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Jul 6, 2018
Strata Titles Act Reform
After years of anticipation and hard work, the amendments to the Strata Titles Act 1985 (STA), and the introduction of the Community Titles Bill have been introduced into Parliament. The current Strata Titles Act was passed in 1985 and updates occuring in the mid 90's therefore its a long time coming for this reform! OVERVIEW FOR OWNERS The changes may affect the way your complex is governed and the way some tasks are conducted moving forward. One of the major seven focus areas was improving the way complexes are managed (and well needed in our opinion!). Electronic communication will be permitted which can have a major affect on how strata manager's conduct business. This in conjunction with the changes to obtaining quorums, this could also change the Annual General Meetings for owners. In relation to quorums, at the moment owners either have to attend in person or send through a proxy for the meeting. If 50% of the owners aren't represented, then the meeting must be adjourned until the following week. Under the new proposed legislation, owners can send through their votes and proxies prior to the meeting, attend in person, phone in to the meeting, or skype in the meeting (where the facilities allow for this). After half an hour, those represented can decide that the number in attendance constitutes a quorum and the meeting proceeds as planned. This will make representation easier for owners and save the complex and owners costs from adjourning meetings. STRATA MANAGERS Strata managers have not previously been acknowledged under the Strata Titles Act, with no definition or standards in place. The changes will define the role of a strata manager and put in place further defined statutory duties. The best news is that paid strata managers will have a standard level of service that they must adhere to. Currently, anyone can call themselves a strata manager! The new legislation will introduce a minimum level of knowledge, make police clearances a requirement, and ensure funds are held in trust accounts or the schemes own account. WHAT IS A NEW TENURE? In the past, the only form of tenure was Freehold. This was changed with the introduction of Strata Titles, and it is expected that community Titles and Leasehold Titles will again change the options of land ownership available. This is aimed more at new developments and sub-divisions and will generally not affect current strata owners however Community Titles are very similar to Strata Titles, however it is a tiered level of ownership and is usually a very large scale. This form of tenure has been available in other states of Australia for many years and the size of these schemes is often comparable to a suburb! Many changes are set to take place in the strata community and fortunately, the Bills were introduced into Parliament before the Parliamentary Recess, which is now in place until August. After this time, it will be debated in the Legislative Assembly before going to the Legislative Council. During this time, the team at Landgate will be preparing the Regulations in anticipation of the reforms passing.
May 23, 2018
38 Tips on Packing your House
Congratulations! You have sold the house and found the new one. Start making lists. Lists will be your friend. Make lists and check them off. Here are some tips to help this crucial step go more smoothly. Reduce your stuff. Obvious I know, but the less you have, the less boxes you need. You probably should have already had a big clean out before you put the house on the market. Prospective buyers turn their noses up at your crowded garage or stuffed-to-the-gills linen closet. Larger items which may be nearly obsolete (that old tv, computer, treadmill) might actually cost more to move than they are worth – Get rid of them. Stop grocery shopping. This is the time to consume (or throw) all those cans of diced tomatoes, sweet corn and black beans. Empty the freezer and pantry by eating your way through it. Thaw those chops, chow down on all those nearly empty boxes of cereal, and almost finished jars of peanut butter and check all the ‘best before’ dates. When in doubt, throw it out. Calculate how many boxes you need and make sure you have all the packing essentials - boxes, bubble wrap, sticky tape, old towels or blankets. Make friends at the big grocery stores and ask for their empty boxes. Request early or they will wrap them, cut them, and send them for recycling. Alternatively there are great companies such as A1 Boxes that you can purchase new boxes and return and get a refund or purchase second hand boxes. Another way to get your hand on these are through suburb facebook pages such as Cockburn Chat, Palmyra People, Kensington Connect. Moving companies or Bunnings have wardrobe boxes so you can simply hang all your current clothes. Zip lock bags are very helpful. In a variety of sizes They help collect like-items: pens, cards, medicine, hair items, phone chargers, toiletries, coins. Better to have too many boxes than too few. Don’t forget a pad of paper, a couple of really good markers, scissors and some post it notes. Heavy things (books, plates and dishes etc) go in smaller boxes. Lighter items (cushions, pillows, quilts, doonas) go in large boxes. Get plenty of mid size boxes and bear in mind someone (you?) must be able to pick up that loaded box. Consider mixing your heavy books with a couple of space sucking pillows to keep the weight reasonable. Heavy things on the bottom, lighter things on the top. Don’t leave gaps at the top because a box placed on top will crush the one underneath. Wrap your precious things in towels or old t-shirts, sweaters or socks. Loose items will move around in the box and that’s where breakages occur. Plenty of padding and no gaps. Try not to use black bin bags. They tend to rip, your items will shift around causing damage, and more than once someone’s precious pillows have been relegated unknowingly to the tip. Write a brief inventory on each box - ‘small kid toys’ or ‘photo albums’ or ‘kitchen pantry, spices’ will help considerably when unpacking. Label with the destination, the room you want it unpacked in- Master bedroom, pantry, garage etc. You don’t want to move these boxes twice. Don’t forget to write on all four sides (not the top) to help with unloading. Number the boxes and keep a master list. One sheet with 63 box contents will be very helpful down the track. Your important or valuable items don’t need to be advertised on the side of the box. You will have a list which tells you, Box 8 is where the diamonds are. Make an essential box with cereal and a couple of bowls and spoons, tea kettle, mugs and tea bags, kids favourite cuddly toy and book, dogs bowl, phone chargers, medicine, tooth brushes and tooth paste, a roll of loo paper… pack a box with what is essential in your first few hours of being in the new home. Add an essential change of clothes. Even if it's just fresh undies and a clean t-shirt, it will help. Don’t forget a box with a pillow and linens (or sleeping bags) for the bed, and towels and toiletries for your first shower in the new home. These boxes go with you in the car. If the moving van doesn’t make it, or if you are travelling a long way and get separated, these few boxes will be a life saver. You might THINK you will unpack everything the minute you take possession of the new house, but it’s unlikely to actually happen. Take photos of the back of the electronics, stereo, tv etc, and stick labels on each electrical cord and it's port or destination. Unless you have a fourteen-year-old, who will likely be able to do it without looking. Label pieces if you are dismantling furniture too. I know you imagine you will remember that you need to put the legs on last, but after 24 hours of unpacking you will likely forget. If you are moving a long distance, interstate or overseas, consider your important documents such as passports, birth certificates, repeat prescriptions, jewellery or your dads medals. Consider keeping those items with you either to carry on the plane, or in a lockable suitcase. Take photos of everything. Back up your phone and computer too. Would be a shame if you lost everything because of a slippery grip Quick packing tips Put a cotton ball on top of your blush and close the lid, avoids breakage. Take the lid off liquids, wrap with cling film and put the lid back on again. This prevents a box full of spilled olive oil/ bleach. Pack plates vertically, like old records and they will be less likely to break. Keep screws or curtain hooks in small zip lock bags. Start a few weeks early to at least get your head in order, if not your packing! Be hyper vigilant about your pets too. They may sense something is going on, and can become stressed with all the activity. Pay extra attention and maybe consider a doggy sleepover at the kennels or a relative. Written by Carol Jennings & Linda Healey
Sep 5, 2017
Is Co-Living The Next Big Thing?
Co-living is evolving all around the world, meeting the needs of younger generations who aren't interested in buying a home and who want to live with less. A new report from Secret Agent examines the phenomenon. Co-living spaces are popping up in major cities all over the world, including London, New York and Tokyo. The main features of co-living are: well designed communal spaces communal activities the deliberate fostering of community and belonging flexibility of tenure furnished rooms single payment covers bills, and even amenities such as shampoo, coffee, and gym access Co-living meets the needs of younger generations who are more interested in travelling and experiencing the world than settling down with a home and mortgage. Co-living is also in line with the growing 'living with less' movement. Good design and planning are essential for co-living dwellings to work. Another downside of co-living is the perception that co-living is an inferior form of accommodation. However, the Secret Agent report concludes: Overall co-living will not be for everyone however Secret Agent feels that this is a beneficial addition to the housing market. It will be interesting to see if co-living truly takes off in Australia as it has in the USA and other parts of the world. Want to read more? Check out the Secret Agent Report HERE
Sep 4, 2017
10 Questions to Ask your Prospective Agent
hen it comes to selling your property, choosing a real estate agent is about much more than asking someone to conduct a transaction. You’re looking for a negotiator, a sales person and an advocate rolled into one. In many ways, you’re looking to develop a relationship – hopefully, a long-term one – in which you’re trusting someone with what’s often your most valuable asset. So how do you choose? Here are 10 questions we recommend asking any prospective agent – including our team – before you decide who to use to sell your home. 1. So, tell me about yourself? Choosing an agent is personal, and it’s a relationship that requires a deep level of trust. Get to know your prospective agent and find out some basics like: Their experience and previous sales Any qualifications and memberships Their local knowledge, and What their previous clients say about them (back this one up by asking around and also researching online) 2. What is my property worth? This is a key question – but a high price isn’t always the right answer. You’re looking for a realistic market appraisal backed up with relevant data, not a sky high figure to inflate your expectations. 3. Which similar properties have sold in my area in the last few months? This will validate your agent’s market appraisal. Most agents provide this as part of their sales package. 4. What’s your commission rate and structure? This is an important question. But don’t just look at the percentage rate – it’s also important to look at the commission structure your agent suggests. Besides, commission isn’t the only measure of what selling with an agent will cost you. You should weigh up any other marketing costs, your agent’s local knowledge, their willingness to go the extra mile, previous sales records, their database of contacts, social media targeting capability, advice, ability to communicate, and more. 5. What type of agreement will I have to sign? Whether you’re engaging someone on an exclusive or shared basis, every real estate agent will ask you to sign an agreement if you choose to sell through them. Check the fine print and make sure you know exactly what you’re signing up to. 6. Who will buy my home? What is the target market for the type of property you’re selling? With this one, you’re testing your agent’s local knowledge. And local knowledge is key to an effective sale. What will your prospective agent be telling the buyers about your property – what are its key selling points? 7. Is there anything I should do to my property to maximise my sale price? Staging and property styling is fairly routine in Perth, but should any other changes, repairs or improvements be made to make the most of the property? And, more importantly, what does the agent estimate the cost-benefit of any changes will be? Different agents may have different ideas about the merits of doing work on your property. 8. How will you market my property? Professional photos, floorplans, videos and copywriting are standard. But where will your agent promote your property? What type of advertising do they recommend? Print ads, brochures, social media, portals – local and international, sale boards and more. Their answer goes some way to showing how well they understand your potential buyers. 9. What sales process do you recommend? Off-market, auction, private treaty, there are many ways to sell a property and you need the right one for your particular property and the market conditions. Always ask the agent to justify why. 10. Can I see how you work? If you haven’t seen your prospective agent in action, ask them if you can go along to one of their other open homes or auctions. Watch closely how they run it, observe first-hand how they interact with buyers and what kind of vibe they create at the open home and listen closely to what they say about the property.