Most Recent Living Articles
HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF THE STABLE INTEREST RATE
While it is great news that the interest rate has remained stable, the question is, what should you do to get the most of it? The answer is simple: while interest rates remain at 10.25%, homeowners could prepare for the possibility of higher interest rates now rather than wait until it happens. By investing an extra 0.25% of your home loan instalment into an interest-bearing account, you can ad
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KITCHEN RENOVATION SURVIVAL GUIDE
Kitchen renovations are often fraught with dust, displacement, and surprises. To avoid running into serious problems, make sure there is room both in your budget and in your timeline. If you’re planning a big reveal dinner to show off your new space, it might be better to wait until the renovation is complete before you send out the ‘save the date’ for this event. &nb
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VALUE VS APPRAISAL: WHICH VALUE SELLS MY HOUSE?
Like the three ghosts of Christmas, you will be faced with three evaluators when you put your property on the market: a real estate agent, an appraiser from a financial institution, and finally, your local government. But, what do they all mean, and which number is the one you ought to be worrying about? General Valuation Roll Based on geographical information and recent sales in your suburb,
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HOUSE RULES FOR KEEPING SNAKES AS PETS IN SA
As if movies such as Anaconda and Snakes on a Plane didn’t act as warning enough, many still choose scales over fur, venom over drool and fangs over puppy teeth. Though the SPCA opposes the trade of any exotic or wild animals (such as snakes) as pets, emphasising the often tremendous amounts of suffering experienced during the process of capturing these animals for resale, certain snake spec
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WAYS YOUR HOLIDAY PLANS CAN HELP YOU BUY A HOME
Though not the most important factor to consider when purchasing a home, the way in which you prefer to spend your long weekends and leave days can help you make a decision when caught between options. Below are the nice-to-have features each kind of holiday-maker might like to add to their property wish list: THE OUTDOOR ENTHUSIAST It would be helpful if a property has a large garage or to
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HOW TO LOWER THE INSTALMENTS ON YOUR HOME LOAN
Looking for ways to cut back on your expenses? One trick you could try is to request that your bank reduce the interest rate on your home loan. Admittedly, it is a bit of a long shot. Only a few banks would be willing to provide this service and will only grant it provided that the debtor has shown an impeccable payment record. But, if you are successful, you stand the chance to save thousands!
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HOW THE STATE OF THE ECONOMY AFFECTS SELLERS
Not all of us have a degree in economics. Understanding how external forces within the greater economy impact the price of property can be confusing. But, if you are in the market, then you do need to grasp its ebbs and flows or face the risk of being dragged under with its undercurrents. UNDERSTANDING DEMAND VS SUPPLY The main principal that contributes to growth in property prices is the sam
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RECYCLED BUILDING MATERIALS OF THE FUTURE
Sorry to disappoint the sci-fi junkies out there, but futuristic movies that portrayed glistening silver cities filled with metallic buildings might have missed the mark. The world is slowly but surely becoming a more environmentally responsible place filled with natural and recyclable materials. So, rather than cities of silver, our future will more likely consist of earthy metropolises filled wi
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FEATURES OF A GOOD RETIREMENT HOME
It can be tricky to predict your long-term needs when you’re shopping for your retirement property – especially if you’re doing so in your mid- to late-fifties (as is recommended) when retirement is still a few years away. While certain features might seem desirable when you’re young and well enough to enjoy them, others will eventually become impractical as the years move
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HOW TO MAKE A NEW PROPERTY SMELL LIKE HOME
Each home – whether it’s newly built or has been lived in for many years – will have its own distinctive smell. When viewing a property, keep in mind that most odours are removable unless the scent is coming from outside of the home. While it will take time to make a property smell more like your own, there are ways to speed up the process: CUPBOARD CLEAN-OUT When a new owne
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SHOULD I SELL WHEN DEVELOPERS MOVE IN NEXT DOOR?
Choosing to avoid a dust cloud of ongoing construction for the next few months (or years), many opt to pack up their things and leave the moment developers move in next door. However, this might not be the most prudent financial decision, and here’s why: SELLING EARLY LOWERS YOUR ASKING PRICE Selling next to a construction zone is going to negatively affect the price of your property. Th
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BLUNDERS TO AVOID IN BABY’S FIRST BEDROOM
The only thing limiting your ability to decorate your new-born’s bedroom is how far your creativity stretches. But, as free as you are to decorate however you choose, are there any mistakes homeowners can make when getting the room ready for the new addition to their family? AVOID GOING OVERBOARD As fun as it can be to decorate your child’s bedroom, consider how quickly your child
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