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Acoustic privacy: a necessity for the family home

Acoustic privacy: a necessity for the family home

Multiple living zones in the modern, average family home have many benefits, allowing families to have a formal living space away from the informal areas of kitchen, dining and outdoors. However, acoustic privacy can be an issue and it is crucial that these two living areas are well separated and can [...]
More homes to buy are being listed by agents on and off market – will the buyer demand be there to match?

More homes to buy are being listed by agents on and off market – will the buyer demand be there to match?

There is definitely more housing stock coming onto the off-market part of the market; however: 1. it’s not across all geographical markets and dollar market levels; and 2. it’s not necessarily the home you must buy; ie the price and quality is mixed. Specific off-market properties that we have heard about, driven by, or looked [...]
Interview – Geoff Cayzer, Cayzer Real Estate

Interview – Geoff Cayzer, Cayzer Real Estate

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Geoff with his silver hair is the most recognisable agent and auctioneer in Albert Park, having been round for decades. He always has a smile on his face and in our opinion genuinely trying to help all he comes into contact with especially his selling clients. His auctioneering style is [...]
Building costs on the up

Building costs on the up

There’s been a lot of talk lately about the cost of living coming down (the price of milk and petrol are two examples that come to mind). But, while house prices have been dropping, renovation and building costs, in general, look set to go up. One reason for the price increase is that renovation [...]
Not as many quiet sales are happening but there are still plenty of quiet off market homes to look at.

Not as many quiet sales are happening but there are still plenty of quiet off market homes to look at.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Overall stock levels are down! This is true if you look at actual auction and private sale transactions only; however, the amount of stock available for consideration is not as low as the Internet portals or The Age classifieds may portray. There is a considerable proportion of homes available through the [...]
Ceiling Heights are Important

Ceiling Heights are Important

People will often analyse the floor plan in great depth when they are looking to buy a house. Are the room sizes big enough?, is the flow OK? Is the bathroom in the right position? The list goes on. While this is important, ceiling heights should also be considered. Often a house with [...]
Lifts – The Age of Vertical Living – The new $3M+ must have?

Lifts – The Age of Vertical Living – The new $3M+ must have?

Lifts are becoming the new "must-have" accessory at the higher end of the market. Increasingly, lifts are a standard accessory (indeed, a standard request) in new, multi-level prestige homes. But lifts are not just restricted to new homes..
New Skills Required for Expressions of Interest and Range Private Sales – The BLIND AUCTION

New Skills Required for Expressions of Interest and Range Private Sales – The BLIND AUCTION

The New Game in Town – Best Offer in buy 6.00 pm on Deadline Day. No Rules – Written or Otherwise No Guidelines from REIV or Law What Price – When is enough actually enough – when is it too much? The Buyers Dilemma – Are you trying to buy [...]
Opportunities Lets Do The Maths

Opportunities Lets Do The Maths

The market is what it is and, in 2008 and 2009, opportunities are there for buyers. They are also there for sellers if they are also buying. If you are trading up or trading like for like, then the million-dollar market presents, in its current form, many opportunities. Lets Do the Maths – Part One 2007 [...]
Lets Talk Technique

Lets Talk Technique

Please note the 20% to 40%+ drop in the market comments are not hardy ha ha – this is reality. Yours truly has also been a reluctant non-seller. So, please, the market speaks to most of us in the same manner. But while we respect sellers and their agents – we act for buyers. The [...]
Short Term Cheap vs Long Term Gain

Short Term Cheap vs Long Term Gain

This article may sound like an advertisement for engaging a buyer advocate or for using the James Q Rating system. It probably is. During the week, we gave three talks to various business groups and those present who had not fallen asleep universally asked us the same two questions: what’s happening in the market [...]
3 day cooling off law is being abused

3 day cooling off law is being abused

In our business as buyer agents, we often get edgy comments left on our mobile, emailed to us and, for those that are slightly braver (usually through their agent), said to our face. The unpleasant ones are always from sellers and they go something like this: “Mal, what are you doing, [...]
Recognising Opportunities and Making Quality Decisions

Recognising Opportunities and Making Quality Decisions

Sunday morning sees the million dollar-plus clearance rate hovering around 1 in 3 or 33%. With two big November weeks of auctions coming up, at this level we should see even more homes being unsold and on the market in December and through the Christmas break. If you are serious about buying homes, [...]
Downsizing in Brighton – 15 Lindsay Street

Downsizing in Brighton – 15 Lindsay Street

Even in this tough market, properties are still selling – even (although not that many) ones that need renovation, if the land content (ie size and position) is good. This property sold under the hammer on the weekend for a strong price within the quoted range. Positives Location, a leafy street with many pretty houses [...]
It is all about Price, Property and Position

It is all about Price, Property and Position

Today, Saturday the 25th, was the second-hardest auction day of the year, whether you were a buyer or seller. The last Saturday in November will be the toughest, as higher stock levels will be coupled with large amounts of unsold homes left over from the early 2008 and earlier Spring campaigns [...]
So, you’re buying your first apartment…

So, you’re buying your first apartment…

Firstly you must realize that buying an apartment is not the same as buying a house. After going through all your options regarding lifestyle, location, investment options and finally deciding that you want to buy an apartment then it’s time to start going through all the issues that you [...]
Not only do we report on the state of the Melbourne Real Estate market, we are also government licensed Buyer Advocates. We only work for buyers, so think of us as the opposite of selling agents.
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Melbourne Real Estate Market Map

Melbourne Real Estate Market

Where you need to be & what we buy.
We outline in detail where we find the best places are to buy in Melbourne.
Find out Melbourne's best locations.
BUYER TESTIMONIAL
Kristen, you have been unfailing and so professional in helping us through the process and never, for a second, showed signs of giving up. Adam, we have really appreciated your honesty. It really helped us. Learning when to say no to seems more important than what to say yes, and you helped us figure that out. Thanks for finding the extra time to give us your valued opinions too. ...

Tanya & Campbell
hampton
Buyer Masterclass
The Risks of Chasing a Housebuying Reward

THE RISKS OF CHASING A HOUSEBUYING REWARD...

Negotiating on a property is all about balancing the risks with the rewards. In your quest for the reward of buying your dream home, you might run the...

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