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Women have more influence over home buying, a new poll by Archicentre has revealed. Over 800 respondents from around Australia participated, and 62 per cent of purchasing decisions were made by women, dwarfing the figure for men, a measly 7.8 percent. While 30 per cent chose the fairer option, making house buying a joint decision.

It's a big decision to make, to throw your lives, savings and energy into a mortgage. But women have come up trumps in the decision making process.

While in years gone by it has been said that a woman's place is in the home. This is being turned on its head as women reclaim the home as their domain, and exert their influence in the purchasing process.

"The poll also signals a clear message for vendors to make sure they pay attention to the female influence in making the purchasing decision when preparing their home for sale," said Robert Caulfield, Managing Director of Archicentre.

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Drop in Renovation Costs

April 22nd 2009 04:56

Renovation costs in Australia are expected to drop between 5 and 15 percent in the next six months, according to Archicentre, the building advisory service of the Australian Institute of Architects.

David Hallett General Manager of Archicentre releasing the organisation's quarterly cost guide said residential building construction costs have not changed appreciably in the last quarter. However, a substantial slowdown in the planning of new commercial projects around Australia will see many tradespeople moving from commercial to residential over the next six months

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Renovate Out of Recession

February 7th 2009 01:43

The $20 billion a year renovation industry in Australia could be a major key in kick starting the economy, according to Archicentre, the building advisory service of the Australian Institute of Architects.

Robert Caulfield, Managing Director of Archicentre said with interest rates expected to be cut this next week to an all time low, tradespeople looking for new work in a highly competitive market, and the Australian dollar down, there has never been a better time to renovate and use Australian products

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Install a swimming pool

December 30th 2008 01:28

If you have enough room, a swimming pool completes a backyard. It ensures hours of enjoyment and relaxation, and best of all relief for the inevitable hot days. It is said that even winter is becoming warmer every year, giving you more time to use your pool.

Before you start digging, take some time to become familiar with local council rules governing pools. Swimming pools require council approval, so it is wise to plan ahead

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Invest in a pre-purchase inspection before investing in a home

December 29th 2008 01:23

Found your ideal home, but not sure of it’s quality? Going to lots of auctions, but worried about the potential cost of renovating? Get a pre-purchase inspection.

It often takes hours and hours to choose the right home. With this level of time and investment it is worth making the effort to do your homework before you buy. Estimating the cost of potential renovations from the outset is difficult, especially if you are not a builder yourself

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Clotheslines – not just about the hills hoist

December 28th 2008 01:18

Gone are the days where the clothesline was all about the iconic hills hoist. Once a staple backyard centrepiece, a great Australian invention. But gone also are the days where everyone had a backyard big enough to fit a hills hoist. These days there are many different types of clotheslines on the market, for the variety of homes and outdoor spaces inhabited by Australians.

It’s much more environmentally friendly and cheaper to dry clothes on a clothesline rather than using a clothes dryer. Living in the Australian climate means its common sense to have one strung up somewhere

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What is Feng Shui?

December 27th 2008 01:03

Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese art of energy and balance. It has been utilised in a Western contest in terms of organisation of the home and garden to encourage better energy flow. Feng Shui means wind and water, and the art focuses on life’s energy (Qi/Chi) in living and non-living things. This energy is in a constant state of flux, and feng shui is about how to manage this, by maximising the good (Sheng) Chi and minimising the bad (Sha) Chi.

Feng Shui started in ancient China, where houses were built according to feng shui principles. Seeing as feng shui means wind and water, it is said that the Chinese built their houses to be protected from the harsh winds, and flooding rivers. The people in ancient China used the binary concept yin and yang to provide logic in their world and lives. Feng Shui was first written down as the Ba Gua, which then became I Ching. This is the text that feng shui scholars have studied to obtain the principles of the practice and beliefs. In 1949 feng shui was officially banned in China under communist rule, but is now freely practiced there, as it is in many other parts of the world

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Archicentre Warns on Flood Damage

November 20th 2008 06:21

Flooded houses in Queensland, as a result of this week's dramatic storms, could take months to dry out. Home owners have been advised to allow their homes to completely dry out before replacing carpets and fittings to avoid future problems.

Ron Tanton, Archicentre's Queensland State Manager said water damage in homes can be quite extensive requiring chipboard cupboards, doors and plaster work to be replaced

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Switch off appliances when on holiday this summer

November 19th 2008 06:14

Summer holidays are a great time to take a break, leaving your home to fend for itself while you are away. However your home doesn't have to operate on full electrical power as if you were living there.

EnergyAustralia Energy Efficiency Expert Paul Myors said that while the Christmas holiday period could be stressful, there were a few simple steps homeowners could take to reduce the toll on their electricity bills while they were away

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Deadly Asbestos Dust from Renovations

November 18th 2008 06:09

Asbestos dust from building works can become a deadly side effect of renovations, as warned by Archicentre, the building advisory service of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects.

“With hundreds of thousands of renovations taking place each year in Australia it is important to highlight the dangers facing people who can breathe in asbestos dust which attacks the lungs,” said General Manager of Archicentre, David Hallett

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April 2009

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December 2008

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