Archive

Archive for September, 2020

Make Plans to Spring Into Action

September 24, 2020 Leave a comment

I was recently quoted in Domain in The Age, talking about the Spring selling season in our current COVID-19 affected climate.

http://domain.smedia.com.au/theage-domain/

Categories: Media

Market Update | 14 September 2020

September 14, 2020 Leave a comment
While Melbourne’s property market effectively remains in hibernation until the end of October, the current ban on private one-on-one inspections has seen thousands of Victorians caught in limbo.
‘No one can inspect anything. There are literally hundreds and thousands of people who’ve lost their jobs and are struggling with mortgages and struggling with rent. They are in genuine financial distress or there’s illness, or divorce. This is about so much more than the real estate industry – it’s about the basic human need of shelter,’ one agent reported.
Among those struggling with current restrictions include buyers who purchased a property prior to lockdown and need to sell, vendors who sold their property and need to buy, unemployed tenants who are struggling to afford their rent and mum and dad landlords who are trying to keep their mortgages afloat.
As the sector seeks to bring forward the timeline to allow private inspections, the Victorian Government’s road map to reopening revealed that in-person inspections would be able to resume if the state recorded fewer than five daily cases over the two weeks prior to October 26.
‘Stress, anxiety and financial pressures could be avoided with very minor changes to the current restrictions,’ said Real Estate Industry Partners CEO, Sadhana Smiles.
While an increasing number of Victorians face financial difficulty due to the impact of COVID-19, the real estate industry remains committed to providing this essential service using COVID-safe practices and hopes the proposed date to reopen can be brought forward to assist buyers, sellers, tenants and landlords in need.
Categories: Auction Wrap

Spring 2020 Buying Guide

September 7, 2020 Leave a comment
Some advice for buyers who are looking to secure a property this year, with the game being changed so dramatically due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In summary, do extensive online research, be ahead of the game, act decisively and know your strategy. We are still seeing people buy property even during the Stage 4 lockdown, with all the technology that is now available. You don’t have to wait if you see a property you’re interested in.
Categories: Media

How is the Melbourne property market tracking?

September 4, 2020 Leave a comment

With metro Melbourne still in Stage 4 lockdown, many potential buyers and sellers are choosing to wait and see what happens this Spring, traditionally the busiest selling season.

One of my vendors, Kerrie Love, is bucking the trend and has opted to bring forward her decision to move.

Ms Love, recently retired from her catering job, had supplemented her income over the past few years by renting out rooms in the historic Box Hill house she had raised her four children in on Airbnb.

It had been an extremely successful income stream, and one which she had planned on continuing following her retirement, with bookings up until October 2021 – until the pandemic hit.

“I’ve had so many cancel. All the borders are closed and there’s so much uncertainty,” she said.

“Not being able to rely on that income has brought my decision forward. I’ve had time [during lockdown] to do up the garden, the renovations are all done, so I think it’s time to do it. I’m hoping the fact it’s a beautiful family home will mean it sells now.”

She expects the October 17 auction to be very different to when she bought the home in 1996, with 200 people at an auction in the backyard.

Categories: Media