Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Renovating for sale




When renovating for the sale of your property it is important to consider the costs and benefits of any work you plan to do. The last thing you want is to spend a lot of money which you may not be able to recoup in the sale of your property.

The aim of renovation should be to ensure that your property is well maintained and beautifully presented.  These kinds of improvements will always trump the market. Focus on freshness and street appeal rather than major works.

When deciding on the type of renovations you will do consider the following :

* Renovate to give your home a facelift - concentrate on paint, cleaning and freshening the general feel of your home.

* Consider areas which may become points of negotiation for potential purchasers and aim to minimise these eg. chipped tiles, tired kitchen or bathroom.

* Focus on key areas such as the front entrance, gardens, bathroom and kitchen.

* Ensure that you spread your renovation budget so that you can effectively distribute repairs and improvements around your property. The last thing you want is a brand new kitchen drawing attention to a tired bathroom. Improvements in one area can make others areas of your house look worse so aim to generally improve the whole property.

* Keep clours and tones neutral to appeal to the broadest number of prospective buyers.

* Make sure you make use of our skills ! Talk to us before embarking on your improvements. We can advise you on what NEEDS to be done and what is cosmetic only.  We can also help you to avoid overspending and overcapitalising on your property.

Call us today iRIS Property 02 45677254
www.irisproperty.com.au

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Looking to rent ? Follow our handy guide to a stress free tenancy


We have all heard reports about how competitive the rental market is at the moment. Sydney rental prices are through the roof and there are plenty of horror stories of people searching for months for a suitable property.

Fortunately for you things are great in the Hawkesbury. Quality of life and cost of living is significantly more affordable and commuting to work is part of everyday life for many people west of the city. So if you're sick of standing in line every weekend to put in your bid on a tiny apartment in the city for $500 a week why not come and have a look at what the Hawkesbury area has to offer.....

Here are some tips to help you find and secure a rental property. By following these tips you can make looking for a home easier and simpler.

* Do some research ! Have a look at available properties in the area you want to live and see what you get for your money. In this way you will have a realistic idea of pricing and the type of property you can afford.

* Consider what you need and want. Look at things like transport, entertainment, shops, proximity to family and friends and the ability to have pets.

* Talk to us about what is available in your area and price range. If we know you are looking for a property we can let you know when homes become available.

* Have all the information you need in order to complete your rental application form eg identification, references, proof of employment.

* Know your rights and responsibilities as a tenant. Follow this link to the Dept of Fair Trading for advice on renting a home....

http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/Tenants_and_home_owners/Renting_a_home.html

iRIS Property
Tel : 02 45677254
www.irisproperty.com.au





Monday, June 25, 2012

Hawkesbury Harvest Farmers Market



Every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month finds stall holders setting up for the Hawkesbury Harvest Markets. The market runs from 8:00am till noon and is held at the Castle Hill Showgrounds.

Be tempted by a wide array of excellent locally sourced products including coffee, farm fresh vegetables, artisan breads, Willowbrae goats cheeses, olive oils, berries, Australian native foods, Bilpin apples, local citrus fruit, cupcakes, pastries and tarts.



Why not make your way to Castle Hill for breakfast and coffee then head up the Bells Line of Rd to the Bilpin local markets which run every Saturday morning from 10 am till noon. Here you will find local apples, pies, jams and preserves alongside locally produced art and craft.

Next stop Mount Tomah Botanic Gardens, entry is free and the gardens are a beautiful place to walk off all those morning indulgences and to take in the wonder of this amazing cool climate garden.

The Hawkesbury area is so beautiful and has so much to offer. When you decide you can't possibly live anywhere else call us. We will help you find the perfect home.

iRIS Property 02 45677254
www.irisproperty.com.au




iRIS Property - Who are we ????



iRIS Property was founded in 2007 by Martin Schoeddert and his wife and business partner, Jeanette.
Canadian born Martin studied a Bachelor of Commerce before embarking on a career in real estate in 1988.

Martin specialises in rural and residential properties and has extensive knowledge of the Hawkesbury and surrounding areas. He is always happy to provide advice and assistance.

Martin and Jeanette founded iRIS Property with the aim of providing fantastic service and getting great results for their clients and have achieved that goal. Many of their clients are people who have bought or sold with them in the past who wouldn't think of dealing with any other agent.

Steven Body of Kurrajong Heights " Martin has helped us with all of our property transactions - if you want someone who will answer your questions honestly, give you reliable information you need to make good choices and get results then iRIS is it "

"We understand what a responsibility it is to look after people's largest assets " Martin Schoeddert - "We aim to help you maximise sales results and returns on your investments"

iRIS Property also provides property management services so can help you find the perfect investment property and then take care of the tenancy details for you.

Martin says that developing open and professional relationships with his clients is what he loves most about his job. Add to that his passion for sharing knowledge and helping people achieve their financial goals and you have the perfect agent.

Contact iRIS Property - 02 45677254   info@irisproperty.com.au   www.irisproperty.com.au

Thursday, June 21, 2012

What is the 'Cooling Off' period ????



Cooling Off refers to a period of time, usually about five days, after you have exchanged contracts in which the buyer has the opportunity to get pest and building reports done, ensure financing is in order and generally get ready for the purchase and decide if they wish to definitely proceed with the sale.

During this period the purchaser is able to get out of the contract for any reason but it is important to note that if the sale does not proceed a fee of 0.25% of the purchase price ($250 for every $100K) is paid by the purchaser to the vendor.

During the Cooling Off Period the vendor is bound to the sale of the property and cannot sell to anyone else even if a higher offer is made.

It is possible to waive the Cooling Off Period by the purchaser providing the vendor with a Section 66W Certificate. The buyer will need to engage a solicitor or conveyancer to execute this.

The advantages of a Cooling Off Period for the purchaser include securing the purchase and ensuring that the vendor cannot sell to anyone else in this time. It also usually expedites the process of the sale and means less stress and uncertainty for the buyer.

For the vendor a Cooling Off Period provides an expression of genuine interest and provision of some compensation even if the sale does not go ahead (0.25% fee). It also indicates that the purchaser is motivated to go ahead with the sale and has made a financial and psychological investment in the property. It also ensures that the purchaser does their searches, pest and building reports and arranges their finance in a timely manner meaning less wasted time if the property needs to go back on the market.


www.irisproperty.com.au  
info@irisproperty.com.au
Tel : 02 45677254

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Tax tips for property investors





The end of the financial year looms near and it's time to start thinking about getting the most out of your investment property. 
There are many things you may be able to claim so get those receipts organised and check out some of the ways you can minimise tax this year. 


You may be able to claim  :


• Advertising for a tenant
• Body Corporate fees
• Council rates
• Depreciation on plant and equipment
• Interest on a loan to purchase the property
• Insurance
• Land tax
• Property agents’ fees
• Repairs and maintenance (fully deductible)
• Capital works deductions/special building write-off
• Stationery, postage and telephone
• Travel expenses
• Water rates



Speak to your tax agent or accountant for more information. 

The basics of auctions


When to consider selling by auction

* Sale by auction is often the best way to go for unique and unusual properties.

* It is a great method of marketing generating a competitive interest around your property.

* This form of sale allows the selling price to be dictated by the market rather than by setting a cap or figure for sale which is useful when there are few comparable properties in your area.

*It's helpful for people who want a good chance of selling their home on a given day for at least the minimum price you have determined with your agent.

How it works

Once you have decided to go to auction we can guide you through the whole process.
The process of  marketing your property is similar to other sale types in that we will contact potential buyers, devise an advertising campaign and arrange open homes for people to inspect your property.

The date for auction is set and advertised and the minimum sale price (reserve) is determined near the end of the marketing campaign. You are always protected by the reserve price.

On auction day Martin and your auctioneer will guide you through the process. The relevant documentation is displayed for potential purchasers and the ground rules for the auction are set eg, acceptable bid increments.

The auctioneer will ask for a starting bid and once the reserve is met the property is said to be 'on the market' and the highest bidder on the day is the purchaser. If the reserve is not met during the auction we still have the opportunity to sell under auction conditions until midnight of that same day.

The purchaser is required to pay a 10% deposit on the fall of the hammerand sign the contract.   Settlement generally occurs 42 days later or as negotiated between the parties.

For more information about auctions or selling your property call us at iRIS Property 02 45677254.

Monday, June 11, 2012





I was talking to a friend the other day who lives in Sydney. I felt struck when he said that he didn't really notice autumn and winter living in the city. Sure it was colder but the scenery didn't really change all that much. He was up for the weekend and was loving the colour display of the Hawkesbury region where gardens are showing off their red, yellow and orange beauty at this time of year.

Quite the opposite of the usual notion that real estate slows in winter, this time of year is one of the most stunning times to visit the Hawkesbury and we have some incredibly beautiful properties to show you.

The gardens are truly beautiful and homes are warmed by fires. This is the Hawkesbury at it's homeliest and most cosy, comforting time. The apple season is in full swing with the Bells Line of Road acting like a farmers market for fresh produce and home baked goodies all the way to the Mount Tomah Botanic Gardens which are not to be missed for an autumn and winter display.


Check out our website for some amazing properties

www.irisproperty.com.au/



and the Hawkesbury What's On guide for your next visit


www.hawkesburyaustralia.com.au/information/default.asp











Monday, June 4, 2012

Building wealth



Property investment is a fantastic way to build wealth whether you're looking at long or short term goals. We can help you to find the right property to meet your criteria. Some types of investments can be difficult to understand if you don't have a degree in economics - let's look at some great reasons to get into the investment market.

So why should you think about property for investment ?

* Solid, proven capital growth
* The safety of bricks and mortar
* Regular rental income to support you or your loan
* Tax incentives such as negative gearing- almost un-heard of anywhere else in the world !
* The ability to increase the value of your asset through improvements such as painting, renovations, landscaping - often a small investment of cash or time can significantly increase the value of your property and the income you receive from it.

If you are ready to build a more secure financial future and are looking for investment opportunities call us  today.

A simple buyers guide




1. Speak with a mortgage broker/bank/financial institution to determine the most appropriate loan type for you and to gauge your borrowing capacity.

2. Make a short list of the suburbs or areas you are interested in and do some basic research about average price houses for these areas and to assess services such as shops, schools and transport- we can help you with this.

3. Get to know your agent - we like to know about you too - the better we understand your needs such as family size, transport and schooling requirements the better we are able to find the right property for you and your family.

4. When you find a property that you are interested in it's time to bring in solicitors and arrange pest and building inspections. This gives you the information you need to make an informed decision about the offer you would like to make to the vendor.

5. When your offer has been accepted it is time to sign the contract for sale and pay your 10% deposit which is held in trust until the sale is finalised.

6. At this point the solicitors, conveyancers or agent arranges exchange of the signed contracts and settlement usually takes place 6 weeks later.

At iRIS Property we have years of experience in helping people find the home they want. Call us today to see how we can help you.