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Mar 18, 2024
10 Tips to Make Your Small Space Look Bigger
Making a small space look bigger involves several design and decorating techniques to create an illusion of space and openness. Here are some tips: 1. Light Colours Light colours such as white, cream, soft pastels, and light greys reflect light and create an illusion that the space is larger. Painting walls, ceilings, and even floors in light colours can visually expand the space. 2. Maximize Natural Light Allow as much natural light as possible into the space. Use sheer curtains or blinds that can be fully pulled back during the day to let sunlight in. Natural light creates an airy feel and makes a space seem larger. 3. Strategic Lighting In addition to natural light, use strategic artificial lighting to brighten up dark corners. Wall sconces, floor lamps, and overhead lighting can help illuminate the space evenly, reducing shadows and creating the illusion of a larger area. 4. Mirrors Mirrors can make a room appear larger by reflecting light and creating depth. Placing mirrors opposite windows or light sources maximizes their effect. Additionally, using mirrored furniture or decorative items can enhance this effect. 5. Multi-functional Furniture Choose pieces of furniture that serve multiple purposes to maximize functionality and save space. For example, opt for a sofa bed, a coffee table with storage compartments, or wall-mounted foldable desks. 6. Scale and Proportion Select furniture that is proportionate to the size of the room. Oversized furniture can overwhelm a small space, making it feel cramped. Choose pieces that fit comfortably within the room without obstructing pathways or creating visual clutter. 7. Declutter and Organise Keep the space clutter-free and well organised to create a sense of openness. Use storage solutions such as shelves, baskets, and storage ottomans to conceal clutter and keep surfaces clear. 8. Vertical Space Make use of vertical space to draw the eye upward and create the illusion of height. Install floor-to-ceiling shelving or hanging plants to maximize storage without taking up valuable floor space. 9. Furniture Placement Arrange furniture in a way that promotes easy traffic flow. Avoid blocking pathways or placing furniture against walls, as this can make the space feel cramped. Instead, float furniture away from walls to create breathing room. 10.Visual Continuity Create visual continuity by using a cohesive colour scheme and design style throughout the space. Avoid abrupt transitions between different areas or patterns, as this can fragment the space and make it feel smaller. By implementing these tips, you can create the illusion of a larger space whilst enhancing comfort, improving functionality and even increasing resale value.
May 19, 2022
5 Things You Can Do To Achieve The Highest Price For Your House
Getting the best price for your home is the main requirement of most vendors, as it can make a big difference to their wealth. Achieving the highest possible sale price enables vendors to purchase their next property or to use the money for whatever the next stage of their life may hold. There are some simple steps to help achieve a higher price for your property: Choosing the right agent Choose an agent you can work with and trust with your most valuable asset. It can be a short but quite intense relationship with your real estate agent and it’s important to feel that your agent has your best interests at heart. It is important to remember that it is the overall result that matters most- sales price minus costs. When choosing your agent, test your agent’s conversation and negotiation skills. Does your agent listen to you? Do they ask questions about what is important to YOU? Do they have a warm and engaging personality? Has he/she built rapport with you and does he/she seem likeable? If an agent offers you the lowest commission, what do you think they will do with offers on your house? Choose an agent that has proven sales and is able to negotiate effectively. Look at the testimonials and reviews for the agents you are considering. Choosing the best pricing strategy Make sure your agent has a clear strategy aligned with what you are happy with. Quote the price you want, not a misleading “bait” price that some agents may recommend. Today’s buyers, with easy access to information online, are more educated and have access to all information on comparable sales in the area. If you price your property honestly, you are more likely to get the price you want. A good agent has ready buyers. Early offers from these buyers are often the best offers. Be ready for this by deciding, before marketing your property, what your best price is and what your acceptable price is. Declutter and Clean Concentrate on those things that visually detract from the property. You do not need to spend a fortune to get the best price for your home, however, simple tasks like decluttering and removing items that you have no intention of taking with you when you will move, will help. Remove excess furniture – this will provide the illusion of more space Take away personal items like photographs to allow prospective buyers to imagine themselves living in the property Wash walls, clean your windows and carpets Mow your lawns and tidy the gardens to provide a positive first impression Fix the small stuff. Most prospective buyers will want a building inspection done if one has not been done already. Have a look around and identify which items might be noted on a building inspection- ie. Leaking taps, doors that don’t close properly, cracked tiles on the roof, marks on the walls etc. Attending to these prior to an inspection creates less opportunities for potential buyers to negotiate the price of the house. It also makes the home more appealing to prospective purchasers and may increase the purchase price. Home Improvements that are worth the investment This is a simple task that you can do yourself. You can’t go wrong with painting the walls white for the biggest freshen up and great first impression. Revamp the entrance. Paint the front door a strong colour, update the doorway furniture and entrance mat and sends a message that your home is up to date. Give the area around the entrance a good cleanup -remove cobwebs, trim plants and clean pathways. Fix any loose pavers or fence palings. Floor Coverings. Getting carpets cleaned can make a huge difference to the look of a home. However, no amount of cleaning is going to lift a floor covering beyond it’s use by date, so it may be time to replace what you’ve got. Floorboards can be re-sanded and then you can have them lime washed, stained, painted or resealed. Kitchen upgrades. Updating your kitchen can be as simple as changing your kitchen cupboards or handles. There are many options available for new handles which will freshen up the look of the kitchen. Be sure to match the fitting characteristics to your current handles to ensure an easy switch with no marks on the cabinets. Roof repair. Potential buyers believe that a leaky roof costs a lot to fix and it will devalue your home. Painting your roof can make it look almost brand new. Replace broken tiles and clean gutters. Selling at the right time Often the simplest thing to counter the prevailing seasonal trends and well in winter when there are fewer properties for sale. Most people tend to put their property on the mark in spring or summer because there are more people out and about and garden tend to look better in the warmer months. There is more competition in those months. On average about 30% more stock is on the market in the spring and summer months. We have fewer buyers through open homes in the winter months, but the quality of the buyer is better. There are many things to consider when selling your home and every situation is a bit different. It is important to remember that the end result will be determined by your understanding of what most prospective buyers are looking for and your capacity to present your property in a way that generates an immediate emotional connection for them. The right agent will help you consider all aspects of the decision process.
Feb 28, 2022
Family And Domestic Violence Protections For Tenants
Adams & Jones Property Specialists are committed to keeping our tenants and owners informed of any legislative changes that may impact their property. In October 2021, there were changes made to legislation surrounding Domestic and Family Violence. Together with existing protections in the Act, the new legislative changes aim to support tenants experiencing domestic and family violence. Procedures and rules have now been put in place to assist victims to end a tenancy quickly, or if they choose, to remain in the rental property safely. If you or someone you know needs support, please reach out to the hotline numbers provided below for assistance. What does this legislation mean? Under new legislation passed in October 2021 victims of domestic and family violence have the option to end a tenancy under certain conditions. For more information on how to end a tenancy, please visit the RTA website - https://www.rta.qld.gov.au/forms-resources/factsheets/domestic-and-family-violence-information-for-tenants. What is Domestic and Family Violence? Domestic violence is when there is violent, abusive or intimidating behaviour or actions towards a partner or former partner to scare or control them. Family violence also includes abuse that occurs in the community between siblings, parents, children, grandparents, aunts and uncles. What can you do to find support if you or someone you know is impacted by Domestic and Family Violence? It is important to remember that you are not alone and there are services designed to assist you. Some helpful resources for anyone experiencing Domestic or Family Violence are: -In an emergency, call the Police on 000. -1800RESPECT (1800 77 732) – a free and confidential telephone and online service for any Australian experiencing or who has experienced, domestic or family violence. https://www.1800respect.org.au -Services Australia- provides information, referrals and support for people affected by family and domestic violence. https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/family-and-domestic-violence -In QLD you may also contact DV Connect. DV Connect provides free telephone crisis counselling, interpreter services for those who speak English as a second language, safety planning and referrals to crisis accommodation. Phone: 1800 81 811 and available 24/7. Our partnership with DV Safe Phone to help make a difference - your phone can save a life Adams & Jones Property Specialists is honoured to partner with DV Safe Phone. We are an official collection point in both our Minyama HQ office and our Emerald office. DV Safe Phone collects, repurposes and gifts mobile phones to victims of domestic violence through registered charities, safe houses, and authorities. Often, a victim’s phone is taken away to control contact with family and friends. A phone can be a lifeline for a victim to reach out for assistance. You can help by dropping off your old, usable mobile phone to one of our offices. We will then ensure your phone goes to DV Safe Phone to be distributed to a victim of domestic or family violence. If you need to end your tenancy agreement, please contact our team for a confidential conversation. 1800 875 875 | info@adamsandjones.com.au
Feb 2, 2021
Is It Time To Downsize?
The population is ageing, households are getting smaller and home sites are shrinking – it’s no wonder we’ve been hearing a lot about downsizing. Even if you don’t need to move from a larger home to a smaller one for financial or lifestyle reasons, there are a lot of positives that come with downsizing – you can simplify your life by having a good clean out, you won’t have the big backyard to maintain, and a smaller home is definitely quicker to clean than a larger one. If you’ve been thinking that it’s time you downsized, there are some things to consider first: You’ll need to have a declutter. Let’s face it, most of us fill our homes with stuff, so unless you’ve led a minimalist life, downsizing will mean decluttering and donating or selling furniture, homewares and other accumulated bits and pieces. Start the decluttering process early, as you don’t want to leave it until the removalist van is on its way to decide what to hold onto and what to let go off. Every week, do a room or a cupboard or even a kitchen drawer and you’ll soon get on top of it. A really good tip when decluttering is to get rid of anything broken first (that dodgy toaster, chipped cups and ripped clothes you know you’ll never get around to mending) then cut back on duplicate or ‘just in case’ items – when you have a big home and plenty of storage, it’s easy to accumulate three extra doonas, multiple dinner sets and an extra vacuum cleaner. These are obvious things to cull. Consider renting a storage space – if you think you might move again in the near future, it might be worth putting those larger items or things you just can’t part with in a storage space. You can always clean it out in the future if you find a smaller home suits you in the long term. A word of warning through – choose the smallest storage space you need and set yourself a limit on how long you keep it as you don’t want to use it as an excuse to delay an inevitable clean out. Downsize your furniture before arriving at your new home, and treat yourself to new pieces (lamps, cushions and rugs) so you feel refreshed and excited about moving into your new home. Keep the goal in mind – whether you are downsizing out of necessity or desire, it can be disheartening when you start inspecting smaller homes and realise just how much space you’ll be giving up. So keep reminding yourself what you’ll gain rather than lose – perhaps you’re moving closer to the centre of town where you will be able to walk to local shops, the beach or your favourite restaurants. There will also be less upkeep and lower costs, giving you more time and money to spend on yourself. When attending open homes, keep in mind what is really important to you. Perhaps you’re happy to sacrifice a large kitchen but really want a spacious bedroom. Perhaps you want a plunge pool and not a spare bedroom. Or outdoor space is more important than an open floor plan. Knowing where you will and won’t compromise will help you decide on a new home you’ll be happy to live in for years to come. Head online for inspiration on how to style small spaces – not only will this give you practical tips on how to furnish and decorate a smaller home, but it will also keep you enthusiastic during the process of finding your new living space. If your new (smaller) home is lacking in storage, add some before moving day. Floating shelves in the living room and bedrooms, underbed storage boxes and extra drawers in the cupboards are all good investments.
Jan 5, 2021
First Home Buyer Incentives
You’ve been saving for years for a house deposit, you’ve applied for a loan and done research on the property market. So, what’s next? If you’re well along the path of finally stepping onto the property ladder and securing your first home, don’t forget to look into whether you are eligible for a grant (which is a one-off cash payment), stamp duty (also known as transfer duty) concession or other first home buyer scheme. Around the nation, all state governments and territories have incentives for first home buyers. Here are a few: The NSW Government offers a $10,000 grant for new properties valued at less than $600,000. If you are building and the value of house and land is less than $750,000, you are also entitled to the grant. There are also stamp duty concessions offered to first-time buyers in NSW – you’ll pay no stamp duty on properties valued under $650,000 or vacant land valued under $350,000. There are also discounts available if the property is valued between $650,000 and $800,000 or the land is valued between $350,000 and $450,000. The Victorian Government offers grants for first timers buying new homes valued up to $750,000. The grant is $10,000 for new properties in non-regional areas and $20,000 for regional areas. First timers will also pay no stamp duty on a property valued at less than $600,000 and will get a discount on stamp duty if the property is valued between $600,000 and $750,000. The Queensland Government grant for first timers buying a new property valued under $750,000 is $15,000. First home buyers in that state pay no stamp duty on a property valued under $500,000 or vacant land under $250,000. Stamp duty discounts are offered on properties under $549,999 and vacant land under $399,999. The other states and territories also offer grants and discounts. However, whether you are buying in Brisbane or Byron, Bunbury or Ballarat, it’s a good idea to check exactly what is offered at the time you are looking to buy. There is no point budgeting for a $10,000 or $15,000 cash injection only to realise the scheme ended a week before you signed the contract. The schemes come and go – sometimes it seems on the whim of the government of the time – and the rules around can change quickly, so make sure you understand exactly what you are eligible for and when. Your mortgage broker can help you out with this. The Federal Government also offers the First Home Super Saver scheme. Introduced on July 1, 2018, the scheme allows eligible home buyers to make voluntarily contributions of up to $30,000 to their super and then withdraw this amount (plus earnings, minus tax) to buy their first home. The idea behind the scheme is that because you’re saving through super, you pay less tax than you would by saving outside super, which means, in theory, you can build a bigger deposit more quickly. Couples can both use the scheme, which means they can save up to $60,000. There are plenty of eligibility rules surrounding these schemes and grants. Most require that you and your spouse or partner are 18 years or older, and are Australian citizens or permanent residents. Income thresholds apply on some of these schemes, and you must be buying a home to live in, not an investment property. You can’t have owned property at all or within a certain period and you must be intending to live in the property for at least 12 months. With the various schemes and the ever-changing rules around them, it can be confusing, but it is well worth looking into what schemes and incentives are available.