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The latest writings from our team

The latest industry news, interviews, technologies, and resources.
8 minutes

Creating a Paperless Office to Improve your Property Management Skills

Copying, filing, searching, retrieving, refiling, sending, mailing and faxing… on average a property manager spends 20% of their time on paperwork. If you’re tired of doing things the hard way, you’re not alone. Many property management agencies have converted to/created a paperless office and have never looked back since. While the change may seem intimidating at first, here are some compelling reasons why your agency should create a paperless office today.
September 11, 2024
8 minutes

4 Ways Attending a Conference Can Benefit Your Property Management Career

Being a Property Manager is hard work – you’re always juggling a dozen different tasks on a hectic schedule. Sometimes it’s so easy to get caught up in day-to-day commitments that you forget to focus on the bigger picture -where your career or business is heading. Attending a conference is the perfect way to receive some much-needed inspiration and motivation. There’s no better way to stay informed and network with experts in the property management industry.
September 11, 2024
5 Minutes

Inspection Manager How to: New Report Editing System

September 16, 2024
10 minutes

7 Most Common Pitfalls in Property Management

What helps improve your property management skills? According to industry experts, it’s about avoiding a few common pitfalls. If these are overlooked, they may escalate into major problems, and can cause serious damage to your performance and wellbeing.
September 11, 2024
3 minutes

Tips To Improve Communication With Your Tenants

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.
September 11, 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
7 minutes

Revolutionising Property Management: Inspection Manager Joins Proptech Labs

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.
September 11, 2024
10 Minutes

How Property Managers Can Adapt To COVID-19 Challenges

September 11, 2024
2 minutes

Updates to Inspection Manager – July Release

September 12, 2024
2 minutes

Updates to Inspection Manager – August Release

Introducing Our New App Features!
September 12, 2024
2 minutes

Check Out Our Latest Updates For January

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!
September 12, 2024
2 minutes

Check Out Our Latest Updates For March

September 12, 2024
3 minutes

Edit Layout via Report Editing

September 12, 2024
2 minutes

Follow-ups for Tenant Assisted Inspections

September 16, 2024
3 minutes

How To Edit Inspection Report in CMS

September 16, 2024
3 minutes

How To Bulk Close & Send Routine Inspections

September 16, 2024
3 minutes

Bulk Send Tenant Assisted Inspection Requests

September 16, 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
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
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 min read

8 Tips For Finding A Great Property Manager For Your Airbnb

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.
September 10, 2024
8 min read

4 Areas Where You Can Minimise Risk In Rental Property Management

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:
September 10, 2024
10 minutes

Using Social Media To Boost Your Airbnb Bookings

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.
September 5, 2024
5 min

How Much Is My House Worth? Understanding Property Appraisals

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
September 3, 2024
5 min

Understanding The Real Estate Market And When To Sell

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
September 3, 2024
5 min

Top Property Management Trends in 2018

Understanding these property management trends will help you stay competitive and protect your revenue stream. As a property manager you should always be willing to look at the possible changes and new technologies available.
September 3, 2024
8 min read

12 Property Management Tips For Real Estate Investors Seeking Passive Income

Are you a property owner or interested in investing in real estate? Then it's important to understand the complexities that come with any market. Making a profit from property investment is more complicated than just fixing things when they break. When you are managing a property, especially as a first-time landlord, you might find yourself taking on a lot of different roles. The way in which you do your job can make or break your chances of being successful. A lot of entrepreneurs prefer to invest in rental properties, both long-term and short-term rentals. With companies like Airbnb becoming more popular, everyone is eager to transform homes and apartments into accommodation that can be rented short-term and for maximum profit.
September 10, 2024
8 min read

6 Reasons To Use Property Maintenance Software In A Hotel

Whether it’s a business trip or vacation, hotel guests expect everything to go as planned, and for hotel staff, the main objective is to ensure guests are comfortable. You might have the best facilities, location, great staff and exceptional service but in order to be successful in the hospitality industry, focus must be on one thing - customer satisfaction. When it comes to hotel guests, one wrong step from the service end can easily have hotel guests looking for alternative accomodation.
September 10, 2024
7 minutes

Green Roofs

Green roofs have many benefits, and that is the reason why they have started trending in Australia. Some people believe that green roofs are too expensive and that is why they haven’t installed them. However, they can be affordable if you are adding to an extension or building. The cost guide below shows everything you need to know about green roofs.
September 11, 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
5 min read

Choosing Between A Metal Or Tile Roof

It can be very challenging when it comes to choosing between a colorbond versus a tile roof. With the many varieties of cement tile roofs and metal roofs available, many residential builders and homeowners wonder which could be the best option? Both metal and tiled roofs have benefits, and it is up to you to compare the benefits and make a decision.
September 10, 2024
8 min read

Master Bedroom Ideas For Small Spaces

If you’re selling your house and are concerned buyers will be put off by a small master bedroom - don’t be. There’s no reason why a small bedroom can’t be as relaxing and luxurious as a much larger space. Plus, as housing affordability and environmental concerns become increasing issues for many potential homeowners, the Tiny House Movement is starting to take hold in Australia. Smaller houses are not only the best way to get a foot on the property ladder, they’re cheaper to run and can save homeowners money in the long run. What’s not to like about that? So take heart and try out some (or all) of our small master bedroom ideas - and remember, living with less doesn’t mean living without luxury!
September 10, 2024
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
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
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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