Renovation hiccups happen all the time. There’s not many renovations that didn’t have at least one little diversion on its way to completion. The key to success is being prepared. When it comes to renovating, there are a myriad of cruel and creative things that can derail your project (and your sanity). The trick is
Great news for anyone planning to take out a home loan – new legislation means consumers are even better protected when they use a mortgage broker. The Best Interests Duty, which took effect on 1 January 2021, legally obliges brokers to act in the best interests of their clients. This new law is on top of
Fixed Rates Fixed rates are incredibly low at the moment and with Australian borrowers expecting the low interest rates to bottom out, there could be a move to consider fixed rates. The share of borrowers choosing a fixed-rate product remains high at 29.2%. With 1-4 year fixed rates all being below 2% pa, that percentage
Housing values continued to rise through the first month of 2021 with CoreLogic’s national home value index up 0.9% over the month. The January movement takes Australian home values to a fresh record high. Housing values have surpassed pre-COVID levels by 1.0%, and the index is 0.7% higher than the previous September 2017 peak. Every
Deciding on the Layout The biggest piece of advice is don’t be afraid to consult those around you. Often your tradesman, builder or friends will have ideas you may not have even considered. When renovating an existing bathroom, the layout is particularly important as you may be governed by the pre-existing plumbing, apartment block red
Improving the health of the home begins with a few simple and affordable steps. Here are our top tips: Shoes off The easiest ‘step’ in reducing the toxins and chemicals entering your home is to remove your shoes at the front door and leave nasties – such as pesticides and germs – outside. Place a
Australia’s housing market continued along a recovery trend through November. CoreLogic’s national index recorded a second consecutive monthly rise in November, with dwelling values up 0.8% over the month. The new recovery trend follows a 2.1% drop in Australian home values between April and September. According to CoreLogic’s Head of Research, Tim Lawless, if the current
During stifling summers, it can often feel like you’re fighting a losing battle trying to keep your house cool. And with a summer of restricted travel opportunities fast approaching, now might be the time to up your cooling game. Installing an air conditioner can be an expensive decision, so it’s important to understand how you
Given that a good paint colour has the power to change the whole feeling of your home and up your resale value – without breaking the bank – how do you get it right so that your space shows off a little personality, style and ultimately makes a good impact? 1. Try before you buy
Following five months of consistent declines in residential property values, CoreLogic’s national home value index moved back into positive month-on-month growth through October, posting a 0.4% rise. The lift in home values was broad based, with every capital city apart from Melbourne posting a rise in values over the month. Index results as at October 31,