Victoria Kohlhagen has left to have a baby. Natasha Guyatt has joined, after spending 4 years managing a large rent roll elsewhere in Sydney.
Showing posts with label Property Management. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Property Management. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Property Management is Back on Line
After working through the Easter weekend, our expert at Maxcom Technology managed fully to recover Nicole's computer from the SMART Hard Disk Drive virus she picked up on 4 April (see the last blog). Not only that, but all the emails sent to her since 4 April have been backed up on our server and are now available to her. There are 100 emails, which she now has to handle, please give her a bit of slack!
For information, I talked with our main IT group, they say that the SMART virus is rampant, there is currently no anti-virus software that can protect you from it if you happen to access an infected web site. They say that in half the cases they have handled they have had to reformat the disk with loss of anything that wasn't backed up! So beware, internet shoppers!
For information, I talked with our main IT group, they say that the SMART virus is rampant, there is currently no anti-virus software that can protect you from it if you happen to access an infected web site. They say that in half the cases they have handled they have had to reformat the disk with loss of anything that wasn't backed up! So beware, internet shoppers!
Thursday, April 5, 2012
The Hidden Cost of Internet Shopping
Our property officer Nicole must, as part of her duties, spend a lot of time on the internet searching for new or alternative products or services. Recently her computer was infected by the SMART Hard Disk Drive virus, and our IT specialist has spent several days trying to recover the computer and the information on it.
This virus has been around for several years, and apparently the most common method of being infected is by browsing infected internet sites. Clicking on links offering to ‘speed up your disk drive’ or similar links immediately loads the virus, but apparently in some cases these viruses are downloaded simply by visiting the perfectly normal and innocent but infected web site. And this virus totally shuts down your computer and won't let you even start using it.
Perhaps Myers and David Jones should stress this hidden cost of internet shopping!
Meanwhile Nicole will probably not be able to access any of her emails before the weekend. Our apologies if you were waiting for a response. Please phone the office, 9479 8444, or email me, peter.hewitt@raywhite.com, if it’s urgent.
Also note the office will be closed over the Easter break, call me (0417 215 774) if you need assistance over this period. Happy Easter to you all.
This virus has been around for several years, and apparently the most common method of being infected is by browsing infected internet sites. Clicking on links offering to ‘speed up your disk drive’ or similar links immediately loads the virus, but apparently in some cases these viruses are downloaded simply by visiting the perfectly normal and innocent but infected web site. And this virus totally shuts down your computer and won't let you even start using it.
Perhaps Myers and David Jones should stress this hidden cost of internet shopping!
Meanwhile Nicole will probably not be able to access any of her emails before the weekend. Our apologies if you were waiting for a response. Please phone the office, 9479 8444, or email me, peter.hewitt@raywhite.com, if it’s urgent.
Also note the office will be closed over the Easter break, call me (0417 215 774) if you need assistance over this period. Happy Easter to you all.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Paper Wasps
We had a complaint of a wasp nest in the eaves of a property. 
We sent our specialist around, he found and destroyed a total of sixteen active nests. Here he is at work.
Be Gone Foul Wasps!
Friday, January 13, 2012
Break Lease Clause
A lot of applicants don't seem to know about the optional Break Lease clause brought in last year. This allows tenants to break a long lease (less than 3 years) paying rent of only 6 weeks if been in less than 6 months, or 4 weeks rent if in the property for more than 6 months. Obviously this makes taking out a long lease much safer for the tenant.
The clause is officially optional, but because it so clearly benefits the new tenant Ray White Beecroft includes it as standard in our Lease agreements. It helps the owner too, because it gives new tenants courage to sign up for long leases even when their future is not completely clear.
Of course signing up for even a six month lease says nothing about how long the tenant will stay in residence, we have several tenants who have been in a property on a 'continuing lease' for over ten years after signing a six month rental agreement.
The clause is officially optional, but because it so clearly benefits the new tenant Ray White Beecroft includes it as standard in our Lease agreements. It helps the owner too, because it gives new tenants courage to sign up for long leases even when their future is not completely clear.
Of course signing up for even a six month lease says nothing about how long the tenant will stay in residence, we have several tenants who have been in a property on a 'continuing lease' for over ten years after signing a six month rental agreement.
What a week for rentals!
Ray White Beecroft opened on 3 Jan, whereas many agencies stayed shut for that week. We were inundated with requests to see rental properties, and got lots away over the next week. Vacancy rate had shot up to 3.5% at end of the year, due to all the new vacant properties listed with us, but is already back at 1.8% with a number of applications still being processed. Our average vacancy rate last year was 1.1% and we should be back there soon.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Property Rentals Flooding In
Talking about floods, we have received a host of new rental listings in the last couple of weeks. After vacancy rate averaging under 1% all this year, suddenly our vacancy rate has shot up to 3.5%. But not to worry, Nicole will find tenants for them very soon!
Home Insurance Flood Cover
The rules have been changed for what insurers must provide. Part of the problem in the Queensland floods was different definitions of flood, meaning that many homeowners had their claims refused despite being knee deep in flood water while their next door neighbour with a different insurer was covered.
From now on all home and content insurance will include flood cover using one common sense definition: Flood means the covering of normally dry land by water that has escaped or been released from the normal confines of: a) any lake, or any river, creek or other natural watercourse, whether or not altered or modified; or b). any reservoir, canal, or dam.
I claimed last year when flood water came down off the street outside due to a blocked storm drain. That would not meet the new definition. Nor would the flood of the basement car park due to an old water main coming unplugged be covered.
Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten says insurance policies will not go up because of this. He must mean that the insurance companies are taking on all this extra risk at their expense as a Christmas present to the people of Australia, which is very sweet of them. Or maybe they think all the new flood claims will cost less than places like mine that are no longer covered.
From now on all home and content insurance will include flood cover using one common sense definition: Flood means the covering of normally dry land by water that has escaped or been released from the normal confines of: a) any lake, or any river, creek or other natural watercourse, whether or not altered or modified; or b). any reservoir, canal, or dam.
I claimed last year when flood water came down off the street outside due to a blocked storm drain. That would not meet the new definition. Nor would the flood of the basement car park due to an old water main coming unplugged be covered.
Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten says insurance policies will not go up because of this. He must mean that the insurance companies are taking on all this extra risk at their expense as a Christmas present to the people of Australia, which is very sweet of them. Or maybe they think all the new flood claims will cost less than places like mine that are no longer covered.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Changing Web Sites
Today the Visiontech website that Ray White Beecroft has used since May 2009 will be taken down and replaced by a new Ray White standard website. This common format will make it easier for Ray White customers to find their way around each RW Agency's site.
However it is with sadness that we see the end of our excellent Visiontech website, which has had 16,928 visits over the two and a half years, 7,821 of them unique visitors, with a total of 72,992 page views.
In that time Ray White Beecroft has evolved from a new-comer to Sales in the area to the dominant agency. In 2011 we sold more properties than any other local agent.
Thanks Visiontech for your assistance over this exciting period. We remain the dominant property management force in the area with more than 60% of rentals in the area.
However it is with sadness that we see the end of our excellent Visiontech website, which has had 16,928 visits over the two and a half years, 7,821 of them unique visitors, with a total of 72,992 page views.
In that time Ray White Beecroft has evolved from a new-comer to Sales in the area to the dominant agency. In 2011 we sold more properties than any other local agent.
Thanks Visiontech for your assistance over this exciting period. We remain the dominant property management force in the area with more than 60% of rentals in the area.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Free Property Management
Do you have properties managed by other agencies? Want to consolidate your portfolio under one agency? Tell our property department what you want to do, and we will sort it out for you.
To reward you for your increased custom we offer three months free management for any such new properties that you give to us in this manner during 2011.
As well as properties in the Beecroft and Cheltenham areas, we manage properties in Artarmon, Carlingford, Cherrybrook, Dundas, Dural, Eastwood, Epping, Gladesville, Glenhaven, Gorokan, Gosford, Kellyville, Marsfield, Neutral Bay, North Rocks, Oatlands, Pennant Hills, Terrigal, Ultimo, and West Pennant Hills, so are happy to take over properties anywhere within this area.
To reward you for your increased custom we offer three months free management for any such new properties that you give to us in this manner during 2011.
As well as properties in the Beecroft and Cheltenham areas, we manage properties in Artarmon, Carlingford, Cherrybrook, Dundas, Dural, Eastwood, Epping, Gladesville, Glenhaven, Gorokan, Gosford, Kellyville, Marsfield, Neutral Bay, North Rocks, Oatlands, Pennant Hills, Terrigal, Ultimo, and West Pennant Hills, so are happy to take over properties anywhere within this area.
Shower Heads Scam Stopped
According to the Daily Telegraph:
SHOWER HEADS have been banned from the NSW Energy Savings Scheme by Minister for Energy Chris Hartcher.
The ban follows last week's revelations in The Sunday Telegraph that dodgy salesmen have been making millions selling energy-efficient showerheads.
Showerhead sales boomed following the end of the pink batts scheme last February, with green businesses shifting to the production of energy-saving certificates generated by the sale of showerheads. Under the NSW Energy Savings Scheme, the certificates are then sold to the state's energy companies. More than half the certificates created by the scheme are now generated from the sale of water and energy-saving showerheads.
"In true Labor style, the showerhead component lacks the appropriate monitoring mechanisms leaving it wide-open to manipulation," NSW Minister for Energy Mr Hartcher said. "We are now taking the responsible steps to close the program."
The Ray White Beecroft Property Management department awaits information on how this affects the new Water Efficiency rules coming into force on 1 Jan!
SHOWER HEADS have been banned from the NSW Energy Savings Scheme by Minister for Energy Chris Hartcher.
The ban follows last week's revelations in The Sunday Telegraph that dodgy salesmen have been making millions selling energy-efficient showerheads.
Showerhead sales boomed following the end of the pink batts scheme last February, with green businesses shifting to the production of energy-saving certificates generated by the sale of showerheads. Under the NSW Energy Savings Scheme, the certificates are then sold to the state's energy companies. More than half the certificates created by the scheme are now generated from the sale of water and energy-saving showerheads.
"In true Labor style, the showerhead component lacks the appropriate monitoring mechanisms leaving it wide-open to manipulation," NSW Minister for Energy Mr Hartcher said. "We are now taking the responsible steps to close the program."
The Ray White Beecroft Property Management department awaits information on how this affects the new Water Efficiency rules coming into force on 1 Jan!
Christmas Period Property Management
Ray White Beecroft will be closed from Friday 23 December 2011 to Tuesday 3 Jan 2012.
Emergency contact numbers over this period are:
Plumber - Peter - 0447 440 232
Electrician - John - 0418 649 115
Hot Water - Parramatta Hot Water - 9630 6683
Storms and Floods - SES - 132 500
If you need to talk to someone from the office - Douglas Macarthur - 0408 817 239.
We hope you all have a great Christmas and a happy new year.
Emergency contact numbers over this period are:
Plumber - Peter - 0447 440 232
Electrician - John - 0418 649 115
Hot Water - Parramatta Hot Water - 9630 6683
Storms and Floods - SES - 132 500
If you need to talk to someone from the office - Douglas Macarthur - 0408 817 239.
We hope you all have a great Christmas and a happy new year.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Solar Panels on Rental Properties
Ray White Beecroft has some information about recovery of electricity costs when a landlord installs a solar panel system, typically costing $30K, on a property to take advantage of NSW government rebates, and then decides to rent it out. Contact Peter Hewitt the Business Development Manager with any queries. Email peter.hewitt@raywhite.com.
Monday, August 22, 2011
New Survey of Landlords
An internet survey by Real Estate Business asked agencies and property managers what percentage of your property management business is made up of problem landlords. At this stage with about 300 respondents 75% are saying 0-10%.
What the survey didn't clarify was whether they meant "how many of your landlords are problems", for which 0-10% is a good answer, or "how much of your project management staff are employed working on premises owned by problem landlords", for which the answer is probably much higher.
The same applies to tenants, and even the properties under management. Most are easy, but there are a small number that require much more work.
This is the aspect of property management that this blogger finds most rewarding. Within Ray White Beecroft the property management team pass problems to me, leaving them free to devote their time to the other 90% of the business. But my guess would be that 25% or more of the team's activity is dealing with problems.
What the survey didn't clarify was whether they meant "how many of your landlords are problems", for which 0-10% is a good answer, or "how much of your project management staff are employed working on premises owned by problem landlords", for which the answer is probably much higher.
The same applies to tenants, and even the properties under management. Most are easy, but there are a small number that require much more work.
This is the aspect of property management that this blogger finds most rewarding. Within Ray White Beecroft the property management team pass problems to me, leaving them free to devote their time to the other 90% of the business. But my guess would be that 25% or more of the team's activity is dealing with problems.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Water Efficiency in Rented Properties
Further to my earlier post on this, Ray White Beecroft's property management sent an email to all our landlords reminding them of the end of year deadline, and this time we had over 50 responses asking us to arrange action.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Water Efficiency in Rented Properties
So far, despite repeated emails advising landlords of the situation, only 7% of properties managed by Ray White Beecroft are 'water efficient'. So come the end of this year all the other landlords will cease to be able to charge tenants for water use, unless they take action before then. One can anticipate a flood of demands as the end-of-year deadline approaches, with plumbers working flat out to meet that demand. So landlords are advised to get in early and have their investment properties made 'water efficient'.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Rising rents will continue through 2011
According to Australian Property Monitors, in Sydney, median asking rents for houses rose +1.0 per cent to $485, while units jumped +2.3 per cent to $450 per week, ensuring Sydney remains one of the most expensive places to rent in the country.
Pet-Friendly Property
Finding properties for tenants with pets is always a problem, as so many owners won't allow pets. It was therefore interesting to read an article by Brittany Stack under the headline "Pet-Friendly property on the rise." Brittany reports that, increasingly, high rise buildings in inner suburbs are welcoming pets. Developers are realising the benefits, in that pet-friendly properties are sold for higher prices, and tenants stay for longer periods of time and take better care of the property. Ray White Beecroft's property manager says we very seldom have problems with pets yet we turn away a lot of applicants for properties because the owner won't allow pets. Flea treatments are an obvious need, but can be done routinely when a pet-owning tenant vacates. The main damage done by dogs is scratching of the back door, and digging up of gardens. Neither is significant in relation to the bond.
Easter Break
Please note that Ray White Beecroft will be closed over the Easter break 21 to 25 April. Peter Hewitt will be remaining in the Beecroft area and can be contacted on 0417 215 774. All tenants have names and contact details for emergency callouts of tradespersons, and I suggest you check that you have that list before the break.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
PM Department Battles Paper Wasps
A tenant fresh out from England complained of wasps in the garage. Our PM department investigated and identified them as Paper Wasps. If you look them up on the internet it says “They are 10-15 millimetres long, tan in colour with darker bands and some yellow on the face.” Check that against the yellow faces in this pic I took of the ones in the garage.
The internet says “They have a painful sting and will attack if their nest is disturbed”. Asking a specialist, we were advised to spray them at night when they are asleep, with mortein or any other common insect spray. The tenant was reluctant to do this, so our PM person went round and did it for them. All part of our service.
The internet says “They have a painful sting and will attack if their nest is disturbed”. Asking a specialist, we were advised to spray them at night when they are asleep, with mortein or any other common insect spray. The tenant was reluctant to do this, so our PM person went round and did it for them. All part of our service.
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