Help Kids Adjust to Moving Home

Written by John Tucker | Wednesday, 18 April 2012

Buying a new house and planning a move may be as much stress as you think you can handle – but remember that it is likely to be a particularly trying time for your children as well.

Routines are understandably disrupted in major ways during moving and sensitive planning can help all family members, but especially young children, better cope with the impending changes.

One of the keys with children is to break the news about moving as soon as possible. Kids need to get used to the ...

idea of moving so give them as much advance warning as you can.

Provide them with as much information as possible about why the family is moving and what they can expect in their new home and suburb.
Some tips on moving house with children include:

• Ask children to share their feelings with you. Although you’ll personally be going through a range of emotions, listen to what they have to say and assure them that you understand any concerns they have.
• Don’t take their reactions personally. Children can have problems adjusting to a move and can blame a parent or parents for causing it. Explain that sometimes big decisions can’t be avoided.
• If the child is old enough, let them help to pack some of their favourite items. It can help them understand that although the family will be in a new home, their belongings will stay with them.
• Be cautiously optimistic. It is important to be positive and optimistic because your children’s attitude will largely mirror yours.
• Explore the new neighbourhood. If you’re moving to a new suburb or town, use maps and other information from your local council or the internet to explain where you’ll be living. Talk about any nearby attractions that may be interesting, such as moving closer to the beach or to a park.
• Try to keep a routine. A child’s world is based on routine and it’s important to try and keep some semblance of normality throughout the process. Stick to a set time for dinner every evening, no matter how chaotic things seem to be, and maintain regular activities which the family enjoys.

Why A Drop In The $AUD Would Be Good For Aussie Housing

Written by Peter O'Malley | Wednesday, 21 March 2012

When a currency moves as dramatically as the Australian Dollar has in the past two years, there will be winners and losers within the domestic economy.

In Australia the impact of the rising dollar on the real estate market has been underestimated. With the dollar at all time highs against the US dollar, Euro and the GB Pound, a lot of international purchasers have held off buying in Australia in the past 12 months. Their absence is not significant ...

enough to change the course of the market, but it is another overlooked factor weighing on the market.

Many would be home-buyers that have immigrated from overseas are shocked to learn how little their once strong Dollars and Pounds buys them in the Aussie housing market. In turn, many of these potential buyers are renting a property and parking their money offshore or in term deposits in the hope that the equation improves for them in the future.

Likewise, expats working abroad to earn a “stronger” currency with a view to buying back in Australia have declined in numbers as the once appealing currency benefit of buying has evaporated.

If the Aussie Dollar were to head south, there would be some losers, such as those importing goods, overseas tourists etc. The real estate market could be a winner though as expats, newly arrived immigrants and local investors currently buying offshore, turn their attention back to the merits of Australian housing.

The real question now is, what will the Australian dollar do over the next 12 months? Any further rise is likely to negatively impact on the real estate market and any fall is likely to open the market up to a new pool of buyers that are currently sitting on the sidelines.

Ideas to Maximise your Rent Returns

Written by Paul Kounnas | Wednesday, 16 November 2011

Whenever the rental vacancy rate drops below a benchmark of around 3% the rents cycle swings in favour of the property owner.

Nationwide the vacancy rate is now way below that level with some markets almost at crisis point, showing rates of 1.5%.

This remarkable situation has created an opportunity for owners who are now able to make improvements that will not only increase the value of their property but increase the rents, giving both long and short term gains.

And with the building ...

industry relatively quiet there is no shortage of tradesmen ready, willing and able.

But what to do? Where to start?
What improvements will give the best return? Sure, you could go all out and add another bedroom – a surefire way to increase the rental return. But that’s a high cost that will take a while to amortise.

The clever approach is to look at ways to cost effectively increase the desirability and liveability of your property.

A new benchtop in the kitchen, perhaps some splashbacks and cupboard doors, is a good way to start.

Less than $500 will get you a pretty impressive BBQ for an outdoor entertaining area and a verandah extension or even a new deck is not expensive if you approach it in the right way.

Even the bathroom can be given a whole new look for less than $1500 with a vanity and shower. In all of these things the trick is not to shop where you would for your own home, but to shop smart at factory outlets, seconds stores and even via eBay online stores.

Throughout the process, from planning to shopping and installations, don’t lose sight of the fact that you are aiming to make the place desirable.

When you are done, talk to your agent about marketing. Good photos (not a few happy snaps), well thought out copy and the right approach will paint a picture of your rental property that may in itself justify adding another $50 a week to the rent.

Your other consideration with your improvements and your marketing is the target market – aim for young professionals in an upper demographic.

Rich Opportunities Awaiting Investors

Written by Paul Kounnas | Wednesday, 09 November 2011

“A perfect storm” is how some knowledgeable investors are describing the current property market as it goes through a cyclical phase of correction and stabilisation.

I have watched the industry’s highs and lows for many years and recognise that times such as these can provide excellent opportunities for the astute investor.

With prices and interest rates at an affordable level and rental vacancy rates almost at crisis point, the market entry costs are affordable, there are ...

plenty of tenants and all of the experts are predicting rents will continue to rise yearly, possibly for as long as 10 years.

Unfortunately, a lot of people who are interested in buying investment properties don’t act as quickly as they should. They keep putting it off, using the excuse they are looking for the perfect property, or that they are waiting for the market to bottom, and then they regret it.

If you have ever heard anyone say – “I should have bought that back then” – well right now is BACK THEN.

Australia has a national housing shortfall in the order of a quarter of a million properties and that won’t be made up overnight.

The bottom line is that this housing shortage means the rental market will continue to show strong returns for smart investors.

Importantly, there are many motivated vendors who have to sell and in a quiet buyers market that is a rare set of circumstances.

It’s not a case of jumping in to buy the first affordable property that comes along.

Anyone wanting quality, long-term tenants need to buy in the right area and to select exactly the right type of property.

This is where the expertise of our staff comes in. We sit down with our clients, examine the market, look at the demographics of particular areas and the rental returns expected and then help them shortlist the most affordable and desirable properties.