How to Step Up and Avoid Common Insurance Claims
By Kellie Andriessen – NSW REI Property Manager of the Year 2024 Landlord insurance is an absolute must for every investor. It’s your safety net when the unexpected happens, whether that’s storm damage, malicious tenants, or rental arrears. But in my experience, insurance should never be your only strategy. The best way to protect your.
How Buyer Psychology Shapes Smart Property Presentation
By Craig Andriessen Over the years, I’ve learned something very clear: buyers don’t just inspect with their eyes — they inspect with their emotions. Long before they get to the contract stage, they’ve already made a decision in their head: Can I see myself living here? That’s why how a property is presented — not.
Is the First Home Guarantee Really Worth It? Rising Rents May Have Just Changed the Game
By Craig Andriessen — Andriessen Property The federal government’s First Home Guarantee Scheme expanded again recently, giving first-home buyers the chance to get into the market with just a 5% deposit — no Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) required. On paper, that sounds like a dream. But like everything in real estate… there’s more to the.
How to Choose Good Tenants
By Kellie Andriessen – Newcastle Property Management Choosing the right tenant is one of the most important steps in protecting your investment property. A great tenant pays rent on time, cares for the home as if it were their own, communicates openly, and helps make the management process smooth and stress-free. Pick the wrong tenant,.
New Year, New Risks: What Landlords Should Watch for in 2026
By Kellie Andriessen The start of a new year is always a valuable time for landlords to pause, review their position, and plan ahead. With market conditions continuing to shift, staying informed is one of the most effective ways to protect your investment and avoid surprises. Following recent industry training, market briefings, and this week’s.
Lithium-Ion Batteries and Home Fire Safety: What We’re Seeing — and What We Recommend
By Kellie Andriessen As property managers, our role goes well beyond leases and maintenance. Keeping people safe in their homes is a responsibility we take very seriously. Through recent industry training and safety briefings, we’ve been strongly advised to raise awareness around lithium-ion battery fire risks — a growing issue that is now affecting homes.
Keeping Tenants Cool: Smart Summer Tips for Landlords
By Kellie Andriessen – Newcastle Property Management With temperatures rising across Australia, providing a comfortable home for your tenants is becoming more important than ever. While NSW law doesn’t currently require cooling systems in rental properties, new energy-efficiency and liveability standards are being introduced in other states—and it’s only a matter of time before they.
First-Home Buyer Options Set to Triple Across Newcastle and Lake Macquarie
As someone who works with buyers and sellers every day across Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, I know how tough it’s been for first-home buyers to get a foot in the door. But from 1 October 2025, a major policy change is set to transform the local landscape. The Federal Government’s Home Guarantee Scheme is being.