shortage of available rental properties and escalating rents, Victorian tenants are in extreme pain. The Index showed 386 locations across Victoria where the rental pain index… CONTINUE READING “Discover The Innovative New Product Benefiting Landlords, Agents & Tenants” Have you heard about Bondable? More than just a funky name, Bondable is an innovative new product designed to streamline efficiencies in the tenant on-boarding and off-boarding processes… CONTINUE READING |
2024March“New Taskforce To Crack Down On Dodgy Rentals” A new rental taskforce is being established by Victoria’s Labor Government with the aim of cracking down on landlords and estate agents who are not complying with existing rental laws. Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) will incorporate the taskforce to be comprised of intelligence analysts, investigators and lawyers, while increasing their existing provisions for the reporting of potentially unlawful conduct… CONTINUE READING “We’re Building More Homes, But Where Is The Help To Buy Them?” There’s been a lot of discussion about the federal and state government policies created to address the nationwide housing crisis. The Victorian and Federal Labor Governments have announced their respective plans to build 800,000 new homes across Victoria by 2034, and 1.2 million dwellings nationwide by 2029. If you’re in need of an affordable house to buy, that all sounds great. BUT aren’t you wondering how you can afford to buy one of these brand new homes, with living costs and mortgages as high as they are? CONTINUE READING “Australia’s Hot 100 Suburbs – Is Yours On The List?” Don’t worry about the Oscars, there’s more excitement to be found in Australia’s property market right now! A selection of realestate.com.au’s property experts have nominated the Hottest 100 Suburbs To Watch in 2024, based on comprehensive criteria. Their predictions used expected economic growth, population growth, price growth, median price and median rent growth, infrastructure development and burgeoning supply and demand… to reveal one hundred locations across Australia that they suggest keeping a close eye on this year. Victoria featured strongly, with these suburbs nominated for the following reasons… CONTINUE READING “REIV Push For State Budget Review Of Victoria’s Property Tax System” The Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV) has made a submission to the 2024-25 Victorian State Budget urging a comprehensive review of the state’s property tax system. The REIV hopes that reconfiguring the property tax regime will attract the hoards of investors who sold up last year back to the Victorian property market. The REIV submission outlines three key recommendations… CONTINUE READING “Summer Is Over, But Now Could Be A Good Time To Explore Sea-burban Living!” The arrival of March sees the official end of summer. Did you spend time at the beach this year? Feeling like you’d like to hang on to those sunny summer vibes by purchasing a sea-burban property? Beachside living is certainly appealing. Recently realestate.com featured an article predicting Australia’s top 100 coastal suburbs to boom in 2024, based on growth prospects, amenities and infrastructure… CONTINUE READING It’s a fact: home buyers and investors in today’s property market need help! There’s a lot to get your head around when buying property in Victoria. This year already we’ve seen changes to planning development laws and property tax laws, and a continuing housing shortage which contributes to increased property prices and causes buyers to rethink their property goals. Keeping tabs on property prices and what the RBA is doing with interest rates while scouring the suburbs for the perfect home (within budget!) is beyond many buyers, who are stressed, tired and disillusioned. Luckily, more help is on the way… CONTINUE READING |
2024February“How Confident And Comfortable Are You With Buying Property ?” Buying property is a great way to build long-term wealth. But when you’re just getting started you can feel like a fish out of water when suddenly you’re in the midst of a fast-paced auction, at a crowded open inspection, or simply dealing with persistent real estate agents! Feeling like you’re floundering when you’re in the throes of making the biggest purchase of your life is a stress you don’t need – and one you can easily avoid… CONTINUE READING “What’s Next For Victoria’s Property Market?” Last year, when wondering what might happen to property prices and interest rates during 2024, a ride in Doc and Marty’s DeLorean could have been needed… or possibly a tag-along along with the Time Traveler’s Wife. But although Eric Bana’s a Melburnian, I don’t think we’ll need his time-travelling assistance after all. We’re confident the Victorian property market will trend upwards in 2024. Of course it’s always ticking over as… CONTINUE READING “Nothing In Life Is Certain, Except Death And Victorian Property Taxes, Taxes, Taxes” “Tax” – a word about as appealing to most people as “death” – both of which Benjamin Franklin said were the only certainties in life. And in 2024, the Victorian government is certainly pursuing a host of changes to residential and commercial property taxes! Amendments to the Sale of Land Act 1962 came into effect on the 1st January… CONTINUE READING |
2024January“How To Host The Coolest Open Inspections, Even In Mid Summer Heat “ If you’re planning to sell your home in summer, you’re probably worried about extreme heat on open inspection days. But even in scorching Melbourne heat there are plenty of ways to make your home seem cool, fresh and inviting to buyers. Check out our top tips for presenting your indoor and outdoor areas with a super chill vibe! CONTINUE READING Welcome back! Our team at Chamberlain Property Advocates hopes you’ve enjoyed a wonderful holiday season with plenty of festive fun and relaxation. As we kick off 2024 we are particularly excited to see the proposed changes put forward by the Real Estate Institute of Victoria, as outlined in the 2023 end of year report from CEO Quentin Kilian… CONTINUE READING |
2023December“Merry Christmas From Chamberlain Property Advocates” Another exciting year in property comes to a close. Remember though, if you’re still looking for a property to buy then keep searching during the lead up to Christmas and through the holiday season as the market can flip more favourably towards buyers during that period… CONTINUE READING “Have You Thought About A Career As A Property Advocate? We’re Hiring!” Are you a real estate agent or a whizz at sales and marketing? Are you looking for an exciting new opportunity, or do you know someone who is? We’re hiring…! CONTINUE READING “Who Can Inflict More Pain – A Dentist Or A Real Estate Agent?” Choosing a real estate agent to sell your home is like choosing a dentist. Make the wrong choice and it could be a very painful and costly exercise! When you have issues with your teeth, you need to act promptly to treat the problem before it gets worse. Time is also of the essence when you put your property on the market. A good agent will market the property hard and fast, because the longer it sits there, the less likely you are to obtain top dollar… CONTINUE READING |
2023November“Melbourne’s Rental Crisis Is Becoming A Rental Catastrophe” Housing reform can’t come quick enough for Melbourne’s struggling renters. Hit hardest by the limited supply of rental properties and skyrocketing rents are low to middle income earners who are finding it near impossible to rent an affordable home… CONTINUE READING “Love Low Maintenance Living But Also Enjoy A Lush Garden Space? Here’s How To Have Both!“ Big family homes on small blocks and even downsized homes on courtyard allotments are marketed as “low maintenance living” – a term that entices buyers with visions of relaxing lifestyles and social weekends spent out and about, not mowing lawns, trimming hedges and weeding gardens. But in fact low maintenance homes often occupy a large portion of the block so the backyard becomes a paved hot-box enclosed by colourbond fencing with little greenery in sight… CONTINUE READING “Land Tax Reforms – Will They Help?“ So, better times might be ahead for tenants and home buyers struggling with the lack of affordable homes. Reforms to Victoria’s housing industry continue with the Treasurer’s recent proposal to introduce changes to the current residential land tax scheme. CONTINUE READING “Renovating To Sell – Where To Draw The Line“ Should you renovate before you sell or leave it for the buyer to make the sort of updates they want? Well, a little of both is a good idea. Knowing how far you should go and how much to spend on renovations is really important when you’re selling a property… CONTINUE READING |
2023October“What Is Causing Tenants All Over Australia To Lose Sleep?“ You can’t argue with numbers, and the numbers are showing that property investors are selling up and tossing their landlord’s hats away, clearly a scary prospect for tenants. CONTINUE READING “Is Property Investing Still A Good Idea? Melbourne Landlords Don’t Think So.“ A recent article published on realestate.com revealed an alarming trend – one in four Melbourne landlords have sold an investment property in the last year, leaving Melbourne ranked as the second worst capital city to invest in property. CONTINUE READING “The Great Escape – Would You Do It?“ Where would you choose to live if work commitments didn’t influence your decision? CONTINUE READING “Victoria’s Housing Reforms: The Good, The Bad And The Ugly“ Last month the Andrews government released their long-awaited housing reform policies. The good news? The government is doing something to accommodate the housing shortage and the lack of rental accommodation as well as affordable housing… CONTINUE READING |
2023September“Go Hard Or Go Home, Say Melbourne’s First Home Buyers” PropTrack data analysts recently assessed the 20 top suburbs around the country that attracted the most email enquiries from first home buyers. The analysis of email enquiries by first home buyers to agents on realestate.com.au during August showed that first home buyers around the country were most interested in units in the Melbourne CBD, followed by Parramatta in Sydney and Brisbane City… CONTINUE READING “Spring Home Trends Not To Be Sneezed At!” What’s your favourite season? We’ve enjoyed the cosy glow of toasty fires and cheeky red wines but we’re ready for winter to end. And while we love outdoor dining in summertime and the taste of a refreshing G&T, we’ll soon be complaining about the unrelenting summer heat. Then we’ll start looking forward to the cooler temperatures and vibrant hues of autumn. So, what about spring? CONTINUE READING “Rising House Prices – When Will They Hit The Roof?” According to the PropTrack Home Price Index, national property prices rose again for the eighth straight month in August. Fueled by a housing shortfall and increased overseas migration, cities such as Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth along with regional Queensland and South Australia saw new record high property prices… CONTINUE READING “Powerful First Impressions. Do They Really Matter?” Do first impressions matter? 100% they do, especially when you’re selling a property! Imagine being introduced to someone new and their clothes are stained, their face is dirty and their hair is long and lanky. Their glasses are broken and cobbled together with tape, and they’re carrying a stinky bag of household rubbish. Are you diving in to shake their hand with enthusiasm? Maybe not. Are you feeling put off and a little reluctant to engage further with this person? Very likely. The same can be said about buyers’ first impressions of properties… CONTINUE READING “Home Buying vs Online Dating: Which Is Harder?” If you had to choose, which would you rather do – home buying or online dating? Actually, if you compare the pair you’ll find both experiences surprisingly similar… CONTINUE READING |
2023August“Why Are Home Buyers AND Sellers Feeling Less Stressed?“ If you’ve been searching for a home to buy in recent months you may have been frustrated by the lack of stock. Home owners probably don’t need to be told that market uncertainty has been established as the leading cause of low sales volumes… CONTINUE READING “Home Staging – Why We Love It AND Hate It” Home staging, also known as property styling, is a property marketing concept that has become increasingly popular in recent years. Styling a property for sale makes sense. Just as you might have your car detailed before selling it, your home should also be… CONTINUE READING “Stressed About Your Fixed Rate Changing To Variable Soon? We Can Help!” If your fixed rate mortgage term is coming to an end and the switch to variable rates is looming, you may be feeling quite worried about how your budget will cope… CONTINUE READING “Will The First Home Owner Grant Be Abolished?” In a historic move Victoria’s long standing state funded first home owner grant may be abolished as the government’s budget overhaul includes a review of current housing affordability schemes… CONTINUE READING |
2023July“5 Ways to Downsize Without Compromise” Downsizing certainly has a few advantages, such as more time to enjoy life and less time spent on maintenance and housework. You might save money on energy and water bills, and find it easier to lock up and leave when you’re ready to travel. But what about the downside to downsizing? CONTINUE READING “Has the winter chill put a freeze on new listings?” If you’re looking to buy property the market isn’t giving you a lot of options right now, but is it a good time to sell? We’ve reached the midway point of winter, and new listings continue to decline nationally according to PropTrack’s June Listing Report. CONTINUE READING “Struggling to buy in an unfriendly market? Rethinking your property goals might help.” To many would-be home buyers it feels like the door to the property market has been slammed in their face during the past year. And with rental availability so low, and rents increasing up to 45% in some areas of Melbourne, it’s hard to… CONTINUE READING “Who can you trust to sell your most valuable asset?” Choosing the right real estate agent to sell your home is so important. Sure, they’re all keen to win your business and make a sale, but how can you tell which agent will… CONTINUE READING “Winter’s hot topic: Energy efficient homes” Rising energy costs means energy efficiency remains a hot topic with homeowners and tenants. If you’re building a new home you can focus on an energy efficient design from the get-go. And with changes to the National Construction Code pending, we can expect… CONTINUE READING |
2023JuneAs the saying goes, timing is everything. Over the years, people have approached me about creating a program that was accessible to anyone looking to buy a property. Not restricted by location or where you may be in the world. Well I’m proud to announce, the wait is over. CONTINUE READING “Buying or selling during winter – are you doing the right thing?” The prospect of selling or buying a house during the cold and wet winter months doesn’t tend to have us leaping off the couch with anticipation. But in actual fact winter… CONTINUE READING “Giving your property a face lift before resale? Heres why it counts..” Whether your home needs a face lift or you are considering a refresh to sell it, there are little upgrades you can make that don’t cost an arm and a leg. Don’t underestimate the power of… CONTINUE READING “Underquoting – read on as I peel back the curtian…” It’s a hot topic – underquoting. Many of you will relate. You’ve attended an auction hoping to buy your dream home, only to have your dreams dashed because a property sold well above the advertised price. You may know that… CONTINUE READING “Are you paying more than you should in interest on your home loan?” With the cost of living on a continual upward swing, now is the time to save where you can. From interest rate hikes, to inflation to the cost of electricity – you name it, now is the time to explore ways to save where you can. Have you reviewed your home loan recently?… CONTINUE READING Open for inspections are a great opportunity for homebuyers to check the condition of the property they are looking to buy. In order to make a sound buying decision, buyers and investors should either visit the home themselves, or… CONTINUE READING |
2023May“Why the rental crisis is about to get worse. “ This week the Victorian Government announced it’s State budget and it is bad news for both property investors and renters alike. After locking people in their homes for months on end and amassing a multi-billion dollar lockdown debt in the process, the Victorian government now expects…. CONTINUE READING “Including sustainable solutions when renovating – is it achievable? “ Building or renovating a property has always involved a lot of decision-making. Aesthetics, functionality and return on investment have traditionally been key considerations for anyone planning to build or upgrade their home…. CONTINUE READING “We’ve answered your questions!” As a Buyer’s and Seller’s Advocate who’s helped many people to buy and sell property over the years, I’ve been asked a lot of questions about how it all works…. CONTINUE READING “Where do you go for your suburb info?” Thousands of suburbs exist in Melbourne and those who want to learn more about them can always check online. Here are several websites you can use to research suburbs across Australia…. CONTINUE READING |
2023AprilNew data shows that an average of 6.1% of homes nationally are re-listed within two years of purchase. Why?…. CONTINUE READING
“Pockets of opportunity still exist if you know where to look. “ We are in such an interesting market right now. It is one of flux where buyers and sellers are navigating many mixed messages. So how do you sift through what is the right information that suits your circumstances and what your next move needs to be?….. CONTINUE READING “Learn to spot the next boom town. “ Ever wondered how some property investors are always in the right spot at the right time, just before a suburb booms? What do they know that you don’t?….. CONTINUE READING “Set goals to increase your property investing success. “ How successful do you feel you are with your house hunting and property investing? Do you regularly set goals to aid you on your property investing journey? Let me ask you this….. CONTINUE READING “The market has turned, did you notice?. “ I have been studying the market with interest these past few weeks. Despite what you may *still* be hearing out there in the media, the market has turned. Prices have plateaued out and are on the way back up….. CONTINUE READING |
2023March“6 things our clients thank us for! “ We often get asked: what’s the difference between a buyer’s advocate and a real estate agent? The key difference between a buyer’s advocate and a real estate agent is who they represent…. CONTINUE READING “Include an ‘offer expiration’ clause on your offer. “ Also known as a sunset clause, it is wise to include an “offer expiration” clause in any offer that you make to purchase property. Such a clause states a date and time when your offer will expire… CONTINUE READING “Looking to invest with a tenant in mind? “ Here is a golden rule for your investing. Rather than buy first then wonder, how do I get a tenant, why not buy with the tenant in mind… CONTINUE READING “Looking to sell your home, but don’t know where to start? “ At Chamberlain Property Advocates, we are here to support you through the entire selling process. Many of our clients that get in touch are totally overwhelmed by the selling process. Not only about needing to move and find a new home, but before that process even starts… CONTINUE READING |
2023February“The importance of getting a property inspected before buying. “ When it comes to buying a home, it is essential to recognise that you are responsible for much of what takes place. Once the transfer of ownership is complete…. CONTINUE READING
With the RBA raising interest rates yet again last week, I’m hearing the whispers grow louder. People are talking about a looming mortgage cliff… CONTINUE READING “3 tips on how to choose the right suburb for you.“ Buying a home is one of the most important decisions a person makes in their life. As such, it should not be rushed. Time should be taken to research and plan… CONTINUE READING “Selling? Could you be eligible to top up your super?” From 1 January 2023, the age to qualify for a concession to top up your super with proceeds of a house sale will be reduced from 60 to 55... CONTINUE READING |
2023January“7 ways to prepare your home for a Summer sale.” With the busy festive period done and dusted, you may be thinking now is the time to put your home on the market and start your next chapter... CONTINUE READING
Here we are, at the end of January already. Having seen a shortage of newly listed properties for sale as we headed into the end of year break… CONTINUE READING
Whether you’ve purchased an investment home to renovate and sell or if you’re an owner who’s looking to sell your home to upgrade or even to downsize, there are certain styling techniques you can use that will speak to a prospective buyer and tug at their heart-strings... CONTINUE READING “The ins and outs of selling property occupied by renters.” The first key point is having a good understanding of the lease agreement and giving renters appropriate notice based on the terms of the lease. The second key point discussed in... CONTINUE READING In 2022, lifestyle additions were high on the wish list for what buyers were looking for, with keywords such as ‘pool’, ‘waterfront’, ‘beach’ and ‘view’ among the most searched terms… CONTINUE READING |
2022December“Your home buyer questions answered. “ As a Buyers and Seller’s Advocate who’s helped many people buy and sell property over the years, I’ve been asked a lot of questions about how it all works…. CONTINUE READING
Are you looking to buy and sell at the same time but are unsure what to do about your existing home loan? You may be able to switch it over to your new purchase… CONTINUE READING “We took a temperature check of the market. Here’s what we found“ As we roll towards Christmas, we have two more Saturdays of auctions. Then we’ll have a bunch of properties auctioned during the week in the days leading up to Christmas. This happens every year… CONTINUE READING “I’m getting heaps of messages” At this time of year, we always see the same thing … lots of sellers looking to wrap things up before the end of the year. Only this year, we are in quite a different market. It really is a buyers market... CONTINUE READING |
2022November“Buying your first home? Why you need a buyers advocate.” There are many professionals you will meet in the process of buying your property. One that is worth their weight in gold and can make a huge difference to your first home buying journey is a buyer’s advocate… CONTINUE READING “Victorian Liberals pledge stamp duty cut for first home buyers.” Recently the Victorian opposition has announced it would scrap stamp duty for first home buyers who purchase a property less than $1 million if it wins the state election. Scrapping stamp duty has been a key…. CONTINUE READING “Budget aims for one million new affordable homes.” REIV calls for necessary property sector reforms across four key areas in lead-up to 2022 Victorian State Election…. CONTINUE READING “Reno or sell? That is the question.” With the cost of building and materials on the rise, the decision to stay and renovate your current home or sell to buy something more suitable can be complicated…. CONTINUE READING |
2022October“All you need to know about the changes to the First Home Super Saver Scheme” The First Home Super Saver (FHSS) scheme allows individuals to save money for their first home through their super fund… CONTINUE READING
From Saturday 1 October 2022, 10,000 new places were made available under the Australian Government’s Home Guarantee Scheme (HGS). The new Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee (RFHBG) supports eligible first home buyers living… CONTINUE READING
Saving for your first home takes commitment and financial discipline, but it doesn’t mean that you will miss out on living your life to its fullest. Creating a perfect budget to stick to, will ensure you can focus on increasing your savings funds… CONTINUE READING “Tips on how to get the best return when selling your property“ Homeowners and investors who want to sell their houses should always consider increasing the value of their property before putting it on the market. This way, they can get the best return for their property. There are various ways to increase the value… CONTINUE READING “Are interest rate hikes affecting your borrowing power” Some house prices are easing; however, the interest rate rises are resulting in banks reassessing the borrowing capacity of buyers, particularly first home buyers… CONTINUE READING |
2022September“All you need to know about Queensland’s new “After-pay”- style scheme” In last week’s newsletter we delved into the ‘Afterpay’ style ‘buy now, pay later’ launched in Queensland… CONTINUE READING “Do you know the three common methods used when purchasing a property” In last week’s newsletter we delved into what it’s like being faced in a bidding war against equally motivated buyers wanting to purchase YOUR dream property!… CONTINUE READING “What to watch for when buying off-market properties“ In last week’s newsletter we delved into the first question raised by many buyers when looking to engage a Buyer’s Advocate…do you know of any 0ff-market properties?… CONTINUE READING “Buying an investment property is not the same as buying your home – Part 2” In last week’s newsletter we delved into why the decision to buy a home as an owner-occupier is one vastly different to investing in a property to rent out… CONTINUE READING |
2022August“Buying an investment property is not the same as buying your home – Part 1” Why is the decision to buy a home as an owner-occupier one that is as different as night and day from the decisions and factors involved when buying an investment property… CONTINUE READING “Do you know what costs are associated when buying a property?” For First Home Buyers in particular, it’s easy to overlook some of the associated costs of buying a property. While most people have heard of stamp duty, there are a number of other costs that need to taken into account when purchasing a home… CONTINUE READING “Selling your home? Make sure you remove these deal breakers.” Selling a home these days means you need to be on trend and clutter free with your interior design. Your goal should always be to have the buyer picture him or herself living in their new home – your home!… CONTINUE READING “8 home improvements that won’t add value to your property!” Renovations can drastically change the value of your home, but knowing what upgrades are worth the investment, versus what upgrades won’t add value is vital when it comes time to sell your property… CONTINUE READING |
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2022April“Don’t make these common seller mistakes.” Identifying why your home isn’t selling as quickly as you would like often involves stepping back and asking why. Sometimes seeking an objective view point from an independent third party… “Follow these tips to maximise your selling potential.” Selling a home these days means you need to be on trend and clutter free with your interior design. Decluttering is vital, to ensure that any prospective buyer can visualise themselves living in that space. Here are some things to remove and be mindful of to maximise your selling potential… “Priced out of your dream suburb? Try further down the line.” Priced out of your dream suburb? Try looking into properties near neighbouring train stations. Buying a home just one or two train stops further down the train line, could save you a lot of money… “Six things our clients thank us for!” We often get asked: what’s the difference between a buyer’s advocate and a real estate agent? The key difference between a buyer’s advocate and a real estate agent is who they represent… |
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2022January“Housing affordability is at an all time low. Here’s why” Housing affordability in Melbourne has plummeted with house prices growing at two and a half times the pace of household incomes over 15 years… “Why 15 minutes makes all the difference! Ask us how” It seems house buyers want to be 15 minutes away from everything. New research has revealed that the suburbs most in demand had the ’15-minute principle’… “How will Australia’s timber shortage affect home builders?” A current timber shortage is affecting Australian home builders. The Australian Forest Products Association warns that by 2035 there will be 250,000 house frames short… “Record breaking 2021 and trends to watch in 2022” According to Domain’s End of Year Wrap, Australia has smashed property records in 2021 racking up the highest number of house sales. 2021 also saw… |
2021December“Wishing you all the best for the festive season” What a year! As another turbulent 12 months draws to a close, we reflect on the past year and what it has meant to each of us. For many individuals… “Parents are helping adult children into the property market” Now more than ever, many first home buyers in Melbourne are relying on their parents to get into the property market.. In the last 12 months, research has shown that house prices have sky rocketed three times faster than those of units… |
2021November“Selling your home? Remove deal breakers” Selling a home these days means you need to be on trend and clutter free with your interior design. Your goal should always be to have the buyer… A growing number of couples and families in Australia today are opting to buy a property as an investment in a more affordable suburb… “Home buyer questions answered” As a Buyer’s and Seller’s Advocate who’s helped many people to buy and sell property over the years, I’ve been asked a lot of… “Regional Victorian Suburbs are experiencing a major boom!” Research shows that properties are earning four times more than the average income of regional homeowners. This is thanks to… |
2021October“What’s happening with the property market?” With part of the traditional spring selling season experienced in lockdown, we still seem to have a few… “Always undertake building and pest inspections before buying” The importance of getting a property inspected for building defects and/or pests was profoundly… “Whether renovating for resale or a mini facelift, small fix ups count!” Whether your home needs a facelift or you are considering a refresh to sell it, there are little… “Home office / study a priority for buyers” Amongst many other changes to our lives, the last two years have seen a re-evaluation of how much… “Blink and you could miss these tiny pockets!“ Whether buying or renting there are so many suburbs to choose from in metropolitan Melbourne… |
2021September“Styling techniques for maximum impact!“ Whether you’ve purchased an investment home to renovate and sell or if you’re an owner who’s looking… This week I’d like to share a story with you to highlight a few cautionary details about underquoting and dealing with Real Estate Agents… “Why do I need a Seller’s Advocate?“ One of the questions I get asked the most is, “Why do I need a Seller’s Advocate?” It’s an excellent question… “Spring is in the Air, even amidst Victoria’s 6th lockdown!“ It’s the first weekend of Spring and this time of the year is always a robust one for the housing sector… “We are asking for your help!“ With our 6th statewide lockdown having been extended with no firm end date in sight, the need to… |
2021AugustOne of the questions I get asked most is, “Why do I need a Buyer’s Advocate?”… “I spoke to the agent. Immediately my client called me…“ I’m working with a client right now that is looking to buy a home – right in our wheelhouse… As a Buyer’s and Seller’s Advocate who’s helped many people to buy and sell property over the years… “How is Melbourne property buying & selling affected?” If you’ve been in the market to purchase a property in Melbourne during the past month, you might feel… “Will lockdowns trump limited supply?“ With the new financial year now well underway, talk about the real estate market being hampered by… |
2021July“Be ready and you’ll buy well” Having notched up our second weekend in a row in lockdown (this time!) here in Victoria… “What does Melbourne fifth lockdown mean for the real estate sector?” Did you know that property is still selling throughout Melbourne during lockdown?… “Not the type of tenants you want in your house!” We were having an interesting conversation at our team meeting on Monday about the result of… May “FOMO, it is not what you think it is…” Right now in the media, everywhere there seems to be mention of FOMO – “Fear Of Missing Out”…
CONTINUE READING ABOUT SOUTHEAST RAIL LINE SPARKS HOUSING BOOM→ March What an absolute whirlwind! Here we are in March, well into 2021 already, having… |
2020“Real Estate changes. How are you affected?” Things are evolving at a rapid pace right now in real estate. On the eve of the four day public holiday… “What does this volatile market mean for you?” Here we are in 2020 and we are dealing with yet another set of circumstances totally from left field… 2019“2019 Real Estate Year That Was: Happy Festive Season from Chamberlain Property Advocates” What a roller coaster year in real estate it has been! Having watched the market fall for 18 months or so… “Bidding at auction? Don’t make these mistakes.” By now I’m sure you’ve started to hear the media reporting that house prices are on the rise… |
