What is an offset account?
An offset account is a savings or transaction account that is linked to your mortgage account. The primary function of an offset account is to help you reduce the amount of interest you pay on your home loan. Here’s how…
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What is DA approval? (Development Application)
Development application approval, also commonly known as DA approval is a process to seek approval from the local council to carry out development, typically building work. This can include building a new structure, renovating an existing building, changing the use…
What are disbursements in legal fees for property?
Disbursements are the various out-of-pocket expenses that your solicitor or conveyancer incurs on your behalf during the process of buying a property in Australia. Disbursements are charged above and beyond the general conveyancing service fee. Some will include it into…
What is gentrification and is it inevitable?
Gentrification refers to the transformation of a neighborhood through the increase of more affluent residents and businesses. This generally drives less affluent residents to relocate or move out of the neighbourhood as they can no longer afford to live there.…
What is Loan to Value Ratio (LVR)?
Loan to Value Ratio (LVR) is a percentage calculated by dividing the loan amount by the lender-assessed value of your property. Lenders consider an LVR of more than 80% as a higher risk. For lenders to accept higher-risk loans, you…
Do real estate agents have to tell you the truth if they have another offer on a property or can they lie?
It’s illegal for real estate agents in Australia to mislead consumers about a property’s price; or the formal offer from another party or any other information about the property. Real estate agents must not mislead consumers in order to encourage higher…
What is the administrative fund?
The administrative fund is used to cover the regular, ongoing operational costs of a strata scheme. This includes expenses like maintenance of common areas, utilities, cleaning services, and strata management fees. How is the administrative fund different to the capital…
What is an Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Strata?
An AGM (Annual General Meeting) is a legally mandated once a year meeting of the lot owners in the strata. The AGM serves as a formal platform for making important decisions about the strata scheme. It’s where lot owners can…
What are by-laws in Strata?
By-laws in strata schemes are the rules and regulations that govern the conduct and responsibilities of lot owners, tenants, and the owners corporation (also known as the body corporate) within a strata-titled property. Table of Contents Purpose of By-Laws Common…
What is a capital works fund? (Sinking Fund)
A Capital Works Fund, sometimes known as a sinking fund is a fund into which lot owners contribute, intended for future long-term expenses like major repairs or renovations to the building or common areas. Table of Contents Why is a…
Types of shower drains
There are 2 types of shower drains: Point drain and linear drain. Both have their pros and cons and we will go into detail in what to consider. Table of Contents Point drain Linear drain Considerations 1. Point drain Pros…
What are water rates? Residential property bills in Australia
Water rates are the charges that are levied by water utilities for the supply of water and sewerage services to properties. Water rates in Australia are typically made up of two components: a fixed charge and a variable charge. The…
Questions to ask a real estate agent when buying a home
Buying a property will be one of the biggest purchases in your life. It’s important to ask the right questions before you submit an offer. Here are 8 questions that you must ask your real estate agent when you buy…
What is an embedded electricity network? – Apartment complex
Embedded electricity networks in apartment buildings are private electricity networks setup so there is one central electricity provider for all the units in the entire building. Table of Contents Why do apartment buildings have embedded electricity networks? What are the…