Sunday 29 November 2015

Render makeover


Want a new look for your home that's no fuss, easy to clean and will create real appeal?
Cement render is a quick, easy and affordable way to renovate an old home and a great way to save money if
you're building a new one.
You can achieve a sleek and contemporary look relatively quickly and increase the market value of your home
at the same time.
Cement rendering is the application of a premixed layer of sand and cement to an external wall. It's generally 
sed on exterior walls however it can be used internally as well.
Once the render is complete, you then paint over the top with a special external concrete paint. We
recommend painting the render rather than adding coloured oxides as they're not UV resistant and can fade quickly and also keep in mind that if you're rendering with large quantities it can be challenging to achieve the exact colour you need.
Render can be applied to brick columns in fencing, brick retaining walls and garden edges to give your home a
nd outdoor areas a unified look and feel.
Acrylic render is another option that is incredibly popular at the moment. It's stronger and more flexible than 
cement render which means it's less likely to crack. If you experience cracks or natural building expansion the
acrylic render will expand as well so you're not left with unsightly cracks.
Drying time is fast and the colour is already in the render so you won't need to worry about painting over the 
ender afterwards.
You can achieve incredible results with acrylic render.
Don't forget, if you're contracting a professional renderer, make sure they're fully qualified and licensed. You 
want to have the reassurance that their work is guaranteed. Don't forget to also ask to see examples of their
work.
So if you're planning to renovate or build a home, give rendering a thought.
Reproduced with permission Century 21
Life@home  http://www.century21.com.au/life-at-home/


4 Top home office decorating tips



Using everyday objects, collections and beautiful items, you can blur the boundary between a workspace and 
living zone.


BEFORE
Located in a guest bedroom, this lacklustre home office was not an inviting place to work. We rearranged the f
urniture and added storage to create a stimulating work environment.


HOME OFFICE TIPS
Creating a work environment at home should be done with the same intent as if you were decorating another 
living space. These tips will get you started:


ORGANISATION:
Everything should have its own place. Keep writing tools, address books, journals, stamps and other paraphernalia in a well-ordered fashion. Remember that when you're not working in the space you'll  be living and relaxing in it, so it needs to look good all the time.


STORAGE: Have storage underneath your desk so it's easier to get at while sitting down. A well-kept filing system will negate tireless rows of shelves for clutter and mess. Keep storage simple with shelves and boxes, and use stickers to label the contents.


DUAL-PURPOSE: Using a room that already has a purpose, such as a spare bedroom, for a home office, requires thought about colour and texture. Use art and small objects to bring together the two different spaces.
Colour tones are important, as are the personal effects that add softness to your room.


LIGHTING: Working near a source of natural light is good for your health, while a window view can help to relieve boredom. Forget overhead lighting, as it tends to make areas flat and lifeless. Instead, use a lamp fitted with a halogen bulb, to create functional mood lighting.


Reproduced with permission Century 21 Life@home  http://www.century21.com.au/life-at-home/

Garden design principles


Designing a garden can sometimes feel like climbing a mountain. But before you start mapping out specifics
we suggest some basic design principles that can take your garden from Mt Doom to Shangri-La.
Before you launch into where to place paths or garden beds, consider these basic design principles that will  guide and inspire you.


COLOUR
You may be after a garden that is bold and colourful or leafy and green. Your choice of plants, trees, paving 
and other elements will add to the overall look and feel.
Warm colours such as red, orange, yellow, are bolder than cool colours such as green, blue, and purple.
They will stand out and give an instant impact. To increase the visual splendor of warm colours try adding a contrasting element such as a light paver or pot nearby.
And when using warm colours, try placing them in a smooth and gradual sequence, for example, red to orange to yellow.


FORM
Form is the shape or visual appearance of your plants. A way to create interest in your garden is by grouping
plants of varying forms together.
Another option is to create form is using climbing vines on designed lattice or clipping your hedge into interesting shapes.
Your eyes are drawn unconsciously both vertically and horizontally by the way plants are grouped. This is handy to remember because it can draw the eye towards pleasant areas of your garden and away from unattractive areas.
The use of line can also give your garden a certain character for example, curving and graceful lines are soft and pleasing. While straight lines and shapes are bold and official.  And using irregular straight lines can give your garden an energetic feel.


FOCAL POINT
Some gardens have a particularly prominent feature that attracts the viewer.

Things like water features, sculptures, or large trees and plants should be arranged to stand out, perhaps with a line of plants or a path to lead the eye to them and isolate them from the rest of the garden.


SCALE
Scale is simply the size of one object compared to another. If your garden is not in proportion it generally won't 
look right.
However this can used to your advantage, placing a seriers of large to small pot plants in a line can add an intresting design element to your overall arrangement. Try experimenting with scale to create your preferred look.


TEXTURE
Similar to Form, texture is the tactile surface of your plant's leaves and trunk.

Using texture can be subtle, for example placing a Paper Bark next to a Silver
Birch tree, or it can be overt grouping a fuzzy Kangaroo Paw with a shiny Lilly Pilly.
Consider the texture of the leaves and trunks of your plants to add to the overall appeal of your garden.


GROUPING
The grouping of your plants and trees is important. Individual plantings should be grouped in odd numbers and 
irregularly spaced - don't use equilateral triangles. If you're planting a mass grouping, pay attention to the texture, colours and height of the plants you're using, and arrange them in a sequence to lead the eye.


REPETITION
This technique creates harmony by referencing visual elements of the garden over and again.

You can also take design cues from the house itself. However, be sure to find a balance. While too many contrasting elements can make the garden busy and cluttered, too much repetition is boring.


SPACE
Space can have a huge impact on the feel of your garden. Small enclosed spaces can seem claustrophobic,
while large sweeping areas will seem bare.
Luckily, there's a magic number to help you strike the right
balance. Make sure the ratio of your home's height to your garden's width is 1:4 or less to give your green space the correct sense of proportion.
To add space to a small area consider using smooth edges and perimeters, creating a slight downhill slope  adds length, and fine textures for depth.
If the task ahead sounds massive a landscape designer will be able to draw up a plan to suit your needs and budget. If you come to them with as much information as possible about your needs and wants, they will be
able to incorporate practicality and aesthetic appeal with the design principles.


Reproduced with permission Century 21 Life@home  http://www.century21.com.au/life-at-home/

Thursday 26 November 2015

Tiles: For perfect floors and walls



Looking to renovate or update your floor and wall coverings? Then tiles are the answer. As a builder, I really enjoy working with tiles because they're practical and durable. And they bring style, depth and beauty to any setting.


Tiles have been used in design and building for thousands of years. They are literally timeless in terms of wear and aesthetic endurance. I've worked with glass, ceramic, porcelain and natural stone tiles. Each have specific benefits depending on your needs.

.
You can't go past ceramic tiles for durable floor or wall coverings that are easy to maintain. They're a hardy long-term investment, able to stand up to heavy traffic and abrasion - so kids, pets and lots of visitors are no problem.



Ceramic tiles are superior to wood products because there is no shrinking or expanding, which keeps the chemical structure of the ceramic intact over time. They're easy to keep fresh and clean because they tend to be stain resistant, don't absorb odours, and can be easily mopped up or wiped over with a mild cleansing solution - time saving and environmentally friendly!


Porcelain floor tiles can be more expensive than their ceramic counterparts, but they are even more durable than ceramic tiles, and more resistant to chipping because they're fired at higher temperatures and have a greater density. This makes porcelain tiles a particularly great option for both outdoor and indoor flooring.


Both ceramic and porcelain tiles come in an almost limitless range of colours and decorative patterns. You can take inspiration from decorative tiles around the world or go with simple, clean lines.
But for an elegance that rarely dates, my preference is always natural stone.



Each piece is a geological artifact. Every line, colour and fossil fused into the stone was once alive, making each tile truly unique. Over time, the colour will mellow and the surface will wear to a smooth patina. Natural stone is available in pavers and tiles, and comes in various sizes and finishes. It is perhaps more prone to wear and tear, but in my experience this only enhances the unique character of your space.


Which ever you choose, tiles are beautiful and practical, and you are sure to find just the right style to enhance your building or renovation design.


Reproduced with permission Century 21 Life@home  http://www.century21.com.au/life-at-home/

Mid-Century Modernist interior design ideas



The mid-20th century marked a design revolution strongly influenced by the Modernist movement. Particularly influential across Scandinavia, America, parts of Europe and Australia, it still inspires and endures today.


To get a handle on Mid-Century Modernist furniture and design, it helps to understand what led the movement and who the leading designers were.


After the Second World War, from about 1945 to 1975, interior and architectural design was strongly influenced by the availability of new materials and mass production techniques. The world was rapidly changing, and the concept of modernism looked at exactly that - the modernisation of society and the impact of technological advancement.


Key concepts included form follows function' and truth to materials'. The result was an emphasis on function over decoration and using materials such as plywood and steel in a recognisable state. Design became streamlined, pared back and less ornate. Organic sculptural shapes were embraced over decoration.


Interior and architectural design go hand in hand, and many of the leading architects at the time -such as Le Corbusier, Arne Jacobsen and Eero Saarinen -were also furniture designers. The International style was the overarching architectural movement of the mid-20th century. These buildings feature flat roofs, bold rectilinear shapes and horizontal lines, and are often raised on stilts with carports underneath. Internally multi-level open-plan living was introduced. Local proponents included Harry Seidler and Robin Boyd
.


Reproduced with permission Century 21 Life@home  http://www.century21.com.au/life-at-home/


Depreciation gaining appreciation


Australian property owners are becoming savvier when it comes to getting the most out of their tax returns.


According to BMT Quantity Surveyors, the number of property owners who are ordering depreciation schedules is increasing, while at the same time the time it takes them to order one is decreasing.
BMT's figures from the 2013/14 and 2014/15 financial years show the firm had a 15% year-on-year increase in the number of people ordering schedules.


The data suggests that an increasing number of investors are becoming more sophisticated in terms of understanding the tactics available to them to increase their yields, BMT chief executive officer Brad Beer said.


Hand-in-hand with this large increase, the amount of time that passes between an investor purchasing a property and then ordering a tax depreciation schedule has dramatically decreased, Beer said.
During the 2013/14 financial year, BMT found that it took owners an average of 281 days to order a tax depreciation schedule after purchasing property.


In May this year, investors were taking an average of 245 days to order a depreciation schedule, a decrease in time of nearly 13% compared to the 2013/14 financial year.


While investors are apparently becoming better at taking advantage of the tax breaks depreciation has to offer, Beer says there is still opportunity for those who may have missed claiming it in the past.
If an investor has not claimed depreciation on an investment property in the past they are able to claim for some of the years that they missed out on and this might result in savings of up to tens of thousands of dollars, he said.


Reproduced with permission Century 21
Life@home  http://www.century21.com.au/life-at-home/

Sunday 22 November 2015

How does internet connectivity affect home prices?




It's not surprising that you can now add internet access to the list of things that affect house prices. 

Just like access to good transport, schools or a great aspect, buyers and renters see fast, reliable and affordable internet as one of life's essential pieces of infrastructure. 

WHY DO WE WANT IT? 
We don't just use the internet for accessing work emails anymore. 
Increasingly, it's an essential recreational and life tool. We watch TV through the internet, stream movies and music, read or watch the news, speak in real-time with friends and relatives overseas or interstate, access telemedicine in remote areas, book holidays, upload photos, do our shopping, and much much more.

UPS AND DOWNS 
We all want to be connected, so it's only natural that access - or lack of it - to fast and reliable internet could affect home prices. 
In big cities we often take good internet speeds for granted. But regional and rural areas are not always so lucky. 

Dreaming of working from a hideaway in the country? It could be a very slow and frustrating business if you don't have a decent internet access available. And many communities are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the National Broadband Network (NBN) to see if it makes the promised difference. 

THE OVERSEAS EXPERIENCE 
While the connection between internet speeds and property prices is well documented overseas, it seems we're yet to see the same kind of clear cut impact of internet on property prices here. 

A poll undertaken in the UK in 2012 (which is almost ancient history in tech terms) showed that home buyers there rank a fast broadband connection higher than off-street parking and local amenities when considering a new property. UK property experts say that properties with slow broadband speeds can be as much as 20 per cent lower than those with good speeds, and a dealbreaker in house sales. It's one of the first services new home buyers or renters connect - often ahead of electricity, gas or other utilities. 

It's no different in the US, where a recent study found that the fastest type of high speed internet, fiber-optic connections, can add as much as $5,437 to the price of a $175,000 home. 

THE FUTURE 
Fast, reliable and affordable broadband internet has the potential to fuel economic growth of all kinds - not just property prices. It can also drive improvements to local communities and economies, businesses and bring new opportunities, which is why the Government saw fit to invest in the NBN to start with. 

But the jury is still out on whether the NBN has had - or will have - a tangible impact on Australian property prices. Experts say it's too early to tell, and the change to fibre-to-the-node from the original fibre-to-the-premises plans will likely also have an impact. 

As internet connectivity and our reliance on broadband becomes only more essential to, and entrenched within, our day-to-day life we can only wait and see what happens to the desirability of properties with super fast - or super poor - connectivity.

Reproduced with permission Century 21 Life@home  http://www.century21.com.au/life-at-home/





Time-conscious renovation ideas




PAINTING 
Painting is an easy way to renovate without being put out for long, but when planning your schedule allow time for the preparation. Time-poor renovators can make inroads by painting one room at a time or even one wall in a contrasting colour.

When painting one wall, choose your colours wisely as that's where the eye will be drawn. But you can afford to be bold here, so don't be afraid to try a colour you wouldn't choose for the whole room.

REPLACE CARPETS
Check under a corner of that worn carpet to see if there are floorboards below. If so, rip up the carpet, then sand and polish the floorboards using an odour-free, oil-based stain.


MAKE YOUR ENTRANCE
The porch, front door and hallway are the first things visitors see, so a weekend spent renovating these will make a huge difference in terms of how you feel about your home.

* Replace the front door or paint it in bold colours and upgrade the doorknob and knocker.
* Make a bare porch welcoming with a pergola, wicker furniture and potted plants.
* If the path leading to your front door is straight and boring, edge it with interesting plants or replace the entire path with curved gravel or stepping stones. Plant bushes to enhance the curves.

BATHROOM BLITZ
There are ways you can upgrade your bathroom without losing access to it for weeks.

* Re-grout the tiles. Over time, tile grout gets dull and mouldy so if the bathroom walls are looking a bit tired, but the tiles are in good shape, just replace the grout.
* Clear the shower. Nothing ages a bathroom quite like a mouldy old shower curtain, yet it's a fairly quick job to replace it. For an ultra-modern look, have a professional put in a glass or seamless shower and replace the fittings. If you'd prefer to make a quick change yourself, buy a clear plastic curtain and loop it onto the rods using equal lengths of waterproof ribbon in colours to match the bathroom decor..

A KITCHEN SNACK
Apart from painting or changing the window dressings, some speedy renovation ideas in the kitchen include:

* Upgrading the cooktop or oven.
* Installing new splashbacks.
* Many kitchen fittings are standard, so you might be able to replace just the fronts of the cupboards. Alternatively paint the existing doors and replace the handles.
* Get your kitchen sprayed by a professional resurfacing company. It can completely update the look of your kitchen and is cost effective.

Giving your home a facelift doesn't necessarily mean you have to move out for months, or even be inconvenienced for more than a few days. Pulling up worn carpet, repainting, replacing old fittings or just cleaning up the yard can add value and make it a joy to live in. 

Reproduced with permission Century 21 Life@home  http://www.century21.com.au/life-at-home/

Goodbye to Bricklayers? – the latest in “Disruptors”

An interesting article in the Weekend Australian of the 21st November 2015 relating to “The disruptors reshaping our world” by Allan Kohler.

As the business editor at large, he reported on a new share float of Fastbricks Robotics, doubling in price on the Australian Stock Exchange just after its launch. The company manufactures robots to lay bricks because, as its corporate video suggests, bricklaying is a repetitive process which is ideal for robotics.


It is suggests a normal house could be built in 2 days with the use of robotic brick layers.


Apart from robotics disrupting traditional businesses and skills, artificial intelligence is now seen as the greatest disruptor to the way we do business and work.


The industry disrupters such as Airbnb and Uber only touch the surface of changing the way service industries work; soon artificial intelligence will change the roles people play in the economy.

Thursday 19 November 2015

TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND -Large Elegant Home with Sea Views!




Offered unfurnished this property exudes quality and elegance, from a lofty double height reception to the light and airy living areas and large covered balcony with views over the water. The open plan lounge/dining area has fully tiled floors and abuts a large gourmet kitchen with stone bench tops, 5 burner gas hob and electric oven and features an island unit with breakfast bar.

Perfect for extended family this property has 3 bedrooms and two bathrooms upstairs; and 1 bedroom, study or possibly 5th bedroom, additional bathroom, large media room and laundry downstairs. The huge master bedroom has a walk through robe and ensuite with a corner spa bath. Air conditioning throughout, tiled floors in the main living area and ceiling fans make this a cool and comfortable place to live. Simplistic contemporary styling and a neutral palate mean you will easily incorporate your belongings and make this a place of your own. There is a remote access double garage with plenty of space for a work area at the rear and ample off street parking. A small neatly landscaped yard provides a place to play. The owner may consider an outside pet on application.


TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND WHITSUNDAYS $550 per week


Set on the side of the hill in the prestigious Turtle Bay Estate this property has been carefully designed to make the most of gentle sea breezes and stunning views across the water with imposing high raked ceilings and plenty of glass. A double carport gives entry down a short flight of steps to the front entrance. Step down to the master bedroom with walk through robe, ensuite bathroom and adjacent study then along the hallway to two further bedrooms and a second bathroom. The large living area and open plan dining and gourmet kitchen give access to a shaded deck through a stretch of concertina glass panels which fold right back.

The level below provides a fourth bedroom and bathroom, with a further living area or family rumpus which could be a perfect teenage retreat. An internal laundry is also on this level. The landscaped yard has easy care terracing, irrigation and instep lighting leading to a good size lockable garden shed.

This property is fully airconditioned and is offered unfurnished.



OCEAN VIEWS IN THE TROPICS – GREAT BARRIER REEF - QUEENSLAND AUSTRALIA



Fabulous Views from this Fully Furnished Apartment! - Rent at $260 per week

Fresh and contemporary styling with breath taking views across the Port of Airlie, ocean to islands, it will make you feel on top of the world. Fully furnished and self contained, just bring your bedding and towels. This property is just a short walk to the centre of Airlie Beach for work or play. Tiles throughout, fans and aircon all make this a comfortable place to be even when the sea breezes are not enough there is always the option of a dip in one of the two pools or spa.

http://www.realestatevision.net.au/property/details/1446

Sunday 15 November 2015

How to create beautiful floral arrangements


1. PURCHASE FLOWERS IN THEIR NATURAL SEASON 

By doing this not only are they at their best quality, they are generally lower in price and last longer. Keep in mind however if they are winter flowers they will not enjoy our heating as much as we do, so it's best to keep them in the cooler rooms of the house. 

2. CHOOSE YOUR VASE WISELY 

Be sure to use clean vases and containers as bacteria is the biggest cause for shorter flower life. Choose the appropriate size and weight to balance your arrangement physically and visually. Don't be afraid to experiement with different vessels for your flower arrangements. You can use anything from jars to cans to bottles to teacups, baskets and more. 

3. REUSING AND RECYCLING IS KEY 

Rummage in your cupboards, thrift shops and yard sales for anything varied or different. Save glass jars, tins and plastic food containers of all shapes and sizes. Even the most unattractive containers can be used to line a basket or vessel to make them waterproof. Materials like hessian, banana leaves and dried or fresh lotus leaves can be used to cover unsightly or damaged containers.

4. KEEP IT SIMPLE 

Keep it simple and understated with cases of simple greenery. Tropical leaves work really well and last for 2 weeks or more. A large vase of sticks can look equally effective as they last forever.

Reproduced with permission from Century 21 Life @ Home

Top 24 tips for buying off the plan



Off-the-plan properties are often seen as the riskier investment, and for good reasons. Unlike established properties where what you see is what you get, with off the plan, what you see in the glossy brochures may not necessarily be what you'll end up with when the builder hands you the key to your apartment. 

But despite some risks, buying off the plan offers a number of advantages including potential capital gains between signing the contract and settlement. If the project is located in a growth area, you could rack up good growth within a short period of time. 
So, how do you avoid the inherent risk of buying off the plan? 

CHECK THE CONTRACT CAREFULLY 

1. Understand the inclusions, fittings, fixtures, and build materials you will be receiving. The more items that feature in a property's inclusions list, the less you will need to arrange/ fund once the property is settled. Full turnkey off-the-plans are fantastic because they leave the investor with almost nothing to install before tenants can begin living there. 

2. Understand the sunset clause - how long will you be waiting? This could be anything from 18 to 60 months. If the development does not proceed how long is your money tied up? Are both the developer and the purchaser allowed to walk away at the end of the clause or just the developer?

3.Check penalty interest for late settlement of the property. 

MINIMISE AND MANAGE DEPOSIT 

4. In some cases the developer will accept a deposit bond or bank guarantee so you are not required to exchange an actual cash deposit. This allows you to have your money working elsewhere (eg paying down bad debts, or sitting in an offset account against your PPOR mortgage). 

5. Alternatively, if the developer has met their pre-sale requirements they may accept a 5% deposit. 

6. If you do pay a cash deposit and you have a long sunset clause, check to see if the deposit monies are going to be invested. If so, are they passing on a percentage of the interest earned? 

MINIMISE ONGOING CASH INPUT 

7. Some developers offer no progress payments which can be of great benefit to the strategic investor.
8. Putting the construction finance back on vendor greatly improves personal cash flow until you are ready to settle. Instead of chipping in progress payments towards the build (which are not tax deductible) you can have this money working in other productive areas, or in the case of owner occupiers there is no need to pay rent and partial mortgage. It also lessens your risk as there is only a deposit that has been tied up in the venture. 

RESEARCH THE DEVELOPER 

Check out the developer. Are they properly funded? Will the property definitely be built? If not, how long are you tied to the contract by way of the sunset clause? 

10. How long has the developer been in the industry and is it their core business or just a hobby? 

RESEARCH THE BUILDER 

11. How long have they been building? How many properties do they build each year? Check they have the correct builders' insurances in place.

12. You may also want to check out some of their previous projects to get an idea of craftsmanship and style. The more tangible examples of the future build, the better. Things like previous developments and current under-construction jobs are very good examples of how investors can gain peace of mind over their purchase. 

13. Take a look through a property similar to the one you are buying, and not a flashy 'specked up' display unit. Marketing renders and pretty brochures are nice, but they are sometimes not a true reflection of what you will get. 

STAGE OF CONSTRUCTION 

14. Understand exactly where the building is up to at the point of purchase (eg. dirt, slab, frame, fix, etc).  This way you can determine exactly how much stamp duty you will be paying (Victoria only). 

15. Ideally, off-the-plan purchases have their contracts signed before the slab is poured. Check owner's corporation details 

16. Check on any outgoings, rates and owners' corporation fees that will be applicable upon settlement. At point of purchase the owners' corporation may not yet be established, but there should be an estimate available. 

17. What exactly will the arrangement cover (eg. maintenance staff, grounds upkeep, insurance, individual building insurance)?

INDICATIVE DEPRECIATION SCHEDULE 

18. See if you can get a copy of the depreciation schedule estimate - to glean a more accurate understanding of the tax benefits available. This is a handy source of information, particularly if you are comparing the net investment benefits of apartments versus townhouse versus house-and-land options. 

POST-CONSTRUCTION ASSURANCE 

19. Peace of mind post settlement is important, particularly when dealing with a brand-new dwelling. 

Check the warranties and building assurances are satisfactory before signing contracts, because repairs can be expensive if the builder doesn't get things correct. 

VALUATION AND PRICING 

20. When establishing value, take a look around and do some price analysis. When doing so, don't just look at the 'sticker price' as this can quite often be misleading. Make sure you are comparing 'apples with apples', eg. fitting, fixtures, finish, size, location. 

21. How did the agent establish the price? Was it a professional valuer's opinion or the vendor's opinion? These two can vary considerably and can be really important as you make your biggest gains when you buy. 

EXCLUSIVE LEASING PERIODS 

22. Some contracts contain a hidden 'exclusive leasing authority' binding you to a certain agency for a given period. It could also dictate the amount of rent you are able to ask. There are a number of positives and negatives to having a development controlled in this manner.

23. Before you sign, make sure that you fully understand your rights and obligations under the agreement. 

RENTAL GUARANTEES 

24. Beware of rental guarantees, especially if they are contained within the contract. If it is known there is a rent guarantee attached to the purchase, then valuers will almost always discount the value of the property. At settlement time this can cause you some big issues if you need to 'top up' the loans either from cash savings, additional refinance funds or, ever worse, compromise your deposit if you fail to settle.

Reproduced with permission from Century 21 Life @ Home
http://www.century21.com.au/life-at-home/

Renovating your kitchen on a budget

Renovating your kitchen on a budget


The kitchen is usually at the top of the list when you start renovating. However it can be one of the most expensive rooms to renovate. If you're on a budget, there are lots of simple things you can do to refresh and renovate the space.

Here are our top six tips for renovating your kitchen on a budget.

1. You don't need to replace everything in the kitchen for it to appear new and fresh. You can use the current cupboards and drawers and replace the bench tops, cupboard fronts and handles. If you like the cupboard doors, then try painting them in a different colour. This will instantly transform your kitchen for minimal cost.

2. If your kitchen is small, consider using bench-level windows. These will instantly make your small kitchen feel much larger. For windowless walls, try to use as much vertical storage as possible and remember to keep it light and bright' when you're renovating.

4. Choosing the right colours can have a big impact. Gloss finishes on benches and cabinets are ideal because of their reflective properties and give the illusion of light and space.

5. If you have polished timber floors include a brushed aluminum kickboard for a floating effect. This will also make the space feel a lot bigger.

6. Choose your kitchen appliances before you start designing your space because you may find that the new design doesn't work. Design around your appliances so the style you decide to go with is carried throughout. Buying new appliances for your kitchen can also lift the space.

You don't have to spend a lot of money to give your kitchen a fresh new look and to make it a really inviting space that your family will love.

Reproduced with permission from Century 21 Life @ Home



Thursday 12 November 2015

10 steps to overcoming procrastination and fear of investing


By now you will have heard a lot about how the market has well and truly warmed up and in some cases heated up. You may have read many stories of how many people have succcessfully profited from  property leading up to this point in the market, and you have thought to yourself, wouldn't it be great if I could do that, too? 

So, you started looking into ways you could either enter into the property market, or perhaps increase the profits  on your already existing property portfolio, but you just haven't been able to get traction or momentum, and you are worried about missing out. 

You procrastinate about taking action, perhaps there are things you are fearful of that are stopping you from taking the steps towards getting results. If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. Fear and procrastination are big hurdles that block many people from achieving their investment goals. 

There are ways to easily overcome these hurdles, and safely help you reach your goals. These methods will assist anyone in getting started in property investment or creating some real momentum within their existing property portfolios: 

1. LIST YOUR FEARS: 
It can be hard to get over your fears unless you are actually clear on exactly what your fears are. Make a list of exactly what it is that you think is scaring you or stopping you from moving forward. Be as honest with yourself as possible and be as specific as possible, for example:
- I am scared 
- I don't understand the property market enough 
-I am scared of purchasing an investment property and not being able to rent it out 

You are only able to overcome your fears if you are clear on exactly what they are. 

2. UNDERSTAND THERE IS A SOLUTION TO FEAR 
It will help to understand that there is a solution to fear. Fear is usually caused by not knowing', thus the more you know' the less scared you become. 

So, after you have worked out what it is you are really scared of, research that topic, and write down what information you will need to know' to help you overcome that fear. If you understand your fears more, you may find they become so much easier to overcome. 

So, for example, if you are scared of purchasing an investment property because you are worried about not being able to rent out the property and being stuck with a mortgage, then you need to increase your knowledge about the demand for rental properties in your area of choice.

Call local real estate agents and find out their sentiments of the rental market  in the area. Go to www.yourinvestmentpropertymag.com.au for details about the vacancy rates for the area to help you assess the demand for property there. 

If the vacancy rates are at 3%, this will represent a balanced market; however, if the rates are below 3%, this will mean that there is a shortage of supply of property in that market compared with demand, and thus it is likely you will not have much trouble renting out your property. Understanding this beforehand will assist you in overcoming your fear. 

3. UNDERSTAND RESEARCH DOES NOT EQUAL RISK 
Too many people allow their fears to immobilise them, so much so that they even stop themselves from doing their research. 

You should understand that carrying out research and speaking to experts will help you avoid getting yourself into property transactions where you could lose. There are so many avenues of research that cost very little, if not nothing at all, so make the most of this. You can get this from your real estate agents and a lot of free information from council websites.

4. LIST ALL THE REASONS WHY IT IS IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS 
When overcoming your fears, you need a reason to do so, otherwise it is all too easy to always be scared and avoid what it is that you are scared of, rather than break through. 
Make a list of all the reasons why it is important to you to reach your goals. Not just the goals that you want to reach, but the specific things that will happen if you reach them, or even the consequences if you don't. 

So, for example, it may be important for you to reach your goals so you can retire comfortably knowing you have a property portfolio working for you and you are not reliant on a pension to survive. 
Or, perhaps it is important that you are able to create profits from property so you are able to have a debt-free home to live in within a certain period of time. 

On the other hand, it may be important to reach your goals because if you don't, it will mean you will not be able to take the time to travel the world as you hoped to, or you may not be able to afford to take time off work to spend with your kids. 

Whatever it is for you, make sure you write this down and you are clear on your reasons for achieving your goals. You must make sure you have more reasons to achieve your goals than you do fears. So keep writing until your reasons outweigh the fears you have listed.

5. HAVE A PLAN OF ACTION 
Most people will procrastinate when the task at hand seems all too much. Write out a simple plan made up of baby steps that are simple and easy to complete. 

It may be as simple as: 
- List my fears 
- List solutions to my fears 
- List my goals and reasons for achieving my goals 
- Call five real estate agents in the local area and discuss the current rental market 

Make sure the plan of action is specific, and that each task only has one step in it so that it makes it easier to follow and stick to. You may even want to note how long it will take you to do each task so that it may be simpler than what it seems, eg, listing goals will only take 10 minutes. 

6. SET ASIDE REGULAR 'PROPERTY PROFIT' TIME 
Schedule specific time you will use to invest in your property profits future. Make sure that the time period is not too daunting for you to complete. 

Choose to do this on lazy nights when your favourite TV shows are not playing or perhaps the nights that you know you will be home. You can start off with as little as one hour a week to get things done.
If, for example, you choose to do your property research at 7pm on a Monday, don't worry too much if businesses will not be open to take your calls when you are doing your research. Find solutions for this; you can email them and merely await their reply the next day. Do not give yourself an excuse not to commit that time to your property research. 

7. HAVE  A SYSTEM TO SELECT YOUR DEALS 
Once you have tackled what you think is holding you back and what it is that you want to achieve, it's now time for you to take a step towards entering the property market and this is where some people can get stuck again. 

To avoid the traps of procrastination and fear, have a system to objectify the property selection process, and eliminate any emotion getting involved. I use what I like to call a funnel system in finding deals, and this helps me to avoid spending hours (if not days) of searching online for a nice property and instead I focus on finding the deals which are likely to be most profitable. 

Here is the system that I use: 
- Focus on only three areas to start with 
- Choose the best three streets in those areas (according to proximity to convenience) 
- Select the one to two blocks or so surrounding those streets, and
- Within your highlighted area, choose the kind of properties for sale that are most appropriate and in demand. You can get this information from council websites 

Though the council, find the main demographics of the area and if it's made up mainly of families, it's appropriate to assume that larger dwellings such as houses are in most demand. If the population is predominantly singles and couples without children, then apartments may be the way to go. 

Use this strategy to simplify the property research and selection process. 

8. GET PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE AND RESEARCH 
The most expensive advice is free advice from someone who has not got the results you want. Often, there could be people close to us with good intentions influencing us by their  opinions or experiences, yet they may not have the results that you want. 

Be careful not to take on the fears and opinions of these people. You can choose to work with professionals who have results and experience, and they can help you get the same results for yourself while eliminating the mistakes they have already gone through and replicating the successes they already have. 
Be selective of who you work with, and make sure it is someone you feel you can communicate well with, and more importantly have personally experienced creating similar results to those that you want for yourself’

This goes for all the professionals that you will need to work with in your property investment future, ie, solicitors, lenders or finance brokers, accountants etc. You can also do courses on property investment and/or work with property research professionals, to help take you step by step through your  property investment journey, which will also help save you time and reduce procrastination. 

9. ENLIST A FRIEND WHO CAN HOLD YOU ACCOUNTABLE 
It can be a good idea to team up with a friend. You may either work on the same project together or perhaps you will have your own individual projects. But you can hold each other accountable for completing set tasks each week. 

If you do work on the same project together, it makes it easier for you to counter check each other's work, and you can get more done with more manpower. It can be less risky working  with someone else and also a whole lot more fun. Set rewards for each other for when you are able to complete each of your tasks, and celebrate together after each milestone is achieved.

10. DON'T THINK TOO MUCH. JUST DECIDE AND START 
Do not get so caught up in getting everything perfect before you start. Just get started. Remember that when it comes to property, you are never locked in or at risk of losing money unless you sign an unconditional contract of sale to purchase, thus, there should be nothing else stopping you from getting everything else done. So just start. 

When you are satisfied that you have done everything to set yourself up  for a profitable property deal, and you know exactly how you are going to afford the property and where you will get the money from to do it, this will be the only time that you will lock yourself into any contract. No matter how much you have prepared yourself for investing (particularly if it is your first), to some degree, it  may still feel  like you are taking a leap of faith; so make the decision to get over it, then just start!



Produced with permission from Century 21 Life@Home


http://www.century21.com.au/life-at-home/