The extra sunshine seems to have brightened up all our spirits – including the housing market.

With auction results last month looking healthy and interest rates cut remaining low there’s never been a better time to buy your dream home or invest in property – before interest rates begin to rise.

The Reserve Bank met in the first week of the month and decided to leave the cash rate unchanged at 1.50 per cent

This spring I look at what you can expect from the property market and give you some tips on how to create the perfect salon-style gallery to give your walls life.

Need some help sorting through the fine print of the latest low fixed rate deals? Call me now to talk through all your options and I may be able to save you time and money on your current loan.

Call me now on: 0402 408944  

What to expect from the spring property market

Historically, spring is usually the real estate markets busiest and most lucrative month. However, in the last few years the first week of September has seen a lower volume of auctions across the country compared to late August and September 2017 promises to be no different.

Late August auction volumes reached their highest level since late June with 2,270 auctions held across the combined capital cities. However, the final auction clearance rate fell to 68.3 per cent, down from 69.8 per cent the previous week.    

Over the same period 1 year ago, volumes were a lower 2,153, while the clearance rate was substantially higher (74.5 per cent).

Melbourne’s final auction clearance rate fell last week, down to 72.3 per cent from 75.6 per cent the previous week, however, volumes were considerably higher week-on-week, with 1,124 held, increasing from the 1,001 held over the week prior.

In Sydney, a final auction clearance rate of 67.4 per cent was recorded across 832 auctions, down slightly from the 67.8 per cent over the previous week when 720 auctions were held across the city.

Across the remaining capital cities, clearance rates improved in Adelaide and Tasmania, while Brisbane, Perth and Canberra saw clearance rates fall last week.

The best performing non-capital city last week was Geelong with 86.8 per cent of the 48 successful auctions.

By contrast 1,899 auctions will be held across the combined capital cities during the first week of September. Melbourne and Sydney are expected to see a decrease in auction activity, with 900 properties scheduled to go under the hammer in Melbourne, down 20 per cent, while Sydney is set to see a fall of 13 per cent, with 725 auctions scheduled this week, down from the 832 held last week.

Across smaller auctions markets, volumes are expected to fall across Brisbane, Canberra and Perth week-on-week, with Adelaide seeing a rise and activity across Tasmania expected to remain unchanged.

Don’t forget to check the health of your mortgage from time to time – you might find it’s no longer the right fit for your needs. Pick up the phone and call me. I’ve got my finger on the mortgage market’s pulse and can guide you through the possibilities.  

  _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

How to create a gallery wall or salon-style hang for the 21st century

Grouping a collection of paintings and photographs together is a great way to turn a home into a personal art gallery.

Called a “salon-style” hang or a gallery wall, assembling multiple artworks together first came into vogue in 18th and 19th century Paris, when artists would hang their works together on a single wall for the public to see.

But how do you get the right effect in your home?

Here are some tips:    

• Get framed. Opt for frames in similar styles and colours to keep your gallery wall unified across diverse artwork. For a calmer look, use a smaller variety of frames. For a vintage look, try thicker, decorative designs. For modern aesthetes, smaller, thinner frames work best. And if you want to liven up a subdued but dull interior, use ornate frames to give your space a lift.

• Think Goldilocks. You want to use a space that’s just right. Smaller prints can work nicely in a minimal space, like a hallway. Bigger pieces should go on larger walls. Hang your key piece in the middle and work out from there.

• Head off grid. Keeping a consistent distance between each artwork is key to creating breathing space between your pictures. Either choose a perfect grid or something more creative, but keep at eyeline so your eyes don’t feel too uncomfortable looking up.

• Create a template. A foolproof way to get the best effect is to tape a paper ‘version’ of your artworks onto the wall as a guide to getting it right. That means you can play around with the composition without making a big drilling mess. Conversely, try different layouts on the floor with the actual pictures so you can see how colours mesh with each other.

Is renovating on the cards with the warmer weather ahead? Speak to me first so I can let you know about the great range refinancing options available to you right now.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________