Stories

BUYERS

Buyer didn’t need a full service buyers agent, but rather someone to help her look a potential issues when inspecting properties at open homes. Anita attended each of the open homes with her client, whilst guiding and teaching her about potential renovations, budgets and building issues. She guided the client on best locations to buy in. 

Result – Anita assisted her client when negotiating the buy price and conditions, saving her $49k off the asking price, occupancy prior to settlement and further savings from the build and pest report

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Buyer looking to buy a home. The property advertised for $450,000. Buyer was willing to buy for $425,000. 

Result – Anita assisted her client to negotiate a further discount buying the property at $418,000 and with delayed settlement yet occupying property and paying low rent until settlement

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Client/s were renters fearful of taking on debt to buy a property but rents going up. Anita understood the property cycles and knew the market was going to rise. If they didn’t buy now, they would unlikely ever afford to buy a property in future. With guidance, support and mentoring, Anita worked with her clients and their budgets and showed them how they could in fact afford to buy. Anita connected them with local services, her clients did buy and the following year and the market prices increased drastically.

Result –Her clients bought an asset with added instant equity and security for their future

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RENOVATORS

A mutual contact referred Anita to a Buyer who had already bought a home. He had big ideas of the renovations he wanted to do prior to moving into the property (new kitchen and bathroom plus more), but only had 10 days before needing to move in and limited budget. Anita assessed the condition of the property and created a plan that met the client’s needs and budget. By connecting him to local trades and obtaining quotes, the buyer was happy to project manage the work to suit his timetable. 

Result – The buyer was able to move in within the 10 days. With the ideas and plan Anita suggested, the client could confidently do the other renovations in future when time and budget allowed him.

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Home owner bought a property that was open plan. As they worked from home, they could not see any space in the house that provided privacy other than the garage or bedroom. As Anita has the ability to visualise what is not already in front of her, she was able to create a room utilizing the existing open space and features by adding a new wall. 

Result – The client now had the privacy they needed for their business without compromising the overall flow of the home. Adding another room also added value to the property.

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Investor had an existing rental property on the Gold Coast that had been poorly maintained (from an inheritance) and was unable to keep a tenant due to the condition. The property manager had not communicated the problems as expected. As she lived interstate, she asked Anita to do a renovation consultation by live video, so the client could see first hand the condition. Anita provided budget and time estimates and connected her client to a new property manager.

Result – The owner decided to do some minor renovations with a small increase in rent to get a tenant in the short term, giving her time to plan for major renovations in the near future.

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Home owner had a kitchen that did not provide much bench space or storage. Due to the awkward flow of the space with multiple doorways, Anita suggested closing one doorway and opening up another opening to the living space. 

Result – This not only created a better open dining / living feel but created substantially more storage and bench space, making the kitchen more functional and desirable

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Home owner was struggling with colours for her home that had a very 1980’s style but had added a new bathroom. With an in home consultation and providing the owner with options from the major paint brands colour decks, Anita was able to advise the best choice colours to suit the home.

Result – The owner confidently knew which colours to work with to match old with new renovation and learned new ideas and budgets for future renovations

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Home owner was looking for ideas on how to update her ensuite and bathroom without completely renovating it. After discussing options and budgets with Anita with an in home consultation, she realized that it was more feasible to renovate the ensuite completely. But by doing this she could create a whole new floor plan that not only created a new ensuite but substantial built in robe and study nook. They also discussed options of new fencing and landscaping.

Result – The owner implemented landscaping recommendations soon after with trades recommended by Anita. She then completed a major renovation, not only with a new ensuite but new bathroom, laundry and kitchen update too

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Home owner wanted to renovate her bathroom but had a tight budget. Someone suggested tiling over existing tiles as a quick fix. It was her intention to keep the home (not sell). Anita came to the home to inspect and found there already appeared to be issues with moisture behind the existing tiles. It would have been an absolute waste of time and money to do the renovation update the owner intended by covering up major leaking issues.

Result – Anita saved the owner thousands of dollars from making poor choices but rather provided budget estimates and design ideas for when the client had saved a little more money to get the bathroom they wanted.

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Home owner had an as new kitchen but highly impractical with little bench space, as the cooktop was in the middle of a small island with large canopy rangehood. Anita suggested some simple changes to the layout by moving the gas and electrical services and new colours and finishes to benchtop and cabinetry.

Result – the client had more storage and a lighter and brighter kitchen. The island was twice the size with no appliances (sink or cooktop) so the family could enjoy large buffet style parties 

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SELLER

Home owner was a hoarder and had a house that had been poorly maintained due to age and ill health. It was valued at about $680,000 at the time. There were uncertainties about a previous extension and whether it was viable to undertake major renovations or knock down. It was in a highly desirable suburb. Anita consulted with the local council, building inspectors and local agents, to create a plan on how to best move forward. Knowing there were unapproved works to the property and the extent of the renovation required a high level of skill and knowledge, it was suggested to clean up the property ready for sale. She also sourced and provided her client a summary of the best 3 local agents in the area, whilst negotiating their best commission rate and marketing package. 

Result – Over the course of 6 months and a budget of $15,000 to clean up the property, the house was sold for $890,000 to a developer by a very proactive agent. That’s an equity increase of $195,000.

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Property investor owned a large parcel of land which they intended to develop but no longer had the financial position to do so. Plans had already been drawn up for the proposed subdivision. The investor asked Anita for help to source the best local agent to sell land with development potential.

Result – Anita connected the investor with a great agent who was able to sell the land off market at an excellent price and with conditions that best suited the investor. A win / win for all.

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Property investor owned a townhouse that was vacant due to poor maintenance and need of significant cosmetic renovations. It was vacant for a year. In order to get the property into a reasonable condition that met with tenancy laws, a minimum budget of $50,000 would be needed to be spent. After consulting with local trades about the ability to renovate in Covid times (waiting periods for builders about a year) and property managers about the expected uplift in rental return, Anita suggested to sell the property. In a hot market the investor could make better use of their money with a higher yielding property and in good condition.

Result – the property was sold as is, at a higher than market price to another investor who was able to do their own renovations. Selling saved the investor time, energy and wasted money in holding costs

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Property investor needed to sell their waterfront property with tenants living in it. The tenants did not have a lot of furniture to optimize the photos for sales marketing. Anita advised on some styling tips and connected the agent to a furniture stager who staged the living / dining area

Result – to property sold within 2 weeks to first home owners and contract conditions that met with the tenants and investors needs

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Client was ready to sell his home but a lot of work needed to be done to make it market ready. Anita inspected the property, made suggestions on simple changes like decluttering, repainting feature walls a neutral colour, new fittings to the kitchen cabinetry and landscaping tips. She also provided a CMA of comparable sale prices of other properties in the area.

Result – the client had a clear direction on what he needed to do to get the house ready for sale, found a great agent and sold the house within a week of listing it.

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Investor owned a house in Orange NSW and had been unsuccessful selling it previously. She connected with Anita hoping she could sell for her. As Anita is not a licensed agent in NSW, but wanted to help her client, Anita contacted agents in the local area and provided her client with a choice of 3 agents to choose from that could best service her needs.

Result – the selected agent sold her investment property within a few weeks at a great price to an investor, so the tenants were happy they could stay on

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FAQs

Can I renovate on a budget?

Yes of course! Simple changes that adds the most value are
* Decluttering
* Paint – inside and outside in light and neutral colours
* New carpets and polish floor boards
* Repair before you replace
* Create a new room if possible
* Garden maintenance

How much should I spend on renovating?

For cosmetic renovations it is suggested to spend up to 10% of the current property value. For example $50,000 on a $500,000 property. Of this 10%, it would be ideally spread –
2-3% Kitchen
2-3% Bathroom
2-3% Other (paint, carpet, blinds etc)
2-3% Landscaping / Frontage

What is ROI?

ROI is an acronym for Return On Investment. It is calculated by dividing the equity created by the cost. For example a $9,000 profit divided by $3,000 in costs equals 3:1. To make any renovation worthwhile of your time and risk, you need a minimum ROI of 2:1 or more

When selling is property staging really worth it?

Yes I believe it is. Statistically properties that have been professionally staged will increase the estimated sales price of a vacant property by 7%-10% and sell 50% faster. Property staging incorporates styling, maintenance and marketing presentation of the property (photo & videos)

What’s the difference between an interior designer and a property stylist?

An interior designer creates cosmetic renovation design concepts, layouts and selected finishes for the home owners’ wants and needs. They often work with builders and trades to project manage the work.
A property stylist prepares a property for sale with an understanding of the current property market, design principles and the ideal buyer buyer in mind (not the vendor’s tastes)

When is the best time to sell?

Now! Most likely you will be selling and buying a property in the same “market”. So in a buyers market you may not attract a high offer, but likewise you have the opportunity to buy a better property at a discount. It’s all relative.
When contemplating days and seasons, different homes will present better when considering –
Weather
Light
Temperature
Garden