Tips for a fuss free house move

You have found the perfect home and it's time to move. Follow our handy checklist to minimise the stress.

1. Decide if you are going to engage a removalist service or do it yourself.

Removalist - negotiate price, inclusions and book at least 3 weeks in advance of moving date.

DIY - arrange to hire moving van if necessary and start to gather boxes and packing materials.

2. Arrange disconnection and new connection of services such as power, internet, telephone. Change property details on insurance policies.

3. Start packing any items you won't be using and organise a system of labelling to avoid double handling on the day and to ensure access should you need something in the meantime.

4. Make a moving home checklist ( there are lots of websites with easy to follow examples ) make an inventory of your belongings and make sure to keep things you will need for your first night in your new home separate. Consider packing a couple of changes of clothes, some sheets and towels, toiletries and toys for kids.

5. Make sure all boxes are clearly labelled and necessary items are easily accessible.

Good luck, and have fun. Generally - if everyone in the household packs two boxes each per day , everything will be easily sorted by the time moving day comes around - it's that simple and stress free !!

Great property management

Did you know that iRIS Property provides property management services????

What  makes a good property manager ?

Good management of your investment property doesn't just mean collecting the rent.  It also involves inspections of your property to ensure it's being well maintained, advising on ways to improve your property to attract better rental income and capital growth, negotiating the best deals for you when the tenancy agreement is due for review and ensuring that tenants are appropriate and reliable.

We have all heard horror stories of unpaid rent and damaged buildings. Why not hand the hard work over to the professionals ? At iRIS we pride ourselves on providing you with an up to date rental payment system, options for nominating payment methods, inspections to guarantee the safety of your property and competitive rent negotiation.

Call today for information on how we can provide you with a stress free rental management service.

Street Appeal

You've decided to put your home on the market. The clutter is packed away, windows are sparkling, the house is cleaned and you are ready to go. Or are you ???

People often spend a lot of time and money preparing the inside of homes for sale. Painting, cleaning and renovating are all important and can help you secure the right buyer for your property but the first impression buyers get is from the street and you want to make it a good one.

Most buyers see your home for the first time on a website. If they like what they see then comes an inspection or open home. Make sure that the way your property is presented is fresh and impressive.

A fresh coat of paint, well kept gardens and landscaping, tidy paths and driveways, removal of all rubbish and some well tended plants and mulching can make all the difference in securing that vaulable buyer interest.

Saving energy = saving money

Winter is always a time when energy costs go through the roof. Home heating and long hot showers can bump up your bill by hundreds of dollars.

Check out our simple tips to help you reduce energy consumption during the cooler months.

Better for the environment and better for your pocket.

Turn the temperature on the thermostat of your heater or reverse cycle air conditioner to 18-20°C. Every 1° increase in temperature can increase the heating component of your energy bill by up to 15%.

Insulate your ceilings and walls. 

Close curtains/blinds to minimise heat loss.

Seal cracks and holes that cause drafts. Drafts can increase winter heat loss by up to 25%.

Heat only the areas of the house you are using.

Hot water accounts for about 30% of your energy bill so it makes sense to reduce your hot water usage by shortening shower times and install an energy efficient shower head which can halve your hot water usage.

Simple ways to improve the value of your home

Getting top price for your property is the aim of the game.

Follow these simple but effective tips to increase the value of your home and improve your chances of a quick sale at a great price.

* Update your entranceway - paint the front door, clean pathways, ensure easy access and tidy front gardens.

* Make sure paintwork is fresh and clean. No-one wants to buy a house if the first task is having to repaint. Make your home appealing to buyers.

* Have carpets professioanlly cleaned. If you have floorboards make sure they are in great condition - they can be a fantastic sale feature - resand and seal if necessary or just clean and polish.

* Consider updating the kitchen if necessary by painting or replacing cupboard doors, handles and benchtop. This can cost as little as a few hundred dollars but can make all the difference to your homes saleability.

* Clean your windows! This simple task can change the whole feel of your home letting in light and giving the impression of a well maintained home. Consider removing or replacing old curtains or blinds as needed.

* Revamp your bathroom by replacing toliet seats and tapware. Clean away all signs of mould or damp and consider using products like grout pens to freshen up tiling. Stock your bathrooms with fresh towels for a co-ordinated and fresh look.

* Tidy your garden, wash paths, remove rubbish and ensure that your garden is free of pet mess.

If you don't feel you have the time or skills for these tasks why not investigate getting in some handyman help. It could prove to be one of the best investments you can make in selling your home.

Spending money to make money

Sometimes the best way to make money is to spend money.

When considering wealth creation or retirement planning it's hard to beat real estate as an investment.

Lets face it, not everyone is a great saver and money management may not be your strong suit but owning your own home or investment property can be a great beginning to building yourself a sound financial base. Building equity in a home by making regular mortgage payments is one of the best ways for many people to save a large amount of money over time.

This type of forced saving by paying off a mortgage is one of the most effective way of achieving wealth and with banks offering great interest rates and low loan establishment fees now is a great time to get into the market. 

View our current listings online at www.irisproperty.com.au 

Call today to see how we can help you get ahead in the property market or make the transition from renter to owner !

Quotes to invest by

Owning a home is a keystone of wealth - both financial affluence and emotional security.
Suze Orman

Buy on the fringe and wait. Buy land near a growing city. Buy real estate when other people want to sell. Hold what you buy.
John Jacob Astor

Price is what you pay. Value is what you get.
Warren Buffett

The best investment on earth is earth.
Louis Glickman