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A Smart Property Purchase in Just 7 Days

From Sydney to Settlement: A Smart Property Purchase in Just 7 Days Referred by a respected, long-time colleague in Sydney’s property scene, this client came to Janet from Buyer Solutions with a clear goal: find the right Melbourne home — fast. They were relocating from Sydney with a firm timeline, hoping to avoid the hassle […]

Short Stay Levy is Now in Effect In Victoria

Buyer Solutions advised clients and readers last year that the Victorian Short Stay Levy was coming on 1st of January, 2025. So, it is now in effect. Please read the following link on the State Revenue Office ( SRO) website to be informed and up to date. If you have a managing agent handling your […]

Busy Buyer Solutions Vendor Advocacy

Busy Buyer Solutions Vendor Advocacy has sold 3 properties recently in South Yarra.  An apartment in leafy Kensington Road and two semi detached homes in Quamby Avenue.  All met strong demand and have been bought by owner occupiers. We have also sold a renovater’s dream in North Melbourne that met strong competition from three bidders […]

Buyer Beware – What You Need to Know About Garage Conversions

Buyer Beware – What You Need to Know About Garage Conversions By Janet Spencer Converting a garage into a room can be a great way of adding value to your property and getting extra space for an additional bedroom, living space or study or playroom. But, before you rush into it here are a few […]

Buyer Solutions scores 99.36% for customer satisfaction

We are very pleased to announce that Buyer Solutions scores 99.36% for customer satisfaction in 2019. The judging process for the 2019 Australian Achiever Awards for Australia’s Real Estate Services category was completed on 12th of June and Buyer Solutions scored a highly recommended 99.36%. Now into its twenty-second year, the Australian Achiever Awards are […]

Change of loan serviceability rules is great news for borrowers

The recent announcement by Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) of the change of loan serviceability rules is great news for borrowers. Combined with the defeat of Labor’s negative gearing reforms and the Morrison government’s scheme to help first-time buyers, analysts have begun tipping an end to property price falls across Sydney and Melbourne. Since 2014, […]

REIV Residential Market Index May Update

About the RMX The REIV Residential Market Index (RMX) is a residential property price index (RPPI) designed to provide a current, simple insight into real property price trends in Victoria. An RPPI measures the price change of the stock of residential dwellings over time. The Residential Market Index (RMX) provides an accessible weekly guide to […]

Changes to property taxes coming if Labor wins the election

Many  investors are not fully aware of what changes Labor proposes if they win power on the 18th of May.  You need to know how this will affect your portfolio and property buying plans for the future. Labor believes that investors are taking advantage of tax concessions and are inflating property prices whilst competing with […]

Securing Your Kids Future – 12th of June

Do you have children and are you interested in securing your kids future?  I have two young adult sons and so, its a topic dear to my heart. A lot of young adults believe that planning for the future is fairly pointless.  They may need some strategies to encourage and provide confidence and should attend […]

Federal Budget – Superannuation Update

On Tuesday evening the Federal Government Budget proposed some new laws surrounding superannuation contributions for Australians. You may be interested to know the following: Contribution restrictions lifted on 65 and 66-year olds Under proposed new laws announced in last night’s Federal budget, Australians aged 65 and 66 will be able to make voluntary super contributions […]

Art to oven cleaning

There is an art to oven cleaning. We would like all our landlords, tenants and of course clients to be aware that they can harm their oven by cleaning it with corrosive and possibly dangerous oven cleaning chemicals. We were chatting to one of our preferred, professional oven cleaners this morning and he says he […]

Trick or Treat? Melbourne Property Market Now

Trick or Treat? Melbourne property market now is offering both. Patchy, erratic and all over the place. Just the way we like it at Buyer Solutions and not at all what we have come to expect in the raging market conditions that prevailed in 2016 and 2017. Property buyers could find this confusing and comments […]

Exceptional sales result with Buyer Solutions Vendor Advocates

Yesterday we had an exceptional sales result with Buyer Solutions Vendor Advocates.  With our Vendor Advocates you can be confident of receiving trustworthy, independent advice when selling.  One of the most important financial transactions you will ever make is selling a home or investment property. Recently an investor with an acre of land for redevelopment […]

Finalist REIV Awards 2018

Later this week at the REIV Awards for Excellence the winners will be announced for 2018.  I am honoured once again to be one of only four finalists for the REIV Buyers Agent of the Year category.  A lot of hard work goes into even being eligible to apply for this award. We are in […]

No ‘Bricks and Slaughter’ in Hawthorn

I need to speak on the recent article by 60 Minutes entitled Bricks and Slaughter. Personally, I think it made incorrect generalizations about the future of the property market. In fact, other media outlets share our view. The property market moves at different speeds at different times depending on what and where you are buying. […]

Why did a property sell 50% above the quote range?

Why did a property sell 50% above the quote range?  Special value to a special buyer? Buyer Solutions team inspected a villa unit in Balwyn North last month in Corhampton Road. It was an unrenovated, modest unit with some good attributes. The client we were working for at that time didn’t wish to renovate and […]

Property finance crunch

There is a property finance crunch happening right now in 2018.  We are hearing that loans are hard to come by after the Royal Commission into banking has forced change on lenders. The amount you can borrow is being impacted.  Also, whether you can borrow may have changed. If you could have borrowed $1 million […]

Rent fair? Changes are coming to the Residential Tenancies Act in Victoria

Rent fair? Changes are coming to the Residential Tenancies Act in Victoria. Parliament voted through these changes late on the 6th of September, 2018. So tenants, landlords and property managers get ready for 130 changes that will affect your relationships going forward. At the latest, this will be introduced in July, 2020 but I expect […]

Investing in property – capital growth or high yield?

Property investors need to ask “What’s more important when investing in property, capital growth or high yield?” Goal 1 – to create wealth – you need Capital Growth As an investor, personally I favor capital growth oriented assets.  I want my investments to go up over time.  My expectation is that an investment property should […]

Buyer Solutions Finalists in the Australian Small Business Awards 2018

Announcing Buyer Solutions finalists in the Australian Small Business Awards 2018 in the Champion Real Estate Agency category. Of the eighteen finalists, Buyer Solutions was the only agency from Victoria in the national list. This is the largest awards program for small business in Australia. “The Small Business Champion Awards is a celebration of small business […]

Having trouble with private sales?

Are you having trouble with private sales? The market is rough out there for the inexperienced buyer. Numbers of private sales are increasing and auctions decreasing in 2018. According to the REIV last weekend there where 886 auctions held. The same time last year there where 932.  Also, clearance rates at auctions have dropped from 72% same […]

Buyer Solutions Scored 96.29% for Customer Satisfaction

Our team are pleased to report that Buyer Solutions scored 96.29% for customer satisfaction in the recently judged Australian Achiever Awards. Buyer Solutions was awarded Highly Recommended in the Customer Satisfaction category for real estate services. The award system focuses on seven criteria, each scored separately, namely: Time Related Service, Addressing Client Needs, Care and […]

“Victorian public housing waiting list at 82,000” says ABC News

“Victorian public housing waiting list at 82,000 and growing by 500 a month”, says ABC News.  That’s a huge amount of people seeking accommodation assistance from the Victorian Government. The article advised that the Victorian Council of Social Service is seeking action to compel developers to provide a percentage of their projects for public housing.  They […]

Benefits of solar power for property investors

It’s time to consider the benefits of solar power for property investors in Australia. It’s no secret that green energy is a blazing market in Australia. As the green energy revolution spreads across the globe, solar power is now impacting on the rental markets of Australia. Investors need to pay attention. Ask yourself, would your […]

Solar power in investment properties

Solar power in investment properties can add value and be a good investment. Tenants pay the utility bills and anything that will lower their cost of living is good. Tenants may be willing to pay above market rent for properties with solar technology.  Also, have solar power might mean your investment property leases more quickly […]

REIV Market Update May 2018

The REIV market update May 2018 has just been published.  I’d like to share some of the top line information with you.  For more detailed information don’t hesitate to get in touch. “Following the Reserve Bank meeting in May 2018, the cash rate was left unchanged at 1.5 per cent, as it has been since August […]

Construction coming next door?

When buying a property you should find out whether there is construction coming next door or in the immediate area.  This could impact you if you are moving in. It could also impact tenants if you are an investor. Often whilst projects are underway, the area is disrupted. Traffic in the area can be increased […]

Go Girls Foundation Graduation Ceremony

I recently was very grateful to be invited to attend the Go Girls Foundation graduation ceremony.  Held at Hellenic Republic in Kew, the food was fabulous, the company enlightening and the graduates truly inspiring. Go Girls ran a program for 14 unemployed Melbourne women and victims of domestic violence to formulate a plan for thei […]

April Property Market Review

Here is my April property market review.  I am finding the market patchy and dangerous for buyers.  Some properties are flying, reaching enormous prices and heated competition at auction.  Others are passing in, selling after and not quite meeting the Vendor’s expectations. Interestingly, new REIV data for “the three months ended 31 March 2018 reveals […]

Dangerous gas heaters must not be used

A warning has been issued by Energy Victoria that dangerous gas heaters must not be used.  If you own a property that has a Vulcan Heritage or a Pyrox Heritage gas heater do not use them until they are tested by a qualified gas fitter. Climate Technologies, who manufacture the heaters has a program in place to test every […]

Who uses negative gearing?

Who uses negative gearing?  Well at Buyer Solutions we know that its not just the wealthy who negative gear when buying investment properties. I recently read that amongst the top people who use negative gearing are: Teachers Engineers Nurses and Midwives Retail workers Office/Practice Managers and General clerks Of course, as you would expect CEO’s […]

REIV Conference – Underquoting panel discussion

Estate Agents in Melbourne may be interested to attend the REIV Ignite Conference on the 21st of March at Crown Conference facilities.  It should be a very informative day with some top speakers, including Simon Cohen from Consumer Affairs Victoria, Gus Balbontin from Lonely Planet and Stephen Scheeler former Managing Director of Facebook (Aus & NZ). I […]

REIV Awards for Excellence 2017

Janet Spencer Finalist REIV Awards for Excellence 2017 We are thrilled to announce that Janet Spencer has been named a finalist for the 2017 REIV Awards for Excellence in the Buyer’s Agent of the Year category. The REIV Awards for Excellence showcase the best of the property industry and celebrate leading real estate agency practices […]

Rental management fees – how much is fair?

Landlords are wondering, rental management fees – how much is fair? Since 1989, I have been hearing the ongoing conversation about what to pay for management fees of investment properties. Across metro Melbourne we are seeing firms offering cost free periods and/or low fees like 4% excluding GST.  The Buyer Solutions team questions what services […]

Downsizing – How to do it well!

  We were recently approached by a real estate publication for commentary on older Victorians downsizing from their larger family homes. Here are some top questions we answered: What Melbourne suburbs do you think are currently popular for downsizers and why? A lot of downsizers want to stay in the area in which they currently live, so […]

Victoria’s new underquoting laws

How is the real estate industry embracing and implementing Victoria’s new underquoting laws? Effective from the 1st of May, there are new laws introduced by Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) to prevent real estate agents and vendors from underquoting to prospective buyers. Many changes have been introduced. CAV’s website tells us the following: “All Victorian estate […]

Property tax changes from 1st of July

Property taxes are changing from the first of July, 2017. The Victorian state government will close a property duty loophole between spouses who own investment properties from that date.   Transfers between partners will no longer be exempt from stamp duty, except for changes for the principal place of residence or following a relationship breakdown. […]

Buyer Beware! Is there a big development coming next door?

During our pre-purchase due diligence last week for a property in Kew, we found a major surprise.  A surprise so big that it caused us not to bid. A major development next door to the north will fundamentally change the amenity of the target property during construction and when built. The property next door, a magnificent […]

Property Update at North Melbourne Football Club

This week we were invited to be part of a panel discussion at the North Melbourne Football Club to examine how real estate plays a part in overall financial fitness. The audience was made up of players and staff looking to educate themselves on what the benefits of owning good property are and how to invest in […]

Should you let a selling agent bid for you at auction?

Auction advice for property buyers from Buyer Solutions Last Saturday Buyer Solutions was bidding at an auction for our investor client in Melbourne’s eastern suburb of Forest Hill.  The auctioneer took centre stage and three of his colleagues placed themselves amongst the bidders to assist buyers in attendance. From the buyers perspective is this a […]

Impulsive Property Buying – What Can Go Wrong?

Impulsive Property Buying – What Can Go Wrong? If you’re in the market for a property or just have an interest in real estate you’ve probably been to an auction.  Tensions are high, adrenaline is pumping, serious bidders are eyeing off their competition and vendors are nervously lurking about in anticipation.  Auctions are dramatic spectacles […]

Is your House Winter Ready?

In Victoria we are well and truly in the throws of autumn with winter at our doorstep.  The long dark, cold and rainy days ahead of us can be very expensive if you’re caught out unprepared.  Keep your bills down and your house safe by following these tips: INSIDE YOUR HOME Service and clean your […]

Will stamp duty changes mean more homebuyers buy off the plan?- Buyer Beware

Changes to stamp duty rates from the 1st of July, 2017 will impact the property market in my opinion.  From that date forward home buyers are being tempted into the off the plan market by reductions in stamp duty payable that will not apply for investors.  Investors will no longer benefit from reduced stamp duty […]

Buyer Solutions successful buying in St Albans

Buyer Solutions has proudly bought recently in the “super hot” St Albans market. Not only did we buy, we bought well   And here’s why……………… Our property was a brick home with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, two living areas on approximately 650 square metres of land by private sale.  The offer on this property went […]

Newsflash – Interest Rates Up

Buyer Solutions wishes to advise that interest rates are on the way up with two of the “big four” lenders.   National Australia Bank and Westpac have joined forces and increased Interest Rates. National Australia Bank announced their decision last Thursday to lift the Standard Variable Rate by 0.07 per cent hours after the US […]

Victorian Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) Review

The Victorian Government is currently reviewing the Residential Tenancies Act – the law that governs the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants. Significant changes to the legislation have been proposed in the Government’s options paper Heading for Home, released in January this year. The REIV strongly opposes many of these reforms, including: Changes to […]

Victorian Stamp Duty changes for first homebuyers

The Victorian State Government has from the 1st of July, 2017, abolished Stamp Duty for first homebuyers who buy a property with a value less than $600,000 and is implementing a sliding scale of reduced stamp duty between $600,000-$750,000. So, all first home-buyers with contract prices under $750,000 will have some reduction in Stamp Duty, if […]

New Birrarung Council Protecting the Yarra River

Planning Minister Richard Wynne has announced that a new council called Birrarung Council will enforce the Yarra River Action Plan which applies to a 42 kilometre stretch of the Yarra River, running between Richmond and Warrandyte. This section of the river is under threat of over-development which can compromise not only the beauty of the […]

Great morning with colleagues from Brisbane

I spent the morning today with Maddyson and Zoran Solano from Hot Property Buyers Agency and Hot Property Management based in Brisbane.  We are both members of REBAA and Zoran is the Queensland State Representative and I am the Victorian State Representative. As you can imagine, Melbourne coffee fuelled active conversation on REBAA and the […]

2017 Residential Tenancies Act Review

The  Victorian Government has been undertaking a review of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997, as a part of its platform for housing related initiatives entitled ‘Fairer Safer Housing’ over the past year.  The final RTA Options Paper outlines an extensive range of proposed changes which are extremely concerning to the REIV and may have substantial […]

Victorian Fencing Law

Most of us have neighbours and many of us have fences that separate us from said neighbours, but ironically the fence that is meant to keep people separated is often what brings people together…in conflict. Because fences are usually erected on property lines they really belong to both properties. Costs of establishing a fence as […]

Estate Agents Council appoints Janet Spencer as Member

I am very honoured to have been appointed a Member to the Estate Agents Council (EAC) in Victoria. The Estate Agents Council (EAC) reports to and advises the Minister for Consumer Affairs on: – the operation of the Estate Agents Act 1980 (the Act) and its regulations – the efficiency and effectiveness of industry regulation […]

Buyer Solutions pulls out of investment property purchase. Why?

To save our client money and to ensure they buy a better property. What happened? We inspected the property Wednesday. The selling agent assured us there were multiple other buyers and he was selling the property on Thursday. They would not allow a building inspection before offers were remitted which was an immediate red flag. It’s […]

Buyer Solutions Market Roundup 2016

Rental Round Up If you plan to buy an investment property in 2017, please book a consultation with Buyer Solutions.  Your asset selection criteria need to be very rigorous or you may find it hard to secure a quality tenant.  In traditionally strong rental areas like South Yarra rents are softening in the face of […]

Our client had the budget, so why did we stop bidding?

One of the biggest concerns potential clients have when considering hiring a buyer’s agent is whether they will overpay. Many buyer’s agents charge a percentage of the final purchase price. The higher that price the more the Buyer’s Agent gets paid. And here lies the main difference between a greedy buyer’s agent and an honest […]

How you lose if you don’t buy quickly?

The inner Melbourne median house prices have jumped 8.8% over 2016 according to the REIV. With low interest rates offered by the banks and a volatile stock market, why wouldn’t you invest in property? If you’re approved for a loan or have the money to invest, each month you sit on your hands is money […]

What are people looking for on realestate.com.au?

We all know how tight the competition is for quality properties in Melbourne and there is no sign of this changing any time soon. Here are a few statistics from realestate.com.au that may help you understand the property landscape a little clearer. Based on the number of clicks per online listing, Melbourne has the country’s […]

Foreign investment targeting Melbourne’s fringe

Land on Melbourne’s fringe is being rezoned from farmland to residential in an attempt to address Melbourne’s housing affordability yet a recent The Age article uncovered that developers are still looking overseas to attract buyers. The Labor government rezoned and released land as they saw this as the only solutions to the housing shortage and […]

Buying better with Buyer Solutions

Buyer Solutions bought on prestigious St Kilda Hill last weekend. Interestingly, in this tightly held pocket of Melbourne real estate, two almost identical Art Deco style one bedroom properties were offered for public auction only two hours apart. The first without car parking sold first at 11 am for $530,000. The second had car parking and […]

Should you rentvest?

Should you rentvest? If you can afford to buy a property and you actually buy the right property, then the team at Buyer Solutions say “Yes”. Many renters live in top quality locations with lots of amenity nearby.  They value proximity to shops, bars, restaurants, transport, parks, schools, hosptals and a high “walk score” all […]

Can there be two values for one house?

Interesting property viewing last Sunday. I visited a new 60 square (560 square metre) house in East Kew, Victoria and was chatting incognito with other buyers in attendance at the viewing. In my Sunday clothes, I don’t believe they knew I was an agent. One local buyer says to me “I have been shopping Kew, […]

Iconic Richmond Fire Station for sale

On December 3rd the former Richmond Fire Station at 131 Lord Street will be auctioned by Jellis Craig Richmond.  Still standing in its original condition the Fire Brigade Station was designed by John Augustus Bernard Koch, an architect who practised in Richmond and Hawthorn and designed over sixty buildings for the City of Melbourne in […]

Avocado toast versus buying your first home

The big avocado debate – is saving for a home deposit as easy as going without for a little bit? Is cutting discretionary spending the key to your first home or is saving to buy a home just mission impossible? Do Millennials Stand a Chance at Getting Into the Property Market?   Last month, millennials were […]

Winner REIV Buyer’s Agent of the Year 2016 – Janet Spencer

Proud winner REIV Buyer’s Agent of the Year 2016 – Janet Spencer. On Thursday 27 October 2016 at a gala event held at Crown Palladium, the REIV announced the winners of the prestigious and highly sought after 2016 REIV Awards for Excellence. David and I attended and it was a great night.  Good food, good […]

Negative Interest Rates – How Will They Impact You?

With interest rates at record lows, savers are getting a measly return on their money, especially after factoring in inflation. Then, there is even talk of a possibility of negative interest rates. Negative interest rates sound counter-intuitive, but they are a strategy by central banks actioned in a weak economy to kick-start financial activity.  Several […]

Illegal Demolition of Carlton Pub

When you think of the city of Melbourne, beautiful tree lined streets, the Yarra, abundant parks and a very distinct architectural aesthetic come to mind. Our unique metropolitan landscape is peppered with heritage listed sites which exemplify bygone eras and celebrate our city’s cultural legacy. If it wasn’t for governing bodies like the Heritage Council […]

Melbourne Agent fined $330,000 for underquoting

A Melbourne agent fined $330,000 for underquoting will be feeling the pain with this fine. It is true that deceptive practices such as underquoting waste the time and money of Victorians on properties they simply cannot afford. “Underquoting erodes the confidence of purchasers and vendors in the conduct of real estate agents.” According to the […]

Janet Spencer announced a finalist REIV Awards for Excellence 2016

I am very happy to announce that I am a finalist in the REIV Awards for excellence 2016 in the Buyers Agent of the Year category. Having won previously in 2012, 2013 and 2014, it would be a dream to take home the award again this year. A lot of hard work goes into making […]

Buying new and off the plan

As a professional buyers agent, I regularly receive offers from local property developers and real estate agents for recently released new or off the plan properties. I recently received this offer via email and it provides a good example of the types of inducements that are used to encourage unsuspecting property buyers into a property […]

Beware of the ‘Free’ Buyer’s Agent!

If you want to buy a property, then beware of the “free” buyers agent.Buyer’s Agents are professional, registered Real Estate Agents that work for and in the best interest of property buyers.They listen to their clients’ unique needs, source properties that fit the brief and will be sound investments with the best possible capital growth potential, […]

VCAT over-ruled ban on pets by Owners Corporation

In June, the owners corporation of an Eaglemont subdivision went to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) seeking an order requiring resident Madison Brewster to remove her Cavoodle from her rented townhouse. Ms Brewster had her landlord’s permission to have the dog, but the subdivision’s owners corporation had passed special rules in 2013 prohibiting […]

That’s Capital Growth

This month our investor client sold his property and was hugely rewarded by taking Buyer Solutions investment advice three years ago. Bought August 2013 for $500,000 Sold August, 2016 for $701,000 Great investment selected and bought by Buyer Solutions for a client who bought four properties with our assistance. Whilst we regularly hear stories about […]

New Building Codes for Small Apartments in Victoria

We are seeing them everywhere. New apartment buildings are popping up like mushrooms after a warm and damp season. They are advertised for sale in glossy brochures and through expensive marketing campaigns boasting state of the art finishes and promising potential buyers the moon at affordable prices. In reality, many of the new apartment buildings […]

Location, Amenities and Property Prices

At Buyer Solutions, we know that location, amenities and property prices are uniquely aligned to influence property prices. So here are some tips that may help both home buyers and investors to secure a better property. Key Amenities people look for when buying a property. We were recently asked if good schools drive up real […]

Buyer Beware! Illegally erected dwellings

Buyer beware illegally erected dwellings can be a major problem. Recently we conducted research on a property being promoted by the selling agent as a habitable 5 bedroom property,  In fact there were two bedroom and a study in the original house at the front of the property and two more bedrooms in a fully […]

Australian Achiever Awards – Highly Recommended – Buyer Solutions Scores 96.29% for Customer Satisfaction

Australian Achiever Awards – Highly Recommended – Buyer Solutions Scores 96.29% for Customer Satisfaction Buyer Solutions scores 96.29% for Customer Satisfaction.   The judging process for the 2016 Australian Achiever Awards for Victoria’s Real Estate Services category was completed on 24th May 2016. Buyer Solutions scored a highly recommended 96.29%. Buyer Solutions achieved: 100% for […]

Victoria, the toughest place to buy

Victoria, the toughest place to buy according to The Age newspaper research published recently. Ms Christina Zhou says that “first home buyers struggle most”.  “First home buyers have a tough task, but new figures show that when it comes to saving a deposit and making repayments, Victorians are ding it the toughest in the country.  […]

Renovating to improve returns

Renovating to improve returns is something landlords and property investors need to consider in Melbourne’s competitive rental market.  You want a good tenant and one who will want to lease and look after your property. Landlords often think only in terms of how much rent per week their investment can provide.  We encourage Buyer Solutions […]

Richmond eyesore property for sale again

336 Burnley Street is on the market,  a Richmond eyesore property for sale again. Currently listed with Haim Real Estate, the home is on approximately 777 square metres of land in the sought after Melbourne suburb. This is the third time in four years the property has been offered for sale. The unsightly and very […]

Thornbury is hot!

The Melbourne suburb of Thornbury is hot at the moment. A Thornbury home has recently established a new price record as a renovated four-bedroom period residence sold at auction over the weekend. 13 Shaftesbury Parade sold for $1,945,000 through Nelson Alexander, which was notably higher then when the same address was sold in 2011 for […]

Disciplinary action for Lacrosse tower building surveyor

The Age newspaper today featured an article on the Docklands high rise fire that occurred last year.  Buyer Solutions rehoused affected tenants who were shocked to have lived through the fire and had to find alternate accommodation urgently. This article covers planned changes to how buildings are signed off by Surveyors and findings by the […]

Australian Small Business Awards Finalist 2016

Buyer Solutions is very happy to be a finalist in the 2016 Australian Small Business Awards again. The winners will be announced on the 23rd of April at the Westin in Sydney. The judging process includes the involvement of around thirty individuals from different industries who review the entries to determine the category winners. Judges […]

East West Link remains a high priority

In our opinion Melbourne’s East West Link remains a high priority. At Buyer Solutions we travel this route frequently and it is simply a nightmare of traffic congestion and frankly a huge waste of time for anyone doing business in Melbourne.  We are fortunate that at Buyer Solutions we have some control over when we […]

Australian population hit 24 million people

Today the Australian population hit 24 million people. Melbourne is Australia’s fastest growing city and as a frequent traveller on both Melbourne’s roads and public transport I say that infrastructure investments have been inadequate to cater for this growth. Our clients in suburbs all over Melbourne tell us that if they don’t get to rail […]

Buyers seek power pocket suburbs

Buyers seek power pocket suburbs for buying in 2015.  This has always been the case.  Each year I am asked where are the “hot spots”, which suburb will “go off next”, what is the next “property trend location”. I was very successful with my late 2014/early 2015 top Melbourne growth suburb picks.  Buyer Solutions clients […]

Balwyn falling

Balwyn falling, yes it is.  House prices are certainly falling and they have done so very quickly in Balwyn. I believe that last weekend there were around 31 auctions in Balwyn and only 6 houses sold.  This is a major change in buyer sentiment.  Back in April 2015, land could achieve around $3000 per square […]

Buyer beware – pre-purchase inspections

Buyer beware is a mantra all property buyers need to heed.  At Buyer Solutions we are constantly shocked by buyers failing to do their pre-purchase research and committing huge sums of money to purchases of properties with problems that they are unaware of at the time of purchase. Case in point last week was a […]

Is your buyer’s agent REBAA accredited?

Is your buyer’s agent REBAA accredited? The real estate industry has always attracted its fair share of ‘shonky’ selling agents but it’s disappointing to see operators who are now promoting themselves under the guise of being a legitimate ‘buyer’s agent’ taking advantage of innocent buyers. Buyer’s agents are licensed professionals who specialise in searching, locating, […]

Style your home before you sell with Buyer Solutions help

If you are planning a move you should seriously style your home before you sell with Buyer Solutions help. In the last year alone here at Buyer Solutions we have helped many families and various clients to sell their homes successfully, which in turn, helped them to move onto their next adventures in life. Our […]

RBA sounds alarm over off-the-plan properties

The RBA sounds alarm over off-the-plan properties because of lenders minimizing their risk on this type of asset. “The Reserve Bank of Australia has warned that settlement risk on apartments purchased off-the-plan may have increased as a direct result of the stricter criteria that banks are now applying to investor housing loans. In its Financial […]

REIV release September quarter median prices

  REIV release September quarter median prices and Melbourne’s bayside suburbs have topped the list for price growth in the three months to September 30, with Brighton, Dromana and Seaford all recording increases of more than 15 per cent.“REIV Chief Executive Officer, Enzo Raimondo, said metro Melbourne’s median house price of $729,500 for the September quarter is […]

Train capacity crisis to hit breaking point in 2018

An article entitled “Train capacity crisis to hit breaking point in 2018” resonated with me as a Buyers Agent and resident of Melbourne. Several years ago now I purchased a new home for a client in Newport in Melbourne’s west.  She was so excited to be moving closer to the city and cutting down her commute […]

What will Melbourne be like in 180 years time?

What will Melbourne be like in 180 years time? In The Age on 30th of August, 2015, Katie Wong Hoy explored this interesting topic. Melbourne celebrates its 180th birthday this week, and quite a lot has changed in that time. Take our population: 180 years ago there were about 177 people here. That’s grown to around […]

Buyer beware not all new homes are dream homes

Buyer beware not all new homes are dream homes.  Building insurance, how much comfort can a buyer take from it?  I often hear from buyers ” I don’t need a Buyers Agent as I know what I am doing when buying a home” and then ” I don’t need to spend the money on a […]

Help with the nightmare of buying property

Lots of people are seeking help with the nightmare of buying property.  A reputable buyers agent could be the solutions to all your property buying problems.  Property buyers are really struggling to secure good quality property in current market conditions.  Melbourne real estate yesterday had an 81% clearance rate from 878 auctions on a cold […]

“Buyer beware!”

The advice “Buyer beware!” when buying real estate took on a whole new meaning for our clients based in South Korea yesterday. A home is on the market that Buyer Solutions clients absolutely love.   It is a well renovated and extended home in the Melbourne suburb of Northcote.   It has a lovely north […]

The pros and cons of open-for-inspections

The pros and cons of open-for-inspections In Melbourne, whether you are the property buyer of seller, you need to consider the pros and cons of open-for-inspections. If you are a property buyer, there may be lots of other people attending the open at the same time, making it hard to have a clear view of […]

Buyer Solutions scores 97.46% for customer relations and service

Buyer Solutions scores 97.46% for customer relations and service.   The judging process for the 2015 Australian Achiever Awards for Victoria’s Real Estate Services category was completed on 21st of May. Buyer Solutions scored a highly recommended 97.46%. Buyer Solutions achieved: 100% for Client Needs – is the customer getting/given what they want? 100% for […]

Buyer beware – Don’t Overpay for Property

Buyer beware- Don’t Overpay for Property At Buyer Solutions we are sending a message to investors and home buyers loudly “buyer beware don’t overpay for property”. Just because interest rates are low and you want to buy a property, don’t just jump in and buy without doing proper research.  The bank manager might say you […]

Investor Happy with Buyer Solutions

Is our South Australian based investor happy with Buyer Solutions?  From this testimonial, it appears the answer is “ÿes”.  We bid at a competitive auction in Eveline Street, Brunswick recently.  The under bidder was gutted to miss out, however we won the contest by a slim bidding margin of $1,000.   Here is what our […]