What landlords should know before renting out their property
Smoke alarms, water efficiency, pool safety, landlord insurance and repairs: the compliance and safety items every NSW landlord should understand before a tenant moves in.
Notes on selling, renting and the coast
Plain answers to the questions we're asked most, and what we're seeing in the market across the Illawarra and the Shoalhaven.
What I look for when I appraise a home
When I appraise a home, I'm looking around with a buyer's eyes. These are the things I look at, from the street to the backyard, and why small updates can make a big difference to the price.
Sometimes it's not the market. Sometimes it's not the price.
A Warilla unit had been on the market for six months. We didn't change the price. We changed the photos, the words and the marketing, and it sold in a week for $640,000.
Property management fees in NSW: what you're paying for
The management fee, the letting fee and the smaller charges that sit around them: what each one covers, what to ask before you sign, and what you can claim at tax time.
Landlord insurance and compliance in NSW: a checklist
Smoke alarms, the minimum standards, pools, the bond, what you have to disclose, and the insurance that protects the rent: the checklist we run through with every new rental.
The NSW rental law changes: what landlords need to know
No-grounds evictions are gone, rent can rise once a year, and pets are easier to approve than to refuse. Here's what changed, in plain English.
How to change property managers in NSW (without upsetting your tenant)
Your tenant and lease stay exactly as they are. What changes is who answers the phone. Here's how a switch works, step by step.
What it costs to sell a house in NSW
Commission is the biggest cost, but it isn't the only one. Here is everything you're likely to pay when you sell, and how to compare agents properly.
How to sell a house in NSW, step by step
From the first appraisal to handing over the keys, here's what happens when you sell in NSW, in order, and roughly how long each part takes.
Auction or private treaty: which suits your home?
Neither method is better in every case. What matters is the home, the buyers it will attract and the market on the day you list.
Rental bonds in NSW, explained
How much a bond is, where it's held, and how it comes back at the end of a lease. A short guide for tenants and landlords.
First home buyers in NSW: stamp duty and the grant
If you're buying your first home in NSW, you may pay little or no stamp duty. Here's how the thresholds work, and where the grant fits in.
Preparing your home for sale: where to spend to get the best price
You don't need to spend a lot of money before you sell. You need to spend it in the right places. Here's where we'd start.
The Sale Gap: what could your home really sell for?
Every home has two possible prices: what it would sell for today, as it is, and what it could sell for prepared and marketed properly. The difference is the Sale Gap.
Styling and photography: getting your home ready for the camera
Most buyers decide whether to inspect a home from its photos. How to get ready for photography day, and when professional styling earns its cost.
Selling an investment property with tenants in place
Sell it vacant, or with the tenants still there? Both can work. What each means for presentation, rental income and buyers, and how NSW law affects the choice.
Buying before selling, or selling first?
Buying first gives you certainty about where you're going. Selling first tells you exactly what you have to spend. How to weigh up the two.
What anti-money laundering rules mean for buyers and sellers
Since 1 July 2026, real estate agencies have had to check who their clients are. What that means when you buy or sell, and why we ask.
What fair wear and tear means for NSW landlords
Tenants aren't responsible for the ageing that comes with normal use. How wear and tear differs from damage, how bond claims work, and why a regular refresh pays.