We don’t know about you, but we have more gizmos and gadgets that use USB cords with each passing week. As technology advances and as our homes are becoming ‘smarter’, the number of smartphones and tablets increases. Go-Pros, digital cameras, video cameras, GPS, game consoles, laptops, fitness trackers, etc. Not only do gadgets and their cables become tangled and get on our nerves but often they overload our power points. The good news is, universal power points have become increasingly popular, and electricians are being asked to install them in many homes. Having USB sockets installed in our power points will solve overloading problems, but this upgrade should only be done by a licenced electrician. Hiring a licenced and insured tradie is essential to get job to get done quickly, safely, and legally. Some benefits associated with having a USB dedicated power point are: ability to charge several electronics and devices simultaneously and quickly, less tangled cables, freeing up power point sockets for other uses. Using extension cords and power boards can be quite unsafe and can lead to socket overload, especially if there are too many devices plugged in at the same time.
Aren’t you glad it’s almost Christmas? But as a property manager, you probably have a lot to do before you can start thinking about the holidays. So we’ve created a pre-holiday checklist to help you find calm in the chaos.
This year was a real test for property managers. You’ve been pulled in different directions, shifting your strategies in response to COVID-19, to help the business survive. Despite the chaos, you still managed to juggle your career and personal life while learning new skills in the process. 2020 has only proven that you can adapt to any circumstances that the world presents to you. In this article, we will explore how lessons learned in 2020 can prepare your property management business for a successful 2021.
People of yesteryear weren’t as reliant on electrical appliances and technology as we are today. Older homes have a distinct lack of power points in places like the bathroom and kitchen which can be an inconvenience. So if you’re building or rewiring a home, then installing power points in all the right places is a necessity. It’s safer than using extension leads or double adapters on all your single plugs, not to mention less frustrating. It’s not difficult to figure out where to put power points if you give it some proper thought, here are 6 essential places you should install power points.
There are many advantages to adding a ceiling fan into the interior design of your home besides their main function of cooling off a room. Having this type of fans in your home can reduce your energy costs, can provide comfort, and can be a stylish lighting source. Standard ceiling fans are usually quite cheap but must be installed by a licenced electrician who will respect the Australian standards and procedures. For a standard fan installation, professional electricians will charge on average about $77 per hour. If the job is straightforward and simple, they might charge less. On the other hand, if the installation is complicated, the electrician’s rate can be as high as $80 per hour. Overall, for a complete fan installation, a homeowner should expect to pay between $200 and $400. If the homeowner installs several fans, the cost per fan installation might be reduced. Although installing a ceiling fan is usually a straightforward job, there can be certain tasks and aspects that can influence the costs and the rates of the electricians. These are some of the most common things that can influence the ceiling fan costs:
In Australia, the average hourly rate for TV antenna services is around $80. The most common antenna services usually consist of jobs like installing or repairing an antenna, which can be solved easily. However, if you are dealing with something more complicated, your electrician might have to charge more. For a simple job that is solved quickly, the antenna repairman could charge even less than the average electrician rates. Some electricians might charge a per-project fee. In that case, repairing a standard television antenna will cost you between $200 and $250. However, these costs are only available if you are dealing with an easy-to-solve problem. If the job is straightforward, and there are no complications, you can expect to pay the aforementioned sum. If the electrician finds that certain parts must pe replaced, or that there are underlying issues that are difficult to fix, you might have to pay extra. Installing and repairing antennas are not the only services that an antenna specialist will offer. He will also do check-ups and tune-ups to make sure that your home entertainment system receives high-quality reception. Because there are so many different jobs related to TV antennas, it’s quite important to know what factors can determine the final costs.
Do you need an extra space in your home? Have you thought about extending your room? Before starting the whole process, you already have in mind where you want the room extension to be done. As much as the process might seem easy, it is quite hard to match the roof and make it balance with an existing roof. This article will highlight various ideas for roof extensions. Roof extension is a tricky job, but home extension builders understand what they need to do to make everything work. They come up with long-lasting solutions that improve the aesthetic appearance of your home.
This release sees new updates that will help you with even Faster Report Editing via the CMS, with the new Area Level Thumbs Up for marking conditions and an improved reporting functionality to Load Reports Faster. Let us know what you think of these new features!
Ready to improve communication with your tenants? Inspection Manager’s online tenant options are here to help you power-up your day and enhance communication with ease. Our Branded Tenant Assisted Inspections, Branded Paperless Ingoing Reports, and Branded Digital Leases are not just tools to streamline your rental process, they’re also the key to stronger relationships and better communication with your tenants.
In an exciting development for property management professionals, Inspection Manager has become a part of Proptech Labs. Proptech Labs was launched in conjunction with the recent Bricks + Agent acquisition of Inspection Manager. Proptech Lab’s aim is to be the leading software development group dedicated to innovation and customer satisfaction. This integration brings together three powerful products, including Bricks + Agent Inspection Manager and Invoice Automate to create a comprehensive all-in-one solution that revolutionises property management processes. With increased resources and expertise, Proptech Labs promises enhanced efficiencies and streamlined operations for businesses.
You know one of the most exciting things about the real estate industry? It keeps on changing all the time. With the ever-changing trends, it also becomes imperative that as a property manager, you educate yourselves, and stay updated with the latest practices, but how? Well, reading the top property management blogs makes you innovative and also keeps you on the top of industry trends. They also offer you a wealth of knowledge and seamlessly provides you with the outstanding resources. But in case, if you are not sure which blogs to browse through, here are the top 5 property management blogs that you can look up to.
Way back in 2018, shark Andrew Banks did an on screen deal for a stake in start up Bricks and Agent – but off screen the deal did not progress The team at Bricks and Agent kept in touch with Andrew and when it was time to complete their recent capital raise, Andrew took a bite of the start up. Andrew is now an investor in Bricks and Agent which recently raised more than $9m including a strategic investment from publicly listed Hipages Group (ASX:HPG)
Little Real Estate is Australia's largest independently owned real estate agencies and aim to offer their clients real service that provides real outcomes. Before Bricks + Agent, Little Real Estate agency was managing maintenance tasks on three different systems in order to get the request to a property manager, Since partnering with Bricks + Agent they now have reduced the amount of time it takes teams to initiate and complete the maintenance workflow.
The first 100 days is a wake up call for new real estate agents. This is the make it or break it period, when many decide that they’re better off switching to another kind of job. Unfortunately there’s no instruction manual on how to be a successful real estate agent but if you have a bit of know-how it can make the first 100 days easier to get through.
Technology continues to change our way of doing business. This is as true for managing properties as it is for all the other areas in today's real estate industry.
Bricks + Agent is a platform built to simplify and enhance the property maintenance and inspection process for property managers, tradespeople, tenants and property owners.
Would you like to revamp your house by changing your furniture? Whether you need a new door, a custom entertainment unit or a window installation, a carpenter can handle all that. Apart from that, carpenters can work on other materials such as PVC, steel, and plastics. What is a carpenter subcontractor hourly rate? From this article, you will get an overview of the work of a carpenter and what it costs to hire one.
You probably know that property managers and property management companies exist, but do you know exactly what they do? The property managers are third parties who are hired to handle a wide range of daily operations related to real estate investments.
If you don’t have time to keep your home clean and tidy, then hiring a cleaner is your next best option. Getting in a cleaner for a weekly house clean, or a spruce up before guests stay, is becoming more common these days as we juggle work, children, pets and social events. Here is an outline of the services and costs involved to give you an idea of how much you’ll be looking at paying.
When you are faced with a serious issue, you will know immediately that you need to hire a plumber, but what happens if you are not sure? There are less obvious problems that might require a professional’s attention and it is important to know how to spot them. If you avoid fixing an underlying plumbing issue, over time, the costs of the repairs could increase. Additionally, a leaky pipe that is not fixed on time can severely affect the structure of your house.
Solar panels are leading the way as an alternative energy source for residential homes in Australia. Since we enjoy some of the highest levels of solar radiation in the world, it makes good financial sense to take advantage of this and install solar panels on your roof. As well as being an effective source of energy, going solar has positive benefits for the environment. With solar power you don’t have to worry about greenhouse gasses, it’s totally environmentally friendly. Solar power means you can also enjoy energy-independence from grid electricity, always handy when there are power failures, and consistently cheap rates because, unlike energy companies, the price of the sun won’t go up. Do solar panels actually generate enough power to make a difference? The answer is ‘yes’, in general, solar panels can convert approximately 15-40% of the sun’s energy into electricity, depending on what type you get.
One of the most popular and common DIY jobs, painting the interior of your home can be an easy and pleasant activity. If you are looking for a cheap and effective way to increase the value of your house, then sprucing it up with a brand new coat of paint is a great idea. However, this task can be time-consuming, so unless you are willing to put in some time and effort, you should consider hiring a professional painter.
Is your roof too shabby, damaged beyond repair or outdated? If it is affected by any of the above cases, the only choice you might have is to replace it with roof tiling. But how much can it cost you to repair it? Would you like to renovate, clean or substitute it?
Growing vegetables doesn't have to be a seasonal job and planting can be done outside of Spring. In many parts of Australia, you can grow vegetables and have a beautiful cottage garden in Winter as well. The only factor you need to address is which types of vegetables are going to thrive in your local climate.
So you own one or several Airbnb rental properties and maybe time isn’t on your side to manage them by yourself. What's the best solution? Lucky for you, hiring a person who provides professional Airbnb property management services has become quite popular. Your properties will get all the attention they need, and you get to worry less and invest your time in something else.
A tidy garden improves the beauty of your home and keeps you safe. As much as you can keep it clean using the DIY method, it might not be possible if you are busy. You might need to hire a garden cleaner. Garden cleanup cost can be around $45/hr. It depends with the requirements of the job. Sometimes cleaning a garden can be as low as $40/hr or as high as $50/hr. If you need services of a professional garden cleaner, it can cost you on average in Australia $164.84 to complete the whole project. However, this being an average estimation, rates can vary depending on the number of tasks involved.
A property manager must be a skilled juggler of numerous tasks, keeping both landlords and tenants happy. In addition to keeping properties maintained and in good shape, they are responsible for preserving a rental property's value. Although this job only requires a high school diploma, many customers will opt to work with a specialist who has a degree in real estate, finance, or business. We've put together a list of professional qualities a property manager needs hold to make the most out of a successful career.
Do you know who the average Australian property investor really is? Contrary to popular belief, it’s not the super wealthy property speculator buying up rentals left right and centre. In fact it could be your next door neighbour, the one who’s drinking XXXX and firing up the barbie. Don’t believe us? Let’s take a look at some stats to see if we can put together a clearer profile of this person….
Whether you’re a seasoned property manager with an impressive portfolio or a beginner, you want to grow your rent roll and increase your monthly rental income. Right? The good news! Fortunately, there are countless rent roll growth strategies scattered over the web. But the question is what actually works? Which strategies help deliver real results effectively in a hassle-free manner? This article shares several time-tested rent roll growth strategies that really work.
How do you feel about interacting with your home the way you would with a website? In the future your home will know who’s in what room, make your coffee and turn on your lights. It might even choose your clothes for you based on the temperature outside.
Are you planning on remodelling or renovating your house? If you are, you might be considering wallpaper, which has re-entered the style space this year. Available in a wide range of colors, textures, and prints, replacing old wallpaper or installing it in order to improve the property’s overall appearance could add value, attract more buyers and boost your home’s appeal.
Does your job revolve around customer satisfaction? Working in customer-centric industries like real estate, you will come across a lot of people and making a connection with the customer is vital to the longevity of your business. Establishing healthy customer connections is a fool proof formula for generating repeat business. Customers will come to you not just because they love your products and services, but because you offered them a smooth and convenient experience. The experts at Bricks + Agent have compiled a list of tips and tricks for improving customer connections.
If you're on the lookout for a new career path, becoming a property manager might just be the perfect job for you. Now more than ever, people of all ages are renting instead of buying, so the need for good and professional property managers is out there. A career in property management can bring a decent salary, job security, and steady employment, and if you like to work with people, then your success is almost guaranteed.
Cloud-based property management software is considered one of the most popular and powerful tools for many real estate agencies. But while it is quite popular among many businesses, the software can still be quite overwhelming and mysterious to many, which fuels many myths about it.
