Latest News from Property Wizards…

9 August, 2022

PROPERTY WIZARDS SECURES THEIR PLACE IN THE BUYER’S AGENT HALL OF FAME 2022

Our very own Liz Sterzel was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2022 by the peak real estate body, the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia (REIWA).

Liz received the honour as recognition for her achievements, being awarded the REIWA Buyer’s Agent of the Year in the Awards for Excellence three times in a row in 2019, 2020 and 2021.

Considered by REIWA to be the highest accolades the Institute can bestow, these awards recognise industry leaders who go above and beyond for their clients, demonstrate excellence and are experts in their industry.

Liz is also the national champion, having won the 2022 Buyer’s Agent of the Year Award at the REIA National Awards for Excellence.

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7 April, 2022

PROPERTY WIZARDS HONOURED WITH NATIONAL BUYER’S AGENTS OF THE YEAR AWARD AT AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE

Perth real estate agent Liz Sterzel from Property Wizards won the 2022 Buyer’s Agent of the Year Award at the Real Estate Institute of Australia’s (REIA) National Awards for Excellence.

The National Awards for Excellence, held on Thursday 7 April in Melbourne, aim to encourage, recognise and promote excellence and best practice in the Australian real estate profession and represent the highest accolade REIA can bestow.

REIWA CEO Neville Pozzi congratulated Ms Sterzel on her win and thanked her for her outstanding contribution to the buyer’s agent profession and WA real estate industry at large.

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31 May 2021

REAL ESTATE TRIFECTA FOR PROPERTY WIZARDS BUYER’S AGENT

For the 3rd year running Property Wizards has won the top accolade in their field, winning the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia (REIWA) annual Awards for Excellence!

Taking out the hat trick win as 2021 Buyer’s Agent of the Year, managing director Liz Sterzel said she was honoured to be recognized again by the state’s peak industry body.

“We are thrilled to be acknowledged for the results Property Wizards achieves for our property buying clients, especially to be recognised 3-years running by the state’s peak industry body”, she said.

“Our recipe for success is to work totally in our client’s best interests and make their dollars work harder for them in a fast-moving, complex market.

“With low stock levels and strong competition from other buyers, the stakes are high and we have to ensure clients don’t miss out or overpay.”

Ms Sterzel said it is enormously fulfilling to see the growth in confidence in the buyer’s agent industry.

“It’s tremendously rewarding to see the increasing numbers of home buyers and investors recognizing the benefits of having a professional to help secure the right property and give them independent advice.”

The Awards for Excellence were presented at a gala dinner held at Crown Perth, attended by the cream of the real estate industry in Western Australia.

Considered by REIWA to be the highest accolades the Institute can bestow, these awards recognise those industry leaders who go above and beyond for their clients, demonstrate excellence and are experts in their industry.

Ms Sterzel will represent Western Australia in the Real Estate Institute of Australia national awards in June to be held in Darwin.

Media

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Media Releases

21 September 2019

PROPERTY WIZARDS HONOURED WITH TOP BUYER’S AGENT AWARD

Property Wizards Buyer’s Agency has been awarded top honours in their field at the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia (REIWA) annual Awards for Excellence.

Taking out the REIWA Buyer’s Agent of the Year 2019 win, managing director Liz Sterzel said they were honoured to be recognized again by the state’s top industry body.

“We are thrilled to be acknowledged for the work we’re doing at Property Wizards for our buyer clients,” she said.

“We believe our recipe for success is that we put the buyer’s interests first and continually adapt our buying strategies to the changing property market. This helps our clients tremendously, where they tread a fine line between missing out on a great property and making a disastrous mistake.

Read more

27 March, 2017

PROPERTY WIZARDS LAUNCHES FINANCE SERVICE

Award-winning Perth buyer’s agency Property Wizards has launched its own finance brokerage arm.

Managing director Liz Sterzel said the move was fuelled by their customers’ demand for quality financing.

“When we are going through the detailed processes of property buying for our clients, so many of them ask for help with their finance,” Ms Sterzel said.

“They want a smooth process where their property and finance is all taken care of without any hassles, and with a single point of contact. So it made sense to us to extend our service offer to include finance.”

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19 December, 2016

PROPERTY INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL BUDGETS 

Regardless of your budget, there are exciting opportunities for all potential investors in Perth’s property market.

Whether you can stretch your budget for a property close to the city or are limited to suburbs further out, Perth’s quieter market has a number of opportunities, allowing buyers to find a property that ticks the right boxes, fits their budget and aligns with their strategy.

“Above all else, a good investment should have potential for strong capital growth, and the easiest and fastest – but not always cheapest – way to achieve this is by purchasing a property with add-value potential,” says Property Wizards director Trevor Dunkley.

“This could be a property that can be renovated, or subdivided and developed,” he added.

Here are three suburbs that cater for three different budgets…

Read more

7 November, 2016

BUYING OFF-MARKET PROPERTIES

Securing a promising investment property before it hits the market comes down to building solid relationships with selling agents, according to Perth buyer’s agency, Property Wizards.

Buyer’s agent Trevor Dunkley said for an investor who knows what they want and is willing to offer a fair price, unlisted properties can be a quick and easy ticket to an exceptional investment opportunity.

“However, there is a lot of ground work to do beforehand, and only investors who are serious about finding these properties will make any headway with the selling agents,” he said.

Read more

30 March, 2016

PERTH REAL ESTATE A BUYER’S MARKET

Perth’s market shows signs of stabilizing, with an upswing in enquiries from both local and interstate investors, according to Perth buyer’s agency, Property Wizards.

Buyer’s agent Liz Sterzel said the Perth market has been in a lull for the past two years, with economists suggesting the market has reached its bottom, or is very close to doing so.

Read more

12 January, 2016

PERTH PROPERTY MARKET QUIETLY CONFIDENT

There has been an increase in investor confidence in Perth as the real estate market shows signs of stabilising, according to Perth buyer’s agency, Property Wizards.

Managing director, Liz Sterzel, said that her team has seen an upsurge in enquiries from both local and interstate investors over the holiday period.

Read more

6 November, 2015

PERTH PROPERTY MARKET NOT ALL DOOM AND GLOOM

Perth’s quieter property market is providing new opportunities for potential investors and tenants, according to Perth buyer’s agency, Property Wizards.

Buyer’s agent Liz Sterzel said the soft market is good news for buyers, with more choices of properties available, less competition and more room to negotiate.

“We have seen an increase in enquiries from potential buyers in recent weeks, looking to take advantage of the quieter market.

Read more

1 October, 2015

PERTH PROPERTY APPEALING TO INTERSTATE INVESTORS

Investors who have been priced out of the Sydney and Melbourne markets have potentially a lot to gain by turning to Perth, according to Perth buyer’s agency, Property Wizards.

Managing director Liz Sterzel said that traditionally the softening of Perth’s market leads to an influx of interstate investors to the city, and especially now that the Sydney market appears to have hit its peak.

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25 September, 2015

INVESTING IN VICTORIA PARK

While REIWA’s figures suggest growth in Victoria Park has been slow over the past year, the suburb still has a lot to recommend it as a strong investment area, according to Perth buyer’s agency, Property Wizards.

Buyer’s agent Trevor Dunkley said that being only 4km from Perth’s CBD, directly on a train line and close to the Crown Casino Complex, Curtin University and Perth Airport, this area is hugely popular with tenants from all walks of life.

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7 August, 2015

PERTH PROPERTY MARKET PULSE CHECK

Perth’s property market may have softened, but there are still opportunities for the astute investor, according to Perth buyer’s agency, Property Wizards.

Buyer’s agent Trevor Dunkley said the soft market can be good news for buyers, with more choices of properties available, less competition and more room to negotiate.

“Right now there are many areas in Perth where relative demand is strong, supply is low and growth drivers are keeping pressure on prices.

Read more

18 June, 2015

FINDING A BARGAIN IN PERTH’S PROPERTY MARKET

Perth’s property market has softened, and while this should lead to bargains for buyers, some sellers and agents have not been willing to meet the market according to Perth buyer’s agency, Property Wizards.

Managing director Liz Sterzel said some sellers may think their home is worth say, $500,000 because 6 months ago it was.

“They don’t get that the real estate market and property values move in a cycle and their property may not be worth $500,000 in today’s market – it could now be worth $475,000.

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8 June, 2015

BUYER’S AGENT BRIEF

John and Lisa want to purchase their first investment property. Aged in their mid forties, they’ve been thinking about buying an IP for years and are ready to take the first step. They’re main goal is to set themselves up as comfortably as possible come retirement age. They have $400,000 in equity on their principal place of residence (PPOR), and can comfortably stretch their IP budget to the $450,000 mark. Being new to the property investment game, they’re open for advice as to which areas in Perth’s market they should be investing, and what property type they should acquire to help secure their nest egg.

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28 April, 2015

SCHOOLS THE KEY CRITERION FOR FOREIGN INVESTORS IN PERTH

Properties in the catchment areas of the best schools in Perth are always top of the list for foreign buyers looking to invest according to Perth buyer’s agency, Property Wizards.

Buyer’s agent Liz Sterzel said there are a number of foreign investors who consider Perth for the quality of its schools.

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22 April, 2015

VACANCY RATES NOT THE KEY INDICATOR FOR A STRONG INVESTMENT

While vacancy rates can be a useful indicator of a suburb’s performance, they should be taken with a grain of salt, according to Perth buyer’s agency, Property Wizards.

Buyer’s agent Liz Sterzel said that areas with low vacancy rates can indicate high demand from tenants, but that should not be the only criterion an aspiring investor uses when selecting an area.

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12 February, 2015

WHAT’S THE LUCKIEST ESCAPE YOU OR A CLIENT HAVE EXPERIENCED IN PROPERTY INVESTING?

Our client wanted an investment property in a growing area, to rent out for now and later build 2 or 3 strata homes on. We found one that looked ideal; a level block in a good location at the right price.

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30 January, 2015

HOW TO CREATE MASSIVE EQUITY GAINS FAST ON A LOW INCOME

The basic human need for housing all but guarantees that investing in bricks and mortar will continue to be a popular method of wealth creation. However for potential investors on a low income, the property market can be daunting, according to Perth-based buyer’s agency, Property Wizards.
Liz Sterzel, managing director of Property Wizards said that there are still strategies that these investors can utilise to build their wealth.
“The number one thing for investors to remember is that creating and accumulating wealth in property comes down to the time spent in the market,” she said.

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January 15, 2015

FOCUS ON SAINT JAMES

If you are looking for an affordable investment in a great location, look to the suburb of St James. Only 6km south of Perth CBD, close to both the shopping centre Bentley Plaza and to Curtin University, and 5 minutes to Welshpool train station, it is little wonder this area is popular with professionals and students alike.

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12 December, 2014

PERTH PROPERTY MARKET HOLDING PATTERN TO LIFT OFF

As sales listings increase and buyers return to Perth’s property market, optimistic consumer sentiment should see increasing opportunities for buyers who know where to look, according to Perth buyer’s agency, Property Wizards.

Buyer’s agent Liz Sterzel said the Perth market has been very much in a “wait and see” mode in recent months.

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12 December, 2014

CHEAPEST SUBURBS FOR 3-BEDDERS WITHIN 20K OF PERTH

When venturing out to explore Perth’s cheapest median price suburbs for 3-bedroom houses within 20km of the Perth CBD (as identified by API data), what you’ll find is older and tired established areas with a scarcity of new housing estates and as a result, hungry for a taste of urban renewal.

For Perth first homebuyers or entry-level investors choosing to skip past the apartments and instead look for houses at affordable prices, yet still be within 20km of Perth, there are generally two choices.

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30 October, 2014

OPPORTUNITIES STILL AVAILABLE IN QUIETER PERTH PROPERTY MARKET

Despite lower listings and sales volumes in the September quarter, opportunities still exist in Perth for buyers who know where to look, according to Perth buyer’s agency, Property Wizards.

Buyer’s agent Trevor Dunkley said some sales agents reported difficulty in findings listings, and a decline in the number of sales.

“These anecdotes are confirmed by the REIWA preliminary data for the September quarter which finds that the number of house sales dropped by 7% from the previous quarter,” he said.

Read more

14 October, 2014

TOP TIPS FOR FIRST HOMEBUYERS

While Perth’s property prices have grown almost out of reach of many first homebuyers in recent years, superior options still stand out for homebuyers who take the time to do their research, says Property Wizard’s Buyer’s Agent, Trevor Dunkley.

Here, Mr. Dunkley shares his top three tips for first homebuyers in Perth.

BUDGET FOR THE FUTURE

Ensuring you know what you can realistically afford is the critical first step, said Mr. Dunkley.

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8 October, 2014

TREAD CAREFULLY IN HOLIDAY HOME INVESTMENT DREAM

On the way home from summer holidays, along with their tan and a week’s worth of sandy laundry, many people carry the dream of buying their own holiday home.

Property Wizards Buyer’s Agency’s Liz Sterzel said that investors who ultimately decide to proceed need to give careful consideration to their purchase, or risk ending up with a holiday horror.

“On the surface, investing in a holiday home sounds simple and very appealing,” said Ms Sterzel.

Read more

August 2014

WHERE TO INVEST: BEECHBORO

Where would you invest to double your deposit in 12 months?

For buyers who aren’t afraid to do their due diligence and invest in a proposed rezoning area, you will find potential to double your deposit in Beechboro.

12km from Perth CBD and close to Morley, where development site prices have increased well above average budgets, Beechboro offers a cheaper alternative for future development without significant additional distance.

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 13 August, 2014

NEGOTIATION TACTICS AND BUYING STRATEGIES

What are your 8 best negotiating strategies for purchasing an investment property?

• If you have built some rapport with the agent, try to find out what you can about the other offers expected or already made. If there are many other offers, make sure to put your best offer forward first as often the agent is unlikely to come back to you but will recommend the highest offer of many.

• If there aren’t other offers you may have leeway to negotiate a better price, but remember to not dawdle as another buyer could turn up at any time and take it out from under your feet. We recently had a client interested in a commercial property that had been on the market for months with no buyer interest. Our client read this as freedom to take their time getting finance organised and whilst they were slowly getting geared up another offer came in. Luckily we were able to get their offer submitted in the middle of negotiations with the other potential buyer and secure it for our client, but the other offer could just as easily have been accepted.

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23 May, 2014

INVESTING IN PERTH FROM VICTORIA

Where does Perth’s market sit at the moment?

Perth’s market has been experiencing fairly steady growth over the last 18 months, from a Median price of $480,000 in September 2012 to $545,000 as of March 2014. Demand for quality housing remains high, though rental vacancies have risen slightly from their very low 1.8% in September 2012 to 3.9% in March 2014.*

First Homebuyer demand may slow a little due to the WA State Government’s announcement that the First Homebuyer transfer duty concessions will be watered down from 1^st July; however First Homebuyers in Western Australia are still better off in terms of these concessions than in most states, including Victoria. Coupled with the First Home Owners Grant of $10,000 for a newly built property or $3,000 for an established property, Perth still provides attractive incentives for First Homebuyers.

 Read more

13 February, 2014 

ELLENBROOK: PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES

• What does the future hold for the property market in Ellenbrook given its distance from the CBD, could it become a satellite city?

There’s no doubt that Ellenbrook could be destined for satellite status, you only have to look at its growth and the way it’s evolving into a self-sufficient region. This has all resulted from Perth’s urban sprawl north.

However, while Ellenbook’s location is comparable to Joondalup or Cockburn Central in terms of its distance from Perth CBD, questions about the ongoing potential of the suburb are raised by its isolation from neighbouring suburbs and lack of transport infrastructure.

Ellenbrook, a town historically known for its large blocks and open space, is 20km north of the Perth CBD. Residential development took off in 1993 and today it’s seeing plenty of change, including the trend of larger blocks being chopped up into smaller blocks, plenty of new houses springing up, and a rapidly growing population.

Read more

8 November, 2013 

ATWELL: THE QUIET ACHIEVER

What is the buyer sentiment like at the moment?

It’s buoyant buying and selling activity in Atwell at the moment for a number of factors. On a broader scale, low interest rates tend to be driving first homeowners to upgrade, and Atwell appears to be gaining a bit of attention from this crowd. The new and ongoing infrastructure at nearby Cockburn Central and the world-class marina under way at Coogee, less than 12km west of Atwell, is also injecting more enthusiasm into the area.

Is there anything significant in the pipeline, such as infrastructure or developments, you believe will impact prices?

The most significant for Atwell is the Cockburn Central Town Centre, which is just a couple of minutes away. It’s proposed to be a town centre with a vibrant and colourful mix of residential, retail and commercial properties. Already the Town Square has been revitalised, completed in January 2013.

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24 September, 2013

REAL ESTATE KEY TO BOOMERS RETIREMENT WOES

Real estate investments can go a long way towards helping baby boomers retire in a lifestyle they’re accustomed to.

It is no secret that superannuation isn’t going to provide enough income for many baby boomers during their retirement, but it isn’t too late for many of them to create a rosier future through real estate.

The baby boomers are still young enough to look at buying into great investment properties now to boost their retirement years and make sure they’ll be able to continue the lifestyle they’re currently enjoying.

Read more

12 September, 2013

FIRST HOMEBUYERS TAKE HEED WITH OVERHEATED PRICES IN RUSH BACK TO THE MARKET

In the post-election scramble back to the property market, Perth buyers’ advocate Property Wizards warns buyers –particularly first homebuyers – not to fall into a trap of paying an overheated property price in the fear of missing out.

“Buyers must learn from previous mistakes made as the heat returns to the property market,” according to Property Wizards buyers’ agent Liz Sterzel.

The recently released CommBank Home Loans report reveals that one in five homebuyers handed over much more than they had initially budgeted on their last property purchase, Ms. Sterzel notes.

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23 August, 2013

COMPARE WISELY BEFORE BUYING IN BIG PRICE GAP SUBURBS

According to a Perth property buyer’s agency, potential investors should tread carefully before rushing in to buy properties at the lower end of the market in suburbs which feature the biggest price gaps.

Australian Property Monitors has released figures for the 12 months to June 2013, naming Dalkeith, Cottesloe, Applecross and Mosman Park at the top of the list of suburbs in which the range of house prices varies the greatest. In the case of units, Applecross comes in first, followed by Claremont, Cottesloe and Subiaco.

Property Wizards Buyer’s Agency’s Liz Sterzel, said that while it can be a sound strategy to invest in areas with big price gaps if you do your research, there are a few key dangers to watch out for.

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2 April, 2013

KINROSS SOLID FOR BUY-AND-HOLD INVESTORS

The suburb of Kinross is a solid choice for investors focused on finding buy-and-hold properties that deliver sound rental returns and need little maintenance says Subiaco buyer’s agency Property Wizards.

Property Wizards’ Liz Sterzel said the area had positive attributes that could make it worthwhile for certain property investors.

“Kinross is three kilometres from the ocean and close to the shopping hub of Joondalup, which is also a centre that provides many job opportunities, and it’s also near to the freeway and railway lines making commuting to other parts of the metropolitan area easy,” she said.

 Read more

30 January, 2013

THREE STRATEGIES FOR BUYING PROPERTY BARGAINS THAT PERFORM

If you don’t have big bucks to spend, careful selection is one of the key criteria for securing a home or investment property that still has the potential to deliver financially, according to a Perth property buyer’s agency.

Property Wizards Buyer’s Agency’s Liz Sterzel said there were three solid strategies for hunting for property bargains on lower budgets.

“Above all else what makes a home or investment property valuable is its potential for good capital growth or good rentals yields,” she said.

 Read more

30 January, 2013

IMPACT OF NBN ON PERTH PROPERTY MARKET

The roll out of the national broadband network (NBN) will have minimal effect on the residential property market in Perth, but may have some impact on regional areas and commercial property, according to a Perth buyer’s agency.

“Given that internet connections are generally very good in Perth, it would be hard to imagine investors and tenants basing their residential property decisions on availability of the national broadband network,” said Property Wizards Buyer’s Agency’s Liz Sterzel.

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20  January, 2013

TREAD CAREFULLY IN HOLIDAY HOME INVESTMENT DREAM

People returning from summer holidays with dreams to snap up vacation homes that double as lucrative investments need to tread carefully, according to a local property buyers agency.

Property Wizards Buyer’s Agency’s Liz Sterzel said holiday homes could prove to be far trickier investments than many people thought and the best approach to deciding whether to take the plunge was to consider your key objective.

“If your goal is to build a high-performing portfolio, simply choose the best property for your investment needs in a city with solid industry and stable rental demand,” said Ms Sterzel.

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22 October, 2012

COVETED WALK-UP DEVELOPMENTS SEE INVESTORS PROSPER

Blocks ripe for building two-storey “walk-up” homes are the hottest opportunity being tracked down by investors keen to craft higher density developments in the midst of Perth’s housing affordability crisis, according to Subiaco buyer’s agency Property Wizards.

Property Wizards’ Liz Sterzel said a recent change to planning laws had created a loophole making the savvy wealth-creation strategy possible.

“The brilliant opportunity the loophole presents is being able to build two-storey walk-up homes which may look like a townhouse but are actually two apartments, one on top of the other, where each unit is a separate property with its own title,” she said.

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14 November, 2012

PROPERTY BUYERS WARNED TO BE ON LOOK OUT FOR DECEPTIVE SALES PHOTOS

Perth property buyer’s agency Property Wizards is urging investors to prioritise on-the-ground property inspections early in their search for an investment or enlist professional help, saying it was the only way to ensure they weren’t being deceived by online photographs being used to sell homes.

Property Wizards’ Liz Sterzel said that while the internet had made searching for property investments easier in many ways, it had also thrown up a new challenge for buyers.

“Since the internet has become the primary way of marketing houses photographs have become a massive part of an agent’s selling strategy but, as the old saying goes, looks can be deceiving,” she said.

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August 28, 2012 

AWARD HONOURS PROPERTY WIZARDS’ CUSTOMER SERVICE

Perth-based buyer’s agency Property Wizards has been honoured with an award that pays tribute to its exceptional customer service in helping investors snare superior properties.

First-class feedback from clients has seen the agency presented with a Gold Australian Customer Service Award for 2012.

Australian Customer Service Awards managing director Ian Lowe said Property Wizards well and truly hit the mark in delivering outstanding service.

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February, 2012

CREATING WEALTH THROUGH SUBDIVISION – HOTSPOTS, BENEFITS AND PITFALLS

Any investment option presents risks and rewards that must be properly understood before purchase, this is certainly the case with the purchase of property for redevelopment. You can keep yourself nicely occupied, but all your hard work could be for nothing if you’ve not done your homework.

“It may shock you to hear that small developments are by and large not profitable,” said Property Wizards buyers agent Liz Sterzel.

“Less than 1 per cent of sites advertised as development potential sites can generate a profit for the new owners,” Ms Sterzel said. “The really good profitable sites for a buy/develop/sell strategy today generate just 15 per cent profit.”

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25 January, 2012 

JOONDALUP LURES INVESTORS

Particular Joondalup properties have the potential to be star performers for investors thanks to strong demand for student housing in the suburb, according to Perth-based Property Wizards Buyer’s Agents.

“Joondalup is becoming its own hub and has everything that the city of Perth offers – it’s a developing, modern, self-contained city, so it’s well suited for all demographics and is filled with facilities to maintain a brilliant lifestyle,” says Property Wizards’ managing director Liz Sterzel.

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8 May, 2011

FASTER BUILD TIMES, CHEAPER COSTS LURING MUM & DAD DEVELOPERS

WA’s ‘mum and dad’ investors are taking advantage of faster building times and discounted building costs to dive into small-scale developments, report Perth property buyers agents.

Liz Sterzel, managing director of Property Wizards Buyers Agents and Developments, said educated investors had come out of the woodwork in recent months to capitalise on the unique features of the market.

“At the height of Perth’s last property boom, it was taking up to two years to construct a new home and those delays cost investors building rental properties a great deal in terms of interest costs,” she said.

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