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May 16, 2024
Getting Your Home Winter-Ready
As the chill of winter approaches, it’s essential to prepare your home to ensure comfort, safety, and efficiency during the colder months. Here are some essential tips to help you get your property winter-ready: Chimney and Wood Heater Maintenance: For landlords and homeowners with wood heaters or fireplaces, it's crucial to have the chimney inspected and cleaned regularly. A buildup can increase the risk of chimney fires. Tenants should notify their landlords if they notice any issues with the chimney or wood heater, such as poor ventilation or unusual odors, to ensure prompt maintenance. Servicing Heat Pumps: Heat pumps are essential for keeping your home warm and cosy during winter. Schedule a professional service to ensure your heat pump is working efficiently. Landlords should arrange for heat pump servicing before the onset of winter to prevent breakdowns and ensure tenant comfort. Cleaning Gutters: Clogged gutters can lead to water damage particularly during winter. Clear leaves, debris, and any blockages from gutters and downspouts to allow proper drainage. Homeowners and landlords should inspect gutters periodically and clean them as needed, especially after heavy rainfall or when leaves start to fall. Addressing Slippery Surfaces: Winter brings slippery conditions, making it essential to address any potential hazards around your property. Landlords and homeowners should ensure that footpaths, driveways, and entryways are clear of debris and treated to prevent slips and falls. Tenants should promptly report any icy or slippery areas around their rental property to their landlords for remediation. Insulating Pipes: Frozen pipes can burst, causing costly water damage. Insulate exposed pipes, especially those in unheated areas attics, and crawl spaces. Landlords should consider insulating pipes in rental properties to prevent potential damage for tenants during winter. By taking these proactive measures, landlords, homeowners, and tenants can ensure their properties are well-prepared for the winter season. Remember, regular maintenance and timely repairs not only enhance comfort but also contribute to the long-term health and value of your property. Stay warm and safe this winter!
Oct 19, 2023
Buy, Sell or Wait?
If you are like most people you're probably wondering, what is the right thing to do in the current property market! Identifying the best time to buy or sell real estate is difficult because the property market is influenced by numerous factors and can be unpredictable at the best of times. However, here is some general knowledge and information that may help you make an informed decision. Don't fall for media fearmongering. Property investment is a long-term game, focus on the bigger picture. Despite negative media doverage the Australian property market remains one of the best places in the world to invest in. Property markets acrtoss Australia appear to have bottomed out and are now on an upswing.' Learn to differentiate between noise and media reporting, by understanding that they are a business, and for business reasons, they may not always provide the full story. It's natural to fear the unknown and the media knows this. That's why they are always reporting on the latest crisis or the latest disaster, the next big threat or impending doom. There's been countless sensational headlines warning the imminent collapse of the property market for as long as I can remember. This kind of sensationalist reporting is their bread-and-butter way of reaching a wider audience which generates more revenue for their business. Welcome to journalism. Here's the bigger picture. Australia has a housing shortage, and it will get worse as our population is projected to grow substantially over the next few years. The increase in population will create strong demand for property. This is why the property markets are up, driven by the dynamics of supply and demand. Interest rates are near their peak. But high interest rates and growth in property values have historically moved together at the start of the upturn in the property cycle. We are at the cusp of a new upswing. Real estate is one of the best hedges against inflation. Although property prices may go up or down over the short term, the market has always trended upwards over the long term. Finally, your personal circumstances and financial goals should always play a significant role in determining when to buy or sell. ~ by Paul KLounnas, Hudson Bond