A factual look at how Brisbane, Logan and Ipswich differ as local government areas, without ranking one as better than another.
Home Buying
What a building and pest inspection actually covers in Queensland, who is licensed to carry one out, and what it does not guarantee.
A plain explanation of what a body corporate is, when it applies in Queensland, and what to check before buying into one.
A plain description of what happens once a property goes under contract in Queensland, including the statutory cooling-off period.
A practical look at what actually needs checking before you make an offer in Queensland, including the seller disclosure changes that started in August 2025.
Buyers sometimes assume an agent's estimate and a formal valuation are roughly the same thing. They are not, and the difference matters if you are relying on a number for a lending, legal or tax purpose. A real estate agent's appraisal is generally an informal opinion of likely sale price, based on their market knowledge and comparable recent sales. It is useful for getting a general sense of price, but it...
Choosing between a new build and an established home is not just a style preference. It affects cost structure, warranty protection, and how much you can know about the property before you commit. With an established home, you can inspect the actual property, its condition, its layout in real life rather than on a plan, and its immediate surroundings before you buy. A building and pest inspection can...
The purchase price is only one part of what owning a property costs. Buyers who budget only for the price and the deposit are often surprised by the ongoing and upfront costs that come with it. Upfront costs typically include transfer (stamp) duty, conveyancing or solicitor fees, building and pest inspection fees, and loan-related costs such as lender's mortgage insurance if your deposit is below a certain...
A school catchment is a defined geographic area that determines which local state school a property is zoned for. In Queensland, catchment enrolment generally guarantees a place at your local state school, which is a significant factor for many family buyers. The tricky part is that catchment boundaries do not follow suburb lines, and they can change over time as school capacity and population shift. Two...
Buying property in Australia from overseas, or shortly after arriving, involves a few extra layers that a typical local buyer does not need to think about. Where you should start depends heavily on your residency and visa status, which affects what you are eligible to buy and what additional costs may apply. Broadly, requirements differ for Australian citizens living overseas, permanent residents,...