Resources to help you along your property journey.

One of the most frustrating moments in any property-buying journey is when you make an offer on a property you love and the owners decide to turn it down.Emotions can be understandably high at this point and many buyers respond by giving up and walking away. Before you cut and run though, take a moment…

Ingredients  250g Butter, Softened2 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract1 Egg Yolk1 Tablespoon Finely Grated Lemon Rind2¼ Cups Plain Flour, Sifted½ Cup Raspberry Jam¾ Cup Caster SugarMethod Preheat oven to 160°C. Place the butter and sugar in an electric mixer and beat for 8–10 minutes or until pale and creamy. Add the vanilla, egg yolk, and lemon rind and beat…

 When you visit an open home, every minute is valuable.You may have multiple houses to view that same day, so you quickly need to size the property up and decide whether it could suit your needs.Use these questions and prompts as a checklist to make the most of your viewing.Where is the sun?Which rooms will…

 Have you found a home you love but you're not sure what to do next? This guide will help you move forward.Every property is different, but there are some standard rules you can follow that will help you make smart, informed decisions.Stage 1: DiscoveryBefore you can jump into making an offer, you need to know…

 A dry home is a healthy home. Plus, when your home is dry it is easier to heat, which means it's a more comfortable place to live. It can also save you money on your power bill since your heaters won't have to work so hard to keep you nice and cozy.Follow these 5 simple…

Have you ever watched those TV shows where they buy a property that needs work, do it up and sell it a few weeks later to make a profit?This is often referred to as a 'fix and flip'. Many builders and investors make money this way and it usually results in a positive outcome overall…

Ingredients1 1/4 cups seeded dates1 1/4 cups boiling water1 tsp bi-carb soda60g butter, chopped3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar2 eggs1 cup self-raising flourButterscotch Sauce:1 cup firmly packed brown sugar300ml cream200g butterMethod: Grease deep 20cm round cake pan, line base with baking paper.Combine dates and water in a pan; bring to boil then immediately remove from heat.  Stir…

Do you find it hard to tick off everything on your to-do list?You are not alone. Most of us start each day with grand intentions - scribbling down a long list of seemingly important tasks, only to get pulled in twenty different directions once the phone starts ringing and the emails start pouring in.If this…

Ingredients2 crusty white bread slices Butter for spreading, softened25g cheddar, very thinly sliced25 gruyère, very thinly sliced (see tip)25g cooking mozzarella, thinly slicedSplash olive oil for fryingGherkins and pickle/chutney to serveMethodLightly toast the bread, then cool slightly. Spread butter on both sides of each slice, then divide the cheeses between them.Heat a splash of oil in…

 When you own an investment property, it’s tempting to try and save money by managing it yourself. Before you go down the DIY route though, consider two important points:Most owners vastly underestimate the amount of time involved in managing their own rental property.In the high-value world of real estate, mistakes can be extremely costly. Are…

 It goes without saying that first impressions count for a lot. Especially when it comes to selling houses.When a buyer walks into your home, you want to maximize the possibility that they fall in love with it. Ticking these boxes before you walk out the door can help you achieve that outcome.Turn on all the…

 It goes without saying that first impressions count for a lot. Especially when it comes to selling houses.When a buyer walks into your home, you want to maximize the possibility that they fall in love with it. Ticking these boxes before you walk out the door can help you achieve that outcome.Turn on all the…