Buyer tips and tools - Buyers Agent Guide

Clincher: a new service connecting property buyers with buyer’s agents

Buyers Agent Guide would like to introduce you to our new sister site, Clincher.

Clincher promotes the expertise of agents, saving buyers time by acting as a matchmaker between them and agents specialised in specific locations and property types. The site was developed in response to increasing demand for buyers agent recommendations from visitors to Buyers Agent Guide. Clincher wants to see more people get a buyer agent’s help to clinch a great deal.

If you are a buyer’s agent or advocate and want to be added to the database of independent, Australianlicensed buyer’s agents then visit www.clincher.com.au to complete your profile and increase the chances of being matched with buyers looking for property in your area. (more…)

by David Tomlins no comments

Can I build a Granny flat (secondary dwelling) on my property?

The popularity of granny flats has increased significantly in recent years, driven predominately through media coverage. In this post we touch on some tips and steps to evaluating if you should construct a granny flat on your property.

Granny flats are often pitched as a great investment with strong rental returns as well as adding value to the existing dwelling. At the outset I admit I am not a subscriber to this strategy however do acknowledge in some instances, with the right conditions, they can stack up as an investment decision.

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by David Tomlins no comments

Can I subdivide my property: Required services and creating value?

Are you looking to see if you can subdivide your current property or trying to find an investment property that can be subdivided?

This is the second post in a two part series that walks you through the steps and tips, which you should consider in order to identify the key facts about a property. The first post ‘Can I subdivide my property: Planning schemes?’ covered what is classified as subdividing and how to establish if a property lot can be subdivided.

Series Cont. (more…)

by David Tomlins no comments

Can I subdivide my property: Planning schemes?

Are you looking to see if you can subdivide your current property or trying to find an investment property that can be subdivided?

This is the first post in a two part series that walks you through the steps and tips, which you should consider in order to identify the key facts about a property e.g. lot size, zoning, overlays, neighbourhood plans etc. From these facts you can start applying the subdivision planning approval process of your local council.

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by David Tomlins no comments

Real estate contracts and electronic signatures

Whether you are a property investor, buyer’s agent, or real estate agent at some point you have likely had to deal with the scramble of finding a printer and scanner in the middle of nowhere to execute a real estate contract that is time critical.

Fortunately technology solutions have progressed considerably in online document management and electronic signatures over the prior few years. To the extent that if you can receive a mobile signal, seamless curation and execution of real estate contracts can easily be achieved over mobile devices within minutes, not hours.

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by David Tomlins no comments

How to check if a buyer’s agent is licensed?

When engaging the services of a buyer’s agent you should ensure they, or the buyer’s agency, are licensed to act on your behalf in the state or territory you are purchasing property in. There are different licensing requirements in all states and territories, and there have been instances of agents acting outside legislation by representing buyer’s in jurisdictions where they don’t hold a licence. (more…)

by David Tomlins no comments

Value of a vendor advocate

Buyer’s agents offering vendor advocacy services have become far more widespread, particularly in Melbourne. A vendor advocate is an independent agent who acts on the behalf of the seller of a property, predominately to advise on which real estate agent should be used to market a property, and to hold the agent accountable.

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by David Tomlins no comments

How to bid at auction: What happens if the auction is passed in?

Are you interested in knowing how to bid at auction? This series will help you better understand how to equip yourself to secure the best outcome at a property auction.

This is the second post in a two part series. See our previous piece here – How to bid at auction: Be prepared. (more…)

by David Tomlins no comments

How to bid at auction: Be prepared.

Are you interested in knowing how to bid at auction? This series will help you better understand how to equip yourself to secure the best outcome at a property auction.

This is the first post in a two part series.

Bidding at auction isn’t a walk in the park. Having a well-planned strategy is essential to securing the right property at the right price. Experience plays a huge role in bidders’ chances of success at auctions, so it is essential that you not only arm yourself with relevant information for the auction itself, but also plan your approach should the property be passed in and you need to start negotiating on the fly.

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by David Tomlins no comments

Property investing using Airbnb

Have you considered branching out and exploring other avenues of revenue income from your property portfolio?

The benefits and pitfalls of owning or investing in a holiday house have been well covered by the property investment community. Typically, investors are lured by the promise of high rental yields, not to mention the novelty of owning a little piece of paradise. With all that excitement it can be easy to overlook the risks of seasonal variances in occupancy, high maintenance costs and changes to property management contracts. However, there are ways to mitigate these risks.

In this post we examine an emerging trend that offers an attractive opportunity to investors and property owners. It also highlights a growing sector that rental owners and property managers should be aware of. (more…)