I’ve been watching The Block Sky High, week one, where 5 couples had to renovate a bedroom with ensuite and whoever does the best job wins money to use towards the next room they will be renovating. All the couples did a good job, some went to the extremes of design extravaganza, others kept it nice, clean and tasteful. Without going into much detail (you can form your own opinion after watching the Channel 9 videos here) I just wanted to draw your attention to one particular thing, and get your thoughts on this – mine are below.

Ever since buying my first property (which by the way was an apartment) I really began to dislike ensuite bathrooms. They are only half as bad if they are hiding behind a door. But when there’s NO door… then to me such ensuite is as good as no ensuite at all. Correction – it’s actually worse than no ensuite at all.

Reasons? Even if there’s a door the soundproofing of modern homes is often not good enough, so the noise of running water when one person is showering disturbs the other who’s trying to get some sleep. And that’s the least annoying and embarrassing of the sounds coming from the ensuite. Call me old-fashioned but I find it a real romance killer.

A non-existing door to an ensuite seems to be a trend that I see more and more of. In many cases houses are being designed to not even allow room for a door to ensuite (which makes it impossible to add a door later if you decide!). If, God forbid, this becomes a building standard… that’s a possibility I’m afraid to even think about. In Week One episode of The Block Sky High, luckily, just one couple designed an ensuite without a door – and the judges were clearly not impressed. Darren Palmer, a designer, even said, “When I design an ensuite, I like to make sure there is a barrier – a visual and a physical one” – and I thought “Oh, thank you, thank you! Finally a judge that doesn’t let the design prevail over common sense!” No one needs the loo to be right in front of their eyes when they’re lying in bed, trying to relax. As for all the noises…

Married couples amongst us, or any couples living together for that matter, will probably agree that the longer your relationship is, the harder it is to keep the romance alive. Everyday life just tends to overpower. I, personally, think of an ensuite without a door as the final nail in the coffin of romance in a relationship. Some things must be kept private!

And now it’s your turn: are you for or against ensuites, with or without doors? Why?

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Have you heard? There will be no more First Home Owners Grant in Victoria for established houses. When the new legislation passes, from the 1st of July 2013 people purchasing their first (established) home won’t be receiving $7000 any more. For new houses and apartments’ buyers there is some good news though – they will be receiving a $10,000 grant.

Clearly, the government is looking to boost the construction industry which has been doing worse and worse for quite a few years by now. This, however, is no consolation to people missing out on the first home owners grant – and they make up the majority of first home buyers, according to Robert Larocca from REIV. His explanation sounds quite logical – young professional couples prefer to buy closer to where they work, which means Melbourne’s inner suburbs, and you won’t find many new houses there. So effectively the majority of first home buyers are worse off, because they have lost their entitlement to $7000 and only gained 10 extra percent of stamp duty cut, also subject to new legislation from 1 July 2013.

The way of the mainstream media to presents this, “First home buyers lose the grant but gain 40% reduction in stamp duty, so one offsets the other” is not entirely correct. The SRO website says that even before 1st July 2013 first home buyers were already entitled to 30% reduction, and the new legislation only pushes forward an additional 10% reduction in stamp duty. Yes, the total reduction is 40%, but most of it was already promised and given, before dealing the blow of scrapped FHOG.

As a real life example, anyone buying their first, established home after 1 July 2013 for say $300,000 will not get $7000 but save $1137 on stamp duty. If they were to buy before 1 July, they would have gotten the $7000 and paid $1137 extra in stamp duty. Any way you look at this, that’s a loss of almost $6000.

And now a question for all first home buyers – how does this change affect your plans?

If you have been looking for ways to improve your home, whether in appeal or even in value, you might like to consider investing in some double glazed bifold windows. Double glazing is a technique that is used to help reduce heat loss from inside the home and to help reduce the impact of noise pollution, making these windows a truly valuable addition to any home. The striking frames and clean lines also make them an aesthetically pleasing addition that cannot be matched by any other product on the market.

These days, bifold windows are comprised of between two and seven panels that have been hinged together; when opened, each panel will fold in on itself and slide across towards the wall. They are a popular choice amongst homeowners because they can really open up a space and help to improve ventilation and air circulation when they are open. Whilst these windows are available without double glazed glass, there can be no denying that this extra investment is worth it in the long run.

So, what other ways are bifolds able to improve your home? For one, they can help to create more space within a room; opening windows often means that valuable floor space (either inside or outside) is taken up, but as these panels fold up along one side this is not the case. For two, they can increase the amount of natural light in the room; this can often help it to feel more spacious. For three, they enable you to make the most out of the views that have been afforded to your home; they utilize maximum glass surface.

Some owners tend to steer clear of bifold windows because they believe that the hinges will allow water to leak through and into their home. It is important to keep in mind, however, that these panels have been designed so that there are no gaps between them when closed. This means that the windows are completely weatherproof; in fact, bifolds are sometimes known to be more effective than many of the standard frames on the market, which are known to leak with age or damaged seals.

When using windows that feature double glazed glass you will also be given the benefit of energy efficiency. This is because air spaces are left between each of the glass panels; these act as insulators and prevent heat from being passed through, either outside or into your home. You may also be given the option of an “E coating”, which reflects long wave radiation away from the surface of your home at the same time as transmitting short wave radiation from the sun. This is not always possible, however.

Finally, choosing bifold windows for your home will ensure that it is protected from ultraviolet rays, as they are UV resistant. This ensures that the frames and glass are extremely durable and will last for a number of years with very little maintenance and damage. You will just need to ensure that you give the bifolds a regular clean, as dirt and grime are unavoidable and should be removed as soon as possible. On top of this, these windows are also corrosion resistant for your convenience.

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Mother’s day is just around the corner! So if you were thinking about surprising the special Mum in your life with a party but weren’t thrilled with all the cleaning involved, here’s some good advice from Enrico:

Playing host to a party can be a very taxing, especially when it’s time to start cleaning up the house afterward. It’s not uncommon to have to deal with a big mess after the party. I’m here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be that way.

With a little forethought and the right equipment, you’ll not only have the house in pristine condition no matter how wild the guests were last night but also be able to deal with any “accidents” that may have happened during the party.

With that in mind, here are some of the more common accidents you may have to deal with as well as a couple of suggestions on to handle them.

1. Spills and Drips – If you plan on serving cocktails or even a few cold brewskies, be sure to keep some chamois or paper towels nearby. In the event someone spills their drink, you can immediately wipe up the mess and minimize potential stains on your floor or carpet.

 

2. Crumbs and dirt – Inevitably you’ll get some dirt on the floor from the visitors’ shoes as well as some crumbs if you’ll be serving finger foods or canapés. Don’t sweat it, a quick pass through with a vacuum cleaner the next day and your floors will be right as rain. Don’t forget to do this because bits and pieces of food are known to attract various pests such as ants and even rodents.

 

3. Broken vases or other ceramics – If the item broke into large pieces, there is a chance you can still save it. Collect every piece and keep it until you have time to glue it together. If it’s beyond repair, be sure to have a dust pan and a broom to gather all the pieces and dispose of properly. Do a thorough job with this because having broken glass on the floor is dangerous.

 

4. Broken bottles – To help avoid this, make sure to have a convenient place for guests to put their bottles in, as well as a designated repository for the empty ones at different areas around your house. However, sometimes guests will still accidentally drop a bottle whatever beverage they’re drinking on the floor causing it to break. If this happens, make sure you have a broom and a dustpan to gather up all the pieces as well as some rags to soak up the spilled beverage. A wet/dry vacuum can also be used but it may prove to be too unwieldy during the party unless it is already winding down.

 

5. Smell of smoke – If you allow guests to smoke in your place, getting rid of the odor can be a difficult task.  Not to mention the potential for guests to accidentally burn holes into your upholstery or get ashes into your rug. The easiest option is to ask your guests to smoke outside. This keeps clean up to a minimum and allows your non-smoking guests to avoid the smell of smoke. If in the odd chance you do allow it, be sure to properly air out the house the next day. A few industrial fans will go a long way in helping you accomplish this.

All in all, hosting a party is tough work without having to worry about these things happening. It’s best to have a plan and everything laid out properly and be mindful of where you keep your cleaning supplies and its relation to where potential trouble spots are.  That said, despite everything you have to keep track off, don’t forget the most important rule: have fun. Because if you’re not having fun, then you’re doing it wrong.

Enrico Santos

Enrico Santos is a regular contributor on the Seton blog. He has been writing professionally for 8 years and is a safety advocate. In his spare time, he enjoys playing the guitar and tinkering with computer hardware. To find out more about Enrico you can find him on Google +

If you are interested in do-it-yourself or DIY home maintenance, a little research and some ingenuity are all you need. DIY tips and tricks allow you to handle most of your household needs without having to call on the services of your handy neighbourhood tradesman. Maintaining your home the DIY way can help you save quite a lot of money, as tradesmen can charge upwards of $40 for what can be simple fixes.

Some of the things in your home that require regular maintenance include electrical appliances, plumbing, house hold fixtures as well as your outdoor area.

For each of these areas, you should be able to manage regular maintenance issues and simple fixes, and only have to resort to a tradesman for major breakdowns.

The first step to running a DIY home is having all the right tools. You should invest in a toolkit with all the essentials like a screwdriver, measuring tape, a level, hand saw, hammer, pliers, test pen and electrical tape. Other tools which might prove useful on more than one occasion are a torch, a drill, ladder, and a set of wrenches. Unless you are planning on undertaking complex DIY renovation, you will not need major power tools. In fact a lot of hardware stores have rental facilities that allow you to rent power tools for a fee.

The next step would be to read up on DIY tips and tricks. The internet is an excellent tool for learning simple fixes like how to change a fuse or unclog your kitchen sink.  You can also pick up skills from the people at your hardware store.

Some regular maintenance checks that you should conduct to avoid serious problems are:

• Clean out filters in air-conditioning/heating units
• Clean out the range hood filter above your stove
• Clean out your dishwasher filter to avoid food particles clogging the drain and possibly causing flooding of the kitchen area
• Remove leaf matter from gutters to avoid water overflowing into the eves

Prevention is the key to an effective DIY home maintenance plan. Preventive measures like avoiding a clog by not flushing anything apart from toilet paper, vacuuming window tracks or baiting your roof to avoid a rat infestation are great ways to steer clear of major hiccups. The rat prevention method for instance, also protects the integrity of your wiring, as the pesky beasts are fond of chewing through wiring. Mildew in bathrooms is a very common problem amongst households. Left to grow, mildew can become such a large problem that you may need to re-grout wet areas as well as re paint walls and ceilings. Ensure the fan is always utilised when showering or bathing, and use a mildew cleaning solution to stave off anything already growing. Ensure that taps are never over tightened. Over tightening of taps wears out the washer and causes leaks.

Taking the time to maintain your house on an on-going basis ensures that it is always in tip top shape. By picking up DIY tips and tricks, you will be able to fix most things on your own and will be less likely to have to turn to an expert, save for major issues. Furthermore, a well maintained home also has the potential to get a better resale value. So, the DIY way might just end up making you money!

Kay Barney

Kay Barney is founder of Corporate Housing. In 1999, Kay and her husband were relocated to Melbourne. Arriving in Melbourne, with a one year old son, they was faced with the daunting task of finding a new home whilst living in cramped and expensive serviced apartment accommodation. The process was incredibly frustrating, exhausting and disappointing. Kay realised that there must be many people who find themselves in similar situations and the idea for Corporate Housing was born from this experience. Corporate Housing began offering fully furnished, executive quality accommodation for corporate clients on extended stays in Melbourne and quickly expanded to include other capital cities in Australia. The business today is based in Sydney and manages hundreds of furnished apartments with a client list which boasts some of Australia’s top corporations.

In her spare time, Kay enjoys horse-riding, renovating her home and spending time with her family.

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Today I am having the best day in a long, long time, and it started when one particular email in my Inbox, titled “Your winner’s badge”, jumped right at me. Everyone… we won! Home I Own won the title of the Best Australian Blog in People’s Choice round! Woo-hoo!

My biggest thank-you goes to all the readers who voted for Homeiown.com. You, lovely people, are the most important reason why we are blogging. If it wasn’t for your interest and emails where you are sharing with us your problems and worries, your needs and wants, questions and advice we wouldn’t be here today. I’m saying ‘we’, because in the six years since the creation of Homeiown.com, we became inseparable.

I’d like to thank the Australian Writers’ Centre, the organisers of this competition, for the wonderful initiative – we, bloggers, sincerely appreciate what you’re doing.

Winning in the Best Australian Blogs competition has been a dream. When Homeiown was just starting out back in 2007 I wouldn’t have thought of participating in any contests. As time went by Homeiown began taking shape and getting an identity of its own. Our close relationship with the readers has always helped to find useful topics for articles, and I knew what the most painful problems were, so tried to search for the solutions. Later on more bloggers with knowledge in real estate, home improvement, renovation and development came on board and now there are quite a few talented people writing for Homeiown.com. It became a popular meeting place for people, who need advice on buying, selling, renting or building a house.

Last year was the first time we gathered enough confidence and courage to try to compete with over 1000 of the most talented Australian bloggers. It was a close battle which we lost – but that didn’t stop us from trying again.

This year you supported us in such an overwhelming way that Home I Own was officially declared the most popular blog in the Best Australian Blogs 2013 competition. We received 1,486 votes out of the 16,361 submitted in total in People’s Choice Awards.

Thank you, everyone. Come back and visit Homeiown.com often, leave a comment on our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter – we won’t disappoint.

You’ve already found your next dream home and are desperate to sell your current house quickly. Here are 12 tips for a faster sale.

1. Price it right

Don’t aim too high if you want a quick sale. Pick a fair price and attract a wider range of buyers. Check out other houses for sale online to see what they are selling for in your area.

2. First impressions

Make sure you have “curb appeal” with an immaculate garden and welcoming front door. You can create an instant garden with container plants.

3. Clear your clutter

Remove furniture to make rooms look bigger and hide personal items so people can visualize their own things there instead.

4. Deep clean

Make sure your house sparkles from top to bottom.  Steam clean the carpets, wash curtains and buy air fresheners to fix stale odours.

5. Fresh flowers

Healthy houseplants will suggest a good environment and a vase of lovely flowers creates a great impression.

6. Be move-in ready

Before listing your house for sale, fix it up inside and outside with any necessary repairs so buyers can move in, immediately if they need to.  Walk around and make a note of any minor repairs. Replace cracked floor or counter tiles, patch holes in the walls, fix leaky taps and doors that don’t close properly.

7. Neutralise

Plain, natural colours are an affordable way to update your home, so repaint brightly coloured walls.  Neutral colours also make it easier for buyers to visualize their own belongings in your home.

8. Garage sale

Clean out your garage – it’s a key bonus space that buyers will want to view.  Sell unwanted items in a garage sale, on ebay or in the newspaper. Or rent a storage space and keep items there until you move into your new home.

9. Improve lighting

Brighter bulbs will make rooms look bigger and less pokey.  Make sure your home is as light and bright as possible during open houses.

10. Update wiring

Make sure a future owner can easily plug-in appliances in any room.

11. Sweeten the deal

Offer to pay the rest of the year’s strata fees, or include fittings such as ceiling fans.

12. Be flexible

You know what price you’re willing to accept for your property, but be aware that you will need to meet the market for a quick sale.  Be realistic about negotiating with buyers as you could be holding out for a long time otherwise.

Make sure you fully prepare for selling your property to maximize your profit – negotiating downwards is a very expensive option.