smart property investment

Tips to look out for before signing a building contract

Avoid getting trapped in a building contract

Tradebusters Connect Member, Luke Carroll from EC Credit Control as featured in Smart Property Investment Magazine.

Luke Carroll shares valuable advice for home owners wanting to avoid costly mistakes when signing building contracts in this below video.

What to Ask Before Hiring an Accountant in North Sydney

To find the right accountant for your personal or business needs, you need to ask the right questions. This will allow you to make informed decisions as to who is the best accountant for your specific needs. Below are some of the questions you should be asking. Read more

Choosing the Right Renovation Loan

Many Australians are choosing to renovate their homes rather than selling and purchasing a new property. For many, this is because they love their home and simply feel it is time for a new look, others love the area but need a little more space. Regardless of the reasons, most homeowners have to apply for some type of renovation loan in order to proceed with their plans.

There are many different ways to secure loans for renovations, and we have put together a list of the most popular methods and some information about them. Read more

Tips for Financially Managing a Renovation Project

If you’re a home owner, there will eventually come a time when you have to get some renovation work done on it. While planning a renovation project can be a rather exciting thing, it can also get really stressful, particularly in the finance department. Managing your budget responsibly can get a bit tricky. If financially managing a renovation project becomes a bit of a problem for you, perhaps this article written by Tony Rigby for RealEstate.com.au can help.

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How To Budget For A Home Renovation Project

how to budget for a home renovationA lot of people say that there is no such thing as home renovation on a budget. If a number of home owners who have had a home renovation project done are to be believed, there will always be that project’s unintended growth in terms of size and expense, and no budget would be able to cover that.

In all fairness, those claims may be true, but only if you planned your budget for a home renovation project poorly. You see, drawing up the budget for a home renovation project should start long before you actually list down figures for labour and materials, which is probably what many home owners who go over budget do. To help you stay within your means, here are some tips on how to budget for a home renovation project.

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US Study Says White Roofs Save Money

white roofs save moneyApart from aesthetic reasons, does the colour of your roof really matter? It does, if the findings of a recent U.S. study are to be believed. In an article written for RealEstate.com.au, Paul Thornhill says white roofs save money and are much greener too.

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Tips For Decorating Your Child’s Room on a Budget

decorating your child’s room on a budgetWhen you decorate your kid’s room, you need to understand that it doesn’t have to cost you a fortune. More often than not, you can decorate your kid’s room on a budget. You can still transform your child’s room with just a little money and a lot of creativity. Here are some tips for decorating your child’s room on a budget.

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6 Easy Ways to Boost The Efficiency of Your Home

ways to boost the efficiency of your homeAnyone can make their homes more energy efficient. However, those who are building a new home have the upper hand in this regard, since they are bound by the Building Code of Australia to meet a minimum level of energy efficiency.

Granted, the law requirement could mean additions to the total construction budget, but those additions are generally a pittance compared to the savings such energy efficiency measures will give you.

In any case, whether your house is new or old, there are a number of things that you can do to make it more energy efficient and in effect, a little friendlier to the environment. Here are some of them.

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Should You Use a Credit Card for Renovation Projects?

renovation projectIf you’re thinking about taking on a renovation project, there is no better way to spend for it than using a credit card. Using a credit card for these projects, without a doubt, is the most convenient way to buy the materials you need. It is easy to use, and purchases are a lot easier to track, especially when you have one dedicated to just your renovation project.

Credit cards, for sure, are not without their disadvantages. There’s always the lure of easy spending, which could lead you to buy building materials that cost way beyond your budget. Even if you do use your credit card responsibly, there’s always the risk of forgetting a monthly payment due date, which could have costly consequences.

Still, no one can argue how valuable credit cards can be as long as you use credit cards responsibly and wisely. When used strategically, many renovators have found credit cards to be quite the powerful tool.  Here are some benefits of using a credit card for your renovation project.

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10 Home Improvement Tips For Better Energy Efficiency

home improvementThe last few decades have seen energy costs rise everywhere in the world, with energy efficiency eventually becoming a cause of concern. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, last year the average Australian household spent $39 on energy and gas for their homes every week.  This comes to more than $2,000 for the entire year. With rising energy costs, more and more home owners are trying to find ways to improve the energy efficiency of their homes.

It is always possible to lower your utility bills, but you do have to make certain changes to your home to make it happen. Here are several home improvement for better energy efficiency.

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