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May 8, 2024
Winter Home Maintenance Tips: A Guide for Homeowners
As the winter season approaches on the Mornington Peninsula, homeowners need to prepare their properties to withstand the challenges that winter weather brings. Proper winter maintenance not only ensures the comfort and safety of residents but also helps prevent costly damage to homes. In this article, we will outline essential winter home maintenance tips specifically tailored to the unique climate and conditions of the Mornington Peninsula. Roof Inspection: Inspect your roof for any signs of damage, such as cracked or missing tiles, worn-out flashing, or deteriorating sealant. Winter rains can exacerbate existing issues, leading to leaks and water damage. Addressing these problems before the colder weather sets in can prevent more significant issues down the line. Gutter Cleaning: Clear out any debris, such as leaves, twigs, and dirt, from your gutters and down pipes. Clogged gutters can lead to water overflow, which can damage your roof, siding, and foundation. Ensure that water can flow freely away from your home to prevent potential water ingress and flooding. Insulation Check: Proper insulation is crucial for maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature and reducing energy costs during the winter months. Inspect your home's insulation, paying close attention to areas such as the roof space, walls, and floors. Consider adding or replacing insulation where needed to improve energy efficiency and keep your home warm. Heating System Maintenance: Before the onset of winter, schedule a professional inspection and maintenance service for your heating system. Clean or replace air filters, check for any issues with the heating unit, and ensure that all vents and ducts are clear of obstructions. Proper maintenance will help your heating system operate efficiently and reduce the risk of breakdowns during the colder months. Plumbing Precautions: Inspect external pipes for any leaking or weak spots to prevent potential water damage. Know the location of your main water shut-off valve in case of emergencies. Sealing Drafts: Check for drafts around windows, doors, and seal any gaps or cracks with weatherstripping or caulking. This will help keep warm air inside your home and improve energy efficiency. Exterior Maintenance: Trim overhanging tree branches and bushes to prevent damage from falling limbs during winter storms. Inspect the exterior of your home for any cracks or gaps that could allow moisture or pests to enter, and seal them accordingly. Emergency Preparedness: Prepare an emergency kit with essentials such as flashlights, batteries, blankets, non-perishable food, and bottled water in case of power outages or severe weather events. By following these winter home maintenance tips, homeowners can ensure their properties are prepared to withstand the challenges of the colder months while maintaining comfort, safety, and energy efficiency....
Feb 13, 2024
2023 in Review: Dromana & Safety Beach Property Statistic Report
Are you looking to better understand the property market for 3936? This highly detailed report has everything you need! This contains everything you need to know about the property market for Dromana & Safety Beach. Download for free here: Dromana & Safety Beach Property Market Statistics Report...
Jun 25, 2023
Is winter the hot time to sell this year?
The property market is in a very interesting place at the moment. We have prices increasing while interest rates are also on the rise. This means that affordability is worsening for buyers, yet sales volumes have also significantly increased. When people search for property, the total number of properties available is important. Buyers look at all the properties that are listed, and if they don't find suitable options or if the prices are too high, they ignore them. After that initial search, potential buyers wait for new properties to become available. Currently, there are very few properties on the market for buyers to choose from. Ideal selling conditions occur when prices are rising, demand is strong, and there is little competition. That's the market we are currently experiencing. At the beginning of 2023, it was predicted that national property prices would decrease by 7% to 10%, and many others made similar forecasts. However, these price falls haven't occurred due to the increase in sales during the first five months of this year and the very low number of properties available for sale. If there were a significant increase in the number of properties listed for sale, buyers would have more options and could negotiate bigger price discounts. This could lead to prices starting to decline again. During the winter season, which is the current time of year, many sellers choose not to list their properties for sale and wait until the spring season. If sellers wait until spring, there is a possibility that there will be a lot more properties available. Historically, the number of new listings tends to increase during that period. Over the past decade until 2022, there were on average 19.7% more new listings in spring compared to winter. Last year was the only exception, and if we look at the decade until 2021, the average increase was 21.4%. More properties for sale in spring give buyers more bargaining power and could slow down the recent increase in prices. In fact, auction clearance rates usually decrease during spring as the number of auctions goes up. What we know for certain is that property prices are currently rising, sales have significantly increased compared to late 2022, and there are very few properties available for purchase. Some sellers may recognize these conditions and decide to sell earlier. Waiting may result in increased competition and the uncertainties that come with selling in spring. Here are some statistics and figures if you want to delve deeper: (Source: REA PropTrack - Cameron Kusher, Director of Economic Research) Preliminary sales, which are the number of sales advised by agents, were lower in the second half of last year compared to 2020 and 2021. By the end of 2022, they were even lower than the sales recorded in 2020 and 2021, and similar to the levels in 2019. However, this year we have seen a significant improvement in preliminary sales. In May 2023, sales were only 0.6% lower than last year and higher than both 2019 and 2020. But they are still lower than the sales in 2021. Although prices and sales are rising, there hasn't been an increase in the number of properties available for sale. The amount of new properties being listed this year is much lower than last year. In May 2023, the number of new properties listed for sale was 16.8% lower than the same month last year. However, the total number of properties listed for sale was 3.3% higher compared to a year ago. Despite the increase over the year, the total listings were still very low, about 30.5% lower than the average of the past ten years....
Mar 23, 2023
Tips for Selling in a Slow Market
Selling a home in a slow market can be a challenging task, but with the help of a professional real estate agent, it can be made easier. A slow market is characterized by a high supply of homes for sale, but low demand from buyers. This means that it can take longer for a home to sell and prices may be lower than expected. However, with the right strategy and approach, you can sell your home in a slow market. In this article, we will discuss some tips for working with a real estate agent to help you sell your home in a slow market. Choose the right real estate agent: It's important to choose a real estate agent who has experience selling homes in a slow market. Look for an agent who has a good track record of success and who understands the local real estate market. A good agent will be able to help you price your home correctly, stage it effectively, and market it creatively. Price your home correctly: Pricing your home correctly is crucial in a slow market. Your agent will be able to help you set a realistic and competitive price that will attract potential buyers. They will look at comparable homes in your area that have sold recently and use this information to help you price your home accordingly. Stage your home: Staging your home is important in any market, but it's particularly important in a slow market. Your agent will be able to help you stage your home effectively to make it look as spacious and inviting as possible. They may recommend making minor cosmetic upgrades, such as fresh paint or updated hardware, to help increase its value. Market your home effectively: Your agent will be able to help you market your home effectively, using a variety of strategies to attract potential buyers. They will list your home on all the major real estate websites and social media platforms, and may also use professional photography and virtual tours to showcase your home. They may also recommend hosting an open house to generate interest. Be flexible with showing times: In a slow market, you may not have as many potential buyers as you would in a hot market. Therefore, it's important to be flexible with showing times. Your agent will be able to work with potential buyers to accommodate their schedules as much as possible, including evenings and weekends. Be patient: Selling a home in a slow market can take longer than in a hot market. Therefore, it's important to be patient and not get discouraged. Your agent will continue to market your home effectively and keep you informed of any developments. With the right strategy and approach, you will eventually find a buyer who is willing to make an offer. In conclusion, working with a real estate agent can help make selling a home in a slow market easier. By choosing the right agent, pricing your home correctly, staging it effectively, marketing it creatively, being flexible with showing times, and being patient, you can sell your home in a slow market. Remember that it may take longer than expected, but with the right approach, you will eventually find a buyer. ...