Which State are you in (your website contact no. doesn't give it away).

Lordy, Lordy, Lordy! I am trying to come to grips with what you are trying to do and why. If you are seeking to charge PM fees back onto the 'owners' then you may need to hold an RE licence unless you are the owner of the trusts etc which own those properties.

It depends upon whether you feel that you can manage the property yourself or would feel uncomfortable doing so. The hard work is already done ie tenant found, you need to agree a suitable rent, prepare the lease (provide the renters guide etc). If you feel that you can handle this, then go right ahead.

As pointed out previously, there is no obligation to maintain the systems once installed, only the installation of a new backup battery upon commencement of a new tenancy. If need be, a sparky can do the changeover during the vacancy.Logic does have to prevail, I donot go to my interstate sites unless I have to and changing a battery is not a…[Read more]

Our pm is quite thorough and does invite us along to inspections if we are available – it allows you some time to catch up with the pm, discuss the market, issues with your property which may require some attention in the future and allows you to work on the pm/owner relationship (not just screaming at them as the tenant has not paid or whatever…[Read more]

Exclusive listings are generally the way to go whether it is for resi or commercial. It then leaves the agent with the ultimate responsibility for getting the letting whilst you keep giving them grief until they have leased the house.Putting the property with 2 agents reduces their incentive to work on your behalf as they may have put in all of…[Read more]

There is a product on the market from White Knight which is made for painting over glazed tiles – visit hardware heaven to pick up a can. Alternatively, if you want a professional job, there are several companies who will respray tiles and baths on site – this is quite effective and does not scratch off although like anything it will chip if hit…[Read more]

Shanematt, what are your comments regarding perpetrator's notes? AS1851 does not apply to properties where fire protection systems are not installed (ie smoke detectors are not fire protection systems hence do not require the maintenance or application of the standard).

There are several questions that you should be asking the strata manager. How far away is the next AGM? How long does the management agreement have left to run? Have they previously been doing a good job? Are they usually good with preparing the annual sinking fund and admin budgets? Should you be appointing an auditor to review the expenditure…[Read more]

Or split your loan account

As pointed out above, there is a general shortage of skilled labour in Oz and in small towns this is exacerbated. If the work is of a substantial nature, then you could ask the PM to get a second quote if the work is not of an urgent nature however it may be difficult. Better still, get the PM to roll up a number of the smaller jobs into a larger…[Read more]

Contact the strata manager to get clarification of what the item is or speak to one of the members of the executive committee to clarify the issue and see if anyone else has the same query.

You may also need to be a licensed real estate agent to manage property that is owned by other parties.

Take a look at Property Manager Pro (www.manaccom.com.au) – available online or from Harvey Norman. If it is only for a couple of properties, this is easy to use and gives you reports for each property and for all properties.

Sorry to bust the bubble but this does not relate to ionisation type smoke alarms (typical hardwired home devices) .This is the Australian standard for commercial, multi residential, retail etc type buildings and is for the servicing and provision of the annual fire statement (previously form 15a in NSW).The standard covers the servicing &…[Read more]

Termite damage leaves the face of the timber intact (though paper thin). A good indication if there is more termite damage is checking floor spring – see if the floor bounces or remains solid when you jump up and down a little in several places, listen to the walls for scratching, look for mud trails on the visible piers, sources of water leaks…[Read more]

Are you sure that it is termite damage not dry rot?

Personally, I would prefer Granville although its ethnic diversity is diminishing ie becoming more concentrated whereas Ambervale has a lower socio-economic demograph. Blocks are generally regular in shape around the area, most are over 600 m2. There is a good train service (main western line and southwest line). Good access to Parramatta. Houses…[Read more]

Thanks Richard, a market valuation for sales purposes and a bank valuation for mortgage purposes are two totally different things (with different outcomes). Likewise the REA can only give a market appraisal (there is a less stringent criteria on REA) hence the higher numbers (more a sales pitch and reflective of his opinion of the market).If you…[Read more]

There is plenty of information available from the REI websites (in each state) which is freely available. You can subscribe to the REI (for free) to access much of this information.Unless you are a serious user of the information there is probably no need to become a member. many of the major real estate companies also provide a lot of free…[Read more]