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The latest writings from our team

The latest industry news, interviews, technologies, and resources.
10 min read

March Product Update: Improved Insights, Business Rules and the Smart Dashboard

A fresh start to 2020 means new goals and enhancements at Bricks + Agent. This month we are excited to announce improved insights for property managers, the introduction of ‘business rules’ to automate actions or filter jobs and a Smart Dashboard that let’s you control the information that actually requires your attention to proceed with jobs.
September 10, 2024
5 minutes

How To Create A Feature Wall In Your Garden

Do you have a feature wall in your home? A garden feature wall can change the appearance of your garden and improve the outlook your entire landscape. As much as the colour of your feature wall matters, you still need to consider other factors. From this guide, you are going to learn what makes the ideal feature wall for your garden. Feature walls that are found indoors should have a bright colour of your choice while outdoor feature walls should compliment and contrast other walls outdoors. A feature wall can be wallpaper that is photorealistic and can make room to appear larger than the way it should be. You should make outdoor feature walls using weather resistant materials. With a garden feature wall, try to be more creative and make it more three dimensional than an indoor feature wall. You can use recycled materials to create an outdoor feature wall. You can decorate it especially if it is going to serve a practical purpose.
September 11, 2024
7 min read

How to Make a Balinese Garden

Australians love everything Balinese, and you shouldn’t be surprised to learn that this beautiful island is a very popular travel destination. Aussies go to Bali for many different reasons and when they come back they wish to bring it home with them. In Bali, all the resorts and guesthouses, even the cheaper ones, have verdant and luxurious tropical gardens where you can enjoy moments of peace and tranquillity.
September 10, 2024
10 min read

Top 7 Latest Australian Pests

As fellow Australians, we can say we are not particularly fond of common pests like cockroaches, termites, spiders, and wasps, but when it comes to new Australian pests we are terrified.
September 10, 2024
10 minutes

How Much Can It Cost You To Hire A Carpenter?

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.
September 11, 2024
8 min read

What Does a Property Manager Do?

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.
September 10, 2024
7 minutes

How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Cleaner?

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.
September 11, 2024
10 min read

You Need to Hire a Plumber if You Have these 7 Problems

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.
September 10, 2024
10 minutes

How Much Does It Cost To Install Solar Panels?

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.
September 11, 2024
5 min

How Can Property Managers Use Technology To Attract Tenants

To be ahead of their competitors, property managers must always be on the lookout for technological innovations that can help them attract new tenants.
September 3, 2024
5 min

Property Maintenance: A Tenants Guide To DIY

Are you a tenant who love their home? Well, if you are planning to stay long at the property, then you need to make sure your landlord wants the same thing. If the landlords do not enjoy having you as a tenant, they are unlikely to renew the lease or could potentially increase the annual rent .
September 3, 2024
5 min

5 Essential Planning Tips For Property Managers

In order for things to run smoothly, a property manager must have a backup plan, outsource tasks, minimise the paperwork, and communicate efficiently.
September 3, 2024
5 min

Managing Relationships With Rental Property Service Providers

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.
September 3, 2024
5 min

No Cloud-Based Property Maintenance Software? Be Aware of the Risks...

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.
September 3, 2024
5 min

Is Technology the Future of the Real Estate Industry?

Every industry gets influenced by innovation, and real estate is no different. In fact, a new technology that hasn't been invented yet can be the primary driver of change.
September 3, 2024
5 min

Interior Designs That Can Help Sell Your House In Summer

How livable and appealing your home is during summer? You can increase these factors for buyers simply by changing the interior design to match the season.
September 3, 2024
5 min

Is Lease Management Software What You Need?

Lease management software handles multiple property management aspects like buying, leasing, renting and selling of properties and are jam packed with features to improve efficiency on the job. The team at Bricks + Agent have put together some of the most important features that help to streamline the leasing process.
September 3, 2024
5 min

KPIs to keep Your Property Management Business on Track

Monitoring performance is critical to get better business insight and forecast business growth, and KPI is one of the great ways to do that.
September 3, 2024
5 min

Top 10 Habits That Will Make You a Successful Property Manager

Just started in the property management business? Or struggling to become successful as one? If you are trying hard to become a successful property manager, here are 10 habits that you must start practicing today.
September 3, 2024
5 min

8 Signs You're a Great Property Manager

A great property manager goes beyond these basic responsibilities. Follow our list of top signs and habits of excellent property managers.
September 3, 2024
5 min

10 Factors You Should Consider Before Choosing A Property Manager

Do you have multiple properties that need renting? You might need the help of a property manager, but before diving straight into an agreement with one there are multiple factors you should consider.
September 3, 2024
5 min

8 Common Kitchen Problems And How To Solve Them

The kitchen is probably the most used room of the home. Unfortunately, kitchens tend to have the most problems, and they could end up being a disaster.
September 3, 2024
5 min

Property Manager? Keep In Mind These 7 Tips When Preparing For GDPR

Personal data is any information related to an identifiable and identified individual. From the person’s name to contact, to date and time, to the energy level, a personal data everything. If you are a property manager, here are the seven key points to keep in mind when preparing for GDPR.
September 3, 2024
5 min

8 Awesome Ideas to Improve the Curb Appeal of Your Rental Property for a Great ROI

First impression counts a lot! To make your clients fall in love with your property and give the highest possible value for the same, pay attention to its curb appeal. Here's some low-cost ideas to improve the curb appeal of your rental property and earn a great return on investment (ROI).
September 3, 2024
5 min

7 Rental Trends You Might Face In 2019

Rental property trends change with time, and property managers need to be aware of both current and future trends. With the new year just around the corner, new trends in the rental market are likely to appear in 2019.
September 3, 2024
5 min

7 Tips To Hiring A Quality Plumber

Plumbing crises can happen anytime to anyone. Whether it’s the clogged pipes, leaky faucets or problem with the water-tanks capacity, the professional is needed as soon as possible. After all, only a professional knows how to handle delicate components like piping, water heaters, faucets, drains and other things. If you are looking to hire a professional plumber, consider these factors before having them:
September 3, 2024
5 min

6 Ways To Be An Awesome Property Manager

There are certain things that you need to ensure get done before your tenants consider you an awesome landlord. The Bricks+Agent property manager guide 2018 will teach you some of the essential things you need to take care when it comes to tenants.
September 3, 2024
8 minutes

Streamlining Maintenance Requests: A Guide for Property Managers

As a property manager, one of your most important responsibilities is to keep your properties well-maintained. Whether it’s fixing a leaky tap, replacing a broken appliance, or addressing a more significant issue, maintenance requests are an integral part of your job. However, with everything else going on in your day, managing these requests can quickly become overwhelming, leading to delays, miscommunications, and dissatisfied tenants. In this blog, we’ll explore how you can streamline your maintenance requests and issues to make your job easier and keep your tenants happy.
September 11, 2024
3 minutes

7 Tricks For Streak-Free Window Cleaning

Most people have no idea on how to clean windows streak free. This is a daunting task because getting rid of those random lines is difficult. However, it is still possible to achieve clear windows with a perfect outside view if you master a few tricks. Below are the items you need and how you should clean them.
September 11, 2024
3 minutes

How Much Does Steam Cleaning Carpet Cost?

The steam cleaning carpet cost is determined by the size of the carpet. However, the average price is approximately $35/hr. If your carpet has stains that are hard to remove, you might be charged as high as $40/hr by your carpet cleaner. Some experts charge $85 for a regular carpet cleaning job which involves sterilisation and deodorisation to get rid of all stains and spots. A carpet cleaners cost per job is approximately $126 for their services. However, prices may vary. Below are a few reasons why carpet steam cleaning rates may vary.
September 11, 2024
5 minutes

How Much Does Roof Tiling Cost?

The appearance of your roof speaks much about your home. An attractive roof gives an impression of beautiful rooms inside that house. Roofs tiles can make a house look elegant and decent. However, most people believe that roof tile prices are not pocket-friendly. That is not true. Get more information below about this.
September 11, 2024
4 minutes

How Much Does A Roof Restoration Cost?

A worn out roof destroys the aesthetic appearance of your home, making it look old and boring. Algae and mold may also build up on the roof. In such cases, you may feel that you have no option but to replace it. However, you could replace it and get back the attractive look of your house. But what could be the roof restoration cost? Find out below how you can compare the quotes. Roof installation involves every activity that restores the attractive appearance of your roof and makes it water-proof.
September 11, 2024
5 minutes

How Much Does A Roof Replacement Cost?

A leaking roof exposes your home to various health risks other than tarnishing the attractive appearance of your house,and undergoing future replacement and repairs might be a bit costly. Renovating your roof is something that you might consider doing if it is damaged. It is also crucial to know the roof replacement costs and preparing in advance. From this article, you will be able to find out the available roofing materials on the market, who can install them and how much it would cost you.
September 11, 2024
6 minutes

Roof Painting Costs in Australia

In Australia, the average costs of a qualified roof painter’s services are around $40/hr. The costs of materials and paint are not included in this sum. Depending on different aspects of the project, a roof painting professional can charge anywhere between $30/hr and $55/hr. While any roof painter will be able to offer you an estimate quote, the actual costs of your project will be determined after the specialist makes a thorough inspection. After the inspection, the painter will take different aspects into account in order to offer you an accurate price.
September 11, 2024
5 minutes

How To Make Your Pool Safe With Proper Fencing

Do you have safe swimming pool fencing? With summer on the way it’s every pool owner’s responsibility to make sure your pool is safe for children, whether your own, a visitors or a neighbours. Young children like to go exploring and you never know when one will end up in your backyard, and in the worst case scenario, your pool. If you’re unclear about the rules around pool fencing and think you need to get yours checked, keep reading for more information.
September 11, 2024
5 minutes

How Much Does Installing a Ceiling Fan Cost?

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:
September 11, 2024
8 min read

What Is The Cost Of Garden Clean Up Services?

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.
September 10, 2024
8 min read

4 Characteristics Of A Great Property Manager

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.
September 10, 2024
8 min read

Who Is The Average Australian Property Investor - Do You Fit The Bill?

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….
September 10, 2024
8 min read

8 Ways To Grow Your Rent Roll That REALLY Work

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.
September 10, 2024
8 min read

4 Ways To Turn Your House Into A Smart Home

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.
September 10, 2024
10 min read

What Are The Costs of Wallpapering?

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.
September 10, 2024
5 min read

The Art of Making Customer Connections

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.
September 10, 2024
10 min read

Starting A Career In Property Management

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.
September 10, 2024
5 min read

Misconceptions about Cloud-based Property Management Software

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.
September 10, 2024

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