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Jul 17, 2018
Eco-friendly Tips To Warm-up This Winter
There's one thing that Queenslanders can't seem to tolerate, the cold. We can deal with heat, rain and humidity, but give us winter and you won't hear the end of it. While heaters can warm up a space easily, they can be costly and bad for the environment. So how can we warm up ourselves without warming the planet? Buy area rugs One thing Queenslanders can’t deal with is cold floor in the morning. Not only will this keep your toes warm, but you can really style up a home with rugs. Check out how rugs can add to indoor bohemian aesthetic here. Seal up your home Have you got cold spots in particular areas of your home? It might cool winter air getting in through the crasks. So fill these up to prevent the cold air from getting inside your home by blocking that airflow. Some spots can be filled in with gap filler and others can be fixed up with temporary plugs. Door gaps can be filled in with affordable door stoppers from the store or make shift ones made from towels. Cosy on up! Winter is one time of the year we have a reasonable excuse to really live the home-body life so make the most of it! In no time the summer heat will hit us again and you’ll have to be your usual social self again. But for now, grab the doona, a big cuppa tea and watch your favourite show. Move it Don’t take the indoor life too far and allow yourself to get the SADS. There are many affordable exercise options which can fit in small spaces which will do wonders keeping you warm. Also be sure to be on the lookout of all the great events your local area has to offer, you’ll be warm in no time! Cook warm food Not only will this warm up your belly, but cooking a hot dish in your own kitchen will likely help warm up surrounding rooms. This solution also results in a big bowl of tasty soup to cuddle with, so I think that's a win-win.
Jul 10, 2018
Residential Renting Basics
For those new or just unfamiliar with residential renting, this is the guide for you! Here we explain a lease, bond and condition report. What is a lease? Also known as a residential tenancy agreement, it’s a legal contract between a tenant and a landlord. As stated in tips for tenants section, a lease should contain information such as: Location of the property Total rent Amount of the bond Commencement and end date of your tenancy The landlords' name What is a bond? A bond acts as security for the landlord in case the tenant doesn’t meet the terms of the lease agreement. At the end of the agreement, the landlord may claim some or the entire bond for occurrences such as cleaning, repairs or replacement of missing items. The bond is a separate payment to the rent. A tenant cannot use any part of the bond as rent – so don’t ask the landlord to keep the bond as your final payment at the end of the lease. What is a condition report? As a tenant pays a bond, the landlord much prepare a condition report which notes the general condition of the property, including fittings and fixtures. The tenant should check that the report covers any damage or issues to the property and take photos to help record the property in its original condition. At the end of the lease agreement, this report can be used very useful as it can be as evidence if there is any dispute about who should pay for cleaning, damage or the replacement of items. And there you have it! That’s the basics to Residential Renting. If you have any questions please call our Property Management team.
Jul 3, 2018
Places to Go in West End: Coffee
West Ender locals have the fortune of endless choices in cafes which could make anyone else green with envy. And for good reason - we love our coffee! There's too many cafes in West End for us to list them all, so we've collected some recommendations for any cafe needs. If you're looking for a true blue local cafe try... Ugees Espresso This chill cafe is all about the West End community. Between the atmosphere, the friendliness of barista's and the freshness of the coffees - this place can make a coffee taste exta special. The best thing? It's right across from our office! If you're looking for a feel good cuppa try... Who Shot the Barista With an array of hot coffees and cold brew, the coffee here is worth venturing off Boundary Road for. The mural on their store front can brighten your day (something important on these grey winter days) and make for some great instagram posts. It's worths a visit. If you're looking for insta-worthy food try... The morning after. Speaking of strong Insta-game, the morning after posts fun and drool worthy food porn which will make you wish you could taste food straight through your insta feed - or at the very least the cravings it creates will put pressure on your diet.
Jun 26, 2018
Renters are Peeved about Current Pet Ban
Its a known fact that Australia loves pets. With 62% of our houselds having pets, we have the highest rates of household pet ownerships in the world. In Queensland alone, 39% of houses have a dog, 24% a cat and 12% have both. However, only 10% of our rentals allow pets. Whether a pet should be allowed to live in a rental property, we believe depends on the owners and tenants. Meaning that at the end of the day, the decision of whether pets can be kept on a property should be negotiated between the owner and potential tenant. Though there's no hard facts, but the RTA estimated that 30% of pets are surrended to the RSPCA when their owner's living arrangements change. RSPCA Queensland spokesperson Micheal Beatty tells Domain that 'It's very fustrating. We have enough trouble dealing with unwanted animals, let alone the wanted animals.' Reasons for this are largely because of the potential damage to the property, from garden damage to attracting pests, there is risk for the owner when they allow pets to live on their property. But Domain states that the fear of this 'damage' compelling owners to say "no" may be out of proportion to actual reality. In reality, Domain say that quality property management, through keeping on top of routine inspections is important for minising damage to the property. RTA predicts that due to the large supply of Apartments in Australia, a large proportion of these properties are likely to end up as rentals. This would mean for tougher competition to attract tenants. Through alienating this large portion of tenants, when the power of the tenants becomes higher can be an issue for owners. On May 31st of 2018, City South News wrote on the topic stating that more insurance companies should be offering pet insurace for owners. They also mention pet bonds. In West Australia, a landlord can ask for a pet bond for up to $260, but this is not legal in any other Australian state.
Jun 19, 2018
The Evolution of Australian Households
Australia has been in transition for some time now. Over the years, newly discovered technology and communication methods have allowed us to step away from old ideals as we seek newfound independence and lifestyles that ‘feel right’ to us as individuals. Let’s reminisce and look at how the average Australian has evolved over the years. Seventies to Eighties Travel back forty to fifty years, and we’re in the 70’s and 80’s. Television was around but you wouldn’t be able to record your favourite shows. In 1981, 60% of Young Australians own their own home and women were increasingly embracing post-secondary education and entering the workforce. Because of these new aspirations, marriage and parenthood has begun to be delayed. Values were shared amongst many, with 23% of marriages preceded by cohabitation and 43% of mothers in a type of paid work. Nineties to Noughties The next two decades saw larger change, with mobile phones starting to make their appearance. While 1999 brought us the ability to record our favourite shows, we still weren’t able to watch a video on our daily commute. Women continued to change things up as it became the norm for mothers to be in paid work. Relationship values also began to evolve as 78% of married couples had decided to live together prior to their weddings and the number of couples living together with children are equal to that without. In 2006, the ‘typical Australian’ owned their house outright. Now Now, we can say one thing for sure. There’s no longer an ‘average’ Aussie family. Lately we see fewer of us are getting married and more of us are classifying ourselves to have ‘no religion’. By 2011, the number of 25-34 year olds owning their own house decreased to 47%. While a higher portion of young Australians have begun living with their parents, largely because of the affordability associated with living alone. Overall, the ‘typical’ Australian home is owned with a mortgage, however each state has it own classification of 'typical' household. Our workplaces are constantly evolving, to adjust to changes in technology and employees’ values. Australia is increasingly becoming a more multicultural country as one third of Australians have been born overseas. In 2016, there were 300 separately identified languages in Australian households.
Jun 11, 2018
Brisbane Taking Place on Investors' Radars
South East Queensland currently appears to be on everyone's radar. While we might want to say it's because of the beautiful weather and beaches, there are a lot of better reasons behind Brisbane's recent rise. Here's the breakdown as to why Queensland's Capital City is so attractive to homebuyers and investors alike. Historically slower rise in annual rate Home values across the city have risen at an annual rate of 1.2% in the last decade. This is half the pace of inflation of Sydney and Melbourne where annual gain averaged 6.3 and 5.9 over the same period. At the end of 2017 the values of Sydney houses were 102% higher than Brisbane’s – Melbourne wasn’t too far behind either, with their house values 57% higher. Average incomes vs. Average house costs Brisbane’s median house price is $536,000 in comparison to Melbourne’s $821,000 and Sydney’s $1 million median house prices. According to recent CoreLogic figures, Sydney houses cost 9.1 times the average income of residents, which is huge in comparison to Brisbane, where the cost of a home is 5.9 times the average income. CoreLogic figures also show that Sydney households are only earning 12.9% more than Brisbane's. Brisbane residents are earning 0.7% more the Melbourne residents. Showing there's more bang for your bucks in the great south east. Migration to Queensland The sunshine state is also expereinceing high migration than other states, having been outpacing Victoria since 2013. These higher migration rates are producing higher demand for housing in the state overall. Improvements in the State's employment Market The Queensland Government are currently boasting of the 113,000 jobs created in 2017. This is great news for Queenslanders as until recently, a healthy labour force was a missing piece in Brisbane's housing market. Future Growths Predicted Real estate John McGrath tells the Financial Review, “When you factor in key drivers for future growth – liveability, affordability, scale and future economic prospects, they all suggest that Brisbane is a market to invest in.” Deloitte reports that the Residential property marker in Australia is overall expected to remain solid with population and job growth expected to continue into 2020.
Jun 5, 2018
5 Tips to Stretch Out your Apartment's Space
It may have once been the Australian dream to own a three bedroom house with a large yard, but in today's Brisbane we see a greater volume of people seeking the #apartmentlife for its close proximity to the city and facilities. But are we giving up space for the added convenience? Not necessarily. Here we provide some unique tips to help apartments feel more spacious. 1. Carve out zones. Creating zones can help make your living space feel less like one room. Separate zones with small tables, curtains, bookshelves, mats or furniture. This can help separate leisure areas from work areas – no more study in your lounge area. It can also create more flow in the space, which comes in handy when you have guests. [caption id="attachment_539" align="alignnone" width="500"] Sourced From: https://www.housebeautiful.com/home-remodeling/interior-designers/tips/g1454/small-space-design-ideas/?slide=1[/caption] 2. Invest in transforming pieces Pieces that can be useful for multiple reasons can save a bunch of space. Some options that can maximise the usefulness of your space might be include a table that can double as a desk, an ottoman that has secret storage or a couch that doubles as a spare bed. [caption id="attachment_536" align="alignnone" width="500"] Sourced From: https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/our-favorite-multitasking-furniture-for-small-spaces-224215[/caption] 3. Consider size a shape Consider how you plan to use a space and what shapes fit that purpose best. When buying items such as coffee tables, it can be more rewarding to have two small round tables rather than a large rectangle piece. This way you can move the room around more easily if more space is needed. In other spaces, like your bedroom, fewer but bigger furnishings work better in making the space feel grander. [caption id="attachment_537" align="alignnone" width="500"] Sourced From: www.housebeautiful.com/home-remodeling/interior-designers/tips/g1454/small-space-design-ideas/?slide=2[/caption] 4. Sunlight and reflections Mirrors are you friend thanks to their ability to add light, space and décor all at once. Utilising the all mighty natural resource that is the sun’s rays can also really open up a space. Together, these can create a room that holds the ultimate equilibrium of space and snugness. [caption id="attachment_538" align="alignnone" width="500"] Sourced From: http://www.houseandgarden.co.uk/gallery/dark-rooms[/caption] 5. Think vertically While not necessarily going to make your space feel larger, plants can bring a sense of calmness and liveliness to a space. When you use a vertical garden, there’s also more potential to personalise you walls. [caption id="attachment_535" align="alignnone" width="500"] Sourced from: https://www.decoist.com/indoor-vertical-gardens/williams-sonoma-freestanding-vertical-garden-for-kitchen/[/caption]
May 28, 2018
BRINGING WEST END BOHO AESTHETIC INDOORS
With West End's blend of different cultures and times producing a mixture of colour, texture and patterns on its streets, if the suburb were to be placed in any style trend it would be Boho. And because this trend does fit our favourite suburb’s aesthetic so well, we’ve decided it high time that we compiled some basic tips to help set homes on route to reach their ultimate boho chic look. Vintage rugs This is a trend which can bring both warmth and style to your hardwood floors. Rugs are so loved at the moment, mainly because they add texture to any space – from the lounge room to the kitchen. [caption id="attachment_529" align="alignnone" width="500"] Source: https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/interiors-entertaining/g5555/boho-chic-interior-design-ideas/?slide=9[/caption] Low seating Seating created by ottomans and cushions can bring the relaxed aesthetic that holds true to the bohemian style. It’s also an achievable solution for building a space’s texture without cluttering a room. [caption id="attachment_528" align="alignnone" width="500"] Source: https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/interiors-entertaining/g5555/boho-chic-interior-design-ideas/?slide=20[/caption] Crochet curtains No longer are the days that crochet is restricted to our beds. In recent years, crochet curtains have made their return as a trend because of their ability to 'casual-up' a door frame and add overall texture to a wall. While not much for privacy, they do look great and can give a room that nice n' cosy vibe we need over the cooler months. [caption id="attachment_527" align="alignnone" width="500"] Source: https://interiorsonline.com.au/blogs/inspiration/how-to-go-boho[/caption] White-on-white For a modern twist to the boho look, white on white is the go-to. Think white walls teamed up with textual white furnishings. Team it with some neutrals and a smidgen of colour, and your glam space is all set! [caption id="attachment_530" align="alignnone" width="500"] Source: https://interiorsonline.com.au/blogs/inspiration/how-to-go-boho[/caption]