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October 2016

ljhooker.com.auResidential | Commercial | Rural | Home Loans

Making the most of the outdoors

In this column from The Block judge Darren Palmer, the design expert outlines how to take advantage of the spring selling season. According to a survey of LJ Hooker agents, 96% believe it’s a good idea to style a home when selling and 87% believe it can boost the final sales price by up to 10%. I also know from experience that it can make a big difference to the number of people who are interested in the property and how quickly it sells.

While you do need to look at the whole home I thought I would share with you some tips on how to make the most of your outdoor space – after all, spring is here and us Aussies love to be in the great outdoors.

Create an entrance

It is certainly the best time of year to make the most of what nature has to offer.

Make sure your front gate is in good working order. This is the first thing people come into contact with – so check it out and get it swinging.

Add a fence around your property if you don’t have one. This will allow you to separate your home from the street and will have the added advantage of making your front yard seem bigger – amazing but true.

Clean out your gutters and make sure your roof and windows are clean and free of spider webs. Power-wash your path and keep it swept before any open home inspection.

Spend some time weeding and trimming the garden beds and because it’s spring, plant some flowers.

If you don’t have an established path, consider laying one to help guide your buyers to your front door. I think plain white pavers look great against a green lawn but there are many great options to choose from depending on what your budget and taste is like.

Show off your external ‘room’

To have a garden or courtyard where we can entertain friends and family or have a space where the kids can play is really important to many buyers – it’s effectively another room to enjoy and another selling point for your property.

I’ve found creating different zones in your garden works well, as it does inside the home. By zones, I mean an area for eating or entertaining, an area of mixed planting, perhaps with a focal point such as a fountain or feature plant. Or if you have the space, adding an area for kids to play can be really enticing for the family buyers.

If you have a small balcony, add a café table and chairs, a planter and some fresh spring flowers on the table.

Fancy a million dollars? Who doesn’t!This Spring one lucky person will be drawn to spin the LJ Hooker ‘million dollar prize wheel’. All you have to do is have a rental or sales Market Update before 30/11/16 with your local LJ Hooker agent.* T&C Apply. Visit win.ljhooker.com.au. NSW LTPS/16/06301, ACT TP 16/01521, SA T16/1375

ljhooker.com.auResidential | Commercial | Rural | Home Loans

Disclaimer. This newsletter does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher. It is intended to provide general news and information only. While every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information it contains, nei-ther the publishers, authors nor their employees, can be held liable for inaccuracies, errors or omission. Copyright is reserved throughout. No part of this publication can be reproduced or reprinted without the express permission of the publisher. All information is current as at publication release and the publishers take no responsibility for any factors that may change thereafter. Readers are advised to contact their financial adviser, broker or accountant before making any investment decisions and should not rely on this newsletter as a substitute for professional advice. © LJ Hooker Limited 0715 LC2660-01

Does your house number mean anything? By Caroline James for REA

If you’re a superstitious type you may be interested to find out what your house number could mean.

Don’t care for superstitions? Well if you’re an investor – then knowing the numbers certain buyers love and hate could help you target the right market when you rent your property.

Selling up? If you’re lucky number three, then your property could be worth more to the right buyer.

Working out your ‘number’

Brisbane psychic, numerologist and palm reader Sarah Yip says that to work out the numerological number of your house, add its numbers until you arrive at a single digit.

For example, if your house number is 66, then its numerological number is 3 (6+ 6=12; 1+2=3). If you live at 34/7 add 3+4+7=14; 1+4=5.

What your house number means

#1 Pros: Promotes independence and great for people looking for a fresh start.Cons: “You will be constantly busy. I often see number one houses up for rent as not everyone can cope with their fast pace, or in some cases, exposed location,” Yip says.

#2 Pros: “Encourages intimacy, creativity and patience. Live here if you want peace and quiet.”Cons: You’ll become too passive if you’re shy or indecisive, Yip says.

#3 Pros: Ideal for gatherings, raising children and open communication. Three is a lucky number.Cons: Not the cleanest house, or the best for discipline. Gossip can backfire in a number three house.

#4 Pros: Somewhere you can feel safe and secure; it encourages commitment.Cons: Can make you more inflexible and conservative.

#5 Pros: Amazing for travellers, night owls, gypsies and forever-young types, Yip says.Cons: “I see these houses up for rent more than any other house number – they are better for extroverts.”

#6 Pros: Often beautiful, excellent for families, pets and home

businesses. A nest.

Cons: You might worry about appearances living here. Gardens require more upkeep.

#7 Pros: Excellent for nature-lovers and those who need personal space. “These houses are often set back from the road or have plenty of tree cover,” Yip says.Cons: “Seven is the hermit energy, so don’t live here if you hate being single.”

#8 Pros: This is the money number in China and associated with good returns over the long-term.Cons: “You can’t cut corners in a number eight house. It is shaped like an infinity symbol showing what goes around comes around.” You must look after this house and not scrimp on insurance, Yip warns.

#9 Pros: Everyone feels welcome making these homes great for international residents and/or mixed families.Cons: Guests get so cosy that they leave things behind. “You’ll need to have regular garage sales,” Yip advises.

This article was published with permission from realestate.com.au

How wealthy are we?

According to the Survey of Income and Housing (SIH) published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the average net worth for all Australian households was $809,900 in 2013–14, moderately rising from $764,500 in 2011–12.

There is a difference between income spread and wealth spread as people generally build up wealth and upgrade the value of their homes

over their lives as they acquire more equity.

Two thirds of Australian households owned or partly owned their home in 2013–14. As a result, rising house prices also contributed to an increase in total average household wealth.

Average household wealth for those households who were renting was about 21% ($183,000) of the average wealth of owner occupied households with a mortgage ($857,900) and 13% of owner occupiers who owned their home outright ($1.4 million).