Being one of the most affordable suburbs in Melbourne, Reservoir attracts people from all walks of life. Given that property prices are affordable, the question that comes next is: What are the fun activities that you can do in Reservor?

For starters, we’ve listed down 6 things:

Celebrate special occasions in a brewery… or simply dine in for lunch.

Future Mountain Brewing and Blending is famous for its locally brewed open-fermented and barrel-fermented beers. They carefully curate their beers using hyperlocal, seasonal ingredients sourced from farmers from the Yarra Valley. Their beers are perfectly matched with their equally tasty menu. 

Bond with friends, family or coworkers over arrow tag.

If you are more of the active and competitive type, arrow tag could be a good bonding alternative for you. What is an arrow tag, you ask? It is what happens when you combine archery and dodgeball. Archery Attack offers this one-of-a-kind sport that could be enjoyed by people of all ages. Archery Attack is open to host kids and adult birthdays, buck and hen parties, social events, and even corporate team building.

Get cool with ice skating.

Learn to ice skate if you haven’t yet at IceHQ, Melbourne’s newest ice rink. Be sure to wear a warm coat, a pair of gloves, as well as a pair of thick socks before you head on to 1 Blake Street where IceHQ is located. Still mustering up the courage to try ice skating? Don’t worry, spectators are always welcome to visit and enter for free.

Shop at Marco Fine Foods and Groceries

Of course, you should never forget the essentials. Locals head to Marco for their grocery needs. This store has an extensive range of fine foods and grocery products. From deli to fresh fruit and vegetables, to organic produce and even Asian groceries, Marco has everything you need. Surely, doing grocery trips in a supermarket that has it all is an enjoyable experience.

Go on a picnic at Edwards Lake Park

Bring your family or friends to Edwardes Lake Park where you can barbecue, stroll, walk your pets, ride your bike or play with little kids. Really, there are plenty of things you can do here. It’s also entertaining to simply sit and watch the ducks and other birds stroll around the waterways. If you’re too lazy to pack food with you, there are local food shops nearby to fill your hunger.

Go for a stroll, listen to music, have a cup of, coffee or just spend time with your match. Volunteers are matched with differently-abled people with special needs or senior citizens. Once in a while, there are several people looking for matches around Reservoir.

As mentioned in our previous blog, Reservoir is a popular choice for families, young couples, and downsizers for its relaxing vibe. The activities mentioned above are testaments to how warm and welcoming Reservoir is to people of all ages.

Looking into moving to Reservoir? Get in touch with us to discuss your requirements. Collings has a team of experienced real estate professionals with extensive knowledge about Reservoir. Simply fill up our contact form or call us directly at  +61 3 9486 2000.

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Brunswick East is a suburb in Melbourne consisting of residential and commercial spaces. An inner-city suburb that’s roughly a few miles north of the central business district, it is known for vibrant city culture and easy access to several essential services and leisure establishments,

Many people find themselves moving to Brunswick East and embracing the increasing number of sustainable homes. 

Sustainable homes aren’t just a trend these days, it’s also a part of a movement toward a healthier lifestyle. Apart from our bodies, we also have to make sure that the spaces we inhabit are also healthy.

A sustainable home respects nature. It optimizes water and energy that the property uses, and includes the use of low-impact but high-performance materials.

So what makes a sustainable home?

Solar design

Consciously designing the spaces with respect to the environment it’s in or surrounded by and create way more efficient spaces that highly take advantage of the sunlight bringing warmth and light into your home.

High-performance windows

Believe it or not, windows also play a huge role in making a house a sustainable one. You can tailor fit it based on the climate in which you live in.

Energy-efficient appliances

It’s also a great thing that most appliance manufacturers also make sure that the products they sell are energy-efficient. It not only increases the shelf life of the products, but it also helps conserve energy and save up on bills.

Energy solutions

Solar panels and as mentioned in one of the previous items in this article, high-performance windows that can help control the light and temperature in a room are all part of energy solutions.

Brunswick East is a beautiful suburb in inner Melbourne supporting developments of sustainable home that is ideal for singles, families, and professionals. Whether you are looking into buying or selling a property in Brunswick East, Collings is here to help. Discuss your requirements with our team of real estate professionals by filling out our contact form. You can also send us an email at info@collings.com.au or call us directly at +61 3 9486 2000.

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Tessa has been frequenting thrift shops for as long as she can remember. She’d pick going to a second-hand store over going to the local mall. The finds Tessa comes across become instant conversation pieces once she gets them home. Tessa is among the many Aussies who have grown to love the culture of thrift shops because of the novelty and affordability these offers. But another type of second-hand shop has been getting Tessa’s attention of late, and this is the op-shop. 

Just a short way of saying Opportunity Shop, an op-shop is a store that sells second-hand items with the proceeds channeled towards charity. Easily put, it’s a noble way to shop: you get to find items that might tickle your fancy or are entirely useful at reasonable prices while helping people in need.

If you live in Brunswick or happen to be in the vicinity, you might want to check out these three op-shops within the suburb.

Brotherhood Of St Laurence Community Stores, 109 Brunswick Rd

Shopping at the Brotherhood Of St Laurence Community Stores allows you to help raise funds for charity work. The store offers a wide range of goods like furniture, collectibles, and clothing items. 

St Laurence Community Stores stands by its name as a community where people can find support through its steady generation of jobs, opportunity to do volunteer work, and friendly connection established through day-to-day conversation with staff.

Savers Brunswick, 330 Sydney Rd

The ultimate branch of the popular Savers chain, Savers Brunswick has a generous offering of second-hand furniture, books, electronic appliances, and the like. But what gets people’s attention is Savers Brunswick’s clothing selection.

The store offers competitive pricing. By becoming a member, you can avail of 50% discounts on select days. On top of that, you can sell stuff you no longer want to keep at good prices for a cause. 

Save The Children, 478 Sydney Rd

Quality vintage is what drives the sales at Save The Children. Clothes, shoes, accessories, jewelry, name it, the store has it. The funds that will be raised from the sale of these are directed to development programs and emergency aid for children not only in Australia but across the entire world.  

But what sets it apart from the rest of the op-shops in the suburb is its active online bookstore that offers more than 5,000 second-hand books. If you can purchase books for up to $30, delivery will be free. All the proceeds for these books will go to child healthcare, education, and protection.

These three op-shops are among the many notable thrift shops in Brunswick that are worth the visit. So go ahead, see one of them to score something you might like and get the chance to help someone in need.

The strong community spirit in Brunswick is quite evident in these specialty shops.  A community can only be as happy and fulfilled as its people.

Are you looking into selling or buying a property in Brunswick? Let Collings Real Estate help you with your needs. Reach us through our contact form or give us a call at +61 3 9486 2000.

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When we sell our property, we take into consideration a lot of things before we come up with its market value. It can include the furniture and appliances, the furnishings, the other amenities that we came up with and included in the home.

What effects property value goes beyond what’s inside the home. We have listed some of the key points that you can also consider when you decide on a market value for your property.

Location

Accessibility to many essential services, to the school or workplace, or to venues for recreation have a significant impact on your property value. Not having to commute or drive far from where you live is a plus factor and future home owners won’t mind paying more for it.

School zones

For those who have families with children, it is very important for the purpose of safety and security that their schools are a few minutes away from the place where they live. This will also give children more time to spend on other things like extra-curricular activities or playing at home instead of on long commutes or drives.

Access to public transportation

Sometimes, new homeowners have to sacrifice some other essentials like a car. Easy access to public transportation 24/7 is a huge requirement so having this as a factor to your property is a big plus.

Potential for investment

When we buy our first home, we see ourselves in it for a couple of years, at most, 3-4 years before we start entertaining the idea of moving into a new place. For this reason, often, it is taken into consideration a property’s potential for investment. Selling the home in a few year’s time at a higher price is definitely a plus.

Energy efficiency

Since moving into a new home comes with unforeseen costs and expenses, one thing that people consider also is if the house is energy efficient. Not only is it going to help them adjust to their new life, it will also help the environment.

Aesthetics

To some, it is still a huge factor to consider what a property looks like and the neighborhood it is in. The streets, the parks, the lawns of the potential neighbors, the main roads. All its aesthetics contribute to the decisions of future residents and homeowners.

Consider these factors when you are coming up with a price for the property that you are going to sell.

For more tips in selling your future home or buying a new one, follow us on our socials at @collingsrealestate.

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Isn’t it great to find a place where everyone can relax and enjoy? That’s what Welcome to Thornbury is to the community for some time now. The car assembly factory turned food truck parking serves as go-to place for catch-ups between friends and family. Its open-air decks can hold up to 700 people – perfect for both small and large groups. The overall construction of Welcome to Thornbury underwent minimal renovations as a homage to the automotive establishments that first occupied the area.

What makes it a community favourite? The laid back vibe is one, the food choices is another. The premise of rotating food trucks is a breath of fresh air to people. Having varied options weekly only means that there’s no settling to a single cuisine. But if you’re worried about not catching your favorite food truck when you go, don’t fret! The food truck schedules are already listed on the website. So feel free to check out the calendar to catch your favorite food trucks whenever they’re around the area.

The unique idea of rotating food trucks with permanent parking doesn’t only benefit the customers – it also benefits the local food scene. In fact, Welcome to Thornbury was developed with this purpose in mind. This idea is born out of the will to promote local food businesses and create an urban space for the community in general.

On the daily, up to six food trucks are parked in Welcome to Thornbury. At present, Welcome to Thornbury is the second largest beer garden while being the first and only permanent food truck stop in Melbourne.

Good foods bring people together. The sense of community is Thornbury’s secret sauce to happy tourists and residents. Looking into settling to Thornbury soon? Reach out to us and we’ll help find the perfect property for you. Fill out our contact form or call us directly at: +61 3 9486 2000.

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All investments require preparation. We don’t just jump in and figure things out as we go along. We research, we plan, we make calculated steps and see which parts we can afford to risk. Then, we invest.

Some of the questions we might want to ask ourselves are:

How to buy your first home in Melbourne?

What are the best suburbs to buy your first home in Melbourne?

We have compiled a list of some of the important questions we need to ask ourselves before buying our first home. Check them out below.

How do I find the right loan?

Finding the right loan requires preparation on your end. It’s important that you research for a mortgage broker that best fits your needs. Most people’s consideration is always the lowest interest rate, but it’s not the only one that you need to take into account.

The payment scheme is one thing you should also consider. A flexible payment term would help you more than a lower interest rate.

Can I afford this property?

Ask yourself if you can afford the property without compromising any of your other financial commitments and priorities. A property is an investment but it doesn’t mean you have to go broke on its account.

Consider also that after you buy a property, there are also other expenses that you have to prepare for. Moving out of your current home and moving into the new one; new appliances and furniture (if needed); basic renovation or remodeling, and landscaping if you have a backyard or a garden.

Is the location a smart choice?

This could very well become one of your biggest considerations as it will define your way of life moving forward. Is it near your workplace? If you have kids, is it accessible to their school?

How about the property’s proximity to essential and recreational services like a hospital, the grocery store, and a park.

Are there plans for further infrastructure or development in the area?

Consider this: if initially you chose the property for its location because you think it’s a quiet suburb, and then a few years later, it becomes a very urbanised city-like community with so much traffic and not much peace and quiet.

You need to make sure that the plans for the community in terms and infrastructure and other developments are something that aligns with your plans.

How can I make this property attractive to renters?

If the goal is to make a passive income out of your new property, make sure to invest in how the space looks and how you can combine style and function.

Look around you and check out what places of interest are near your place. 

What are my future investment goals?

One should also take into account what their investment goals are. Buying your own property is just one of the many investment goals you will have in your life. Plot out your short-term and long-term financial and investment goals to know when buying a property fits in the timeline.

Getting your very first property takes time to plan, research, and prepare for. Like with any investment goal, it requires a lot of things and also comes with risks. So, better to plot a timeline for yourself and your goals and slowly tick them off one by one.

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If you’re torn between buying off the plan vs building a house, we are here to tell you about the benefits of buying off the plan especially if you’re an investor. There are possibilities for things to fail here and there like with any investment opportunity we get ourselves into, but with proper planning and research, you can mitigate the risks.

There are a lot of questions that cross our minds during these times. What if I change my mind along the way? What is the process in buying off the plan? Is it still considered a good investment if I buy off the plan?

So, what are the advantages of buying off the plan?

Big savings

One of the main reasons why properties go on sale as early as construction phase is because the money that comes in will further fund it. It will also encourage investors to fund the projects because of the demand for off the plan properties from consumers. They are sold at extremely low prices compared to those that are already ready for occupancy.

Time to plan and save

Usually, properties go on sale at around 12-18 months before turnover time. When we say turnover time, it’s when the property becomes ready to be occupied by its owners. 

Since you still have quite a number of months before you move in, there is more than enough time to plan and save your money. A common process for property developers is to advertise the future projects they have. You can check these out by visiting their model units and see if it’s something that you like.

Once you have chosen your preferred property, you can ask the real estate agents for the date when it would start pre-selling.

Good today, better tomorrow

Imagine this: you were able to purchase a certain property years before you were able to move in at a low rate. By the time you can move in, the rate has already increased significantly. This is a good investment because you can opt to sell it for its current value or have people rent it out from you at the going rate at the time you decide to have tenants.

Stamp duty savings

Stamp duty increases as the construction phases move forward so the earlier you purchase, the bigger stamp duty savings you get, and we’re talking about thousands of dollars here.

Payment options

Since there is still time before you get to occupy the property, there are a variety of different payment options available for you to choose from. A bank guarantee or a deposit bond can help you. Also, the great thing about buying off the plan is that the prices are already locked in and the rate that you signed up with remains the same.

It’s brand new

Of course, we have to admit that one of the perks of buying off the plan is that it’s brand new.

There is no need for you to renovate, remodel, or rearrange the property. It’ll be a blank canvas for you to personalize and customize. From decor to furniture, from appliances to furnishings, from paint to fixtures to cabinetry and storage, you can tailor-fit it into what you want.

Having a brand new home is not only a badge of accomplishment for anybody, it is also a huge milestone. One of our biggest investments in this life is having our own property, be it for investment purposes or as an owner-occupant.

Off the plan properties have its advantages and disadvantages; at the end of the day, you have to know what you want and what you can afford. So, start the research and planning.

Related read: Buying Off the Plan

There are a couple of ways to find off the plan properties. One way is by reaching out to trusted real estate agents. Collings Real Estate offers off the plan properties from time to time, so make sure to contact us and inquire about them. Give us a call at  +61 3 9486 2000 or send us an email: info@collings.com.au

Exuding quaintness and eloquence that lends itself to the suburb’s pursuit of contemporary living, Ivanhoe is seen as one of the best suburbs in all of Melbourne. Only 10 kilometers away, visitors from the CBD can reach the suburb through an efficient system of trains and trams.

Lined with periodic homes of picturesque architecture, the residential areas are leafy illustrations of what an ideal life could be, inviting everyone from all walks of life to ponder and submit to reverie.

Commerce thrives in Ivanhoe with its wide selection of shops along the Upper Heidelberg Road. At Christmas time, a walk along The Boulevard would catch the heart in awe with its stunning view and spectacle.

With a rustic charm heightened by the exuberance of nature, this family-friendly suburb is sure to delight anyone who chooses to visit and reside in it. Ivanhoe is truly an abode of quietude that people can’t simply help but fall in love with.

Are you planning to purchase a property in Ivanhoe? Or perhaps you are planning to market your property to sell sometime soon. Let Collings assist you through the process. Reach out to us via our contact form or call us directly at + 61 3 9486 2000.

Median home sale price, quarterly price range, median rent, rental yield of Ivanhoe, VIC as of September 2022. Screenshot from https://reiv.com.au/market-insights/suburb/ivanhoe.

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Buying a house with a partner remains a very stressful process but it also comes with huge excitement and great hopes for the future. It’s been a practical approach for couples; buying a house together before marriage.

Others want to buy properties with special people in their lives but a common question remains being asked: can friends buy a house together? Can siblings buy a house together? While we think these are possible, we would focus on those couples who want to purchase a home together.

Buying together

Decide on a budget and find a home loan

The first consideration you have to talk about is how much you can afford and how much you are willing to commit to pay on a monthly basis until the entire loan is fully paid.

Having a budget will also help you a lot for other expenses in your home and for your daily needs. Your new home may be an investment but you don’t have to go broke for it.

Design your dream home together

Designing your dream home together is also a very nice activity you can experience with your partner. You can start by researching online and coming up with your own Pinterest boards for inspiration and moodboard for each room of the house. Then, you can come up with a list of suppliers and shops where you can buy your furniture, accessories, appliances, and other furnishings.

You can also agree on a theme or color palette for the interior design of your future home, decide on the layout, and come up with mini projects that you want to accomplish once you move in. It could be a library, a recreation room, or your personal collections.

House hunt

House hunting is an exciting part of buying a house with a partner, although it’s also very time-consuming. Make sure you have an idea of what you want that fits the budget you agreed on. This way, you can have a list of options and sites to check out and visit every time you go out.

Also, make a schedule. Give yourself a deadline for when you’d have to choose from your variety of options. The more you look at properties, the more you won’t be able to decide because there will be aspects of each that would call to you.

Make an irresistible offer

Make sure that you offer the fairest price you can to the current owners of the property. If it’s at an auction, remind yourself not to overbid. There will be other auctions on other properties so don’t stress yourself to get your dream home the first time around. Enjoy the experience and learn the ropes so that the next time there is another auction for you to participate in, you’ll have bigger chances of winning.

Prepare for the worst

While we all want to remain positive and hopeful of the future, it does not mean that we don’t have to prepare for any mishaps and be realistic about potential threats to the financial responsibility that we are getting ourselves into.

Avoiding issues in case of a separation or break up

Be open about discussing commitment

It isn’t just about the commitment to you and your relationship; it’s also about the financial commitment to go through with the purchase of a new home regardless if the relationship survives the time it takes to pay off the loan or not.

Talk about an “exit strategy” or a financial plan in case you separate

From the beginning when you both decide to take that huge step of owning a property together, talk about an “exit strategy” too, in case you end up in a separation or a break-up. This is to safeguard both your finances. You can also talk to financial planners so they can advise you of better options that would make the transition a little bit more hassle-free in case you end your relationship.

Avoid making impulsive or emotional decisions

Just like in any relationship, there is no room for emotions when you want to make informed decisions. When you are impulsive and you feel like you are still overwhelmed with emotions and it will have a lot of influence on your decision-making, you’re setting yourself up for future regrets.

As mentioned, buying a home together with your partner is a level up to your relationship, but not without serious responsibilities. Make sure that you are well-protected for whatever the future holds.

Want to know more about buying a house and other related topics? Follow us on our socials at @collingsrealestate so you will be updated with our latest posts.

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