The walkability of Northcote makes it a joy for people to stroll and visit shops. Locals can indulge in the range of choices in Northcote, especially in High Street where the most popular shops and restaurants are.

In this blog, we will feature more shops and cafes that you have to try when in Northcote.

Retail shops to try in Northcote:

Before March

Before March is always intentional with their work and is adaptive of the slow fashion lifestyle. Their made to order, exclusive use of natural fibres, usage of deadstock fabrics, oeko tex-certified textiles, and upcycling materials are visible in their products as a part of their effort to promote a sustainable lifestyle. 

Store House Thrift

Store House Thrift is more than just a shop — it has a bigger purpose. All the money raised across all their stores go to Teen Challenge International Vic, Storehouse Thrift’s very own addictions rehabilitation centre.

I Dream A Highway 

I Dream A Highway houses many local favorite Australian labels focusing on unique, ethical, and sustainable production.

Keke and Kaka

This gift shop has been in Melbourne for the last five years. Keke and Kaka offers a wide range of Japanese items such as kitchen porcelains, soft and wooden toys, puzzle and board games, clothes, backpacks and wallets, stationery and decoration, and a whole lot more. Cat lovers will especially enjoy shopping in this store.

Cafes/Restaurants to try in Northcote:

Degani Northcote Cafe

Known for: TKnown for: Their vibrant interiors fitting of the cafe’s ambiance. Patrons are also a fan of their customisable dishes.

Espresso Room

Known for: Consistently serving good coffee. Frequent goers will say that it’s best to pair your coffee with their buttermilk pancakes, smoked salmon, or capsicum salsa.

Tinker Cafe

Known for: Being the go-to brunch place with efficient service. Fan favorites are sweet potato rosti, pannacotta, and waffles.

Bicycle Thieves cafe

Known for: Its adaptation of the 1948 classic, “Bicycle Thieves” in its interior, food, and even service. 

Red Door Corner Store cafe

Known for: Being the cozy brunch place that serves great shakshuka, porridge, pulled pork, fritters, eggs benedict, and more.

Cheeky By Nature

Known for: Its vegan and vegetarian-friendly breakfast and lunch options.

Barry Cafe

Known for: Its equally healthy and tasty food options for brunch. They serve their popular potato hash, omelet, eggs benedict, hot chocolate, salads, and mushrooms.

Do you fancy living in a suburb that doesn’t sleep? Then Northcote is for you. Discuss with us your property requirements and let us help you find your home at Northcote. Give us a call at +61 3 9486 2000 or shoot us an email at info@collings.com.au.

Other Northcote-related blogs:

You are never too far from anywhere.

In less than ten minutes, you can get to amazing places in the suburb simply by walking. If you have a bike, it would take less time-3 minutes or so. Fairfield is a pretty straightforward suburb where everything’s a stone’s throw away. If you prefer to walk than drive, then this suburb is perfect for you.

The local community is thriving.

Residents in the suburb enjoy the good meat selection and fresh produce from the local shops. There is no large chain supermarket in the area which only means that you do not only get handpicked selections, you also get personalised service.

It is a melting pot of different cultures.

With a significant population of different races, the Fairfield community is culturally diverse. You could bump into Greek, Italian, Chinese, Dutch, German and Indian young professionals, families, and empty nesters.

Fairfield is one of the most desirable suburbs in Melbourne. More and more buyers are finding this suburb as an investment because of its amenities. If you are thinking of selling your property in Fairfield, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Let us assist you in your real estate journey. Alternatively, if you are looking into buying a Fairfield home, let us discuss your requirements and let Collings Real Estate help you find your dream home. Email as us at info@collings.com.au or fill out our contact form.

Other Fairfield-related blogs:

There has been an increase in the number of people wanting to buy their own homes in the past several years. In line with this, we have compiled a list of sound real estate advice for first-time Melbourne home buyers.

One of life’s milestones is owning a home. Before, people would focus more on a career after university, but these days, because the home also doubles as a place of work for most…

Like all kinds of investments and first big-time purchase, buying a property comes with its own challenges. 

…Whether it’s in a new city or in the suburbs, getting a new home is a huge step.

Deposit.

Know and assess your house deposit options. You can start saving up for it or if you already have the funds on hand, you can decide to immediately pay the sellers.

It is ideal to have a deposit of at least 20% for you not to pay lender’s mortgage insurance. You also have to set up a separate bank account dedicated to financing your future home. This way, it will be easier to track your payment progress.

It will also be wise to start considering your loan options. There are also a lot of government offices you can approach for assistance. In Melbourne, we have the Victorian Homebuyer Fund.

Related read: 4 Shortcomings First Home Buyers May Experience When Purchasing a Property

Potential properties.

Once you have finalized the details of how you will finance your first home, it’s now time to start looking for properties that you can choose from.

Now that you have a budget, consider what type of property you would like to purchase. Will it be contemporary in design or do you want a period look with character? What extra amenities would you want it to have?

How many floors do you want? How many car parking spaces are in the garage? Do you prefer a front lawn or a backyard space? Could it be both? Do you want an open living space or something that has dividers and more rooms? These are some of the things you should ask yourself while you choose your options.

Get ready to buy. Then, buy.

When you finally make your decision on which home to buy, it’s time to prepare for the actual purchase. Make your offer, finalise the paperwork, and then prepare for the settlement.

The financial paperwork sometimes takes a little bit longer so allot time accordingly. You can use the waiting time to plan for your next steps like when to start buying furniture, décor, and appliances (if you bought an unfurnished home). Think if you would need landscaping for the outdoor areas. You can also start thinking about the logistics needed when you need to move in.

One of life’s most important milestones is owning your first home. We hope that our guide can help you make an informed decision about your future. If you require further assistance, give us a call at +61 3 9486 2000 or shoot us an email at info@collings.com.au.

Fitzroy is not only famous for being one of Melbourne’s oldest and smallest suburbs, but also as the Mecca of all things cool. Great transportation, interesting architecture, good selection of restaurants and bars, name it, Fitzroy has it. Surely, there is always something for everyone in Fitzroy, but it is especially attractive to young couples and students alike as they fit the vibrant and youthful ambiance of the suburb.

Fitzroy is the place to be if you are seeking a relaxed and chill atmosphere. Stroll through the street art in Napier St stretching through Johnston Street, witness live music and attend music festivals and share food with friends and family in the many fantastic restaurants and bars in this suburb. 

In this blog, we will virtually tour you in the awesome street arts that you will find in Fitzroy!

This art that speaks of many meanings created by Matt Adnate & AWOL Crew, shot by user wiredforlego on Flickr.

This street art with half animals half humans caricatures, captured by user wiredforlego on Flickr.

This corner street art inspired by Adventure Time by artist Mishap & Dopio, shot by user wiredforlogo on Flickr.

This interesting mix of colours created by artist Taylor White, shot by user wiredforlogo on Flickr.

This hand street art captured by user Russell Charters on Flickr.

This Harlem Globetrotters mural shot by user wiredforlogo on Flickr.

This cool mural by Gent of SDM Crew.

For art lovers, the streets of Fitzroy already serve as a public gallery. The showcase of talent seen in the streets of Fitzroy only proves that its residents are creative souls.

Are you a creative soul looking for a new home? Fitzroy is the suburb for you. Let Collings Real Estate roam you around the available houses in the suburb. Give us a call at +61 3 9486 2000.

What are the ways to secure a win at an auction?

One of the biggest milestones we’ll celebrate in this life is to purchase our very first home. Having our own property is a big deal so we must make sure that we take calculated steps towards getting our very first.

Buying your first home can be daunting especially if you plan to go the auction route. The process itself can be a bit stressful if you’re not prepared enough. Going against other people in a bidding process is stressful. But with proper guidance, you can ace it and hopefully win the auction.

Do some research and ask friends and family members who have been involved in auctions before. Get their inputs, explore your options, and pick several houses that you can choose from.

Winning at a real estate auction depends on a lot of factors. We came up with some auction tips to help you out. These auction tips will help you gain an edge over other people bidding for the property you want to buy.

Wait to place your bids

To get an idea of how much your competitors’ budgets are, wait until they make their bids first. This way, you’ll have an idea of how much people can afford and you will know when to join the price game.

The first auction you go to won’t be a guaranteed success. It will take a few engagements before you win your own home within your budget. Like in any game of chance, it’s a good idea not to show your hand in advance.

Make your bids a strong figure that reflects the market value.

Decide on strong figures once you bid. Make sure that your bids reflect the property’s value in the market so that it eliminates low bidders immediately. 

Add increments by the thousands because if you go for lower, like $500, almost anybody can add the same amount to their budget just to get back in the game.

Watch: How to bid at an auction

Go in with a counterbid quickly and confidently

This will let the other bidders know you mean business and that you’re serious about the property. Also, this will give you an idea of who your biggest competitors are in the auction.

Talk with the real estate agent

Have a discussion with a real estate agent. It will give them an idea that you’re a serious bidder. This will also give you an idea of how the process will go as the agent guides you.

There were instances when after every auction, there are people who get upset that the property was sold for a certain amount. They say things like “I could have paid higher had I known…” the way to bridge this gap is to talk to the real estate agent.

Set a budget and stick to it

It always helps to set a budget and how far you are willing to extend that before you go to an auction. A budget is a very important consideration for any property purchase. In case you don’t end up with the home of your choice during the first auction, there will be time to go around and attend another one that will fit your budget.

It’s rare that we get to win on our first auction so in case you get outbid, don’t despair. Like with any investment, it takes practice to get the hang of it. Also, look at it this way: failed auctions will lead you to the ideal home that best fits your needs and your budget.

Ready to attend and win an auction? Watch out for our auction schedules. See you there!

Heidelberg is a safe and friendly area which makes it a popular choice for people of all ages. Locals have plenty of options when it comes to recreation and entertainment. Basic amenities such as hospitals, parks and shopping centers are also accessible and nearby. If that is the case, then what makes Heidelberg stand out compared to other suburbs?

In Heidelberg, it’s common to see old renovated houses. The presence of these architectural structures is complimentary with the greeneries of the suburb. With old houses in plain sight, the vibe in this suburb is reminiscent of immense Australian history. 

In this blog, we will walk you through the historical landmarks that you can quickly visit while in Heidelberg!

Banyule Homestead

This gothic-styled mansion is one of the landmark buildings in Heidelberg as it is one of the oldest surviving houses in Victoria.

The Heidelberg Historical Society and Museum

In this museum, artifacts on Heidelberg and its surrounding suburbs are preserved by professionals and students alike. 

Heidelberg School Artists Trail

This trail is a series of signs featuring the work of artists from The Heidelberg School. 

Cartmell Street Walkway

The murals in the laneway depict the rich history of testing cars up in Heidelberg in 1904. Cartmell Street Walkway is worth a side trip after grabbing a cup of tea or coffee at the cafe shops nearby.

Old England Hotel

Established in 1848, Old England Hotel is a charmer for foodies and artists alike. The significant contributions of the hotel to the history of Heidelberg are enough for people to continuously patronise the place.

Living in Heidelberg feels like living in the past and present. Residents of Heidelberg enjoy their everyday view filled with historical touches from the first people of Melbourne, while also enjoying the improvements and upgrades of the area.

Interested in buying or selling a Heidelberg property? Contact us through our email at info@collings.com.au or give us a call at +61 3 9486 2000.

Other Heidelberg-related blogs:

Northcote is known for its laid-back vibe being a hub to a multicultural close-knit community. 

In 2021, it was crowned as the most liveable suburb in Australia. Its proximity to shops and schools contributed to it being a popular choice. The pandemic has prompted people to consider the option to be nearby shops and schools.

In this blog, we have enumerated a few retail shops and cafes that you should visit in when in Northcote.

Retail shops to try in Northcote:

Greenhorse

Greenhorse prides itself on offering organic, sustainable and fairtrade fashion, beauty and homeware pieces.

The Make It Collective

The Make It Collective is the house of handcrafted Aussie items ranging from vegan beauty products, upcycled jewellery, stationery, ceramics, homewares, textiles toys and more.

Obus

Always in support the local industry, Obus only uses natural fibre and produces exclusive prints that are proudly manufactured in Melbourne.

Cafes/Restaurants to try in Northcote:

Yokoso Izakaya Northcote 

Known for: Their sashimi platter, wagyu hot pot and skewers. Their customer service is also exceptional 

Lam Lam Vietnamese Food

Known for: Serving fresh food such as pho and spring rolls.

Welcome to Thornbury beer garden

Known for: Being Melbourne’s first permanent food truck! The concept is amazing, making it an easy foodie favorite.

Peacock Inn Hotel Club

Known for: Their sleek venue that adds to the exceptional dining experience.

Northcote Social Club

Known for: Its electric atmosphere. Apart from the great food, this place is also known as one of Inner North Melbourne’s music institutions.

Lambs Northcote Souvlaki

Known for: Serving the best Greek dishes such as their lamb souva, chicken souvlaki wrap and gyros.

Northcote, without a doubt, is one of the nicest suburbs in Melbourne. Many desire to acquire a property in this area. So whether you are a buyer or a seller, let us help you with your Northcote real estate requirements. Connect with us through our socials or reach out through email at info@collings.com.au.

Other Northcote-related blogs:

Before we open our homes for potential buyers and future owners, we need to prepare the property so that it can fetch a higher value.

In selling our homes, even if it’s been well maintained and there is minimal to almost zero home improvement projects that need to be done, we still need to up our game by making sure that everything is spic and span.

We also believe in the seller’s preparation; when we say prepare, it also applies to the soon-to-be previous owner of the property. So many people just focus on the property not realizing that as current owners, they, too, have to prepare themselves for the sale process.

So, what are the best ways to prepare your property for selling? How can you prepare yourself for the eventual sale of your home? How to market your house for sale? 

We came up with a list for of preparations for both owners and property to better fetch a higher value for your home and make an informed decision on when to sell. 

FOR OWNERS:

Timing and market understanding.

Timing and market understanding are important when you want to sell your  home.

The real estate market is very competitive so it’s better to enter the competition with an upper hand. Know what potential buyers are looking for by attending events or by reading real estate news. Find out why people are buying new homes and orient your property in a way that provides for their needs.

Choosing an agent.

First thing to consider when choosing an agent is if your personalities jive. It’s not something that most people consider, but if you want to risk trusting someone about a business investment, it better be a person that you are comfortable with sharing several aspects of your life. Having a good relationship with your agent will also guarantee better representation.

Related reading: How to Choose the Best Real Estate Agent

FOR THE PROPERTY:

Presentation.

When we talk of presentation, it’s not just about what it looks like during the days when it has viewers of potential buyers. This also refers to what it would look like in terms of aesthetics and function once it’s sold.

If you have unfinished DIY projects, now is the time to accomplish them before you open up your home for viewing. If you have plans of repainting, refurnishing the space, or rearranging the layout, now is the ideal time to do it before you start accepting appointments.

Decluttering will also help make the space seem bigger. The principle of less is more applies, as we want to keep minimal decor and furnishings so that people who want to view the space can easily imagine themselves in it. 

You have to also make sure that everything is working just fine. If one of the kitchen drawers don’t have a handle or there are cracked tiles in one of the bathrooms. If there are some curtains that need to be replaced and windows that need to be washed, a major cleaning can also help enhance the look of your home.

Selling our homes is one huge decision we have to really think about several times before we push through with it. Once you have decided to sell your property, be sure to connect with an agent you can trust.

Collings Real Estate is one of the highest-rated real estate agents in Victoria. We are known for our viral videos as a part of our real estate marketing campaigns. Give us a call and let us discuss your requirements: +61 3 9486 2000.

In real estate, it’s usually more about function and aesthetics. To fully showcase these features of your home, you need to incorporate styling and design.

Related reading: Why Should You Home Style Your Property

How to style your home for sale is dependent on several factors. Your preferences, the space that you’d be working with, and several others.

We have a list of ideas for dressing a house for sale. Check them out below so you can start planning your steps before you put your home up for sale.

Less is more

One surefire way to decorate a house to sell is to declutter. It helps make the atmosphere feel lighter and more open.

Dedicate a time where you can declutter each room in the house. This way, you won’t get overwhelmed by the task and by the number of items you have. This can prove to be difficult especially if you have so many items in your home.

Fill your home with light

Natural light helps create the illusion of more space and makes it feel more airy and bright. It becomes more inviting and relaxing.

For some areas of the house, mood lights also help in giving it character. You can also adjust the brightness depending on what you prefer, whether it’s for reading, conversations, or just enough illumination.

You can also use table lamps, tripod lamps, or any other light fixture to both decorate and illuminate your space.

Make sense of your floor plan

One of the most important things to keep in mind is to design and style space for function.

If it’s a living area where you want to foster more connections and conversations then do not put a television in it. Focus more on the lights to be able to set the mood or add speakers so you can play background music when you entertain.

Don’t crowd a room with so many items. Come up with a flow from the moment one enters the space and then as the potential buyer goes around the room until the they exit. Everything inside the room should make sense from furniture to appliances to decor to accessories.

Give it new life with paint

Do not underestimate the power of a new paint job. Apart from light, a fresh coat of paint also helps make a space seem bigger and brighter.

You can also have a mural design for your walls. There are people who opt for patterns or textures and then there are those who prefer artworks. Examples are a forest trail, under the ocean, or the universe. It could be a collection of favorite literary characters or a replica of a travel bucket list. You can be flexible with paint.

House exterior

The first thing that people see in your house is the exterior so it should also be one of the projects you need to tackle before you put your house up for sale.

Spruce it up by cleaning it thoroughly and then giving it a new paint job. There is also the property’s curb appeal; this means the property’s appeal to people when viewed from the street.

If you have space, lawn furniture would be nice. You can also make it into a small garden; trim the hedges, mow the grass, put up some decor. Don’t forget that house exteriors are as much a part of your property as the inside of the house.

Styling you home for sale can be tricky, but if you plan it and tackle the needed improvements and polishing one room at a time, before you know it, you’re done and ready to sell.

Aside from listing your home for sale, Collings Real Estate also offers professional home styling services to elevate your property marketing. Let’s discuss this further via phone call at +61 3 9486 2000.

Partnering with the Right Agent

While styling your home enhances its appeal to potential buyers, collaborating with a knowledgeable local agent ensures that your property reaches the right audience effectively. If you’re wondering, “How do I choose the best agent in Northcote?” it’s essential to look for professionals who have a deep understanding of the local market, a proven track record, and a commitment to showcasing your home’s best features. At Collings Real Estate, our team is dedicated to providing personalized service and expert guidance to help you navigate the selling process with confidence.

It’s become quite a trend these days for smart home technology to become a part of households. Some even upgrade their homes before putting it up for sale because automating them adds significant value to the property.

While there are so many advantages to smart home technology, there are also some things that need to be considered and given a closer look before we decide to make our homes smart.

We compiled a list of the advantages and disadvantages of smart home technology.

Advantages

Interconnectivity

The biggest advantage of having a smart home is the interconnectivity; you can access everything at the touch of a button from your smartphone or tablet. From the lights and blinds, the room temperature, and the thermostat; from the TV to locking the doors, playing background music, or checking on the surveillance footage of your home, everything can be accessed with just one click.

Remote monitoring

One of our concerns whenever we leave the house is the safety and security of our property. There will always be this constant worry that we may have left something running or forgotten to turn something off. Smart home technology allows for remote monitoring so you can check your home for your peace of mind anytime you feel like it.

This feature is also more important if you travel often either for work or leisure so you can see your house whenever you want.

Customisation

While there are some set templates to start you off on your journey towards a smart home, there are a variety of options to customise it according to your needs and preferences. You can set the temperature according to what you’re feeling at the moment; you can adjust the blinds; you can pick a song on your playlist; or even dim the lights.

Increased home value

As mentioned, adding smart home technology to your property increases its value because more and more people prefer to have this kind of setup for their future homes instead of installing it themselves which would maybe cost them more. Buying or renting a property with readily installed smart home technology.

Related: 6 Ways to Add Value to Your Home

Wellness

Despite the world slowly adjusting to the Covid19 virus in our midst, there are still people we care about that we want to keep tabs on. For our peace of mind and mental health, smart home technology gives us the means to monitor them in their homes without having to hover too much or being intrusive.

It could be your elderly parents or a sick relative or friend that has no one at the moment but you to count on. Smart home technologies bridge the distance between you and the people you care about.

Energy management

Because you can control the lights, electricity, and temperature and use them only when you need them, you save a lot on costs that result in lower energy bills.

Motion detection

One of the perks of having a smart home is that it has motion sensors. The air conditioner would turn itself on only if it senses human presence in the room. Same goes for the lights or other automated aspects of your home. No need for you to rely on switches all the time, or remote controls.

Leak detection and flood sensors

It gives us a sense of comfort when we could prevent home accidents from happening. Leak detection and flood sensors are important especially if you live in an area that’s frequently flooded. If your home is also a bit dated, it helps that you have these sensors to keep you aware if there are parts of your house that need to be reinforced or improved.

Disadvantages

Cost

Technology is always very costly. Setting up the system that will power your home’s smart technology won’t come cheap. It also needs to be powered by the internet so you need to possibly upgrade to a faster subscription. There are also houses that aren’t suitable for a smart home technology setup. If you want one, you might need to improve or reinforce some parts of your house to make room for this particular upgrade.

A reliable internet connection is crucial

As smart means automation, not only does it require electricity but also an internet connection. In cases where both are down, so is your system. You can even be locked out of your own home.

Helplessness if technology fails

Once everything has become automated in your home, once everything is programmed to your preferences, there will be a certain level of dependency developed that when times that it doesn’t work, there is a chance for you to feel helpless.

Initial learning efforts are necessary

You will need to allot time to learn how to navigate your home system and personalise it. It will require you to register your details, scan your finger, connect it with your email and set up some passcodes. If technology isn’t an area of interest for you, all the more that you would need to put it in your schedule, to learn how to work your smart home technology.

Compatibility problems between devices

Not many people are aware that there are compatibility requirements for devices to work seamlessly. Not because you have a smartphone or a tablet, or even a laptop, and a reliable internet connection means you can install a smart home technology system in them.

If you notice on your personal devices, there is a constant need for you to update your system and the mobile applications; this is because all of our systems and devices in our gadgets undergo constant updates from developers. If your gadget is an older model, chances are the apps needed to work your smart home technology system will not be compatible with it.

Privacy concerns

Just like anything that can be done over the internet, smart home technology systems are also prone to privacy issues. To address this, make sure that you deal with professionals. Check the testimony of their clients, take time to do research and then meet them to get a feel of things. At least, you’ll be making an informed decision once you do.

Consider these pros and cons before you outfit your property with smart home technology.

Thinking of selling your property but don’t know where to start? Read up on our property selling blogs to get more tips! Alternatively, if you require further assistance with property selling, you may always reach us through email: info@collings.com.au or give us a call at +61 3 9486 2000.