Signature Property Agents
Call Us: 02 9526 6233
Address: 617 Port Hacking Road
Lilli Pilli, NSW 2229
Surprise Expenses You Should Prepare for as a Property Investor

Surprise Expenses You Should Prepare for as a Property Investor

  • Melinda Barnes

While owning an investment property can be a solid way to generate income and build wealth, it comes with various costs. It's essential to understand both the upfront expenses, like conveyancing and building inspections, and the ongoing costs involved in holding an investment property. Below are some unexpected expenses property investors should be aware of and how to prepare for them.

Mortgage Rate Increases Regardless of when you purchase your property—whether during low or rising interest rates—it’s wise to factor in the potential for mortgage repayment increases. Banks usually apply a serviceability buffer of about 3%, meaning they’ll assess your ability to repay at the current rate and if interest rates rise by an additional 3%.

If you have limited disposable income, you may want to target properties with a higher rental yield to help cover mortgage payments. Alternatively, if your disposable income allows, you might f...

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Selling My House: Tips to Avoid Common Mistakes

Selling My House: Tips to Avoid Common Mistakes

  • Melinda Barnes

Selling My House: Common Mistakes to Avoid

Chaotic living room with poor lighting and "For Sale" flyers, emphasizing the need for proper home staging.

Key Highlights

  • Understand the Australian real estate landscape: Before selling, research current market trends, average sale prices, and buyer demand in your area.
  • Prepare your property meticulously: Clean, declutter, and make necessary repairs. Consider staging to boost your home's appeal.
  • Price it right: Overpricing can deter potential buyers, while underpricing might mean leaving money on the table. Use a comparative market analysis for accuracy.
  • Effective marketing is key: High-quality photos...

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Demystifying Property Management Fees: A Simple Guide

Demystifying Property Management Fees: A Simple Guide

  • Melinda Barnes

Property Management Fees Explained in a Simple Guide

Alt text: Confident property manager in an office explaining fees with charts and listings on desk.

Key Highlights

  • Across Australia, the cost for managing properties can really differ. On average, it's about 6% of what you get from rent every week.
  • In Queensland, you're usually looking at paying between 7% and 12% of your weekly rent as a management fee.
  • When it comes to letting fees in Queensland, they typically are around one to two weeks' worth of rent.
  • Over in New South Wales, the usual fee for property management is around 6%.
  • If we head down to Tasmania, things get a bit pricier with an average property management fee hitting about 8.7%.Continue reading

Choose the Best Real Estate Agent in the Sutherland Shire Today

Choose the Best Real Estate Agent in the Sutherland Shire Today

  • Melinda Barnes

Find Your Perfect Match: Real Estate Agents Sutherland Shire

Key Highlights

  • Understanding the Sutherland Shire real estate market is crucial before choosing a real estate agent.
  • The right real agent can maximise your sale price and guide you through the selling process.
  • Criteria for selecting a real estate agent include experience, local knowledge, marketing strategy, and communication skills.
  • Interviewing potential agents and asking the right questions is essential in making the right choice.
  • Choosing the right real estate agent can make a significant difference in selling your house in the Sutherland Shire.

Introduction

Selling a house in the Sutherland Shire requires careful planning and the expertise of a reliable real estate agent. With the competitive nature of the real estate market, it's crucial to choose the right agent who understands the unique dynamics of the Sutherland Shire....

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Best Outdoor Entertainment Ideas for Your Next Gathering

Best Outdoor Entertainment Ideas for Your Next Gathering

  • Melinda Barnes

Transform Your Gatherings with Outdoor Entertainment Ideas

How do you plan an outdoor entertainment area?

1. Define the purpose: Determine how you will use the space, whether it's for hosting parties, relaxing with family, or a combination of activities.

2. Consider the layout: Think about the flow of the space and how different areas will be connected, such as seating areas, dining spaces, and recreational zones.

3. Choose furniture and decor: Select outdoor furniture that is durable and weather-resistant. Add decorative elements like rugs, cushions, lighting, and plants to create a welcoming atmosphere.

4. Include entertainment options: Depending on your preferences, consider adding features like a fire pit, outdoor kitchen or grill, pool or hot tub, speakers for music, or a projector for outdoor movies.

5. Provide shade and shelter: Install umbrellas, pergolas, awnings, or a covered structure to protect against sun exposure a...

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Expert Styling Tips for Sutherland Shire Real Estate Agents

Expert Styling Tips for Sutherland Shire Real Estate Agents

  • Melinda Barnes

Sutherland Shire Real Estate: Expert Styling Tips

The way you present your property can significantly impact its perceived value in the market. Understanding the current market trends and utilising styling tips can help you achieve a better result in the Sutherland Shire real estate market. By strategically preparing your home through decluttering, repairs, and interior styling, you enhance its appeal to potential buyers. This guide will provide insights and strategies to ensure your home stands out and attracts the right attention for a successful sale.

Understanding the Sutherland Shire Property Market

The Sutherland Shire property market is dynamic, influenced by various factors like location, amenities, and economic trends. Understanding the current market conditions is crucial for maximising the value of your property. By staying informed about sales data and trends, you can make informed decisions about the best way to sell your property. Consult...

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Selling Your Home Successfully: 10 Ways to Impress Buyers before they walk in the door

Selling Your Home Successfully: 10 Ways to Impress Buyers before they walk in the door

  • Melinda Barnes

If you’re thinking about selling your home in 2024 the Sutherland Shire Real estate market is looking strong but with the additional help by improving street appeal to make your home more attractive so you can aim for top dollar.

When evaluating your front yard, it's essential to adopt a buyer's perspective to truly assess its appeal. Try to envision it as if it were not your own home - would you feel enticed to approach the front door? Often, our attachment and familiarity with our homes can cloud our judgment. To kickstart the transformation of your front yard into a welcoming space, consider the following tips:

1. What Can they see from the street? The fence? A hedge?

If you have a fence, it is important to ensure that it is well-maintained. For wooden fences, regular painting not ...

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Property Management Made Easy: How are rental prices determined?

Property Management Made Easy: How are rental prices determined?

  • Melinda Barnes

How are rental prices determined?

What are the key responsibilities of a property management company?

Property management companies handle various responsibilities, including rent collection, property maintenance, tenant communication, lease agreements, and financial reporting. They act as intermediaries between landlords and tenants to ensure smooth operations and maintain the value of the property.

As the cost of everything from groceries to insurance has risen in the past few years, rental prices have increased, too. While inflation and interest rates will impact your expenses and flow onto many other areas of consumer spending, the rental property market should be the determining factor in how you decide how much rent to charge. Factors such as supply and demand, vacancy rates, and the number of similar properties available all influence rent prices. Keep reading for an overview...

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Should you use your Superannuation to Buy an investment property?

  • Melinda Barnes

 

Using your super to buy an investment property

For many Australians, their superannuation is their largest asset so Investing in property can be a wise vehicle for long-term financial security and potential capital growth. There are also a lot of factors to consider before you take the first step=  of using your super to buy an investment property, but it can provide a way to diversify your investments. In this article, we'll provide an overview of using your super to buy an investment property and some things you’ll need to consider to help you make an informed decision about whether it's the right option for you.

What are the benefits of buying an investment property with my s...

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Property Managers. Are they worth the expense?

Property Managers. Are they worth the expense?

  • Melinda Barnes

Is a Hiring a Property Manager Worth the cost?

Investing in property can be a smart decision, but managing it can be overwhelming. From handling tenant relations to ensuring legal ...

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What does your property manager do?

What does your property manager do?

  • Melinda Barnes

What does your property manager do? 

 

From managing day-to-day tasks to organising repairs and maintenance, having a good property manager look after your real estate investments provides peace of mind and can boost your rental returns. Most Australian investors choose to work with a property manage...

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Thinking of investing in Property in 2020? Here are 6 Tips for Success   

Thinking of investing in Property in 2020? Here are 6 Tips for Success  

  • Melinda Barnes

Can you believe it is 2020, a new decade? If you are like me, you don’t know where the last decade went. A New Year often brings a renewed sense of motivation and inspiration. For many people, it's also a time of year where work may be quieter than usual, and you've got more time for reading and research. If you're spending some time planning your property investing year ahead, here are six tips to help focus your thoughts and attention.

 

Start your market research

To get your research started, look at figures on the sold properties or leased properties in your target area for the last 6 to 12 months. Become aware of the sales and rental markets where your investment properties are located, plus the markets where you're looking to invest is a great way to get ahead before you start looking at houses. Call a local Real Estate Agent where you are looking to buy and ask them what they are finding in the current market, let them kn...

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Great service, thank you.

Melinda is a very efficient, knowledgeable and friendly agent. We would be happy to recommend her services to anyone looking to buy or sell in the area.


Caringbah South

Score of 11 out of 10

We are especially pleased with Signature Property Agents as Melinda Barnes( Mel) put herself out to sell our Property. We also were pleased with her staff being very helpful & present at all times .
We have in the past sold 6 different homes in the St. George & Sutherland areas.
We would give all other agents around 5 to 6 out of a score of 10.
For Signature Property Agents we would give Mel 11 out of a score of
10 thats how good she was.
Therefore any person that requires their homes to be SOLD we would fully recommend the only agent being SIGNATURE PROPERTY AGENTS of 617 Port Hacking Road LILLI PILLI NSW contact (02) 95266233

- Greame and Marcia
Caringbah South

Best agent ever!

Luke was such a pleasure to deal with! Such a genuine and honest agent - something that is very rare to find! He was was always available to talk and constantly kept me in the loop of everything that was happening. He really made the whole buying process such an easy and enjoyable experience. Would highly recommend Luke to anyone looking to buy or sell!

- JulieanneBarbaro
MIranda

A Cut Above The Rest

I knew from the outset that Ron was the right person to sell my home and he certainly didn’t disappoint.
His local knowledge and experience combined with his marketing expertise ensured a sale that was substantially above our expectations and well above other agents’ predictions.
Ron’s friendly and professional approach, along with his honest and genuine passion for real estate, relieved us of the stresses which usually come with selling a home, while at the same time maintaining constant communication every step of the way.
Ron’s negotiating skills allowed us to sell our property just two days after our first open house. Next time, I will definitely contact Ron and the Signature team.

- Adele
Caringbah South