The first major change to the legislation in 20 years has been described as a once in lifetime amendment which has focused on how our society is evolving to reflect modern living in a strata community.
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Have you heard about the major changes to home building laws that commenced during the first quarter of 2015?

For example, you may know that building work contracts require a different amount of detail depending on the value of the work, but the threshold has now changed. Work valued at more than $20,000 (previously $5,000) will require an extended contract, while work below the threshold will only require a ‘minor works’ contract.  more

If you’re planning to undertake any work on your unit or strata property that will change its structure, there are certain rules that you must follow to stay within the law.  more

That heading may sound like obvious advice, but buyers often don’t realise that if they exchange contracts under their personal names and then want to have the property in a company name, it will cost a substantial amount of money to change it. Double the stamp duty in fact! more

SHOULD YOU INSPECT THE STRATA RECORDS?

When you buy a unit or strata titled townhouse, you take on certain obligations. To protect yourself from any unforeseen expenses, make sure you conduct an inspection of the strata records before you commit to buying. This is even more important with older buildings. It is recommended to check the following points to find out how well the building has been managed.  more

You’re ready to put in an offer on your dream home but the agent tells you there is another interested buyer. What should you do? Firstly, try to keep a clear head and focus on what is most important to you. If this is the right home for you, in the best location, then don’t focus on other buyers or what price they might offer. Don’t try to get the best deal at the risk of losing the home—you’ll only regret it later.  more

Is your swimming pool or spa registered? Do you know about new compliance legislation that will come into force on 29th April 2015? In NSW, it is already the case that you must register a home pool or spa. From 29th April 2015, it will also be a legal requirement to have a pool ‘compliance certificate’ if your property has a pool or spa and you wish to sell the property or lease it.  more

A new system of electronic conveyancing is commencing within the next few months in NSW. This promises to be a significant improvement for both purchasers and vendors, particularly regarding settlement. Settlement is the final stage in buying or selling a property, after which the legal transfer takes place, and real estate agents can hand over the keys.  more

The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) estimates that around one third of insured homes are underinsured by at least 10%. That’s scary when you consider for most people the family home is their largest asset.  more

To help prevent children falling from high rise windows and balconies the NSW Government will amend Strata and Residential Tenancies legislation. The changes will require owners corporations to install safety devices on windows above the ground floor. These devices will allow windows to open to a maximum of width of 12.5cm when the lock is engaged. more

A common question from people looking for a new home is: should I sell my current home now or buy my new home first? The answer can be difficult.
If you sell before buying your new home, you may find it difficult to find the perfect property and have to settle for something that doesn’t quite meet your needs.
If you buy first, you may have to sell your current home quickly, which may not be as profitable as you anticipated. Worse still, you may need a bridging loan while you wait to sell your current home.
Let’s explore the pros and cons of both options.
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With Australia’s official cash rate hovering around historical lows for some time now, long-term investors are looking for ways to make the most of the low-interest environment. Here are five ways to put the recent cash rate cuts to good use. more

Local Environmental Plans, or LEPs, are plans developed by local councils to impose standards on a region to control development. They help council to prepare for the future, reserving land for open spaces, schools and transport while protecting the natural environment. LEPs can apply to a whole local government area or parts of that area. Once an LEP is put in place, it generally remains in force until it is repealed or amended by another LEP. more

Before making a purchasing or selling decision about a property it’s important to do your research. Zoning regulations could have a big impact on your property and your community. When it comes to your home or your investment, it’s important to know what your neighbourhood might look like in ten years, as well as what you can and can’t do to develop your property. That could mean converting a property into flats, adding an extra bedroom, off-street parking or even sub-divisions. more

From 29th April 2013, all pool owners are required to register their backyard swimming pools in an online register to be provided by the NSW Government. The Register will promote pool safety and pool compliance in response to the challenge of reducing the number of deaths and injuries to children in backyard swimming pools in NSW. The Register will provide pool owners with pool safety checklists to help them to self-assess their pool’s safety. Pool owners are required to register their swimming pool by 29th October, 2013. more