Four websites for property investors and owners
The internet is a source of a huge amount of information, and often it can be tough to sift through. There are hundreds of fantastic websites and portals that can provide you with a range of information, no matter what it is your after. Calculators? News? Renovation tips? You bet.
There are websites that are worth visiting on a daily basis, and some that offer more information than you'd ever realise.
Here are our favourites.
1) Houzz
This home renovating, decorating and improvement resource is not only filled with photos, but they want readers to send in their own. Founded in California, it's the place for property envy, continual staring at beautiful mansions and homesteads, and inspiration for that renovation you've been dying to undertake.
They also have functions where you can buy products and find local experts, but for Australian readers the best part is being able to browse design ideas room-by-room for free. You also get to create an 'Ideabook' for each room and save photos, much like a property version of Pinterest.
There are some really nice DIY ideas as well, for those looking for homestyling ideas.
2) Somersoft
While everyone has their preference for a forum, Somersoft has one of the easiest interfaces. It's regularly visited by industry members, as well as investors of all levels, and all information should be looked at critically, but it's generally a friendly place to ask a question. The search function will open up a world of answers to questions you may never have even thought to ask, from legal and accounting to property management and tenant laws.
Somersofters also regularly meet up in different cities.
A truly fantastic resource, .id is one of the best visualised demographic resources available. Regularly used by local councils and other bodies, they use Census data and present it in a way that is actually manageable for those who are not demographers.
They regularly profile different areas and provide forecasting information, tables, graphs and charts. They also have an economic information hub as well.
We especially like their blog, which orientates those interested in data in a far more meaningful way. Discussing population changes, and just topics of general interest, it's worth a click.
Written by Julia, an Ohio-based blogger, Hooked on Houses is a great source for all-things property. Showcasing before and after pictures from readers, designs she likes the most, and properties from American films, if you're interested in beautiful overseas properties then this is the place to be.
Unfortunately, despite the fun content, we seem to get a lot of pop ups and strangely diverted clicks, which hinders the experience.
What are your favourites?