How To Minimise Your Risk Of A Spider Infestation

If you asked most people to write a list of things that they didn’t want to invade their home, spiders would surely have to rank somewhere near the top. These eight-legged creepy crawlies instil fear and revulsion in many, which is completely understandable. Thankfully, we offer a comprehensive spider control service that can make your home spider-free if this is a concern for you.

In Perth, spiders like redbacks can also be quite dangerous, so it’s worthwhile doing everything you can to minimise your risk of spider infestation before it becomes a problem. If you want to keep your home as safe and as comfortable as possible, make sure you check out the rest of this blog to learn some important spider control tips.

liminate Harbouring Points

Spiders love out-of-the-way places that they can build their webs and remain undisturbed. This is especially true of redbacks.

Eliminating harbouring points like piles of debris and pot plants near doorways and windows will give them fewer places to hide. It’s also a good idea to minimise foliage outside your home and to avoid storing items against your house.

Seal Up Your Home & Keep Them Out

One of the best spider control methods is simply to keep spiders out of your home in the first place. Patching up holes and cracks leading in from the outside can prevent spiders (and all other nasty creepy crawlies) from finding their way inside.

– Use filler or sealant to close large gaps in closed doors and windows and around any wires, cables and electrical components that run outside.
– Replace or repair any torn flywire door and window screens.
– Cover your vents and chimney with a mesh insect screen.

Keep Your Outside Lights Off

Spiders might not be attracted to lights, but the insects they like to eat definitely are. Keeping your outdoor lights off will make your home seem less like an all-you-can-eat buffet for spiders.

– Use opaque blinds or shades to keep your lights from shining through your windows.
– Switching to yellow sodium vapour lights for your outdoor areas — they’re less appealing to insects.

Apply Residual Insecticides Or Deterrents

Applying a residual insecticide around the areas where spiders are most likely to enter your home — like around doorways, windows and other cracks — is a great way of providing your home with an additional line of defence. However, make sure you read the instructions carefully to prevent accidental poisoning of yourself, your children or your pets.

If you’re not keen on using chemical spider control inside your home, there are a number of natural deterrents like peppermint oil, vinegar, citrus or cedar that can be sprayed into these areas.

Your Friendly Local Spider-Men

Despite all of your best efforts at spider control, infestations can occur. If this happens to you, get a free online quote or call us on 0864446672 and our spider control experts can have your home back to a state of safety and comfort in as little time as possible.

Infographic Source: How To Minimise Your Risk Of A Spider Infestation

What’s the plan – Know Your Suburb

Choosing an area that isn’t yet built up? Make sure you check what else the surrounding land is going to be used for and whether there are plans for development. Depending on commercial or industrial activity and road construction, there could be high noise levels and general disruption to your living, but you could greatly benefit long-term.

What the future holds

Whether you pick your builder first or your land first is up to you, and both have their benefits. So if you’ve chosen your homebuilder, have no fear – they often build in many areas around Western Australia, so you’re sure to find a selection of suburbs that suit your family and your budget.

Quality improvements

Firstly, what do you want from your location? If shops, the freeway, NBN connections or public transport are important to you, then check whether they are already in the area, or planned for the future. The Department of Planning has statewide responsibility for the planning for future communities and plays a vital role in improving the quality of your lifestyle.

How your council are involved

It’s time to check with the local council and the Department of Planning for details of the facilities and amenities planned for the area, such as schools and parks, as well as details of any restrictions on building on the property. Your builder should have all this information, but for specific details and a better understanding, the council can provide everything you need.

It’s easy to access planning schemes, codes, legislation, policies, forms and information sheets online.

Your health is important

Don’t forget to also check out health and environmental issues and requirements related to planning and developing in your favourite Perth locations. Information on specific soils, asbestos, noise, pollution and sustainable building design is also all available.

Results – both good and bad

Remember, future plans can have cons as well as the pros long-term and they may affect when you plan to move into your new home, and could have numerous repercussions on the future. Make sure your pros outweigh your cons below.

Pros:

• Possible new transport links
• Your property value could increase
• You may get access to more local amenities
• Further benefits for future family plans – schools, doctors etc
• More activities in your local surroundings.

Cons:

• Sound pollution/noise levels during build, whether it be commercial or residential
• Increase in local population
• Busier roads or increase in traffic
• May decrease in property value
• Could change the feel/atmosphere of the neighbourhood.

Know exactly what you’re getting

As long as you know what changes the area will be going through and that it will work in your favour long-term, then it is usually a safe bet. Why not take a look at the locations of our house and land packages, or visit one of our display homes and get to know the area a little better?

Article Source: What’s the plan – Know Your Suburb

6-Star Guide - Save Money Long-Term

Discover how following the 6-Star Guide to building an energy efficient home will not only be beneficial to the environment, but will help you save money over the lifecycle of your home.

Achieving a 6-star energy rating doesn’t have to be expensive. Features like orientation, ventilation and insulation can dramatically increase your energy efficiency. It’s all about the affordable, sustainable features to not only make your home more energy efficient and reduce your carbon footprint, but to allow you to enjoy the benefits of reduced energy costs for years to come.

What is a Star rating?

Just as household appliances have star-rating systems that measure their energy efficiency, the energy and thermal efficiency of a home also has a nationally recognised star rating system.

On a scale of one to ten, the stars rate the thermal performance capability of homes, or the natural comfort levels one can achieve.

The higher the star rating, the more energy efficient the home is, meaning it has a lesser need for artificial heating or cooling throughout the year. This can dramatically lower energy use, power bills and greenhouse emissions.

At a glance: What a 6-star rating means for you

COMFORT:
Your new home will be up to 5°C warmer in winter, and 10°C cooler in summer.

ENERGY SAVINGS:
Up to 25% increase in energy efficiency.

HOUSEHOLD BUDGET SAVINGS:
Savings of up to $107 per year on energy bills.*

How much will I save?

Exact savings and costs will depend to a degree on block orientation – remember, any investment made to secure a well-orientated block is likely to be less than the cost of installing evaporative air conditioning.

The following are some of the savings estimated for a typical Western Australian 6-star home in comparison to a similar typical 5-star home.

• 1,090 megajoules (MJ) of gas saved per household per year. In dollar terms this means a saving of around $39 per year (at today’s cost of 12.79c per unit, where 1 unit = 3.6MJ).*
• 985 MJ (or 274 kilowatt hours – kWh) of electricity saved per household per year. In dollar terms this means a saving of around $68 every year (at today’s cost of 24.88c per kWh which includes a carbon charge of 2.25c per kWh).*

The Bigger Picture

It’s always important to remember how sustainable, energy efficient homes improve our quality of life. Sure, they can save us money, but think about the bigger picture – the added benefits of using less artificial heating and cooling, and relying on natural elements to keep your home comfortable.

• An improvement in indoor air quality and more constant temperatures year round.
• The improvements to lighting, ventilation and temperature in more sustainable homes is known to positively affect common physical ailments such as loss of concentration, headaches, eyestrain and feeling tired.
• Embracing the winter sun in your living areas has a direct relationship to family unity, with families coming together to spend more time in the most comfortable part of the home.
• Your family will enjoy a greater understanding of how to be more energy efficient around the home.
• Last but not least, don’t underestimate how good it can feel knowing you are doing your bit to reduce your carbon footprint and look after the earth.

How to achieve a 6-star rating on your home

Achieving a 6-star rating is the culmination of numerous design elements working together. Here are just some of the ways we will increase your home’s energy efficiency.

• We will consider how the home is oriented on the block and where possible face indoor and outdoor living areas to the north.
• The bigger the home, the more difficult it is to get higher star ratings. Avoid complex floor plans that can increase the external wall area.
• We will maximise north windows and minimise western, southern and eastern windows. We will also consider glazing and shading devices, such as verandas and awnings.
• Insulate ceilings and walls.
• Floor tiles and concrete floors will increase thermal mass, aiding natural heating and cooling.

At The WA Housing Centre, we take our responsibility to the environment seriously. We have a commitment to providing affordable, sustainable homes, and every home we build has a guaranteed minimum 6-star energy rating.

Our experienced team can help you with all the information you need to ensure your home is as environmentally friendly as possible, just ask.

Article Source: 6-Star Guide - Save Money Long-Term

One Stop Shop for Your Home Finance Needs.

Need some advice on how to get started with your own home but don’t know where to get started? Get some no hassle advise from one of our experts – face to face interaction from someone who helps people just like you on a daily basis.

We understand that it is difficult for first homebuyer to make sense of all the difficult options available and what may work for you and your family. Fortunately, there are all kind of ways you can get finance approval for your new home—and we can help.

Introducing our new House & Land Finance Hubs.

As part of our commitment to helping first-time homebuyers get into the property market, we have set up two centres where you can get access to expert advice regarding financing. Located in Alkimos and Baldivis, these centres have friendly specialists who can answer any questions you have and help you find the right loan. No office just a lovely laid-back display home.

​Even if you think you may not qualify, you should come see us because we could still help make your dream of home ownership come true. The centres are open on Mondays and Wednesdays from 2pm to 5pm, and Saturday and Sundays from 12pm to 5pm. Stop by any time during these hours for a casual chat about how we can make your dream of owning a home into a reality.

​And you should act fast, because for a limited time, our experts can help you access a low deposit home loan through Keystart thanks to their recent policy change. They are well informed about the best ways to take advantage of these new opportunities.

We’ll help you get started with Keystart.

The State Government has announced a change to Keystart eligibility that has made home ownership possible for over 11,000 households. They’ve increased the income limit for their low deposit home loans by $15,000 (singles and couples) and $20,000 (families).

​Now the really great thing about a Keystart loan is that it doesn’t require a huge deposit at the beginning. When most of us get a home loan from a bank, we end up having to hand over all our savings as a deposit and, as a result, spend a year living on instant noodles just to get out of the financial hole. Fortunately, Keystart only requires a deposit as low as 2%.

​On top of that, you don’t have to waste your cash on expensive Lenders’ Mortgage Insurance when you get a Keystart loan.

See what it’s like to live in one of our homes

These two displays aren’t just some fancy, one-off designs that look amazing, but aren’t actually affordable for first home buyers.

The Tivoli(Alkimos) and The Zone(Baldivis) locations are each based off of two of our most popular designs—so you can build the same style home as you are walking through. You’ll be able to see and feel the different finishes and features that you can include in your home. And unlike the pressure of being in some office, you can relax and sit down with one of experts in a no-pressure environment.

Visit us this week!

It’s a great time to buy and take advantage of some of the amazing offers available for first home buyers. Speak to one of our team members and they can get you started on the journey to finally owning your own home. Act quick though! The increase to Keystart’s income limit will only last until December 2019. After that, it’s reverting back to the way it was. So don’t wait until it’s too late. Visit one of our Home & Finance hubs this week. You can see where they’re located by clicking here.

Article Source: One Stop Shop for Your Home Finance Needs.

5 Tips to farewell your landlord without farewelling your bond.

Let me paint you a beautiful word painting. You’ve placed a deposit down on a home of your own and now you get to call your landlord and tell them that you won’t be throwing away money on renting their house anymore. They wish you well, tell you what a good tenant you were, yada-yada-yada, then you hang up. And that’s when the clock starts counting down!

You’ve got until the end of your tenancy to do everything you can to get your bond back. Because you can bet your bond, they will go through the rental to find anything that wasn’t exactly like it was when you first moved in.

Yep. You need to get rid of every trace of every get together you’ve ever had… Remove the damage from that time you decided to have that epic Australia Day party… and make the backyard resemble something less like a jungle and more like a garden.

So here’s some simple ways to GO GET THAT BOND MONEY!

1. Fill ‘er up!

You wanted to make your rental property a little more ‘you’, so you decided to do a little decorating and put a few pictures up. Now that you’re leaving you’ve taken all those hooks out and there’s so many holes in your walls it looks like a piece of swiss cheese.

Here’s what you do: go to Bunnings with a photo of the rooms, so they can colour match the paint. Pick some Spakfilla up while you’re there. Voila, you’ve got everything you need to execute the perfect cover up.

While you’re at it grab some “Magic Eraser” sponges – these are perfect for getting out all the scuff and marks on the walls living them looking as pristine as the day you moved in.

2. Rain bloody death upon weeds!

So you’ve let your gardens get a little out of hand. Before you attempt the whole “controlled burn” weeding technique we’ve all considered when moving from a rental, let’s save your matches for the campfire instead of your yard. Here’s a nice trick you can do that won’t end in an attempted arson lawsuit.

Mix vinegar and dishwashing soap together and – boom – you’ve got yourself an organic weedkiller. Spray it all over your weeds and they’ll die real fast leaving your backyard looking like your Nana’s been taking care of it.

3. The dreaded (But Necessary) big clean up

The main factor that leads to people not getting their bond back is that the house isn’t cleaned properly. And let’s face it: when you’re getting ready to move into your first property, you’re so stressed and busy that you could do without the added stress of spending days cleaning the house. Ask your property manager for a list of what their expectations are for vacating the property. Try getting started early with things that you can get out of the way like deep cleaning the cabinets or dusting the tops of doors and ceiling fans.

If you can afford it, we’d totally recommend considering getting a professional cleaner. When you’ve been moving and are completely exhausted, it will be money well spent. A lot of organisations offer special end-of-lease deals.

4. YouTube is your friend.

If there’s a few more things around the house that need fixing and you’re the brave sort who’s not afraid to lose a finger (it’s you’ve got nine spares), then try looking up some online tutorials on YouTube. Sure, you might make a mistake or two… but there are some great resources that can take you through how to fix things step-by-step so even if you’ve never attempted anything like this before, it will be hard to miss things up. Our pro-tip: watch the video once over before you start to make sure you have everything down before you get started.

5. Know Your Rights

Making sure you know what is expected of you and what you are responsible for is essential for getting back your full bond(or as much as possible). Read through your lease and see what you are obligated to do. Go through your condition report and see what may have had damage before you’ve moved in. Also, you may want check your state’s tenancy board-what your property manager may have included doesn’t always 100% line up with what you are legally obligated to do so it pays to do some research!

We hope you found these suggestions useful and remember: moving can be a stressful time, but the moment you step foot into your first property, you’ll forget all about it. Because nothing beats the feeling of owning your own home. And we hope we can be part of the journey with you.

Article Source: 5 Tips to farewell your landlord without farewelling your bond.

How to get your sights on the perfect site

You may be new to the property game, but you’ve already aced the first step of building your perfect home: find the right builder. We know that because you’re on our website. And to make sure building your first home’s easy-peasy, we’re here to help you with step two as well: choosing the right site.

However, before we get into the nuts and bolts of finding the right site, we should mention that WA Housing Centre offers a huge choice of House & Land packages. So if you want to skip finding a block of land on your own, you can check out some of the amazing ones we’ve already found for you here.

Start with the big picture

One big piece of advice we have for you when choosing a site is to always stay vigilant and don’t allow yourself to get too comfortable (until you move into a the comfortable new home we build for you). We say this because a lot of the following may seem obvious, but you’d be surprised at how often people forget to check off every element, only to regret it later.

Location: Look at its position in relation to school, shops, public transport and amenities (the pub). Remember: don’t just assess it based on what you need and want, think about what the buyers you’ll eventually sell it to (for a tidy profit, of course) are looking for.

Services: Find out how easy it will be to connect your home to utilities like electricity, water, gas, a sewer and telecommunications.

Sun’s Location: Your home’s position in relation to where the sun rises and sets can have a big impact on the temperature and natural light in your home, cutting electricity bills. If you do decide to build with us, we can map the journey the sun makes over a site, to give you an indication of light levels throughout the day.

Future Plans: Investigate the future plans for the area – especially if it’s part of a development. Make sure you don’t get stuck next to a future mega-highway or powerstation.

Get granular

When we say get ‘granular’, we mean it literally: you need to assess the condition of the soil on which you’ll be laying the foundation of the home. As you’ll see, this is where things start getting technical, which is why it would be a good idea to deal with a builder that really understands the detail. We don’t expect you to know all the specifics, so dealing with WA Housing Centre means the hard work is taken away from you.

Soil: Sites with soil that’s partly or entirely clay, silt or peat may require the removal and replacement of these soils with something more suitable for a foundation.

Stability: Unstable soil conditions often necessitate additional concrete and reinforcement for the footings and slabs. This will add $$$ to your project, but if the problem’s not dealt with properly it could result in cracked slabs and walls.

Trees & Shrubs: You need to pay attention to the trees and shrubs around the site, as well as the ones you’re thinking about planting. Certain species can affect the moisture content of the soil or create root systems that lead to cracked slabs.

Site Conditions: Other subsoil factors like the height of the water table and how much rock is contained in the ground, can impact the cost of building and even impede on the layout of your home.

Affect on Adjoining Land: Make sure the work you’re planning on undertaking won’t affect the site drainage or stability of any adjoining properties leading to house damage. You don’t want to get on your neighbours’ bad sides even before you’ve moved in.

Are you Excited?

This may all seem quite overwhelming – and yes, you’re making a serious decision. But at the same time, it’s an exciting decision: you’re choosing your first home. So find somewhere you can’t wait to move.

If you have any further questions, contact us today so we can answer any questions you have on finding the right block.

Article Source: How to get your sights on the perfect site

Changes to Keystart could unlock your first home!

It’s a great time to build in WA. The slump in the market means that you can pick up a nice bit of land at a price we haven’t seen for a long, long time. However, there’s been a catch: increased scrutiny on banks has made it tough to get a home loan – especially if you’re a first homebuyer.

That’s set to change for a lot of young West Australians including, hopefully, you!

The State Government has announced a huge change to the Keystart initiative that’s going to increase the income limit for their low deposit home loans by $15,000 (singles and couples) and $20,000 (families). Take a look:

Keystart was established to help first homebuyers get into the property market, so unlike other loans they don’t require expensive Lenders’ Mortgage Insurance or a Genuine Savings Deposit. In fact, a Keystart deposit can be as low as 2% — a fraction of what the banks ask. This boost to the income limit is estimated to make home ownership possible to an additional 11,000 WA households.

Now that you’ve heard the great news, it’s time for the ‘but’:

This is a limited time offer!

On January 1, 2020, Keystart’s higher income limit will revert back to the previous amount. Luckily, WA Housing Centre is here to help you make the most of this offer. So if you’ve been putting off getting into a new home because you thought it wasn’t the right time, it’s time to reconsider. See if you qualify for Keystart assistance today.

Article Source: Changes to Keystart could unlock your first home!