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The latest writings from our team

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

How To Create A Low Maintenance Garden

A well-manicured lawn might be your pride and joy and it will definitely show off your garden to its best potential in Spring, but put yourself in a potential buyer’s shoes. All they’re going to see is hard work - mowing, trimming, watering, fertilising - to keep it looking that way. People who have busy lives don’t want to invest their time in gardening unless it’s a particular hobby or passion. They want a versatile, good looking garden where they can entertain and which stays that way all year round with little effort on their part. A low maintenance garden, therefore, will be high on the list of viewers and this is one area that you should definitely focus on to attract buyers when selling your house. As we’ll show you, it’s not that difficult to create a low maintenance garden, and if you’re on a tight pre-inspection schedule, you might be surprised how quickly you can transform your garden from a high maintenance nightmare, to a fuss-free outdoor space.
September 11, 2024
5 minutes

How To Identify The Best Cleaning Company

Are you looking for or thinking of hiring an exceptional home cleaning company? When it comes to your home hygiene, you would always want the best. If you haven’t been getting the cleaning service you deserve, it's time to change course. If you wish to hire a cleaning company to help you with a complicated task or to help you clean regularly, you need to consider the following factors before hiring any cleaning agent.
September 11, 2024
4 minutes

How To Clean And Maintain Your Splashback

Do you want your splashback to retain its beautiful finish? It is essential to know how to clean glass splashback because it is not only the primary feature of your kitchen, but also it is essential in protection of your cooking areas. Below are tips for cleaning and maintaining your splashback. However, if you would like more information on maintenance of your splashback, you can inquire it from your local splashback supplier.
September 11, 2024
4 minutes

How To Clean Roller Blinds

As much as roller blinds look practical and elegant, they usually get dirty with time. You should know how to clean roller blinds to keep them beautiful. Here is a guide on how you can do it. If you have any concerns about roller blinds, you can visit your local blind store supplier.
September 11, 2024
4 minutes

How To Get Past The First 100 Days in Real Estate

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.
September 12, 2024
4 minutes

How To Clean Glass Shower Screens

You need to know how to clean the glass shower screen to achieve a sparkling clean bathroom glass. However, it’s quite hard to clean a glass screen when soap and dirt builds up on it. The tips below shows the best way to clean glass shower screens in a few minutes.
September 11, 2024
5 minutes

How To Clean Fly Screens?

Dirty fly screens prevent fresh air from passing through the mesh. They are unappealing, and the whole process of cleaning them can be a messy chore. But you shouldn’t be worried because if you know how to clean security doors, this won’t be a problem anymore.
September 11, 2024
5 minutes

How To Become A Carpenter

Are you in need of a business opportunity that will allow you to use your hands to create furniture, buildings and other wood related items? Currently, carpentry has a significant market. It is the ideal trade but how to become a carpenter is something that most people don't know. The tips below will help you to be a carpenter.
September 11, 2024
5 minutes

Why You Need Pest Control and How Much It Costs

The most common household pests are some of the hardest to get rid of once they gain a foothold in your home. Many pests, such as cockroaches, mice and birds, are also well-known carriers of germs and diseases that are harmful to humans and need to be eradicated immediately. For many homeowners the DIY method of pest control is often preferable, as baits and traps can be obtained cheaply from their local hardware store, but in truth they’re not always that effective. You can end up spending much more on DIY products in the long run than it would cost for a single visit by an experienced pest technician.
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
5 Minutes

The Story Behind Harmony Day

September 11, 2024
10 minutes

Repairs to Rental Property: Landlord or Tenant’s Responsibility?

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.
September 11, 2024
8 minutes

Routine Inspection Red Flags or Warning Signs you May Have Missed!

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.
September 11, 2024
5 minutes

The Best Ways to Stay Connected With Your Tenants as a Property Manager

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.”
September 11, 2024
10 minutes

10 Key Aspects to Remember at Routine Inspections

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.
September 11, 2024
5 minutes

6 Tips To Help Property Managers Maintain a Work-life Balance

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.
September 11, 2024
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
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
5 min

Enhance Your Company's Web Presence

The playground of property management has shifted drastically in favour of having online businesses. Capitalising on potential of the internet and having a strong web presence is about more than tweaking your website. How can you improve your online presence? Here are our top tips:
September 3, 2024
5 min

How Much Do Gardening Services Cost?

If you've got a busy schedule and have no time to clean your garden, you should consider hiring a gardener. Gardening services cost are reliant on key factors.
September 3, 2024
5 min

First Time Tenants Guide

There are plenty of things to consider when you start living in a rental property which can save you from future troubles. The experts at Bricks+Agent have pulled together the best tips to help first time tenants find the right property.
September 3, 2024
5 min

How To Create The Perfect Tenancy Application Form

How can you select a great application and find the best tenant? One of the most important ways to do so is by having a great template for your tenant application form. Here’s what you need to consider.
September 3, 2024
5 min

Energy Efficiency – Your Landlord Must Ensure Your Home Up To Scratch

The Australian Government has found that the energy consumption in rented homes is significantly higher than in common properties. When they tried to get a deeper look into the issue, they found that these homes were appalling.
September 3, 2024
5 min

DIY vs. Hiring Professional Contractors

Are you considering renovating or remodeling your house? Find out what jobs you can do yourself and what you should always hire a professional contractor for.
September 3, 2024
5 min

Explained: The Advantages Of Renting Over Buying

The Australian Government has found that the energy consumption in rented homes is significantly higher than in common properties. When they tried to get a deeper look into the issue, they found that these homes were appalling.
September 3, 2024
5 min

Emotive Words That Can Sell Your House And Net You Thousands

Overused real estate buzz words could turn potential buyers off your home. You're selling your biggest asset in life, follow these tips for selling your house.
September 3, 2024
5 min

The Costs of Hiring an Asbestos Removal Expert

If you your property is contaminated with asbestos materials and particles do not hesitate to hire an asbestos removal expert. This will cost you around $35/m2.
September 3, 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
10 min read

Bricks + Agent’s Guide to Interior House Painting

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.
September 10, 2024
5 minutes

What Is The Cost Of Replacing Tile Or A Roof?

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?
September 11, 2024
8 min read

Bricks + Agent’s Guide to Growing Winter Vegetables

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.
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

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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