Tim Thompson

However, you should consider the risk that if you default on your payments, the lender could foreclose on your home.

However, you should consider the risk that if you default on your payments, the lender could foreclose on your home.

Home equity is the difference between the appraised value of your home and the balance on your mortgage.

But a second home for vacations is very different from an investment property you buy to generate income. That difference can affect your finances, including the taxes you owe on the property and the type of insurance coverage you need.

Get to know the benefits and considerations before your purchase.

Get the tips to make smart decisions before and after you buy.

If a seller isn’t clear on the ‘big why’, their property won’t sell.

If you’ve got a garden that’s a real feature of your property and a key selling point, so showing it off when it’s at its best is going to help sell your property

You want a buyer to walk in and say, ‘yeah I could see myself living here’, rather than being overwhelmed by evidence of the current owners living in the property

Painting a picture of your potential buyers will help you present your property in a way that’s likely to encourage them to part with their hard-earned cash. Without researching the market, you’ll be leaving that to chance.

That’s especially true if you’re selling in a suburb that’s popular among investors. Finding reliable tenants is a time-consuming activity, and so offering an investment property with tenants already in place can really sweeten a deal.

With the highest level of interest seen in the first 10 to 14 days

Question their local knowledge and ask about recent sales

They give a clear insight into what it’s like to work with that agent, and what to expect from that outcome

It doesn’t matter if you’re selling the family home, your first apartment or investment property. Choosing the right real estate agent is key to getting the best result possible for your property.

Make your opening bid something that’s fair and reasonable and isn’t going to totally offend the seller.

It’ll cost about $200 but could end up saving you thousands. A home inspector’s sole responsibility is to provide you with information so that you can make a decision as to whether or not to buy.