BLOG

The latest writings from our team

The latest industry news, interviews, technologies, and resources.
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Is your roof too shabby, damaged beyond repair or outdated?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

Find Your Target Market For Rental Properties With These 5 Tips

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.
September 10, 2024
10 min read

What Are the Costs of a Building Clean-up?

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.
September 10, 2024
8 min read

The Costs of Hiring an Arborist

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.
September 10, 2024
10 min read

Top 9 Most Common Australian House Pests

Australia is famous for its wide variety and large number of dangerous and troublesome pests. However, this is more often than not just a rumour, as the majority of house pests such as small animals, insects, or reptiles, are harmless. While it’s true that in Australia you can find some of the world’s most venomous and deadly critters, it is also true that they only account for a tiny percentage of calls that pest control specialists get. Most of the time, Australians will call pest control for common pests like rats, mice, ants, cockroaches, or possums. Pest control is a service that is popular in both commercial and residential settings and regardless of whether the property is a suburban home, a commercial warehouse, an office block, or a restaurant. In general, it is the property owner or the property manager's duty to hire a pest control specialist as soon as they suspect that they might be dealing with a pest. Make sure that you get a full pest inspection before renting or selling a property because having pests is extremely off-putting for potential buyers or tenants. If you are not sure whether you are dealing with a common Australian pest or not you can check this list that was put together by our team.
September 10, 2024
8 min read

How To Choose The Perfect Roofing For Your House

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.
September 10, 2024
5 min

5 Factors To Consider Before Hiring An Electrician

Electricians require a licence by Australian standards. But how will you choose the right electrician? Here's 5 things to consider before hiring an electrician.
September 3, 2024
5 min

4 Ways Property Managers Can Save Time on Maintenance Using Technology

Being a property agent isn’t an easy job. There are a multitude of tasks that you are responsible for. It is only natural for you to overlook a few things. Unfortunately, more often than not, it is trust accounting. Here are 5 common trust accounting mistakes that property agents often make.
September 3, 2024
5 min

Wrap up: Startup Grind Global Conference

We spoke to co-founder, Rafael Niesten about his experiences at the Startup Grind Global Conference and where leaders need to focus in order to drive the success of their business.
September 3, 2024
5 min

Bricks +Agent and Little Real Estate take big strides with software integration

We spoke to co-founder, Rafael Niesten about his experiences at the Startup Grind Global Conference and where leaders need to focus in order to drive the success of their business.
September 3, 2024
5 min

4 Skills You Need to Succeed as a Property Manager

Compared to some professions, the skills needed for successful property management aren't as straightforward. In this post, you'll learn all about the various aspects that make up the skill set of an amazing manager.
September 3, 2024
5 min

Are Professional Real Estate Photographers Necessary For A Property Pre Sale?

When preparing your property for sale, consider the best ways of creating an engaging first impression. We tackle the professional vs DIY debate for photography
September 3, 2024
5 min

Why Going Paperless Could Be The Best Strategic Move For Your Property Management Business

Today, technology like cloud computing, document scanning, and organisation of files are making things feasible and affordable for small and large businesses. If you are a property manager, dive in to know how going paperless can help you:
September 3, 2024
5 min

What Does GDPR Mean For Property Managers In Australia?

The new GDPR policy applies to all companies who possess client personal data, and property management is one of them. So, whether you are a property manager or a real estate agent, here’s what you need to know about GDPR.
September 3, 2024
5 min

What property managers look for at inspections

General cleanliness and repairs are a few of the things property managers look at during inspections. See all the aspects that are important to look at.
September 3, 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

Ready For Sale? The Hidden Costs of Selling A House

Understand and be prepare when it comes to selling a house in Australia. Follow our homeowners guide filled with tips for selling your house.
September 3, 2024
5 min

Your Guide To Capital Gains Tax

Capital gains tax is a tax you pay on capital gain. Understand capital gains tax, how to calculate it and tips to ensure you reduce the amount you pay.
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

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

What Are the Costs of Colorbond Roofing?

The costs of Colorbond roofing range between $18 and $36 per meter. Homeowners must also handle the shipping and installation costs.
September 3, 2024
5 min

What Is The Cost Of Hiring A Plumber?

You may need a plumber to maintain and repair different areas of your home. But what is the plumber call out fee? The fact that the cost of hiring a plumber
September 3, 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

Join our newsletter

Stay up to date with the latest news, announcements, and articles.
We care about your data in our privacy policy.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.