Governor Koster Issues New SE, Immigrants Must Bring PCR Letters to Enter Bali

 

Monday, 28 June 2021 13:26 Reporter : Moh. Kadafi

Governor of Bali Wayan Koster. ©2020 Merdeka.com/Kadafi



Merdeka.com - The entrance to Bali island will be tightened to see a surge in Covid-19 cases outside the increasing area. 

 

Bali Governor Wayan Koster said that for community activities such as domestic tourists there has been a good development in visiting the island of Bali despite the covid-19 cases in the last week.

 
"Although, the cases have increased in the last week, it turns out that the perpetrators of Domestic Travel (PPDN) via air transportation are still in the range of 8 (to) 9 thousand per day," said Koster, in the Plenary Session of the Bali DPRD, Monday (28/28/2020). 6).

Meanwhile, for people who pass through Gilimanuk Port, Bali, there are around 10 thousand 500 people per day and seeing that people outside Bali who will enter Bali are obligated to pass by land and air, they are required to carry a Covid-19 free letter based on a rapid antigen test.

"We hope, because outside Bali there is a huge increase in cases. So today, we are issuing a new circular letter according to the direction of the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs, the Minister of Health, and also the Minister of Transportation, so that Bali, which has had good achievements, will not be damaged again. ," he said.

"So, we are tightening the entrance to Bali, the requirement to enter Bali via air transportation must use a PCR-based swab test, no longer use GeNose," he explained.

He asserted, for PPDN passing by land, a minimum must use a rapid antigen test.

"If the PCR-based swab is even better, but the GeNose one is no longer enforced. And a QR Code is also applied to ensure that the certificate is a negative result of the PCR swab test or the rapid antigen test is not fake," he said.

"Because, there are also many fake, paid certificates. So bring a letter, but actually it doesn't follow a swab or rapid antigen test. That's the condition we are currently facing, so there is a slight increase in cases," he said.

He also said that although there was an increase in cases, it should not be shackled to community activities in Bali.

"But we can't because of this increase in cases, we shackle community activities, community economic activities must of course run well, normally, but we must be disciplined in implementing health protocols," said Koster. [ded]

World’s biggest housing bubbles Austrlia, New Zealand flash 2008 GFC warnings

Jessica Yun
Tue, 22 June 2021, 8:59 am·2-min read

New Zealand has the world's worst housing bubble, according to Bloomberg. (Photographer: Mark Coote/Bloomberg)

If you thought Australia’s housing bubble was bad, it’s nothing compared to our neighbour across the Tasman, new Bloomberg data has revealed.

New Zealand has been named as the world’s “frothiest” housing market, followed by Canada and Sweden. Norway, the UK and Denmark are closely behind.

Australia is on the list too, but down in 15th place behind Switzerland and ahead of Columbia, Spain, and Greece.

(Source: Bloomberg)

Five different indicators, such as price-to-rent ratios and price-to-income ratios are used to assess a country’s ‘bubble rank’.

But Bloomberg Economics analysts believe that many of these countries are flashing alarm bells even stronger than what they were just before the 2008 financial crisis.

“A cocktail of ingredients is sending house prices to unprecedented levels worldwide,” said Bloomberg economist Niraj Shah.

“Record low interest rates, unparalleled fiscal stimulus, lockdown savings ready to be used as deposits, limited housing stock, and expectations of a robust recovery in the global economy are all contributing.”

(Source: Bloomberg)
Will there be a global housing crash?

Shah doesn’t think so.

Though the risk metrics are even higher than they were before the GFC, we have higher lending standards in place and tighter policies ensuring the stability of the global financial system.

This time round, we’re looking at a ‘cooling’ more so than a ‘collapsing’, said Shah.

However, it doesn’t mean we’re out of the woods entirely.

“When borrowing costs do start to rise, real estate markets – and broader measures put in place to safeguard financial stability – will face a critical test,” Shah said.
What's happening in Australia?

If You Love Travel and Real Estate Porn, You’ll Love The World’s Most Amazing Vacation Rentals on Netflix

Celebrity Lifestyle

The new series features an Airbnb in a cave, a luxe private island in the Bahamas, and everything in between


By Rachel WallaceJune 25, 2021

(L-R) Megan Batoon, Jo Franco, and Luis Ortiz at Quetzalcoatl Nest, near Mexico City.Courtesy of Netflix

Are hotels over? Probably not, but the new Netflix show The World's Most Amazing Vacation Rentals certainly makes the case for staying in private homes instead. Part home design show, part travelogue, the eight-episode series follows three hosts as they stay in a total of 24 dwellings around the world, each with something different to offer.

Aside from being a visually interesting show that lends itself to binge-watching, the best part about this program is probably that it serves as a de facto bucket list since each property is available to rent on Airbnb or other platforms. Each episode, the host is in charge of finding a place that serves a specific purpose. Former Million Dollar Listing realtor Luis Ortiz handles booking luxury properties, interior designer Megan Batoon finds budget rentals that don’t sacrifice design, and travel influencer Jo Franco brings the group to out-of-the-ordinary places like a condo inside a building near Mexico City that is shaped like the Aztec serpent god Quetzalcoatl, built by architect Javier Senosiain.


The Arkup floating house in Miami. Photo: Craig Denis
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“What I love about this vacation rental world now is that there is a property for pretty much anyone. You can stay in a potato. It is evolving,” Ortiz tells AD. (He’s right—there is a potato-shaped Airbnb in Boise, Idaho.) So although all of his picks are architecturally striking and laden with amenities (among the luxe properties were an ultra-modern Balinese beach house, a private island in the Bahamas, a Japanese ski lodge called Seasons Niseko, and more), Ortiz was most excited about the “budget” and “unique” properties.


One of the homes the group stayed at in Bali. Courtesy of Netflix


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At these places, the draw was the immersion into local culture, something Franco, a professional traveler who has spent the last decade as a citizen of the world, prioritizes above all else. “Everywhere we went, I would look geographically where most people haven’t gone,” she says. “I looked for everything from a highly rated host to being out in the country where you have to drive a bit further away from a major city. So that is my trick. Avoid the top-10 list and look for the people, culture, and festivals. Sometimes that is the catalyst to get you somewhere you might not otherwise go.” This approach led the group to a Utah campsite in a tricked-out van, a remote home in Bali where they celebrated Galungan Day with their Airbnb host, a floating mansion in Miami, and more.


The group stayed in a converted cave in the Ozark mountains. Courtesy of Netflix

Even Batoon’s budget properties were pretty spectacular. The affordable igloo in Finland where the group saw the Northern lights, the Montana cattle ranch, and the private Hawaiian waterfall were all reminders that you can see the world without splurging too much or sacrificing style. “I’d never pick a rental that didn’t offer something in design,” she says. “It doesn't need to be this gorgeous, museum-quality lodging, but how does it feel? What is the lighting like? How does it make you want to explore and connect with the people you are traveling with? The vacation rental hosts that have achieved that put themselves in the shoes of the client and offer amenities and small details. Everything with design is in the details.”

The World’s Most Amazing Vacation Rentals is available to stream on Netflix now.

What are floating breakfasts, and why have they become so popular?

Posted: Jun 22, 2021 11:37 AM
Posted By: CNN

If you follow luxury resorts or travel influencers on Instagram, odds are good that you've seen at least one "floating breakfast." 

In case you're not familiar with them, here's what to know: they're your typical upscale hotel room service breakfast -- think toast, fruit, coffee and the like -- served in a pool or hot tub instead of in bed. Usually, they're placed on large platters or colorful baskets, then accessorized with bright tropical flowers to make them even more photogenic.


These breakfasts are particularly popular in Asia and the Pacific, especially at warm-weather private villa resorts in places like Thailand, Fiji and the Maldives.

Nearly everyone agrees that the trend began in Bali, although no specific resort seems to get the credit for coming up with the idea first.

While these breakfasts have become more common on resort menus over the last five years, the coronavirus pandemic has made them more popular than ever as hotel guests are avoiding buffets and communal dining rooms.

"Across the course of the past year, in-suite dining has become extremely popular, especially for those seeking solace in the safety and comfort of their suite," Jann Hess, general manager at Amanjiwo in Bali, tells CNN Travel. "The floating breakfast is a popular choice."

After all, the floating breakfast needs a pool to float in -- and a private plunge pool is a much better choice than a shared pool where a splashing kid might make the whole thing topple over.
Beyond the 'gram

Though the gorgeous colors and dramatic plating of floating breakfasts make them perfect for social media, asking people to stand in the pool before they've fully woken up or had caffeine seems like a potential recipe for disaster.

Are these breakfasts just made to be shared online and discarded, or do people genuinely enjoy eating them?

James Booth, a Sydney-based reporter for DMarge.com, admits to wondering the same thing before trying one at an upscale resort in Bali in 2019.

He tells CNN Travel that, for him, the lush meal worked better in concept than in execution. Though Booth had pre-scheduled a specific time for the breakfast to arrive, he ended up oversleeping about 20 minutes, meaning he'd missed the optimal window for consuming it.

"I realized that because it was a humid environment, leaving your breakfast out was maybe not ideal," he says.

Although the food was already getting cold, he was determined to get an Instagram shot of the fancy setup before chowing down. The hotel's staff had wisely placed the trays in a separate section of the pool, but he moved them into the larger area in order to stage the scene.

That ended up in trays floating off in different directions and him, still bleary-eyed, trying to corral it all.

"I was too embarrassed to ask for help," he confesses, "so I spilled everything everywhere. The coffee had a bit of pool water in it, and the bread was soggy."

Still, Booth is careful to pin the blame on himself and not on the resort employees who organized the meal.

"I think it's a bit violent to jump in the water first thing when you wake up," he says.

If he were going to do the experience over again, he'd make a couple of changes, namely drinking the coffee first so he'd be alert enough not to knock anything over and finding a spot in the pool where he could sit down to eat instead of have to stand around awkwardly.
Floating the idea

The floating breakfast has quickly become yet another luxury hotel amenity, like afternoon tea or a turndown treat. Amid the pandemic, domestic travelers taking advantage of affordable staycations have also embraced floating breakfasts.

Timo Kuenzli, general manager of Koh Samui's all-pool-villa Cape Fahn Hotel, says that nearly 100% of their guests over the past year have ordered one.

"We can definitely see that the Asian market is way more into having Instagrammable moments to capture than other markets," he says.

In addition to the photos being beautiful, they also serve as a free marketing tool -- people see the breakfasts online, check out the location tag, and then want to get in on the experience themselves when they stay at Cape Fahn later.

And due to its growing presence, resorts have to keep upping the ante in order to make their offering stand out.


Regardless of your personal opinion on the merits of Instagram-centric hotel offerings, it looks like these floating meals have gone from fad to mainstay. Just remember to drink the coffee first.

Unliveable Sydney homes going for millions in Australia housing boom

Business
Swati Pandey

A man walks past a derelict home, which sold for A$1.6 million, in Sydney's northwest in Australia June 23, 2021. REUTERS/Swati Pandey


SYDNEY, June 23 (Reuters) - Sydney houses with crumbling walls, shredded ceilings, and bathrooms and kitchens stripped of fixtures are getting snapped up for millions as buyers try to grab a slice of Australia's soaring property market.

Last week, a derelict brick cottage in the city's northwest sold for A$1.6 million ($1.20 million), a price the real estate agent handling the deal said was "much more than we were expecting".

Photos on the property agent's website showed torn carpets, tattered roll-up blinds and a grime-caked kitchen.

"(The buyers) are individuals who wanted to live in this part of Sydney and are looking to knock down the property and rebuild," McGrath sales agent Michael Dowling told Reuters.

Despite the condition of the house, they were attracted by the nearly 500 sq m (5,382 sq ft) of land, he said.

"More supply is coming into the market but there is still heaps of demand."

In another desirable suburb in Sydney's southeast, an abandoned house with no water supply or power connection went this month for A$4.7 million.

Property agents said they expected to see more such sales in Australia's A$8.3 trillion housing market. Home prices nationally have surged 10.6% from a year ago driven by record low borrowing rates, tax incentives and solid employment growth.

In Sydney, median prices rose about A$1,200 a day last month, with buyers willing to pay a premium for uninhabitable homes to tear down and rebuild.

"It's more cost-effective to knock down and rebuild than renovate," said Nerida Conisbee, chief economist at real estate group Ray White.

Sydney's Northern Beaches is another desirable area where there are some "low quality homes close to the beach" that may get swooped up for their land value, Conisbee said.

"There is no shortage of people willing to buy. We are seeing very high numbers of active bidders."

The purchases are helping to drive a building boom, with approvals to build new homes at record highs.

The frothiness in the market is starting to worry Australia's Council of Financial Regulators who said last week there were signs of increased risk taking in mortgage lending by banks, although standards remain sound nationwide.

The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) said it has written to banks seeking "assurances that they are proactively managing risks within their housing loan portfolios, and will maintain a strong focus on lending standards and lenders' risk appetites."

Conisbee said the threat of tighter prudential lending standards was a risk to the market.

"It's a headwind as we approach winter but we don't expect stricter regulations to come in a hurry," Conisbee said.

"The current demand is still largely driven by owner occupiers, not investors."

($1 = 1.3300 Australian dollars)
Reporting by Swati Pandey; Editing by Tom Hogue

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

 Editor's comments:

 I've been involved in real estate for 45 Years in Canada, United States Hawaii, and Bali for the past 50 years.

I've seen many booms and busts. 

In fact I predicted most of them for the past 20 years.

I went to tell you right now when I read information such as above where Australian homes are selling for 1.2 million dollars Australian I am scared stiff.

The first question that comes to my head after you spend a large amount of money refurbishing it how are you ever going to make positive cash flow?

My acid test for any real estate market anywhere is the world is,  can I buy a three-bedroom home or condominium and rent it out for positive cash flow if it's only occupied 90% of the time.

If not the market is overpriced and ready to crash.

Major Australian city real estate prices may be ready to crash.

Let me be the first to state that markets in most major Australian cities, although they may have some upside left are bubbles about to burst.

Why would anybody want to buy derelect home as a above for 1.2 million when they can buy a mansion in Bali on the beach for the same price.

 For that 1.9 mil A you don't purchase a 30-year-old rundown Mansion but a seven-year-old palace with five bedrooms 6 1/2 bathrooms and 650 m² of living space on a beautiful landscaped thousand square metres of land .

That price  includes a massive 14 m swimming pool. . beachside bale and six-person heated jacuzzi right on the beach. 

What's most attractive about Bali is housekeepers who will be needed palace will only cost you $200 a month.

Don't worry about the gardening or the pool maintenance because that is all taken care for another $200 per month.

Then you have a cost of living that 70% less than Hawaii. and most places such in Australia, New Zealand etc.

The smart money is looking at beachfront properties now.

To start your search for your beachfront properties of your dreams start here for as little as $490,000. 

 

Global Spotlight: Waterfront Properties Making a Splash

By RISMedia Staff

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Above: Bali, Indonesia

The appeal of waterfront destinations makes beach- and lake-oriented properties among the most popular. But how has demand changed over the past year—and what are buyers seeking? We asked Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® (LeadingRE) members from waterfront locations around the globe to shed some light.


Clubhouse Real Estate, LLC
San Juan Puerto Rico
Brian Aronson, President & Owner
clubhouserealestate.com

RISMedia: Tell us about your company.
Brian Aronson: We are a full-service agency with experience in property administration, mortgage banking, new development sales, home sales and purchasing. We work in the communities of greater San Juan, Old San Juan, Condado, Isla Verde, Dorado and Paseo Caribe.

RISMedia: What are you seeing in terms of demand in your market?
BA: Demand has increased quite a bit as people look to find solace in the outdoors instead of the cities. Here in Puerto Rico, we have some attractive income tax incentive programs that encourage people to move to a tropical island while escaping lockdown in cities.

RISMedia: What features are especially popular with your buyers?
BA: Our clients want more outdoor space and outdoor living along with pools and other amenities. People are moving to places where they can enjoy their residence more, as opposed to their immediate surroundings in metro areas. Beach access, ocean views, floor-to-ceiling windows and large terrace spaces are in high demand.

RISMedia: What does your area offer when it comes to wellness for homeowners?
BA: Demand for coastal environments has increased in recent years. People gravitate toward what makes them feel good, and it helps to have a water view and access to the beach. Plus, island life in Puerto Rico includes many options for outdoor wellness activities, from rock climbing to scuba diving, kite surfing, beach yoga and more.

RISMedia: Is boating on the rise among your buyers?
BA: Yes. Buyers are keen to get boats and live on or near the water, with more access to beachfront space and views of the ocean. I estimate roughly 20% of our buyers own or plan to own a boat.


Dianium Residence
Alicante, Spain
Dr. Michael W.W. Lamm, CEO
dianium-residence.com

RISMedia: Tell us about your company.
Michael Lamm: We specialize in brokering and marketing high-end and exclusive luxury homes, as well as stylish villas, extravagant apartments and outstanding luxury real estate in exceptional locations, including Spain’s Costa Blanca.

RISMedia: How is demand for coastal properties this year compared to previous years?
ML: Premium properties with direct access to the sea or unobstructed sea views have stirred people’s emotions in the past, as well as in the present. The demand for such properties remains high.

RISMedia: Has COVID-19 affected the local market?
ML: As in other parts of the world, COVID-19 initially caused some hesitancy due to the constraints of travel, but interest has, in fact, increased. The pandemic brought back the idea of freedom and independence more than ever. Our customers are looking for their own destination in the high-end segment of the second-home market in order to not be at the mercy of such incidents in the future.

RISMedia: What are the main attributes buyers look for when purchasing a water-oriented property?
ML: The emotion reflected in the eyes of a prospective buyer when they step onto the balcony and their dreams come true—that’s what everyone is looking for, in addition to a safe location, direct access to the sea and/or the beach and other luxury amenities.

RISMedia: What amenities are most popular?
ML: This is nothing new in our case, but here again there is a link to the feeling of independence and freedom: having your own boat, your own spa and fitness area, spacious and resort-like indoor and outdoor living areas with complete amenities. Properties in the price bracket of €850,000 ($1,021,759 USD) up to €4 million ($4,806,560 USD) are the most sought after.


The Property Gallery Realty Inc.
Caledon, Ontario, Canada
Katharine Loucaidou, Broker of Record
thepropertygallery.ca

RISMedia: Tell us about your company.
Katharine Loucaidou; We are a modern, forward-thinking brokerage, offering cutting-edge marketing strategies, professionalism and superior market knowledge in the Caledon area, including the Muskoka Lakes region.

RISMedia: What are you seeing in the Muskoka Lakes region in terms of demand and pricing?
KL: The Muskoka Lakes real estate scene has experienced record-breaking sales in waterfront properties. In previous years, by the end of March, there would typically be 50 – 60 monthly sales recorded, with an average sales price of $669,000. At the end of March 2021, 223 monthly sales had already been recorded, with an average sales price of $1,013,000—an increase of 51.4% year-over-year.

RISMedia: Do you think the pandemic has had a role in this dramatic increase?
KL: Yes. Lifestyle confinement during the pandemic has played a key role in the desirability of Muskoka lakefront living. Consumers can embrace the flexibility of working remotely coupled with nature’s beauty. Access to more space and clean lake air, as well as internet access and access to local business centers in town, have created the ultimate work-life balance for those migrating from the major cities.

RISMedia: What amenities are most popular?
KL: The most sought-after properties are newer homes between 2,500 – 8,000 square feet with three or more bedrooms. Homes offering waterfront acreage with room for boathouses and additional living spaces; expansive docks for jet skis, boats and other fun water toys; and, of course, all-day sun and spectacular sunsets are especially popular.

RISMedia: Tell us about your company.
Lisa Comsatun: We specialize in residential and commercial property sales and rentals both in Bali and neighboring islands. We offer legal, marketing and fund management services, and cover a wide range of investment opportunities from off-plan developments to infrastructure projects.

RISMedia: What kind of demand are you seeing for waterfront properties this year compared to previous years?
LC: As a result of COVID-19, demand dropped dramatically initially, but we now see it increasing as people begin traveling and visiting properties they viewed online from around the world. Many also request virtual tours prior to arriving in Bali.

RISMedia: Has COVID-19 affected the local market?
LC: We see a strong and steady growth in requests for Bali, as life here has been fairly normal during the pandemic, as most facilities have remained open, despite the fact that there has been almost no tourism this past year.

RISMedia: Have you seen an impact on prices and/or demand?
LC: Overall, the prices dropped about 15% on average, but prices are now stable with a higher number of requests and an expected increase in transactions going forward. Bali is always among the top three destinations in studies on the movement of digital nomads/work-from-home/high-end individuals.

RISMedia: What are your buyers looking for when purchasing a waterfront property?
LC: Quality of build, functionality of the villa, great kitchens and the possibility to rent the property. Larger family homes are also popular. When it comes to lifestyle, people see that Bali offers access to the sea and beaches, as well as top spas and a general lifestyle that helps improve quality of life.

For more information, please visit www.leadingre.com . 

______________________________________________
Editor's Comments: 

I totally confirm that waterfront properties are receiving a lot of attention lately around the world right now, especially in Bali.

A property that may cost you $3 - $5 million in Hawaii will cost you only to $1.48 million in Bali.

 For that price you don't purchase a 30-year-old rundown Mansion but a seven-year-old palace with five bedrooms 6 1/2 bathrooms and 650 m² of living space on a beautiful landscaped thousand square metres of land .

That price  includes a massive 14 m swimming pool. . beachside bale and six-person heated jacuzzi right on the beach. 

What's most attractive about Bali is housekeepers who will be needed palace will only cost you $200 a month.

Don't worry about the gardening or the pool maintenance because that is all taken care for another $200 per month.

Then you have a cost of living that 70% less than Hawaii. and most places such in Australia, New Zealand etc.

The smart money is looking at beachfront properties now.

To start your search for your beachfront properties of your dreams start here for as little as $490,000. 

 

 

 

Garuda Indonesia suspends flights between Perth and Bali

Ben O'Shea Perth NowJune 22, 2021 1:39PM

TopicsTravelAsiaPerth


Garuda is axing flights between Perth and Bali from July 1, marking the first time in two decades the Indonesian carrier will not offer a service to WA.

Cheap Garuda flights to Perth’s northernmost suburb have become part of the fabric of West Aussie life, and the return leg has introduced countless Bintang singlets into WA society.

Thanks to the pandemic, and Federal and State Government COVID restrictions, this will no longer be the case.

You might be thinking no one was flying to Bali anyway right now, but Perth boasts a large Indonesian community, and thousands of people have been seeking repatriation flights in both directions during the pandemic.

What happens now remains to be seen.

Garuda president director Irfan Setiaputra fronted an Indonesian government inquiry on Monday and said Australia’s strict COVID restrictions meant flights Down Under were no longer viable.

“Indeed, what we see in the future is that it is impossible to make a profit because of the existing conditions, and it is impossible for us to increase the cargo; we will stop it, like Melbourne and Perth, starting next month, we will stop it,” Mr Irfan said (translated from Indonesian).Garuda Indonesia is suspending flights from Perth to Bali. Credit: Supplied

Mr Irfan said the airline would now only operate one route to Sydney.

Indonesia Institute president Ross Taylor told The West Live Garuda had little choice given its dire economic outlook.

The West Australian’s aviation editor Geoffrey Thomas reports the airline — like most carriers — has been struggling with COVID-19 and passenger caps into Australia. It failed to make a $US500 million ($662m) bond repayment last week and its shares have been put into a trading halt.

Garuda has sought a suspension of debt payments to creditors and lessors in order to avoid bankruptcy, according to a media report citing a senior government official.

However, even though the future looks grim, Mr Taylor said he expected the Indonesia government would likely bail out the carrier rather than see it disappear altogether.

What that will mean for the future of cheap flights from Perth to Bali once the pandemic ends is uncertain.

Selling in 2021? Here are 6 ways you could add value to your home

Nicola Middlemiss Posted: 21 June 2021 2:50 pm

News

Sometimes you have to spend money to make money. Putting your property on the market is no different. Sponsored by humm, the bigger buy now pay later. humm offers limits of up to $30,000 and a big time to pay down purchases, from 5 fortnights to 5 years, always interest free. Learn more.

Australia's property market is wild. Auctions are regularly packed out and even modest houses are selling hundreds of thousands of dollars above reserve price.

It is, without a doubt, a seller's market. So if you're lucky enough to count yourself in that demographic, why not take advantage of the high demand and deep buyer pockets?

Investing in some home improvements before you go to market can seriously increase the value of your home, but it's worth being strategic on what you spend your money on.

To give you a helping hand, we asked the experts for their advice on what's worth improving, so you can see the biggest return on investment.
Brighten up the exterior

It's the first thing prospective buyers see yet many sellers forget to freshen up the outside of their property, or simply choose not to.

According to Lachlan Vidler, director of residential buyer's agency Atlas Property Group, that's a major opportunity missed.

"Have a look at the outside of your house and see what you can brighten up – from colour palette to some fresh green plants or grass, these types of changes increase emotional appeal and add value to your home," said Vidler.

"I have seen homes go for literally tens of thousands of dollars more, by brightening up with neutral and fresh paints," he told Finder.


Install solar panels

Solar panels are becoming increasingly popular with buyers who know they'll benefit from green energy and far cheaper electricity bills. In fact, Origin Energy surveyed over 1,000 Australians and found 77% valued a home higher if it was installed with solar panels.

"Solar panels do indeed add value to a home – even more so if they have a battery storage system," said Ray Ellis, chief executive of First National Real Estate.

"It is definitely becoming more common and statistics are showing Australians are adding solar to their rooftops at some of the fastest rates in the world," he told Finder.

With government rebates available to many buyers, the average solar panel installation might not be as expensive as you think. Plus, international studies show it could add thousands of dollars to the value of your home.


Don't forget flooring

While a new lick of paint can work wonders, it'll be easily overshadowed if you have dirty carpets or heavily damaged flooring.

"New flooring will add to the property's value because this is usually the first thing that buyers look at and take note whether there will be additional spending for them to be replaced once they have purchased the property," said Lloyd Edge, founder of buyer's agency Aus Property Professionals.

"Buyers will always calculate in their head what they will need to spend after they take ownership of the property to bring it up to standard," he told Finder.


Upgrade the kitchen

It's the heart of the home and a good kitchen can often mean the difference between a house left on the market or selling well above expectations.

"Kitchens sell homes and are one of the most sought-after aspects of a property," confirmed property expert Vidler. "Even quick and simple renovations like adding or changing to a tile splashback, changing the benchtop to marble-style laminate and changing cabinetry can be low-cost options that deliver big results."

According to Vidler, most kitchen renovations can easily achieve a $3 value increase for every $1 spent. So investing $10,000 in a new kitchen could realistically add $30,000 value to your property – if done right.


Consider heating and cooling systems

Once a luxury, heating and cooling systems are gradually moving into must-have territory for many homebuyers.

"Air conditioning and heating units are absolutely desirable – reverse-cycle air conditioning is considered the most efficient in hotter climates whereas in cooler climates gas systems are considered the best and do add value to a property both in sale and rental," said real estate exec Ray Ellis.

"We are finding particularly in Victoria there are mandatory requirements to add energy-efficient heating with other states likely to follow suit soon," he told Finder.


Reconsider the floor plan

Poorly used or underutilised space is a serious value-killer. According to property investment expert Vidler, reevaluating the floor plan is an absolute must.

"Many homes around Australia have large and spacious interiors that could be put to better use," he told Finder. "If you can reconfigure a few walls and create another bedroom, this can add tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars of value."

Of course, this comes with a caveat. While it can work for large homes that have plenty of space, your efforts – and money – may be wasted if you squeeze another tiny bedroom into an already-snug home.


Covering the costs

If you can't afford the upfront costs now, there are other ways to cover costs, including personal loans, credit cards and buy now pay later providers.

For example, buy now pay later provider humm lets customers spend up to $30,000 with partners then spread that cost over a maximum of five years. Partners range from solar retailers and air conditioning companies through to hardware stores and homewares.

While there are start-up costs and monthly fees, you won't be strung with any interest. That means as soon as you sell your home, you can pay off the full balance without being hit with any penalties.

Hopefully, the extra value you added to your home will more than cover the initial costs and you'll be laughing! Happy house selling!

Compare buy now pay later providers here
Disclaimer: This is general advice only. Consider the product information (including its terms and conditions) and your own circumstances before you make any decision about the topics or products discussed. Compare your options and get advice if you are uncertain. Hive Empire Pty Ltd ACL 385509; CAR 432664.

Happy Father's Day to most fathers throughout the world.

 

In about 13 hrs from now a majority of countries around the world including my home country of Canada and its southern neighbour, the United States will be celebrating Father's Day. 

In Indonesia where I have lived the last 23 years for some reason Father's Day is often not even on most people's calendar.

Most do not even know it will be celebrated on November 12th. and not on June 20th.

One observation I've had over the last 23 Years in Bali is that when congratulatory greetings for Mother's Day are going on around the world many Indonesian mothers who are married to expatriates remind their husbands on that day asking for gifts and congratulating each other. Even though the official Mother's Day for Indonesia is not until December 22nd.

I understand fully why they want to have presents given a few weeks ago on Mother's Day because Dec 22nd. Is to close to Christmas and would probably diminish the value of the presents given them. LOL

So, the sad news for us Fathers in Indonesia and particularly Bali where I live is while the rest of most the world is celebrating Father's Day we must go on like it's a normal day.

After five years of being a father I decided today that I would tell my family it was Father's Day and see what happens?

So far I still have not received Father's Day greetings from my two boys, but my lovely wife Azizah at least gave me a big kiss.

This will be a very unusual Father's Day for me first because I'm in town. Usually at this time of the year during school holidays we are off to Canada or some other exotic place.

Instead, we decided to finally take an opportunity now that boys are out of school to go visit their grandparents on the island of Java for few days.

This means my Fathers Day will include a mandatory rapid Covid-19 test followed by a nice dinner at my favourite restaurant in Sanur.

Tomorrow early morning we will drive a six-hour gruelling trip on one of the most dangerous roads in the world.

Happy Fathers Day for those fortunate Fathers Celebrating it on June 20th. I am envious.
 

The date when Father's Day is celebrated varies from country to country. ... It is also observed in countries such as Argentina, Canada, France, Greece, India, Ireland, Mexico, Pakistan, Singapore, South Africa, and Venezuela. In Australia and New Zealand Father's Day is on the first Sunday in September.

 

Father's Day is celebrated by over 111 countries throughout the world.






Father's Day is a holiday of honouring fatherhood and paternal bonds, as well as the influence of fathers in society. In Catholic countries of Europe, it has been celebrated on 19 March as Saint Joseph's Day since the Middle Ages. In the United States, Father's Day was founded by Sonora Smart Dodd,[1][2][3] and celebrated on the third Sunday of June for the first time in 1910. The day is held on various dates across the world and different regions maintain their own traditions of honouring fatherhood.

Father's Day is a recognized Public holiday in Lithuania and some parts of Spain, and was regarded as such in Italy until 1977. It is a national holiday in Estonia, Samoa, and equivalently in South Korea, where it is celebrated as Parents Day. The holiday complements similar celebrations honouring family members, such as Mother's Day, Siblings Day, and Grandparents' Day. For centuries, the Eastern Orthodox Church has appointed the second Sunday before Nativity as the Sunday of the Forefathers to commemorate the ancestors of Christ according to the flesh, starting with Adam and emphasizing the Patriarch Abraham, to whom God said,


In thy seed shall all of the nations of the earth be blessed
— Genesis 12:3, 22:18

This feast can fall between December 11 and 17.[4][5] This feast includes the ancestors of the Mary, mother of Jesus and various prophets.

A customary day for the celebration of fatherhood in Catholic Europe is known to date back to at least 1508. It is usually celebrated on March 19, as the feast day of Saint Joseph, who is referred to as the fatherly Nutritor Domini ("Nourisher of the Lord") in Catholicism and "the putative father of Jesus" in southern European tradition. This celebration was brought to the Americas by the Spanish and Portuguese. The Catholic Church actively supported the custom of a celebration of fatherhood on St. Joseph's Day from either the last years of the 14th century or from the early 15th century,[6] apparently on the initiative of the Franciscans.[7]

In the Coptic Orthodox Church, the celebration of fatherhood is also observed on St Joseph's Day, but the Copts observe this on July 20. The Coptic celebration may date back to the fifth century.[6]

Whether to celebrate this day worldwide or not remained a debatable topic. In 1908, Grace Golden Clayton proposed the day to honour those men who had lost their lives in a mining accident in the US. Though it was not accepted then, in 1909 Sonora Smart Dodd, who along with her five brothers was raised by her father alone, after attending Mother's Day[citation needed] in a church, convinced the Spokane Ministerial Association to celebrate Father’s Day worldwide.[8][9]

In addition to Father's Day, International Men's Day is celebrated in many countries on November 19 in honor of both men and boys.^[10]