The 'boomerang' generation - why young adults are moving back into the family home

It used to be that we looked after our elderly parents, often inviting them back into the family home rather than face the pro's and con's of retirement villages.  However it seems the trend has swung the other way with many young adults choosing to move back into the family home as they look to either save for their own house, finance extended education or ... are just happier to be living at home with the often more favourable dynamic of being treated as adults.

How to Avoid Real Estate Scams

After reading an article on the Australian Securities and Investments site regarding Rob Dale's sentence for defrauding four investors out of 2 million dollars,  I spent time searching for tips on how to avoid real estate scams.  The following article by Kathryn Vercillo presents great advice:

Real estate investment scams are definitely a problem that many unfortunate people have run into. Real estate is worth a lot of money (even in these days when the real estate market isn’t exactly at its best). That always attracts fraudulent people and that’s why someone who is looking to invest in real estate may come across a problem with scams. There are definitely some things that you can do to protect yourself from scams when investing in real estate though. In fact, a lot of these things are basic and common sense things that you probably already know but can forget in the hasty excitement of buying a new home for investment. Let’s take a look at them so you can keep them in mind and avoid getting scammed.

Property Management is...

There have been many articles posted on the benefits of property management, the comparisons with self managed properties and how to find a property manager to suit your requirements.  The following definition captures what you have the right to expect for your monthly property management fees, anything less is not acceptable.

New Zealand - Family's House Carted Off on Truck After Loan Payments Missed

I came across this article on Google and thought it worth a share.  While it did happen back in May, it's the first time I've heard about the actual house being repossessed.

Family's house carted off on truck after loan payments missed

By Edward Gay 5:30 AM Tuesday May 17, 2011

 

A family's home was carried away on the back of a truck yesterday because they failed to meet the mortgage payments. 

9 Tips to Secure Your Rental Property This Holiday Season [protecting your rental property income]

Christmas is a busy time of year for the less desirable professions of our society.  Yes, it is time to discuss theft, burglary and vandalism - and minimising risk to your rental property income.

If your existing investment property is going to be untenanted over holidays or your tenants are leaving for their summer vacation there are precautions you can take.   If your property is still in the ‘construction’ stage, what has up to now been a busy building site with tradesmen in and out all day will soon resemble a ghost town as the workers take their annual hiatus. 

How to Deal With Non-Paying and Slow Paying Tenants

If you are looking at a property management agency to manage your rental investment, one of the first questions to ask is for details on their rental collection policy. 

At True Property Management, our rent collection policies are as follows:

Tenancy Laws - What To Do If You Think Your Rent Increase Is Too High

To find out about tenancy laws if you think your rent increase is too high, or looking at increasing the rent of your tenants contact Consumer Affairs Victoria for assistance.


You can request a rent assessment if you think a rent increase is too high or you are not receiving some or any of the services, facilities or other items that are part of the tenancy agreement.
 

A request for a rental assessment must be made in writing within 30 days of receiving a ‘Notice of Rent Increase to Tenant/s of Rented Premises’.