Latest news with #SarahElkordi
News.com.au
13-08-2025
- General
- News.com.au
Rental inspection checklist: How to spot red flags in 15 minutes
When it comes to securing a rental, time is of the essence. Most properties only come up for inspection once – and most agencies only allow a 15 minute window for prospective renters to walk through the property before they apply. So how can you get the most out of each inspection to ensure the properties you apply for are the right ones for you while also being in good condition? CHECK THE LIVING STANDARDS It's important to watch out for the three Ds when inspecting a rental – dirty, damp and dark, says The Rent Fairy founder and director Sarah Elkordi. 'If you've got a dirty, damp and dark property, the fourth D will be depression,' she says. South-facing properties that get very little sunlight and poorly maintained properties with damage from water leakage should be avoided as they can be breeding grounds for mould. Good ventilation is also important, including whether or not there are flyscreens on the windows, she says. 'It is also very important to check that you have enough pressure in the taps, so turning on the shower, turning on the taps and flushing the toilets,' she says. Security is another crucial thing to check, including whether or not there is a working intercom for apartments and whether all locks and latches are in good working order. Wild way Aussie scored home for just $4000 The Rental Specialists principal Jo Natoli says renters should make sure the lights are working and that water runs freely down the drains when you turn on the taps. 'Make sure there's no terrible smells around,' she says. 'Have a look at the paintwork. The paintwork can usually give a bit of an indication if there are any water ingress problems.' MEASURING UP Ever moved into a home and realised your fridge doesn't fit in the fridge space? This can be easily solved by measuring your fridge ahead of time and taking a small measuring tape with you to each inspection, says Natoli. In fact, you could do the same with your lounge and washing machine, she says. Sydney Rental Search director Marcelle Wever says you can even get an app that measures fridge spaces. And while you've got your phone out, open up your compass app too. 'With the main windows in the property, do always take a compass reading,' she says. 'Just so you know which way the windows are facing. That's so important so you don't get those issues with mould.' Another thing Wever recommends checking is the size of the garage. This is particularly important for old houses that were built long before modern SUVs were designed. Another thing you might want to check while you are in the property, says Elkordi, is phone coverage. 'You could go into a property that is actually a black spot and end up with no phone reception,' she says. QUESTIONS TO ASK Natoli recommends renters try to avoid being hemmed into a 15 minute open by arranging a private inspection ahead of time. Not only does this give you more time to view the property without battling the crowd, it also provides an opportunity to build a rapport with the agent. She says it's also useful to ask about the long term plans of the owner in case they are planning to sell up or move in within the not too distant future. TIPS FOR A STREAMLINED INSPECTION Once you know what you're looking for, it helps to be as efficient as possible in the 15 minutes you have. Here are three tips from the experts on how you can streamline the inspection process. 1. The seven minute rule – Sarah Elkordi suggests breaking your timeslot into seven minute intervals: one to check if the property meets your needs and the other to assess for cleanliness and working order 2. Take a video – This gives you something to refer back to and helps you remember each property more accurately – just make sure you seek permission first, says Marcelle Wever 3. Ask for a virtual tour first – Since not all agencies let you take videos, ask if they can provide a video or virtual tour first, says Jo Natoli. That way, you can decide if it's worth checking out in person
Daily Telegraph
13-08-2025
- General
- Daily Telegraph
Rental inspection checklist: How to spot red flags in 15 minutes
When it comes to securing a rental, time is of the essence. Most properties only come up for inspection once – and most agencies only allow a 15 minute window for prospective renters to walk through the property before they apply. So how can you get the most out of each inspection to ensure the properties you apply for are the right ones for you while also being in good condition? CHECK THE LIVING STANDARDS It's important to watch out for the three Ds when inspecting a rental – dirty, damp and dark, says The Rent Fairy founder and director Sarah Elkordi. 'If you've got a dirty, damp and dark property, the fourth D will be depression,' she says. South-facing properties that get very little sunlight and poorly maintained properties with damage from water leakage should be avoided as they can be breeding grounds for mould. Good ventilation is also important, including whether or not there are flyscreens on the windows, she says. 'It is also very important to check that you have enough pressure in the taps, so turning on the shower, turning on the taps and flushing the toilets,' she says. Security is another crucial thing to check, including whether or not there is a working intercom for apartments and whether all locks and latches are in good working order. MORE: 'Free rent' deals on rise in Sydney as market shifts Wild way Aussie scored home for just $4000 The Rental Specialists principal Jo Natoli says renters should make sure the lights are working and that water runs freely down the drains when you turn on the taps. 'Make sure there's no terrible smells around,' she says. 'Have a look at the paintwork. The paintwork can usually give a bit of an indication if there are any water ingress problems.' MEASURING UP Ever moved into a home and realised your fridge doesn't fit in the fridge space? This can be easily solved by measuring your fridge ahead of time and taking a small measuring tape with you to each inspection, says Natoli. In fact, you could do the same with your lounge and washing machine, she says. Sydney Rental Search director Marcelle Wever says you can even get an app that measures fridge spaces. And while you've got your phone out, open up your compass app too. 'With the main windows in the property, do always take a compass reading,' she says. 'Just so you know which way the windows are facing. That's so important so you don't get those issues with mould.' Another thing Wever recommends checking is the size of the garage. This is particularly important for old houses that were built long before modern SUVs were designed. Another thing you might want to check while you are in the property, says Elkordi, is phone coverage. 'You could go into a property that is actually a black spot and end up with no phone reception,' she says. QUESTIONS TO ASK Natoli recommends renters try to avoid being hemmed into a 15 minute open by arranging a private inspection ahead of time. Not only does this give you more time to view the property without battling the crowd, it also provides an opportunity to build a rapport with the agent. She says it's also useful to ask about the long term plans of the owner in case they are planning to sell up or move in within the not too distant future. TIPS FOR A STREAMLINED INSPECTION Once you know what you're looking for, it helps to be as efficient as possible in the 15 minutes you have. Here are three tips from the experts on how you can streamline the inspection process. 1. The seven minute rule – Sarah Elkordi suggests breaking your timeslot into seven minute intervals: one to check if the property meets your needs and the other to assess for cleanliness and working order 2. Take a video – This gives you something to refer back to and helps you remember each property more accurately – just make sure you seek permission first, says Marcelle Wever 3. Ask for a virtual tour first – Since not all agencies let you take videos, ask if they can provide a video or virtual tour first, says Jo Natoli. That way, you can decide if it's worth checking out in person MORE: Bizarre 'murder home' stuns internet Aus council takes drastic action on cat crisis 'What the f**k': Block star's nasty spat
News.com.au
20-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
How a tenant's agent can help with your rental application
Struggling to get a rental? You may be considering a tenant's agent. But just how do they operate – and how can you choose a good one? WHAT DO TENANT'S AGENTS DO? As the name suggests, tenant's agents are like the buyer's agents of renting. Not only can they help you find a property that fits your budget and personal criteria, they can also attend inspections on your behalf and potentially even negotiate the price and the length of the lease. Most also offer a service where they will write and submit applications on your behalf. Rent Fairy director Sarah Elkordi says this takes a lot of stress and time out of the process for renters who may have been declined multiple times in the past. A lot of tenant's agents also have access to offmarket properties through their connections with real estate agents, opening them up to a wider pool of rentals. BENEFITS Education is another important factor, says Sydney renter's agent Marcelle Wever. The director of Sydney Rental Search says her first step is to qualify a new client, keeping in mind that property managers want applicants who will pay no more than one third of their income on their rent. In fact, they may even give you a reality check if you have unrealistic expectations. 'If someone is saying they want to spend 50 per cent of their combined income on rent, I know that's going to be very hard to do and out of integrity I would not take on that client,' she says. 'It's a bit MAFS': Melb landlord's $3k+ offer to love-struck tenants HOW DO THEY CHARGE? While Elkordi and Wever both charge a flat fee depending on the level of service you choose, there is variation across the industry, with some charging the first two weeks of rent as their fee. When researching tenant's agents, it's worth looking deeply at what they offer within each price tier and considering the level of service you require, whether it's an offmarket search, a certain number of inspections, help with applications or even help with connecting utilities. SIGNS OF A GOOD TENANT'S AGENT When looking for a tenant's agent, it's a good idea to choose someone with plenty of industry knowledge, says Elkordi. If the person has had a background in property management it gives them that insider knowledge when it comes to liaising with real estate agents. 'I understand quite thoroughly what property managers are looking for, what makes their life easier,' she says. 'So when we are applying, these real estate agents have everything they need straight away, in their face.' Wever agrees that experience is crucial – as is a strong personal connection. 'What you're looking for is someone who has knowledge about the area, has the experience, has the relationships – and someone you feel like you have an affinity with,' Wever says. 'It's a very personal thing to be looking for a rental property.' THINGS TO CONSIDER: When deciding whether to use a tenant's agent, here are some things to think about: 1. Time – do you have the time to devote to attending inspections, especially ones during the week, and filling out applications for properties? 2. Affordability – can you afford to pay for the service of a tenant's agent and how does it compare to the time lost if you have to take time off work to attend inspections? 3. Experience – what level of experience do the tenant's agents in your area have in the industry and what is their success rate at getting renters into homes? 4. Connections – is there a benefit in going with a tenant's agent because of their connections with local real estate agents and their access to offmarket properties? 5. Your application –
