Tips for Buying a Queensland Property Out-of-State

Tips for Buying a Queensland Property Out-of-State

by Property Investment Tips

Buying a home in a different state can be exceptionally stressful, particularly when they are not familiar with the new location. Buyers from out of state may be at a disadvantage in the real estate transaction because it is likely that they are not familiar with the best areas, school districts, local and state legislation, or anything else, for that matter.

However, there are a few different avenues you can take to get assistance in the event that you are struggling with this obstacle, and this article discusses them. Below are some tips that can facilitate a successful and satisfactory home purchase in another state.

Contact a Good Buyers Agency Queensland

The most prudent move a person willing to make a property purchase can make when moving to a new state is to work with a buyers agent there. Do not ask a selling agent for representation because it is highly likely that they work on behalf of the seller.

A listing agent’s responsibility is to sell a particular listing at the greatest possible price and on terms that are favorable for the seller. This may be in direct opposition to the best interests you, the customer, buying property.

Tips for Buying a Queensland Property Out-of-State

On the contrary, buyer’s agents in the Queensland or Brisbane property market represent the interests of purchasers. They will not reveal any personal information about property buyers without first receiving consent.

They enter into a fiduciary relationship with property buyers, which is a contractually obligated agreement to behave in the best financial interests of their clients, and then they bargain on their behalf in the buying process.

Many prospective property buyers are directed to a Brisbane buyer’s agent by members of their family, friends, or coworkers. A referral is an ideal approach to locate buyers agency; however, property purchasers who are moving to a new location rarely have the luxury of creating contacts quickly enough to trust a referral source.

Our buyers agency Queensland have proven to be your best source to find the right property because over the years we have build our profile at buyers agency Queensland from customer satisfaction and referrals. Thus, we are poised to give you the best service in buying property to earn more trust and referrals.

Your search for a particular property should absolutely include the assistance of a buyer’s agency. our buyer’s agents are typically experts in the local Queensland and brisbane property market, and as such, we are in a position to advise you on the best course of action to take in the purchase process.

Employ an Investment Property Specialist

There is, in fact, a category of professional known as a relocation specialist. You are able to delegate the task of finding a real estate agent to a specialist, and most of these individuals will even go the extra mile to assist you with moving issues when the time comes.

If you are moving because of a transfer, your company may make arrangements for a professional mover. If this is not the case, try searching the internet for “relocation specialist” or “relocation expert” in conjunction with the proper city or ZIP code, and see what results you get.

How to Look for a Buyers Agent Without Employing a Buyers Agency

Find online listings of properties that are currently up for sale in the area that you have selected. You can easily determine which real estate brokers list the majority of the homes in a given area’s communities. Although this indicates that they most likely focus on representing sellers, recognizing them will at least allow you to exclude other agents from consideration.

Conduct searches using relevant keywords, such as “downtown Denver buyer’s agent.” Look for exclusive buyer brokerages that focus entirely on buyer representation and do not accept any listings at all. These are the brokerages you want to work with.

It is possible that a different agent will wind up representing you. That is not necessarily a negative thing, but when you’re moving, it is especially important to work with someone who has experience in the field.

Attend Open Houses

Even though the agent who is advertising the property is typically the one hosting the open house, buyers’ agents frequently attend open houses in order to scout out possible homes for their clients.

Always be on the lookout for anyone who presents themselves in a professional manner and who appears to know the hosting agent. Simply asking, “Are you an agent?” is all that is required of you.

Inquire about obtaining a business card. If the real estate agent seems informed and your personalities seem to be a good fit for each other, then you should seek up more information on the agent’s website.

Pay particular attention to the number of house sales an agent has successfully completed. If you are unable to locate such information, there is most likely a good reason for it.

Ask for Referrals

Many real estate agents who specialize in listing properties never really work with purchasers, but they are familiar with excellent agents who work for other companies and who do. Some collaborate with other buyers agents on their teams.

When a buyer is referred to another agency by one agent, the first agent may be eligible for a referral fee. That can encourage a listing agent to assist you in some way. To reiterate, there is no danger in inquiring about it.

Look at Homes

Your buyer’s real estate agent might send you daily emails from the multiple listing service (MLS) containing new listings and price reductions on properties. The majority of these postings will feature extra images and sometimes even virtual tours.

You can inquire for further information about any residences that may be of interest to you, and then you can fly into town on a Friday night and spend Saturday and Sunday seeing homes.

Today, it is very simple to submit an offer from a distance, provided that you are prepared to do so. Now, prospective buyers can sign offers electronically without ever having to leave the comfort of their own homes.

How to Complete Transactions Simultaneously in Another State

When a buyer is selling their current house to purchase a new one in another state, coordinating a simultaneous closing can be extremely challenging, if not downright impossible. Most financial institutions won’t support a loan for a buyer to purchase a home unless they have received evidence proving that the buyer has successfully sold their current residence.

In most cases, the following is what winds up occurring:

  1. The sale of the buyer’s current house is finalized.
  2. The documentation is faxed to the closer overseeing the buyer’s purchase, and the funds are wired to the closer.
  3. The buyer’s lender funds.
  4. The closing on the buyer’s brand-new home has taken place.

Although it can be challenging to perfectly time both closes, especially from a distance, it is not impossible to do so.

Maintain tight and consistent communication with both of your agents throughout the entire process to ensure that everything goes according to plan.

Conclusion

To know the best timing for the right property in the Brisbane property market, and when to take the best opportunity in property purchase, our buyer’s agent recommends that you follow the right buying process for your particular property. Contact the best buyers agents Queensland for the best results.

At buyers agency Queensland, we always have the interest of our clients at the centre of our operations. Working with our experts Brisbane Buyer’s Agents, you can be rest assured you are getting the right property.

Related: How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Queensland Buyers Agency?

How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Queensland Buyers Agency?

How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Queensland Buyers Agency?

by Property Investment Tips

If you are considering using a real estate agents or buyer agents in Queensland, the price will certainly be an essential consideration for you. It is essential to have a solid understanding of how much money property buyers can pay a buyer’s agency as well as whether or not their services are worth the cost when buying property.

If you have a Queensland or Brisbane buyers agent who is unable to negotiate well to bring down the overall cost of purchasing the property that you want to buy, then their commission is too high. However, if you can locate buyers agency like Buyers Agency Australia who can help you cut costs, the commission they charge is typically reasonable and justified.

This article provides some general statistics on the costs of a buyer’s agent, especially for a buyers agency in Queensland, to assist you in determining how much this will cost.

How Do Buyers Agency Charge?

The fees that buyers agents in Queensland charge are determined by one of three pricing models, which are as follows:

●       Fixed costs

●       Fixed costs based on tiers

●       The price of the property expressed as a percentage of the total

Nevertheless, they might also impose additional costs or ask for a deposit upfront and the remainder of the money to be paid in installments at regular intervals. In most cases, deposits can be subtracted from the total amount due.

Evidently, the commission of a Queensland buyers agent is negotiable, so do not be afraid to bargain for a better offer. Let’s briefly consider the above pricing models to determine your best fit.

Fixed Cost Pricing

The cost of the services provided by a Queensland buyers agency on a fixed fee has been pre-determined, and the fee will not change regardless of the property’s purchase price. However, costs will differ according to the type of service that is requested, for instance:

●       Full service (searching, negotiating, and bidding)

●       Only negotiations about the sale

●       Only auction bids will be accepted.

As a general rule of thumb, a buyer’s agent’s full-service fixed fee can range anywhere from a few thousand dollars to as much as fifteen thousand dollars. Therefore, if you want to buy a premium property, you might end up spending even more money, but the money you save could make the investment more than worthwhile.

An advantage of this pricing model is that you know the cost immediately. However, on the other hand, your monthly payment will remain the same no matter how much your home costs.

Tiered Fixed Cost Pricing

This pricing model is distinct from the model with fixed costs since the fees are variable and based on the property’s purchase price. A buyers agency in Queensland charges their client the commission based on a preset range of property prices. The following is one possible format for this:

This method benefits you because you will pay a smaller amount if the price of the home falls into a lower bracket, and you will know the price upfront. On the contrary, since the brackets can cover such a broad range of amounts, you may end up paying the same amount as someone who purchases a more expensive home.

Percentage Pricing by Buyers Agents

If your buyer’s agency chooses to utilize this method to calculate the charge, the fee will be proportional to the purchase price of the property you are looking to buy. Because of this, your buyer’s agency fee will likely be affected by any rise in price.

Typically, a buyers agency in Queensland will charge a commission that falls between 1% and 3% of the sale price, depending on the service they give. However, when providing only a portion of their services, a Queensland buyers agency typically charges a lower proportion of the total commission than when providing all of their services.

This method usually promotes a conflict of interest because finding you the best deal possible is one of the duties of a buyer’s agent. However, according to this concept, a lower price results in a lesser commission for the agent. As a result, a buyers agency in Queensland address this issue by increasing their commission rate in exchange for a lower purchase price.

As an advantage, because your payment is based on the property’s value, you can spend significantly less money overall than someone who purchases a more expensive home.

However, until the negotiations over the property price are finished, you won’t know the precise cost of the transaction. Moreover, if the percentages aren’t broken down into several tiers, the buyer’s agent probably won’t be able to haggle for the greatest price.

Additional Expenses for Buyers Agency Queensland

A buyers agency Queensland can demand additional fees, but this will depend on the services that they give. These might include the following:

●       Fees associated with property evaluation reports

●       Formal engagement & due diligence fees

●       Interstate investors will be charged a fee.

Before working with a buyer’s agent in Queensland, you should make sure to inquire about the complete fee structure. In addition, be cautious to check which price ranges and fees are associated with the buyer’s agent that you select.

Are Buyers Agent/Agency Fee Tax Deductible?

Investors can deduct the cost of buyer’s agents from their taxable income. Because these fees are included in the cost base of purchasing an investment property, they reduce the amount of capital gains tax owed when the property is sold later.

However, the buyers agency fee is not deductible for homeowners who plan to live in the home they purchase.

Do I Really Need a Buyer’s Agency?

A buyers agent in Queensland can help you save time and money by negotiating a lower price for the property you’re interested in purchasing. It is essential to find a good agent who does not engage in any activities that could be construed as a conflict of interest, such as selling real estate or receiving a commission from the property’s owner or developer.

You may be able to save thousands of dollars in addition to the cost of the buyer’s agent if you do your homework and look for the correct representative. Although they are not regulated, buyer’s agents in the Brisbane area of Queensland typically charge a flat fee between $6,000 and $18,000 or a percentage of the purchase price ranging from 1% to 2.7%.

If you are solely interested in having a buyer’s agent handle your negotiations or bids, you can anticipate paying between $500 and $1,000 for each of these services if you engage a buyer’s agent. You also have the option to choose inspections solely, which will cost you $550 for each inspection.

Conclusion

To know the best timing for the right property in the Brisbane property market, and when to take the best opportunity in property purchase, our buyer’s agent recommends that you follow the right buying process for your particular property. Contact the best buyers agents Queensland for the best results.

At buyers agency Queensland, we always have the interest of our clients at the centre of our operations. Working with our experts Brisbane Buyer’s Agents, you can be rest assured you are getting the right property.

Six Things To Be On The Lookout For In Property Investment

Six Things To Be On The Lookout For In Property Investment

by Property Investment Tips

Is capital growth on the rise? What about lease demand? Where should I buy it? How old is the house? These are the questions you must ask as an investor while selecting a property. Let’s start with the fundamentals.

What exactly is an investment property?

An investment property is a house purchased with the intention of producing a financial return. When the owner leases to a person or a company, this return can be referred to as rental yield. It might potentially represent future profits if the property is sold for a profit. Most individuals buy real estate for both of these reasons.

The primary purpose of an property investment is typically to grow wealth and produce passive income. This implies that the characteristics of an ideal investment may differ significantly from those sought when purchasing a home for personal use.

Property investment has various advantages, but it is critical to have a plan and make objective decisions based on what will provide the highest profits. Learn more about buying an investment property in Australia.

Here are some crucial aspects to consider to guarantee your investment is suitable.

Capital appreciation 

Capital appreciation is the regular increase in the value of a property. Investigate the growth-trend indicators for the property you want to invest in – what is the median sale price in the suburb? Has it risen in recent years?

The sydney buyers agency market research tools will help you obtain a feel of capital growth in locations you’re interested in. It gives a thorough picture of Australian property and suburb trends, including previous regional sales, demographic statistics, neighboring schools, and median rental revenue.

This information may assist you in constructing a picture of what your capital gains may look like over time.

Rental yield and demand

Investors frequently want to rent their property to earn money and cover expenditures. Researching regions with high rental demand and return is crucial to determining an investment property’s financial sustainability.

Rental yield is a statistic that determines how lucrative a property may be based on predicted rental revenue balanced against the expenditures of acquiring and maintaining the property. Examples are Mortgage payments, council fees, strata fees, maintenance, and insurance. Ideally, it would be beneficial if you had a consistent, stable rental income that covers part of these expenses.

Investigating the performance history of other similar properties, such as median weekly rent, vacancy rates, average rental yield, and possible growth rate, as well as what type of properties are in demand with occupants, may aid in these calculations.

Rental yield can be estimated in both net and gross terms. The gross rental yield is the entire worth of the property divided by the estimated yearly rent and multiplied by one hundred to get a percentage.

Location

Location is a property investment cliché for a reason, and it applies equally to investors and residents. Put yourself in the spot of a prospective renter and consider what they will be searching for in a rental. The property will be more desirable to a tenant if it is close to and handy to public transportation, schools, and other facilities that are part of most people’s lifestyles, such as stores and restaurants.

In general, a neighborhood’s safety and general atmosphere are both key aspects in determining its growth potential. For example, if the area is going to undergo development that will bring more shops and cafés, or if there are large infrastructure projects that might entail more local jobs, these factors may boost the appeal and value of the property’s location.

Property type

While your budget will primarily influence whether you invest in a unit or a house, you must also consider the type of property in terms of location.

For example, a house with a backyard will likely be more tempting to tenants in a family-friendly neighbourhood than a tiny apartment. Similarly, a modern-day apartment may be in higher demand in neighborhoods near colleges, where many students usually want to rent. It is critical to understand the region’s demographics and make appropriate choices.

Houses usually are more expensive to acquire and insure and may demand extra maintenance, but they may also command higher average rentals and have faster capital growth. On the other hand, units often start at a cheaper price range and need less maintenance; however, additional charges may be considered, such as strata fees.

In reality, strata fees are one of several ongoing maintenance charges to consider when deciding whether to invest in a house or rather an apartment.

The property’s age

This is a significant factor that can influence the cost equation. Investment homes often have continuous expenses, so you want to avoid purchasing a property that would be a drain on your money due to upkeep fees.

Depending on their condition, older houses may require more upkeep; inspect everything, from the structure to the fittings and fixtures. Before you sign a contract of sale, have a professional building and pest inspection made.

If you’ve budgeted for it, you might be ready for the task of upgrading a house that requires modest repairs. However, if it requires extensive renovations, it may not be a worthwhile investment.

The property’s depreciation schedule is another way in which the property’s age will affect your finances.

Depreciation on investment property estimates how much the value of the property and its contents – including carpet, white goods, and so on – will drop over time. Based on this calculation, you may be able to claim a tax deduction.

Property characteristics

Even if you do not plan to reside on this property, someone else will. Consider the items that people often seek. A garage, additional bathrooms, or a home office area will significantly increase the rental value of the house. The layout and design of the property may have an added advantage. Is it intended for practical day-to-day use? Is there any natural light? These are all things that tenants frequently check for, so you should as well before you buy.

As you can see, most of these criteria are related to one another – the location and age of the property, for example, will affect its capital growth – As a result, before making a decision, you should consider all of these factors.

Buying An Investment Property In Australia

Buying An Investment Property In Australia

by Property Investment Tips

Why should you acquire an investment property?

So, you want to buy real estate? As Australians, it’s part of the vision and a popular topic of conversation at dinner parties. According to research, the national property market in Australia is worth $6.7 trillion, much above our investments in stocks or superannuation.

With national home prices rising 41.8% over the last decade, it’s no surprise that property investment strategy of purchasing has become a desire for many Australians looking to profit from capital growth and the additional rental income that property management can provide.

CoreLogic projected in 2016 that there were 2.6 million investor-owned residences in Australia, totaling a stunning $1.37 trillion. That is greater than the combined GDP of Austria and Norway.

According to the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, about 35% of residential loans taken out in Australia in September last year were for investment homes, a staggering proportion given that the UK buy-to-let mortgage sector accounts for only 14% of new lending.

What exactly is an investment property?

An investment property is any real estate acquired to generate a return (profit) on the investment. This might be through short-term rental revenue, long-term property sales, or both.

Is it possible to consider a second house as an investment property?

If you buy a second house and decide not to live in it, you may probably claim it as an investment property. It is an investment property if your objective is to generate a return on investment, either through rental return or selling of the home following an increase in house prices. When you choose to live in it, it no longer qualifies as an investment property, and you cannot claim capital gains on it.

How do you go about acquiring an investment property?

Purchasing an investment property is no different than buying a place of abode. Check the web and local real estate listings for the region you want to buy in, or talk to a buyers agent sydney about what’s available in the locations you’re interested in.

When it comes to gaining finance from your bank, there may be a distinction between buying an owner-occupied home and an investment property. Also, when it comes to investment loans, lenders seem to be more stringent with their criteria. Investors are often charged a higher interest rate on both principal and interest and interest-only loans.

Before you acquire an investment property, you should think about the location you’re buying in and the sort of property you’re buying to guarantee it will provide a strong rental return or yield – or both.

Buying An Investment Property In Australia

How much capital do you have to put down on a rental property?

A 5% deposit (or more, depending on the lender) is required for a first-time investor, plus additional funds for fees and expenditures such as stamp duty.

Investors who own one or two homes tend to take a 20% deposit from the equity in one of their current properties to use as a deposit on the next one.

This implies they won’t have to pay Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). Lenders take out LMI to protect themselves in the event that the borrower fails on the loan. Lenders typically charge the borrower a one-time fee to cover this insurance if the loan amount exceeds 80% of the value of the mortgaged property.

Is it possible for you to live in your investment property?

If you live in your investment home, it ceases to be an investment property and becomes your primary residence. Even if you only do so for a short time, you must declare it to the tax office since any costs you incur on the property are no longer tax deductible.

Is a rental property tax deductible?

On an investment property, you can claim a variety of tax breaks, which are detailed below.

What may you claim for your rental property? According to the ATO, property investors can claim a variety of costs on their property, including:

Management and maintenance expenditures, such as:

  • Recruiting new renters
  • Fees and levies imposed by the body corporate
  • Council fees
  • Charges for water
  • Land taxation
  • Cleaning
  • Lawn care and gardening
  • Pest management
  • Insurance (building, contents, public liability) (building, contents, public liability)
  • Fees and commissions for real estate agents
  • Maintenance and repairs
  • Legal fees, such as the cost of evicting a non-paying renter and the costs of filing a lawsuit for loss of rental income.

Interest costs, which include the interest paid on the loan you utilized to:

  • Invest in a rental property.
  • Get a depreciating asset for your rental home (for example, to purchase an air conditioner for the rental property)
  • Make necessary repairs to the rental property (for example, roof repairs due to storm damage)
  • Finance improvements on a rental property that you currently rent or want to rent out.
  • Purchase land to construct a rental home.
Buying An Investment Property In Australia

Can I claim the cost of modifications to an investment property?

Property flippers are those who acquire houses with the express goal of renovating and reselling them. According to the ATO, if you do this, you may include your net profit or loss from the refurbishment in your income tax return, which is the profits from selling the property and other costs connected with buying, holding, renovating, and selling it.

You can even do this if you buy a house as an investment and decide to refurbish and sell it after a few years.

If you are deemed a property investor for tax purposes, any net gain or loss from property improvements is regarded as a capital gain or capital loss, accordingly.

What exactly is negative gearing?

Negative gearing occurs when the operating costs of your investment, including any interest paid, exceed the revenue generated by your investment. For example, if you charge your renter $500 per week in rent but pay $600 in mortgage payments, you’re losing $100 per week.

The net loss from negative gearing can be utilized as a tax benefit, making it an appealing choice for investors. You might also expect the property’s value to rise over time, canceling the rental revenue loss. If your home is positively geared (you earn more in rental income than repayments, for example), you will be taxed on that gain.

How much money can I borrow?

You may usually borrow up to 95% of the buying price as an investor. This implies you’ll need to put down 5% of the purchasing price. The less you borrow, the lesser risk you pose to the creditor, and the more probable it is that you will be approved.

Finding the Best Investment Property in Australia

Finding the Best property investment in Australia

by Property Investment Tips

Understanding why you want to acquire an property investment will assist you in deciding which one to buy and how much rent to charge.

Unlike purchasing a home, selecting the best property investment is simply a financial decision. As a result, it is critical to think like an investor and grasp the aims and tactics that underpin successful property investment.

First, determine exactly what you want to gain from your property investment. Many investors buy real estate for one or a combination of the following reasons.

Growing capital 

Capital growth occurs when the value of a property increases from the day it is purchased to the day it is sold. There is always the possibility that the value of your house might fall.

To maximize your capital growth over the medium to long term, you should ideally consider purchasing a suitable property in an area at the bottom of a demand cycle and holding onto it long enough for an increase in demand and for its value to appreciate. Most property markets go through ‘cycles’ in which demand and supply ebb and flow, increasing, declining, or flat average capital growth over time.

Lease or Rental yield

Yield is the ‘return’ you get on a property investment, which is usually in the form of rent. Gross rental yield is computed by totaling the income, or rent, from a property in a year and dividing it by the property’s sale price or value.

While gross rental yield is a good overall indicator, net rental yield is a more accurate assessment of your expected return. This includes all other expenditures linked with your investment, such as interest and other mortgage payments, taxes, rates, and strata fees.

Keep in mind that rental yields are subject to supply and demand fluctuations and are not guaranteed by prior performance.

Cash flow

The amount of money flowing in and out of your real estate investment is called cash flow.

Some property owners pursue a positive cash flow plan, which means that the property’s income surpasses interest payments and other outlay costs. This is often referred to as ‘positive gearing.’

Negative gearing occurs when your rental returns are less than your outgoings. You may be entitled to deduct these losses from your taxable income at tax time.

Now that you have a rough notion of what you want to get out of property investment, consider the type of property you wish to acquire and the tenant you want to rent it to.

What kind of property is it?

Depending on your budget and investing goals, you may be looking to buy a house, apartment, or vacation rental. The type of property you purchase will influence your rent and may have varying upfront and ongoing costs.

Location

When selecting an property investment, this is one of the most critical questions to address. It would be best if you were confident that the property would appreciate and provide you with substantial rental returns over time. However, you must be prepared for the possibility that the property could lose value and will not generate rental returns.

The proximity of public transportation, healthcare, food, retail facilities, childcare, education, and other amenities can significantly impact the rent you charge.

What will your tenant require?

Choose a home with attributes that appeal to the type of tenant you wish to entice. Remember that your important features may not be as significant to your tenant.

However, features such as an internal laundry, balcony, second bathroom, air conditioning, auto parking, or extra storage are frequently sought, particularly in investment properties.

You can always modify a property (subject to council consent) before or even while renting it out to increase your rental revenue potential. Small changes, such as upgrading bathroom fixtures or even applying a fresh coat of paint, can sometimes make a big difference.

Do your findings

Once you’ve selected where you want to buy, look at the sale and rental prices of comparable houses in the neighborhood to get a decent sense of your rental yield.

What inquiries should you make?

When you identify the right property, you must ask yourself the following questions in order to close the deal:

1. How long has the house been up for sale? This should be the first question in the mind of every good buyers agency sydney. If a house has been on the market for months or years, it can hint that something is wrong. Perhaps the home is too expensive, or renovation work would be costly. In any event, determine the reason (or reasons) why the property is yet to be sold, so you know what you’re getting into.

2. What are the reasons behind the seller’s decision to sell the property? Always remember to ask the sellers this question as well. 

3. When did the seller purchase the home? This inquiry can be beneficial in your search for the best deal. Knowing when the property was previously listed for sale, and its age can help you appraise its value and determine whether it will require any repairs.

You must be proactive to find the best deal.

Finding the ideal property deal is undoubtedly achievable, but keep in mind that reasonable offers typically sell like hotcakes on the market. Investors are always looking for the appropriate property to boost their profits. As a result, it is critical to be proactive when locating and evaluating the best bargain. Otherwise, it may slip between your fingers.

Finally, you must be patient in your search for the best offer. You must wait for the seeds to grow after sowing them. In the meantime, you can browse the internet for other properties. The internet’s digitalization has made the real estate industry considerably more accessible than it was previously.

Keep in mind that there is competition in the real estate market, so make your judgments quickly and efficiently. The ultimate goal of real estate investment is to create a profit, and as the adage goes, “time is money.” As a result, patience, promptness, and efficiency are essential when looking for investment homes.

Small-Space Command Center

Small-Space Command Center

by Homes

The opportunity to be featured in Better Homes and Gardens presented itself after having several other spaces in my home and clients homes photographed for BHG specialty magazines. I had been working with the incredibly talented Donna Talley, Stylist and Producer for Meredith Corporation, for a few months when she mentioned the idea of submitting a project for the I Did It section. We both thought my central command center would be the perfect project and after review, the BHG team loved it’s incredible function and ease for any homeowner to implement. They thought it was perfect for their get organized-theme January 2024 issue.
It was A-GO! Yippie!!
From that point, a date for shooting took place, which was in mid-June, and the rest was history. O wait… I failed to mention one important detail. My kids were also asked to be in the feature with me. Yikes. That news alone made the pressure (pressure I put on to myself) for perfection that much more. Not only did I have to look good, but I had to worry about how my kids would look (not too big of a deal) and how they would act (sometimes a challenge).
In the end, all the details came together to create an effortless and engaging feature!

Small-Space Command Center

So let me take you through the nitty-gritty details of my Central Command Center and share with you why this 30-inch wide wall works + functions so well…
1. The smaller the better.
Often when given more space, it becomes overwhelming, cluttered, and non-functional. When you have a smaller space to work within, you’re left with only the true necessities. The wall of my central command center is about 30-inch wide, yet it’s extremely functional filled with elements that suit our family needs – a customized calendar, small storage boxes (for keys, glasses, and other every day needs), kids charts, pen/pencil holders, and of course important inspirational words all on top of a chalkboard wall. Each element is used. Each element serves a purpose.

Small-Space Command Center

2. Location. Location. Location.
Choosing a central location in the home is important for making the most use out of a central command center. This small, but uber-functional wall in my home is located near the foyer and close to the kitchen. It’s a spot that is in the ‘hub of the home’ and can easily be seen / accessed.
3. Change it up often.
Since I created this command center 2 years ago, it’s had multiple updates. Even from the time of the photoshoot, the 30-inch sliver of wall space has changed. Why? Because our family needs have changed. We still have the calendar (that’s a must to keep us on track), but other elements of the wall have been updated. Being open to making adjustments either seasonally or yearly is important. By simply making a few needed changes, it keeps the space fresh, new, and always 24/7 functional.

Small-Space Command Center

4. Make it fun.
Anything that has a sense of whimsy, color, and/or a bit of personalization is sure to be fun and usable. The most important part of creating a CCC is to use it. And as with anything, it takes time to get used to. When creating a command center, make it a must to look at and use every day. After a few weeks / months you will see how much you depend on the space to keep your family on track so you know where you are going when!

More to read:
Six Things To Be On The Lookout For In Property Investment
Buying An Investment Property In Australia
Finding the Best property investment in Australia

January a Great Month for Chicago Home Sales

January a Great Month for Chicago Home Sales

by Homes

According to RE/MAX, January home sales in the seven-county Chicago metro area rose 36 percent from January of 2022. Home prices are also rising in several Chicago-area counties and homes are spending less time on the market.

“The absolute number of homes sold in January tends to be relatively modest in relationship to other months, but the 36 percent year-over-year increase suggests that the rebound in housing activity is maintaining, if not increasing, its momentum,” said Laura Ortoleva, a spokesperson for RE/MAX Northern Illinois.

While home sales increased in all seven metro counties, some fared better than others. Kendall County home sales rose 69 percent, Cook County home sales rose 39 percent and McHenry and Will County home sales rose 28 percent.

In further good news, the average time a Chicago home spent on the market decreased from 174 days in January 2022 to 142 days.

Lastly, homes in several countries are seeing an improvement in prices. Kane County home prices rose 17 percent last month, while home prices in Kendall County rose by 5 percent.

If January is any indication, it looks as if 2023 will continue to be a good year for the Chicago real estate market, especially as we head into the busier spring season.

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March into a New Elgin Home at West Point Gardens

March into a New Elgin Home at West Point Gardens

by Homes

The multi-award winning community of West Point Gardens is ready for you to march into your new Elgin home this month! Featuring nineteen incredible models of single family and detached townhomes, West Point Gardens is bound to have something you will fall in love with.
The beautiful Belmont Park series is priced from $154,990 and offers homebuyers two spacious bedrooms and one-and-a-half baths, plus a full basement and an attached two-car garage. Upon entry of this home, guests will be impressed with the beautiful two-story foyer and nine-foot ceilings while on the first floor. Then, the spacious living room, dining area, eat-in kitchen and covered porch will prove convenient for entertaining the whole night through. This gorgeous detached townhome is also maintenance-free!
If your family would prefer a larger single family home, the exquisite Middlebury home design may be right for you! This floor plan boasts three bedrooms, with fourth bedroom or loft available, two-and-a-half baths, a two-car garage and a partial basement. This home offers a wonderful flowing floor plan, making house traffic a non-issue. The large breakfast area in the kitchen of this home overlooks the private garden in the backyard, providing pleasant views year-round. Space upstairs can be expanded by converting the loft area into a fourth bedroom, library or home office.
Located near expressways, great shopping, dining and more, the community of West Point Gardens is convenient to so much, yet has the feeling of a peaceful country neighborhood. No matter what type of home in Chicago you need this March, West Point Gardens is sure to help you have a lucky day when you discover your dream home!

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Buy Chicago New Homes with HERS Index in Mind

Buy Chicago New Homes with HERS Index in Mind

by Homes

When looking to buy Chicago new homes this year prospective buyers will often focus their search around cost, but what they don’t know is that they might want to take another number besides the price into consideration.

The number is the home’s Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index Score, which was developed by RESNET to determine a home’s energy performance. How it works is that a home rated on the HERS index receives a score based upon its energy performance; the lower the score, the more energy efficient the home is.

Currently, according to the U.S. Department of Energy a typical resale home scores a 130 on the HERS Index compared to a rating of 100 for a standard new home. This means a resale home is 30 percent less efficient than a standard new home, which could cost you about $539 in annual energy savings.

How important is it for prospective buyers to learn about a home’s HERS Index Score during their search? Well, it pays to know the HERS Index Score before they buy because they will be able to know the projected energy costs of living in the home. Having a more energy efficient home can also result in a higher resale price for any future needs. Ultimately though, knowing a home’s HERS Index Score will give buyers security and peace of mind about their home’s energy use and how they can improve it if need be.

One easy way for homeowners to improve their home’s energy efficiency is by using propane. Propane is one of the more sustainable fuels, provides a low carbon footprint and is produced domestically. Homeowners can even equip their homes with propane air-conditioning systems now.

Prospective buyers should not fret though if they are not supplied with a home’s HERS Index Score immediately. It is only a simple request away.

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