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The number of properties for sale is building as tree changers and sea-changers put suburban houses on the market to fund their lifestyle move.
Have you noticed that the rise of the professional Property Advocate is here ? There are more and more people suddenly claiming to be a Buyer’s Agent, with many having NEVER worked in the real estate industry.
Consumers are being urged to make sure their buyers’ agency is licensed and wholly independent.
Currently every State and Territory in Australia has different licensing requirements so you need to make sure that the agency you’re dealing with holds a real estate qualification for the state that you’ll be buying in.
“The re-election of the Coalition government has cleared the way for investors to come back into the market. The near miss of Labor being elected and their negative gearing and capital gains tax property policies being implemented goes to show that investors shouldn’t rest on their laurels and assume that they can take their time when it comes to entering into the property market.
As an expert in property investing and founding CEO of Property Mavens (property investment advisory firm) Miriam Sandkuhler frequently gets asked her expert opinion on the industry.
There is a flurry of newly graduated "buyers agents" in the marketplace, having done a 5 week non - RTO online course and now passing themselves of as ‘experts’ with NO experience. Many have never worked in the industry before !
Property Maven’s CEO Miriam Sandkuhler took some time to give her professional opinions on the trends in property investing in Australia for 2018. While she warns that she does not have a crystal ball she can say with certainty that what she is “forecasting won’t change unless there's an independent (or combination of) substantial adjustments to economic performance, employment, or interest rates escalating.”
As an expert in property investing and founding CEO of Property Mavens (property investment advisory firm) Miriam Sandkuhler frequently gets asked her expert opinion on what makes a property a good investment.
Property is a wise investment, if you’re smart about it. It is also a big step and even the smartest people can make mistakes if they don’t have the right information and professionals helping them. Miriam Sandkuhler, CEO of Property Mavens (property investment advisory firm) shares the top 5 mistakes she has seen smart people make over the years of running her property advisory firm and offers up some great tips on how you can avoid making those same mistakes.
Miriam Sandkuhler, CEO of Property Mavens (independent property advisory firm) gets candid about the top 3 fears that prevent property investors from buying. From years of experience and expertise, she sheds light on these common fears and how to get beyond them.
Do you want to secure your financial independence by investing in property? “People fail all the time but never talk about it” according to expert Buyer’s Agent Miriam Sandkuhler. In her many years of experience, she has seen a lot of mistakes, for example, “people buy a property based on biased advice only to have it lose value five years later.
As a property investor you have worked hard to have the extra income to invest in property and seeing an increase in capital outcome is important. Beware of the hidden pitfalls when making a property choice. You don't want to make an expensive mistake. Expert Buyer’s Agent Miriam Sandkuhler reminds investors to “avoid the mistake of thinking that free advice is good advice.”
Have you been thinking about getting into property investing? You may feel excited, confident and ready to jump in, however there is fundamental groundwork and education that needs to be done before venturing out into the tricky world of property investing.
Property investing: How hard can it be, right? It’s an easy way to get wealthy. You research around, find a property you like in an area you like with good amenities and you purchase it. After all, all properties double in value every 7 years. Wrong!
So, you have decided to buy a home or investment property. Great! Between the time you make that decision and the time you sign papers to make an actual purchase a lot of steps have to be taken. What buyers often underestimate is the power of having a buyer’s agent in their corner. You may have thought you can represent yourself on this important and expensive transaction of purchasing a property.
Purchasing a property as an investment or as a home can be a painful process. First you need the skills required to find a property that matches your criteria and then there is the risk of overpaying or missing out on the property if you don’t act fast enough.
A home buyer may face different challenges than a property investor, but regardless of your circumstance a buyer’s agent can help ease the blow of searching for a property and ultimately purchasing it.
Purchasing a home can seem daunting. After all it is a big decision with many factors to consider. It is one thing to have buyers remorse over a $200 sweater, but another to change your mind on your “dream” home after having spent hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Buyer’s Agent Miriam Sandkuhler has seen it all after working extensively with home buyers and she shares what pitfalls to avoid before making a purchase that can save you from feeling more than disappointed.
What are some of the things that you need to consider in buying a home or investing in property?
Important Criteria to Consider as Homebuyer or Property Investor
There are different drivers in play when a home buyer searches for a home to purchase versus an investor looking for an investment property. Key factors such as primary objectives, personal criteria, and emotion play important roles on what, where and how you choose it. If you are looking to purchase a home or investment property then these are some points to be aware of.
July 2017 - Statistics show that the majority of property investors own just one investment property. The rise of the renting generation has been widely reported in recent times, and this seems like a sound leasing opportunity if you buy right.
July 2017 - Buying property is much like a game: the seller wants the highest price they can get for the house, and the buyer wants to buy at the right price. Add a real estate agent to the mix and you’ll need to play your cards right to ‘win’ the prize.
June 2017 - You’ve prepped the house, you’ve enlisted a property agent, your house has been photographed, and the advertising campaign is in full swing. Everything is going as planned and you’re feeling confident. Then, come auction day, you don’t receive any bids. After your initial confidence, this is likely to leave you feeling very disheartened.
June 2017 - It’s one of the most difficult decisions homeowners will make: Do I buy a new home before selling my existing one, or wait until it’s sold? Along the different stages of life, most homebuyers will consider moving location, upsizing or downsizing their homes at some point. So, when it comes to making this big decision, how do you decide which course to take?
May 2017 - The Block is a reality TV series on the Nine Network that follows four couples competing against one another to renovate and auction off properties. If there's anything that property buyers and property investors can get from the TV series, it’s an insight to the reality of what goes on in renovating and developing properties.
Building a property portfolio requires careful assessment of many factors related to aspects such as market conditions, financial requirements, the economic outlook, historical data and individual property analysis. Your personal goals, plans and risk tolerance should also be considered.
Australia has become synonymous with real estate, where investing in property has become a national pastime with a large percentage of Australians either owning their own property or looking at entering the market. While people will generally set positive & sometimes lofty goals, only a small percentage are able to fully follow through with their plans.
While the idea of buying your first investment property in Melbourne may be exciting, it brings with it a level of complexity and stress that you may not foresee. There’s much more involved than simply signing your name on the contract. The process can be overwhelming, especially for one who lacks knowledge about the entire process.
Being new to property investment may appear daunting however it’s an ideal time to consider and employ an effective real estate investment strategy. The ever resilient property market is seeing young professionals in their early twenties venture into investing, one property at a time.
Property investors need solid foundations to base their decisions on, that should comprise of the right information and property market know-how to be successful. Otherwise, it’s just a game and the players are only gambling. Here are some of the fundamentals to profitable real estate investing.
You will have seen this weekend’s auction clearance rates record. Melbourne’s clearance rate jumped from 69.2 percent last weekend to 79 percent this weekend. This is also a reflection of it being the first major auction weekend post the January holiday period. With interest rates still low, first home buyers, investors and up-graders in the market, now appears as good a time as any to buy property. Especially in the lead up to the Easter period late April.
As little girls growing up, we have all seen the Disney animated fairy tales where the prince rescues the commoner and falls in love, or the Hollywood movie ‘happy ever after’ endings.
As women, we have been conditioned from a very young age by the media, the entertainment industry and even our families to assume we will meet our dream man (or woman), settle down and maybe even have children. And of course, we will live happily ever after…
Negotiating property is not a single skill but an entire arsenal comprising of research, strategy, psychology and when the occasion calls for it, plain instinct. Each situation is unique and is composed of several factors including people, which lends a certain amount of unpredictability to every instance. Knowing the foundation of what makes a successful negotiation allows you to steer through unexpected occurrences, to get the best deal for you.
Buying real estate is a major, long-term investment whether it’s for business or personal goals so decisions should be well thought-out based on the right information. Increasingly, investors and home buyers are opting to hire a buyer’s agent to help them with purchasing property. The buyer’s agent or buyer’s advocate’s job is to find real estate that meets your goals and negotiate the sale on your behalf.
The property sector portrays property investment as a simple, straightforward exercise that anyone can do. Selling agents and property spruikers have dumbed down the buying and investing process for decades. However there’s ample evidence that indicates that there are many people that do not do it well.
Despite the ongoing reference to a bursting bubble, house prices in Melbourne continue to thrive. This is fantastic for those who have already entered the market, however for those who haven’t, it may seem like the concept of buying property is simply out of reach. During the September quarter, the median house price across Melbourne increased by 3.2% to $740,000 according to the REIV. In addition, there was a clearance rate of nearly 80% which is the highest number seen in 7 years.
Many years ago now, before I even worked in the finance world, I was a property investor and I was looking for someone that could give me advice around that and also how my properties fit into my overall plan. After going to a couple of Financial Planners I realised they weren’t able to help me with my full financial picture including properties, and didn’t share my excitement around investing in property. If anything, they tried to talk me out of it.
Back to the current day, and more property purchases later, Profolio is here, and aims to fill the gap in the market property investors have been screaming out for.
Your team of experts are the most important people in your financial life. This includes your Accountant, Lawyer, Mortgage Broker, Financial Planner, and of course Buyers Agent. You need to ensure your team is working together and working towards the same common goal; supporting you. You need to be very selective when building your team and ensure you choose professiona
So you’ve decided to get into real estate and you’re beginning the preparations to acquire your first property investment in one of Melbourne’s suburbs. You’ve got professionals or families in mind, who want a home situated in an area that’s serene where they can relax after work. At the end of a long day, they don’t want to be reminded of the office with the sights and sounds of a skyscraper jungle. That makes the middle to outer ring suburbs the perfect location for a home.
A qualified and skilled buyer’s agent will discuss your risk profile and that of your strategy with you before you buy. If you want to buy property in Melbourne, then consult with a local expert. Due to inherent market knowledge, a buyer’s agent in Melbourne is able to give you important local insights, compared with an advocate based elsewhere.
A common problem for investors is keeping the value of their portfolio up-to-date and this is especially true for investors in the current Melbourne real estate market. The industry is experiencing a very robust period and prices are increasing as more foreign nationals gain interest in acquiring property in this world-famous city. There are several ways to make sure you know the current value of your investment property in Melbourne.
If you are contemplating whether or not to utilise the services of a buyer’s agent in Melbourne, when selecting a property to invest in, keep in mind that real estate holds a unique category when it comes to negotiating. It entails a lot of knowledge, experience and a certain set of skills to clinch a successful deal. On top of that, competition is tough in desired locations and the process is often emotional. Negotiating requires sharp analytical skills, adequate understanding of human psychology, great self-control and a strong intuition.
Getting an education in real estate may be a viable option as opposed to hiring a licensed buyer’s agent or advocate but it’s not always a practical alternative. To achieve the required level of knowledge can be a full time commitment and many people simply don’t have the luxury of time.
You may not realise it but your investment property in Melbourne could be providing you with more tax deductions than you realise. More and more property owners are learning the different ways to reduce property related taxes legally. Are you already one of them? How long have you owned your property? There are dollars to be saved and it’s not too late. This article might give you a helpful tip or two.
Entering the Melbourne real estate market brings a mix of emotions - the excitement of living and owning a home in such a vibrant city and the apprehension of the cost. Whether you want to buy property in Melbourne or another part of the country, scoring your own home can be either a fun or stressful experience. In many cases it’s likely to be a bit of both, even if it’s not your first home.
Deciding whether or not to invest in the Melbourne real estate market is a tricky decision to make. The city’s popularity worldwide is growing and with good reason. Who wouldn’t want to live in this famed city of rich culture and enviable urban feats? After consistently ranking as one of the most liveable cities in the world for years, it’s no wonder Melbourne is receiving global attention. Investors and foreign buyers are entering the local real estate market, intensifying competition. As a result, it continues to drive property prices up. Now residents are faced with a big question: is this the right time to purchase a property?
Home buying may appear straightforward however it can be quite a challenge. It involves large sums of money, numerous legal processes and conflicting advice is available. It's easy to get lost in all the confusion and chaos. Furthermore, some home buyers tend to repeat the same costly mistakes over and over again.
Why would you want to buy property in Melbourne? Answer: why wouldn’t you? Whether it’s a home to live in or an investment, there are loads of people out there itching to find property in this beautiful city. Brad Esposito, a BuzzFeed reporter in Australia said it well, “To live in Melbourne is to curse everywhere else you live for the rest of your life.”
Property investment has long been considered a reliable long-term investment for people in Melbourne and across Australia. For some, purchasing and managing investment properties is their core investment strategy, whilst for others it forms part of a broader investment portfolio. Before you can take the plunge, here are simple tips to guide you.
The popularity of real estate investments has been steadily increasing in recent years. This type of investment has become a common investment vehicle and has proven to be an avenue for creating wealth. While the real estate market brings about many opportunities, purchasing and owning a property entails a lot of hard work. To get you started, here's a quick look at three types of real estate investments.
What is a buyer's agent?
It’s a term you may be familiar with, but do you know what a buyer’s agent actually does? Buyer’s agents are licensed professionals who find, evaluate and negotiate a property purchase on behalf of a buyer. They manage the buyer’s interests ensuring the buying process is smooth and leads to a positive outcome.
Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions you will ever make and also one of the most rewarding. There are a range of online tools available to help you find your dream home, however knowing when to purchase a home is a challenge. There are a number factors to take into consideration and one of them is timing. Timing is very important when buying real estate. From a market perspective, you should aim to purchase a property at a time when the market is trending or predicted to trend positively. In addition, it is important to consider your current employment and lifestyle situation to identify if the timing is right for you.
Investing in property can be a great long-term investment, whether it’s for personal use or as a source of income. However, finding the right property investment in Melbourne that matches your financial goals is not easy. Given the wide range of options, choosing a property to invest in can be overwhelming.
Choosing the right property to buy is no easy task and can be overwhelming for first time buyers. Lack of real estate knowledge is one of the main reasons why home buyers opt to hire agents to assist them. They provide you with the information you need, to make an informed property purchasing decision. However finding a good agent is a challenge, given the number of buyer’s agents available.
Property investing may look easy but things aren’t always what they seem. Buying investment properties require a huge sum of money you simply can’t afford to waste and legal processes which may be too complex for you to deal with on your own. What can make things more confusing is that you may get conflicting advice.
If you have been considering buying a home, this question may have been one of the first to come to mind. While you can always choose to conduct the research, selection and purchasing on your own, it may not always be the best option. This is especially true if it’s your first time purchasing property.
Risk is the extent to which you are willing to expose yourself to loss. As individuals, when it comes to money, some of us may be more or less conservative than others. Risk profiles can range between conservative, cautious, prudent, assertive and aggressive.
The challenge with buying property in a rising market is to keep pace with the market and to and adjust your buying strategy accordingly, and if necessary, quickly. It’s not helped by the fact that in Victoria, when selling agents recommend the auction method to their vendors, the campaign inevitably starts off with either no disclosed price or bait pricing. This is where the campaign pricing starts low and then increases each week according to ‘buyer’ feedback.
I had a conversation with an acquaintance recently about her challenging financial position, and her strong desire to buy a home for herself on a limited budget. She was disheartened until I casually mentioned a concept for her to consider, which gave her hope for the future and inspired her re a positive outcome.
I attended, bid and secured a property for my client this weekend in a prestigious inner bay side suburb of Melbourne. There were approximately 100 people attending and 3 bidders in total. While happy with the outcome for my client, I felt for the other bidders, and those that were knocked out as soon as I presented my first bid at $2.1 million. I knew from the time I appraised it that it wasn’t worth less than $2.4 million and it wasn’t a surprise to me when the property was declared for sale at $2.425 million. I secured it for my client at $2.605 million.