In August last year we published an article contemplating credit challenges ahead.  I point this out with no great delight because, for once, it seems we had it right.  Drop me a line if you want a copy of the original article, it’s on our web site. Anyway, one of the key points I raised a year ago was the expected pressure on lenders to reduce interest only lending. That prediction has most certainly come home to roost.  In the past few months we have seen a range of major and second tier lenders bring in restrictive lending standards for interest only property finance andRead More →

Smoke alarms have a lifespan of just 10 years. Do you know when the smoke alarms in your complex expire? What are the consequences of not replacing expired smoke alarms? As part of our series on smoke alarm compliance for property managers, we will answer these questions. Some smoke alarms do not have an obvious “expiry date”. For example, the smoke alarm (on the left) has a manufacture date of 30th March 2017, hence the replacement of the alarm needs to occur on or before 30th of March 2027. Other alarms are much clearer and state “Replace by X date” or similar. Please note that alarms should be replaced before they expire. If a smokeRead More →

A torrent of investment in large-scale infrastructure projects is set to stimulate widespread opportunities in the accommodation industry, particularly in regional centres, according to Resort Brokers Australia. The national industry specialist is urging accommodation investors and operators to “follow the infrastructure trail” as Australia embarks on a period of colossal investment in nation-building projects designed to stimulate economic productivity in the short and long term. Commitments, at Federal and State levels, are numerous.  Chief among them are the 1700km so-called ‘Steel Mississippi’ Inland Rail from Melbourne to Brisbane, the giant power-grid battery project dubbed Snowy Hydro 2.0, and the new Western Sydney Airport at BadgerysRead More →

What is bullying? Everyone’s definition of bullying is different.  Wikipedia says as follows: Bullying is the use of force, threat, or coercion to abuse, intimidate, or aggressively dominate others. The behaviour is often repeated and habitual. One essential prerequisite is the perception, by the bully or by others, of an imbalance of social or physical power, which distinguishes bullying from conflict. Many of us have children and the bullying that occurs at schools today astounds me.  From verbal threats to physical attacks.  We all are asking “why is it getting worse?”  I don’t remember it being this bad when we were kids. We can blameRead More →

Calvin Bailey’s North Queensland business was established with Property Pacific in 2003 to provide specialist sales and marketing services to the management rights industry. Previous to this Calvin operated a number of management rights properties, starting with the first one in 1995. Over time Calvin has become a well-known entity in the industry, building an enviable reputation through unwavering commitment and professional expertise. While focusing on the beautiful North Queensland region Calvin has sold a number of properties in other regions as well, including NSW, Victoria, the Northern Territory plus other areas of Queensland. At Calvin Bailey Management Rights the speciality is management rights sales. Calvin draws heavily on his experience as aRead More →

Contributed By: Mike Phipps Finance on

I see there is a financial institution out there that proposes that it’s possible to love a bank.  It’s an interesting premise and given the overuse of the L word in modern dialogue I thought I’d go back to basics and have a look at the definition of love.  Turns out its pretty much all things to all people albeit my search through the Interweb found this rather succinct paragraph. Love can make you do anything and sacrifice for what will be better in the end. Love is intense,and passionate. Everything seems brighter, happier and more wonderful when you’re in love. If you find it,Read More →

Contributed By: Hynes Legal on

The Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997 (BCCM Act) sets out a number of spending limits. Some of these intersect with others. Some need to go to general meeting and some depend on the number of lots in the scheme. The rules relating to them are scattered across the relevant Regulation Modules. This article sets them out in one place. The major categories of spending include the: committee spending limit (is a committee or general meeting required?) major spending limit (are two quotes needed?) common property improvement limit (what type of resolution is required depending on who is making the improvement?) The committee spending limit The default position for committeeRead More →

Contributed By: Small Myers Hughes on

I have had a number of managers come to me very concerned that their committee will not support an extension of their caretaking and letting agreements. They have the distinct impression that, if the committee does not support the “top-up”, any extension will not happen. Obviously, a top-up which is supported by the committee will invariably be passed at a General Meeting of the Owners Corporation/Body Corporate. A top-up that is not supported by the committee is going to be much more difficult to pass. However, don’t despair! As an owner of a lot, you have a right to place a motion on the agendaRead More →

TheOnsiteManager.com.au is delighted to announce that we have partnered with Hotspots Australia to ensure your smoke alarm and other compliance obligations are being met. With the recent changes in smoke alarm legislation in QLD we thought it was important to ensure our clients are up to date and ready to change. To read more about the changes in legislation see here Hotspots have created an exclusive package for onsite managers, combining smoke alarm compliance, general electrical and air conditioning work under one banner. In addition to the ease of dealing with just one trade, Hotspots also does not charge call out fees resulting in savingsRead More →

Contributed By: Nick Gorrell on

In their simplest form virtual tours have been used by commercial and residential sales agents for many years through the use of property photos which offer a prospective buyer the ability to experience a property and make a value judgement from a remote location without having to visit beforehand. This enables a viewing shortlist to be achieved and thus saving on valuable time. Today’s property buyers are often very sophisticated and time poor, wanting unfettered access to clear and high quality information which offer a truthful and accurate picture of the properties they are interested in viewing with as few unexpected surprises as possible. WeRead More →

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