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Dougmal Harcourts - The Property People

Friday 31 January 2014

Investment Property Success

Taking the first step towards purchasing an investment property is often the hardest...

First there is what you can borrow to fund the investment.

Then there are other considerations such as rental yield versus capital growth, unit/townhouse versus freestanding home, new versus old...and then there are the income and deduction implications.

Add to this your property will have to be efficiently managed so that it is well-maintained, has quality tenants, is achieving maximum income, and all is running smoothly.

Before you jump in, it’s important that you spend time to understand the pros and cons of investing in property. A good first step is speaking to a financial advisor who is experienced in the area and people who are actually property investors! It is also a good idea to speak to a professional real estate agent who has knowledge and experience in this area to help you in the information gathering process.

When it comes to buying an investment property, each buyer’s situation is different and you need to purchase with your own investment needs and goals in mind.

Here are a few things you should consider when purchasing a property to gain you maximum rental return:
•    Number of bedrooms, bathrooms and living areas.
•    Location including proximity to transport, shops and schools.
•    Storage areas.
•    Air conditioning.
•    Car garaging.
•    General presentation inside and out.
•    Outdoor entertaining area.

At Dougmal Harcourts we have industry leading professionals who are qualified and able to assist you in purchasing an investment property.

We also have an industry-leading and multi-award winning Property Management division that is able to maintain and manage your property to achieve your investment goals.

Friday 24 January 2014

Top Home Improvement Projects

If you're thinking of selling your home in 2014, or you just want to improve your home’s value, it's important to spend your time and money on projects that will bring you the most return on your investment.

Here are 8 home improvement projects you should consider:

1. External spruce up!
The first impression your home makes on buyers is its external appearance. If your home's exterior is looking tired, a paint job and/or fixing any issues should be a priority. Also pay attention to gardens and landscaping, as a little bit of money and effort can greatly improve the street appeal of your home.

2. Replace your front door

A new front door makes a great first impression on buyers! If your front door doesn't need replacing, a coat of paint can do wonders. Also look at your garage door and give it some attention if needed.

3. Add a deck or patio

No matter where you live, buyers are looking for outdoor living space. If you already have outdoor space, consider making it more attractive with a water feature, an outdoor fireplace, BBQ area or improved landscaping.

4. Add space
Depending on your budget and your goals for your home, an extra bedroom, extra bathroom, a finished attic or an expanded living space can increase the value of your home.

5. Improve your kitchen
It is true that buyers look carefully at kitchens and bathrooms. Be careful not to overspend on improving your kitchen. You may be able to do one or two things, such as replacing the appliances and painting the cabinets, or just replacing the bench tops with Caesarstone or granite to improve its value.

6. Work on your lighting
Today's buyers like brightly lit rooms. Change any window treatments to maximise the natural light into your home. Also look around your home and see if you need to upgrade or add more lighting.

7. Update your bathroom
Consider cost-effective minor upgrades to update your bathroom. Perhaps replace the fixtures, the mirror, repaint, and jazz it up with some flowers, candles or other low cost accessories.

8. Organise your storage spaces
High on the list of priorities for today's buyers is adequate storage. If your home lacks storage, you can increase its efficiency and appeal with closet organisers.

Most importantly, when improving your home be careful not to over-spend!

Friday 17 January 2014

Savvy Property Searching

With interest rates remaining low and steady and house prices affordable, more buyers are looking to either get into the property market, upgrade or invest.

However, before you take the plunge, you should be diligent, do your homework, and be a savvy property searcher.

The internet has certainly changed the way we search for properties. It is an invaluable resource to efficiently find properties and gain detailed information. Real estate websites allow you to call up properties for sale in specific price ranges and locations, zoom-in on floor plans and maps and much more...all with just a few clicks of a mouse!

Google's Street View is also regularly used to virtually venture up and down streets of interest, viewing properties from different angles.

Given all this, the internet is still no replacement for physically inspecting a property, the surrounding area, and the suburb. The internet is a limited experience, and some visuals and information can a year or more old!

Seeing a house for yourself can tell you all sorts of things the internet can't. By inspecting the property and its immediate surrounding area you gain an understanding of its vibe, the quality of shopping and dining, neighbours, infrastructure (current and upcoming), the people who live there, and the best and worst streets. None of this can be fully appreciated from the internet.

Also, be wary of relying on data gained from the internet - it is possibly out-of-date or even inaccurate!

Speaking to a highly experienced real estate agent in the area and gaining accurate and current information is highly important before making property decisions. In addition you can give the agent your specific property requirements that should then be utilised to inform you about relevant properties as they hit the market.

Friday 10 January 2014

Real Estate In 2014

Happy New Year everyone! Hope you’ve had a wonderful break over the holidays and are recharged for an outstanding and successful 2014.

At Dougmal Harcourts Campbelltown we too are excited about the year ahead. We have many initiatives and projects planned over the next few months to enhance communication with our customers and deliver even better real estate service.

2013 was a highly successful year for both our Sales and Property Management divisions. We worked hard to deliver strong sales results and outstanding property management services for our clients. Throughout the year we also won many industry awards for our expertise and superior achievements.

Similar to last year, we have another schedule of in-room Auction events planned, with the first one for 2014 on Wednesday 12th February. We plan to run these Auction events at least once a month throughout 2014.

If you are like me, the holiday break was a great time to reflect on the year past, and make goals for the coming year.

If your goals over the next 12 months include real estate selling, buying, investing or property management, please give us a call and speak to one of our professionals in these areas as to your intentions. Working together, we can help you attain your real estate goals in your chosen timeframe. As always, our advice is obligation free!

So far the property market is showing early signs of a strong year, continuing on from its strong performance in 2013. Buyers are outnumbering sellers, competing against each other for every property that comes on the market. Well-priced homes are selling quickly and for premium prices.