Latest real estate news and tips from Harcourts Australia

Lighting up the outdoors

May 3, 2018 4:57:53 PM

Lighting up the outside of your property is a great way to make your home safe while enhancing your home and garden at the same time, creating an atmosphere unique to your surroundings.

Topics: property focus, Home Trends

Time to test your smoke alarms

May 3, 2018 2:39:03 PM

Many Australians change their smoke alarm batteries once per year. For a landlord or property owner, smoke alarm compliance is much more than just changing a battery and testing an alarm.

Topics: Property Management Focus, Home Maintenance

With the Winter season comes indoor pursuits. It’s the perfect time to clean up and decorate around the home. Try ‘upcycling’, the popular transformation of discarded or useless items into something new or useful. Here are a few ideas for inspiration.

Topics: DIY, Winter, property focus, Newsletter, winter home, Home Decor & Furnishing

To downsize or not to downsize

May 3, 2018 1:40:23 PM

Whether you are retiring, looking to free up some capital, or simply wanting to de-clutter, downsizing can offer some real advantages – but it also comes with some downsides. We weigh up the pros and cons of making this lifestyle change.

PRO: A smaller home means smaller bills

If you are looking to save on daily living costs, downsizing into an apartment or smaller home usually means you will save on basics such as heating costs, electricity, and house insurance.

Topics: Newsletters, property focus, Australia Real Estate

How to add value to your laundry

May 3, 2018 1:36:04 PM

The laundry often isn’t somewhere we spend much time on when it comes to renovations or updates, but it is a room where many of us spend a lot of time each day. The importance of the laundry in daily living means it could be a deal-maker for potential buyers, so consider these tips to help you ‘clean up’ at sale time.

Topics: Newsletters, property focus, home improvements, Selling, Advice, Winter, property focus

Buying and selling with bridging finance

May 3, 2018 1:25:53 PM

Timing is often a challenge when it comes to buying a new home and selling an existing one. In a perfect world, both transactions would happen simultaneously. In reality though, you could end up owning two properties while you sell your existing home. That’s where bridging finance comes in.

Topics: Newsletters, Mortgage Broker, Bridging Finance, property focus, Australia Property, mortgage rates, Mortgage Debt

Gain loyalty by suggesting a tax depreciation schedule

May 3, 2018 10:20:04 AM

Claiming depreciation on an investment property can make a significant difference to a property investor’s cash flow.

Topics: Property Management, Property Management Focus, Australia Property, BMT Tax Depreciation

Simple renovations for rental properties

Apr 20, 2018 11:00:01 AM

It can be hard to update the interior of your home if your landlord doesn’t approve of permanent changes to their property. Whatever change you’re looking for, you might be surprised by what you can do without creating any havoc with your landlord.

Here are some simple tips to change up the look of the property you’re renting.

Topics: Interior design, rent a property