LIfestyle Category

When it comes to an x-factor in business you have to be brave, you have to think outside the square and you have to take a risk. Virtual assistants have turned out to be that x-factor in our business. A Virtual Assistant is a multi-skilled, self-driven, who provides professional administrative, technical, or creative assistance to clients remotely or from a home office.If you’re not familiar with a virtual assistant in real estate they are basically, usually foreigners working from somewhere like India or the Philippines who assist your business with the administrative tasks. While there are savings in terms of wages, tax and super, probably the biggest saving though for a small business is the saving it takes in the time to train someone to complete various tasks. As we… Read More »

Just like our wardrobes, our interiors also need a bit of a makeover when a new season comes around. You have probably already dusted off the extra blankets but did you know there are a few other things you can do to make your room cosier for the winter months. Here is a breakdown on how you can make some easy changes that will warm your room all winter long. COLOUR Just changing up the colours can even make the space seem warmer. Think dark, muted colours or bold jewel tones. On-Trend this year: Black & Burgundy – These cosy and luxurious colours are everywhere at the moment. To easily incorporate these colours try using coloured cushions, accessories, and throw rugs. Rust, Mustards & Berry Tones – Try incorporating these… Read More »

In real estate, two types of marketing contribute to the sale of a property. These are property marketing and agent marketing. As an agent, it is important to ensure you are using a combination of both to ensure you are reaching your intended target audience. Here is a run-down of the importance of each of these types of marketing, some useful tools to get you started, and how to implement a prospecting plan to target more business. PROPERTY MARKETING (VENDOR PAID ADVERTISING – VPA) Let’s start with the obvious when a property is listed for sale it needs to be published to be seen by prospective buyers. It is important to stress how vital property marketing is to your vendors when first meeting with them. At iThink Property, we have… Read More »

HOW TO HAVE DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS IN REAL ESTATE AND DELIVER THEM DECISIVELY. There is one thing most of us are guilty of, well there’s a lot more than one actually, but for purposes of this blog topic it is putting off having difficult conversations. For some people it can be so fear and anxiety-inducing that often the relevance of the conversation is lost because it has taken so long to muster up the courage to have that awkward chat. Whether it is a work colleague, a boss or client, determining how to start and have a difficult conversation, is an essential life and business skill. The consequences of not having that uncomfortable conversation can be costly, and handling a difficult conversation requires not only skill and empathy but importantly the… Read More »

I’m not sure about you, but if I hear Coronavirus or COVID-19 mentioned one more time, I’m not sure I’ll keep it together. I stopped watching the news a few weeks ago now and whilst I have used it more than my fair share of the ‘C’ virus word in business and at home, I now think it’s time to shift the mindset and focus on a new letter, the ‘M’ word. Mindset is one of those buzzwords that is currently being touted as an essential life tool alongside mindfulness to essentially manage mental health and wellbeing. What is mindset though? Your mindset plays a critical role in how you cope with life and the challenges it throws at you. Experts believe there are two types on mindsets, one is… Read More »

Currently working from home and struggling to get into the zone? With the coronavirus madness forcing more and more businesses to shut up shop and work from home, it is more important than ever to ensure you have set up a productive home office in the interim. Here are our top tips and suggestions that will help you get the most out of your workday at home. ESTABLISH A CLEAR WORK ZONE You will want to set up a clear workspace, away from any distractions. You want to try and not mix work with your usual home routines. Establishing clear boundaries will help you stay more productive when completing work tasks. Also, make sure you inform the family/housemates of your workspace to avoid later conflict. You will also want to… Read More »

Pandemic… it is such a fear-inducing word, isn’t it? While some of us may be feeling the world has gone crazy, others might be thinking rightfully so, it is a Pandemic after all, but despite where you stand on the topic one thing is certain you can’t avoid the issue. We are entering unprecedented times and the waters we are about to navigate are unchartered, but now is not the time to stick our heads in the sand. Certain things may be out of our control, but we need to take stock of what we can control and focus on ways to move forward as an individual, business or community in this time of crisis. Yes, it is a time of crisis, but don’t be paralysed by the fear, this… Read More »

Who hasn’t sat back and watched ‘The Block’ or ‘House Rules’ and thought renovating a house looks easy enough? The popularity of these reality TV shows has turned renovating into a business beast of its own. It has become way more than a simple hobby or side hustle these days, but it’s one thing to renovate and another making a profit from it. One of the fastest growing trends is House Flipping. For those who know little about this term, house flipping is when a real estate investor buys a house and then sells them for a profit. In order for a house to be considered a flip, it must be bought with the intention of quickly reselling. The time between the purchase and the sale often ranges from a… Read More »

With the recent wet weather over last week in the Ipswich, Toowoomba and surrounding areas, it is extremely important to ensure your home is ready to withstand the weather. Over the next week we are also expecting more wet weather and the odd thunderstorm, so here is our list of tips and tricks so you can be prepared in case things go south. It will also help ensure you have all the correct procedures in place for a stress-free storm season. PREPARING YOUR HOME GENERAL MAINTENANCE Check the condition of your roof and be sure to repair any loose tiles, eaves or screws. Also, make sure you clean our all the gutters and downpipes to create a clear path for water to flow through. Another easy job that you can… Read More »