2018

The Giant Northern Termite

Blog

As its name suggests, the giant northern termite is a creature that tends to be found in Australia's more tropical regions. To give it its proper name, mastotermes darwiniensisis also known as the Darwin termite because it is so often found close to that city. Part of the Blattodea order of insects which also includes cockroaches, Mastotermes darwiniensisis is often regarded as one of the most successful types of termite to have evolved because it has such a simple method of earning a living.

27 December 2018

Preparing for the Real Estate Settlement Process

Real Estate Blog

After a long and intense search for a property, negotiating pricing with the seller and finally reaching a deal, the settlement (or closing) process marks the end of a long journey. However, the settlement process should not be misconstrued as a simple and quick activity. Settlement is often one of the most important steps in legally transferring the property ownership from the seller to the buyer. It's during this step that actual paperwork will be signed to cement the transaction and make it legally binding.

5 March 2018

Selling a Property With Asbestos? Here's What You Need to Know

Real Estate Blog

If you are selling an old property that was built before the 90s, there is a high chance that the building contains asbestos. Asbestos was used in building materials such as insulation, flooring and wall tiles, siding, door gaskets and roofing materials. Builders preferred it due to its impressive fire-resistant properties. Unfortunately, the government banned it because it was associated with respiratory complications, including mesothelioma and asbestosis. When you are selling a property that contains asbestos, it is critical that you take the following measures to avoid adverse legal implications after the sale.

2 March 2018

Why Retirement Apartments Are Better Than Conventional Homes

Real Estate Blog

Are you retired and looking for a perfect place to spend the rest of your years? Do you have aged parents and are seeking an ideal residence for them? If you are faced with either of these situations, then you should consider getting a retirement apartment. Below are reasons why purchasing a retirement apartment is better than getting a conventional home. Custom amenities Retirement apartments are built to specifically cater for the needs of the aged.

27 February 2018

4 Benefits of Living in Gated Communities Instead of Single Housing Units

Real Estate Blog

When selecting a home for rent, you can find it difficult to decide whether you should live in a gated community or a single housing unit. Below are some of the benefits that you will enjoy when you choose to live in a gated community instead of single housing units. Social amenities Gated communities have numerous social amenities for residents. Some of these include retail stores, parks, playgrounds, clubhouses and daycare facilities.

23 February 2018

Home Inspections You Should Have Done Before a Purchase

Real Estate Blog

Before you purchase a home, no matter its age or overall condition, you'll want to put it through a number of building inspections. Some general inspections, such as for the roof and the home's plumbing pipes, might be required by your mortgage lender, but there are other inspections that can still tell you if the home is a good value, or if you'll be looking at major repairs in the near future.

21 February 2018

What to Look for When Buying Your First Home

Real Estate Blog

Human nature being what it is, it's easy to fall in love with a material object simply due to its outward appearance. For example, you may drive past a potential new home and be smitten by its outstanding curb appeal. However, you've really got to dig deeper and certainly not judge this particular book by its cover. What do you need to be on the lookout for, when you're in the market to buy a property?

15 February 2018

How to Make Sure That You Get the Right Type of Manager When You Expand Your Property Portfolio

Real Estate Blog

If you're a growing real estate investor, then you may already have a very diversified portfolio. You may be looking to expand even further though by adding a multi-family unit, such as a block of flats. In this case, however, you have some additional issues to consider, including a fairly complex management structure. Before you go ahead with this type of acquisition, what type of manager do you need to take the strain?

14 February 2018

Preparing your belongings for storage

Blog

When you think of moving house, you often imagine simply packing everything up at one end and taking it immediately to the new home. However, every move is different, and this type of single journey isn't always possible. When there's a gap between moving dates, or where there's simply too much to fit in the new location, a self-storage unit can be invaluable. Before you store your things in one of these secure spaces, you'll want to make a few simple preparations.

12 February 2018

Staging Your Home for a Successful Property Sale

Real Estate Blog

The prospect of selling your home and embarking on a new chapter of your life can be quite exhilarating. The excitement that comes with this feeling is also what makes most potential sellers optimistic about the market price that their property will fetch. Not many people actually go into a property sale assuming that they will take a loss, particularly if they have taken pains to ensure that the residence is as tiptop as possible.

5 February 2018