My Hobart Home

Tips for buying in Hobart in 2020

Angie Roberts — Fri, 24 Jul 2020 01:06:56 +0000

Has COVID-19 made moving interstate more difficult? Read below for some useful tips for moving interstate in 2020.

Months of lock-down has given people a lot of time to reflect on their lives and to work out what really is important to them. Time at home has also left many craving for more space, both indoors and out, and has led to some fleeing the big cities in search of a more enriching or calming lifestyle.

This has been made possible, in part, by the government’s work-from home directive and the realisation by employers and employees that many people can in fact manage their roles from home and do so effectively and efficiently. Therefore, the need to be in close commuting distance to the office is no longer essential and the decision to move has become easier for some.

However, despite the decision to move being made more easily, logistically, COVID-19 has created some barriers for people trying to purchase property and relocate interstate.

As border restrictions ease, many people are still faced with the dilemma of how to purchase interstate when the prospect of jumping on a plane to inspect properties is enough to send their heart rate soaring. And even for those who are relatively calm about travelling again, availability and reliability of flights, along with ongoing quarantine requirements are likely to be prohibitive to say the least.

This does not mean your dreams of buying in Hobart need to go on hold. The real estate industry has adapted to the social distancing restrictions and as a result agents are becoming more creative. Many are now live streaming their open houses, and an increasing number of online listings now have virtual tours available. A small word of warning – don’t forget the agent is legally obliged to act in the best interest of the vendor and to obtain them the best price. Videos, as with all marketing material, will likely focus on the property’s best attributes and not its flaws.

Here are our 6 tips for buying a property in Hobart in 2020

Buying in Hobart

Ask the agent for a virtual tour to give you a better idea of the property’s true condition and layout. You can time the walk-through to help answer important deal-breaker questions, like “does it get sun in the afternoon” and “is the noise from the road audible in the morning” etc.
Make sure you have them walk to the street and look at the neighbours’ properties. You can get a good idea of the feel of a neighbourhood by viewing the condition of their homes.
Use Google Maps. Street-view and satellite options can tell you a lot. It can identify any potential issues with being overlooked by neighbouring properties, any undesirable buildings near-by and also the property’s proximity to local services, cafes, shops, parks etc.
Join local groups on social media. There are many community groups that have been created to help people with their interstate move. Locals answer questions about suburbs, schools and what it is like living in a particular area. It can give you comfort knowing a bit more about the locals whilst we don’t have the option of frequent visits.
Utilise friends and family who are local to inspect the property first. That way you only make the trip for the ones that are really worth it.
Consider using the services of a buyers agent if you do not have anyone local to call on. A buyers agent works solely for the benefit of the buyer. They can view multiple properties on your behalf and will ensure that you have the full picture. They are also experienced negotiators so can help ensure that you pay the right price given current market conditions.

Renting In Hobart

The other option is to rent a property upon relocating interstate and spend the following few months visiting as many areas as possible to see which one best fits your requirements. This in fact, has been made easier in many cases since COVID-19.

Due to the lack of tourists many investors have moved their properties from short-term holiday websites back into the standard renting pool and are accepting longer term leases (3,6 and 12 months in some cases). This has led to an increased number of properties available to lease in many holiday hot spots and has made it easier for people coming from interstate to secure accommodation. Keep in mind that these properties are generally fully furnished so you may need to keep your things in storage until you secure your own property.

So, whether your reason to move is driven by employment, a desire to be close to family, an urge to escape the city crowds or just to try something different, don’t feel your plans to move to Hobart must be put on hold. Now, more than ever we need to do what is right by ourselves and our families, forget the daily grind and live the life we really want. And it doesn’t get much better than Tasmania.

Moving to Tasmania? 10 Changes Your Family Can Expect

Angie Roberts — Wed, 01 Jul 2020 01:08:09 +0000

There’s no doubt that interstate migration to Tasmania is growing. In fact, a recent survey by the University of Tasmania found that there had been a 20% increase in the number of ‘mainlanders’ moving to Tasmania. The main drivers were climate, environmental factors and lifestyle.

Once considered the end of the earth, Tasmania has found it’s own in recent years and now provides families with an array of lifestyle options. It is generally more affordable and still boasts some of the cleanest air in the world (it may not be on everyone’s list, but after the intense bushfire season in NSW and VIC it has become more front of mind).

Below are 10 things you can expect after moving your family to Tasmania.

Things slow down – that’s not to say that there is no pressure, but there definitely seems to be less of the ‘rat race’.
There are not so many “Joneses” to keep up with. You won’t be judged for dropping your kid off at school 30 seconds after the bell has gone, with your nightie still obviously tucked into the trackies you’ve thrown on to get out the door. If your child is dressed, has the resemblance of a packed lunch and a sun hat, you’ll be fine.
Dads play a more active role! This is just my observation, but there seems to be more ability/willingness for Dads to be involved. At school pick up, swimming lessons, or at the playground (at 10 am on a Tuesday), you’ll notice just as many Dads as Mums. It’s refreshing.
You’ll find your kids are interested in outdoor activities you’d never thought of. Mountain biking, orienteering, hiking etc.
You won’t be shunned for not having a high school placement sorted by the time your child can walk. This is my favourite. Hobart has some good Public High Schools and quite a supply of Catholic and Private schools. The fees are cheaper, and placements for most don’t need to be secured until year 4 or 5.
Despite trying your best to resist, you will own more than more puffer jacket within your first six months of moving here. By the second year you’ll have multiple in different colours.
Unfortunately, you’ll still have to deal with traffic. Hobartians love their cars and as such there is still a definite peak-hour. This is often made worse by their inability to merge (you’ll know what I mean when you move here).
It’s a nightmare to get kids to bed in the middle of summer. You won’t have to deal with the hot nights which make sleep unbearable, but you will curse daylight savings when it’s still bright outside at 9 pm – trying to convince your children that it is well and truly past bedtime.
We do have Uber. Just not David Jones or our own AFL team.
Your skin does ‘thicken’. You’ll soon find yourself telling your friends that a 20-degree day in Hobart is really like a 26 degree day in Sydney. And you’ll believe it.

Tasmania really does have some great things to offer families and as someone who was born and raised in Hobart I’m comforted to know that it is now on most people’s list of place to visit, if not to aspire to move to permanently.

How To Detect Underquoting

Angie Roberts — Sat, 27 Jun 2020 00:50:16 +0000

Sound Too Good To Be True? It Probably Is.

Regulation around price estimates and price guides in the real estate industry is managed at state level and varies drastically around the country.

In NSW new legislation was bought in in recent years in a bid to stamp out underquoting and to make it fairer for the buyer. Agents and agencies who are now found to be doing the wrong thing are being fined tens of thousands of dollars. Ambiguous terms in price guides such as “more than $x” “over $x” “about” are not allowed and I don’t think there is an agent in NSW that would now be brave enough to list a property online with these kinds of terms.

Agents in NSW are defined to a 10% price variance – that is, when providing a price guide it must be within a 10% range, for example “Price Guide $500,000 – $550,000”. Furthermore, the price that the agent states as the estimated selling price to the vendor on the Agency Agreement must match what they are publicly saying to the buyers. It’s not a fool proof method but it is going some way to keep the agents in check.

Unfortunately, in Tasmania there is no such regulation. Most agents are doing the right thing however many buyers are finding themselves disappointed when becoming emotionally attached to a property, only to find it sells for a price that far exceeded their budget.

The best thing to do is to protect yourself, and by that, I mean education. Take time to research property sales in the market and be equipped with that information when you inspect properties. If the comparable house down the road sold for last month for $50,000 more than the guide price on the new listing, chances are this one will sell for a similar price.

Agents can use low price guides to ensure foot traffic and they think it makes them look good to the vendor when they can say they had 50 people come through an open home. But the reality is this wastes the buyer’s time and can make the process of finding your next home stressful.

In the agents’ defence, it can be difficult to price a property. Market conditions are constantly changing, and things such as view, aspect, style of renovation etc can drastically change the level of competition in a property and ultimately affect the sale price.

Remember that the real estate agents are employed by the vendor and are working in their best interests to obtain the highest possible price. The solution? Ask the agent questions. How does this property compare to the one that recently sold? How did they come up with their price guide? What has the buyer feedback been? If they don’t answer frankly and honestly, they could have something to hide. Agents may not appreciate this line of questioning in front of other buyers at an open house, so I suggest saving it for a follow up call and ensuring you do not sound accusatory, otherwise you’ll likely get an unhelpful response.

5 Good Reasons To Use A Buyer’s Agent

Angie Roberts — Wed, 24 Jun 2020 06:55:31 +0000

With over 95% of property sales conducted via a real estate agent, it’s worth considering who you have looking out for your interests. Here are five reasons you should consider using a buyer’s agent.

A buyer’s agent works exclusively for the buyer. A real estate agent is employed by the vendor to work in their best interests and it makes sense for the buyer to have equal representation and to have their interests protected. Whilst some real estate agents are very good at dealing with buyers, they cannot offer unbiased advice as they have a clear conflict of interest.
Save you money. A buyer’s agent is an industry expert and their local market knowledge and research can save you money. They know how to identify the good properties from the not so good and they can ensure that impulsive emotional decisions are not made.They are licensed real estate agents with strong negotiation skills that can help you secure the right property for the right price with the right terms.
Widen your property options. Buyer’s agents are constantly growing their network and as such can provide you with access to “off-market” properties that you would not have otherwise known about. Furthermore, they often know about properties soon to hit the market so that you can be one step ahead of the competition.
Save you time. Searching for a property can become an all-consuming task. A buyer’s agent gives you your weekends back by doing all the research and groundwork for you. They can inspect properties on your behalf so that you are only informed of those that actually suit your requirements. With their skill set, they are also more equipped to find you your dream home sooner.
Save you stress. Buying a home can be about as nerve-racking as it gets. It’s emotional, exhausting and can be extremely disheartening. A buyers’ agent’s job is to make the process as hassle-free as possible for you.