This week’s Bricks + Agent product release notes includes the release of a new virtual inspections tool for property and facility managers as well as tenants.

The latest partnership will see Bricks + Agent build collaborative working relationships with Places for People and help them to pilot and implement new technology.

This week’s Bricks + Agent product release notes includes the release of a new virtual inspections tool for property and facility managers as well as tenants.

Making a positive first impression on your potential buyers is so important. Follow these 5 curb appeal ideas and get the buyers & price your home deserves!

Jun 7, 2017 - If you're a homeowner looking to add value to your home prior to selling, we've found the best renovations to increase value! Here are your ...

Location is everything when considering a property investment in Victoria. Keeping an eye on the market can be key to making the right investment choice.

Looking to invest in a rental property in Australia? Our experts did some research and calculations to compile a list of the finest areas in Australia.

There are plenty of odd jobs around the home that don’t need the skills of a licensed contractor. Hire a handyman instead and you’ll save time, money and energy

Have you ever come across a dodgy plumber? It happens when we fail to check documents before hiring. Use these tips to ensure you don't get ripped off again.

After construction workers are done with the last touch-ups and before the owners arrive, every construction or renovation site requires a building clean-up, or builders’ clean. During a builders’ clean, a professional cleaner or cleaning crew ensure that the building is in top shape and that all the debris has been removed. Clean-up workers that are specialised in construction sites can offer work in commercial, industrial, and residential settings. Some cleaners will also provide clean-up services during the renovation or construction process. In Australia, a building clean-up specialist has an average hourly rate of $35.50. The construction clean-up rates may go up to as much as $41 per hour depending on different aspects like the size of the building, the surface that needs to be cleaned, the complexity of the cleaning job, and the additional tasks that need to be handled.

An arborist is a contractor that is specialised in the care, maintenance, and removal of trees and shrubs. An aborist knows what trees require and has the necessary equipment to provide proper care. Hiring someone to take care of trees is not a very popular thing, as people can be somewhat reluctant to paying someone for this service. However, taking proper care of trees is highly recommended, as trees that are well-cared for can boost the curb appeal of your property. Diseased trees, on the other hand, can be a liability to property owners as they invite pests and can damage your property during extreme weather. Most people tend to prune or remove trees on their own, without hiring a professional arborist. Removing trees, especially large ones, can be dangerous and you run the risk of injury. Without proper safety equipment, you put your life and home at risk.

Your roof protects you from weather. While it is safe to say that most types of materials that are used for roofing can enhance the overall aesthetic of your home, some of these materials might be more appropriate for your climate or for your budget than others. If you are considering selling or leasing your house, repairing any damage to the roof or guttering is something to consider. Repairing your roof or replacing the damaged tiles you will add value and boost the curb appeal of your house. The roof is often a neglected part of a house. It's not until you notice leaks that you realise just how important the exterior of their house can be. If, on the other hand, you are building a new house, or simply renovating and you think re-roofing is necessary, then you need to know all the available options. With so many options available on the market such as clay tiles, asphalt shingles, wood shakes, or steel panels, choosing roofing material might be a challenging process. There are a wide range of materials available to homeowners so choosing the right ones might depend on your budget, needs, climate, and personal preferences. Here are some of the most popular materials and the advantages and disadvantages associated with them.

By hiring a professional property manager, you can add great value to your rental property investments, which is why so many experienced real estate investors agree that working with a good management company is the best thing. Here are some of the most important benefits that landlords who work with property management companies have:

Risk management is one of the primary concerns that often overwhelm property managers. With legal and administration risks being the most common ones, there are many other risks that almost every organization has to encounter. In the most common risk scenarios, there are three possible strategies that you can follow: Risk Avoidance—You cannot choose risk avoidance if your actions seem too risky. For instance, in situations where a property manager is not purchasing property just to avoid the risks that come with them. Risk Control—Risk control is all about controlling or minimizing the risk by conducting regular inspections just to prevent the development of physical damages. Risk Transfers—It's all about shifting a person's responsibility to another, like your responsibility to the tenant or insurance company. In addition, paper lease, missed calls, property maintenance issues, and other screening issues are all responsible for creating risk. Here are a few risks that are associated with property management:

Every homeowner wants to have a year round blooming garden, which is not a difficult task in Australia. Our guide will help you have an all-season garden that is vibrant, lively, and bursting with colour. By doing a little bit of research, you will learn that there are so many different plants, shrubs, and flowers perfect for each season. The key to having a beautiful garden regardless of the season is knowing exactly what and when to plant. By being informed, you ensure that your garden will be blossoming throughout every season. We know that you are eager to roll up your sleeves and start working on your garden, but first, read our guide for expert tips on how to handle each season. If you are looking to sell or rent your property, you should know that a beautiful garden will boost your house’s curb appeal.

According to a study conducted by Hubspot, more than 90% of businesses confirmed that using real estate technology and social media marketing was essential for their business. Around 80% of them claimed that their efforts considerably increased traffic to their websites.

Do you know what your home is really worth? If you’re thinking of selling then it’s a good idea to book a property appraisal with a local real estate agent

Deciding when is the best time to sell your house requires not only research of market conditions but also,other factors such as lifestyle implications and more

In order for things to run smoothly, a property manager must have a backup plan, outsource tasks, minimise the paperwork, and communicate efficiently.

Each property management agency may charge different property management fees. A complete guide on everything you need to know about property management fees.

By using a property management platform, you can also improve your team’s performance, have an organised database, and keep your clients and tenants happy.

From managing vital documents to communicating with owners and tenants, a property manager is responsible for a multitude of everyday tasks that are key to the success of a real estate agency. Bricks + Agent may very well handle all the issues. Here are the three risks you may face if you are not already using a cloud-based system.

It’s important that you check a tradesperson has the proper insurance before hiring them, so you’re not at risk of paying for damages, or costs.

Managing tasks have just gotten a lot easier for tradespeople. By using Bricks+Agent, leading property maintenance software, tradespeople in all fields can manage and grow their business significantly.

It's highly important to regularly check your property. You can do it yourself or ask your property manager to do it for you.

Property managers need to find more ways to attract new tenants. Research indicates tenants now expect technology as part of their renting experience.

The success and failure of a property management business today may depend entirely on the data. Here are five different ways how property managers can harness the power of data and its benefits:

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.