We’ve all heard the horror stories of dodgy landlords who make their tenants lives hell. But what these landlords fail to realise is this fact – great landlords attract great tenants.

The benefits of being a good landlord

Creating a reputation as a great landlord serves you in many ways. It means happier tenants who are more likely to stay for the long-term. This, in turn, saves you money and stress in having to re-advertise your investment property when tenants leave; not to mention the many weeks of lost rental income in the meantime.

So if you want to be one of the goodies, not the baddies, here are a few essential tips to make your tenants truly feel at home in your home (and protect your investment along the way!).

1. A few welcoming essentials

Write a short welcome note letting them know how happy you are they’re calling your property home for a while, and that they should feel free to contact you directly with issues (or the real estate agent if they are handling queries for you).

Perhaps you can include a few items to ease the stress of moving day. Some milk and juice in the fridge, some fruit and bread on the counter, and some toilet paper in all the toilets will go a long way towards upping their appreciation level of you as their landlord.

2. Give them a neighbourhood overview

This tip is all about helping them smoothly transition into their new space. Create an introductory pack that contains:

1. Information about the local supermarket, milk bar, café, bakery & nearest park
2. A few local takeaway menus (they’ll love you for this one on moving in night!)
3. A note detailing bin night & any property nuances

3. Keep on top of maintenance issues

Maintenance issues do occur and it’s a good move to take action as soon as you can. Don’t be the landlord that is always unavailable. By responding quickly, you’ll show you care about your property. This will likely have a flow-on effect of making them care too.

4. Follow the rules

You have professional and legal responsibilities as a landlord, and there are things you should and should not do. The rules exist for a reason and, just like you want your tenant to abide by them, you need to follow them too. It’s your responsibility to ensure you understand what they are.

If you’re not sure or this worries you, consider engaging the services of a real estate agent to professionally manage your property. They can help you when it comes to knowing what you can do, and what they can handle on your behalf.

5. Be respectful

The first thing to remember here is your tenant is your customer, so act professionally when communicating with them.

The second thing is that even though the house (or apartment or unit) is yours, it’s your tenants’ home. Respect their time and tenancy by being flexible in arranging suitable times to fix maintenance issues. If you have a realtor doing this for you, tell them how important it is to you that your tenants’ time and privacy is respected.

Bonus tip: protect yourself

Even with the best intentions, things can go wrong. That’s why it’s important to keep electronic copies of all correspondence between yourself, your tenant and your real estate agent (if you have one). If there’s a dispute down the track, you have clear proof of what was said or agreed upon.

We hope these tips help you secure a fantastic tenant who not only appreciates the efforts you go to make their tenancy a great experience, but looks after your home as if it were their own.

You’ve finally found your new home or investment property and settlement is fast approaching. As the nerves begin to set, here are some great tips for a smooth settlement day.

1. Understand your settlement

Settlement day is that all-important moment when you finally take full ownership of your new property, marking the official transfer of the title from the seller to you. It also marks the day you have to pay the hefty balance of the agreed price!

Settlement generally occurs between 30 – 90 days after the contract of the sale has been signed, but can be later if both the seller and buyer agree.

When you arrange your finance through a lender or mortgage broker, they ensure the balance of the payment is available to be processed and transferred on this agreed settlement day, thereby making you the legal – and very happy – new owner of the property.

2. Understand your costs

From stamp duty to other outgoings, the cost of buying a property is more than just the agreed price. Make sure you understand every cent of associated costs before settlement day. If you fall short and can’t find the missing funds, you could find yourself in a lot of financial difficulty.

3. Secure insurance

It’s important to arrange building and contents insurance for your new home as soon as possible. Your lender will usually recommended you do this to protect their interest, but it protects yours as well.

A professional insurance broker can help you find the best possible deal and assist with picking the right insured amount for your property.

4. Check the boundaries

If you’ve engaged the services of a good conveyancer, they will double check your property’s boundaries to make sure they match the certificate of title. Depending on the age of your property and records available, they might also recommend title insurance to protect you against unforeseen title claims in the future.

5. Do your final inspection

Approximately a week before settlement date, you have the right to arrange a final property inspection. This is all about being sure the vendor hands the property over to you in the same condition as when you bought it. Contact the real estate agent who sold you the property to arrange this final inspection.

Note: if you have a conveyancer, they may do this for you so best to check with them first. They can be a great help to cross-check that all items listed in the contract of sale are in the house and in the right condition.

6. Collect the keys!

After you’ve had the call that your property has settled, it’s time to collect the keys. Then you can move in and stamp your style on your new home, or start the rental process and begin your life as a landlord. Either way, we wish you the best of luck!

We hope these six key tips ease any worries you have about your settlement day. Once you’re all settled in, your mind may turn to other ways to build wealth for the future. Investment properties are always a great option, and using the equity in your new home is the perfect way to get your foot even further up the property ladder.

If that’s something that interests you, schedule a free appointment to speak to us. We have plenty of tools at our disposal to help you crunch the numbers and work out if this a viable financial option for you.

Many people view being wealthy as a pipe dream; something they’d love to achieve but never will. But building your wealth via property investment doesn’t have to be difficult, provided you have the right mindset, a proper plan, a bit of persistence and good support along the way.

Here are three tips to get you started.

1. Think about the big picture

You first need to work out your ‘what’ and ‘why’. What do you want to achieve financially and why?

Perhaps it’s to build your wealth to make life easier for your family, especially if something bad happens such as an illness or injury.

Maybe your focus is on retirement and ensuring you’re comfortable in your golden years. It’s definitely a good ‘what’ and ‘why’, particularly when you consider 64% of Australians can’t retire at 65 due to insufficient finances (Australian Bureau of Statistics).

Or maybe you’re on the younger side and believe you’ve got plenty of time to plan for retirement. Your focus is likely only on the now, but you might want to have a re-think on that one as it will creep up before you know it!

2. Follow a proven system

Every successful person has a system that works for them; Bill Gates, Donald Trump, Roger Federer etc. The key is finding the right investment system for you.

Start by speaking to others who are already doing what you want to do. Ask them about their methodology, or for some reading recommendations. Perhaps they know other people who may be able to help as well, or be interested in mentoring and coaching you when have difficult decisions to make in your investment journey.

By doing these things, you will uncover the system that suits you, rather than wasting time going it alone and essentially ‘reinventing the wheel’.

One more thing to note: you will encounter naysayers who deride your chosen path. Try your best to ignore them, as if you’re following a proven system that’s worked for many others, there’s no reason it won’t work for you too.

3. Be persistent and stick to your plan

Building wealth is very much like building a house. You start with a great plan, build a solid foundation and then work up from there. You don’t abandon the build completely when you encounter a problem (and there’s always a problem when building!). You persevere until the end.

Sticking to your wealth creation plan and following that system requires the same amount of effort and persistence. Too many people give up at the first hurdle, preferring to pack it in rather do the hard yards. And you can bet they never end up being the wealthy ones!

Start building your wealth now. Don’t be like so many others who regret their late start, saying ‘Oh, how I wish I’d done that 10 years ago!’. This way, even if you don’t hit 100% of your target, you’ll be at least 80% of the way there and that puts you in a much better position than you are now.

Should you need further assistance with your wealth creation plan, such as assessing your affordability to purchase an investment property, please contact us.

The weather is slowly getting warmer which means the spring selling season is almost upon us. If you’re thinking about selling this spring, now’s the time to get your house looking its best to give you the best chance of getting a fantastic price for your property.

Here are our top nine spring selling tips.

1. Declutter

Decluttering is a fantastic way to increase the feeling of space throughout your home. A good way to start is by reviewing what you’ve used in the past 12 months, and what you haven’t.

Once you’ve done your review, pack away anything that is rarely used but still needed. Then throw away, donate, sell or recycle anything you no longer use or like, or anything that’s broken or damaged. Pay particular attention to piles of old paperwork. While this one can be hard going, it’s worth the trouble to clear out some space.

To create even more space, consider temporarily storing large items offsite, perhaps at a friend’s place or storage facility.

2. Clean, clean, clean

Giving your home a good spring clean has many benefits, not least of which is the potential to substantially UP your sale price.

When it comes to cleaning, it’s all in the details. Paying attention to the small things can really make a huge difference to a potential buyer.

So:

• Wash windows
• Dust blinds/wash curtains
• Steam clean carpets
• Tidy wardrobes
• Clean the oven
• Scrub all grouting
• Clean up pet or kid mess
• Trim garden bushes
• Edge lawns
• Remove all unwanted rubbish

3. Do a ‘smell’ test

After your mammoth cleaning effort, put your nostrils to the test. Does your home smell nice, or is there an off-putting odour lingering?

If it doesn’t smell nice, don’t mask it with air freshener. Seek out the source of the stink and address it.

When it’s time for your open house, consider introducing some welcoming scents such as freshly-cut flowers, brewed coffee and/or baked bread. 

4. Rethink your colour pallet

Offering potential buyers a blank canvas to work with allows them to easily envision your home as their own.

Try to remove any garish colours, whether that’s artwork or furniture. If your wall colours are a little outdated, consider giving them a repaint in neutral tones. It will do wonders in creating a much broader appeal. Extra tip: don’t forget the architraves and ceilings too!

5. Complete half-started repairs

No one wants to move into a home that has unfinished projects at every turn. Take the time to complete any outstanding projects, inside and outside. This includes attending to any minor repairs such as wall cracks or dents, dripping taps, broken tapware, cracked pathways etc.

6. Freshen up your fixtures

An easy way to modernise your home is to replace fittings and fixtures. Things like bathroom mirrors, taps, shower heads, cupboard handles and door knobs. These can all be replaced for very little money, and can make a massive difference to the visual appeal of your property.

7. Create an enticing entrance

What does your front door say about your home? Is the paint peeling off the door? Is the porch cluttered with leaf debris?

Your front entrance is your chance to create the right first impression so do your best to make it inviting. This might include painting the front door, replacing the doormat and hardware, cleaning the porch and removing clutter such as excess pot plants.

8. Stage your space

While many of us don’t have the budget to engage an interior design expert, there are some subtle changes you can make yourself to create a welcoming environment.

Think about rearranging furniture and decorative items to enhance your living space. There are plenty of YouTube videos chock-full of tips on the subject.

Another tip is to consider storing items that aren’t in the best condition. Then rent a few statement pieces and artwork for the short-term. These finer touches can really impress buyers during your sales campaign, and net you a tidy profit that will easily cover the rental fees.

9. Understand your real price

Spend some time looking at recent sales in your area so you can be realistic about your potential property price. Being in the know about the wider current market helps too. This information is really useful when deciding how much you should spend on pre-sale touch ups and presentation.

We hope these nine spring sales tips will help you with your upcoming property sale. If you need further assistance when it comes to your finances for your new home, just let us know. We’d love to help.

Paying off your mortgage quickly has many advantages, the biggest of which is a lot of extra cash in your pocket! Our working example shows you potentially just how much.

Hopefully these numbers clearly demonstrate what you could save in the long-term. But the real benefit lies in how you can utilise those excess funds. Maybe save for an investment property, or add it to your super nest egg? Perhaps it’s just as simple as enjoying the feeling of being stress-free knowing you no longer need to make those mortgage repayments.

If paying off your loan faster sounds like something you’d like to do, here are a few ways to go about it.

1. Reduce your interest rate

Finding a better interest rate can greatly reduce the total amount you pay over the life of your loan.

There are two ways to cut down on the amount of interest you pay. You can either:

1. speak to your current lender about reducing your rate, or
2. refinance with another lender with a better rate

We recommend exploring option A first. Many lenders are happy to give you a better interest rate to retain your mortgage. Our tip is to ensure you present them with a competitor’s deal that is better. Using this tactic can offer you a genuine saving, without all the hassle of switching.

Choosing option B and refinancing can be a little bit more work, but with the help of a mortgage broker, can be well worth the effort. A good mortgage broker will make sure the costs associated with switching to another lender are quickly recouped by the savings you’ll make with your new interest rate. We’d be happy to help you on that front.

2. Make extra repayments to save years and thousands of dollars

Unless you have an interest-only loan, your mortgage repayments pay off both the principal and interest. On an average 25-year mortgage, any extra payments you make during the first five to eight years of your home loan directly cut down your interest, and reduce the life of your mortgage.

There are some limits though. Some fixed rate mortgages come with restrictions on how much extra you’re allowed to repay over the life of the loan. It’s always a good idea to check with your mortgage professional before making extra repayments to see what is and isn’t allowed.

3. Adjust your mortgage repayments according to the current interest rate

When interest rates drop – as they currently have – you will see a subsequent reduction in your mortgage repayment rate. While it’s tempting to sit back and enjoy the extra cash flow, we recommend you don’t. Instead, maintain your repayments at the same rate. This way you’ll pay off more of your loan faster, without noticing any extra financial stress.

As you can see, there are quite a few things to consider if you want to pay off your mortgage faster. But doing so could put you on the road to financial freedom that much quicker.

The ideal way to decide if it’s the best solution for your financial needs is to speak with a mortgage broking specialist. At Professional Partners, it’s our job to do the hard yards on behalf of our clients and present you with all the options to help you to develop the right strategy for your financial circumstances. Give us a call to find out more.

You would think people purchasing their second home would be well in the know about the process. But some surprising new Westpac statistics show this is not the case.

The Westpac findings

According to Westpac’s latest Home Ownership report, almost half of ‘next home buyers’ have no clue when it comes to a number of important financial concepts.

The report found:

• 49% didn’t understand the meaning of term ‘equity’
• 48% failed to grasp the concept of an offset account
• 41% didn’t know what refinancing meant

Another key finding related to auctions with 56% of survey respondents saying they were too scared to purchase a property via this method.

Considering these buyers have already been through the process of a buying a home, it’s quite alarming to discover this significant education gap around basic purchase fundamentals.

More Aussies looking to the professionals for help

As buying property is a major life decision with huge financial ramifications, it’s natural you want to get it right. The best way to do this is to educate yourself about the home buying process.

If that sounds a little daunting, other great option is to seek out some expert advice. If you do, you’ll be in the same boat as 73% of respondents from the Westpac report. They said they’d gladly turn to the professionals – such as mortgage brokers – to further understand the nuances involved in obtaining finance and buying their next home, and ensure they got it right.

Lean on us

Should you find yourself needing to fill knowledge gaps in buying your next home or investment, we can help. With many years of experience behind us, we can assist in navigating the sometimes tricky terrain of purchasing another property.

Moving can be a stressful time. Why add to the stress by choosing the wrong removalist and risk ending up with a new house full of broken items?

If you’re not sure what you need to look for in a top-notch removalist, here are six key tips to follow. They’ll help ensure your move is a safe and easy one.

1. Check their reviews

The first, and perhaps most important step, is to do your research. And when it comes to removalists, it’s worth spending time thoroughly vetting them. You can do this in a number of ways:

• Ask your friends, family or colleagues for their recommendations

If they’ve had a positive experience, chances are you will too.

• Hunt online

Look for recent, consistent positive reviews. Read company website testimonials but also check out third-party review websites so you get some impartial reviews too.

2. Look for professional qualifications

Your stuff is important so it’s critical you select a company with the proper credentials who will properly take care of it all during the move.

In Australia, any removalist that is accredited with the Australian Furniture Removers Association (AFRA) must meet certain standards. Picking a removalist that is AFRA accredited ups the chances they’ll do a great job with your valuables, and give you peace of mind in the process.

3. Obtain multiple quotes and compare

Get at least two quotes from a few different companies so you can compare. Doing it this way means you’ll not only get the best possible deal, but also have the chance to assess different removalist methods and judge what’s best for your belongings.

4. Evaluate the removalist’s assessment and estimate process

A professional removalist should come to your house and talk you through the whole process. They should assess what needs moving and provide an estimate, both in volume (cubic metres) and cost.

Bonus points go to the removalist who takes the time to highlight any potential difficulties such as access (think stairways or tight spaces), oversized furniture or fragile/expensive items. They will then tell you what special precautions they’ll take to navigate difficulties, or look after your valuables. This includes discussing how they’ll pack, protect and transport them during the move.

5. Decide on your preferred packing method

Before the big move, there’s plenty of packing that needs doing. You can opt to do it yourself and if so, the company should give you packing materials and some helpful tips on how best to pack it all up.

Alternatively, you could consider using a specialist packing team, but this all depends on your budget.

6. Get moving insurance

Even with the best laid plans, things can (and do) go wrong. That’s why you should adequately protect yourself by taking out moving insurance cover.

So those are six tips to help you find the right removalist company for your big move. Good luck!

Yes, the property market has hit the skids. If you’re thinking about selling, perhaps you feel now is the worst time. But that’s not necessarily the case.

While the market has slowed, it is still possible to sell well and re-purchase – you just need to be savvier in how you go about it.

The current state of play

The key to selling in a slow market is understanding. The most important thing to recognise is the property market is cyclical, with clear upward and downward trends. When we hit slow/low market times (as we have now), we have to adjust our tactics according to the new environment to ensure they work for – rather than against – us.

Here are six ways to do this.

1. Adjust your market expectation

In a slow market, the value of your house is directly aligned with what a buyer is prepared to pay, nothing more or less.

2. Don’t buy before you sell

When real estate times are tough, don’t put extra pressure on yourself to sell your existing home quickly and cheaply simply because you’ve already bought another property and have to move. Give yourself some space!

3. Take the time to prepare your property

As the saying goes, first impressions count. If your house looks good on the outside, people will want to come inside!

Take a critical look at your home’s façade and do what’s necessary to increase its street appeal. This means using some elbow grease to clean, clean, clean. Think windows, roof, brickwork, driveway etc.

Inside, pay close attention to the kitchen, family room, bathroom and master bedroom. These are your big selling points. Do some or all of the following:

• Scrub bathrooms (yes, all that grouting!)
• Clean soft furnishings (curtains, cushions, rugs etc)
• Perform minor repairs (fill small plaster or wood cracks)
• Paint

On that last point, a fresh coat of paint does wonder for your sale price. We can’t stress this enough! It’s a relatively cheap option but the rewards are immense. And while you’re at it, be sure to cover any ceiling watermarks.

4. Choose the right agent

In leaner times, the right agent can mean the difference between a good sale price and a great one. A good way to secure an excellent agent is to seek recommendations from family, friends or colleagues.

When you have a list, interview them. Ask them about their:

1. Sales approach
2. Marketing plan (including advertising costs)
3. Commission structure

When talking to them, ask yourself whether you feel they’re being honest and realistic. Many agents will readily agree to list your property at the value you want, rather than discussing its real market value. Then when your home hits the market, they’ll rush back to you with one excuse or another to cut the price (to the true market value) to get the sale. This causes an immense amount of stress and disappointment. It’s much better to begin the relationship with clear, achievable expectations.

5. Set a realistic price

Spend some time researching what other homes in your area are selling for. Your agent can help here, provided they’re a good one, of course! This assists in setting the right price for yours.

The other thing to keep in mind is that buyers do their homework just like you will, so you’ll likely be presented with a price that’s reflective of the current market. Therefore, it’s best to start off on the right foot by setting your property price correctly and accepting that it is what it is.

You should also understand that during slow times, buyers up the ante when it comes to bargain hunting. They’ll expect to negotiate wayyyy below the asking price. This might not be the news you want to hear, but you need to remember that you will also be buying in this lower market, negotiating in a similar way on your new property in the near future.

We hope these few steps will help you feel confident in getting your property ready to sell in these slower times.

If your interest only (IO) loan period is up, perhaps you’re wondering whether you should try to extend it, or switch to a principal and interest (P & I) loan.

It’s a tricky decision particularly when you consider the fact that banks are now tightening their lending conditions, especially for investors. This crackdown is making it infinitely harder to extend an IO period, or refinance.

IO loans

With an IO loan, your repayments only cover the interest on what you’ve borrowed. It does not reduce the principal amount. When the interest only period ends, you’re faced with two choices:

1. Try to extend the IO period or,
2. Completely refinance to a P & I loan

In the current climate, either of these options is tricky.

Which option should I take?

If the home you purchased is your permanent residence, then trying to extend your IO period may not be in your best interests. IO loans provide short-term benefits – such as smaller repayments – but could end up costing you more interest in the long run.

But if your home is an investment property, an IO loan may work out to be the better choice, particularly when you consider the interest is usually tax deductible.

Note: you should discuss this scenario with your tax advisor/accountant. And don’t forget  the principal needs to repaid at some point too.

Further help

Securing an IO extension or switching over to a P & I loan can be complex. It’s vital to understand the nuances between the banks to ensure you’re getting the best deal, not the bank.

If you have an IO loan and are thinking of refinancing or extending your IO period, please get in touch. With many years of mortgage brokerage experience behind us, we’d love to help demystify the process.