Breaking up is hard to do. On top of the emotional impact, there are practical ramifications as well. When there’s a separation or divorce, debts you’ve accrued during the relationship unfortunately don’t go away. The longer a couple is together, the harder it can be to unravel all the financial connections. Here we outline some of the issues facing both de facto and married couples when dealing with what is usually their most significant debt: the mortgage. Used alongside pr

Asbestos. The word alone is enough to send shivers down a home owner’s spine. If you’re renovating or selling, how do you know whether your property contains asbestos, and – if it does – what should you do about it? Asbestos was a commonly-used Australian residential building material from the 1940s until the late 1980s. Despite asbestos being phased out during the 1980s and 1990s, it wasn’t officially banned until 31 December 2003. If your home was built before the 1990s, ch

Sure, you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but a scrappy yard can be an instant turn-off to potential home buyers, even if the house is a dream on the inside. We’ve pulled together some savvy landscaping tips to make sure your home is picture perfect for when you’re ready to sell. The first thing to keep in mind when revamping your garden is that it has to appear well presented and easy to maintain. People want to enjoy the outdoor space, not feel like it’s a burden. Fres

Attract more buyers and fewer lawyers When selling your home though a real estate agent, there are State Government laws with which agents must comply. If a vendor has any issues relating to the sale of their property, they should raise it first with the estate agency’s principal. Rarely, because of professional embarrassment, do issues make it to a higher authority. It is not a legal requirement to sell your home through a real estate agent. No agent is legally allowed to re