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What To Check Before Buying A House

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What To Check Before Buying A House

Don’t rush in and make an offer on the first house you view. There are potential perils that you need to be aware of!

You have saved your hard-earned money and it is finally time to break into the property market. Don’t let excitement cloud your judgement, take your time and get to know the house well before taking the next step. Here are some things you should know before buying a new house:

What you need to know BEFORE making an offer

It isn’t uncommon for your heart to rule over your head when making this emotional purchase. That is a rookie error that could have catastrophic effects, resulting in the purchase of a lemon aka money pit. This can be easily avoided by considering the following:

Environment and area

The surrounding environment and area can have the potential to turn your dream home into a nightmare. Do your research into the neighbourhood and see how the crime rate compares to surrounding areas. You don’t want your family home to be vandalised or broken into, not to mention the higher cost of insurances.

Contact the local council to see the flood maps and get information on past floods in the area. For a quick guide of the risk in Brisbane areas, CLICK HERE. Flooding can cause more costs and damage than you realise.

Building and pest inspections

Building and pest inspections are essential prior to buying a house. The qualified inspectors know exactly what to look for. They will see hidden concerns that you will not know about without an inspection. They will notice cracked beams, water damage and much more.

If the real estate agent offers to arrange the pre-purchase inspections for you, get your own evaluation done as well, the team at Action Property Inspections are reliable and trustworthy. The possibility of the agents report being biased is a risk that should not be taken when making this purchase, as they do not want anything to hinder the potential sale.

Exterior

Before you step foot into the house take a look at the exterior. There are potential issues that can be seen before the pre-purchase inspection is done that could give you an indication on how well the property has been looked after.
• Fences – do fences look to be in good condition? These are quite expensive to replace and you don’t want to have this additional cost shortly after purchasing a house.
• Roof tiles – can you see any broken or cracked tiles? If you answered yes, this could be a sign that there is water damage in the roof.
• Gutters – are the gutters in good condition? Rust means they will require replacing before too long. Also check to make sure they are attached correctly and not hanging loosely.
• Drainage – does the yard contain drains? If it doesn’t, will it need drainage installed? Check the slope of the block and check for obvious signs of water build up throughout the yard.

Interior

A new coat of paint will spruce up the house but look beyond the crisp, clean walls and fancy décor. Open the cupboards in the kitchen and bathrooms so you can check for obvious signs of mould, mildew and water damage.

Take notice of cracks in the walls, if the cracks are large this is cause for concern however fine cracks are often acceptable. Your building inspector will pick up on this if it is a problem. Check the condition of power points and appliances, if they appear to be in poor form, it could mean the electricals need replacing and this is not cheap.

While most issues and damage can be repaired, they could also be the reason you struggle to sell your house down the track or contribute to unforeseen maintenance costs.

By checking the above before signing anything, you could save yourself a lot of heartache and money.

What is on your ‘must check’ checklist before buying a house? Have you experienced a house from hell?

This is an S1 POST.

Dos And Don’ts Of Buying A Used Phone

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Dos And Don’ts Of Buying A Used Phone

Before you buy a used phone, STOP and read this. It could save you hundreds!
You have found the deal of lifetime but is it really as good as it seems? There are several things to consider before buying a used phone. They include:

Things to do before handing over your money

You wouldn’t just hand your money over to some stranger walking past you in the street, so why would you think about doing it when buying a 2nd phone or tablet?

Do your research

This should typically go without saying however some people get caught up in the ‘great deal’ that they don’t bother or take the sellers word for it.

Take into consideration what you are looking for in a phone; make a checklist if it is easier. Know what brand you want, storage size, minimum running system, screen size and most importantly condition. By researching your requirements in a phone you will be more prepared and likely to wait for the ‘right’ phone to come along.

Tip: Buy after the latest release because the price will drop considerably!

Inspect

Always meet in person so you can physically inspect the goods yourself. Take a long hard look at the phone for scratches, dents, water damage and cracks. If these look fine then you should extend your inspection to be more thorough.

Include checking: SIM works, Micro SD is recognisable, speakers, pixels in screen, camera, headphone and charger ports work and that it is unlocked or compatible to your network. By ensuring these individual components are in good working order, you will have less to worry about when you get home.

Tip: Before meeting with the seller, ask as many questions as possible so you know exactly what to expect when you arrive. This includes the lowest price accepted should phone be as described.

Check IMEI

While this is not a foolproof way to check on a phones handset status; it will tell you at the time of your search whether it has been reported stolen or is blocked.

Check the status of handset here.

Tip: Always request proof of ownership from current owner before handing over your money.

Elimination process

By narrowing down your options based on your requirements, the price and the handsets conditions; you will have a much better idea of what the going rate for that specific phone is. Gumtree have now made the elimination process easier for both buyers and sellers with their online phone price checker tool. This allows you to see the average price and condition of common smart phones.

Do not!

We know finding a bargain is exhilarating but there are some things you should never do when buying a used phone.
• Do not rush in and buy the first one you see. You never know what is waiting around the corner.
• Never meet in a private place. Ensure your meeting venue is a public space and during daylight. Your safety is important!
• Don’t just take the sellers word that it works. Test it and view it in person before paying.

Buying used handsets and tablets definitely has its advantages. They are much more affordable, they don’t require lock in contracts and are typically no different to purchasing new.

You often hear about people having bad experiences buying 2nd hand phones; however if you take these mentioned factors into consideration when purchasing used phones, odds are you will have a positive experience.

What are your dos and don’ts of buying used phones and tablets?

This is an S1 POST.

Stand out from the crowd with Pitchi

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Standing out from the crowd when trying to sell something is tough. Regardless whether you are on Ebay, Etsy, Facebook or even Gumtree you are competing against thousands of images exactly like yours. These conventional methods are not engaging or exciting for buyers and sellers. There is no uniqueness. Nothing that screams we are different. Nothing paving the way for ordinary people or entrepreneurs and their products to be discovered. They are just what everyone has accepted as the standard.

I love finding gorgeous décor that is handmade!

The current selling standard doesn’t have to be this way and Pitchi have realised that sellers want to showcase their flare and individuality to stand out from every other ad. What is Pitchi? The best way to describe it is to think of a mix of eBay and Gumtree crossed with YouTube. It is a fresh and innovative way to buy and sell by pitching via the use of video. One that offers a more personal touch and the ability to forge a connection with the buyer, unlike the standard methods of buying and selling. The digital world we live in has unfortunately made the demise of brick and mortar shops and their sense of customer service however Pitchi bridges this gap. For small businesses, Pitchi is a great place for you to establish a market for your products. As a buyer; by simply selecting the category you want to view, a range of exciting videos will fill your screen just waiting for you to check out the sellers items.

I’m a newbie to vegetable and herb gardens but have been on the lookout for something unique and this fits the bill perfectly.

Pitchi allows sellers the ability to showcase their products in a distinctive video that captivates buyers while encouraging support and appreciation for one another and their hard work. Boasting to be a very engaging and interactive site; Pitchi encourages buyers to discuss and explore the story behind the products on sale instead of it being just a basic sale transaction. Let’s be real for a moment; the chances of an entrepreneur hitting the screens of the Dragon’s Den or The Apprentice are slim to none. Unlike these TV Shows, Pitchi is available for anyone with an entrepreneurial dream or small business person wishing to sell their products to a mass audience. At no cost!! It can open doors for you that you otherwise wouldn’t have had the chance, you could be discovered by an investor who wants to invest or wants learn more about your products.

Given the time of year I thought this was very fitting!

You are probably wondering why you have never heard of Pitchi if it’s so great. That is because it is only a brand new platform and chances are if you hadn’t learnt about it today, than you would have within the next few months elsewhere. Pitchi is all about challenging the outdated normal avenues and breaking the moulds of what we know buying and selling to be today. Yes Pitchi is unconventional but its simple originality will have everyone talking! You can also get involved with conversations on the Pitchi facebook page.

Have you heard of Pitchi? Have you used it?

This is an S1 POST.

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