Trends in Property – What’s APP-ropriate

March 21, 2012 Leave a comment

Click here to download the First National Real Estate App

First National Real Estate cautions buyers and sellers to make sure they know the most app-ropriate new technologies that best suits their needs. 

Consumers crave information because it gives them power, control and improved certainty over their purchase decisions, and new technologies will make this even easier, especially the advent of Point-Know-Buy (PKB) technology. 

PKB will reshape consumers’ information expectations, search behaviour and purchasing patterns, which is why it is crucial consumers understand how it works whether they are interested in buying or selling property. 

PKB enables consumers to access information about objects they encounter in the real world while on the go, simply by pointing their smartphone or similar device at anything they are interested in. 

It effectively links images to any available information about that picture, which means a buyer can be out and about, perhaps at a display home or open house, point at a prospective piece of real estate and access any available information about it just by pointing their phone. 

First National Real Estate already uses mobile technology to its fullest advantage through various Apps which give consumers greater control. 

One of its Apps will instantly add a customer’s wish list to a database which will highlight properties that are suitable matches.  Another demonstrates to home sellers the impact on the number of potential buyers if a selling price is too high. Its mobile Apps allow agents to demonstrate, using a sliding scale, how many buyers are waiting on a database for their home, based on their asking price. 

Mobile Apps also allow First National to offer superior property management services for both landlords and tenants through an application that adds a tenant to a database at inspections and another one that enables First National to provide a much more thorough and efficient condition reporting tool for landlords.

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Should you invest in Australian property?

March 19, 2012 1 Comment

The decision to rent or buy is always a big one. The traditional strategy of buying a first house and then moving up to the ideal home as your income and equity grows is fast being replaced by the initial purchase of an investment property. However, the alternative of renting indefinitely while you save to buy is becoming equally difficult because of escalating rents and an historic squeeze on vacancies.

If you’ve wondered whether you’re ahead by renting or better off buying, consider these statistics.

  • The median net wealth of a renting household is $55,265 whereas homeowners have nine times as much – $487,183
  • Renters comprise 28.7 per cent of the nation’s households but have only 6.3 per cent of the nation’s wealth
  • Australians who own their home are worth 13 times more than renters – $734,394

So, despite arguments to the contrary that emerge from time to time, real estate ownership has made the average Australian second only to Swiss residents as the wealthiest in the world.

So how do you take the step from renting to buying your first home?

  1. Approach the market with a sound five-year plan. Get into the market, pay down the mortgage, and establish equity in the home as a basis for long-term financial security and flexibility.
  2. Budget for extras. As well as a solid deposit, have money set aside to cover insurance, routine maintenance costs and to meet mortgage payments for several months if something goes wrong.
  3. Don’t worry about the market. Your focus should be on building a deposit while looking for the property that matches your lifestyle and budget.
  4. Compromise. Your perfect home is likely to be out of reach for now, so focus on hunting down a property that has solid real estate attributes – good location, off-street parking, security, quality finishes and proximity to restaurants and transport. Choose something that will suit your needs for the next five years or so while you build up equity and prepare for the next phase of home ownership.

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Is it worth making your property more energy efficient?

March 12, 2012 1 Comment

Do you want to make your home more environmentally friendly but are not sure where to start, or whether it’s even worthwhile?

Green credentials are now a stronger selling point for a property than ever before and there’s little doubt buyers are motivated by green investments you may have made in your home. Even just small eco-improvements around your home will benefit the environment and increase your home’s value.

Making such changes is one of the easiest ways you can boost your asking price or make your property more appealing. As well as reducing your impact on the environment, you’ll save money on utility bills.

Although you may feel overwhelmed by the deluge of information about climate change, energy issues and savings, to the point that you don’t quite know where to start, there are many ways to make positive changes for a minimal cost in terms of dollars and time.

First National Real Estate Burnie’s 10 tips for creating a greener household include:

  1. Install a triple A-rated showerhead and a dual flush toilet to cut your water usage. If you rent your home, consider adding a 1.25 litre PET bottle filled with water to your toilet cistern to reduce the tank’s capacity.
  2. Replace standard globes with energy efficient (compact fluorescent) light bulbs.
  3. Install a water tank to use rainwater on the garden. In some homes, this can halve water usage and deliver a greener, more attractive garden during summer.
  4. Have your home’s insulation checked – walls and ceilings may need a top-up. Good insulation can save up to 55 per cent of heating and cooling costs.
  5. Repair the trim around windows and doors to prevent drafts and heat loss.
  6. When replacing old or cracked windows use double-glazed glass. It provides better insulation for heat and noise, while acting as a deterrent to burglars due to its strength.
  7. Use solar powered outdoor lights to illuminate your pathways and garden at night.
  8. Install ceiling fans. They’re far more energy efficient than air conditioners but will provide a cooling air-flow on hot summer days.
  9. Think long-term and plant deciduous trees in areas that let the sun in during winter and provide shade in summer.
  10. Start a compost heap to minimise waste sent to landfill, and provide your garden with a great source of nutrients.

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Renting the family home; Should it be treated differently?

March 6, 2012 Leave a comment

We’re all emotionally attached to the family home so making the decision to rent it out can be fraught with difficulty for some. Letting go can sometimes be a hard thing to do but homeowners across the board need to treat their home just as they would an investment bought specifically for rental purposes.

Even though it’s your private residence, you’re now the landlord so you should consider having the property professionally cleaned to set the standard as well as future expectations for the incoming tenant.

Landlords who demonstrate their personal high standard of cleanliness usually find their tenants respect the property, returning it in the same condition when they leave.

This also applies to the condition of the interior and exterior of the home. Setting a high standard of living and comfort can make all the difference because the longer a tenant stays, the less wear & tear on the property.

Your Property Manager can put you in contact with professional cleaners and qualified tradespeople and can even arrange quotes in most cases.

Ultimately, renting your family home shouldn’t cause any great concern. Properly prepared and presented, then managed carefully by First National Real Estate Burnie, you can expect to attract tenants who’ll care for it as much as you do.

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Men are from the garage, Women the kitchen…

March 5, 2012 Leave a comment

Women believe they put more importance on the kitchen when hunting for a home compared to men, First National Real Estate’s survey of women and property shows.

As well, women feel the bathroom and the size and number of bedrooms are a higher priority for them than men when buying a home. Women are also more likely to rate proximity to friends and family as extremely or very important. But expect men to be checking whether a home has a garage or a workshop – more men than women say these would be a priority when buying a home:

The survey, of 1,207 Australians (603 male and 604 female), looked at key factors influencing home purchase decisions as well as differences between men and women. Respondents were asked to rate the importance of a range of features that would influence their selection of a home. Overall:

  • 73 per cent said having a garage would be extremely or very important;
  • 71 per cent said the quality of the kitchen; the home having water saving systems or equipment, such as a grey water recycling system or rain water tank, was considered extremely or very important by 67 per cent of respondents;
  • 65 per cent said the quality of the bathroom; and
  • 56 per cent said a low maintenance garden or courtyard.
  • At the bottom of the list were: the home having good potential to improve or renovate (38 per cent), proximity to friends and family (36 per cent) and the home having a security alarm system (31 per cent).

But when couples were asked what things they believe they would prioritise more than their partner, clear gender differences emerged.

  • Far more women (28 per cent) placed a greater emphasis on the kitchen than men (three per cent);
  • Women also said they would place a greater emphasis on the bathroom – 17 per cent compared to two per cent of men);
  • 10 per cent of men said the garage or the size of the garage would be a priority, compared to four per cent of women and the same number nominated a shed or a workshop, compared to only one per cent of women;
  • 43 per cent of women compared to only 28 per cent of men said proximity to friends and family is an extremely or very important factor and 46 per cent said proximity to where people in the household work was extremely or very important, compared to 36 per cent of men;
  • Women seem more environmentally aware than men – 72 per cent said water saving systems would be an important feature, compared to 63 per cent of men.

And despite becoming an important buying power in the property market, some women say they are still discriminated against. Thirty four per cent of female home owners said they had experienced gender discrimination from tradespeople around the home and 25 per cent said they had experienced it from real estate agents. Only 11 per cent said they had been discriminated against by their mortgage lender.

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The $50,000 Cash Drop Has Landed…

March 1, 2012 Leave a comment

Would you like to win a share of $50,000 in First National’s $50,000 Cash Drop competition?

Just buy or sell a property through First National Real Burnie, rent a home from us, or allow us to manage your investment property and we’ll automatically enter you for a chance to win one of five $10,000 cash prizes.

The competition starts on 1 March 2012 and runs until 31 August 2012.  Head to our website for full details, terms and conditions.

Apart from the fact you might win $10,000, there are plenty of other reasons to consider doing business with us.

First National Real Estate is Australia’s leading network. Our systems, marketing techniques, quality assurance and professional development programmes have been designed to maximise your advantage when it comes to selling your property.

We offer industry leading buyer-matching technologies to reduce the amount of time it takes to sell. Our websites are unrivalled and we employ one of Australia’s most effective strategies to attract more online views of your property.

Shouldn’t you be dealing with First National?

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Seven Habits of Highly Effective Home Buyers

January 15, 2012 Leave a comment

If you find the prospect of buying your first property a little intimidating, don’t worry. Doing some basic research is easier than most people think. It increases your confidence and reduces the chance of making a mistake.

Buying a home is about the biggest financial commitment you’ll ever have to make. However, it’s also going to be an exciting turning point – one that will almost certainly make the most impact on your lifestyle. For many it will be something never done before. Selecting the right home in the right area, organising finance and negotiating the sale – it all sounds a little daunting. Yet it isn’t as complicated as you may think! Turning the home of your dreams into a reality is easier if you’re prepared.

Why seven habits of effective home buyers? Because over the years we’ve seen some traits (habits) the our successful buyers share. What is a “successful buyer”? Let’s just define it as someone who finds the home they want, and gets through the often home buying process without killing themselves, a loved one, the seller, or their real estate agent.

Effective Habit #1: Get pre-approved for a loan

Don’t miss out on a ‘hot’ property, do everything you can to be able to push the ‘GO’ button. It is wise to seek “approval in principle” from your Lender, meaning the Lender has given you approval to borrow up to a certain figure.  This step will save you the grief of looking at homes you can’t afford and put you in a better position to make a serious offer when you do find the right one.

Buying a home is not a task undertaken everyday. It’s important to understand the process of real estate, what you can comfortably afford and the type of loan product best suited to

Choosing the right home loan from the many products available can be daunting. It’s important to understand all the alternatives before making your choice.

It is crucial to work with a good lender throughout the home buying process. Talking to several brokers as well as a finance adviser will definitely help you sort the wheat from the chaff. There are two options available to you when organising finance. You can apply directly to a finance institution or you can use a mortgage broker to help you through the process.

A lending institution will apply a “Qualifying Ratio” which is the percentage of a home buyer’s gross income that can be prudently allocated for debt, based on personal income.

As a general guide, lenders limit the total sum of monthly mortgage principal, interest, tax and insurance payments to 28 per cent of the borrower’s gross monthly income. Furthermore, they may limit the total of all long-term debt payments to 36 per cent of the borrower’s gross monthly income.

Effective Habit #2: Define your must haves, like to haves, and cannot haves

Shopping for a property should be an exciting adventure. If you have a clear picture of what you want and how much you can afford, it can be a fun and rewarding experience.

Face it — when working within a budget, sometimes you have to make some compromises. Knowing what you really need can help narrow your home options and also make decisions easier when it comes to making an offer.

The first step is to decide what kind of home will suit your tastes, your lifestyle and your budget. Start an all-family member housing priority discussion before beginning to look at your options. Determine what you MUST have in a home. Then determine what you would LIKE to have in a home. Talk to your agent about these things. Don’t forget to include what you CAN’T have in a home — that will often be more important than anything else.

Aside from basics such as the suburb, number of bedrooms and price range, there are other important things to consider, depending on your circumstances. Take your time and consider things like proximity to schools, transport and amenities, and the condition of the property. Does it need major repairs?

Don’t know exactly what you must/like/can’t have in a home? That’s OK, it happens ALL the time. Your agent can help you by showing you different homes in your price range with different features to help you get a better understanding of what you’d like in a home.

But at some point you are going to have to make decisions and not wander aimlessly through every home that may possibly fit some undefined set of criteria. That would be a waste of your time, the time of your agent, the home sellers, and everyone else that is involved in a real estate transaction.

Effective Habit #3: Be realistic

Naturally everyone wants to get the most home they can for the least amount of money. Which is, of course, in opposition to the home seller, who wants the most money for their home.

Think about what your expectations are, and work with your agent to see if they are realistic. There’s no point looking for a mansion if you can only afford a cottage. You’re not going to get everything a $300K+ home has to offer for say $160K – it just doesn’t work that way. Once you’ve set your price range, identify the suburbs that have properties in that range – it will save you a lot of legwork. Work closely with your agent, ask them for recent sale prices of similar properties in the area, build that trust and get out there and find that perfect home!

Being realistic also applies to things besides the home itself. Buying a home in a low price bracket and expecting no repairs or maintenance? Good luck with that. Buying a home and thinking if the building inspector finds anything wrong with it (other than major structural problems), I’m not buying the house? Well you might as well stop right now because I can assure your there aren’t any homes where the building inspector finds nothing to report.

Don’t wait for the perfect market conditions – they will never appear and you’ll miss out on significant capital growth. Just be realistic. It will greatly reduce your stress levels.

Effective Habit #4: Be flexible

As a home buyer, it is important to be flexible. Unless you are having a home built to your exact specifications, it’s very unlikely that you will find the absolutely perfect home for you. Maybe you find a home that has everything except the perfect kind of flooring, colours, kitchen, whatever. If you have some flexibility built into your must haves and likes, you will find the entire process much less painful.

Don’t be tempted to make a very low offer in an attempt to grab a bargain as others may also be making offers and you could miss out. If you really want the property make sure your offer is realistic. The more attractive you can make your offer in terms of price and conditions, the more likely your offer will be accepted.

Effective Habit #5: Understand the home buying process

You don’t need to understand every step of the home buying process — that is your agent’s job. But the more you do understand, the less stressful and mystifying the process will be. Buying a home is a stressful event. Anything you can do to reduce that stress will go a long way not just toward saving your sanity but in helping ensure the transaction moves to settlement.

So, you have found a place you’d love to call home? Once you’ve considered other comparable nearby properties, take a deep breath and make an offer – IN WRITING!

There are two ways to do this:

Unconditional offer:

An unconditional offer is when you offer an amount to buy the house as listed (with or without drapes, fixtures, etc.) without adding or negotiating any other conditions.

Conditional offer:

A conditional offer is when you offer to buy the property only if certain conditions are accepted by the vendor. These must be listed on the Contract of Sale. For example, your offer may be conditional on arranging finance. If finance cannot be arranged within a certain period of time, the offer becomes void. For your own protection, you should nominate a specific lender as your source of finance. Leaving out a nominated lender or having open-ended finance conditions on your Contract of Sale may force you to take up finance at substantially higher rates, perhaps shorter terms, and from a lender you would not prefer to deal with. Another condition might be an extension of the settlement period. If the seller does not accept the conditions, further negotiation may take place or the offer may simply be declined.

Also be aware that if making an offer, never assume that your agent or the property owner will come back and forth to you – and you should take the approach that your first offer may be the only opportunity you get to obtain the property. A willing seller may not wish to wait around and may accept a reasonable offer from another buyer.

Do not be afraid to ask your agent questions. Lots of questions. Be advised that everyone in the process tends to toss about terms and jargon that only those dealing with real estate on a daily basis understand. Sometimes we forget we’re speaking in a different language. Don’t be shy. If there’s a term you don’t understand, ask.

Effective Habit #6: Be responsible

When you are looking at potential homes, be responsible and respectful that you are in someone else’s home. It’s OK to look in their cupboards, to flick light switches, to turn on the stove. But be responsible and leave the home in exactly the same condition you found it in.

Much of this habit really boils down to two things: 1) use common sense; and 2) treat others how you expect to be treated.

As a home buyer, you are going to have to work with a lot of different people in order to make sure your transaction progresses and ultimately settle.  Once an offer has been negotiated you’ll pay the deposit to the real estate agent who places it in a trust account. This is also the time when you should

  • Organise your solicitor/conveyancer
  • Arrange the balance of the purchase price—that is finalise the finance and sign the mortgage documents.
  • Organise any inspections
  • Insure the property

Effective Habit #7: Have fun!

We already mentioned that buying a home is a big step – both financially and emotionally. Take a look around at lists of “life’s most stressful events” and you’ll see things like taking on new debt, financial change, moving — that’s buying a house. You are about to enter into one of the single largest financial transactions of your life. Stress is a given.

But buying a home is also an exciting time! There isn’t a law that requires you to mope around, dreading every moment. There’s nothing wrong with having fun during the process. Hopefully you are working with an agent that you enjoy working with. That doesn’t mean you all need to participate in group hugs or go camping together. But it’s OK to laugh, to enjoy yourself, to have a little fun in the process.

The Bottom Line

Buying a home doesn’t have to be torture. If you understand the process, work with the right people and try to have a little fun along the way there is no question that you can find a great home and get to move into your new home. Think about the habits shown here, do a little online research, have open dialogs with your agent and lender and you too can make it through a home purchase.

Preparation is the key. Understand your rights and have everything in place. And no, applying seven habits, or even one hundred habits is going to ensure you have a successful home buying experience. Nothing can guarantee that. But you can certainly increase the likelihood of a less stressful and successful transaction by applying some of the habits listed here along with advice from your solicitor/conveyance and your agent.

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Seven Habits of Highly Effective Home Sellers

January 8, 2012 Leave a comment

Your property will possibly be the most valuable asset you will ever sell so it’s important to heed professional advice in order to maximise its sale price.

Selling your property is not a task undertaken everyday. When you’re selling, it’s important to be fully informed and plan each step carefully.

There is something to be learned from how home sellers have approached the often complex task of putting their home on the market, and more importantly, closing the deal.

Effective Habit #1: Be Realistic

Property is one of those rate things with no recommended retail price. What your neighbour sold their home for last year, or even last month, doesn’t matter. What you “lost” because you didn’t sell your home at the peak of the market doesn’t matter. The enemy is any other property for sale within your area and price range.

Selling a home ranks WAY up the list of “life’s most stressful moments”. But you have to understand and be realistic about your home’s value, your neighbourhood, and the real estate market you’re in. There are many factors that impact the potential sale of your home. You do not have control over current market dynamics (economy, interest rates, outlook, consumer sentiment, employment, wages) or local supply versus demand. But there are things you can control (presentation, cleanliness, street appeal, availability). Address what you can control, and understand the impact of what you can’t. Realistically.

Effective Habit #2: Be Open to Suggestions

You’ve selected a real estate agent to help you, trust their advice. After all, you wouldn’t visit a doctor and then tell them how you should be treated. Your real estate agent will be able to add real value to the process and is an essential component in selling for more. Sure, you may not be able to do everything they suggest, but at least listen and consider suggestions your agent may have for the best way to present, market and sell your home.

Effective Habit #3: Be Available

YOU don’t necessarily have to be available to buyers interested in your home, but you do need to be flexible with inspection times. In fact, you should avoid staying inside the house while a buyer inspections. Buyer’s sometimes feel they cannot openly discuss concerns with your agent in your presence. Golden opportunities may there be lost. Should it be necessary for you to remain at home, be courteous but don’t force conversation with a potential buyer. The buyer wants to inspect your home – not pay a social call. However, should you be asked questions about the home, the neighbours or the area answer them.

At times you need to be able to vacate the premises with reasonable notice – and occasionally with unreasonable notice. Your home can not be sold if potential buyers can’t view it. “No inspections on weekends” or “Inspections only between 11:00am and 1:00pm on Thursdays and Fridays” won’t cut it.

Effective Habit #4: Be Smart

Understand the local real estate market. Understand the home selling process. Understand the buyers’ cycle (you may not be buying, but you want to understand what your potential buyers are dealing with).

Why understand all this? KNOWELDGE IS POWER!

How do you understand all this? Let your agent help you understand it. That’s what you’re paying them for.

Effective Habit #5: Invest in a Marketing Campaign

Choosing a marketing plan that ensures your home is exposed to the maximum number of buyers is critical to achieving the best price.

YOU CAN’T SELL A SECRET! This is a well-known saying in the real estate industry. In other words, a property may be immaculate, fresh and supremely interesting but if you don’t tell ‘the world’ you will struggle to sell for more.

Let’s now look at an effective marketing campaign.

  1. It attracts buyers with increased chance of attracting offers, resulting in a great sale!
  2. It encourages competition between buyers resulting in top prices being paid!
  3. It is an insurance policy against underselling. Every suitable buyer in the market will see the advertising and will make the decision whether or not to inspect further. Those buyers who do view and want to the property will vie for the chance to buy!

Think about it…would you like the first buyer or the best buyer.

Effective Habit #6: Balance Emotion with Logic

Selling your home and all the things involved with the transaction can be very exciting, but many times it is an extremely stressful event.

Home sellers not only have to worry about their home remaining clean and available to buyers on a daily basis but they often have other important things that they could be doing to ready themselves for their move. It is also true that most Sellers have a tremendous amount of pride in their home and want to make certain that the marketing and eventual sale price are reflective of that pride.

The moment you list your home for sale, it just becomes a house on a shelf – 1 of many. You may not like what the market tells you but it will never lie to you. If you don’t have inspections you will very likely not receive any offers. If you have inspections and still don’t get any offers you must be prepared to adjust the price. Don’t take it personally.

The best homes remain unsold due to price!

Effective Habit #7: Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions

This is YOUR home you are trying to sell. You need to be comfortable with what is going on. If there is anything you don’t understand, ask your Real Estate Agent for clarification. Don’t be embarrassed about things you don’t know. You don’t sell a home every day. Most real estate terms and jargon aren’t important to you 99.9% of the time. But they are important now, and often agents tend to forget we frequently speak in a foreign language. There are no stupid questions. Ask.

The Bottom Line

These “seven habits” can help you through the home selling process. There is every chance your efforts will be rewarded with more buyers and the potential for buyers competing for your home, a faster sale and a better price. You will also be able to take comfort in the knowledge that you did your absolute best to influence the value of your home and your stress levels may be greatly reduced.  It may also greatly reduce the stress levels of your real estate agent as well. That’s not a bad thing. People don’t like stress so anything that can be done to alleviate a stressful situation is a good thing.

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Renting Versus Buying – The Housing Dilemma

December 6, 2011 Leave a comment

Is now the right time to rent or buy?
Is now the right time to rent or buy?

Current market conditions coupled with increasing housing affordability, has many renters questioning if now is the time to stretch their budgets and commit to buying their own home.

But serious consideration needs to be given to the person’s individual and financial situation to ensure they make the right decision.

The advantages of each housing option should be weighed against the drawbacks to find the one that best suits specific needs and individual situations.

Renting offers great flexibility with the option to relocate from home to home and area to area, as the need arises, is often a cheaper alternative to buying, with monthly rental payments usually less than a mortgage repayment for a comparable property and without the other incidental costs which can be incurred as a home owner.

One of the greatest financial and stress-free advantages of renting is that property maintenance costs, repairs, rates and insurance bills are the responsibility of the owner, and not the renter.

Despite these many advantages of renting a property, there are some disadvantages which will make buying preferable, particularly in light of escalating monthly rentals.  The most obvious one being the difficulty renters face placing their own personal stamp on a rental property.

There is also the fact landlords can inspect their property whenever they wish, with sufficient notice, potentially disturbing the renter’s privacy.

But the biggest disadvantage of renting is that the property can never be paid off by the tenant, making the money lost for good, without any chance of recovering it in a sale of the property.

This is where First National can really help.  We offer advice and assistance based on the necessary knowledge, experience and skills to understand the market, its trends and its weaknesses and opportunities to ensure home buyers and renters make the most of their finances over the long term by considering the impact on personal net wealth and cash flow over a lifetime.

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Lend A Hand For Renters

November 28, 2011 Leave a comment

Is NRAS is losing its edge as affordability improves?

While the network supports NRAS in principle, it is no longer effectively impacting on rising rents, leaving those most in need of assistance flailing in their efforts to make ends meet.

First National is calling on the government to look at changing NRAS so it has more relevance and achieves what it set out to do, or consider other forms of assistance such as bringing back some of the grants and other incentives that were obviously phased out too soon.

First National says while it is good news for the property market to get first home buyer activity increasing as a result of the market conditions, it is not good when it is done at the expense of those renters who can least afford it.

Struggling renters need access to assistance schemes that meet their circumstances and offer real assistance, which NRAS initially did, but has since failed to recognise the growing demand of assistance required, making it obsolete.

We don’t see property market conditions altering too dramatically in the near future, and certainly not to the extent that they will improve the situation soon enough.

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