Ask The Agent - The Hills Echo Community Newspaper

ASK THE AGENT Your local buying, selling & investing questions answered

Our team at The Hills Echo have headed out into the community to gather some questions from residents regarding buying, selling or investing in property. We have then put the questions to our expert panel of local real estate agents to be answered. If you are looking at investing in property or are thinking of buying or selling your home, the information in this feature may prove invaluable.

Q. I have a 1970’s brick home (one level) that is unrenovated and looking very tired (both inside and out!) I will be selling the property soon and have around $5,000 to spend in order to 'spruce it up'.

What would you recommend I spend this money on and what cheap fixes will add value to the home?

A. If you’ve got $5,000 to spend, making sure you get the most out of your money is the first step. So, do some planning and get the budget allocated to all the most important areas before you start. Talking to your Agent can be a good start to prioritise that list. With a limited budget, it is important to focus on doing your best clean-up of any rough edges, both internally and externally.

Internally, we want it to look as new as we can – we need to do as much de-cluttering and repair work as possible. Then move onto as much cleaning and painting as you can. Often just washing all the surfaces really well will create almost the same effect as painting. Bathrooms and kitchens sell houses so give them the maximum attention. Carpets should be cleaned unless they are really old. In that case it may be best to remove them and leave the hardwood floors visible with some well-

07 3164 7000

priced budget rugs. Replacing old ceiling fans with ‘new’ fan lights will create the impression that we have given the home a proper makeover. Presentation is the key, so fixing those broken hinges in the all the cupboards throughout the house and making sure all the globes and lamps are operating will also bring the look to a different level.

Externally the drainage is crucial for property maintenance so make sure yours is in good shape. A 100mm down pour can test even the most effective system and repairs can be a simple as cleaning out the gutters. To enhance street appeal we like mulching the gardens and straightening the letter box. Nail any loose fence palings and wash the front door but include the eaves and the facia boards washed by a house washer.

De-cluttering and minimising any excess ‘stuff’ around the house is a massive help. So, either a storage facility or a few trips to the local dump will make sure your biggest asset can really be seen. The buyers love brick so let it be seen and it will turn that $5,000 into $50,000.

Bradley Butten Professionals Priority Ferny Hills Ph: 0412 672 750

admin@professionalspriority.com.au

Confidence

Superb

Bradley's market knowledge was crucial. He kept me informed and updated via text, phone call and email almost on a daily basis.

In the end I couldn't be happier as we achieved a price for my property beyond market expectations.

A superb agency. Allanah helped me through the process of putting my house on the rental market. She was attentive, helpful and quick with responses. Thank you Allanah for the great advice and suggestions, you made the process easy for me. Couldn't recommend this agency more highly .

Ross - Illuta Ave

Gabee - Kirralee Cres

For your real estate update text 'UPDATE' to 0488 883 805. www.hillsecho.com

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The Hills Echo, February 2020 - Page 19

ASK THE AGENT - Your Buying, Selling & Investing questions answered

Q. I am looking to put my house on the market next year. The bathroom and kitchen are very dated, however I only have the funds to renovate one of the rooms. What would be more appealing to buyers, a renovated kitchen or bathroom?

A. Great question! Without seeing your house, we’d suggest you invest in the kitchen – generally speaking you will get better bang for your buck. The kitchen plays a big part in the perceived liveability of a property. Most of us spend the majority of our time in and around the kitchen.

When buyers are researching properties, they build an emotional connection by imagining themselves living there.

One of the first buyer considerations is how the kitchen will fit into their lives: for entertaining family/friends, for casual meals, for keeping an eye on the kids while cooking. As a result, our buyers tend to place more value on a renovated kitchen than a bathroom. We take our own advice on this when marketing a property and in most cases will show the kitchen photo before the bathroom.

When renovating to sell, the challenge is to update the space so it looks new and high-quality but not overly personalised.

Some tips: • Keep it neutral • Increase storage space • Opt for simple features & finishes • Make it functional. For instance: a closed-off kitchen can be transformed into an open entertaining space by removing a wall & installing a large kitchen island.

For further advice, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team.

From planning, to styling, to organising tradespeople, we’re happy to help.

Q. I am looking to buy my first investment property to rent out, preferably a house. Is there a particular suburb in our region that is more popular for the rental market? Also what key features should I be looking for in an investment property around the local area?

A. You’ve picked a great area to start looking! Ferny Hills, in particular, is an exceptional place to invest.

Over the last couple of years we have experienced increased interest from both local and interstate investors. Some of the key reasons they choose Ferny Hills is that; the suburb is close to Ferny Grove train station, surrounded by a choice of sought-after schools and predicted price growth.

Key features you should look for in an investment property to maximise rental return is:• Close to amenities (shops, park, public transport, etc) • 3+ bedrooms • 2+ bathrooms • Air-conditioning • Outdoor entertaining space • Fully fenced backyard Over the last few months, you may have noticed that a number of Ferny Hills properties have sold prior to being advertised.

In our case, these properties have been sold to buyers on our database. To ensure you are kept in the loop, we would suggest you get in touch with our team and other local agents, to ensure you are notified of any upcoming listings prior to market launch.

Simon Whitehead & Drew Crump Harcourts Solutions Ph: 0403 856 205

Your agents.

Whitehead & Crump Simon Whitehead & Drew Crump, two passionate Dads & experienced real estate agents helping local home owners get results.

The Whitehead & Crump team manage the entire process from start to finish so you can get back to your family.

0403 856 205

Page 20 - February 2020, The Hills Echo

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ASK THE AGENT - Your Buying, Selling & Investing questions answered

Q. What should I consider when choosing between a flat block or sloping block to build my new home?

Are sloping blocks more difficult to build on?

A. Flat blocks are a good choice if you've found a great home

design that works for you, as most builders have ready-made designs to fit traditional lots. Choosing a split or sloping lot gives the opportunity to work with your builder to create a bespoke home design, tailored specifically to your lot.

Buyers ask if creating a custom designed home on a sloping lot is a more expensive option and are often surprised to learn that the end cost of building on a split or sloping lot is generally the same, and sometimes even more affordable because sloping lots are often sold at a discounted price.

Sloping lots are preferred by buyers who want to use the contour of the land to elevate their main living areas to capture views and breezes or want to fit a larger house on their building envelope.

Here at Ellendale, some of our buyers with sloping lots have designed their homes for dual living, with additional private rooms separated from the main family area and bedrooms.

There's also the option to leave a void under the home to be built in down the track as the family grows or budget permits additional work.

Q. What grants and incentives am I eligible for as a first home buyer? Should I buy an existing home or build new?

A. There are many grants and incentives available which

can help you save thousands, and in my opinion, there really hasn't been a more favourable market for first time buyers in many years.

The Queensland Government's $15,000 First Home Owner

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Grant is available for those who are buying or building a new home, which I would urge all young people to consider, as many are not aware of the full cost of renovations and repairs.

There's also the Federal Government's Super Saver scheme, which allows you to accrue your deposit in your superannuation account and save money faster due to tax breaks. This year the government has also introduced a deposit guarantee scheme, so buyers only have to save the first five per cent, with the remaining 15 per cent underwritten by the government, helping you to side step Lender's Mortgage Insurance.

First home buyers may also be eligible for an exemption or reduction of stamp duty, which can save a further $15,000 on a new $500,000 home.

The other good news is that interest rates are at a record low, so repayments are, in some cases, on par or cheaper than rent. Brisbane City Council will even give you a 50 per cent reduction on your first year of rates - saving you another $1,000!

Existing homes are generally in established leafy areas and you can move in straight away , while building a new home is a great option for buyers who want to choose a house to suit their lifestyle and are keen to enjoy the better parks and open spaces often found in more modern estates.

Ellendale, which is just 12km to the CBD, is doing its part to help first time buyers with the release of its new Cedar Glen precinct, which has homesites priced from just $266,000 and house and land packages from $447,559.

Rod Scott Ellendale Sales Office, 324 Canvey Road, Upper Kedron Ph. 0409 766 474 ellendale.com.au

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The Hills Echo, February 2020 - Page 21