Your home is your biggest asset so it pays to heed good advice when it comes to property matters. Each week the Real Estate Institute of Queensland provides a consumer watch to keep you up to date with all the latest industry trends that could affect you. Recent entries
How to crack the housing market
How do first home buyers get their foot in the door? >>
Know your rights when renting
Helpful information for tenants is available. >>
How to foil house burglars
Engraving or marking property leaves no doubt as to ownership. >>
Sustainable houses are the way of the future
They benefit the environment and are cheaper to run. >>
What are the rules for house sharing?
Written consent must be sought before sub-letting a room. >>
'Tis the season to sell
The Christmas holidays can be an ideal time to market a property to interstate visitors. >>
Don't be fooled by calm before a storm
Residents can take simple measures to protect themselves during the summer storm season >>
Community safety on our agenda
1 CommentsBe alarmed, be safe .... and join Neighbourhood Watch >>
Is your soon-to-be new home insured yet?
A property is at the buyer’s risk from 5pm on the first business day after the contract date. >>
Verandahs are priceless in the hot summer
But the key to successful renovations is to develop a plan and set a budget. >>
Let the sun power your home
1 CommentsUsing solar energy can slash your hot water bill. >>
Understanding how the body corporate works
With more and more people opting to buy a unit or townhouse rather than a house, understanding the community titles sector is becoming increasingly important. >>
Make sure you do your homework
1 CommentsThis is one of the most important aspects of any property transaction. >>
Safety switches a must in rental properties
The Electrical Safety Amendment Regulation (No.1) 2006 state that landlords of residential rental property must install safety switches in their rental premises. >>
Standards help to protect consumers
The standards prescribe agency behaviour in protecting consumers by requiring agents to deal fairly and openly with consumers. >>
Homebuyers have a spring in their step
As the weather heats up, so does the property market >>
Switch off to save energy and cash
When it comes to being energy-wise around the home, it’s the little things that can make all the difference. >>
Emergency help at your fingertips
There are a number of features that can be installed to make your home more secure. >>
The ins and outs of community living
If you buy a unit or townhouse in Queensland, you will have certain rights and responsibilities for your own property as well as the common property. >>
Thinking of investing in commercial property?
Investment opportunities in the commercial property market can be limited by the size of your bank balance or your capacity for debt. >>
Tips for bidding at an auction
New legislation which came into effect around this time last year requires all people bidding at an auction to provide their names, addresses and proof of identity before the auction. >>
Simple steps to foil burglars
House break-ins are one of the most common criminal offences reported to police, but most could have been prevented. >>
Is commercial property a good investment?
There are pros and cons to consider when weighing up whether to invest in the commercial real estate market or the residential property market. >>
Energy-wise ways to stay warm
Plenty of places across Queensland have been shivering through historically low day and night-time temperatures of late. >>
Two buyers, one property
The Real Estate Institute of Queensland’s (REIQ) often receives queries from consumers about multiple offers on a property. >>
How to keep your home safe
One of the best ways to keep your home secure is to be vigilant – and vigilance does not cost a cent. >>
The holiday unit dream
Most families dream of owning a holiday unit on the beach and letting it to tourists when they don't need it, however few have much idea of what income it ... >>
It pays to heed waterwise message
We may not face the same sort of water problems as Brisbane, but the REIQ is urging Coast residents to heed the waterwise message. >>
Make a good impression
First impressions count – whether it’s the first time you meet someone or the first time you walk into a potential new home. >>
Smoke alarms compulsory
Home owners face a $375 fine for failing to install a smoke alarm from July 1. >>
Safety through neighbours
Coast residents can feel safe and help prevent crime in their community by joining forces with Neighbourhood Watch Queensland. >>
How big's your kitchen?
For women, it's the number of bathrooms and the size of the kitchen that counts. >>
What's all the lingo mean?
The legal mumbo-jumbo can one of the first hurdles you hit as you go to secure your first property or sign a rental agreements. Here's a layman's guide to real ... >>
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