Subcontracting subdivision
Thursday, January 12th, 2012Came across a business called Property Subdivision (www.propertysubdivision.com.au). Their website offers the following services:
- Locating and investigating a potential development site
- Confirming the current title, area and zoning regulations
- Inspecting the site, vicinity and local amenities
- Presenting the site to you for approval
- Negotiating on your behalf to purchase the site
- Obtaining development approval
- Overseeing construction
- Selling or renting the finished product
Very interesting business model. It seems that their services start(?) from around 50k.
Kitchen renovation for under $7000
Friday, January 6th, 2012This was a really tasteful renovation featured on Selling Homes Australia.
They started out with really dated wooden kitchen cabinetry and laminex countertop.
Solution? Cut the countertops to be square, put on 3mm granite veneer ($3000), then replace the cupboard doors and facing with white custom cabinet doors and facing ($2000).
Apparently with extras, the total cost of the makeover was under $7000.
Before

After

Compulsory disclosure to renters
Wednesday, January 4th, 2012“The Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency (DCCEE) has now proposed requiring owners of existing houses, flats and apartments to provide energy, water and greenhouse performance information.
The requirement would apply when they sell or lease a property.”

Shot50 © by University of Salford
With 6 star energy ratings being compulsory for new houses in every state now, energy rating etc. has got to be the wave of the future.
I’m thinking about whether it’s worthwhile preparing energy reports for new tenants before the changes come in, just to provide a little bit of a comparative advantage.
If the property owner can demonstrate cost savings in heating and cooling bills, then this has to result in higher potential rents.