Property Hints & Tips - Investment Strategies

• Pristine landscaping

  A key component in adding value to a property is by way of the gardens says horticultural and landscape consultant, Mark Brombal read more

• City vs country property

  Are you set to buy a property in the big smoke, or are you considering real estate in a regional location? Either way, you should check your investment against these criteria to ensure your potential investment stacks up read more

• Top shelf investments

  Australia's most exclusive suburbs enjoyed capital growth rates of up to 40% in 2007 but will this strong performance continue? Tim Derham, director of boutique real estate agency Abercromby's Real Estate explains. read more

• 5 ways to make the most of the latest rate cut

  News of the latest mortgage rate cut is music to the ears of thousands of Australian home owners. But how can you really maximise the opportunity that has just presented itself? read more

• How to screen your tenants

  The current national rental market is generally in favour of landlords, but simply having a glut of tenants to choose from doesn't guarantee top-quality tenants. read more

• Step by step guide to refinancing

  Switching to a new loan or a new lender can help soften the blow of the recent rate increases. Michael Lee, consumer services, Mates Rates Mortgages shows you how to do it effectively. read more

• When the rental price is right!

  Is your asking price right? Maximising rental yield depends on getting the optimal rent for your particular property, and Pamela Yardney shows how it’s done read more

• Avoiding GST traps on off-the-plan purchases

  A growing concern for investors who buy off the plan can arise through a Division in the GST law, which vendors and developers can exploit to pass GST costs onto buyers. As Michael Quinn explains, uninformed investors can be hit with GST bills they never expected, and which can run into tens of thousands of dollars read more

• Opinion: Creating financial security in an uncertain world

  Many investors and homebuyers are dealing with a high degree of uncertainty at the moment. Declining housing finance commitments and national auction clearance rates falling to around 50% throughout June (according to Australian Property Monitors) tell the story. read more