SkyFive Properties Blog

Hiring a property agent to sell your home may not be your first port of call when trying to sell. However, you should consider doing so. Not only will you have the skills, expertise, and knowledge of a professional in your corner but also, they will do all the hard work. Asking prices for houses when they hit the market is generally unnatural and not reflective of what people are willing to pay. That’s why letting an expert decide on a fair asking price for your house is well worth it.

Comprehensive report of the property

Property buyers agent in Sydney are well versed with all the ins and out of the property industry. They have complete data related to every available piece of property, its nature, the area, the location within it, and all other details. Whenever you need any kind of information regarding properties, you can directly contact them for all kinds of details. These people usually search their properties for a buyer or a seller as per your requirement. They handle both ends – brokerage from the seller’s end and finding a buyer on their end. This valuable service has helped many in the past and can definitely help others also going forward.

The property selling market is broadly filled with property agents working as partners with the owner to sell the property at a good rate. They have detailed information about the property and have excellent negotiation experience in the industry. Due to this reason, they have so many followers and demand a handsome fee for their work. They know how to make full use of such situations and help their client if they hire them.

Decision making will be easier

Having a qualified property agent is even more important to a landlord, for it gives him an idea of what his property can be worth and whether it is worth buying at the current market value or not.

There may be instances wherein property owners may find it hard to decide whether or not their residential apartment deserves to be leased out. When a property owner has a good agent, he will help him make the right decisions without compromising his own investment in the long run. Like any business transaction type, having an agent at hand will help property owners settle deals faster and give them ample time to attend to other things.

A great time-saving source

When I first tried to sell my property, I spent so much time on the phone with real estate agents that it added stress to the process. It wasn’t until I found a good real estate agent that things began to go well. When you hire a good realtor, they can handle most of the communication with potential buyers and find out if they are serious buyers or just looking for information.

Your real estate agent will spend his time and effort in finding potential buyers for your property. Then, you can stand back and let him do it. When he doesn’t get any bites, he will ask you to reduce the price of your house to entice buyers. This way, you won’t lose money at any point and can continue to hold out until you finally get the best deal possible.

Buying your dream home is exciting, but with that excitement comes the unknown. A new home can have unknown dangers, especially to younger children and senior citizens.

In this blog post, we will take a look at some of the best ways to make a new home safe for all ages.

1) Remove loose flooring.

According to Taking Care 30% of people over the age of 55 will have a nasty trip or fall while at home. For the older population, this can be deadly and can result in broken bones and life-threatening injuries.

To avoid trips and falls in the home you should replace any loose flooring as soon as possible. You should also check to see if the flooring is all level and no tiles are sticking out.

2) Install good lighting

Lowly lit homes can be a problem in a new home and if your home doesn’t have good lighting you should replace the lights right away. Having bad lighting is another way of making your home unsafe for those who will live in it.

3) Keep your tools locked away

For younger children having tools within reach is dangerous. If you are purchasing a new home and will be doing DIY to it be sure to put your power tools out of reach. If you have a garage then put the tools into storage and put them out of reach.

If you don’t have a garage put them in a locked container and keep them away from your children. Power tools can cause damage even when they aren’t turned on so being out of the way can make your home that little bit safer.

4) Add smart features to your home.

Smart features can include a wide variety of products. One product that can make your home safer is a thermostatic mixing valve and while this sounds complicated it really isn’t. A thermostatic mixing valve can limit the temperature of the water that comes out of your taps.

Limiting the hotness of your water is going to ensure that the younger and older people who live in your home can’t burn themselves. A thermostatic mixing valve still allows you to take warm baths but stops you from scalding yourself.

5) Install grab bars and rails

Older people tend to slip and fall in the home when adequate support isn’t available. You can install features such as grab rails or even walk-in baths which make bath time easier for the older population. Grab rails are inexpensive and when installed in the correct areas within your home not only make your home safer but also make your home easier to get around.

6) Install an alarm system

An alarm system can be installed within a new home to not only put potential burglars off from targetting you but the more expensive ones can automatically call the police in the event of a home invasion.

An alarm system should be installed in all homes as it protects your family and they are simple to set up and don’t cost too much either.

7) Remove rugs

When moving into a new home it’s exciting to decorate one out, when doing so you should take into consideration the ages of the people who will live in your home. A rug, for example, can become loose and slippery. If you have younger children at home or older adults a rug can be dangerous to them.

Remove the rugs and wear better-fitting shoes to be as safe as possible when moving around your home.

Conclusion

A new home is exciting, but it can be dangerous. With the tips above you should now have a better idea of how you can keep your family safe while at home.

The sun has finally arrived, and many of us are slightly annoyed that we didn’t take some of the extra time we found ourselves with in 2020 to update our backyards. However, starting a full redesign project now isn’t the best idea since you want to be enjoying your outdoor space, not turning it into a builder’s yard. If you want to modernize your backyard without having to dedicate weeks of your time, you might want to try out these neat little additions:

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Quick and Easy Deck Installation

If you keep window shopping for outdoor furniture and yearn for a place to put it to relax in the sun, consider investing in the latest trend in garden DIY. Rather than having to spend hours measuring, cutting, and installing a new deck, interlocking deck tiles are a great alternative. These can be found in many different styles and colors, including acacia wood which is naturally resistant to UV rays, moisture, and insects, which means it’ll also be long lasting. There is no need for tools with these; simply clip them together and you’ve got a brand-new deck in an instant.

Add a Cactus Garden

Not all of us are blessed with a green thumb, and if this describes you, you’ve probably got more weeds than you have plants. Although it sounds like an arduous job pulling up all the weeds, you’ll be giving yourself a blank slate to start with once you’re done. Instead of replacing them with needy plants that need constant water and attention, consider installing a cactus garden. These can easily be planted in your lawn’s edging or a rocky area of the yard. Surround them with gravel and leave them to their own devices. Now you have a modern-looking yard with little maintenance required.

Install a Sophisticated Drywall

Instead of generic wooden edging that also requires some level of maintenance, you can modernize your outdoor space with a retaining wall made of natural stone to combine style and function. These are particularly useful if you have a sloping garden and want to utilize the space better. You can create separate zones for water features, plants, and even a vegetable patch. By using solid stone that is sawn cut to give it a clean look, you can bring your backyard into the 21^st century. Check out these great examples of sawn cut hardscapes for some inspiration.

Consider Garden Wall Art

Garden wall art is becoming a huge trend in 2021, and this can include anything from painted murals to laser-cut metal panels and decorative tiling. Customized metal screens are a great alternative to traditional fencing and walls, as they offer security and privacy while letting light through at the same time. You can even include strategically placed lighting on the ground to create different patterns with the shadows when the night falls. Simply search for garden wall art ideas and you will be flooded with ideas.

Modernizing your backyard doesn’t require you to dig it all up and start again. Try a few or all of these ideas!

Although buying your first home is an important milestone for all young people, it is undoubtedly a major financial decision that also holds a lot of often unexpected costs and paperwork.

The best that you can hope to do is equip yourself with the most essential information so that you can build a foundation of knowledge that can support you throughout the process of buying your first home. You can find these helpful essentials outlined below.

1. Navigating depreciation and future tax returns

First and foremost, it’s imperative that you create a detailed depreciation schedule for your new home, as it’s a major fixed asset that will be added to your next tax return, as well as all your tax returns for the foreseeable future. Consult with your accountant to ensure that your home’s depreciation schedule is clearly defined and outlined so that you’re equipped with a solid timeline of your home’s depreciation.

This is doubly important if you’re considering buying a secondary property or investment property in the future, as you can fund this investment using the capital allowance deductions from your first property. Naturally, it’s best to know exactly how much you can invest and when. In essence, a detailed depreciation schedule can support you in your development of a long-term investment schedule.

2. Understanding first home owner grants

Whilst taxation should be considered to be of the utmost importance, chances are that your first foray into real estate will involve reading up on the federal government’s first home owner grants. It’s important to note that these grants are changeable depending on which state you reside in, as well as the nature of your property. You may receive a larger grant for building in a new or developing suburb, as state governments seek to provide first home buyers with added incentives to invest in new neighborhoods.

First home buyers are also eligible for concessions or exemptions surrounding stamp duty, this again is dependent on other factors, like the value of your new property.

3. To build or not to build

It’s worth noting that not all first homeowners want to build a brand new property. For some families, buying an established property is simply more feasible, whether that be because they’re looking to purchase in an area with little new development, or that they’re simply looking to move in promptly. On occasion, first home buyers can stumble across an established house that happens to be on the market, and realize within a quick inspection that the property is their dream home.

Nevertheless, there are benefits to buying brand new, as there are to buying an established property, and it’s imperative that you and your family weigh up these benefits before making any final decisions regarding the pathway you’ll be taking.

4. The value of a mortgage broker

Mortgage brokers are essentially the middle man between lenders and buyers. They make their living by finding the home loan that works best for you and your family, and this makes mortgage brokers a genuine asset to any serious first home buyers.

As your mortgage broker can support you through both your approval as well as your pre-approval, it’s highly recommended that you stay with the same broker throughout this process, to ensure an easy transition from these two different stages.

If you’re concerned about the accreditation of your broker, be aware that mortgage brokers in Australia are required by law to carry an Australian Credit License (or ACL) if they offer credit assistance services. They are also expected to comply with the Australian Securities & Investments Commission’s (ASIC’s) regulatory guide for mortgage brokers, which specifically outlines that brokers must always act in the best interests of their clients.

5. The hidden costs of loans

On top of communicating with your broker, there are other aspects of applying for or even choosing a home loan that you’ll need to be familiar with prior to signing any paperwork.

Contrary to popular belief, the lowest interest rates don’t always equate to the best value home loans. You’ll want to consider the fees associated with that home loan alongside its interest rate, as higher fees may infringe on the potential savings of your selected loan. You want to ensure that you have a thorough understanding of your home loan fees so that you can adequately develop a realistic budget following the purchase of your first property.

6. The costs of living post-purchase

Finally, speaking of budgeting, it can be tricky knowing just what your finances will look like post-purchase, especially with your first home. Even so, it’s imperative that first home buyers have a firm understanding of what their finances will look like following the purchase of their first home. You’ll want to factor mortgage repayments alongside council rates, utility bills, and finally also your estimated costs of living, to ensure that your new home is not above your means.

If you have any queries regarding the budget that will be needed to make your mortgage repayments, consider consulting with your broker prior to signing any paperwork, or with another financial consultant.

As you can see, there are a plethora of factors that need to be considered prior to buy your first home. So long as you do your homework, use the resources available to you, keep records of your finances, and ask plenty of questions along the way, chances are you’ll have a highly positive experience with the purchase of your first home.

When a student decides it’s time to explore off-campus housing options, the vast number of factors and options can become overwhelming instantly. It can be hard to figure out what to actually look for when searching for USC off campus housing, but here is a handy guide with a few things to keep in mind during your journey.

1. Affordability, Taking Utilities into Account

For students, affordability often comes to mind first when considering their housing options. One’s college days are full of financial uncertainties, and most students have to take out sizable loans to pay for their education. As a result, it’s typically helpful to take a look at your finances and create a budget that includes how much you can actually afford for rent.

Don’t forget to factor in the cost of utilities if the apartments you are looking at don’t include them already. Some off campus housing near USC builds utilities into the cost of rent, so you only have to worry about paying one living fee each month, but it’s always important to ask what is included in rent.

Although affordability is important, so is the quality of life. Finding a cheap apartment may feel good for your finances, but the place may be so cheap for a reason. If anything seems too good to be true price-wise, take a step back consider your options carefully.

2. Proximity to Campus

Proximity to campus is more important for some than others, and many students opt to pay a premium to have convenient access to campus. If you want to be within walking distance of your classes, you can expect to pay a bit more due to the high demand for these locations.

Fortunately in Los Angeles, the walk to class will rarely be too unpleasant weather-wise, as chances are good you will never have to trudge through feet of snow to get to campus.

Even still, many students opt to live a bit further away to save on rent. You can usually find great and affordable apartments in Koreatown, Silver Lake, Culver City, and other neighborhoods that are about a 20-minute drive to campus. Each neighborhood is also connected to the city metro, so you can rely on public transit if you don’t have a car or want to worry about parking all the time.

3. Furnished or Unfurnished

This comes down to preference, but many students find that renting a furnished apartment is a much more convenient option that is worth any potential extra costs. Not having to purchase or move in large items of furniture prevents a ton of headaches, and roommates don’t have to think about divvying up who gets what when they move out.

Others might prefer unfurnished apartments because they already own their own furniture, or they want to completely customize a space and make it their own.

There is a lot to consider when looking for an off-campus dwelling, but mulling over these three factors can help you decide on a place without overthinking it too much.

These days, there are many ways to make a living, including working for yourself. No longer is everyone required to work for a company that provides a traditional paycheck every two weeks. Unfortunately, being self-employed can make getting a mortgage more difficult. By seeking advice from a mortgage broker Burlington residents who are self-employed can find out how to get a mortgage even if they don’t have the traditional proof of income.

There Are Mortgage Options for Self-Employed Individuals

If you’re ready to buy a house instead of paying someone else’s mortgage, then you are already aware of the benefits of homeownership. However, when you visit your bank and try to get pre-approved for a mortgage, you may discover that despite your eagerness to own a house, the lender isn’t all that eager to lend you the money. Lenders view people with a steady, verifiable income as less of a risk than those who are self-employed, but this doesn’t mean you can’t get a loan. If you can’t get one from a traditional lender, a private mortgage lender, who can be more flexible in their qualification requirements may be able to help.

Have a Self-Employed Track Record

Lenders look more favorably upon self-employed individuals who have succeeded at being in business for themselves for at least two years. They want to know that you’re not going to go out of business anytime soon, particularly after they’ve lent you the money. The longer you’ve been working for yourself and can show a track record of success, the better your odds are at getting a loan. So, if you’ve only just started working for yourself, you may want to wait a couple of years before applying for a mortgage.

Improve Your Credit Score

As in any lending situation, the higher your credit score is, the better your chances are at getting approved for a loan. This is doubly true for self-employed people, who need to show their trustworthiness in a different way than through verifiable regular income. The credit score becomes magnified in importance when you’re not able to produce pay stubs and tax documents that show a steady income, so take steps to improve your credit score prior to seeking a loan.

Have a Larger Down Payment

The more money you can put down toward the purchase of a house, the lower the amount of money a lender will need to provide you, which lowers the risk they are taking on you. History has shown that the more equity someone has in a house, the less likely they are to walk away from the mortgage. As such, lenders will look more favorably upon self-employed individuals if they can put more than 20% down.

Have Money in Reserves

Having significant emergency funds in savings can negate the need to prove a steady income when you’re self-employed. If the lender can see that you have several month’s worth of mortgage payments available in case your self-employment goes south, they are more likely to take a chance on you with a mortgage. Cash reserves plus a large down payment are irresistible to most lenders, who can then overlook your lack of a regular paycheck. Of course, not all lenders will be this flexible, but they are out there. Take the time to research the various lenders in your area before committing to one to make sure you get the best deal.

Conclusion

Being your own boss is incredibly freeing, especially if you’re successful at what you do. However, self-employment can hinder your ability to get a mortgage loan unless you have other ways to prove that you’re not going to default on the loan. Getting help from a mortgage broker can help you navigate this tricky process.

Increasing the value of your real estate is usually much simpler than you think. You don’t have to embark on any fancy projects. Instead, it’s often the little things that make the biggest difference.

In this post, therefore, we take a look at some value-adding real estate improvements. You’ll kick yourself for not implementing them earlier.

Restore Period Features

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Today’s property buyers want period features. By and large, they are looking for homes with character – a link to the past.

But finding such properties is notoriously challenging. With so many new builds around, coming across something with genuine history is hard.

That’s why many property owners are now simply restoring original period features. They are then using these as advertising to sell their properties online to people who want them.

Improve The Exterior

The next thing to do is to improve your home’s exterior. Again, this is usually a short, simple and easy job. Many times, all you need to do is clean and add new cladding.

Start by looking for signs of rotten wood, especially around the windows. Next, use a sanding machine and grind away any chipped pain. Restore and untidy masonry and make sure that your front yard doesn’t look too personal.

Clear The Garden

Next, if you have junk or brush in your garden, be sure to clear it away using land beautification services. The way these work is simple. Professionals come to your property with tools and waste disposal equipment. They then dump all your unwanted plant matter into a large skip and take it away. The result? A much cleaner, better-presented plot of land.

Refresh Your Flooring

Another great way to improve your home’s appeal is to sort out the flooring. Nobody wants to buy a property with a ripped carpet or scuffed hardwood floors. They want something that looks attractive underfoot.

How you refresh your flooring is very much a personal choice. Some people like to go for high-quality carpets, while others keep things simple by tiling throughout.

Add A Heat Pump

Going green used to be expensive – something that only the elite could afford. But now these technologies are getting so cheap that they may actually be able to save you money.

Heat pumps, solar panels, and wind turbines all allow you to reduce your bills quite significantly. And they’re attractive additions for people looking to move into your home since they signify that their utilities bills will be low too.

Get Quality Glazing

Buyers are also on the lookout for homes offering quality glazing. And it’s not just because they are worried about the environment. Many, for instance, want sliding bifold doors to improve their indoor-outdoor spaces.

Add Garage Parking
If you don’t have space to add a garage, don’t worry. On-street parking is fine. However, if you do have room for one, then it can help to add to your home’s appeal tremendously. That’s because many of today’s buyers prefer to keep their car off the street. It is safer in the garage.

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All of the buildups towards buying a property can be as stressful as they are rewarding. But, once you become legally responsible for the home, you can start looking forward to life in your new house. However, there might still be some things to consider. If no one has lived in your home for a long time, there could be issues to look out for. Here are four things you need to do to make sure your new home is perfect.

Open All The Windows

One of the first things you’ll want to do is ventilate the home. As a rule, the previous homeowners will close and lock the doors to deter thieves. This means that any aromas will stagnate, whereas moisture can become trapped, leading to mould buildup. There is more to this than merely causing an unpleasant funk, though. Poor air quality and respiratory problems can come from a mouldy home. So, open the windows and air the home out as soon as possible. Maybe light a scented candle, too.

Check For Infestations

Hopefully, your home won’t be the victim of an infestation. But, houses that have remained empty for months, and even years, become more susceptible to critters. These critters could already be there before moving out. Others can find their way in after the family moves out. If the home was not tidied thoroughly. If you notice signs of infestations and critters, you should hire a professional to deal with them in the right way. Whether you need to remove ants, mice or use services like www.moth-prevention.com, you can make your home perfect.

Relieve The System Pressure

The previous owners, or at least the estate agent, should have switched the utilities off. You will need to check the system pressure when you move in to make sure everything still works. Locate the Stop Cock, turn the gas on, run the taps to flush out any stagnant water. If you have radiators, it’s also worth bleeding them. Relieving the pressure in the system can reduce faults and accidents, especially if you’re moving into an old property.

Inspect For Damage

Ideally, you have already checked for damage around the home. Furthermore, Home Inspectors would have done the same before they allowed you to move in. Still, there’s a chance that they did not identify all issues, or even some problems have occurred since the previous inspection took place. It’s vital to look out for the most common types of home damage. This includes water damage, weather damage, and structural damage, as the sooner you know, the sooner you can fix any issues. The last thing you want from your home is an expensive repair job, so don’t hesitate to check and get a quote.

Clearing Out
An empty house risks welcoming damage, critters, and more. As much as you want your home to be perfect when you move it, you should always check for issues. Usually, you can solve these easily. But if the house has been empty for over six months, there could be significant problems to look out for.

There are many factors to consider when buying or renting a new home, but the price might be the most critical one.

Canada’s real estate industry is one of the most sought-after markets in the world, and therefore, having an idea of how much you have to pay for a home in Canada is important for both residents and immigrants. Knowing the most recent trends can help customers decide better before collaborating with real estate companies, especially assignment deals in Canada.

Therefore, we have gathered the average prices of homes in different regions of Canada to help you decide better when buying/renting a new home.

First, you have to know that there have been a total of 59.159 transactions in October 2020. This shows a 32% increase compared to the same month in 2019. However, transactions in October have decreased by 4% compared to September.

More importantly, average home prices in Canada are currently around $607,250 CAD, which shows a 16% rise compared to the previous year.

Now it’s good to look into the details in the most important regions and cities.

Greater Vancouver Area

As the only city with 7-digit home prices, Vancouver sits on the top of the list of the most expensive areas in Canada. The prices in Vancouver have even hit new highs in 2020 as the average prices of both townhouses and condo apartments have grown by 5% compared to 2019. Transactions in Vancouver have also increased by 29% YoY.

Greater Toronto Area

Toronto ranks number two in the list of most expensive areas in Canada. Average sold prices and transactions in Toronto have respectively increased by 13% and 24% compared to 2019. The average price in Toronto in October 2020 is $897,700.

Montreal Metropolitan Area

Average sold prices and transaction volume in the Montreal Metropolitan Area in 2020 have respectively risen by 15% and 41% compared to the previous year. The average price in this area is $418,000, which is still more affordable compared to the prices in Vancouver and Toronto.

Ottawa

With $550,734 sold prices, Ottawa has had a 24% increase in prices from 2019. It’s good to know that this price has decreased by 2% from October. Also, 2,146 transactions were recorded, which shows a 24% increase since October 2019.

Now, you’d better look at the infographic to know other details about Canada’s real estate market.

The following infographic has been designed by the Condoly team to let sellers, buyers, and realtors learn more about the condo industry in Canada.

Home prices have skyrocketed over the last few years, but the annual income doesn’t change much. In Malaysia, the average home price is nearing sky-high levels of Singapore and Hong Kong markets. Therefore, saving up to buy your dream home can seem like an impossible venture. On the other hand, paying off a mortgage for an expensive home can be a struggle.

Under the government’s watch, more and more private developers are building affordable housing to help meet the high demand. However, before you can commit yourself to make a purchase, you may want first to look up the developer and their track record. You can check their units on PropertyGuru Largest Property Portal in Malaysia.

If you’re a first-time home buyer, one of the best ways to ease the burden and achieve your homeownership goals is through one of the available housing schemes. There’s My First Home Scheme, whereby many banks have agreed to offer first-time home-buyers home loans with 100 percent financing. However, for you to qualify for this home loan, your total gross monthly income should not be more than RM10,000.

As a first-time homebuyer, you can also get affordable housing through PRIMA. This scheme aims to provide affordable and high-quality homes for middle-income earners. If you’re eligible, you can get up to 110 percent financing.

If you’re interested to learn more about affordable government housing schemes, look at the infographic below. The infographic includes detailed information about the qualifying criteria, the necessary documents, and other important information.

Infographic designed by PropertyGuru Largest Property Portal in Malaysia