Buyers Advocate Blog | Latest Property News | Buyer Agents Melbourne — Property Advocates | Melbourne

Passive House Design

This is a concept you may come across if sustainability is important in your renovation or new build. "Passive house" (German: Passivhaus) is a voluntary standard for energy efficiency in a building, which reduces the building's ecological footprint. It results in ultra-low energy buildings that require little energy for space heating or cooling.

It is the practice of taking note of the local climate and site conditions and making sure your home design maximises the benefits these can offer to create a comfortable internal environment.

Solar Panels. Yay or Nay?

Let’s explore some commonly asked questions.

We’re often asked by clients about home improvements, and what will add the most value to their home.. Even in 2023, installing solar panels on your property will not make a measurable difference to how much people will pay for the home. Buyers do see them as an added benefit, but not necessarily a deal maker or breaker.

5 Tips To Reign In The Renovation Budget

We’ve all heard about the rising cost of building and renovating.. So we wanted to give you some tips to curb the inevitable increase in the cost of your reno. Whether what you wanted 2 years ago when you first started planning has now risen just out of reach or you’ve just got champagne taste on a beer budget, we've got a few tips for you.

Want To Renovate But Don’t Know Where To Start?

Here’s our step-by-step guide to home improvements. Have fun!

What can you buy for $600k in Melbourne?

You’ve been saving for a while now, you've spoken to a finance professional, and they’ve said you can buy a house for around $600k. Well done! You should be really proud of yourself!

In this blog we’re going to show you a few areas and property types which we deem to be good investment options. We will also show you an example of a recently sold property that reflects what we would consider to be good real estate.

Easements… Who? What? Why?

If you’re looking to buy a house, townhouse or courtyard apartment it’s important to understand what easements are and how they might affect the value or usability of the land you’re purchasing.

What is an easement?

The legal definition of an easement is ‘the right to cross or otherwise use a portion of someone else’s land’. Most commonly easements are in place to allow access to waterways, and pipes relating to common sewage lines.

5 Best Apartment Dogs (According To Prop Culture)

You don't want to move out to the sticks just to accommodate a furry friend. You want to maintain your inner city lifestyle but welcome a fur baby into the fold. Here's a curated list of companions perfectly suited to high-rise living...

Property Hunting With A Partner?

Our top tips to ensure you stay together in the process!

So you’re in the market for a love shack? One of the largest demographics we work with is couples, we’ve truly seen it all. So unless you’re also in the market for some hefty couples counseling bills, listen up kids.

How To Avoid Capital Gains Tax

Firstly, what is Capital gains tax (AKA CGT)... It is a levy you are obliged to pay on the capital gain made from the sale of an asset.

A capital gain (or loss) is the difference between what you paid for an asset and what you sold it for (less any fees incurred during the purchase). So, if you sell a property for more than you paid for it, there will be a capital gain. And if you sell it for less, that is considered a capital loss.

6 Frequently Asked Questions By First Home Buyers - part 2

Here we are.. Comin’ at ya with the next round of common questions asked by first home buyers…

Frequently Asked Questions By First Home Buyers - Part 1

We love working with first-home buyers. Helping them navigate what can be a very confusing and stressful time is one of the most rewarding parts of our job! We were first home buyers once too and know just how critical the right guidance is to long-term success in property ownership.

Off The Plan. Pros And Cons

As a general rule, we don’t buy off the plan (OTP) property for our clients. However, there are some circumstances within which an off-the-plan purchase may fit. It really comes back to your property purchasing strategy. Are you buying for cash flow and depreciation? Or to be able to value add and for capital growth? Answering questions like these might be able to give you an answer as to whether or not off-the-plan purchases are right for you!

Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons from both sides of the fence, shall we?

The Value of Value Adding

What do we mean by ‘value-adding’? We mean spending a dollar, to make 3 (or more!).

Let's explore

Buyers Advocates and The Block

So you’ve watched advocates bidding like crazy on The Block and you’re wanting to know more about buyers' advocates and how it all works.

First of all, what you see on the block is NOT a good representation of what we do.

The thought of purchasing inflated real estate for our clients so we can get our name in lights for a few minutes doesn’t quite fit in with our business ethos.

Let us explain…

3 Reasons Why You Should Get A Building and Pest Inspection

No matter how good or bad a property appears to be, we always recommend getting a building and pest inspection.

We have seen perfect looking 5 year old apartments riddled with water leaks, and what you perceive to be dilapidated houses come back with structurally sound concrete stumps and perfect plaster work! All they need are some new weatherboards and a heavy duty paint job

Epic Warehouse - zoned commercial... What are the implications?

First of all.. What is ‘zoning’?

Zoning is a framework, generally set out by state and territory governments and applied by local councils, which dictates what can be built where and how. It regulates the pace and pattern of development, growth and character of an area.

Off Market Properties - Things To Consider

You may have heard the term thrown around, but what constitutes an off market property? It refers to a property being sold without any public advertising. When we say ‘public advertising’ we mean it hasn't been uploaded to any online portals, which costs the vendor thousands of dollars.

Auction do’s and don'ts

We’re talking in person auctions.. they may take place in front of the property on the street, inside the property or in a boardroom at the agents office. Let’s unpack a few strategies and considerations, but remember… Just like real estate itself this is not an exact science, there is no one particular formula for success when it comes to auctions.

To sell first, or buy first?

So you're ready to move. You already own a property and you’re looking to up/down size into the next one. The most common question we get with clients in this position is, ‘Should I buy or sell first?’

What*not* to look for in property

So often we hear clients start their search, picking apart property with a fine tooth comb.. But unfortunately property is imperfect. Property needs money spent on it and they simply wont tick all your boxes. Let’s explore what *not to focus on.