Quarterly Property Insight - December 2023

Let’s be honest, who is thinking of how to entertain the kids on school holidays! Once the fun and frantics of Christmas and New Years are over, you’ll get the questions piling in every day... “what are we gonna do today”?! So we have decided to give you a list of some family fun activities that are sure to keep everyone occupied!   Image: Alex McKinnon  Gunnamatta Trail Rides You have so many different rides to choose from, Bushland Adventures, Beach rides, Early Bird or Twilight rides, Slow & Steady or Adrenalin Charged!. All rides range in time, however, we have no doubt you will enjoy all of each ride's hidden treasure to explore and discover. Website: https://gunnamatta.com.au/ Call: 03 5988 6755   Enchanted Adventure Garden This place has something for everyone! From Nippers Tree Surfing for the littlies to Grand Tree Surfing for the bigger kids. The Big Zip which will take you flying across the formal gardens and enchanted lake. Canopy Walk to take you amongst the treetops, Tube Slides for that exhilarating rush as you zoom down the hills and so many different mazes you will be lost over & over & over again! Spend the whole day with a picnic area for a ‘BYO’ lunch or dine in at the cafe. Website: https://www.enchantedmaze.com.au/ Call: 03 5981 8449   Image: The view from Arthurs Seat Eagle  Arthurs Seat Eagle Arthurs Seat chair lift is soaring again high above the Mornington Peninsula with scenic views across Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne City Skyline and beyond. The gondola ride takes you between the Base Station in Dromana to the summit of Arthurs Seat. Enclosed and Open Cabins are available to cater for all. Wheelchair & Pram friendly, as well as catering for the disabled, elderley and toddlers this experience is something the whole family can enjoy and remember memories for years to come! Website: https://aseagle.com.au/ Call: 03 5987 0600   Moonraker Seal & Dolphin Swims Experience the ultimate adventure onboard the Moonraker today! Unique Aquatic Tours on the Mornington Peninsula, Moonraker Seal & Dolphin Swims offers Sightseeing Adventure Cruises as well as Seal & Dolphin Swim Tours for the young and old. The newly purpose-built vessels include cafe facilities, sun decks and inside lounge areas so for a once in a lifetime experience meeting Australian Fur Seal, Port Phillip Bay Dolphins and even catch a glimpse of the Weedy Seadragons beneath the waves jump on board today! Website:  https://www.moonrakerdolphinswims.com.au/ Call: 03 5984 4211   Dromana Drive-In With a mix of the latest movie releases & some oldies but goodies, pack your snacks and blankets and head on down to the Dromana Drive-In for a fun-filled night for all the family. With an authentic 50’s style, American Diner to satisfy your food cravings and the movie sound delivered directly to your vehicle via the FM car radio you can snuggle in on a cold night in the comfort of your own vehicle or set up your favourite camp chair in the warmer months and take in the experience of your favourite movie on the BIG screen! Website: https://www.dromanadrivein.com.au/ Call: 03 5987 2492   Image: Picking berries at Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm   Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm Why not go and take the kids to pick their own berries at the Sunnyridge Strawberry Farm! With Strawberries, Blueberries and Raspberries all on offer to pick during January and February. A great family activity that can be done in between visiting local wineries or food emporiums. And once you are finished picking why not reward yourself at the cafe. Website: https://sunnyridge.com.au/ Call: 03 5989 4500   Kid-friendly Winery Take the whole family out for lunch or dinner at the Stillwater at Crittenden. With a menu that reflects the best seasonal produce that is sourced locally and organic! A relaxed atmosphere that provides dining with a view to inspire just at the foot of Red Hill. Website: https://stillwateratcrittenden.com.au/ Call: 03 59 81 9555   Holey Moley Golf Club Get ready to putt your stuff, at Holey Moley Bayside! With two different courses to choose from, you’ll putt your stuff around 18 uniquely themed holes. Take a seat on the couch at 742 Evergreen Terrace, turn things topsy-turvy in the Upside Down and lay your claim to The Nine Iron Throne. A great activity that everyone in the family can enjoy! Website: https://www.holeymoley.com.au/locations/bayside Call: 03 7003 9201   Image: Hand feeding Wallabies at Moonlit Sanctuary   Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park Moonlit Sanctuary is Melbourne’s award-winning wildlife park. Go and visit and get an up-close look at Australia’s amazing animals. Explore our bush-land while feeding kangaroos and wallabies, petting friendly koalas and enjoying encounters with colourful birds, reptiles, dingoes and many other animals including endangered species. More than 70 Australian species are waiting to meet you. Website: https://moonlitsanctuary.com.au/ We hope these activities will keep you and the kids entertained over the summer. Stay tuned for part two of our holiday activity suggestions.   Looking to sell your home, purchase your next dream home or invest in the ideal location on the Peninsula? Head to crowdersre.com.au for all of our current listings or to get in touch with us on 03 5983 3038 to get a valuation on your property’s worth today.

Property investment is an effective way to grow wealth - but it also requires ample preparation and financing. Real estate investment often involves planning as there are several costs that have to be taken into account before making a purchase. Making the correct investment decisions are always the number one priority of any investor and accepting what expenses that may be incorporated goes a long way to helping. The checklist below clarifies the different initial upfront and ongoing costs involved with investment property. Upfront Costs   Deposit - The deposit is a percentage of the property’s value that investors need to pay to the vendor. Generally, residential properties require a 20% deposit while commercial properties require 30%. Loan Establishment Fees - A loan establishment fee, also called an application fee, covers the cost of preparing documents of a new mortgage. There are some banks and financial institutions that are willing to waive this one-off payment, however, it can cost between $200 and $700 depending on the loan. Lenders Mortgage Insurance - Lenders require LMI if the deposit is less than 20% of the property price. This one-off fee protects lenders financially if a borrower defaults on their mortgage. This LMI estimator can help calculate the amount needed to pay for a chosen property. Stamp Duty - Stamp duty covers the cost of changing the title and ownership of a property. The amount differs depending on the state where the property is situated. The property’s value and purpose also determine how much stamp duty should be paid. Investment properties generally have higher stamp duty costs than those who have principal residence. This stamp duty calculator can provide an estimate. Connections - These are fees covering utilities and services, including electricity, water, and gas, that need to be installed before the property is ready for occupancy. Legal Fees - These include solicitor or conveyancing fees, which cover the legal transfer of the property’s ownership. The amount varies depending on the lender, fees can start at $100 and, in some instances, exceed $1,000. Title transfer may also require search processing fees, which can cost about $50 per search.   (Image Source: Unsplash) Ongoing Costs Loan Repayment - The cost of monthly mortgage repayments is calculated by the amount borrowed or principal, type of loan, loan term, and interest. An estimate can be provided by this mortgage repayment calculator. Land Tax - State governments, excluding Northern Territory, levy yearly taxes to landowners. The cost differs depending on the state or territory and does not include properties constructed on the land: land tax calculator. Council Rates - Council rates are a type of property tax that also changes from state to state. Local governments collect these on a quarterly or yearly basis, for the property maintenance of the council area and cover garbage collection, plumbing, electrical, and other services. The costs are often indexed against the property’s value and can reach thousands of dollars every year. Body Corporate Fees - Also called strata fees, body corporate fees are rates charged on properties located in the shared block such as apartments, townhouses, units, and flats. These cover the management of the block and maintenance of common areas. The cost is dependant on the condition, size and location of the property, and can range between $50 and several hundred dollars per week. Building and Landlord Insurance - Building insurance provides cover to the buildings on the property and its contents from unforeseen damage such as natural disasters i.e. fires and flooding. Landlord insurance protects property owners against loss or damage arising from tenancy issues, including theft, loss of rental income, vandalism. It is advisable to have these policies, however, they are not always required. Annual premiums vary per state but typically ranges from $1,000 to $2,000. Property Management Fees - Some investors choose to outsource the day-to-day management of their property. A property manager overlooks the daily operations of rental properties from collecting rent to maintenance and repair. They could cost between 5% and 8% of the monthly income. Plus a letting fee once a tenant is secured which can vary from one-week rental to 2.5 weeks rental plus GST. Advertising - To generate income, rental properties need tenants. The internet is filled with real estate websites that owners can use to attract potential renters. Advertising on these platforms usually costs a few hundred dollars. Repair and Maintenance Costs - A landlord is responsible for ensuring a property is in a livable state for tenants, so it is recommended to put aside a yearly budget for costs and repairs.   (Image Source: Pexels)   Investment properties return a multitude of benefits, among these is the potential for sturdy financial returns. Careful thought and planning are required when venturing into real estate investment. The key is not to rush in purchasing a property and consider all the costs involved. For more information on Investment Property, whether you’d like to buy or sell, contact the team here at Crowders Real Estate. Phone: 03 5983 3038 Email: property@crowdersre.com.au Visit: 2375A Point Nepean Road, Rye VIC 3941 Appraisal Request: crowdersre.com.au/appraisals   Disclaimer:  This article is a general overview and not in any way purports to be financial advice.  We are not authorised to provide any financial advice.  We recommend on seeking financial advice tailored to your individual needs from your Accountant, Financial Advisor and Bank for formal advice on investment properties.