Are Pools included in Home Inspections? Before you jump into the property market, there are some things you should consider before you purchase a property with a pool. Many buyers obtaining a home inspection might assume that a pre-purchase inspection includes the pool as well. Certainly, you should ask whether the pool is included and…
Tips for choosing the right Builder Your home is a valuable asset and building or renovating can be a very expensive major undertaking. You may not be aware how important it is to know the difference between registered builders and tradespeople. That’s why it’s best to know how to check credentials and references to ensure…
There was a time when work dictated where homeowners in Victoria could live. Typically, the city and suburbs provided convenience when commuting to and from the workplace. For many homeowners, the bustling metropolis wasn’t their first choice. If you have longed to live by the sea or out in the country where it is quiet…
The property ladder is, more often than not, unkind to first time buyers. If you have ambitions of one day owning a home, start out by buying into a strata title property. There are pros and cons of this fast track into the property market, so it is important to know what you are getting…
Buying an off-the-plan apartment or house comes with the expectation that you end up with exactly what it detailed in the contract of sale, possibly with the added bonus of no stamp duty payable. Final handover should only be finalised once all included appliances, windows, doors, finishes and extras have been completed. However, closing the…
Self-isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic has left many homeowners with a lot of time on their hands. During this difficult period, it is important to keep yourself occupied. If you are experiencing cabin fever, autumn maintenance is a good way to get outside, do something productive and of benefit. Most properties have plenty of…
A favourite pastime whilst on holidays at the beach, is checking out the properties For Sale in the local Real Estate Agency’s windows. As the Bellarine Peninsula becomes as popular (if not more popular), than its counterpart across Port Phillip Bay, growing numbers are choosing to settle in the areas around Geelong, generally considered the more…
Devastating bushfires have ravaged large areas of Victoria and other regions of Australia, destroying homes and forcing residents to flee affected areas. The deaths of a number of people either caught in affected areas or working to prevent the spread of the fires is a tragic reminder of the importance of Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO). …
Recent news stories, such as the evacuation of residents from an apartment block in Mordialloc in Melbourne’s south-east, have highlighted what building inspectors have always known: New-build does not mean defect free. A joint report by Deakin and Griffith Universities has since established that things look just as bleak for new buyers in Victoria, with defects found…
When you are building a new home you will obviously seek a reputable builder who will do the job to your plans and specifications. However, even highly experienced builders make mistakes during construction or poor design creates problems and defects. It is therefore important to have stage inspections to ensure that the project conforms to…