Toop&Toop Blog

Driving change in real estate tech

noreply@blogger.com (Toop&Toop Real Estate) — Thu, 03 May 2018 01:21:00 +0000

Over the past four years, Suzannah and Genevieve have been building the next generation of real estate technology. They've put a great deal of smarts and money into developing new tools never seen before in the real estate industry. We call it ToopTech.

ToopTech allows buyers and sellers as well as landlords and tenants, to be able to transact using large completely up-to-date managed data sources - utilising proprietary software developed right here in Adelaide. Toop&Toop has received national accolades for our work in the technology space by setting new standards and essentially re-inventing real estate.

ToopTech, which includes tools such as the ToopVault and ToopFIX is world-class technology that has been in play in South Australia for more than two years now. It looks like it may be more of a disrupter technology. As an industry, we have been stuck in the dark ages. We believe we need to improve our ways, and as agents we should step up and provide more to our clients. At Toop&Toop we are delivering on this promise.

While the industry gets their heads around what's happening, we are working on the application of artificial intelligence and robotics in order to reduce costs and improve results for Adelaide property sellers, but also for Adelaide landlords.

With ToopTech, we keep it simple. To understand all the moving parts (all the functionality) is cool, but not necessary. For our team, they don't need to know all of the back end, they just need to know how to use it for our clients. The average home seller only needs to see the outcomes. Here is the punch line believe it or not: "Better, cheaper, faster, more compliant and yet more personal than ever before."

Suzannah has launched her own technology company this year as we continue to invest in the ongoing development of ToopTech, for those that have a few hours, our IT team would welcome you to visit our Innovation Lab in Norwood. It's impressive and we are getting visitor clients from all over Australia these days. Today, we are selling ToopTech in the space of property management solutions to Property Management agencies from around Australia.

It's a whole new world out there and the technology changes are just getting started. Some people get frightened of all of the  changes coming, we get energised. Everyone  is talking about it, we are doing it.

‘Off-market’… the new buzzword.

noreply@blogger.com (Toop&Toop Real Estate) — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 01:25:00 +0000

There is a lot of media attention around off-market sales in real estate at the moment. For Team Toop, this 'off-market' trend isn't new to us. Proprietary smarts and database technology has allowed Team Toop to take off-market selling to all new heights.

Databases are talked about in real estate constantly, however unfortunately not everyone in our industry truly understands how to operate a database and how to unlock its serious power. Our six full time software engineers have a full understanding of how these work and their importance to maximise service levels offered to both sellers and buyers... and the results are incredible!

Our ToopVault is proof of this! ToopVault is what we like to call, our buyer bank, and has been growing exponentially since its inception. It's the chance for serious buyers to see Toop&Toop properties prior to reaching the market and has been extremely successful in marketing and selling clients' properties.

We sell properties every week through the ToopVault, saving our clients' valuable time, hassle and marketing costs. Apart from this, we're also helping buyers finally get ahead of the competition and purchase their dream property. It's a win-win!

In our business alone we could quote a range of different database numbers. Our master database of 180,680 people is considered in itself impressive, from a pure numbers point of view. However, the question that first comes to our mind is... so what? This number is just a number, unless it delivers actual tangible results to sellers and value to buyers.

ToopVault, our specific database of more than 12,000 active buyers, is growing by over 150 members a week. Why? Because people currently in the market for property recognise that it is adding genuine value to them as buyers. It's a free service where users hear about our Toop&Toop properties before the public and have the ability to refine their search criteria, view on any device and choose how often they receive property alerts.

As a result our clients' homes are the winners!

So far this financial year, ToopVault has sent out 744,596 Vault email alerts to our buyers... that's 2,039 notifications per day! To buyers who actually WANT to hear from us. We've also had over 75,000 clicks through to our clients' property web pages for more information, wanting to see the full descriptions, floor plans, photos and videos of our clients' homes.

Want to find out more about our ToopVault?  Be sure to give us a call.

Opportunities for landlords in 2018

noreply@blogger.com (Toop&Toop Real Estate) — Thu, 19 Apr 2018 00:15:00 +0000

With the current market as it stands right now, we believe there is great opportunity for investors to buy their first property or grow their portfolio.

As we head into the second quarter of the year, we think units are certainly the ones to watch. Whilst house prices recorded a slight decline (0.4%), the average price of units across Adelaide rose.

We believe the popularity is due to their affordability. Units open up locations that may not have been previously available to purchase in, giving investors more choice. Tenants also certainly enjoy the low maintenance that these properties offer. The lower price point for units, particularly in the eastern suburbs and off the back of an incredible year of growth for houses in 2017, is the key driver here.

You can pick up a unit in sought-after suburbs such as Norwood, Kensington and Toorak Gardens for around $350,000, whereas houses in these areas can have a median house price as high as $1.4 million. This vast difference in pricing is creating huge opportunities for landlords looking for increased cash flow and higher yields (as opposed to high capital growth). Tenants love being so close to the action, and those units that have a fresh feel with modern amenities aren't staying on the market for long. Tenants will pay a premium for location, convenience to the CBD, and if local shops, schools and cafs are close by.

Unlike other capital cities, units in Adelaide have not kept up with the same pace as housing growth in the past 12 months. This is where we see the opportunity lies.

Whilst the first quarter of property results show that the 9% growth predicted for houses may not be on the cards, units are a different ball game. Tim Lawless, Head of Research at CoreLogic RP Data, describes Adelaide as a steady and resilient marketplace despite a national slowdown over the first quarter of the year.

We see the opportunity for landlords to make the most of the current market, with units as a potential front runner. If you want to find out where we are seeing the best investment opportunities in the state or what property types are providing the greatest returns, please give our team a call today. We'd love to chat with you and share what we are finding out in the field!

What’s trending in our market right now?

noreply@blogger.com (Toop&Toop Real Estate) — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 00:03:00 +0000

How’s the market? This is one of the most common questions our team is asked out on the ground each week. Real estate is a hot topic and people are eager to know what’s happening in the market, what their property might be worth and how house prices in their suburb or city are performing. Staying up to date on property market trends is key to knowing when it’s your time to make a move.
Team Toop has just released our latest Quarterly Property Report and we cannot believe how quickly the first quarter of 2018 has passed us by. With Mad March, Adelaide500, WOMADelaide, the State Election and Easter it has been a busy start to 2018. Throughout the start of the year we continued to see low stock levels in the property market creating a real urgency for buyers.

Looking to the national market... according  to CoreLogic RP Data, trends across the March quarter showed that capital city home values were 0.9% lower over the March quarter, while values across the regional markets have tracked 1.1% higher. CoreLogic’s Head of Research  Tim Lawless states that the Australian housing market is currently showing every sign of recording a soft landing after national dwelling values peaked in September last year.
Despite a slowing property market, the vast majority of home sales (nine out of 10) in Australia are still turning a profit for their vendors. Across the nation, 91.1% of all properties that resold in the December quarter went for a price above their previous purchase price.
Back home... it’s been a slower than usual start to the year for Adelaide’s housing market, with home values making a slight drop of 0.4% for 2018’s first quarter.
These stats were quite surprising to us and our team, given analysts at the start of the year were predicting up to 9% growth here in Adelaide for 2018. However, Head of Research at CoreLogic, Tim Lawless described Adelaide’s performance this quarter as “flat rather than falling”, given previous months had shown minor growth.

Despite this slight drop in values, interstate demand for Adelaide properties remains at an all-time high, spurred on by affordability and higher yields than those on offer in the eastern states. Realestate.com.au data shows more than 4.6 million property seekers from Sydney and Melbourne eyed off Adelaide properties in the last 12 months, 9% more than this time last year.
The Adelaide suburbs where homes have been selling the fastest include, North Adelaide, Unley and those on the inner-city fringe. Our lifestyle suburbs along the coast such as Glenelg and Henley Beach, and in the Hills, such as Stirling,  are also proving popular with buyers.

Adelaide still remains a steady and resilient marketplace despite a national slowdown, and we are looking forward to seeing what the next quarter brings. If you have any questions about the market or would like any additional information specific to certain areas or suburbs, please feel free to contact myself or anyone from Team Toop!

Airbnb… is my tenant two-timing me?

noreply@blogger.com (Toop&Toop Real Estate) — Thu, 05 Apr 2018 00:09:00 +0000

If you have recently booked yourself a holiday home, there's a strong chance that you used an online booking website such as Airbnb or Stayz. These online systems are now becoming the norm in many coastal and tourist cities or towns. They allow you to book your holiday accommodation directly and live like a local, all at a fraction of the cost of a hotel stay.

These platforms can create extra cash flow for a home owner who is looking to rent out their property sporadically throughout the year. And with over 50 million Airbnb users, it's a popular alternative to hotel accommodation.

But it's not just home owner's that are looking to make the most of it...

Some tenants are taking advantage of the Airbnb trend and are subletting their property on the weekend or a few days a month for a bit of extra cash... and it's not going down well with many landlords when they see their property on Airbnb.

So, if you find yourself in this situation, what do you need to know?

The first thing is to work out whether you are OK with your tenant subletting. And it's a personal question. Some landlords see it as a way to help ensure their tenants are never in arrears again - and given the property needs to be in the same condition it was leased in, they may see this as a positive. Others, it's an absolute no.

Remember, tenants must seek written consent from their landlord should they wish to sublet their property, otherwise they'll be in breach of the obligations under their lease. Being all over this is important, especially if your tenant is doing it without your knowledge. Whilst you cannot unreasonably withhold your consent, you do have a say.

If you are OK with this, you still need to get over the second hurdle. Airbnb is typically for tenants staying less than three months in the property, which means it is deemed a 'short term' rental under legislation. And as such, you/your tenant may be in breach of various regulations without even knowing. You many also be contravening local laws (such as strata by-laws or zoning stipulations) and hefty fines can apply.

Compliance is essential. Check with your insurer that you are covered for short term rentals and ensure items such as your smoke alarms, appliances, gas connections and pool are certified and meet compliance standards.

As a landlord, or a tenant, it's important to understand how these types of businesses such as Airbnb can impact you. If you'd like to chat further, please feel free to give myself or someone from our team a call, we'd love to hear from you!

Australia’s #1 Real Estate Agency... back to back!

noreply@blogger.com (Toop&Toop Real Estate) — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 00:06:00 +0000

There are awards, and then there are awards. The Real Estate Institute of Australia's (REIA) National Awards for Excellence are the most highly regarded and respected real estate awards in the country. To be eligible you must first win at the state level and as the only independently audited awards, they  are the Oscars of real estate.

Last week these awards were held in Sydney and Team Toop was acknowledged at the highest level winning three out of three major awards, including being awarded Australia's #1 Real Estate Agency for the second year in a row! This is the highest privilege in Australian real estate.

We were honoured to also be awarded Innovation of the Year and be inducted into the Hall of Fame for Communication after winning this category for the last three years.

No other South Australian residential real estate agency has EVER won any of these awards in the history of the REIA National Awards for Excellence. We are truly blown away!

With this track record, South Australia has certainly made a statement on the national stage. Many South Australian businesses, in various fields, have a reputation across the country as innovative and lifting service levels to customers. While we are getting on with embracing technology and new ideas here in SA, players in larger markets such as the eastern seaboard that have plenty of business to go around, risk being complacent and getting left behind. We were so honoured to be representing South Australian business on the night.

Real estate, like any business on earth right now, is unsure where the future is heading. Our industry is ever-changing with new standards and efficiencies emerging through innovation and technology.

It's not about removing the human element within a business. We understand that people want to deal with people and in a meaningful way. Technology and innovation for us is about transforming business efficiencies so that our team  have more time than they have ever had to deliver a highly personalised service to our clients. We're excited to be leading the way in this field!

For the first time ever, Toop&Toop has two generations working as one in the business. It's a very powerful combination. We have that perfect balance of experience and youthful energy. This has already seen some incredible changes and results so far  in 2018!

We are so proud of each and every one  of our team members who continually  strive for excellence. Their outstanding  service to our clients, passion for innovation and ability to set new standards is world-class. We're also so thankful to the South Australian community and all of our clients for  their continued support.

State Election, low stock levels and the impact on landlords

noreply@blogger.com (Toop&Toop Real Estate) — Wed, 21 Mar 2018 23:15:00 +0000

With Mad March, Adelaide500, WOMADelaide and the State Election, it has been a busy start to 2018. This has flowed through and contributed to the lower number of properties coming onto the market for sale.

As a result of low stock levels many buyers have struggled to find property within their desired timeframe. It has been particularly challenging in the $500,000 to $800,000 range, with some buyers looking for over 18 months to two years.

People move when there is confidence. And now with a clear result in the polls, irrespective of what party you support, there is certainty with who the next leader of our state is. And as a result, we expect to see more confidence being injected into the property market and more transactions should follow. This is good news for buyers, as more properties means more choice.

So, what does that mean for current landlords?

The shortage in property is resulting in a spill over effect into property management. Many buyers have turned to the rental market as a 'stop-gap' between homes. So, when they purchase their dream home many are looking to terminate their lease early.

Unfortunately, this isn't what investors want to hear. Being informed that your tenant is breaking their lease can come as a shock to most landlords. At Toop&Toop we are educating our clients to ensure they know exactly what their rights are, and how to navigate through the situation to make sure they achieve the best possible outcome.

So what happens if my tenant breaks their lease?

As a landlord, you can claim for the loss of rent until the premise is relet, pro-rata advertising costs, and other compensation which may arise under the agreement, such as a proportion of reletting fees. The calculation is formula based and is set down by the South Australian Civil and Administration Tribunal (SACAT) and can  be found on their website.

However... investors, make sure you don't get caught out. SACAT does not look favourably upon 'unrealistic' rental expectations or a lazy agent. Feedback from the tribunal is that investors should be doing what they can to mitigate the loss incurred by a tenant, which means advertising the property in line with the market rents at that time. Agents are required  to conduct regular open inspections and should be proactively looking to secure a new tenant.

What do we suggest?
Our tip for tenants: Think 'where will I be in 12 months from now?' before signing your lease. This will help you determine if the property is right for you and your upcoming circumstances.

Our tip for landlords: Lease breaks or unexpected events can happen from time to time. We suggest having a 'sinking fund' for when these events occur so you don't get caught completely off guard.

Remember, your agent is here to help guide you through these situations should they arise, as well as ensuring you understand your rights and responsibilities under the tenancy agreement.

Real estate disruption

noreply@blogger.com (Toop&Toop Real Estate) — Wed, 14 Mar 2018 22:35:00 +0000

Disruption was the buzz-word shaking Singapore last week at the 2018 Young Presidents Organisation (YPO) Edge global leadership conference. I was part of 2,800 YPO and YPO Gold delegates who gathered from around the globe at Marina Bay Sands with the biggest collection of CEOs from some seriously huge businesses (Toop&Toop's size rates at 'entry level'). It was an amazing week of learning.

How do I think differently today from a week ago? What impact did the conference have on Toop&Toop's strategy in business?

There are structural changes for all business that has already hit and universally, everyone believes that there is a business tsunami coming. This tsunami is not a decade away, it may not even be five years away... possibly not even a year away.

What are the signs? Well, they are endless. One example in our real estate industry is the proliferation of 'pop-up' businesses now appearing, and disappearing across our landscape. Pop-up real estate is alive and well, just look at the increasing number of fixed-fee and DIY hybrid real estate platforms springing up in the market. Many of the players in our industry are not prepared for this type of disruption or have no idea how to deal with it.

Thankfully for us, we have always invested heavily in both innovation and technology. Our 30 plus years of investing blood, sweat and tears into creating and adapting technology is proving a smart investment for our future. We feel as if we are sitting on high ground to ensure that the real estate tsunami doesn't hurt any of our clients.

As part of this, Suzannah is now selling her property management maintenance software (FIX). FIX was developed in-house here in Adelaide in 2014 for Toop&Toop Landlords, but fast forward to today and she has most of the best agencies in the country now as FIX clients. We all know that real estate is about to change and FIX is helping transform businesses right now, across Australia. Of course, our Adelaide clients win even more. These 'best of the best' agencies now have their input into FIX, and it has turbo charged the functionality advances... saving our clients even more money.

We have incredible sales technology too called VirtualAgent (VA). VA has won the hearts of our clients along with endless awards. These two technology platforms in FIX and VirtualAgent are coming into their own as the disruption climate in real estate heats up.

So what do I think differently about after  the conference?

I think Toop&Toop is better positioned than I realised. For as long as clients want quality, embrace lower costs and demand better service levels, we will be there delivering. Toop&Toop's mission is to deliver faster results, cheaper than our competitors, while making our technology more accessible to our clients.

It's positive disruption... faster, cheaper and more accessible. Exciting times. I'm loving mixing it up with these millennials! Give us a call to see what we are up to, or to chat about selling or managing your investment portfolio the Toop&Toop way.

The fifth most liveable city in the world, an investor’s dream!

noreply@blogger.com (Toop&Toop Real Estate) — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 23:14:00 +0000

Adelaide is known as the '20-minute city', where you can hop in your car and be in the city, hills or beach in under half an hour! It's one of the best cities in the world to live, work, do business and invest. But it seems that us 'Adelaideians' aren't the only ones who know this.

We are well and truly on the world map for our affordable living, quality of life, convenience and first-class infrastructure... as well as our world-class wine regions and beaches.

Recent data from realestate.com.au shows Glenelg is our most searched-for suburb overseas followed by Henley Beach, Hallett Cove, Brighton and Victor Harbor.

There is a clear trend here. International buyers are  loving our coastal areas and lifestyle properties!

But they are not the only ones. More and more local buyers and renters are being drawn to these areas for the bigger homes, larger block sizes and strong community feel, outside the hustle and bustle of the CBD.

And this trend is reflected in a recent surge in house prices in lifestyle suburbs such as Belair and Crafers. Both recorded double-digit growth in the past 12 months.

Metre for metre, and location for location - the value for money in Adelaide is incomparable to other cities. Adelaide is one of the few capital cities where you can buy an established property on a decent block size, close to the best schools, shopping precincts and CBD. Our 20-minute city is an investor's dream!

So what exactly does all this mean for the investors out there?

The profile of a rental property is changing. The typical investment property five years ago was a two bedroom townhouse or unit, with little to no garden. Nowadays the properties that are standing out are those that break this mould. Larger family homes are hard to come by and they are going straight to the top of renter's list.

Team Toop is specifically finding that larger homes in Adelaide are seeing more renters through the doors and are leasing in approximately half the time - providing optimal returns to these landlords.

With a range of lifestyle investment opportunities literally on our doorstep here in South Australia, the latest figures show international and interstate investors are making the most of the prime real estate we have on offer.

If you're thinking of starting or expanding an investment portfolio, and want hear more about the latest trends, we would love to chat with you. Please feel free to give myself or our team a call today!

Selling? Renting?

noreply@blogger.com (Toop&Toop Real Estate) — Wed, 28 Feb 2018 23:12:00 +0000

You're probably hearing, "The paper is dead... e-anything is the go! Social media is for the cool agents."

Over the past three weeks I've met with pretty much EVERYONE involved in producing and providing property marketing channels. We've discussed the ins and outs of costs, reach, benefits and market segments. Having up to the minute knowledge is what successful selling and rental strategies is all about. Knowing how to apply that knowledge is not  so easy. Toop&Toop lead the nation in this*.

Let's start with social media. Wow, social media is so over hyped. The amount of misinformation out in the market about what works in selling and renting on social media is astonishing. Everyone seems to be trying to make a buck out of the ignorance surrounding this. It's pretty crazy watching how much money is being wasted. We have four experts on our team who are all over this. It is just one option, not the only.

Claims. Stats and proof is everywhere. There is no way the average agent could possibly be able to determine what works unless they are truly passionate about marketing and are hands on in the field. They have to remain focused on their clients' needs in order to avoid their own ego and profile getting in the way.

So, here is my professional opinion. Your best spent marketing dollars for your home or rental is 100% determined by the target market for your particular property and of course, YOUR needs.

I have a simple 20-minute workshop that I run through with my potential clients and we end up in agreement on the exact profile of the buyer or tenant that is best fit for the property. The process then works through the best way to get the attention of these people. It establishes the most efficient combination of channels, and within 20 minutes we have both a strategy and an agreed budget. It works.

I can assure you that the paper is NOT dead. Social media is NOT as good as is claimed. Specialised publications DO HAVE a special place. Online IS huge. Good quality agent websites create critical communication platforms for buyers. Online image technology DOES supercharge results. Database mining and our ToopVault buyer bank IS amazing. Signboards often remain the best bang for your buck, and a great real estate agent is CRITICAL.

The best results are invariably not achieved from one marketing channel and are rarely achieved by ordinary agents. The best results in real estate are not an accident, they are a science.

*Toop&Toop is the Real Estate Institute of  South Australia's Marketing & Communications Award Winner 2015, 2016, 2017 and will be inducted into Real Estate Institute of Australia's Hall of Fame for communications next month.

Energetic and exciting Adelaide

noreply@blogger.com (Toop&Toop Real Estate) — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 06:23:00 +0000

This time of year is one of our favourites... our city of Adelaide is buzzing with energy and excitement. The Fringe is underway and the Adelaide Festival, Adelaide 500 and WOMADelaide are all about to hit our city's streets. What excites us the most is that this energy and excitement flows through to our local real estate market!

Talking to our team during the week, we noticed a trend coming through on their perceptions of the current market. Tim Thredgold from our Norwood team said, "The market is currently seeing record low stock levels, but the energy and excitement of all that goes on in Adelaide through February and March gives clients an opportunity to showcase their property and location in terms of our city's vibrancy. It really is an exciting time!"

Grant Wills from our Hyde Park team stated, "Not only is it a great time for South Australians to be out and about, but with thousands of interstate and overseas visitors in our state at the moment we are seeing numbers and general enquiries remaining strong despite  the limited stock levels."

Across the state, Team Toop is experiencing this energy spike firsthand. So far in the eight weeks of this year we have had over 4,000 groups through our open inspections and we've had over 700 new buyers sign up to our ToopVault! That's an average of 94 hot buyers signing up each week to view properties before they even hit the market.

We are also seeing Adelaide's most sought-after suburbs receiving incredible attention. Recently, a property in Hyde Park had in excess of 40 groups through on its opening weekend selling just days after, and a home in Prospect sold for the second time in seven months! We are also seeing a large number of homes selling prior to auction, especially in and around the inner western suburbs such as Mile End.

So what does all this activity in the market mean for you?

For sellers... you are in a wonderful position to capitalise on great market conditions. The low stock levels generate intense competition which is what we are seeing at the moment. Properties that had been taking three or four weeks to sell, are now selling in a week or two and in many cases before they hit the public market.

For buyers... those who are well prepared, have their finance in place and are certain about what they can do, will quickly leave others behind in the race to make a purchase. Buyers must be well organised and not leave anything to chance - be ready to act swiftly and decisively!

With the market off and running, and competition at an all-time high, we encourage you to make the most of this opportunity to buy or sell. If you'd like to discuss how you could best capitalise on the current market conditions, please feel free to give us a call.

Ten green bottles hanging on the wall

noreply@blogger.com (Toop&Toop Real Estate) — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 01:47:00 +0000

You've all heard the song?

Sylvia and I have been asked by Suzannah to help out for the rest of this year at Toop&Toop while Genevieve has some time with little Loxton Ace, our first grandson. We are a family business through and through and I'm enjoying being back on the tools again - even if it is for the short term.

My first week back, and OMG. First I was asked if we wanted to "merge" with another business and then only to learn that another competitor that I have always admired has sold their rent roll. That's so unexpected. I was nearly speechless.

What have I walked back into? It's a new world out there.

I can see first-hand that the real estate landscape is changing... and at a speed I've never seen before. In my 33 years of running a business (and almost 4 decades in real estate) I have seen a lot of change, but it's different this time. The corner store operators are facing new pressures as customer expectations rise and disruption in our industry (as with many others) is rife.

The up side of this? Real estate agents are being challenged like never before to be better, do better and ultimately rise to the level of professionalism that our consumers not only need but deserve. And this isn't for everyone.

But for us, we love it. Suzannah has started her own software IT company supplying Adelaide based Toop&Toop innovations and our amazing breakthrough real estate platforms to the best of the best agents around the country. Team Toop has the best tools in the country, bar none, to be able to deliver a superior level of service to you. We are mixing tech with old school customer service - a winning combination.

Toop&Toop, from day one - the 8th May 1985 - has not only been OK with change, we have created change. Today is no different. We are the current #1 Large Agency in Australia (Australian Real Estate Institute Awards for Excellence) and we have just transitioned to second generation with possible third generation underway with young Loxton Ace (takes after his Dad, he is waving his arms around like an Australasian auctioneer champion already). Even with this as our foundation, and real estate pumping in our family's veins, we are not sitting still. We are determined to find new ways of doing things that benefit our clients.

Winning these awards and these national titles doesn't come lightly - maybe we should be bragging more! After all no competitor nor national agency comes close to the accolades showered upon this local South Australian real estate agency called Toop&Toop - and in 2018 we are in a new era. What it means to be leading the industry now (with all of these challenges) compared to my day, is quite a feat - it takes new thinking plus old school values and a lot of energy and love for what we do.

This little green bottle is not going anywhere... we are a family business in second generation and flying. Go South Australia!

‘DIY’ landlords… it’s a thing!

noreply@blogger.com (Toop&Toop Real Estate) — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 23:27:00 +0000

These days it is quick and easy. With the click of a button an advertisement goes up and is broadcast to a wide network of potential tenants. The ease of using such online sites is reflected in stats which show that there are over 115,000 Airbnb listings in Australia... and that's just one of the websites!

What some landlords may not realise is finding someone to rent your property is one thing, but conducting the right checks to find the best tenant is much more involved - and is crucial. Research from realestate.com.au's Landlord's Need and Wants Report shows 82% of landlords said getting the best tenant is more important than filling a property quickly.

And it's easy to see why. We have heard many cases where landlords were left horrified at the state of their property from tenants sourced online, many leaving the landlord with extreme costs in damages anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000. A warning to those investors who are using online websites to find potential tenants.

According to figures backed by the Australian Taxation Office, people who rent out their houses through online sites such as Airbnb make, on average, less than half of what they charge. It may be shocking to hear that renting your property through these platforms will make little profit long term! There are a number of reasons contributing to this including; income and capital gains tax when selling the property, cleaning costs, wear and tear costs and any damage.

We are seeing first-hand that when things don't go to plan, landlords are needing an expert to step in. Peace of mind is a big draw card, and our team is seeing an increase of 'DIY' landlords seeking out a managing agent to get things back on track.

So can 'DIY investing' be done successfully? Absolutely. The exception is these landlords have time. Time to complete due diligence on the tenant applications, conduct regular inspections and maintenance, keep on top of rental market trends and can be firm when it comes to rent collection. This will help narrow your exposure to the risks involved.

If you are looking at buying investment properties in 2018 or are a 'DIY' landlord, there is some handy information available on the Consumer Business Services website. Understanding the tenancy landscape will help you balance the risk and ensure you achieve  the greatest return.

Dreaming of a summer sale?

noreply@blogger.com (Toop&Toop Real Estate) — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 02:46:00 +0000

With January now behind us, the festive season a distant memory and school holidays over, you might be thinking that now is the right time to sell your home. Team Toop has some tips to put your home front of mind for a summer sale, and ultimately maximise your result!

Presentation of your property is a critical factor in achieving the highest possible price. Even the most astute buyer will be encouraged by a well-presented property. People are emotional beings and will be stimulated by what they see, feel and hear. You don't need to renovate or invest a fortune, just simply make the most of what you already have.

1. Make the property feel inviting. 
Buyers like to imagine that they'd enjoy living in a property, so make it easy for them to feel good about your home. Gentle music, a fragrant candle and a few scattered cushions can make all the difference on inspection day.

2. Less is more.
 Clear the clutter. It will make it easier to keep the property tidy for inspections and rooms will feel more spacious to buyers. This is especially important for kids bedrooms!

3. Let the light in and make the  space comfortable.
Everyone loves sunshine when they are looking to buy, so open up blinds and curtains for inspections - and make sure windows are clean both inside and out. For those really hot summer days, make sure you have the house at a comfortable temperature with the air conditioner or fan on.

4. Make all necessary repairs.
Even the smallest of problems can make buyers wary. It's best to conduct any necessary repairs to ensure the items in the home are in good working order. You'll save time and money by fixing any issues on the property as you don't want to have to negotiate your price down over minor repair issues.

5. Boost your curb appeal.
 Many potential buyers do a 'drive by' of a property before they visit an open inspection - to see if the property looks worth their time. This means that first impressions are crucial. Clean up your lawns, gardens, fence and rubbish. This may seem self-explanatory, yet it's often the garden that is last on the list of things to do. If you've spent time and money with your property's presentation, a small investment in finishing off gardens can be extremely worthwhile.

6. Don't forget about your backyard!
Aussies love being outside and one of the key benefits of selling in summer is you can promote your outside area as another entire living space. If you have a back garden spend some time weeding, keep the lawn mowed, trim any bushes and trees and plant flowering plants. If you don't have an outdoor setting it's a good idea to buy some nice outdoor furniture. A table and chairs, a barbecue or an outdoor lounge setting looks great and helps people envision themselves sitting back with a glass of wine or a beer entertaining friends.

It's an exciting time for real estate, so if you'd like to find out more about selling in summer, give Team Toop a call today. We'd love to chat to you!

Rents on the rise

noreply@blogger.com (Toop&Toop Real Estate) — Wed, 24 Jan 2018 22:52:00 +0000

According to the latest CoreLogic Quarterly Rental Review, the December 2017 quarter saw all capital cities, excluding Canberra, achieve a stronger annual change in rents compared to the same period in 2016.

At the end of 2017, weekly rents were recorded at $421 nationally, with figures of $455 across the combined capital cities and $350 across the combined regional markets.

Looking locally, Adelaide's change in rent is up 0.5% over the last month, up 0.9% over the last quarter and up 3.1% over the last year, holding  a median rental income of $368.

So what does this mean for landlords and tenants?

Landlords 
It's a great time to be a landlord in our state. Adelaide remains the most consistent and reliable rental market in Australia and purchasing property is still very affordable. Adelaide's rental yield as at December 2017 is sitting at a steady 4.23%, up from the national average of 3.63%. Demand is definitely outweighing supply with quality tenants out and about in high numbers. This is all positive news for investors!

Tenants 
Even with the increasing rents, Adelaide has overtaken Hobart as the most affordable state to rent in the country and there's never been a better time to find the perfect rental property. Particularly at this time of year.

With Adelaide being at the top of many investors' shopping lists, purchasing in Adelaide has been the topic of many conversations across Australia this year already. So the big question is "where should I be investing?"

Asking this question isn't as straight forward as you would first think. Every agent may have a differing opinion on which suburb is the most popular and where you should be buying.

To answer the 'where' question, the first thing to consider is... is it cash flow that you're after? Or is it capital gain?

Equally as important to consider are questions such as... how long is your investment horizon? Is it strictly an investment? Or will you be living in it yourself one day? And... what type of tenant do you envisage living in your home? All of the above factors will help you narrow the scope of where is best to buy.

So what are our views on the 'where' question?

If you're looking for capital gain, those suburbs that border the city have been performing well (such as Parkside, Norwood, Unley and North Adelaide). The inner west (Thebarton, Richmond and Mile End) is also proving popular for those purchasers looking for value-for-money and a lower price point to enter the market.

If you're looking for cash flow, we are seeing great yields in the north-eastern suburbs such as Golden Grove, Greenwith and Modbury. These suburbs are currently seeing an average yield of between 4% and 5%.

If you are planning on living in the property one day, this is much more straight forward as it comes down to personal preference. It is simply  a matter of finding a suburb where you could see yourself living!

At Toop&Toop we are passionate about investing in property and would love to share with you what we are finding out on the ground! Please feel free to give myself or our team a call to talk about your investment needs.

Our state on show for the Tour Down Under!

noreply@blogger.com (Toop&Toop Real Estate) — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 23:28:00 +0000

It's a busy time in Adelaide right now as this week marks the start of Australia's premier cycling event, The Santos Tour Down Under.

The Santos Tour Down Under is the largest and most prestigious cycling event in the southern hemisphere. Bringing tens of thousands of visitors to South Australia each year, it strengthens our state's international profile through extensive media coverage and makes a major contribution to the local economy. Last year, the event attracted record numbers with more than 840,000 spectators, and more than 43,000  visiting the state specifically to attend the event.

How does this impact our world of real estate? It means that this month our state is on show to the world! The Tour passes through more than 55 of our state's metropolitan suburbs and country towns including Norwood, Unley, Lyndoch, Norton Summit, Stirling, Aldinga and Victor Harbor.

Watching The Tour from various locations around South Australia or riding the streets themselves, interstate and international investors are able to see first-hand the type of lifestyle that is on offer in Adelaide, which quickly translates into the value of our local property market.

We often hear conversations start off as hypothetical 'what ifs' and then turn into a serious search for property in Adelaide. We see an influx of guests from our eastern states, and the natural conversations during these events lead to comparing what you can buy here in Adelaide for the same money in Melbourne or Sydney.

Metre for metre, and location for location - the value for money in Adelaide is incomparable to other cities. This coupled with the event buzz, suburb street parties and a New Year, it can often be the catalyst for many to take action to make a move or to start or add to their property portfolio.

Adelaide's stable property returns and consistent growth make our city an attractive market for those investors that are more risk-adverse. According to a recent report by CoreLogic, Adelaide is bucking a nationwide fall in property values over the past quarter, with our market actually growing over the same time period. Adelaide has a strong track record of steady growth and property experts are reporting our city to remain as one of the best buys this year.

With our state's huge investment into the Royal Adelaide Hospital last year, major transport system upgrades and an influx of fantastic international events such as The Tour Down Under, there has never been a better time to grow a property portfolio. And for those who are looking to divest property, now is the time to make the most of these market conditions and put your home on the market to capture this interest.

If you would like to know more about property management, getting your property ready for sale, or what areas are currently in demand with local, national and international investors we would love to help. Please feel free to give myself or one of our team a call today and we'll talk you through how you can make the most of  the current property market!

Make your rental property stand out from the pack!

noreply@blogger.com (Toop&Toop Real Estate) — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 22:23:00 +0000

Can you believe we are already heading into mid-January? Right now is a busy period for renters and the race is on to secure quality tenants for your property. This is the key to minimising your investment risk.

The first step is understanding tenants' needs and ensuring your property remains attractive and achieves premium rents. Especially when there is a lot to choose from.

Across our five leasing hubs, we see first-hand what tenants are looking for. The key items are: air conditioning, built-in robes, a dishwasher, onsite car parking and a gas cook top. Ensuring your property has some (or ideally all) of these items will make your property stand out to prospective tenants.

The second is having a strategic marketing plan for your property. If done correctly, a marketing campaign will not only attract the largest number of quality tenants to your property (as opposed to the investor's property down the road) but will also help reduce downtime, ultimately adding to your bottom line.

At Toop&Toop we are passionate about property marketing and the positive impact it has on achieving exceptional results for our clients - both in Sales and Property Management.

And here's why...

Our team recently launched a property in College Park with a marketing spend of $1,400. The leasing agent received a number of strong applications. The property was leased after being on the market for just 12 days, and achieved a rental amount of $1,500 per week, well above the owner's expectations! With an industry time on market of 40 days, the reduced vacancy time was a saving of $6,000 to our landlord.

Investing in effective marketing campaigns can be a new way of thinking for many landlords but we've seen the results. The return on investment is higher for those who do, and a strategic approach to property marketing is proving to add dollars to investor's bottom line, not subtracting from it.

For Toop&Toop landlords, we have the best global tools in property marketing at our fingertips. ToopCreate offers landlords high quality professional photography, 3D floorplans and even the ability for tenants to visualise a home before moving in.

ToopCreate gives tenants the power to digitally furnish and decorate their perfect living space online too. Tenants can drag and drop furniture onto an interactive and dynamic floor plan, giving them the ability to start planning where their couch will go, or confirm that their queen-size bed will fit in the third bedroom... all before actually attending an open inspection!

If you want to make your rental property stand out this January, be sure to give one of our team a call today, because investing in the right marketing tools can drastically reduce your downtime and add to your back pocket.

Goodbye 2017, Hello 2018!

noreply@blogger.com (Toop&Toop Real Estate) — Wed, 03 Jan 2018 22:23:00 +0000

We have launched into 2018 and it's looking to be another exciting year for real estate!

A new year always sparks some of the big real estate questions... What are the predictions for our property market? How will Adelaide perform compared to the rest of Australia? Where are the hot spots going to be? And, has the market peaked?

The great news for South Australia is that after years of steady growth, Adelaide's property market is set to take it up a notch. Research experts have predicted house price growths of up to nine per cent in 2018, a four per cent increase from last year. Figures show that other capital cities have passed their peak while Adelaide continues to be the steady performer with plenty of upside in terms of value for money.

Despite the predicted price increase in South Australia, it is still a place of opportunity and one of the more affordable states in the country. SA's affordability index (37.3) remains above the Australian average of 31.8 index points, suggesting SA still holds its place as an attractive option for interstate investors.

Last year Adelaide received significant media attention and was recognised nationally for our excellent investment conditions. Suburbs such as North Adelaide, Walkerville, Semaphore, Prospect, Belair, Woodville South, Fullarton, Somerton Park, and Crafers, were the city's top performers, recording double-digit growth in their median house prices in the past 12 months. We expect to see an even larger number of interstate investors looking to our city in 2018. This is fantastic news for Adelaide sellers and provides assurance when making such important decisions.

On the ground Team Toop are seeing continual signs of confident buyers. The momentum we experienced in December has seamlessly flowed into the new year, with our buyer enquiry staying strong over the holiday period. We have been receiving enquiry from new buyers entering the market, as well as existing buyers who are keen to resume their property search. They have experienced the lack of stock currently available in Adelaide, and how this has made purchasing a property very competitive, and are eager to secure a property as soon as possible. Local developers and interstate investors are still showing strong interest, and we are also seeing an influx of interstate executives relocating to Adelaide entering both the sale and rental markets.

This week our team has been busy meeting home owners who are either looking to take advantage of this current buyer demand, or who would like more information about their particular suburb, and insights into exactly what this spotlight on Adelaide means for their home, and its potential value.

We love real estate, we love our city and we are excited about Adelaide property in 2018. January is a fantastic time for real estate. Buying conditions are great, and people have more time to explore and search for homes during the holiday break. While many are still in holiday mode, Team Toop are well and truly back into it, and we look forward to meeting you at our open inspections soon!

Toop&Toop’s Top 10 sales for 2017

noreply@blogger.com (Toop&Toop Real Estate) — Thu, 21 Dec 2017 00:07:00 +0000

As 2017 comes to a close, Team Toop has been reflecting on what an amazing year it has been, a year full of milestones, achievements and successes. We wanted to share with you our most memorable sales from 2017! It’s exciting to look back at these beautiful properties and stories that came with each sale.

#10 - 45 Queen Street | Norwood
Sales Partner: Bronte Manuel
4 Bedrooms – 3 Bathrooms – 2 Car
This superb ultra-modern 4-bedroom home stands proudly among other quality homes, and sets a new benchmark in design excellence and outstanding street appeal.
See more at: http://www.toop.com.au/details_sold.asp?id=19873

#9 - 49A Westall Street | Unley Park
Sales Partner: Lew Toop
4 Bedrooms – 3 Bathrooms – 2 Car – Swimming Pool
One of Unley Park’s original 1850’s cottages, this environmental friendly and completely self-sufficient home has been lovingly renovated to the highest quality while maintaining its original features. This spectacular property sold off market through ToopVault.

#8 - 341 Glynburn Road | Kensington Park
Sales Partner: Kay Morris
5 Bedrooms – 4 Bathrooms – 6 Car – Swimming Pool – Tennis Court
Designed foremost for functional living and entertaining this Kensington Park home is a real Gem, impressing from the glorious landscaped front garden all the way through to the rear entertaining pavilion that overlooks the tennis court and in ground swimming pool.
See more at: http://www.toop.com.au/details_sold.asp?id=19641

#7 - 12 Trevorten Avenue | Glenunga
Sales Partner: Grant Wills
5 Bedrooms – 3 Bathrooms – 3 Car – Swimming Pool
Built on a grand scale to a custom architectural inspired design for maximum functionality, this home combines accommodation and lifestyle.
See more at: http://www.toop.com.au/details_sold.asp?id=19888

#6. - 1B Victoria Avenue | Unley Park
Sales Partner: Tim Thredgold
3 Bedrooms – 3 Bathrooms – 2 Car – Swimming Pool
Set on arguably Adelaide’s most prestigious street Victoria Avenue, this dream home showcases its Victorian origins with a traditional floorplan, 19th century street appeal and stunning high ceilings throughout. Sold in under a week!
See more at: http://www.toop.com.au/details_sold.asp?id=20139

#5 - 48 Carrick Hill Drive
Sales Partner: Lew Toop
4 Bedrooms – 3 Bathrooms – 2 Car – Swimming Pool
Positioned above Springfield alongside distinguished and significant neighbouring properties, this residence boasts the very best in panoramic views across leafy suburbs to the city, to the sea and down the coast.
See more at: http://www.toop.com.au/details.asp?id=19919

#4 - 14 Edwin Terrace | Gilberton
Sales Partner: Sally Cameron
5 Bedrooms – 2 Bathrooms – 2 Car – Swimming Pool
1,770 square metres of beautiful landscaped gardens, this period home is a masterpiece of history that has been exquisitely restored and enhanced to become undeniably one of Adelaide’s finest estates.

#3 - 55 Sheffield Street | Malvern
Sales Partner: Lew Toop
5 Bedrooms – 4 Bathrooms – 5 Car – Swimming Pool – Tennis Court
The ultimate family home at one of Adelaide’s most enviable addresses, this grand gentleman’s bungalow built circa 1925 and perfected in recent times with extensive upgrading has all the features for prestigious yet relaxed family living.
See more at: http://www.toop.com.au/details_sold.asp?id=19619

#2 - 19 Nilpinna Street | Burnside
Sales Partner: Sally Cameron
6 Bedrooms – 2 Bathrooms – 4 Car – Swimming Pool
This 5,000-square metre luxury estate is a rare find. Steeped in history, a majestic estate boasting expansive, manicured gardens, character-laden rooms, situated privately back from the street with a wide 28.68 metre frontage. Impressively going under contract in under a week!
See more at: http://www.toop.com.au/details_sold.asp?id=20106

#1 - 8 Robe Terrace | Medindie
Sales Partner: Sally Cameron
8 Bedrooms – 5 Bathrooms – 4 Car – Swimming Pool – Tennis Court
Built circa 1900 for The Mayor of Adelaide Arthur Wellington Ware and situated on 4,007 square metres, this magnificent and visually striking bay window villa of thirteen principal rooms offers the finest living and entertaining in Adelaide.
See more at: http://www.toop.com.au/details_sold.asp?id=19731

From one family to another…

noreply@blogger.com (Toop&Toop Real Estate) — Thu, 14 Dec 2017 00:06:00 +0000

Team Toop would like to wish you a wonderful festive season! This year has been full of milestones, achievements and successes and as a 32-year strong family business we could not be more proud of our entire team.

This year we've set new highs, being awarded Australia's #1 Real Estate Agency at the Real Estate Institute of Australia's Award for Excellence, something we are extremely honoured by. We have achieved amazing outcomes for our clients including launching game-changing property marketing tools with ToopCreate, and setting many record-breaking results such as Colonel Light Gardens, which has now joined Adelaide's list of million-dollar suburbs!

Our team has also worked closely with the South Australian community to help raise over $2million dollars through charity auctions to support medical research, disadvantaged children and those living with disabilities. All of this could not have been possible without the continued support of our clients and South Australia, so thank you!

From our families to yours, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! We look forward to an exciting 2018 with you.

Christmas is just 16 days away…

noreply@blogger.com (Toop&Toop Real Estate) — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 22:55:00 +0000

But you want to sell urgently. What do you do?

First of all, don't panic there's still time. The number of sales in the final days leading up to Christmas is staggering, so keep focused right up until Christmas Eve, as it is not too late! We have worked across 32 Christmas seasons and time after time, the results have been incredible.

Typically at this time of year buyers are frustrated, and are wanting to put an end to their search and secure a new home before Christmas. Similarly, sellers are often tired of the sale journey and are in the mood to finalise their sale before the break so they can move on and start a new chapter in the New Year.

Most real estate agencies start to slow down in the lead up to Christmas and will tell you that it's best to hold off until January, but Team Toop will be working right through until Christmas Eve to put contracts in place and hold auctions.

We don't know how the Adelaide market will perform in January and February, but what we do know is that we've had the best October and November sales results in recent memory which is why you need to act now while the market is hot.

If we fast forward to the period between Christmas and New Years Eve, there is a momentary pause in activity. Our experience is that during this time, there's a huge amount of property enquiry but very, very few contracts. The next two weeks is therefore critical for sellers.

As Australia's #1 Real Estate Agency, we have a strong commitment to our current and new clients to achieve results at any time of the year.

We have a long track record of success selling clients' homes in December with specialised strategies in place for the lead up to Christmas to sell property for premium prices. The two options we can discuss involve the ever-popular auction campaign or listing on our ToopVault, reaching over 10,500 active buyers in the marketplace.

To ensure you maximise our current market conditions, please feel free to contact myself or our General Manager of Sales, Robert Caruana on 0401 771 892, so that we can discuss your property, the best Sales Partner for your individual needs, your preferred method of sale and our award-winning team will do the rest.

Don't wait until January. It's been a strong year for the Adelaide property market, and we are finishing 2017 with a bang!

Three steps to take
to sell your property before Christmas!

#1 Call Team Toop today.

#2 Discuss your property details with us and we will find the best Sales Partner for your home.

#3 Confirm your preferred method of sale and auction date (remembering mid-week auctions are also very successful at this time of year).

Requests for top-end rentals… at an all time high!

noreply@blogger.com (Toop&Toop Real Estate) — Wed, 29 Nov 2017 22:38:00 +0000

Currently we have an unprecedented number of requests for top-end rental properties. At the moment we are entering the peak period for rental properties, and there are simply not enough properties to satisfy tenant demand - particularly at the very top-end of the market. And when I refer to top-end, I mean four or more bedrooms, $1000+ per week, large grounds and possibly a pool or tennis court.

What has become clear is that executive tenants don't want to compromise on their amenities... if they can help it. As there are not a lot of property options available, executive tenants are willing to pay top dollar for a home that suits their needs, and will gladly sign a lease for two to three years. With a total of only 9, four bedroom properties in metropolitan Adelaide available to rent for over $1,000 per week - there is an obvious shortage of supply. It has even gotten to the point, where we are being asked weekly by clients, what else do we have coming available?

As an example, this month an executive property leased for over $1,500 per week within days, with many of our tenants missing out on the opportunity. These clients are still left looking to secure a property for the New Year, and the timer is ticking.

So why is there so much demand? Many of these executive tenants are renting by choice. They see huge upside in the flexibility that renting offers. Others are renting as a 'stop gap' before looking to buy in the next two to three years. Investment properties are no longer contained to townhouses or units in Adelaide, and there is a real need that is being under serviced.

This trend represents great opportunity for owners of beautiful homes. It's a sign that the metropolitan Adelaide market is strong, and landlords at all price points are benefiting from the current conditions.

It is peak time and now is the time to act. We have fabulous tenants ready to go and we need more properties. Give us a call, we'd love to chat!

Real estate tech-talk

noreply@blogger.com (Toop&Toop Real Estate) — Wed, 22 Nov 2017 23:13:00 +0000

The real estate tech sector is constantly being shaped by shifting market conditions and changes in consumer behaviours, forcing traditional real estate firms to rethink their core business models and embrace digital-first innovations.

We know that Australians are some of the most tech savvy people in the world and as a nation we love buying property and living 'The Great Australian Dream'. With half of the world's population online, digital connectivity is helping to improve people's lives, and in real estate we are seeing that buyers especially, are savvier than ever. New digital tools are making the process of buying and selling property faster, simpler, more engaging and accessible than ever before.

Buyer's expectations are also much greater than they used to be... they want information, quickly and easily, and it needs to be up-to-date and available, whenever and wherever. A study conducted last year by realestate.com.au  found that 78 per cent of consumers were accessing property listings and information online - rather than through traditional methods alone - using smart phones, laptops and tablets.

Team Toop is seeing first hand that new technologies are giving buyers the power to shape their property-seeking journey rather than passively absorb what they are being given. They are using their mobile devices to interact with properties more than ever before and prefer digital platforms like virtual inspections and live-streamed auctions.

Earlier this year we launched ToopCreate, a new suite of property marketing tools for our Toop&Toop clients, and we have seen our new digital features generate a buzz in the marketplace transforming buyers' experience and sellers' results. These tools include:

ToopFurnish  - Designed for iPads and Desktops, ToopFurnish gives potential buyers the power to digitally furnish and decorate their perfect living space.

ToopDesign  - Using an iPad or computer, buyers are able to digitally customise the interior of a home by selecting exciting new colours and textures for walls, flooring, countertops and cabinets.

ToopTour  - Potential buyers from anywhere in the world are able to walk through a property online, and stop, look, and feel how that space would work for them - as if they are really there.

Technology and innovation continue to hold the key to reshaping and improving our real estate industry and we can't wait to see where it takes us next.

If you would like to know more about ToopCreate, the other technologies that  Team Toop can offer, and how they can help you achieve the best result for your home,  we would love to hear from you!

The rise of the fur babies… now impacting tenancy rights

noreply@blogger.com (Toop&Toop Real Estate) — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 22:57:00 +0000

We now live in a world where Doggy Day Care is becoming the norm and households are spending more and more on their pets... $12.2 billion annually in fact! So it's no wonder this trend has crept its way into the rental market, and there are now new laws in place surrounding a Tenant's rights to have a pet.

Last month in Victoria, new laws were introduced where a Landlord can no longer apply a blanket 'no pets' clause in their rental leases. If a Tenant applies with a pet, Landlords will have to grin and bear it, or they may face going to the Tribunal. Landlords will still need to provide consent  to the application, however they can only deny a request in certain circumstances.

So what if this was to also change in  South Australia?

For the 'glass half full' kind of people, this is not all bad. If 83% of people own pets, you will be (by default) increasing your Tenant selection pool dramatically. With more applicants interested in your property, you could expect to see your rental amount rise and your returns improve.

The risk of course is how well behaved the fur baby is, and what damage could be caused to the property. It is not uncommon for pets to cause stains to carpets or curtains, and scratch wooden floorboards or window frames if left inside for long periods of time. Another challenge, is whether the bond amount collected would be enough to cover any possible corresponding damage at the end of the tenancy.

Re-introducing Pet Bonds (currently these are not allowed in South Australia) or agreeing on additional inspections at a rental property upfront, are options that may help find middle ground so Tenants and Landlords both feel comfortable with the arrangement in place.

These laws are not here yet, but if you are considering allowing pets in your rental property, we suggest adding 'pets negotiable' on your property advertising. You might also want to ask that any Tenants applying with pets include a photograph of their pet(s) at the application stage. This will ensure that you know what type of pet you are agreeing to.

If you are diligent with routine inspections and your Tenant is made very aware of their responsibilities to maintain the property, having pets in a rental property is definitely doable, as long as the right checks and balances are in place.

The Adelaide property market is heating up!

noreply@blogger.com (Toop&Toop Real Estate) — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 22:37:00 +0000

With the weather really starting to warm up, cricket season nearing and just a few short weeks until the official start of our 2017/18 summer, we are seeing that Adelaide is certainly hot property right now with the number of homes for sale rising!

Throughout spring, the number of properties advertised for sale typically climbs as vendors look to take advantage of the warmer weather and gardens in full bloom. The latest statistics from CoreLogic RP Data state that listings in Adelaide are 8.0% higher than a year ago and at their highest levels for this time of year since 2013. Market conditions for buyers right now are excellent, with auction volumes across our combined capital cities also reaching their highest-level year to date!

The media hype and general buzz around the Adelaide property market is hard to ignore. Interstate and international investors are turning their attention to our city, local investors and developers are well and truly in the market and people who already own property are using their current equity to upsize.

In the months of September and October, a significant number of our Toop&Toop sales were properties that sold in our ToopVault. These properties were not seen by the public, and were snapped up by our Vault members who were tired of missing out on property. These buyers put their best offers forward to secure homes before they became 'public knowledge', giving them the chance to get ahead of their competition.

There is no doubt that this is a great market to buy in, but what about those wanting to sell?

 In the past week, we have found many clients and potential sellers at our open inspections are asking us if it's too late to do something before Christmas.

The great news is - for those wanting or needing to sell - there is still six weeks left before Christmas to put your property on the market and seven more selling weeks of the year!

So how long will the buyer demand last? It's always hard to judge. Around this time of year, we always begin to hear stories, predictions and opinions surface for the New Year.

One thing is for sure... you can never predict the future. Right now the property market is in full swing, there is a strong demand for property, we are achieving some exceptional sale results including suburb record prices, and finance conditions for buyers continue to be the best  we have seen. The momentum in the market  is here right now and if you want to sell in 2017, it's certainly not too late.

Give Team Toop a call today to take advantage  of our current market conditions. We would love to help you achieve a premium price for your property before Christmas!