Category Archives: Property tips
Tips For Sustainable Living
The following tips will help you improve your home’s energy efficiency thus reducing your electricity, gas and water bills. Talk with your family or housemates about the sustainable living tips contained in this guide and come up with an action plan for what you can do.
Switch to GreenPower
If you want to make that extra effort for the environment then one of the easiest ways is to simply choose the GreenPower option from your electricity retailer. Accredited GreenPower is electricity generated from clean, renewable energy sources. This can be more expensive so do some research and work out if you can afford it.
Look for energy efficient appliances
Look for the Energy Rating Label when purchasing household appliances. The label gives the appliances a star rating between 1 and 10 stars. The greater the number of stars the higher the efficiency. The Energy Rating Label scheme compares the energy consumption of electrical products. The star ratings of all labelled products and appliances
are also available on the Energy Rating website, www.energyrating.gov.au
The Energy Rating App
Download the Energy Rating App to find the running costs of your household appliances anytime or anywhere. Use the following links depending on the device you own:
- iPhone users: Download the app from the App Store
- Android users: Download the app from Google Play
- BlackBerry users: Download the app from BlackBerry World
- Windows Phone users: Access the web app
Lighting
Switch off lights when not in use and change to energy efficient light bulbs; this will help reduce your power bills. Let in natural light! Natural lighting is free so make the most of it. Open blinds and curtains to let in natural light rather than turning on lights. Remember to close them at the end of the day to retain the heat in the house.
Replace inefficient light bulbs
Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescents lights (CFLs) or light emitting diode (LED) bulbs. Both CFLs and LEDs are cheap to run – they can reduce running costs by 75–90% respectively – and they last much longer than incandescent bulbs. Despite their higher shelf price, LEDs are generally more efficient than CFLs and can last for up to 50,000 hours. If your house is full of energy-hungry halogen downlights, replace them with good
quality LED bulbs. Halogen downlights are the most inefficient type of lighting, with up to 90% of the energy used in the globe lost to heat.
Heating and cooling
Heating and cooling are the largest energy consuming activities in a home, but it doesn’t take much to reduce their impact. A cold timber, concrete or tiled floor can make you feel cold from the feet up. In winter, use rugs on these surfaces so they feel warm underfoot. Remove them in summer so the floor does feel cool.
Use air-conditioning wisely
Changing the setting on your air-conditioner by just 1°C can reduce energy use by 10%. In winter, set the heater to a maximum of 20°C and in summer set your air-conditioner to a minimum of 26°C. If your heater is in a draughty area then stop those draughts. Ensure air-conditioner filters are cleaned regularly. If the filters are clogged the fan uses more
energy and air flow is reduced, reducing efficiency.
Use fans
Consider getting pedestal fans so you don’t have to use the air-conditioner in summer. If you have ceiling fans, use them in summer to keep air moving against the skin. In winter reverse-use them to help circulate warm air that may sit at the top of the ceiling, but only have them on a slow setting as any movement of air will feel cold on the skin.
Put Safety First This Holiday Season
Whether you’re holidaying on the other side of the world or simply at the beach down the road, if you’re leaving your home for the annual summer break, it can mean there is an increased risk your home will become a target for thieves.
The good news is, there are a few tips and tricks you can use which can make a huge difference in protecting your most valuable asset and safeguarding your home against thieves this summer holiday season:
Double check the locks
Check your homes existing locks and if necessary refit new ones, such as deadlocks and bolts, on doors and windows. Many homes have locks on windows that generally share the one key, so it’s a good idea to keep this key in a safe location (or even with you) whilst you’re on holiday.
Make a list of valuables
Keep an up-to-date list of any valuables such as jewellery, antiques, electronics and artwork. Take a photo of each item to keep on file and ensure your insurance company also has a copy. This will make the claim process much easier if something were to happen.
Keep keys in a safe place
Don’t leave house keys hidden outside, as experienced thieves will know where to look. Instead, leave a set of keys with trusted neighbours or friends or take them with you.
Survey outdoor objects
Lock away garden tools and ladders as they could potentially help a would-be thief to gain access to your home.
Let in the light
Use automatic timer switches for lamps, TVs or stereos to come on then turn off each night. This will give the illusion that someone is occupying your home and will deter potential thieves. Outdoor sensor lights are also a good idea not only to deter intruders but to help alert neighbours to someone’s presence around your home.
Clear the letterbox
Arrange to have you letterbox emptied daily. Nothing is a bigger signal to thieves than an overflowing letterbox, or newspapers piling up on the lawn. It may be a good idea to have your newspaper subscription paused or diverted to another address for the duration of your holiday.
Long-term breaks
For longer holiday breaks, arrange to have the lawn mown and the house aired with windows opened occasionally (whilst someone is at the house), so it’s apparent someone is either living in or visiting the home regularly.
Be social media savvy
Don’t leave a message on your phone indicating that you are away and be careful to mention the duration of your trip on social media. Recent research has shown that thieves canvas social media to try and identify people who may be away and to locate their address. Alternatively, ensure you have strict privacy settings on your social media profiles.
Have someone stay
If possible, ask a trusted friend or family member to be your house sitter.
5 Ways To Save (Dad’s Garden) On Father’s Day 2015
When it comes to appreciating Dad, it’s the thought that counts. That’s why we’ve compiled five things to help Dad out with around the garden this Father’s Day which not only save you money, but even add value to Dad’s home!
Nice Tie = $100 vs. Help Dad lay new turf to a small lawn area = $1000 in value!
A shopping voucher = $200 vs. Lay recycled pavers to create an outdoor seating area = $4000 in value!
Socks and Undies = $40 vs. Plant hardy ornamental garden plants e.g. star jasmine (approx. $40 each) = $3000 in value!
Book = $30 vs. Plant a variety of fruit and vegetable seeds or seedlings – not only are they the gift that keeps giving, an established veg patch = almost $100 per month in grocery bill savings!
Bottle of Wine = $20-$50 vs. Add pine bark, or other inexpensive (or even free) types of mulch and natural fertilizers to garden beds = $1000 in value!
So get out there and get creative with Dad in the garden for Father’s day 2015. Come summer and he’ll thank you for it, again!
Kit House Versus Modular House
If you have a parcel of land that you’re considering building on, or you’re looking into extending your current home by adding a granny flat, then you may have considered a modular house, kit homes or flat packed homes, and wondered what the difference is between this style of house and a modular or prefabricated home.
There’s merit in both options, with the choice you make really coming down to price, effort and the desired look and feel of the home.
Modular homes
- Modular homes or prefabricated houses come already built to a degree when they are delivered to your property.
- They therefore usually contain all of the fittings and extras like tiling, carpeting, lighting, kitchens and bathrooms etc.
- Modular houses generally attract a higher total cost when compared with kit homes, but involve much less organising or labour on your part and include finishes.
- Modular homes are becoming increasingly popular with those looking for an eco-friendly building option. Tanks, solar panels and recycled materials can all be installed and used at the owner’s request.
- From the outside, modular homes can look a little different from traditional homes, but these days there are a variety of options to choose from.
- Some modular home companies will arrange the paying of council fees for the setup of water and power on your behalf.
- Having the majority of the construction work happen off-site in a controlled environment can improve the velocity of the build and increase quality – as the weather plays no part in construction.
- Modular or prefabricated homes are ideal for infill sites, brownfield developments or subdivisions where your neighbours are nearby as the disruption of construction is minimised.
Kit homes
- Tend to be cheaper than modular homes, but fittings and finishes are usually a separate costs that is not automatically included. Again their are exceptions – with high end kitset homes being specified to quality levels that most normal house builds would not reach.
- Kit houses come partially assembled, but you then need to engage a builder or complete an owner builder’s course to assemble the home to completion.
- Kit homes therefore require you to project manage somewhat, similar to if you were building a home from scratch.
- This can mean that you have more flexibility with who you choose to construct the home, and the types of finishes used, although both attract additional costs outside of the initial cost of the kit home.
- Once built, most kit homes look no different to homes designed and built from scratch.
- You will generally need to organise council approval, and pay any fees associated with setting up power and water before commencing with the kit home build.
In the end, the cost of a kit home versus a modular home may look different on the surface, but after factoring in the cost of building each to lock-up, that is up until the point you’re ready to move in, the costs are actually very similar.
So the choice really comes down to what you’re looking for in your new home or extension. Are eco-friendly features are must-have? Do you have the time or resources to manage the building project? Are you wanting the ability to customise? Do your research before-hand, and talk to a few modular home and kit home suppliers.
Although slightly outdated – Fab Prefab has a good list of kitset and prefabricated house suppliers around the globe.
In New Zealand – www.prefabnz.com maintain a directory of local prefabricated and modular resources.
Similarly – in Australia www.prefabaus.org.au maintain a directory of local prefabricated and modular resources.
When Looking To Sell, When Shouldn’t You Renovate?
If your property is in need of repair or you’re even considering a few renovation projects to get it ready for sale, there are a few things you need to consider first. Whilst well planned, cost-effective renovations can certainly add value to a home, there is always the risk of over-capitalising. That’s why it pays to look into the types of renovations that really add value to your home and appeal to potential buyers. So when you’re looking to sell, when shouldn’t you renovate?
Remember, renovating for your own personal use and renovating to attract a wide range of potential buyers can really be two different things. It all comes down to your return on investment or ROI. Basically, you’ll want to ensure the amount you invest in the renovation is less than the value you’re adding to the property, and the sale price you’re likely to achieve.
Here we explore some of the situations where we wouldn’t recommend renovating if you’re looking to maximise your sale price.
When shouldn’t you renovate?
If margins are thin
If you’re property isn’t in desperate need of repair, and you’re confident you have quite a bit of equity existing in your property, then renovations may not be necessary. Especially if after crunching the numbers, you’re not confident you would be increasing the sale price by that much, and remember a return on investment can never be guaranteed.
If you need to sell quickly
Renovations take time, both to plan and budget for as well as to be completed. So if you’re looking to sell in the near future, renovations may simply not be possible. Remember that renovations often go over budget and can take longer than first anticipated so factor both of this considerations into your decision.
If the renovation will personalise the home too much
Some renovations appeal to most buyers, like upgrading kitchens and bathrooms, but others can be quite personal to you and your particular needs, taste and style and therefore won’t appeal to the largest number of potential buyers and should be avoided.
This can include adding extensions like granny flats, converting bedrooms into specific-purpose rooms like a media room or library, and separating rooms by adding additional internal walls.
If the renovations will cost more than 10% of your home’s value
A general rule of thumb when it comes to renovating a property for profit, is to spend no more than 10% of the property’s value on the renovations. So the first step would be to ensure you have an up-to-date valuation of your property, performed by a professional. The next step would be to work out a budget, and ensure you add a buffer in case of unforeseen additional expenses. Using the 10% rule, this means a home valued at $500,000 would have a total renovation budget of $50,000. Any more than this, and you risk over-capitalising.
If the renovations won’t suit your target market
This is why doing your research is key. What is the demographic of your property’s neighbourhood? Mostly singles and couples? Mostly retirees or mostly families? Finding out who the neighbourhood is likely to attract will help you determine suitable renovations and not so suitable ones.
For instance, if your local market is likely to attract families, think carefully before adding stylish but potentially hazardous staircases, or ornate glass features.
Ask if you’re unsure
When planning a renovation, don’t shy away from asking your local real estate sales consultant their opinion on the condition of the property, the type of buyer the home is likely to attract and any renovations they would recommend. You may be surprised, if your home isn’t in need of massive renovations your sales consultant will tell you and you may save yourself a lot of hassle, time and money.
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