March Auction Results!

Last week we had our March in-room auction event, held at the Rydges Hotel in Campbelltown. 

The 18th of March in-rooms auction event was certainly action packed! 12 properties were up for Auction, and we had a massive audience of over 200 people.

This auction event achieved some outstanding results, selling 9 of the 12 properties submitted to auction – a 75% clearance rate. Here’s the summary:

RABY, 32 Mirage Avenue - SOLD!

LEUMEAH, 17 Illawarra Road - SOLD!

RABY, 24 Boeing Crescent - SOLD!

BRADBURY, 1 Bocking Avenue - SOLD!

GREGORY HILLS, 64 Healy Avenue – Not yet sold

ESCHOL PARK, 11 Trebbiano Place - SOLD!

AMBARVALE, 21 Tremlow Crescent - SOLD!

LEUMEAH, 10 Carrington Circuit - SOLD!

ROSEMEADOW, 2/260 Copperfield Drive - SOLD!

BARDIA, Lot 2132 Wootten Avenue – Not yet sold

BARDIA, Lot 2197 Wootten Avenue – Not yet sold

ROSEMEADOW, 11 Jessica Place - SOLD!
There was also good bidding on the properties passed-in on the night. Negotiations are continuing and we expect these to sell in the next couple of weeks.

18th MARCH AUCTION EVENT STATISTICS:

• Of the properties SOLD, our team achieved on average $21,333 above our vendors’ reserve selling prices.
• Of the properties SOLD, our team achieved an average of 43 buyer inspections per property during the intensive 21-day marketing campaign leading up to the auction.
• Of the properties SOLD, there was an average of 5 bidders vying for each property. 
• 9 of the 12 properties submitted to auction SOLD – a 75% clearance rate!

It was another great auction event with great results. Thank you to our Auctioneer, Paul Casarotto, and the wonderful support from Domain, The Macarthur Advertiser and Harcourts NSW.

OUR NEXT IN-ROOM AUCTION EVENT WILL BE HELD ON 15tH APRIL 2015. SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Campbelltown Triumphs at Real Estate Awards

Our team recently attended the Harcourts New South Wales Quarterly Awards to celebrate individual and office real estate achievements for the October – December 2014 quarter. 

We competed against 66 other real estate offices, 150 sales consultants, and over 60 property management professionals across NSW to gain these highly sought-after awards.

Individual Awards Won:

Customer Service Award - Colleen Rapley

Business Development Manager Award - 1st place, Sarena Rowley

Bronze Sales Achievement Award

Gary Ghassibe

Tod Campbell

Silver Sales Achievement Award

Tom Spiljar

Gold Sales Achievement Award

Garth Makowski

Steve Arentz

Sapphire Pin

Steve Arentz

Emerald Pin

Gary Ghassibe

Top 10 Sales Consultants - Income to Office

7th place, Troy Holmes
10th place, Cathy Furness & Shaun Moss

Office Awards Won:

Property Management Office Excellence Award - 1st place

Property Management Business Development Office Award - 1st place 

NSW Top Office (highest gross revenue) - 1st place

Another great result for our team at Harcourts – The Property People. A well deserved win for our hardworking Receptionist and Administrator, Colleen Rapley. Also Sarena Rowley took top honours in property management business development. 

February Auction Results!

Last week we had our first in-room auction event for 2015, held at the Rydges Hotel in Campbelltown. 

Our first Auction event for 2015 was outstanding! Ten properties were up for Auction, and we had a massive audience of over 200 people.

This auction event gained some outstanding results, selling 6 of the 10 properties submitted to auction – a 60% clearance rate. Here’s the summary:

RUSE, 11 Borthwick Road - SOLD!

CAMPBELLTOWN, 11 Paley Street – Not yet sold

CAMPBELLTOWN, 79 Allman Street - SOLD!

AMBARVALE, 34 Haredale Street - SOLD!

BRADBURY, 10 Wandarra Crescent - SOLD!

GLEN ALPINE, 66 Heritage Way – Not yet sold

GREEN VALLEY, Lot 433 Wood Close – Not yet sold

GREEN VALLEY, Lot 432 Wood Close – Not yet sold

CAMPBELLTOWN, 42/31-35 Chamberlain Street - SOLD!

ST HELENS PARK, 90 Kellerman Drive - SOLD!

There was also strong bidding on the properties passed-in on the night. Negotiations are continuing and we expect these to sell in the coming days.

17th FEBRUARY AUCTION EVENT STATISTICS:

• Of the properties SOLD, our team achieved on average $37,250 above our vendors’ reserve selling prices.
• Of the properties SOLD, our team achieved an average of 31 buyer inspections per property during the intensive 21-day marketing campaign leading up to the auction.
• Of the properties SOLD, there was an average of 7.5 bidders vying for each property. 
• 6 of the 10 properties submitted to auction SOLD – a 60% clearance rate.

What a fantastic night! The room was absolutely packed and the energy was electric. Everyone worked so well together to create the best possible auction night, and it transpired to excellent results. 

Thanks again to our Auctioneer, Paul Casarotto, and the wonderful support from Domain, The Macarthur Advertiser and Harcourts NSW.

OUR NEXT IN-ROOM AUCTION EVENT WILL BE HELD ON 18tH MARCH 2015. SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Your Guide to Preparing for Auction

The process of selling your home through auction can be both an exciting and stressful one. There’s a lot to consider before you even get to auction day. That’s why it pays to be as prepared as you can be, have all of your concerns and questions answered, and make a few crucial decisions before the big day.

BEFORE THE AUCTION

Auctioning your property is about so much more than simply showing up on auction day. There’s a lot that goes into it beforehand to ensure you achieve the best result possible for your property. Effectively marketing your property is top of the list!

Your agent should walk you through your marketing plan in detail, from the images that’ll be selected and advertised, the copy that will be included, to where the property will be advertised (online, papers, brochures, in-office).

During the campaign, in lead up to auction day, you should expect to hear from your agent on a regular basis, plus a meeting updating you on buyer activity at least once a week. 

Your agent should also be keeping you informed of the market, so that you are in the best position to make decisions come auction day.

MARKETING

When it comes to marketing your property before auction, the rule seems to be “more is more”! The success of your auction can be largely dependent on your marketing campaign. The latest research from Harcourts Group Australia, showed a direct correlation between the amount spent on marketing versus how much interest was generated for a property, and what price it sold for. That is money spent on a comprehensive marketing program gained more buyers, more competition on auction day, and a higher final sale price.

THE RESERVE PRICE

It’s important for you to understand and be clear on what your reserve price is, and how it’s used during the auction. Your agent or auctioneer should be able to explain this to you in detail. You don’t have to disclose your reserve price to your auctioneer, but if you do, it shouldn’t affect how your auctioneer performs during the auction. They should be working to ensure you get the best price possible for your property.

That being said, try to avoid openly discussing price with others, to reduce the risk of price leaking out into the market. 

WHAT IS YOUR ROLE ON THE DAY?

If possible, it is ideal to have you there on auction day if there are any last minute questions.

Your agent will also want to confer with you depending on how the auction is going. If bidding stops below your reserve price for example, your agent will want to discuss next steps with you.

Buying off-the-plan apartments

Buying off-the-plan is an attractive choice for both owner occupiers and investors, however you need to look into the detail to work out if it is the right option for you.

Buying off-the-plan has the advantage of locking in the NOW price (and settling on the property later), as well as a number of tax advantages. Off-the-plan properties are also ideal for investors or buyers who need time to organise their finances. 

There are also Government incentives for all when purchasing a new property. You should contact their Office of State Revenue or visit their website for more information www.osr.nsw.gov.au.

Conversely, buying off-the-plan is not for people who need to relocate or move residence in a short period of time. Off-the-plan apartments can take around 2 years to build before owners are able to move in, which does not suit a lot of people.

Here are a few more items you should consider before buying an off-the-plan apartment.

Do research
Do your research to find out growth and expected yields in that area. Get an estimate of your quarterly strata fees. If you are looking for investment, find out the potential rent return as well as the vacancy in that area. Also, make sure you find out what things are tax deductible for you and their implications, as well as the government incentives mentioned above.

Do register on project agencies’ databases

Sales people will always first speak to the potential buyers who are the easiest to contact. People on development project databases often get the first opportunity on available apartments.

Do act decisively

Usually the first third of the project is sold, not only to members of the agencies databases, but also to buyers who act quickly. Obviously the apartments with the best aspects and most desirable features are sold first.

Do understand the value of time

Generally, property prices increase annually (and occasionally dip in value). Don’t panic – over time your investment will serve you well.

Do buy in the areas people want to live

The top three priorities people have for choosing somewhere to live are proximity to schools, work and transport. Some other things to consider include access to shopping centres, recreation facilities, parks, cafes and restaurants.

Do have your solicitor look at the contract

It’s important to choose a solicitor who understands and is experienced in off-the-plan contracts.

Property Management and Your Investment

The “corner stone” of a successful investment property is having the best people managing your valuable investment.

Property management is a highly important service that is often undervalued. Having the best property management team looking after your investment property can mean the difference between a smooth or rocky investment, and profitable or unprofitable one!

Our property management team at Harcourts – The Property People works extremely hard to deliver the very best service to our investment clients. Our property management team performs so well that they are consistently placed in the top three in NSW within the Harcourts Real Estate group.

Here’s a little insight into the first class and award-winning service our team provides:

• When first advertising a vacant property, we work swiftly to advertise the property to as many potential tenants as possible. This results in maximum applications in the shortest possible time. This way we get a tenant into your property and paying you rents faster. 
• From tenant applications received, our property management team uses our systems to diligently scrutinise applying tenants, and help our landlords make the final selection. This is a highly important part of the process, as the “big picture” of the final selection is: less maintenance expenses, little or no rental arrears, and maximum capital growth on your property.
• Our first class service and systems ensure rent is paid on time, expenses and bills are tracked and paid, and there are regular inspections conducted on the property to ensure it is being kept as agreed. 

At Harcourts our property management team are leading the way in property management service. Eight dedicated Property Managers and several support staff work to ensure that all details are attended to.

Investing in a quality Property Management agency makes a lot of sense. A well-managed investment property will provide maximum income, no hassles, and the best long-term outcome.

Preparing Your Home for Sale

Every seller wants his or her home to sell at top dollar. And 99% of the time it is not about “good luck” - it’s about careful planning and knowing how to spruce up your home that will send potential buyers scurrying for their cheque books.

Here are some ideas on how turn your property into an irresistible and marketable home.

1. Disassociate yourself with your home

Give your agent the opportunity to do their job, and potential buyers the space they need to be drawn to your property. Sellers that linger during an open inspection, or start telling stories about their property, will turn most buyers off.

2. De-personalise

Pack away personal photos and family heirlooms. Buyers want to be able to imagine their own life in your home.

3. De-clutter

De-clutter systematically, completing one room at a time. 

4. Clean out and organise storage spaces

Buyers love to see what kind of storage space they will have. Imagine if they open a closet and everything falls out! If they open an organised closet, it makes buyers feel your home is easy to live in, and that you have taken good care of it.

5. Rent a storage unit

Almost every home looks better with less furniture. Consider storing items that block walkways or aren’t necessary to keep in the house while you’re trying to sell.

6. Remove or replace favourite items

If the chandelier in the dining room is a family heirloom, take it down. If buyers never see it, they won’t want it to be included with the house.

7. Make minor repairs

Fix things such as cracked tiles, leaky faucets, burnt out light bulbs and doors that won’t close properly.

8. Make the house sparkle

Buyers will not be impressed if they see lots of dust or dirt. Make sure your home sparkles, or hire a professional cleaner if you need some help.

9. Check your street appeal

If a buyer doesn’t like the exterior of your home, you’ll never get them to look inside. Mow the lawn, trim back plants, clean up, and plant flowers to enhance your home’s street appeal. 

It always helps to put yourself in the shoes of the buyer, and by making a few little improvements to your home, you are giving it the best chance to sell at the best price.

2014 Real Estate Year in Review

Happy New Year everyone and welcome to 2015! I hope you’ve had a wonderful break over the holidays and are recharged and ready for an outstanding and successful 2015.

At Harcourts – The Property People, we are excited about the year ahead. We have a huge list of exciting projects and plans to be realised over the next 12 months in both our sales and property management departments.

Looking back, 2014 was a highly successful real estate year. Most suburbs enjoyed excellent median price growth of between 15-19 per cent from 2013, with many suburbs achieving record house sales. 

2014 was another huge and successful year for our auction sales. We conducted 13 in-room auction events over the year, placing 100 local properties to auction. Overall, we achieved a 68 per cent clearance rate at the auction events, with a median of 12 days on the market before selling for the properties that were “passed-in”.

I expect that in 2015, sales will continue to hold strong, however growth be at a steadier rate than that experienced throughout 2014. 

In property management, I expect vacancy rates to remain low and rent prices to remain steady, or perhaps increase a little over the year.

The Property People Wins at Real Estate Awards

Our team recently attended the Harcourts New South Wales Quarterly Awards at The Tea Room, QVB, Sydney, to celebrate individual and office real estate achievements for the July – September 2014 quarter. 

We competed against 66 other real estate offices, 150 sales consultants, and over 60 property management professionals across NSW to gain these highly sought-after awards.

Individual Awards Won:

Property Management Business Development Listing Award - 
1st place, Sarena Rowley

Top Lister - 1st place, Garth Makowski

Top Auction Lister - Garth Makowski

Auction Encouragement Award - Shaun Moss

Top Sales Consultant – No of Settled Sales

1st place, Cathy Furness & Shaun Moss

3rd place, Tom Spiljar

Top 10 Sales Consultants - Income to Office

4th place, Cathy Furness & Shaun Moss

7th place, Tom Spiljar

8th place, Troy Holmes

Bronze Sales Achievement Award

Gary Ghassibe

Silver Sales Achievement Award

Garth Makowski

Tod Campbell

Troy Holmes

Gold Sales Achievement Award

Tom Spiljar

Platinum Sales Achievement Award

Cathy Furness/Shaun Moss

Sapphire Pin

Cathy Furness/ Shaun Moss

Diamond Pin

Tom Spiljar

Garth Makowski

Office Awards Won:

Property Management Office Excellence Award - 1st place

Property Management Office Revenue Award - 1st place

Property Management Business Development Office Award - 1st place 

NSW Top Office (highest gross revenue) - 1st place

Top Auction Office for the Quarter - 1st place

I’m so proud of our awesome team! Our Property Management team, led by Sarena Rowley and Laura Makowski, won most of the major awards, testament to their top class service and tireless work ethic. Our Sales Department kicked some great goals too, with four of our agents in the Top 10 in NSW (Tom Spiljar, Troy Holmes, Shaun Moss and Cathy Furness). It is also fantastic to earn back our title as the number 1 auction office in NSW, and retain our title as the number 1 office in NSW.

October Auction Results

Last week we had our in-room auction event for October, held at the Rydges Hotel in Campbelltown.

This auction event gained some outstanding results, selling 6 of the 10 properties submitted to auction – a 60% clearance rate. Here’s the summary:

ST HELENS PARK, 19 Briggs Place - SOLD!

CAMPBELLTOWN, 149 Dumaresq Street – Not yet sold

MINTO, 111 Eagleview Road - SOLD!

EAGLE VALE, 27 Zeolite Place - SOLD!

AMBARVALE, 45 Harthouse Road - SOLD!

AMBARVALE, 49 Georgiana Crescent - SOLD!

BRADBURY, 49A Chisholm Crescent – Not yet sold

CAMPBELLTOWN, 13 Manning Street - SOLD!

GLENFIELD, 7 Stirling Place - Not yet sold

GLEN ALPINE, 71 Mount Huon Circuit - Not yet sold

15th OCTOBER AUCTION EVENT STATISTICS:

• 6 of the 10 properties submitted to auction SOLD – a 60% clearance rate.
• Of the properties SOLD, our team achieved on average $13,666 above our vendors’ reserve selling prices.
• Of the properties SOLD, our team achieved an average of 12 buyer inspections per property during the intensive 21-day marketing campaign leading up to the auction.
• Of the properties SOLD, there was an average of 4.7 bidders vying for each property.

Another great auction night! There was also strong interest in the properties that didn’t sell, and I am confident they will lock down some solid offers in the coming week.

Thanks again to our outstanding Auctioneer, Paul Casarotto, and the wonderful support from Domain, The Macarthur Advertiser and Harcourts NSW.

OUR NEXT IN-ROOM AUCTION EVENT WILL BE HELD ON 11th NOVEMBER 2014. SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Switching From House to Apartment

Moving into an apartment after living in a house can be a big change. You may be moving out of home as a first home owner, or are looking to simplify and downsize as your children may have moved out and into homes of their own.

In Campbelltown, most apartment living is located closer into the CBD, which is often the goal for people looking to make the switch. One of the most attractive features of living in the CBD is the benefit of having most amenities and services within walking distance - major shopping centres, amenities, restaurants, clubs, theatre etc. There is also less need for a car in the CBD as public transport is excellent.

Then there are the more personal reasons for making the change, such as simplifying your life, having less to look after, which means more time to spend on the things you want to do.

No matter the reason, moving into an apartment after living in a house can be a large adjustment.

There are practical issues such as the size of the apartment, the location of the complex, what furniture you can fit in the new premises and car parking.

And then there's the fact that you'll be living in close proximity to others. You need to be more considerate of others when, for example, it comes to having a party or you wish to play loud music in your apartment.

Then there are the other rules of the complex such as what you can put on your balcony, what pets you're allowed, and what you can and can’t do to your apartment that may impact it externally. You should carefully read the owner’s corporation rules before signing on the dotted line.

You also need to consider the sharing of common facilities such as a swimming pool and barbeque area.

It would also be wise to find out the percentage of owner-occupiers living there. With more owner-occupiers there is generally greater care taken in looking after the facilities and the upkeep of the complex.

And then there’s the “community feel” of the complex. Have a chat with the owner's corporation manager and possible future neighbours to gain a feel for what it's like to live in the complex. Here you can find out a wealth of information and discover the positives and negatives of living there.

Additionally walk around the area and look at the people who reside there. It might be predominately young professionals, retired or semi-retired people, or “empty nesters”. Depending on what you are looking for this might influence your decision.

At Harcourts we currently have many new and existing apartments for sale. In Campbelltown CBD we are selling many new off-the-plan apartments and have some new projects that are launching in the next 12 months.

Attending an Open Home

Attending open homes in search of your ideal property can be an exciting time, however, you may find that there are a few issues on otherwise fantastic properties that are holding you back.

Rather than discounting a property based on these issues, have a closer look – these issues may have easy and cost-efficient fixes to gain you your ideal home.

Before attending an open home inspection, it’s a good idea to write a list of your top five priorities in a property so you have a thorough understanding of your ‘must haves’, as opposed to those things that you would ‘like to have’.

When attending open homes, have this list handy and check them off. Then take a note of any issues; perhaps take photos of them, for you to evaluate your options.

Here are a few examples of issues and fixes:

Construction

Poor construction of walls or floors may seem like a huge issue, but may be easy to fix. Some walls can be demolished to open up areas of the house, and floors fixed or new floors placed over the top to gain what you are looking for.

Unappealing design

Don’t be discouraged by the ugly tiles in the perfectly sized bathroom or kitchen. Tiles can easily be replaced. Many hardware stores also have easily constructed modern flat-pack cabinetry, and many can also install custom made timber, stone or acrylic bench tops.

Storage

Take note of the storage throughout the house and evaluate whether it is enough for your needs. If there is a lack of storage consider building a shed, built-in wardrobes, or a lovely set of drawers to serve your needs.

Air Conditioning

If there isn’t any heating or cooling in the property, it is easy to install air conditioning - and it certainly adds value to the property. Also consider insulation to keep the temperature constant and to reduce your power bills.

Exterior

The backyard is often full of opportunities to add value to the property. Adding a pergola, BBQ area, paving and beautiful gardens are all value adding projects.

Finally, when attending an inspection, don’t hesitate to ask the real estate agent as many questions as you like. They are there to help you get all the information you need.

Auctioning Your Property

The Auction method of selling is highly successful for all types of properties. Executed properly, and particularly in the current market conditions, the Auction method can result in thousands of dollars more for the property.

Why choose the Auction method to sell your property?

1. An Auction removes the biggest obstacle that determines whether or not a buyer will enquire about your property – that’s ‘Price’! Auction allows the natural market forces of supply and demand to determine where your property’s true market value lies.
2. The Auction method of selling is more aggressive when compared to other sale methods like ‘Fixed Price Sale’. Other sale methods can take up to 90 days to get a result, where an Auction takes less than half that amount of time! An Auction sale’s deadline means buyers cannot ‘sit back and wait’. This gives your agent greater control over potential buyers who want your property.
   
3. The Auction method makes your agent move! Your agent should be hands-on every day over the Auction period, working with buyers in preparation for Auction day. Agents who auction typically manage fewer properties; however boast significantly higher sale prices.
4. Did you know that Auctions in the Macarthur area enjoy an impressive 30% higher SOLD rate compared to other sale methods over the same 21 day marketing period? There can only be a few reasons for this: restricted time on sale; more agent input, effort and hours; and superior and more intense marketing campaigns. Put simply, there is more ‘action’ in the Auction selling method.
   
5. Auction is the only method of sale where buyers can negotiate a property in real-time and in a totally transparent environment. There are no behind-doors negotiations!
   
6. An Auction offers you interchangeable selling methods! If your property doesn’t sell at Auction, it can be changed to a Range Sale or Fixed Price Sale.
   
7. Finally, the Auction sale method is the only one to offer you three opportunities to sell – i.e. sale prior to auction, sale at auction, and sale after auction. 

The Temperature is Dropping...

The temperature is starting to drop and winter is just around the corner. Now is the perfect time to make some small changes around your home to retain warmth, cutting your heating bills over the next few months. 

1. Cut back

While plants near windows offer fantastic shade protection from the sun and heat in summer, they're not so great in winter. To maximise the sun and heat getting into your home through the windows, prune back any plants that block the sunlight.

2. Hello sunshine

How many times do you drive past homes on sunny days in winter and see them all closed up? It’s very simple, but remembering to open up blinds on sunny winter days can really help warm up your home. And it’s FREE!

3. All dressed up

Single pane windows are fantastic conductors of heat and, left uncovered at night, spend the evening transferring your home's warmth out into the cool air – which is not so fantastic.

Thick curtains, honeycomb blinds, or a snug-fitting roman blinds with curtains are good options for retaining the warmth in winter. 

4. Fans work in winter too!

Many people think ceiling fans are just for hot weather, but most are great for winter too (that is, if they have a winter switch). Putting them in winter mode makes them run backwards. Set them on their lowest speed and they will direct the warm air across the ceilings back down to where you are. This will help you to feel a couple of degrees warmer and can also eliminate condensation on windows by drying them out.

5. Time to seal up

Draught-proofing your house is one of the cheapest and most effective things you can do to cut down your heating bill. Most hardware stores have an array of door and window seals on offer. Consider draught-sealing and closing doors to rooms that you don't use all the time, and are happy to leave unheated.

6. Thermostat control

For most people 22 degrees is a comfortable temperature to set the air conditioning. Some people are comfortable at 18-21 degrees. It's worth keeping in mind that every degree warmer you heat your home adds about 10 per cent to your heating bills.

March Auction Results!

Last week we had our second in-room auction event for March, held at the Rydges Hotel in Campbelltown. 

The auction event achieved great results, with an impressive 54 people in attendance. Our team performed admirably, selling 3 of the 5 properties submitted for auction...that’s a 60% clearance rate! 

PRESTONS, 2 Weja Close – SOLD BEFORE AUCTION!
ESCHOL PARK, 8 Epping Forest Drive – SOLD!
AMBARVALE, 52 Georgiana Crescent – SOLD!
APPIN, 20 Rixon Road – NOT YET SOLD!
CAMPBELLTOWN, 57 Raymond Road – NOT YET SOLD!

MARCH AUCTION EVENT STATISTICS:

• 100% of the properties SOLD achieved above our sellers’ reserve prices.
• Of the properties SOLD, our team achieved an average of $9,500.00 above our sellers’ reserve selling prices.
• Of the properties SOLD, each property had on average 3 registered bidders. 
• Of the properties SOLD, our team achieved an average of 21 buyer inspections per property during the intensive 21-day marketing campaign.

The auction event was another brilliant effort by the Dougmal Harcourts team. We worked hard to deliver the very best results to our clients. 

Congratulations also to our successful sellers and purchasers! 

Thanks again to our Auctioneer, Paul Casarotto, and the wonderful support from Domain, The Macarthur Advertiser and Harcourts NSW.

NEXT IN-ROOM AUCTION EVENT WILL BE HELD ON THE 15th OF APRIL, AT THE RYDGES HOTEL, CAMPBELLTOWN.

Top Home Improvement Projects

If you're thinking of selling your home in 2014, or you just want to improve your home’s value, it's important to spend your time and money on projects that will bring you the most return on your investment.

Here are 8 home improvement projects you should consider:

1. External spruce up!
The first impression your home makes on buyers is its external appearance. If your home's exterior is looking tired, a paint job and/or fixing any issues should be a priority. Also pay attention to gardens and landscaping, as a little bit of money and effort can greatly improve the street appeal of your home.

2. Replace your front door
A new front door makes a great first impression on buyers! If your front door doesn't need replacing, a coat of paint can do wonders. Also look at your garage door and give it some attention if needed.

3. Add a deck or patio
No matter where you live, buyers are looking for outdoor living space. If you already have outdoor space, consider making it more attractive with a water feature, an outdoor fireplace, BBQ area or improved landscaping.

4. Add space
Depending on your budget and your goals for your home, an extra bedroom, extra bathroom, a finished attic or an expanded living space can increase the value of your home.

5. Improve your kitchen
It is true that buyers look carefully at kitchens and bathrooms. Be careful not to overspend on improving your kitchen. You may be able to do one or two things, such as replacing the appliances and painting the cabinets, or just replacing the bench tops with Caesarstone or granite to improve its value.

6. Work on your lighting
Today's buyers like brightly lit rooms. Change any window treatments to maximise the natural light into your home. Also look around your home and see if you need to upgrade or add more lighting.

7. Update your bathroom
Consider cost-effective minor upgrades to update your bathroom. Perhaps replace the fixtures, the mirror, repaint, and jazz it up with some flowers, candles or other low cost accessories.

8. Organise your storage spaces
High on the list of priorities for today's buyers is adequate storage. If your home lacks storage, you can increase its efficiency and appeal with closet organisers.

Most importantly, when improving your home be careful not to over-spend!

Savvy Property Searching

With interest rates remaining low and steady and house prices affordable, more buyers are looking to either get into the property market, upgrade or invest.

However, before you take the plunge, you should be diligent, do your homework, and be a savvy property searcher.

The internet has certainly changed the way we search for properties. It is an invaluable resource to efficiently find properties and gain detailed information. Real estate websites allow you to call up properties for sale in specific price ranges and locations, zoom-in on floor plans and maps and much more...all with just a few clicks of a mouse!

Google's Street View is also regularly used to virtually venture up and down streets of interest, viewing properties from different angles.

Given all this, the internet is still no replacement for physically inspecting a property, the surrounding area, and the suburb. The internet is a limited experience, and some visuals and information can a year or more old!

Seeing a house for yourself can tell you all sorts of things the internet can't. By inspecting the property and its immediate surrounding area you gain an understanding of its vibe, the quality of shopping and dining, neighbours, infrastructure (current and upcoming), the people who live there, and the best and worst streets. None of this can be fully appreciated from the internet.

Also, be wary of relying on data gained from the internet - it is possibly out-of-date or even inaccurate!

Speaking to a highly experienced real estate agent in the area and gaining accurate and current information is highly important before making property decisions. In addition you can give the agent your specific property requirements that should then be utilised to inform you about relevant properties as they hit the market.