Investing in real estate is a great investment which virtually ensures profit through capital growth and of course the tax advantages associated with owning an investment property. There are many ways in which the investor can maximise the income derived from their investment property. Most investors think that the only way to do this is by asking for or achieving the highest possible rent. There are a number of invisible ways in which the property investor can maximise the income…

When reviewing rents and tenancy agreements the question often arises “Should the rent be increased and if so, by how much?” When we review your rent, the first thing we do is determine the nature of the tenancy and then do a comparative market analysis to assess the rent the property may achieve on the current market. This is how the market rent is determined. Many investors are reluctant to increase rents at properties where they have retained a good…

Well, the End of the Financial Year is only three months away! Now is the time to review your property investment to ensure that you have got all your financial documentation in order such as all rental statements and invoices for expenses. It is also a wise time to be undertaking preventative repairs and maintenance to your property, not only to improve the amenity of the property but also to maximise the tax deductions that you can achieve. Have you…

It has long been accepted that the styling of a property for sale optimises the sale value and reduces the period of time in which a property is on the market. The same holds true for rental properties. Careful thought and consideration should be made when marketing your property for lease. The first consideration is professional photography. For Lease marketing is littered with properties with poor quality photographs which do not show the true advantages of the property. By investing…

We often hear from our investor clients that they don’t know why their quarterly levy contributions have risen or why a special levy is payable. In such instances, we ask if the client attended the strata meeting or obtained the agenda and minutes of their strata plan’s meetings to gain an understanding of the changes in strata contributions. Often our clients tell us they don’t have the time to attend meetings or simply are not interested – feeling that participation…

As a property investor now is the time to think about making the ultimate new years resolution, and that is to increase your rental returns. Take the time to review the past rental year. Did you have a vacancy and if so how long was the property vacant and did you get a rent increase and secure a long term tenant. Resolution number one: When does your current lease expire? Does it expire during a low demand season? Your property…

Our role as your property manager is to maximise the rental return on your investment property – however, obtaining the best rent per week is just one component of ensuring that your investment delivers the expected returns. The term “best rent” refers to the optimum rent that your property can achieve without causing your tenants to vacate the property due to the rent being above market or; if vacant – the rent is above market, which in turn creates extended…

A final inspection is done at the end of the tenancy to determine the final condition of the property and bond refund. When damage has occurred it could be as a result of ‘malicious damage’ or ‘accidental damage’ both of which are the responsibility of the tenant and the third is ‘fair wear and tear”. ‘Fair wear and tear’ is something that occurs through normal use or normal changes that take place with the ageing of the property. It is…

With the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) crakcing down on investors, an insurance expert has suggested property managers could help landlords by paying property-related expenses such as rates and repairs directly. RentCover landlord insurance general manager Sharon Fox-Slater said it was important for investors to make sure their affairs were in order given the highly complex tax rules around investment properties. “Prevention is better than a cure when it comes to tax – investors need to keep accurate records and carefully…