Home owner tricks to boost property prices

MOST real estate veterans know the trick of brewing coffee when you're trying to sell your house, but some savvy vendors are taking dressing up the family home to a new level - parking shiny luxury cars in the driveway.

Sydney agents are taking an extra step to boost house prices by as much as 10 per cent by using props, cleaners and expensive cars to make the first impression count.

Real estate firm Marquette Turner now offers a complimentary "CONCIERGE" service to help increase the final sale price with some simple yet effective techniques.

Parking a brand new flash BMW in the driveway is hardly subtle, but it works, Marquette Turner partner Michael Marquette said.

"Impressions count right from the start, first impressions really do matter," he said.
"We have a deal with a BMW outlet and for every home we can choose what sort of product might best suit that home."

"We see prices rise 5 to 10 per cent, and sometimes even more," Mr Marquette said.
Having the front garden and lawns prepared and manicured professionally before the open house is another good tip.

There are also techniques that can improve the interior.

"We make sure people take down photos, otherwise buyers walk around looking at them instead of the house.


"We also give advice on making sure the place has a fresh coat of paint if it needs it - which costs next to nothing.


"And we'll bring flowers to provide the right aromas. It's the things that make people feel comfortable and at home."


The agency will also bring a carer along to take pets for a walk while the doors are open.

From the Daily Telegraph. Written by Rhys Haynes. August 04, 2007

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Improving security during Open for Inspections

Improving security during Open for Inspections

Whether your home is for sale or for lease; whether you are an owner or a tenant, there is always an uncomfortable feeling during open homes that strangers are being allowed into your home and have almost free reign amongst your belongings.

Marquette Turner has introduced a policy that all guests to open homes are required to show some form of photo ID. We believe this provides greater security and peace of mind for all involved. And judging by the response from prospective purchasers that have experienced this policy thus far, they whole-heartedly agree what a sensible idea it is, fully aware how they would feel if it was their home people were viewing.

Know the limits when buying strata-title properties

Shane McNally from Australian Property Investor writes: Around Australia, commonsense plays a major role in defining common and private property but the experts urge investors to take nothing for granted. Understanding your rights and obligations, they say, could prevent a lot of heartache and expense at a later stage.

The states and territories vary in their strata-title laws and what is the rule of thumb in one state may not be the case in another. We’ve asked the various experts to explain.
New South Wales

Wally Patterson from Dynamic Property Services advises buyers to study the registered strata plan. He says common property is any area of land or a building not included in a specific lot and that boundaries are generally formed by the upper surface of the floor, under surface of the ceiling and external boundary walls including doors and windows.

“The owners’ corporation looks after the common property including all repairs, unless agreed by a special resolution,” he adds. “This includes replacing and renewing common property.”
Patterson says floors including ramps and stairways, external walls, wiring and pipes servicing more than one lot, the slab dividing two storeys and even balcony doors could and often do constitute common property.
Victoria

In Victoria, when a plan of subdivision is registered, designated common or shared property is created and a body corporate is deemed to exist. Institute of Body Corporate Managers president Andrew Dawson says the balance of property on the plan of subdivision is generally private property plus easements.

“So as to determine private or common property, an apartment owner makes reference to the relative plan of subdivision which is always in the contract of sale,” he adds. “The plan of subdivision clearly defines private lots and common boundaries.”

New South Wales Investment Property Boost

Investing in the residential property market in NSW could become a more attractive prospect following a review currently being conducted into the state’s Residential Tenancy Act.
A change that would make it easier for landlords to evict tenants who are behind in their rent payments is perhaps the most controversial of more than 100 recommendations contained in a discussion paper on laws governing tenants released by NSW Fair Trading Minister Linda Burney.

A focus of the review into residential tenancy is to reduce the level of red tape faced by landlords and real estate agents, particularly through the consolidation of separate laws dealing with the rights of landlords and tenants and those dealing with rental bonds.

Although the proposal to make it easier to evict tenants who have not paid their rent favours landlords, other proposals favour tenants – particularly one suggestion allowing tenants who face eviction by a mortgagee taking possession of their home to hold back two weeks rent to compensate them for relocation costs. From Smart Company, Monday, 24 September 2007; Mike Preston