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Mar 3, 2023
Local business: Ruby Oak Floristry
Ruby Oak Floristry owners Adele and Christine started the business focused on wedding floristry, before the cancellation and postponement of weddings due to COVID prompted them to pivot into a local flower delivery business. The demand for fresh and modern floral arrangements was so high, the pair needed to look for a premises, opening up in Fairy Meadow soon after. These shifts in the business resulted in the Fairy Meadow florist being awarded the Local Business Award for ‘Best Florist in the Illawarra’ in late 2022. Adele shares their story… What’s the story behind how the business started and your partnership? Ruby Oak started in late 2019 as a wedding floristry business. Things were chugging along nicely until COVID hit in 2020, meaning all weddings and events were either cancelled or postponed, leaving us in a position of needing to pivot our business structure to suit the ever changing environment we were living through. In 2020 and 2021 we saw a huge demand for local flower delivery and people wanting to support small local businesses as best they could through a difficult time. Our business evolved from wedding floristry to flower delivery from our home studio. We grew to really love this side of floristry and have invested lots of time into creating a flower delivery business that is fresh, modern and exciting using premium flowers (the type you’d see used for weddings) as our point of difference. An opportunity came up to lease a small shop space on the Princes Highway, Fairy Meadow, and we took on the exciting challenge of transforming an old Chinese takeaway kitchen into a blooming flower shop bursting with colour and life. In late 2022 we were honoured to take home the Local Business Award for ‘Best Florist in the Illawarra’. We were so pleasantly surprised by this amazing achievement and have the community to thank. We are so proud of what we have created and invite everyone to come and see the space for themselves. What’s your background and has that involved floristry? We trained in floristry at Pearsons in Sydney in 2019, which cemented a love for flower arranging and, generally, all aspects of floristry. Where did your passion stem from? I’ve always loved working with people and customer service, yet knew I wanted to do something creative. By no means is being in the floral industry easy. It’s a lot of physical work and long hours. But being surrounded by beautiful flowers every day, and being able to use my creativity, floristry was the perfect career change. What do you like about working in Fairy Meadow? Fairy Meadow is a beautiful place to live and work. We are in a great, central location and find there is such a nice sense of community with a mixed demographic of young families and older generations who have lived in the area for 30-40 years. Every day we meet really wonderful people with interesting stories. We are always here for a chat. Fairy Meadow is continually changing and becoming a hub for interesting and exciting businesses and places to dine. The warm welcome from the Fairy Meadow community over the past year has been so wonderful. We love that we can bring a fresh, modern style of floristry to this bustling community. Where do you source your products from and how did that develop for you? We source all of our fresh flowers from the Sydney Flower Market. We visit these markets every two days (Monday, Wednesday and Friday), to pick up the freshest and best florals for our customers. Over time, we have developed relationships with growers, allowing us to source the very best florals available. Often, the flower types we are pre-ordering don’t even make it to the market floor before they’re snapped up by us and other florists. What are the most popular items you sell? Does that change throughout the seasons? We have an expansive variety of fresh flower bouquets, dried flowers, giftware, candles and homewares. However, our most popular products are definitely our ‘Pop of Colour’ and ‘Blush Garden’ bouquets. We’ve tried to make it easy for people to shop for flowers from the comfort of their home, with professional photos of our wide range of bouquet styles on offer and same day delivery, Illawarra-wide. What sort of occasions do people tend to purchase flowers for? Has that changed over time? We send flowers across the Illawarra every day for a variety of occasions, most commonly birthdays, anniversaries and sympathy. However, people are still celebrating milestones via flower delivery for newborn babies, graduations, thank yous and many other reasons. Flowers really are such a great way to show your appreciation and/or love to anyone in your life. Learn more about Ruby Oak. To learn more about buying, selling or leasing a property in Fairy Meadow and surrounds, contact Joanne on (02) 4285 7400. Have you reached a point where you or a loved one is moving into aged care? Register for our free short course and learn how to right size your home when moving into aged care.
Feb 17, 2023
Myths to avoid when selling your home
When preparing to sell your home, you will no doubt receive advice from well-meaning friends, family, and real estate agents! Some of this advice may be informative, but the property industry can be full of myths when selling. With a lot of time, energy and money being invested into the sale of your home, you want to make sure you are receiving honest advice. How do you know what to believe and what to dismiss? Watch the video, as Joanne Danckwardt of One Agency JD Property Agents sheds light on some of the common myths of selling that you should not believe. [siteloft_youtube video_id="iKvckM6EdAE" autoplay="1" suggestions="1"] If you're ready to discover the secrets to being ready to sell your home, download our free insider secrets to being ready to sell checklist. YES, DOWNLOAD MY CHECKLIST Myth: You don’t need to pay for advertising When it comes to selling your home, budgeting for a diverse marketing campaign is one of the best investments you can make. Coupled with online advertising, including the latest innovations and technology when marketing, make use of For Sale signs, brochures to present at open homes, property videos, and where appropriate, printed property listings in local or national publications. The goal is to throw the widest market net, bringing in as many buyers as possible. The more potential buyers for the property, means a higher level of competition, and the possibility to be able to achieve a higher selling price. It always pays to give your home the maximum exposure across a variety of channels, in any market. Myth: Go with the cheapest agent Commission is the fee you pay to a real estate agent when they sell your property. It is one of the largest costs associated when selling your home. Look beyond what just what an agent charges in fees and commission. Look at their past sales history, experience and market knowledge to see if they are the right fit for you. When discussing fees, if the agent is a good negotiator, they should be able to prove their value in the service they provide for the commission being charged. If they can prove that they have excellent negotiation skills, this will give you confidence knowing they will be able to negotiate a good sale price on your behalf. Research your agent choice thoroughly and ask questions to the agent when looking to sell. Experience, performance and knowledge, along with outstanding negotiation skills count for a lot when choosing a good agent to sell your home. Myth: Go high on listing price The theory of setting a high asking price and then negotiating down for buyers is flawed, as it comes with the risk of turning buyers off from day one. Creating interest from the beginning of your marketing campaign is key. Setting an unrealistic price means the property will be overlooked. Pricing your home to sell means taking into account what other properties have sold for your area. To obtain an accurate estimate of what your home might sell for in the current market conditions, arrange to have a property appraisal conducted by a real estate agent. A real estate agent with good market knowledge and whose appraisal provides you with an accurate market price are more likely to be acting in your best interests. Pricing your home realistically is essential to allow interest from interested buyers. Myth: Wait until spring to sell While Spring can be a busy time in the property market, that does not necessarily mean your home won’t sell in the colder months. In fact, as many people hold off selling until Spring, this means less homes on the market for sale. Buyers will look for their ideal property year-round, so Autumn and Winter can mean less competition for sellers, meaning the potential for a higher sale price to be achieved due to lower stock. There is always a demand for property, so don’t put it off if you feel ready to move. Myth: Not all real estate agents have access to Sydney buyers All good real estate agents in the Illawarra should have access to a large pool of potential buyers, including Sydney buyers. A good agent will be an expert at marketing their properties to the target audience, making use of some excellent marketing techniques through the latest innovations and technology, that have a far-reaching audience – including Sydney and out of area buyers. Examples of superb marketing skills an agent should possess are promotion on social media platforms, utilising email campaigns to their database to reach out to past buyers who may be interested in a new purchase, SEO optimisation, video creation, content marketing, creation of floor plans, and paid advertising on search engines to ensure listings are highly visible in the digital landscape. Skilled real estate agents are adept at understanding the specific needs of their clients, which allows them to better showcase the property they’re selling. If you're ready to discover the secrets to being ready to sell your home, download our free insider secrets to being ready to sell checklist. YES, DOWNLOAD MY CHECKLIST If you feel you could benefit from our experience with buying and selling, we’d love to hear from you. Simply reach out. We hope that has helped you today. If you have any questions, or you know of anyone who may benefit from our real estate services, we’d love to chat. Our number is 0426 264 771. We look forward to talking to you soon.
Jan 13, 2023
The do's and don'ts of property management fees
Worthy property management services are about maximising your investment, while minimising your risk, meaning an excellent property manager is invaluable. But have you ever wondered why there can be a such a difference in what property managers will charge to manage your investment property? What are typical property management fees? Should you go with the cheapest option or look for the premium price? And what exactly do you get for your money – what do your property management fees cover? In this video, we provide some do’s and don’ts of property management fees on what to look for when shopping around for the management of your investment and how it is important to know how much your fees will be, what you will be getting, and where your money will be going. [siteloft_youtube video_id="v3U-5jydvsw" autoplay="1" suggestions="1"] If you're ready to discover how you can rent out your property with confidence, download our free Step By Step Checklist to Renting Your Property with Confidence. YES, DOWNLOAD MY CHECKLIST What does a good property manager do? Not all agencies who offer property management services offer the same level of service. Having a professional property manager will help to maximise your investment, as well as reduce your stress. The duties and responsibilities a good property manager generally include: Assessing an accurate rental value of your investment property Advertising to potential renters and screening prospective tenants Accurate lease preparation, including condition reports and bond collection Inspecting the property regularly and providing updates regarding its condition Collect rent and ensure it is always paid on time Organise tradespeople to complete repairs and maintenance required at the property Organise and manage the payment of any invoices incurred with the property Liaise with the tenants and strata companies if necessary to deal with any issues that may arise Manage difficult tenants, including managing the eviction process if necessary Providing updates on legislation changes that may have an impact Conduct the outgoing inspection upon a tenant vacating, and release of bond How much does a property manager cost? As a general rule, you can expect to pay a management fee of anywhere from 6% to 8% of your weekly rent, plus GST. Services offered for this fee will vary. When comparing property management fees and services, ensure you understand exactly what is included in each fee quoted. Some companies will offer an all-inclusive fee, meaning they bundle the above costs into a monthly charge. There is always the risk of this flat fee being increased to keep pace with inflation, and there can no incentive for the agent to ensure regular rent increases occur to keep pace with the market. How do you calculate property management fees? The best way to work out how to calculate your property management fee is to use a practical example. Assuming you own a property that is rented for $750 per week, you could expect to pay the following: 7.7% management fee (includes GST) of $750 rent per week is $57.75 management fee per week x 52 weeks = $3,003 per annum in management fees. Are there additional costs? Typically, real estate companies will charge extra for costs that come up from time to time. Extra fees may be charged for the following services: Leasing fee – usually 1- or 2-weeks rent, and includes processing tenancy applications, negotiating lease terms, and finalising the lease agreement. Advertising/marketing fees – charged when advertising the property for lease. Inspection fees – some property managers will charge additional fees to conduct routine inspections. Tribunal fees – an additional fee may be charged for preparation to attend a tribunal hearing, and attend on your behalf. Annual statement fee – an administration fee charged for preparing an end of financial year statement. Lease renewal fee – a fee charged to cover the costs of preparing lease renewals and advice on rent increases. Monthly administration fee – a fee that covers miscellaneous costs such as preparing reports, and document storage. Insurance claim fee – charged to oversee an insurance claim. Maintenance project fee – may arise if the property requires substantial work. Every property management agency will have their own terms on what is and isn’t included in their standard management fee. We recommend you review the Managing Agency Agreement carefully, and obtain the full details of their commission and additional fees to know what you are paying for regularly, and what you may be required to pay for in the future, and ensure it is right for you. Is cheaper better? Paying a low property management fee sounds appealing. Generally, the lower the commission fee, the fewer services that likely to be included. Always read the fine print on what is being offered and factor in any additional costs that may be incurred when leasing, such as if regular routine inspections will be completed or tribunal attendance be actioned and at what charge (among other things). You may end up paying more than you budgeted for and you may receive a lower quality service than you deserve for one of your biggest investments. It should be noted that any management fees paid can be claimed at tax time as a tax deduction – speak with your accountant for more information. If you're ready to discover how you can rent out your property with confidence, download our free Step By Step Checklist to Renting Your Property with Confidence. YES, DOWNLOAD MY CHECKLIST Selecting a property manager is an investment in your future. When choosing a property management agency, choose one that offers you a comprehensive and personalised service. Prepare a list of questions to ask your property manager to ensure you receive all relevant information regarding the services on offer. Contact us for a free rental appraisal or visit our rental services page for more information about how we can help with your investment portfolio. We hope these tips have been helpful. If you feel you could benefit from our experience with property management, we’d love to hear from you. Simply reach out. We hope that has helped you today. If you have any questions, we’d love to talk to you. Our number is 0426 264 771 or 0455 147 755. We look forward to talking to you soon.
Dec 15, 2022
Local event: Kung Fu Panda movie night in Fairy Meadow
This summertime will be pandatime, as Wollongong is treated to a free outdoor screening of Kung Fu Panda on a giant five-metre screen on Saturday, January 21 in Fairy Meadow. Hosted by One Agency JD Property Agents in Fairy Meadow, the free community event will give young and old a great night out nearing the end of the school holidays. Come dressed as one of the characters from the movie or bring along a favourite Kung Fu Panda toy. One Agency JD Property Agents proprietor Joanne Danckwardt said the “movie under the stars” experience was designed to be a free event to give back to the community. “As parents ourselves, we know that nearing the end of the school holidays, you’re often looking for things to do to entertain the kids,” she said. “This is a nice way for families and friends to come together without any added expense.” The school holiday event will be held at Guest Park in Fairy Meadow at the Balgownie Road entrance. Patrons can arrive from 7pm, with screening of the movie from 8pm just as dusk hits. Fairy Meadow Rotary Club will provide a barbecue to raise funds for community projects. Bring a picnic rug or folding chairs, your friends and family, and enjoy an outdoor cinema experience. When Should You Arrive at Guest Park? The movie night will be held on Saturday, January 21. While the movie starts at 8pm, come along from 7pm to give yourself time to set up, grab something to eat from the Fairy Meadow Rotary Club barbecue and find your friends. What Should I Bring To Kung Fu Panda? You’ll be experiencing the outdoors, so we suggest you bring along: A picnic blanket, pillow or folded chairs to avoid having to sit on the grass. If it’s forecast to be a bit chilly, bring along a blanket or oversized hoodie to keep yourself warm In case the mozzies are out, insect repellent is a good idea If you’re not planning on taking advantage of the food stalls provided, you can bring your own food and drink. What Is The Cost? This is a free community event for family and friends to enjoy. We know that nearing the end of the school holidays parents, grandparents and carers are looking for something to do with the kids. This is a great way to entertain the kids without the added cost. Will Food and Drinks Be Available? We have organised for the Fairy Meadow Rotary Club to set up a barbecue to allow you to purchase food and drinks on the night. While we encourage you to support the Rotary Club and their fundraising efforts by purchasing food, you are welcome to pack your own picnic to bring along too. How Do I Get To Guest Park, Fairy Meadow? Guest Park is located in Fairy Meadow. From the Princes Highway, navigate onto Balgownie Road. Parking is available near the Guest Park Soccer Fields. There are also bus stops along Balgownie Road. Check bus timetables for running times for that night. What Happens If The Weather Isn’t Kind? In the case of inclement weather, the movie will be postponed to another date. We will make this decision by 3pm on the day and announce it on our Facebook page. Please be sure to follow the page to keep updated on the day. Kung Fu Panda movie night, screening outdoors at Guest Park, Fairy Meadow on Saturday, January 21 at 8pm. One Agency JD Property Agents is a registered as a COVID Safe Business with the NSW Government in line with the current restrictions and guidelines.
Dec 9, 2022
Benefits of downsizing your home
Does your family home seem a lot larger? Have all your children flown the coop? Are you looking to downsize for retirement? Downsizing your home can sound stressful! Don’t let the thought intimidate you, as it can be a beneficial process. Taking the opportunity to downsize is often the beginning of a new chapter. While it is a fresh start, downsizing has many benefits, and can be a very positive experience. Deciding to make the move can be hard. However, when you take the leap, you can see how beneficial it is to pack up. Watch the video as Joanne Danckwardt of One Agency JD Property Agents talks more about what downsizing is and the benefits of it. [siteloft_youtube video_id="Us2FEBjDUy4" autoplay="1" suggestions="1"] If you're ready to discover the secrets to being ready to sell your home, download our free insider secrets to being ready to sell checklist. YES, DOWNLOAD MY CHECKLIST What is downsizing? Downsizing (or rightsizing your home) occurs when you move into a smaller home than what you currently live in. It is often a decision made by people whose children have left home, or people considering downsizing for retirement, or seniors needing to downsize who are struggling to deal with the upkeep and costs of their home. It can also simply be that some people are keen for a change, are looking to streamline their lift, want to move closer to friends or family, or just want to fresh start in life. Whilst many spend time trying to upsize throughout their home-buying journey, downsizing can offer so many benefits. Increase in cash flow It is likely that your current home will have increased in value. Buying a smaller and cheaper property will provide you with cash equity, giving you added money in the bank. Smaller properties are generally less expense in their upkeep in areas such as electricity and insurance, a saving on bills for your cash flow. Instead of putting all your hard-earned dollars to a mortgage and utilities bills, you can start to enjoy your money. Eliminate clutter Downsizing forces you to declutter. Moving to a smaller home will mean you will not able to accommodate everything you have in your bigger home. Possessions can be become baggage. Without a valid reason to declutter, your space can be quickly overtaken. Downsizing means you have to prioritise your possessions, allowing you to remove things from your life that no longer serve a purpose. More time Having a smaller home means you will spend less time on cleaning and mowing and maintaining gardens, meaning you have more time for you to spend on the things you enjoy. This gives you a new type of freedom to explore new hobbies such as golf, tennis, travel or read. Or it can allow you more free time to spend with family and friends, providing plenty of enjoyment. You can enjoy your home without being a slave to it! Lifestyle changes Downsizing will often trigger a lifestyle change. For example, instead of having to worry about gardens, if you have downsized to an apartment, leaving to travel becomes less of a hassle as the gardens are generally taken care of by strata. Downsizing to a retirement village opens up the possibilities of new friendships, activities and amenities. Downsizing your home can lead to a less stressful lifestyle. How we can help with your downsizing journey To enjoy the benefits of downsizing, you should consider whether a smaller home will serve you and complement your lifestyle. There is no benefit to downsizing to something smaller to save time and money if you are unhappy about losing a bedroom or living space. Once you have decided that a smaller home will suit your lifestyle and future goals, you can appreciate the benefits of downsizing, and enjoy a fresh start. Making the decision to move to something smaller can be made easy. At One Agency JD Property Agents, we are ready to help, so you can get the most out of downsizing. We offer experience and knowledge that will help you make the buying and selling process as seamless as possible. We will provide you with advice, guidance, and results. We can help build a plan with you to overcome any fear, talk with about if you should sell or buy first, achieve sales results for you, assist with finding your next property to buy, and provide you with a range of strategic tailored real estate advice. If you're ready to discover the secrets to being ready to sell your home, download our free insider secrets to being ready to sell checklist. YES, DOWNLOAD MY CHECKLIST If you feel you could benefit from our experience with buying and selling, we’d love to hear from you. Simply reach out. We hope that has helped you today. If you have any questions, or you know of anyone who may benefit from our real estate services, we’d love to chat. Our number is 0426 264 771. We look forward to talking to you soon. Considering how you can Right Size your Home and perhaps move into Aged Care? Register for this short course and learn how to best right size your home when moving into aged care. If you have any family or friends that might benefit from real estate guidance, please feel free to pass on my details or share this link. I’d love to be able to help.
Nov 18, 2022
Local business: Harley and Johns Seafood
Harley and Johns Seafood owner Grant Logue swapped his life of building large houses for the likes of Cate Blanchett for selling Australia’s finest, fresh seafood from his store in Fairy Meadow. However, the business didn’t start there. It began as a fish market at the Wollongong Harbour by Harley, before moving to Fairy Meadow in 1988. Then, in 2009, Grant took Harley and Johns Seafood over. His role has not only been to supply the Illawarra with the highest quality fresh seafood, but to also educate them about sustainable seafood products and how to keep our oceans safe. Grant shares the story of Harley and Johns Seafood… Harley and Johns Seafood has been operating for 34 years. What’s the story behind how it got started? Harley had a fish market down at Wollongong Harbour. The older generation would have known Harley. Then in 1988, when the harbour was redeveloped, they moved up here (to Fairy Meadow) with John. So that’s where Harley and Johns started. When did you take over the business and what was your motivation for buying it? In ‘09 I bought into the business and then for the last eight years I’ve had it by myself. I had a partner for the first few years and then the last eight years it’s been just us. What was your background in seafood/aquaculture prior to buying the business? My interest is eating it (laughs). Originally I was a carpenter. I was working on some big houses up in Sydney. I was working on Cate Blanchett’s house at Hunters Hill. I loved the work but was sick of the travel. My wife was pregnant at the time. I thought I needed a career change and I knew my (business) partner at the time. My wife worked in the business while she was going through university. You’re famous for your oyster shucking. How did this come about and where do you usually showcase these skills? That started… I couldn’t even tell you a year. We got asked to do a function and they wanted live shucked oysters. So we decided to teach ourselves how to do it. It started from there, did a few events for those people and slowly it just evolved. So now we do a lot of work with Merivale in Sydney. So we do stuff at the (Sydney) Cricket Ground at their venues, throughout Sydney, the Star Casino, a lot of South Coast weddings and any corporate events. It’s part of us educating customers about oysters. It’s amazing how many people will say ‘I don’t like oysters’ or ‘I had a bad experience’. You can convince them to try it, that they’re different, they’re fresh and what they should be tasting when they’re right - and then you’ve got them hooked. Harley and Johns Seafood was the first independent fish market in NSW to gain MSC chain of custody certification. How important are sustainable seafood products to the business? The sustainability of our oceans is our business. Without the sustainability of our oceans, we don’t have a business. And it’s just for our customers to know we go the extra mile to ensure they know what they’re eating and we’re doing the right thing. It’s important to us they know that what they’re purchasing is what we’re actually selling. We’re not substituting anything. Where do you source your products from? How has the relationship with those suppliers developed over time? We’ve got relationships with suppliers all over Australia. It’s a matter of those relationships having been built up over the years. It’s that trust and understanding that they know what I like and they’re not going to send anything that doesn’t meet those standards. You have a range of customers at the Fairy Meadow seafood business. Who do you supply to? Our main focus is our retail customers. We do a little bit of wholesale but we decided late last year coming out COVID that we would wind our wholesale back a bit. We had to concentrate on something and we didn’t want to let either side down. So we decided to concentrate on the retail side. We still do wholesale but it’s to select customers. We know what they like and so we look after them. What are the most popular items you sell? It depends on the time of year, but salmon, barramundi, snapper and flathead are probably the most popular fish-wise. Then it’s your prawns and oysters come summer and Christmas. What do you like about operating the business in Fairy Meadow? It’s not the northern suburbs but it’s not in Wollongong. It’s easy access. It’s more of a community in Fairy Meadow. A lot of the business owners, if we need anything, they’re only a phone call away or we can drop in. At times, people use our cool rooms if they need extra room. Everyone really supports everyone. If you need anything, people are more than willing to help. How has the business grown over the years? People like to know the story behind seafood - the origins and how it’s caught. There’s a lot more information out there on the internet. So a lot of our time is educating customers on what is going on. I always say there’s three sides to the story. What you see in the media isn’t necessarily always true. People are getting a bit more adventurous with their cooking and you really noticed that through lockdown. People were getting really adventurous cooking mud crabs, sashimi, curing fish and making sushi at home because they had the time. And people have carried that on. Many have noticed that a DA was lodged for your current site. What will that involve for the business and where are you at with that process? We’ve got four years to run on our lease. We're actively looking now and we’ve been approached by numerous people about what we’re looking for. It’s exciting what opportunities are actually out there. We’ve got some plans and ideas to grow the brand of Harleys and see where we can take it. We’ve been in this location for a long time. We won’t be going too far north or too far south. That’s where we are now. It’s exciting. I support the development and think it will be good for the area, bringing more people into this community. Anything else you’d like to share with us? This year with Christmas we’ve got a lot of local suppliers coming in and we’re going to make it into a marketplace in the driveway. They can set up a market stall in the driveway, just to add to the last minute Christmas shopping, presents and things like that while you're standing in line. So that will be on the 24th. We sell a lot of the products in the shop, but it’s about these producers coming to meet the customers - customers that may actually be unaware that we do sell it. It’ll be a meet the maker type experience. You can visit Harley and Johns Seafood at 7 Daisy St, Fairy Meadow or visit their website. To learn more about buying, selling or leasing a property in Fairy Meadow and surrounds, contact Joanne on (02) 4285 7400. Are you or a loved one moving into aged care? Register for our free short course and learn how to right size your home when moving into aged care.
Nov 11, 2022
Should you change your current property manager?
How do you know it might be time to change your current property manager? Property management is so much more than just collecting the rent – it is an important role that can cost you if not done correctly. If you aren't happy with your current property management service change now. Hoping that things will get better will only increase stress levels and cost you money. It is not hard to change property managers, and you don’t have to wait until the end of your tenancy lease agreement. Joanne Danckwardt of One Agency JD Property Agents talks more about what you should be looking for in your property manager, and why you might need to consider a switch of property managers. [siteloft_youtube video_id="mj_LWBWm9FM" autoplay="1" suggestions="1"] If you're ready to discover how you can rent out your property with confidence, download our free Step By Step Checklist to Renting Your Property with Confidence. YES, DOWNLOAD MY CHECKLIST Signs it is worth changing your property manager Poor communication Are you responded to promptly without having to constantly follow up with emails and phone calls? If your current property manager doesn’t return calls and is slow to update you, consider a switch. Prolonged vacancy If your property is vacant, it is costing you money. Obtaining a good tenant for your property should be the highest priority for your property manager. Lack of procedures and expertise Does your property manager have systems, procedures and the experience to attract and screen potential new tenants? Completing reference checks and a review of their rental history and collecting a bond? When your tenants vacate, are you confident that your property manager is doing everything they can to have the property re-tenanted in quickly? Are detailed ingoing and outgoing conditions reports occurring? If your property manager does not have these abilities, or support, you should consider moving to a more experienced property management team. Infrequent or no routine inspections Routine inspections are a visual inspection that a Property Manager conducts at your property. They play an important role in keeping you updated of the condition of the property, ensuring it remains safe, is clean and is being cared for. If they are not happening, or not regularly enough, this is a concern. A detailed report should be given to you to help you ascertain any maintenance that may be required to retain the value of the property. Poor management of maintenance Managing repairs and maintenance is important to keep your investment in good condition to allow it to maintain good tenants, attract new tenants and maintain your investment property. If your property manager does not attend to maintenance requests, or if the property is not maintained to be safe and compliant, the tenants may break the lease without penalty, costing you money. Urgent maintenance should be attended to immediately to ensure it does not cost more in the long run with other damages. Look to move property management companies if you feel your property manager does not have the experience to successfully manage your maintenance requirements, or access to appropriate tradespeople who provide a high standard of workmanship, warranty and insurance. Rent arrears Consistent rent is key to you receiving regular payments, which is important for cash flow, and loan repayments. Your rental payments should come into your account reliably and consistently every month. Your property manager should be ensuring that your tenants pay their rent on time. Is your current property managed taking care of this for and enforcing lease agreements if rental payments are not received. If not, we recommend finding another property manager. Legislation knowledge Is your property manager up to date with the constantly changing NSW tenancy residential legislation and compliance requirements, such as smoke alarms? Do they attend training and education programs to keep informed of legal changes, and also advise you as to how this may affect you and your property? If not, it may be time to change teams. Regular Rent Reviews Your property manager should be conducting regular rent reviews to ensure that the rent is at market price, and adjustments made accordingly. This will ensure you continue to receive an appropriate return on your investment. The One Agency JD Property Agents Changing Property Management Process Changing property managers is easy! We do all the work for you, and you can change your property manager mid lease. You are not obligated to stay with your property manager if you are not happy. Our process is as follows: You inform us that you would like us to take over the management of your property portfolio We prepare a Managing Agency Agreement and written notice to terminate your agreement for you to sign. We forward the notice to your current agent and arrange to pick up your property file and keys from their office on the arranged date. We notify your tenants in writing. Then, their new One Agency JD Property Agents Property Manager welcomes them. One Agency JD Property Agents becomes your new management agency (as of the agreed date) and life carries on as normal. We arrange a property inspection to update the existing condition report (if required) and keep you informed each step of the way. If you're ready to discover how you can rent out your property with confidence, download our free Step By Step Checklist to Renting Your Property with Confidence. YES, DOWNLOAD MY CHECKLIST At One Agency JD Property Agents, we can help you. With our skills and experience, education and training, and dedication to rental service, we have your property investment needs covered, and would love to talk with you about your individual objectives. Dealing with a problematic property manager can be stressful. Here at One Agency JD Property Agents, our property investors are of our utmost concern. Request a rental property appraisal today to discuss how we can assist you with the management of your investment property. We hope these tips have been helpful. If you feel you could benefit from our experience with property management, we’d love to hear from you. Simply reach out. We hope that has helped you today. If you have any questions, we’d love to talk to you. Our number is 0426 264 771 or 0455 147 755. We look forward to talking to you soon.
Oct 28, 2022
Routine inspections - why and how often?
As an investor, you understand that your property is one of your greatest assets, so it is crucial to take care of it. Routine inspections play an important role in keeping your property in good condition, ensuring it remains safe, is clean and is being cared for. It's a great way to check for any repair requests in person and ensure the tenant is looking after property and adhering to the conditions of the lease agreement, and to ascertain any maintenance that may be required to retain the value. A routine inspection is a visual inspection that a Property Manager conducts at your property. We aim to help our property investors achieve the best rental returns and to make the property more attractive to prospective tenants. A property that is more attractive to potential tenants also attracts a better-quality tenant and a better chance of a long-term tenant. In this video, we outline not just why you need to have rental routine inspections conducted, but also how often. [siteloft_youtube video_id="94HDYjjlPGc" autoplay="1" suggestions="1"] If you're ready to discover how you can rent out your property with confidence, download our free Step By Step Checklist to Renting Your Property with Confidence. YES, DOWNLOAD MY CHECKLIST Why have a routine inspection? Having a routine inspection not only protects the property, but encourages open communication between the landlord, the tenant and the Property Manager. These inspections allow the tenant to advise the Property Manager of any maintenance issues, which can be sighted by the Property Manager, allowing for the right trade person to be engaged. As a routine inspection is a visual inspection, and Property Managers are not licensed builders, they are not able to advise on any structural defects. Should any our property investors require a more thorough assessment of their property we can assist in organising a building inspector to attend and provide a report. When we conduct routine property inspections, we not only assess the condition the tenants are keeping the property, but the “overall” condition of the property, looking particularly at the following: Do the gardens need a mulch top up or larger trees trimmed? Could the property do with a repaint, new carpets, and or/window furnishings? Are there any cracks in the plaster in the walls or ceilings? Are all appliances in working order? How does the cabinetry look throughout the home? Does the driveway and pathways/stairs need a high-pressure clean? Do all boundary fences look stable and intact? Are there any rust marks or deterioration in the guttering and downpipes? Is there any visible water damage or water marks? Are there any chips or cracks in any of the windows? Is there any exposed wiring or lighting? How does the grout and silicon look in wet areas (especially shower bases)? Is there any mould growing? When was the last time the air conditioning and garage door motors were serviced? Is the property safe? Is the property compliant? It is important for a property investor to be kept updated on what property improvements could be actioned, what could keep the property looking its best, and ultimately give the best chance of a great rent return and potential increase in value. This does not mean that a lot of money needs to be spent, but a property will require money spent on it from time to time to ensure it is comparable and competitive in the market. How often should routine inspections be conducted? Every time One Agency JD Property Agents places a new tenant into a property, we conduct a routine inspection three months after the start of the lease agreement. This allows us to ensure that the tenant is keeping the property to the right standard and that they understand the lease requirements, along with how we expect them to maintain the property. If that inspection is satisfactory, we will arrange for another routine inspection in six months’ time, and then again, every six months throughout the tenancy, unless there is a problem, where we will return earlier. In New South Wales, according to Fair Trading NSW, a property can be inspected up to four times in a 12-month period and seven days written notice must be given to the tenant(s). Routine inspections and rent reviews Routine inspections are an ideal opportunity to assess the property for an up-to-date rental appraisal and, based on comparable properties, possibly a rental increase may be recommended along with a lease renewal option. For tenants, a routine inspection is an opportunity to raise any questions and discuss their future plans at the property. If you're ready to discover how you can rent out your property with confidence, download our free Step By Step Checklist to Renting Your Property with Confidence. YES, DOWNLOAD MY CHECKLIST At One Agency JD Property Agents, we are available to discuss any queries you may have about routine inspections. We invite all of our landlords to attend our scheduled inspections of their properties. Along with this, we provide a detailed report and photos on the outcome to ensure you are updated with the tenancy and upkeep of the property. We hope you have found this helpful. If you feel you could benefit from our experience with property management, we’d love to hear from you. Simply reach out. We hope that has helped you today. If you have any questions, we’d love to talk to you. Our number is 0426 264 771 or 0455 147 755. We look forward to talking to you soon.