HOWTOCREATEA FEATUREWALL
Create a feature wall with Shannon Vos
HOWTODECLUTTER YOURHOMETOSELL
Maximise your chances to get the best sale price
With curb appeal offering buyers a window into your home, the importance of first impressions cannot be overstated
Happy new year! We hope that you were able to enjoy the holiday season with family and friends.
As we look forward to what is going to happen in 2023, we are expecting price growth to stabalise and return to a more balanced market.
The PropTrack Regional Australia 2022 Report, in late December, found Queensland – both metro and regional – remained the most popular destination for internal migrants, with more people moving to the state than anywhere else in the country.
PropTrack senior economist and report author, Eleanor Creagh, said the pandemic, multiple lockdowns and more time spent at home led many to reassess their housing wants and needs.
“Housing markets in regional Australia thrived as people sought more space and more affordable homes,” she said.
“Remote working opportunities and preference shifts drove strong population growth in regional areas at the expense of the capitals, predominantly Sydney and Melbourne.”
In regional Queensland, the biggest declines from the peak have been in some of the most inflated markets, but demand for more affordable regions was holding up.
“They remain buoyed by shifting lifestyle priorities, migration trends and affordability advantages that are still in play,” Ms Creagh said.
The report found that Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast suburbs made up eight of the top 10 most in demand regional suburbs and only two suburbs outside of Queensland made the top 10 list.
“Despite population flows slowing, almost half (42%) of interstate searches are into regional Queensland,” the report said.
Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) CEO Antonia Mercorella said Qld’s market performance post-Covid had been, “nothing short of extraordinary”.
“However, consecutive interest rate rises and inflation are starting to dampen this heightened buyer activity and see households tighten their belts.”
Homes were taking longer to sell as buyers traded frenzied activity for a more considered approach, she said.
“We’re no longer seeing the bullish behaviour and aggressive unconditional offers that emerged over the past two years,” Ms Mercorella said.
“The rise of risky behaviours such as buying sight unseen, impossibly short settlement periods, and waiving coolingoff periods are hopefully behind us now.”
If you have any questions, our teams are available any time to talk about the property market, and hep you on your real estate journey.
A feature wall is a great addition to an interior, but choosing a colour or design can sometimes be hit-and-miss. I’m going to show you how to create one that brings plenty of character to your space and has an architectural element. You are going to love this one...
Whatyouneed
To make a feature wall, you will need:
- A ready-made wall lining panel made from MDF panels
- Small drill
- Spacer
- Glue
- Spirit Level
- Nails
- Nail punch
Approximate time: 3 hours (excluding drying time)
Theprojectstepbystep
Step#1- First establish where you want to create a feature wall. If you are making a bedhead you could probably go from wall to wall. I want to create a cosy corner for my project, so will be zoning an area for our feature wall.
Step#2- Next step is to clear the space – which in this instance, means removing the combustion fireplace temporarily.
Step#3- MDF panels are super DIY friendly! Before we secure our panels to the wall, we need to find where the timber studs are located. You can do this by knocking on the wall and using a small drill to check if you hit any timber. Don’t worry about any holes as we will be covering these up. Put a marker on the floor or skirting boards so we can find the timber studs later.
Step#4- Measure and cut your first piece of MDF.
Step#5- It is a good idea to pre-paint the top edge as this means you don’t have to do it later when it is on the wall.
Step#6- Simply glue the back of the first panel and sit that in place. I am using spacers to keep the panels slightly away from the skirting boards.
Step#7- Once the panel is where we want it to be, we can nail it in place using the stud markings on the floor. I’m nailing these in the grooves that line up with the markers. I’m not going all the way in because I need a little bit of play to fit the next one.
Step#8- Grab the next panel, glue and install using the spacers at the bottom to keep it level. Use a joining strip to connect to the other panel and push it in tightly. Check it is level on the top and nail it off. You can repeat this process for as long as you want to go.
Step#9- I’m slipping a small 8mm tile angle that hides the exposed groove edge and will keep things neat.
Step#10- Then we are going to drive the nails in with a nail punch to seal the deal. Fill the nail holes with some putty or filler and give it a few coats of paint.
A splash of colour really lifts this zone and these panels look great in this space and in any other room. I’ve added value, character and interest to my home. Give it a go yourself.
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With all the effort you are putting into listing your property, it is crucial that you maximise your chances to get the best price. Decluttering your house before selling is a great way to stack the odds in your favour and find the best buyer. By removing excess furniture and personal belongings, you can showcase your home's features and make each room look its best. But how to declutter your home to sell? If you have become attached or accustomed to the way your home looks, decluttering your home can be tricky. Fortunately, there are many ways to make the process easy, so we created this guide to assist you.
Whydeclutteryourhomeforsale
Getting your home ready for sale is an essential step of the inspection process. You need to prepare it in a way that will help potential buyers project themselves living there.
Decluttering your home can allow for depersonalisation. This step is crucial as it can be difficult for a buyer to consider purchasing your house or apartment if personal items are prominent in every room.
This means that you should identify trinkets and family photos that don’t serve a design purpose and store them away. However, be mindful not to make spaces look too sterile. Leave art and decorative furnishings to ensure your home still appears warm and inviting to buyers.
A great benefit of decluttering is that it also gives you a head start on the moving process. Boxing up excess personal belongings and throwing away anything useless will save you some precious time down the track. It will also spare you a bit of stress during the moving period. Moreover, removing your personal belongings may also help with any lingering emotional attachment with your home.
You can never be too proactive when prepping your house for sale, so as soon as you think of selling your property, you can start decluttering. If this seems unrealistic, then aim to begin the process at least once you have found your real estate agent, and definitely before professional photography is taken.
But where to start decluttering your house? The best places are rooms that need to return to their original or most common function. Remember that people generally look for bedrooms and extra space when buying
a property, so it might be best to showcase what your home really has to offer.
Suppose you have been utilising a spare bedroom for alternative purposes, such as a home gym or storage room. In that case, it might make it difficult for buyers to see the real potential on offer. Remove all the items that alter the use of the space and store them. .
Once you have finished decluttering these rooms, move on to communal areas. Pay extra attention to the living room, kitchen and bathroom, as these rooms are usually the most important to buyers.
7housedeclutteringtips
1. Take the emotion out of the process. If you find it hard to do this, get someone else to help you.
2. Get inspiration online from professionals such as Marie Kondo or Alejandra Costello.
3. Sort things into what you are keeping or throwing away.
4. Clear off surfaces, particularly window sills and kitchen benches and move into cupboards.
5. Invest in stylish storage options such as filing systems and cupboards. If you need it now, you will likely need it at your new place too.
6. Remember to declutter the garden and garage as well. Make a start as soon as you can, even if it is small.
Your real estate agent can also advise you on how to declutter your home for sale and make the most of the space your home offers. Book a free property appraisal today to get more decluttering tips and much more precious advice to maximise your selling price.
When it comes to selling a house, there are many things to consider. With so many tasks on the agenda, sellers can forget a major component: curb appeal. With curb appeal offering buyers a window into your home, the importance of first impressions cannot be overstated. Curb appeal sets expectations for buyers. If the outside of the house is rundown, they will expect the same inside. If the outside is pristine, buyers will be enticed inside, garnering more prospective buyers and potentially an increased price for your home.
When turning your attention to your home’s curb appeal, look for a few key indicators. First, does your home have an entrance? Namely, a paved pathway leading up to the front door. Is there a verandah?
In terms of landscaping, is the garden lively and properly tended to? Finally, when looking at your home’s exterior, does the colour of the walls and roof appear fresh and vibrant?
If the answer to these questions is a resounding no, you will need to work on adding elements of curb appeal to your home. Otherwise, buyers may form a negative opinion of your home before even entering the front door.
With curb appeal playing such a vital role in the selling process, it’s important to make sure that the exterior of your home presents well. While a home’s style might be subjective, every potential buyer will be enthused by a manicured lawn and a faultless paint job. Fortunately for buyers, improving curb appeal can be a simple weekend project. Tidying up the garden, porch and any other outdoor furnishings goes a long way towards ensuring that your home’s first impression to buyers is positive.
Paintthefrontdoor- A fresh coat of paint signals to buyers that you care about the condition of your home. Home owners can choose to find a colour that blends in with their home’s style, or choose a colour that stands out (without taking it too far, as it's easier for buyers to project themselves in a neutral space). This way, your home leaves an impression on buyers.
Replacethemailbox- Replacing the mailbox is another small but crucial step to improving your home’s curb appeal. A new mailbox shows prospective buyers that you care about the details. This is especially important when you consider that you’re selling a lifestyle, not just a home.
Addsomeplants- Planting may sound like a large undertaking. However, simple additions like planters and even window boxes can achieve the desired effect. When placing plants, use them to
finish off spaces like a verandah or frame the front door of your home.
Refreshoutdoorfurniture- Walking into a front yard that is littered with outdoor furniture or pieces that are weathered can be a real turn off. Firstly, it can be too much clutter, something that buyers can't look past. Secondly, it suggests to buyers that perhaps the house itself is poorly cared for. By giving outdoor furniture a refresh, curb appeal increases, and the lifestyle that your home can offer is showcased. This is because placing a nice furniture set on the wrap-around verandah can help buyers picture their own family enjoying time outside.
Addsomelightingtothefront- A clear path to the front door helps buyers understand the journey of your home, and adding lights to this path provides buyers with practical reassurance. Namely, if they were ever to come home in the night time, there are lights to guide them into the home.
Newhousenumbers- Faded house numbers can inadvertently indicate to prospective buyers that the home itself is also a little worn out and tired. This can immediately give buyers a poor impression of your home. Remember, it’s the little details that count. By adding new house numbers to your home’s façade or letterbox, you can easily modernise and give the home the impression of being well looked after.
Powerwash- Giving the exterior of your home a power wash helps to make the walls and paths clean. All of which makes a home exponentially more enticing to prospective buyers. Power washers can be hired for ease or purchased to ensure a clean house yearround.
When selling a home, it can be easy to get lost in details like removing interior clutter, replacing broken bathroom tiles and fixing that leaky kitchen tap. However, by neglecting the notion of curb appeal, you could be doing your home a disservice.
Our team at LJ Hooker can assist you in your selling journey from beginning to end. Whether offering tips on increasing curb appeal or ways to market your home, we help make the selling process as smooth as possible. So begin your journey today with a free property appraisal.
What: A unique and exciting shopping experience on Tamborine Mountain. The Tamborine Mountain Country Markets are a feast of craft and food, fresh produce and artisan goods.. The Markets are a great day out, and a fantastic place to shop for that special occasion. With great food outlets, and packed with things to see and do, the Tamborine Mountain Country Markets are a value packed day for the whole family.
Where:Tamborine Mountain Show Grounds - 386-398 Main Western Road, Tamborine Mountain
When: Held on the second Sunday of the month
What:Local growers gather in The Green Shed to deliver their homegrown produce. The market is run by the Tamborine Mountain Local Producers Association, a not-forprofit group of mostly mountain-dwelling retirees with one thing in common — a passion for growing organic vegies.
Where: Tamborine Mountain Show Grounds - 386-398 Main Western Road, Tamborine Mountain
When:Every Sunday morning from 7:00am - 12:00pm
and while
What: Situated on the picturesque Tamborine Mountain, we are a wonderfully diverse, character-filled market overflowing with things to adore. At our Markets you will find up to 125 stalls from local artists, crafts people, fresh produce, plants, books, clothing, vintage items, collectibles, jewellery, bric a brac, candles, crystals…. the list is endless and always changing. Whether you are browsing or buying, come along and treat yourself to some of our deliciously tasty food while enjoying the live music and friendly mountain atmosphere.
Where: Tamborine Mountain Show Grounds - 386-398 Main Western Road, Tamborine Mountain
When:Last Sunday of the month from 7:00am - 1:00pm
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