Opens vs Private Appointments

Most vendors feel uncomfortable about having strangers inspecting their homes, particularly when they can’t be there themselves during opens or private appointments.

Buyers will want to take a good look around – including opening cupboards to check storage capacity; and this can make vendors worry about their privacy and security of their possessions.

Offering inspections by private appointment only is one way of mitigating risk and increasing your comfort but it is not always smart sales strategy. There are many benefits to open inspections, so you need to discuss this with your agent and decide what suits you best.

At Ann Paterson Real Estate, we're always happy to chat with our sellers about their wants and needs. We can talk to our sellers and interested buyers about their preferences...

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4 Tips for Planning for Success when Selling Your House

Are you planning on selling your house? Running a good sales campaign can help you get the best results so you are equipped to invest in your future. Spending time carefully planning your campaign can make the difference between a good campaign and a missed opportunity.

Ann Paterson Real Estate has years of experience in the property market and knows how to plan a successful sales campaign.

Here are some tips to help you get the most out of the work you put in.

1. Wait until the market conditions are right

Patience is key. Don’t rush into selling – wait until the conditions in the market are right to maximise the return on your investment. A lot of different factors affect the market, like the time of year, the economy and changes to government policy. Keep up with the news and regularly keep an ey...

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How to increase your rental returns

It can be difficult to know when to raise the rent as an investment owner and without proper guidance, you might get it wrong. Whether you've owned your investment for a long time or are looking to purchase a property and aren't sure how to broach the subject of a rent raise with the tenants, we can offer some advice.

There are two ways to increase your rental returns – raise the rent and reduce your costs. Here are our best tips for doing both.

Raising the rent

You can only raise the rent when market conditions allow and/or when you improve your property.

Ask your property manager to review weekly market rental values in your suburb at least annually to ensure your property is rented at the maximum possible rent. Most managers do this as a matter of routine close to a lease’s end date. They will show you a list of c...

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What you need to know about the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme

Saving up a deposit for a house is often one of the biggest obstacles for first home buyers. The Morrison Government has promised to help eligible first home buyers purchase a property with a deposit of less than 5%. The scheme will start by January 2020, and not only does it speed up saving time, but it will also allow first home buyers to achieve their dreams of owning their home sooner.

We're used to helping first home buyers navigate the property industry and the eastern suburbs can sometimes be a little out of reach for these buyers if they're not properly prepared. This scheme is set to make things a fair bit easier, but it can be hard to follow, so Ann Paterson Real Estate is happy to explain just how it works.

Will I be eligible?

There are some 5% deposit schemes that already exist, but you generally need to pay lenders mort...

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Things to consider before purchasing your next apartment

With the increased number of residential towers popping up across our capital cities, more and more people are likely to consider an apartment as their property of choice.

Ann Paterson real estate works in a number of different markets across Sydney and specialises in the Harbour city's eastern suburbs. We have extensive experience helping buyers find the right apartment for their needs, whether it's in Bondi, Edgecliff or Coogee.

Here are some tips to consider before purchasing your apartment.

Fees and Charges

One of the most important aspects of apartment living is the ongoing fees and charges. As well as paying off a mortgage and utilities you will also be required to pay strata fees for the upkeep of items such as gardening, lifts, swimming pools and security. It is important that you are aware of what your strata fees wi...

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Getting your house ready to sell? Don’t overlook these spaces

Are you wondering where to spend your renovation budget before putting your home on the market? Improving your home will help maximise your chance of wooing potential buyers, but when you have limited time and budget, you need to make some important decisions on what to focus on.

One way you can decide what work you should do is by thinking about which parts of your house you might overlook but actually have the potential to make a difference to buyers. What leaves an impression on you when you inspect a house and it’s something special, versus when something’s not quite right?

Ann Paterson Real Estate specialises in offering a personal service to our sellers and are happy to offer advice on how you can improve your home ahead of the sale. Read on for our tips on the parts ...

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How much do I need to save for my first home?

First home buyers should consider their property as both a place to live and a cornerstone financial asset. Your first property is likely to fund your second, so you need it to achieve good capital growth. Therefore, Ann Paterson Real Estate recommends buying the best property you can, within the category you can afford; and holding it for the long term to ensure excellent re-sale or rental value in the future. So, the first step in working out what you need to save is working out your likely purchase price.

What’s the purchase price?

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Choose wisely when opting for agents of change

It could be a $64,000 question or potentially even more but choosing the best agent for your home needn’t be too difficult.

As with most things concerning property, the best foundation for success can be laid with quality research and planning – and meeting an agent that can tick all the boxes.

After all, you are relying on that person to make or break your financial future, and also depending on them to guide you through the highly emotional path of parting from your most cherished asset.

Therefore, it makes sense to do plenty of work beforehand if you wish to minimize stress and maximize financial returns. And in an id...

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How to prepare for inspections

When presenting your property to market, you want to attract as many buyers as you can and ensure that they’re leaving the inspection with your home front of mind for all the right reasons.

The last thing you want is for a buyer to walk in and immediately be put off by the interiors of the home, how it has been styled or its cleanliness. Not only will that buyer want to get out of there quick-smart, but they’re also likely to tell others about “that house we just saw”.

Our team at Ann Paterson Real Estate can give you some great advice when you’re preparing for an upc...

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What happens if it passes in?

People often assume that when a property passes in on auction day, it will eventually
sell for a poor price.

This is largely just a myth. We can show you recent examples of high-quality properties
across the Eastern Suburbs that passed in at auction then sold within 10-14 days for
their reserve price or even better.

If your property is correctly priced, well-presented and expertly marketed from day one,
then passing it in only means your sale is going to take a bit longer. There is no reason
for a price adjustment and we will simply keep working to achieve a great sale price for
you.

The likelihood of your property passing in increases when the market is soft and buyer
demand is lower.

For example, during the Sydney boom of 2012-2017, weekend auction clearance ra...

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Why Choose A Tree Change

Why moving to the country can work no matter what your stage of life

Thinking of moving to the countryside? Here are some reasons why it might be a great decision for your stage of life, and what to look for before taking the plunge. At Ann Paterson Real Estate, we’ve helped everyone from young families to retirees find their perfect country escape, and we can help you as well.

Sick of grey skylines, crowded streets and the constant noise of traffic? Why not pack it all up and move to the countryside?

“Tree changes” are increasingly popular, with young families and retirees alike looking for a healthier, more relaxed lifestyle. Th...

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The upsides of downsizing

The thought of swapping the maintenance of a larger home for a hassle-free future full of travel, friends and new-found freedom is a common theme for those considering downsizing.

At Ann Paterson Real Estate, we help many people who want to leave behind the upkeep of a large home without sacrificing their Eastern Suburbs lifestyle.

After all, it makes little sense in terms of your time and finances to stay in a place that has outgrown your needs when sentiment is the biggest factor preventing you from leaving.

Once the reality of the kids growing up and leaving the family home starts to wear off, there are many compelling reason...

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Four Tips for Property Investors

Buying an investment property? Here's how to make sure it's the right one.

Buying a rental property is an excellent way to build wealth for your family's future. Here are four tips to make sure you're making a good investment.

Investing in property for the first time can feel daunting. If you make the right choice, your investment property can provide you with a second income stream for life. Poor decisions, on the other hand, might see you taking on overheads that you can’t manage without stress.

At Ann Paterson Real Estate, our experience is your strength. We can advise you on what makes a...

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Why properties are taking longer to sell

Why properties are taking longer to sell

As the wider Sydney market undergoes a shift in property prices and supply vs demand, the number of days a property sits on the market for is beginning to lengthen.

While many see this as a reason to panic, it’s actually not as bad as it sounds. At Ann Paterson Real Estate, we’ve been around long enough to understand the ebbs and flows of a changing market.

Competition may have died down, but there will always be people looking to buy and sell. As the city returns to a more normalised market, buyers are taking longer to make their decisions.

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What to do when the property market falls – sell or wait out the market

The property market is known to move in a cycle, from a “hot” market where prices rise and property is in high demand, to a slow one where it can turn a little sluggish.

As the market falls or slows down, sellers face the question of “when is the best time to sell?” They question whether they should wait out the slow down or list in the current market.

If you’re wondering this yourself, consider talking to a property professional about your best options. At Ann Paterson Real Estate, we’ve had extensive experience navigating the changing markets so we feel confident that we can work with you to sell your home at a time that...

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How do elections affect the property market?

In the lead up to State or Federal elections, business and large corporations tend to be hesitant about making any huge changes to their processes.

Similarly, elections can affect the property market on a number of different levels. Depending on the policies being thrown around or the promises being made, buyers and sellers tend to hold back until the election is over.

At Ann Paterson Real Estate, we always have our finger on the pulse when it comes to election time. We want to make sure we can provide our buyers and sellers with all the advice and information they need going into and coming out of an election.

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Getting Ready For Winter

With summer days behind us now and cooler weather lurking just around the corner, it’s a good time to do some last-minute exterior maintenance to protect your home or your rental, and ensure a warm, safe winter.

Ann Paterson Real Estate is experienced in selling property no matter what the season so we know exactly what you can do to get your home ready for sale in the winter months.

Here’s what should be on your seasonal inspection checklist.

Start with the exterior, fixing rotten timber, then painting to seal it.

It’s also a good idea to wash down steps, paths decks and where ...

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The ABCs of quizzing an agent

After your life partner and career path, few decisions have more impact than who you engage to sell your property. Make a good choice and your bank balance and general health will prosper. A poor choice, however, will cost you precious time, money and peace of mind. To help you choose an agent who is just right for you, it is paramount you ask these six key questions:

1. Can you provide vendor references?

A good agent will go above and beyond the call of duty to achieve the best price and sale outcome for your unique listing. As a consequence, they will impress their vendors and should not hesitate to put you in touch with past clients only too happy to sing their praises.

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