Today’s SQM Report confirms the REIQ’s position that Labor’s proposed changes to negative gearing will damage not only the Queensland real estate sector, but the broader Queensland economy, triggering falling house prices, rising rents and billions in lost stamp duty revenue.

REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella said Labor’s policy, in its current form, would see investors flee the real estate market.

“The projected lost stamp duty revenue could be $2.3 billion. This puts a big hole in the Government budget. That’s schools not funded, hospitals not funded, roads not repaired – every taxpayer and member of the community is affected,” Ms Mercorella said.

“SQM modelling clearly shows if Labor’s proposed changes are implemented the far-reaching economic impact will be significant.

“Renters will bear the most immediate economic cost, with rents potentially rising up to 22 per cent.

“The median rent for a three-bedroom house in Brisbane, according to the latest REIQ QMM report, is $435 a week. If SQM’s modelling is accurate this means renters will have to find at least another $95 a week.

“That’s a couple of tanks of fuel, that’s half the average weekly grocery bill for a young family. That’s not easy to suddenly have to find an additional $95 a week,” Ms Mercorella said. “It will cause housing stress in many families.

“Labor’s proposed negative gearing policy is reckless. It was announced at a time when Sydney and Melbourne house prices were rising rapidly and the market needed to cool. That is no longer the situation. Southern housing markets are facing falls of around 20 per cent, possibly more over the long term.

“The real estate market is the cornerstone of Queensland’s economy and employs more than 50,000 Queenslanders. We are seeing a significant slowdown already, in the lead-up to the federal election as investors wonder how this policy will affect them. Tightened lending practices are also adding to this pressure, with banks adopting highly restrictive lending criteria.

“Under Labor’s changes, house prices nationally could fall up to 12 per cent. This could equate to the average Brisbane house, valued at $675,000, losing as much as $81,000 in value. This could push new home owners into a negative equity situation,” Ms Mercorella said.

“We urge all voters – property owners and renters – to think very carefully about the vote they cast at the ballot box and what it means for the Queensland economy, for every day families and their budgets,” Ms Mercorella said.

SOURCE: http://blog.reiq.com/2019/03/labors-negative-gearing-will-hurt-renters/

The process of making art is as old as time and for centuries has held an important role in home decoration. If you don’t know Magritte’s oldest masterpiece or care about the ominous undertones of Monet’s whimsical impressionist pieces, but still value a beautiful watercolour in your living room, we have a few handy tips to help you choose the perfect piece of art for your home!

Choosing the perfect piece of art for a room can be somewhat intimidating. It is easy to be overwhelmed with choices and it can be hard to tick all the boxes, but you’ll be glad to know there is an art piece out there (or already in your collection) for every situation – you just need to know how to amalgamate what you have and what you like into a cohesive and fluid aesthetic.

There are no strict rules when it comes to decorating a space, so why not get creative with your art pieces and seek inspiration from professional artists, photography, nature, the city or even homemade pieces.

“When sourcing a piece, you are faced with a series of questions,” says Sydney Property Styling expert and Director of Vault Interiors, Justine Wilson.

• Where will the piece be hung?
• What size do you need the piece?
• How do you know if the chosen piece will suit the space?

1. Play with scale

When looking to brighten up areas like a hallway, staircase or foyer don’t be afraid to experiment with size. Consider larger pieces to create a maximum impact.

When decorating a space already containing key furniture pieces, like a sofa or a bed, create visual balance by hanging the piece half way between the piece of furniture and the ceiling.

Source: https://www.skywhitmanfineart.com/products/red-abstract-painting-large-artwork?variant=12454703923293

2. Make it your own

Your home is an inextricably personal place; so why shouldn’t your art be as well? To create a quirky sentimental feel to a space, pair a framed drawing or painting by a family member next to a professional one. Frame them in similar frames to maintain cohesion – your guests might not even be able to pick the amateur from the ‘real’!

Source: https://www.framebridge.com/blog/how-to-decorate-with-kids-art

3. Mix and match

If you have the space, create a ‘feature wall’ of a variety of mismatched pieces. The more diversity in frames, sizes and styles the better!

4. Be cohesive (even though I just told you not to be!)

If “controlled chaos” isn’t your cup of tea, create a high-end look by hanging painting in pairs. Try to keep some sort of consistency in frames or sticking to a consistent colour to avoid visual confusion. By grouping similar styles of art with a running theme, your collection will feel more like an at-home gallery.

Source: http://www.lnart.net/set-of-2-huge-contemporary-art-acrylic-painting-on-canvas-abstract-canvas-wall-art-home-decor-handmade-blue-black-orange-brown-beige-p-439.html

5. Add some colour

It might be the oldest trick in the book these days, but if your home takes a more minimalist aesthetic, adding a statement piece with a pop of colour can really compliment and heighten a room.

A pop of colour from a piece of art can tie in with cushions or other accessories pulling together the loose ends of your space.

Source: https://www.realestate.com.au/news/street-art-home/

There are many hidden dangers in and around our homes or rental properties. Some may be natural, man-made, or due to wear and tear. Detailed property maintenance keeps the area clean and removes potential health hazards.

Keep reading to get a checklist for your property maintenance.

CLEAN THE YARD AND SURROUNDING AREAS

The first thing is to clear the yard of any debris or fallen objects, especially after storm season. Prune any tree in the area and cut overgrown or leaning branches. Such branches may fall and injure someone. Other tips for caring for the trees include watering, fertilizing, and mulching.

INSPECT THE ROOF AREA AND FIX ANY ISSUES

One of the most neglected areas in different homes is the roof. Some people wait until there’s a problem before checking the roof area. Inspect the area to ensure there won’t be leaks soon. Unblock the rainwater gutters. If there is a water heater on the roof, inspect it for damage. Clear debris from solar heaters to keep them effective.

LOOK FOR FAULTS OR CRACKS IN THE HOME

Faults or cracks in the home can cause further damage to property if not regularly checked. As such, look for faults or cracks in the home. Check for damp spots on floors and walls and mold appearing on walls, ceilings and inside cupboards. Mold is considered a health hazard and must be removed effectively and promptly.

FIX THE LIGHT FIXTURES

Go around the home and find any light fixtures with problems. They could be flickering, dimmer than other areas, or not working. Get a technician to check the wiring. Having working lights will prevent injuries. If someone suffers and injury because of poor lighting, it can open you up to a lawsuit.

BE WARY OF LEAD AND ASBESTOS

Ensure there are no signs of lead or asbestos in the area. If painted walls have lead falling on the ground, make sure to clean the area. Lead poisoning can affect mental development.

On the other hand, asbestos causes lung disease and cancer. Inspect the area for asbestos. Get professionals to remove it if the insulation is peeling.

PEST CONTROL

Regular inspections are the most important part of termite control. While annual maintenance termite inspections do not stop a termite infestation they can help with the early detection of termite activity. Once termites are detected, remedial treatment can begin so damage to your property will be minimized or prevented.