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!
Repairs and maintenance to rental propertys are one of the most common issues that cause legal disputes between landlords and tenants. As the mediator, property managers need to know and educate both tenants and landlords on whose responsibility it is to fix repairs and maintenance issues.
Routine inspections are a big part of a property manager’s day to day job. Along with the millions of other tasks they’re expected to complete, it can be tempting sometimes to rush inspections and assume everything is fine. No doubt this can often lead to some serious problems down the line, especially if tenants are hiding/performing questionable or illegal substances or behaviour. You can never be too careful when it comes to routine inspections. At Inspection Manager we compiled a list below of red flags or warning signs as a property manager to look out for when completing a routine inspection.
Staying connected with your tenants and building a trusting relationship is key to having better tenants, maintaining well-kept rental properties and being updated with any issues/problems on a rental property right away. Kelly, a Property Manager from LJ Hooker says “The best way to maintain well-kept rental properties with minimal issues is to form more trusting and better relationships with your tenants. Staying connected with check-in messages or calls to tenants is one step closer to a more transparent relationship.”
Routine inspections allow you to identify and address any maintenance or repair issues. This gives landlords peace of mind, knowing their valued rental properties are being maintained and carefully managed. The details recorded at routine inspections are also used as evidence in disputes between landlords and tenants. Therefore, in order to serve their purpose, routine inspections should to be done thoroughly and competently. At the same time, routine inspections don’t have to be a difficult process.
Property managers, do you feel like your work is always following you wherever you go? Even when you’re not physically taking your work home with you, it’s always on your mind 24/7. Work-life balance is a common struggle for property managers and a lack of boundaries often leads to burnout.
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.
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.
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.
Majority of the time its small but consistant issues that reoccur in real estate agencies daily. Whether it’s the lack of maintenance on properties, high turnover of the staff, or simple lack of communication, there's a way to help ensure your clients don't pack up and move on.
It’s often said that the bathroom can make or break a sale. So if you can make your buyers fall in love with this room, there’s a good chance they may be sold on the entire property. But why are bathrooms so important? Apart from the obvious washing facilities they hold, a bathroom is a much utilised room by friends, relatives and other visitors. The state of your bathroom says a lot about you, so it goes without saying that people want a stylish one that’s going to impress. Taking into consideration that a smart bathroom renovation can add considerable value to your home, it’s worth thinking about giving yours the wow factor.
If you are a property owner or a property manager you've probably heard the line "I can do that for half the price." more than once. However, hiring someone who does not have a licence in order to save money is usually an extremely disappointing experience. If you are new to property management you might ask yourself "Why hire a licenced contractor when an unlicenced ‘tradie’ can do the same job for less?" In this article, we will provide the answer to this question and we hope that you will understand the importance of always hiring licenced tradies. A tradesman who undergoes certified training in order to get a licence is usually committed to their trade. By investing their time in learning and developing the necessary skills to get a trade licence, the tradesman guarantees that he can provide quality work. When hiring someone for a job, you should always look at their trade licence and qualifications first. Are they licenced to do the kind of work that you need them to? In some cases, a contractor might have a licence that restricts them to only do certain jobs. For instance, a licenced residential builder will usually have the necessary skills to do all sorts of tasks, but he might be restricted to doing a specific job such as decking. By checking their licence and registration you should be able to tell exactly what the contractors can do. Did you know that for certain jobs you are required by law to hire a licenced tradesman? For example, electrical work can only be carried out by someone who has an electrical worker’s licence in Australia.
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.
In Australia, a gardener will generally have a similar hourly rate to any other type of tradesman. However, you might need a gardener’s services more often than a plumber’s or an electrician’s simply because a well-maintained garden requires a lot of hard work. Additionally, a gardener can have a lot of work-related expenses and work outdoors can be quite labour intensive. The average gardener hourly rates in Australia are around $45 per hour. You can also find premium services for as much as $50 per hour. For complex and extensive jobs, gardeners might charge more than their regular fees. However, for simple tasks, you should expect to pay around $40 per hour. Hiring a gardener is a very good idea, especially if you want to your garden to look year round.
Mark Haigh is a Property Manager at Little Real Estate. We recently sat down with him to discuss improving team efficiencies, adopting new technology and finding your grove using the new Bricks + Agent property maintenance solution.
Improving efficiency in the workplace is about teams working smarter, not harder. It's important to take a well-rounded view on all areas that may be affecting employee productivity such as the physical work environment, effective leadership and overall job satisfaction. Our 10 hacks below will help you find the right tools and strategies to boost employee morale and engagement and improve efficiency and productivity in the workplace.
Being a self-managed property manager is more often than not a very profitable and rewarding experience. However, for someone who is new to the rental industry, managing a rental property can be quite difficult. If you find yourself in this situation, take the time to learn the ropes.
Whether you hire professional contractors, do it yourself, or combine the two, managing the regular maintenance of a rental property is an important part of being a landlord. Additionally, if you are a property owner you must also make sure that the rental property is up to code and in great shape for tenants.
When listing your property for rent, think of the type of audience you want living in it first! While you will feel like considering a lot of people before choosing a selected audience and demographic, it will help to keep the types of people who are not suited to your property at arms length. Once you have your target audience, its time to consider what types of things they need and want from a rental property, and how you can provide it to them. But who are your ideal renters? The experts at Bricks+Agent have put together some steps to help you target your audience.
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.
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
Technology is transforming every industry, and facility management is not an exception. These days’ organizations have realized the importance of investing in the latest tech to establish more efficient ways of collaborating, making work more flexible and improving the overall organizational configurations.
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.
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