Nicholas Lynch Real Estate

Nicholas Lynch Real Estate was founded around one simple mission--to provide results that exceed our clients expectations through the delivery of awesome customer service.

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Hiring a Real Estate Agent? Here's What You Should Know

If you're going to buy real estate in Mount Eliza or any other place for that matter, make sure that you enlist the services of a real estate agent. With someone who knows the local market at your side, you're putting yourself in a better position to find the perfect property to buy.

Benefits of Hiring an Agent

Whether you're a seasoned investor or a first-time homebuyer, working with a real estate agent can make the process easier. Here are some of the benefits.

1. Comparable sales. For homebuyers, it's very important to know how much properties similar to the one you want to buy are being sold for. This is something a real estate agent can help you with. Your agent can give you access to comparable sales in the neighbourhood you want to buy in, allowing you to easily determine how much your initial offer should be.

2. Local market data Research is your friend when buying a house, but with a real estate agent, you can reduce the amount of time you spend researching the neighbourhood you want to buy in. With the agent providing you with local market data, you can be sure that you're buying in the right location.

3. Open houses Attending open houses is one of the best ways to find the perfect residential property to buy. A real estate agent can give you information on open houses that are being held in Mount Eliza or any other areas that you want to buy in. This will give you the opportunity to inspect a property and see if it provides the attributes that you are after.

Qualities of a Reliable Real Estate Agent

If you're going to hire a real estate agent, make sure they possess the following qualities:

1. Licensed Always make sure that you hire a licensed agent. This will help ensure that you're in the company of an expert and someone who is trusted by the local real estate community.

2. Familiar with the local market Choose a local agent so it will be much easier for you to determine local market conditions and identify the locations of the best real estate Mount Eliza has.

3. Personable Look for an agent who is personable and who knows how to deal with different kinds of people. Since you'll be spending some time with your agent, it would be wise to choose someone you'll get along with.

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A First-Timer's Guide to Buying Property at Auction

Buying property at auction is one way to purchase a home at a good price. Once you have made a successful bid on a property, you can get a definite result. Bidding at auctions can be a daunting task. If you don't know what you're doing, you might end up with a bad property or worse, an empty pocket. To avoid making mistakes, here are a few tips you should consider.

Things to Remember When Buying at an Auction

1. Do your research Before you start bidding on any property, you should do a bit of research. Properties that are sold at auctions are usually subject to a reserve price, which is the minimum price the seller is willing to accept. Agents are not generally allowed to disclose the reserve price so it's up to you to determine the prices in which similar properties in the area have recently been sold for. This way, you can determine the true market value of the property to be auctioned and prevent yourself from over-bidding.

2. Practise, practise, practise! As the saying goes, practise makes perfect. Before bidding on a property, you should try to attend as many auctions as possible to familiarise yourself with how things go at such events. Also, observe and pay special attention to the strategies used by the winning bidder. This way, you'll be able to learn how to make successful bids and develop a realistic insight into the prices properties are advertised for and the prices they actually sell for.

3. Check out the property Before the auction takes place, you must have visited the property a few times to ensure that it is really what you want. Also, you should consider hiring a licensed building inspector to take a look at the property. This way, you can be sure that the house doesn't have any structural problems or any issues.

4. Ready your finances Always remember that the winning bid at an auction is a binding contract. You need to make sure that your finances are in order before auction day. If you're taking out a loan, make sure that it has already been pre-approved so you can bid with confidence.

Let a Real Estate Agent Help

5. Hire a real estate agent Whether you're trying to buy the best real estate Frankston has at an auction or not, you should consider hiring an agent. With a real estate expert to help you, you can better equip yourself with proper knowledge and avoid making decisions that you will regret later on.

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What You Need to Know When Buying Your Dream Home

For most people, buying a house is a major accomplishment. It is their goal to find a “dream home” that is perfect for their family. Finding your dream home has a different set of considerations compared to any other real estate purchase. Since it is most likely that your goal is to stay living in it in the foreseeable future, you want a house that will keep your family happy for a long time. These 5 factors can help you in your search:

Feature that you want

Finding your perfect home is more fulfilling a wish than meeting what you need. If you have a family, they may have different wishes for what their dream home is. What you can do is ask them to make a list of features that they have always wanted. Then rank it by importance. Though it’s unlikely to find one house that has all these dream features, this will help you focus in finding one that will work for all of you.

Neighbourhood and surrounding area

It is very important to find a neighbourhood that suits your needs. Whatever it is, it is best to do research before you start looking. Drive to your desired locations and spend time there as much as possible. You can go and look for your needs such as schools, hospitals, commercial establishments etc. Once you decide on which of these areas suit you best, let your Mt Eliza real estate agent know. They will use this to find the perfect house for you.

Location and size

Location often comes as an afterthought when buying a house, when in fact, it should be in the forefront of every buyer’s mind. It is one thing in a property that you cannot really change. Before submitting an offer, consider location and size first.

Property’s age

The property’s age makes a difference especially if you’re buying a home where you will spend the rest of your life. Buying old and new homes both have their own pros and cons. So list down all of these and select the one that will complement the other factors.  

Ideal home style

There are various home styles and you would want to pick one that best suits your lifestyle. When finding your dream home, you will see a lot of styles. At the end of the day, make a note of those that you saw and like and compare if it fits with your other preferences then decide.

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6 Things to Consider When Building an Outdoor Living Space

Does your home have an unused backyard or patio? These are great areas to convert into an outdoor living space. Here are 6 things you need to consider if you would like to build a relaxing outdoor living space:

Vision

Take a look at the available space your piece of real estate in Mt Eliza has, and determine what the best use is for it. It should be beneficial and practical for your family. Before you start, you should have a list of essential things that the area needs.

Seating

A lot of seating area is needed in any living space. For family meals or drinks with friends, a table and chairs or a bar with stools are great. If the space will be used for lounging, sofas, armchairs, swings and hammocks are recommended. It is best to use weather-resistant cushions for additional comfort. If you’re going to have parties, use a group of chairs or benches.

Lighting

Your outdoor space could be perfect by adding the right amount of light. For gatherings, harsh spotlights should be turned off and instead use hanging lanterns, pathway lights, candles or fire pits. You can draw attention to your water features or decorative plants by strategically placing lights in these areas. For dining areas, consider adding extra lighting such as patio-umbrella lights.

Shade

Your outdoor living space needs shade during the day. You can use a patio roof or an umbrella to achieve this. You can also use tall potted plants to provide shade. If you have a larger space, you can build or install a pergola.

Temperature control

You should use your space all year round if possible, so you should consider how to control the temperature. For hot summer months, you can do so by installing some fans. For cooler days, you could consider installing an outdoor fire place or fire pit. You should keep a chest of blankets on hand during evening gatherings. You can also use large space heaters for outdoor dining areas.

Accessories

Just like other living spaces in your home, accessories are needed in your outdoor living area. Consider using colourful rugs or patterned throw pillows. You can also use art such as paintings and sculptures.

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How to Make the Most Out of Open Houses in Dromana

If you’re buying a property, chances are you’re attending open house inspections. It’s great to have a systematic approach to check the tangible and practical aspects of the houses for sale in Dromana. To make the most of it, here are 5 things you should know:

Make your list

It is best to have a checklist when looking to purchase your perfect home or investment property. It should be a list of what’s important to you in a property. It will help a lot during your search so you don’t waste time inspecting homes that do not have the requirements you need. You should include in the list all the things that you look for like number of bedrooms, kitchen size, quality and so on. Less tangible requirements should also be included such as local amenities, public transport, schools etc.

Take your time

It is very important to take your time inspecting the house during open houses. Use your checklist to look for the things that matter to you. Check if the appliances and fixtures are working. Measure rooms, open all doors and check storage spaces. Make sure that there are adequate window and door locks. Inspect if external factors such as fences and roofs are all in good condition.

Take notes

It is best to take notes of what you like and don’t like about the property you visited. This lets you decide objectively if it deserves a second viewing. If you liked a particular house, the list is more important than ever. You can use the defects you listed to negotiate prices.

Ask questions

Don’t hesitate to ask questions. Take time to talk with the real estate agent as this can help you make an informed choice about the property. The information you’ll get can also assist you in negotiations regarding price.

Leave your details with the real estate agent

It is recommended that you leave your details with the agents. This is an opportunity to let an expert help you find the property you’re looking for. Should the property in the open house not meet your requirements, tell the agent that you still want to pursue looking for other options. They can help you find one, so never forget to leave them your details.

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5 Things You Need to Know When Buying a Property in Mornington Peninsula

Once you have found the property that suits all your requirements, and you are now ready to buy it. Before you do, here are 5 things you need to know to avoid beginner’s errors:

Legal advice

It is very important to get good legal advice when buying a property. Having legal advice can prevent serious problems with the property that may cause the sale to fall through. This includes:

Illegal additions to the property or renovations that can be removed by council or too costly to update

Complications with the property’s title deeds and legal ownership

Potential issues regarding management clauses and fees

Property’s state authority rights relating to zoning and/or potential developments to the area that can significantly affect the property’s value.

Your legal representative should also review your mortgage agreement and sales agreement ensuring that these documents protect your interests.

Property inspections

You need to consider having a professional building inspector to check the property for structural defects, damp, pest infestation, presence of asbestos, and plumbing and wiring issues. Before doing so, you can also do your own inspection. While you may be emotional through this whole process, you need to carefully think of potential problems. Here are some key ways on how to do it:

Search for damp and mould. You can check this by looking out for fresh patches of paint that can be hiding this problem. You can also check skirting boards and ceilings.

Check structural issues such as sagging ceilings, doors or window frames that are uneven, or buckling in walls.

Test the taps and take note on how long the hot water takes to come through. Also, check out the hot water heater.

Evaluate if the home is energy-efficient.

Mortgage market

It is very important to first learn your borrowing power before you make any bid or offer on the property. You can determine the actual amount you can borrow by talking to different lenders, reviewing interest rates and knowing potential add-ons on products. You should always consider your ongoing costs as a homeowner and your ability to manage your mortgage payments in the future. Being a pre-approved borrower will get you ahead.

Accurate valuation

You should always use an accredited valuer when obtaining your own valuation, as sales can often fall through due to an inaccurate valuation. This could mean having to borrow more than what you have budgeted for.

Get an agent

Buying real estate in Mornington Peninsula can turn into a game of negotiation. It’s a good idea to have someone represent you if you’re not comfortable making the sale offers, making bids at auctions and negotiating settlement terms. Agents are experts in buying properties and are good in evaluating properties and negotiating terms of purchase.

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Real Estate Mornington: 5 Important Things to Watch Out For When Buying a House

When it comes to buying the best value real estate Mornington has, or any location for that matter, it’s very important that you do your homework well. Remember that buying a house is no simple matter. If you’re planning on owning it for a few years or more, you have to make sure that it won’t cause you any problems down the road.

What You Should Check When Buying Real Estate in Mornington

When buying a house, here isa list of the things you should watch out for to make sure that you’re investing in the right property.

1. The roof. Unless you are willing to spend thousands of dollars on a new roof, make sure to look up before you set foot inside the property you want to buy. Does the roof look relatively new or does it look like it needs repairs? Take note that if there are noticeable structural problems with the roof, it could end up costing you significantly when you buy the property.

2. The house’s structure. When buying a house, you should look past freshly painted walls and the gorgeous décor. Instead, focus on the structural stuff, like the cracks on the wall, loose wires, drummy tiles, and other signs that may indicate that the property is not structurally sound.

3. The plumbing system. The plumbing system is one of the things many homebuyers often overlook when scouting for houses to buy. Make sure that you don’t make this mistake as bad plumbing can be very expensive to fix. When checking out the house you want to buy, make sure that you take a good look at underneath the sink and the piping system. Look for possible leaks and water damage.

4. The heating and cooling system. Heating and cooling systems are expensive to fix and replace. And if they’re inefficient, you may end up paying higher electricity bills. So check the house’s heating and cooling systems before buying the property.

You’ve got to look at your surroundings, too!

5. The surroundings. Don’t just focus on the house itself. It’s also important that you check the area surrounding the property. Is the house located in a good neighbourhood? Is the area prone to flooding or bushfire? These items not only affect your safety, but can increase your insurance premiums significantly as well.

Finding the answers to these questions are important when looking for houses for sale in Mornington.

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Real Estate Agents Mornington - 5 Tips for a Successful Property Investment

More and more people are becoming interested in entering the real estate market and becoming an owner of an investment property. This can be a smart business decision for increasing your cash flow, however, it can also pose a lot of challenges. Without proper preparation, you could suffer negative results. If you are interested in starting a rental property portfolio, here are the areas you need to remember so that your venture can be a success:

Finances

It’s important that you have financial stability and a low-interest loan when planning for a property investment. You need to make sure that you have enough money to handle the costs of the property. You won’t know exactly when you will have a tenant, therefore, you have to ensure that you have enough to cover the payments on the house. Apart from this you need to set aside an emergency fund in case there will be a need for repairs and damages that the insurance won’t cover.

Understanding the market

The real estate market is a constantly changing market. Unless you are thoroughly immersed in it, it would be impossible for you to predict when it will go up or down. You should seek assistance from the best real estate agents in Mornington so that you will be able to know when is the best time to purchase a property, and gauge when is an appropriate time to raise rental prices. You will have a better return on investment if you understand or someone helps you understand the market.

Start with the right property

Start out low and work your way up. It is very important to begin with a solid property before you find challenging ones.

Plan for the property’s care

It is never easy to manage a property. You have two options – do this by yourself or have a property management company do it for you. If you choose to do it by yourself, you will be the one responsible for all the factors that are involved in managing a property. If you choose a property manager, there will normally be a fee between8-10% of a month’s rent.

Screen your tenants properly

Once you have taken care of all the basics, it is time to rent out your property. Be careful in choosing your tenants, and make sure to screen them carefully. Ensure that they will be able to pay rent on time and that they will treat the property with care.

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How to Prepare Your Home for the Market

If you’re planning to list your home and hope to sell it quickly, then you better get started. Even before you start talking with agents, you should prepare it so that it is ready anytime brokers or potential buyers would like to come and take a look. Here are 6 essential preparations that you should do:

Repairs

You should start tackling necessary and obvious repairs in the house. You want to prevent potential buyers being turned off by chipped paint, scuffed-up floors and leaking gutters when they look around your property. You want them to focus on the good qualities of the house and not by making a list of areas that are in need of fixing.

By eliminating negotiations over minor repair issues, you’ll be able to save time and money. Handling the repair prior to negotiations should keep you from the estimated and often over-inflated repair cost that buyers claim. Keep in mind that your actual cost will almost always be less than the actual post-inspection estimate of the buyer.

Clutter and junk

Remember that clutter eats equity and kills business deals. De-clutter and free up space in your home before you welcome any potential buyers for viewing. You should evaluate every item and decide whether to save it, throw it, or sell it. To make a home sellable, remember that less is more.

Once you have removed unnecessary items, organise the rest. Remember that living space is considered a precious commodity. Naturally, buyers are drawn to houses that look bigger.

Depersonalise your home

When selling your home, a blank slate is more appealing to potential buyers. You want them to visualise themselves in your home, and personal collectibles and stuff would not help them do that.

Remove polarising materials

When preparing your home for a sale, remove any item that can be deemed as controversial such as religious items or political materials. These items tend to trigger strong emotional reactions. Avoid being pre-judged by your potential buyers because of your religious or political beliefs.

Curb appeal

First impressions always count and having a polished façade will surely bring buyers to your home. You can plant grasses and flowering plants and do not forget to trim trees and bushes to create a very nice curb appeal.

Reality check

While you may have an idea of your property’s value, self-appraisals are rarely objective. To have an accurate appraisal and pricing of your real estate in Mount Eliza, you can explore similar properties on the market in your neighbourhood. You can do a quick survey of their features and list prices. This will be very helpful in setting the appropriate price for your home.

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What to Do When Buying real estate in Mt Eliza

Are you looking for real estate in Mt Eliza? If you are, then good for you! Mt Eliza is known for being home to a wide range of real estate properties that can cater to the different needs of home buyers. Whether you are looking for an apartment for one or a three-bedroom home for your growing family, you can find the residential property that you want in this beautiful suburb. But before you make a decision, follow these practical pointers.

Things to Remember When Buying a House

Tip No 1: Think 'Long-Term.' When buying a house, make sure that you could see yourself living in it for the next five to seven years. It isn't easy to continually move from one place to another, so go for a property that can provide you with long-term benefits. Always consider the future when you buy.

Tip No 2: Consider your lifestyle. Make sure you pick a property that matches your lifestyle. For example, if you have an extremely busy schedule and you don't have the time to maintain your property, it is best that you avoid a house that comes with a large lawn or garden. These types of properties require extensive maintenance work, so if you don't have the time and energy for this commitment, then you're better off choosing another one.

Tip No 3: Choose a house that can adapt to your needs. You can’t expect your life to remain the way it is forever, so choose a house that can match your ever-changing needs. For example, if you're buying a home for your family, choose one with lots of space. In case you are planning to have more kids in the future, it will be easier for you to create more room for them later on.

Always Work with an Agent

Want to make the process of finding the best house to buy much easier for you? Then working with an agent will help you find the best piece of real estate Mt Eliza has. An agent can give you valuable information that can help you find the property that matches your lifestyle and will benefit you in the long haul.

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10 Mistakes to Avoid When Renovating Your Home on the Mornington Peninsula

Renovating your home is a big project to undertake. While it has a lot of benefits like increasing the value of your Mornington Peninsula real estate property, you have to carefully lay out the plan of action in undertaking this project. It can be a very emotional process simply because of the excitement of the results it can bring. These emotions can result in mistakes which can hinder the success of the renovation. Here are 10 mistakes you should avoid when doing a home renovation project:

Don’t delay decisions

It’s always best to make every single decision before the work starts. Keep in mind that decisions about certain situations are not the ones that cause delays. Instead, small decisions like tapware, paint and trim selections are the ones that do. Small things can balloon into something bigger and cause delays.

Don’t change your mind too often

It’s inevitable to change your mind while the project is in progress. However, you have to remember that every time you change your mind on something, it will be a change in time, and along with it an additional cost. Scheduling is affected when you change something. It is perfectly okay to make changes but you have to be aware of the potential disruption and delay it could bring.

Don’t buy your own materials

It may seem that you will be able to save money when you purchase materials yourself since the contractor can mark the prices up. However, also consider that contractors can get a better price, which means that even after the mark up, the price is still the same.

Don’t put lipstick on a pig

There are houses that need to be knocked down instead of spending too much money on them to fix them up. There are homeowners that will put fancy cabinets in a house with sagging foundations. You have to listen to what your builder has to say and be open to their suggestions.

Don’t’ work without a contingency fund

You have to set aside a contingency fund for any unforeseen circumstances in your project. However, be careful not to eat into your contingency fund to stretch your budget.

Don’t let your kids and pets and get in the way

It’s not safe to have your children and pets running around the house during the project. You need to make sure that they are somewhere safe while the renovation is in progress.

Do not live in the home

Most homeowners ignore this and for a good reason. The project itself is expensive enough, and having to move out just adds on the cost. If you can’t move out during the renovation, you can just schedule some time away and set up a clean and comfortable place for you to retreat.

Do not be a distraction

Avoid distracting the workers by talking to them about insignificant matters. This may sound harsh, but every minute you spend talking to them is hours lost completing the project.

Do not ignore what the house wants

Consider the type of house and the improvements you want to do with it. For example, a modern kitchen may not work in a Victorian house. Sure, houses evolve through time but before you decide on anything, it is best to do research first.

Do not work without a design

Designs are important for the success of your project. Some need an architect, and others an interior designer, to come up with a good design. Whatever it is, don’t start a project without a floor plan. This can help you and the builder identify problems before the project starts.

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How to Take Quality Photos for Your Home Listing

Most home buyers these days start their house hunting online. As a seller, it is now more important that the photos that are posted in your listing look good and impress the potential buyers. Bad online photos, or no photos at all, can hurt your goal of selling your property in the fastest possible time. If you’re selling your house through real estate agents in Mornington, find out who will take the photos. In most cases, they will hire a professional photographer for this. You also have the option of taking them yourself, especially if you’re on a tight budget. Here are useful tips that can help you take better photos for your home listing:

Before you photograph

Camera – mobile phone cameras are not really cut out to take good photos for listing.  Any digital camera that has five megapixels or more can produce good images. If you’re willing to invest more, a digital SLR and tripod will help you take more sharp-looking photos.

Stage your home – You want to show the space that your property has. Ensure that your house is clean and free from clutter. When staging a property, less is more. Minimise the furniture and appliances that will be included in the photos.

While you photograph

Natural light – Use as much natural light as possible. Turn on all the lights and open the windows to make a room bright and open. Do not rely too much on the camera’s flash. It reflects off windows and mirrors and creates unattractive shadows. You also want to avoid doing the photo shoot during evenings and rainy days as these times create gloomy images. When taking an exterior shot, do this on an overcast day to avoid the sun casting dark shadows on your property.

Angles and position – You should always choose the best angle and positions when taking photographs. The best way to do this is to shoot from a corner or doorway to include as much of the room as possible. This provides context and makes the room more spacious. When taking an image of your property’s exterior, stand at an angle to the home instead of straight-on. This allows potential buyers to see the home’s depth. Try not to include items such as poles and wires on your photos as these make the house look obscure.

Avoid making your home look something that it isn’t – Do not mislead your buyers. Avoid making the rooms deceptively large with wide-angle lenses. This can disappoint your potential buyers.

Take lots of photos – Digital cameras allow you to take a many photos as you want. Take advantage of this by experimenting with various camera settings and angles. Review the photos later on and choose the best ones to represent your home.

After you photograph

Touch up the photos – Once you have selected the best photos, you may find they need a bit of tweaking. There are tools that you can find online to adjust the brightness and contrast, and correct the colours of your images.

Create a good listing – Make sure that the website listings where the photos will be used are user-friendly and up to date. Include a catchy and accurate description in your photos for the listing. Discuss the things you like and dislike about your listings with your real estate agent in Mornington, as they can adjust these and help you present the home in a way that you want.

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How to Make Your Home Listing Photos Look Great

Great listing photos make a lasting first impression for home buyers. As a seller of real estate in Mornington Peninsula, it is crucial for you to take time and put together high quality photographs that will showcase your home. Here are some tips that you can apply to get a professional look for your home listing photos:

Lighting

Use natural light as much as possible with the daylight behind you. It is best to open the curtains and windows when taking the shots. It is recommended to avoid using the camera’s flash. To achieve a point of brightness and extra illumination, you can turn on a lamp or two.

Minimise the furniture

You are showcasing the rooms in your house, not the items in it. Use as little furniture and appliances as possible. Also, make sure that the areas you are shooting are clean and free of clutter.

Composition

Try to avoid corners in your shot. It is recommended to fit the entire room or as much as you can in one shot. To achieve this, you can stand in door way or open a window and take the shot from outside. You can try different angles and focus on interesting details like a fireplace mantle.

Staging

You can experiment in filling the spaces with things that you like in a natural and effortless way. Put flowers in vases and move paintings on your wall. Avoid shooting in mirrors as this will cause a reflection of your image.

Show your garden and yard

It is recommended to take photos of your front and backyard. The same goes with your landscaping or an area where children can play. The best time to do this shot is in the early morning as the lighting is not so bright and will not wash out the photo.

Retouch

Once you have selected the best shots, you may find that it needs tweaking. You can adjust its brightness, contrast and colour. You can also rotate the image if it’s a bit crooked.

Providing Images to your Real Estate

The better real estates will provide professionally taken and staged photographs as part of their sales packages for your property. If you do need to provide images to your agent however, always provide landscape format images and use the highest resolution possible. Include a catchy description with each image that they can use on the listing site.

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11 Ways to Have a Successful Listing for Your Home

Most home buyers today do their searches online. This means that as a seller, you have the opportunity to be creative and have a great online listing for your home. Here are 11 ways on how you can stand out among other houses for sale in Mt Eliza through your online listing:

Photos

The first opportunity to attract potential buyers for your property is through photos. It is important to have clear, well-shot and crisp images on your listing since this is the first thing that buyers see. In most cases, your agent is the one responsible for photography, just make sure to select as many great shots as possible.

The money shot

This is that one important image that will make buyers want your house. Usually, the money shot is the one from the curb, but not straight on. Position yourself slightly to the left or right of the house so you can get an angled shot but still captures the entire front of the house. Take as many shots as possible. Houses have good sides like us when we get our photos taken.

Kitchen

The most important part of the house is the kitchen. So it is best to feature it well on your listing. It is best to highlight granite or marble countertops, walk-in pantries, built-in wine storage and new appliances. It is also helpful to mention brand names for the items. Mention features such as open floor plans for easy access in the dining room and perfect lighting for events and gatherings.

The En-Suite

The En-Suite is perhaps the second most important room in your house. In your listing, detail special features like walk-in showers or double showers, spa baths, spacious dressing areas and double basins.

The upgrades

Talk about the recent upgrades that you have done in your home. Examples of these are new roofing, new electrical system, room conversions, fresh carpets, and so forth. It’s important to mention these since this will save on future renovation costs for potential buyers.

Original details

A large number of properties for sale are older homes. It’s important to highlight the architectural details and character in your listing. Samples of these are built-in bookshelves from the 1920s or arched doorways from the 1930s.

Green features

Green features are popular these days, and for good reasons too. With the increasing cost of electricity and water, any eco-friendly feature is a plus. Ensure you mention roof solar panels, self-programming thermostats or tank water in your listing.

Your neighbourhood

It’s all about the location. You are not just selling your house, but the entire neighbourhood as well. So mention important nearby places such as shopping centres, hospitals, restaurants, and the like. You also need to mention the community’s safety and access to public roads and transportation.

Schools

For home buyers with children, a house in a good school district is very important. If your property’s location is in a good school district, mention this on your listing.

Know the trends

It’s important to know your market along with the features in your target markets price range. Search your competition for popular keywords and make sure to include these in your listing.

Outdoor living

If your home has outdoor features like veranda's, an outdoor BBQ area, or decks, mention these as well. Create an image in the buyers’ mind of a great outdoor living and an al fresco lifestyle, as well as areas that bring the outdoor in.

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How to Maximise a Small Unit Space

The small space of an apartment or unit need not hinder you on the way you use your home and impact your lifestyle. Turn your small Mount Martha real estate unit into a space-saving retreat with the use of tested design and furniture tips that guarantee to maximise space.

Furniture

Furniture selection is the key in maximising space in interior design. It’s very important to use the right furniture in your small home so that your living space doesn’t look cramped. It’s recommended to use lounges on legs as this creates an illusion of additional space. Using stainless furniture is great in small areas since it produces clean lines.

Colours, patterns and mixtures

White, neutral and light furnishings are recommended for small apartments. However, use this combination lightly to avoid making your place look too clinical. It’s best to avoid heavy fabrics, and only use patterns in moderation.

Glass, lights, and mirrors

Using mirrors in strategic locations in your home like hallways, will reflect light and create an illusion of infinite space. You can also use glass tables which gives an open space look since it can make a space appear larger because you able to see through it. It’s also advised to use cool white light over yellow or warm white light for a more natural light streaming look.

Storage and space

Purchase furniture that is multi-functional. This type of furniture is specifically designed for smaller homes. It saves space and addresses storage problems.

Minimise furniture footprint

Consider if your single pieces of furniture could be used for various purposes. For example, most people have two small tables at home – one for the inside, and one for the balcony. If you have a small space, you can push these two tables together and have one decent size table for entertaining.

Window furnishings

Use simple blinds and curtains. Roll-down blinds are perfect to make a room look bigger. Light textured blinds create a more open-looking space than curtains.

Wallpapers

When using wallpapers, choose warm natural tones, pastel or metallic colour.

Be a minimalist

When displaying accessories it is best to go minimalist. When you move into a new home and your furniture doesn’t work anymore, just take it out.

Outdoor space

When purchasing an outdoor dining set, opt for an outdoor lounge and just match this with a low dining table. You should be able to wheel this away when you are done using it.

Cover the undesirables

In some cases, balconies are occupied by air conditioning boxes or pipes. You can cover these areas appropriately so that you can use it as a table or seat.

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5 Tips for a Perfect Outdoor Living Space

Having an outdoor living space is like having an extra room without the need of a major construction. All you need is the perfect combination of style, character and furniture to create a relaxing atmosphere. To guide you in creating the perfect outdoor living area for your Real Estate in Mornington Peninsula, here are 5 tips to help.

The elements

Keep in mind that when choosing the furniture for your outdoor living area, consider the elements such as wind and rain. You want your furniture and furnishings to withstand heavy rain and direct sunlight. If you can’t find furniture that can do this, always have a storage plan should the weather not be in your favour.

Lighting

Having the perfect lighting makes all the difference. Have your walkways lit and make use of overhead lights for a perfect party and get-together. You can also consider using candles and torches. If you want your lighting to be eco-friendly, you can use solar lighting which collects sunlight during the day and then uses the solar power to light your space at night.

Your lifestyle

Your lifestyle is a major factor to consider when designing your outdoor living space. If you have a family and have children, safety should be your priority. It should be designed in a way that the open area will not put them at risk. You can design a safe outdoor games area and an outdoor kitchen for a family cookout.

Nature

Put some plants in your outdoor living area to bring nature in. You can have ornamental plants and flowers to achieve this, or you could select indoor plants but make sure you select the right plants and flowers as some may need more maintenance over others.

Comfort

Your outdoor living space should be comfortable. This is very easy to achieve and you can control how much you spend. You can start by putting small cushions or throw pillows. If you want to go the extra mile, you can have sofas, lounges, bar stools and chairs, depending on the area’s purpose, you can also use outdoor rugs.

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Things to Remember When Attending Open Houses for Sale in Mornington Peninsula

Attending open houses is a great way to obtain valuable information about properties for sale in Mornington Peninsula. By having the opportunity to get up close and personal with a house that is on the market, it will be much easier for you to determine if that particular property is indeed the one you are looking for. If you are interested in buying a house on the Mornington Peninsula, be sure to look out for open houses that are being organised in the area.

What to Do during Open Houses for Properties for Sale in Mornington Peninsula

True, an open house will give you the opportunity to take a closer look at a property. Take note, however, that it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll learn everything you need to know about the house for sale. Here are a few things you need to do at an open house to get valuable insider information.

1. Keep a close eye on everything. If there’s one thing you don’t want to deal with after buying a property and moving in, it has got to be structural problems. So during an open house, make sure that you keep a close eye on the structure of the house. Look for cracks in the ceilings and walls, and take note of any uneven floors as you tour the property. More importantly, always go for an inspection if you decide to buy the house.

2. Ask for extra viewing time. At an open house, properties are usually carefully staged and spruced up. Most home sellers do this to conceal flaws that might put a potential buyer off. If you want to make sure that the seller is not hiding something potentially disastrous, ask your agent to arrange an additional viewing time of the property after the open house has ended. This will give you more opportunities to look around and discover what’s hiding behind those strategically placed floor rugs.

Check Out the Neighbourhood, Too

3. Drive around the neighbourhood. According to experts, open houses are scheduled optimally and what you see or hear during an early morning showing might not be the same once the sun goes down. As such, to make sure that the property is in a good neighbourhood, drive around the area after dark. See if the community is safe and conducive for raising a family.

When you go to an open house, don’t take everything at face value. Always remember that you should be vigilant and observant if you want to find the best houses for sale Mornington has on offer.