The trials and tribulations of repainting your home: how to make the process quicker and easier!

Recently our family decide to take on the arduous task of repainting our entire house ready for sale. Although we won’t be looking to sell until we find my parent’s dream acreage, now seemed like the perfect time of year to get this project out of the way.

At this stage we have agreed upon a colour, which took a fair few samples to agree upon.

As yet we need to make the next step...like most families with full-time work and other responsibilities it’s seems like this task has been left in the ‘too-hard’ basket until now. So to help my your family and mine get a plan into action, I did some research and here are some tips I have for tackling the task of repainting your home:

1. Keep your paint tray clean

To make the clean up that much easier line your paint tray with a plastic bag or aluminium foil. When the job’s done, simply wrap up the dry paint and dispose of the bag. Replace the bag with a clean plastic bag and keep painting. Simple and tidy!

2. Combine paint and primer

If you are painting onto bare walls, you can reduce the number of coats required by using a paint- and- primer. Not only will this save you time and give you better coverage in one coat, but most brands are now fade and stain resistant and easy to clean. You’ll find that most paint brands have paint and primer combinations available at your local hardware store.

3. Buy the right paint

This may seem like a no-brainer however there is a lot to consider when choosing paint- undercoats, overcoats, primer, interiors, exteriors etc. To help you get it right Masters has come up with this handy paint guide.

4. Cut in carefully

Cutting in is the delicate process of painting along the edges of trim, skirting boards and mouldings, when the area you are painting is too cramped or odd-shaped for a roller. To cut in like a pro, use a small container of paint to avoid overloading your paint brush, hold your brush head like a pencil to give extra control, and invest in a high quality, stiff angled brush. Take you time and don’t rush for a premium result!

5. Roll like a pro

For a professional result it is important to take the time to de-fluff your roller before evenly coating the roller in paint. When rolling start off in a ‘W’ motion then move the paint up and down the wall to ensure an even distribution of paint. Avoid overloading your roller to avoid messy drips and an amateur finish.

6. Use an extension pole

Using an extension pole will give you greater control and ease-of-use when painting to reach ceilings and higher walls without the need for a ladder and unnecessary back pain!

7. Know your paint colours

This tip also seems quite obvious but it can often be overlooked in the excitement of painting your house. It is important to make a record of the paint colours you use in each room in case you need to repaint. Create a ‘general home maintenance ‘ folder in your filing system to store this kind of information.

8. Sand woodwork for a smoother finish

If your painting project involves painting over woodwork including cladding, stair bannisters or timber- lined walls- lightly sand in between each coat of paint to achieve a super-smooth finish. Make sure that any dust from sanding is wiped away before applying your next coat of paint.

9. Use a bowl of vinegar

Put down the panadol packet and get out the white vinegar. To get rid of the nauseous smell of paint fumes known to induce migraines once you’ve finished painting for the day, leave a bowl of vinegar in your newly painted room to soak up the smell.

10. Cover rollers when you take a break

If it’s time for a well deserved coffee break make sure to cover your rollers in glad wrap and put them in the fridge before you boil the kettle. This will ensure that your rollers don’t dry out- less cleaning and less mess!

For a comprehensive booklet of tips that will help you prepare your home ready for sale contact Shelby via shelby.cockburn@prudential.com.au for your free copy of the booklet ‘73 Quick & Easy Fix Ups’.

10 Simple Steps that will help you approve your granny flat in 10 days!

With the traditional living arrangements of the Australian family shifting due to the ageing population, kids flying the coop later in life and families looking to invest in an additional income stream, the construction of granny flats has become a cheaper alternative for Australian families looking to invest in a flexible living space.

Although some commentators argue that granny flats don’t add value, create backyard eyesores and attract capital gains tax, with almost 5,000 granny flats built in NSW each year it seems granny flats are here to stay!

In recent times we have seen that a granny flat boom is taking over the Sydney property market particularly in the inner western suburbs. Astoundingly between 2009 and 2014 Sydney experienced a 260% increase in the construction of granny flats due to the legislative change allowing 10-day approval.

To ensure that your granny flat is well-designed and easily approved we have a free 10 step checklist to give away. The ‘10 Steps To Approve Your Granny Flat In 10-Days’ checklist is available by simply sending your name, preferred email and contact number to shelby.cockburn@prudential.com.au

Acknowledgements: Duncan Hughes, Ingrid Fuary- Wagner & Hannah Hempenstall.

Places! Places everyone!

Lights, camera….is this mic on?!

Selling your home for a great sale price is all about putting on a great show. It doesn’t have to be a huge money pit to make an excellent stage production though. Investing a little time, money and energy into home staging can add thousands more the perceived value of your home. Here are a few simple tips on how to stage your home to sell;

De-clutter

Hold a garage sale, jump on Gumtree or eBay or even organise a council clean up before you decide to place your property on the market. As by getting rid of old junk, furniture and kids toys for example you not only maximise the space in your home, this will reduce the amount you stuff you move into your next property - moving day made easy!

Alternatively you can store extra furniture or goods you would like to keep off-site in a storage unit, until the property is sold.

Neutralise

Simply, buyers want to be able to see themselves living in your property.

So, that bright purple feature wall in the lounge could be a major distraction to buyers away from the space and style of the home. To ensure that prospective buyers ‘feel at home’ invest in repainting and restyling your home with neutral colours...especially that feature wall.

Another handy tip is to remove all personal touches such as wedding and baby photos, posters hanging in your teenagers room or the signed footy jersey in the man cave...as buyers may have other ideas on how they would use this space.

Modernise

There is a lot to said for the power of paint. Repaint or restain aging cupboard doors in the kitchen and  replace loose doorknobs and handles with modern and sleek fixtures for example to ensure your home appears updated and fresh. Buyers are essentially looking for a home they can move into with little work, so by investing in these smaller details you could add thousands to your end sale price.

Set the stage on a budget

Set a budget and stick to it!

For all of your staging needs discount stores and even Kmart are great places to pick up deals on vases, cushions, lamps etc. Such interior decorations can be used as accent pieces to make your home feel ‘lived in’, for example a great cookbook on the kitchen bench or a geometric vase of artificial flowers on the coffee table in the lounge.

These little details will help buyers picture themselves living in your property.

If you would like any further advice on staging your home ready for sale contact us today on (02) 4628 0033 for your free copy of the critical report: How To Sell Your Home For Thousands More.

How to beat investors to the right property

Have you ever found the perfect dress?

You know, the last one in your size? And then you have hidden it at the back of the rack in the hope that it will still be there when your return the next day - only for it to be sold!?!

Yuk! Property buyers feel the same when a savvy investor beats them to their dream home. As real estate agents, we see this every week.

But what can you do to make sure you get the home you are after. Here’s three quick tips that will ensure your success next time you are in a battle with another buyer.

Do your research!

To draw on an old adage ‘ the early bird gets the worm’. Creating a plan of action will allow you to narrow down your search to specific suburbs and properties. This will help you make an offer without hesitation.

Research different areas, suburbs, local amenities, scan through current listing on REA and Domain and conclude the average market price of what you are looking for whether it be a townhouse, unit, duplex or traditional starter home.By collecting this information it will help you to create a plan of action as to what type and size of property you are looking for in what areas and for what price.

Call local real estate agents

Contact local real estate agents to let them know you are looking for example a 3 bedroom townhouse in Ruse, Raby or Campbelltown. This will help you to form a relationship with local selling agents who will contact you when new listings suiting your needs become available.

Know your budget

Ensure you are pre-approved and aware of all hidden costs including stamp duty, legal and conveyancing costs, building and pest reports etc. By understanding the amount you can afford to offer you will be better prepared to handle price negotiations and beat other offers.

Shop for your new home with a game plan for a less stressful journey to sale. By being an informed buying armed with the knowledge of what, where and for how much you would like to purchase a property for you will have the upper hand when the right property is for sale.

To find out how we can help you secure your dream property, contact us today on (02) 4628 0033.

7 Critical questions to ask your Property Manager before signing on the dotted line

You wouldn’t award someone a job without asking them if they have relevant skills and experience… so why would you appoint a Property Manager without checking them out?

To ensure your assets are placed in the right hands, here are 7 critical questions to ask your Property Manager:

1. How long have you been in Property Management (with the same office?)

You wouldn’t be confident in a medical intern carrying out your heart operation, so why would you risk trusting the management of your investment portfolio with a rookie?

A Property Manager equipped with confident experience in handling an array of tenancy situations and nurtured by their agency with opportunities for continuous training, a tried and tested system supporting them and motivating financial incentives is the right person to manage your assets. With some portfolios worth in excess of $40 million per property manager (and that’s a low estimate!), this is a serious investment, vital to your financial future, which requires a top notch professional approach.

2. What happens when you are out of office?

One of the greatest failures of Real Estate Agencies is poor communication.

Whilst you should expect your Property Manager to call you first with any status change to your property, my advice is to find a Property Management service that can provide you with 24/7 access to information about your property. This can take the form of mobile phone access, online landlord portals, inspection videos, and qualified support teams who can answer your questions with expertise....after all, it is your money on the line, and the best staff still take holidays and have lunch!

3. How do you intend to market my property so I get the best tenant at the best rental?

Evidence and relevant statistics are the key.

Your Property Manager should price your property with the intent of keeping your property occupied whilst achieving the best rent possible. An agency working in your best interests (to achieve the ‘best’ rent) will provide high-quality photography and extensive online advertising.

A dedicated Property Manager will be motivated to organise showings of your property at least 5-6 days out of the week, will carefully record tenant feedback and will provide this feedback hand-in-hand with their advice.Phrases like ‘it feels like your property is too expensive’ from your property manager during marketing is not a good enough response! Expect evidence and qualified advice based on the most important information: feedback from prospective tenants and market.  

4. Do you have a tenancy database that you can use to quickly lease my property?

Agents can say anything  so ask for evidence.

Very few agents actually keep a database of active prospective tenants. Ask to view theirs, perhaps on a tablet or online. A vacant property is an unprofitable asset…and no it is not normal for your investment property to be vacant for months on end ‘because of the market’. Experienced real estate agencies will be able to provide you with an abundant pool of potential tenants. Prudential Real Estate alone has a database of 900-1200 tenants actively seeking a rental right now!

5. How thoroughly and frequently do you perform inspections and what material do you use to support them?

Don’t just take anyone’s word for it when it comes to updates on your property.

To ensure that your property has been thoroughly inspected between 2 and 4 times annually, ask what processes and materials are used to document the feedback from the inspection. What you should expect from a high-quality Property Management service is expert photos, inspection videos, written and electronically filed reports and an invitation to the inspection!

6. Are you prepared to provide a written, contractual guarantee as to the quality of your service?

In asking this question you are aiming to ascertain who will take responsibility for every piece of advice they provide when it comes to the management of your investment. If the Property Manager is not willing to guarantee their quality of service and ‘put their money where their mouth is’ do not invest your money in their services. Simple.

7. Can you provide a list of references from current landlords?

Don’t be afraid to ask your prospective Property Manager for evidence of their service quality, managing their current portfolio. If the Property Manager is serious about winning the management of your assets they should have evidence from current landlords and tenants including; written testimonials, testimonial videos and online reviews e.g. Facebook & Google+.

These 7 critical questions are all vital to assess the skill and systems of the agents available to you. Knowledge is power, so the more informed you are about a Property Management service, the more comfortable you will be with your sign-up decision. All in all, high value assets deserve an excellent standard of property management and value...to determine this don't be afraid to ask, it's your money after all!

Gone in (less than) 60 minutes!

Fed up with waiting for an outcome on your tenancy application? Sick of being stuck in limbo for days on end?

Well, never fear, Prudential is here!

Blazing the way for technological innovation in our Property Management processes, Prudential Real Estate has developed a system from the ground-up that minimises application processing time to a mere 60 minutes or less. Imagine submitting your tenancy application online to Prudential Real Estate during your lunch break and receiving an outcome within the hour!

We understand that when looking for a property to rent, you may lodge many applications to secure a tenancy. With an internal employee solely focused on processing your tenancy application in 60 minutes or less, our quick and simple application process ensures that you receive a prompt answer regarding your application to either move in or move on to the next property.

Hand-in-hand with our fast application process is our use of the TRA system which only requires a single registration with Prudential Real Estate to be considered for tenancy.

At Prudential Real Estate, we take our customers and clients feedback seriously, in assisting us to improve the customer experience. We hope this game-changing Property Management system better serves the needs of our tenants and reduces the headache caused when trying to find the perfect rental.

For more information about our 60 minute or less tenancy application process click here.

First Impressions Count

You wouldn’t go to a job interview in your pyjamas, so why would you put your house on the market looking untidy?

In the last month or so we have experienced an increase in supply of  properties on the local Macarthur market. This means that the number of buyers attending open homes is now further spread and therefore less than the usual stampede.

Prudential Real Estate wants to ensure that our client’s property stands head and shoulders above the rest...so here is our advice to vendors looking to stand-out this selling season.

First Impressions Count

From the curbside to your front door should be impeccable. Allocate a weekend to tidy up and repair the external appearance of the property and walk around your property as if you are a buyer critiquing your home and take note of areas that require improvement.

Some ideas about what you should focus on sharpening: cut back hedges and overhanging tree branches, clean out gutters, repair and paint awning, wash down windows and doors, fix fences and paths and fertilise and water plants. Note: remove all garden ornaments...if you collect gnomes or pink flamingos in your garden that’s fantastic, but not to everyone’s taste.

                                                                  

Indoor- outdoor living is all the rage

Invite the indoors out by decluttering pergolas, BBQ areas and styling these areas with welcoming outdoor furniture and inexpensive outdoor accessories including lanterns, candles, table settings and cushions.

                 

Cleanliness is next to godliness

Clean down indoor and outdoor areas and make the whole house sparkle!

Doing a major Spring clean a few weeks ahead of the first open home will allow you to undertake minimal maintenance with a brief touch-up here while your home is on the market. Make a feature of key rooms such as the pool/spa, bathroom and kitchen by making them gleam!

Create interest and a sense of ‘home’

Polish and dress furnishings to the best of your ability and maximise countertop space. This will leave you with space that can afford personalised touches such as matching hand towels in the bathroom and hand moisturiser. Staging plays an important role in helping potential buyers picture themselves calling your property, ‘home’.

Heart is where the home is….and the kitchen.

No matter how many groups of buyers pass through your home, the only thing on the mind of the home cook is the state, presentation and practicality of the kitchen.

Our advice is to declutter, emphasise negative space on countertops, polish appliances and hide outdated appliances (if possible). We recommend that you also stage the kitchen with homely accents like a a bunch of fresh flowers or a decorative bowl of fresh fruit to win over the whole family.

For more handy hints about how you can add thousands to your property's sale price please email Shelby at shelby.cockburn@prudential.com.au for your free copy of 'How To Sell Your Home For Thousands More'.