Outlook for property prices remains strong
30-07-2010 
Robust demand for properties in Australia’s more affordable capital city suburbs has driven solid house price growth in the June quarter, according to the Australian Property Monitors (APM) Quarterly Housing Report

Major banks toughen up with first homebuyers
21-04-2010 
The major banks have recently made it harder for first homebuyers to enter the market, according to the Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) president David Airey.

Co-ownership Equals Home Ownership
15-04-2010 
Rising property prices and ever increasing rental costs continue to push home ownership into 'unaffordable' territory for many people.  As a result many people are finding that co-ownership is the way to go in order to meet borrowing criteria which can be difficult when trying to purchase a home on your own.

Calls to ease development costs
29-03-2010 
Queensland has been revealed as one of the worst performing states in supplying housing to the market, according to a recent report released by Access Economics.

Positive gearing: a better option?
26-01-2010 
Negative gearing is a concept familiar to most property investors. But perhaps it’s better to forget about tax breaks and go for bigger rental returns. This is called “positive gearing”. Chris Walker explains.

Fixing Holes in Plaster Walls
 
 
 

Fixing Holes in Plaster Walls         

  Whether you are a landlord who is facing the unenviable task of repairing damage from a tenant or a homeowner who has had a little or large accident we are providing a DIY guide on how to fix a big problem with little fuss.

Tools

  • Filling knife
  • Filling compound
  • 120 grit plasterboard sandpaper
  • Hand saw (for large holes)
  • Timber (for large holes) 

How to fix Small holes

  1. Gently remove all loose plaster or dust, then press in the filler with filling knife.
  2. Follow pack instructions (some fillers must be overfilled, then sanded flush).
  3. Deep holes are best filled in two or three layers. 
  4. Don't rush!

How to fix Large holes

  1. Fix some form of support slightly larger than hole to the back of the wall.
  2. Drill holes and loop wire through the support.
  3. Slide the support through the hole and hold in place by twisting the wire around some dowel.
  4. Apply filler to just below the wall surface.
  5. When dry, cut off wire and finish flush with surface.
For rather larger holes:
  1. place a slightly larger patch of plasterboard over hole, pencil around it and saw out the shape.
  2. Fix timber about 200mm wider than hole to back with screws countersunk in wall.
  3. Spread contact glue on backing, and filler around patch edges, and ease into place. When dry, fill remaining cracks and screw holes.