While short stay rental may sound like a great way to make some extra money there are lots of extra costs.  In this chat we work through the pros and cons of short vs long stay rentals including what property is best suited. Also what are the extra costs of short stay rentals inluding the booking site cost, cleaning, furniture etc etc. 

The Gold Coast Council are changing their rating system for apartments so now higher apartments with a better view pay more rates. Does Victoria have a similar view tax?  Also we chat about when investors sell should they ask a tenant to move out or is it OK for them to stay. 

With the rental market growing rapidly many owners and renters are dealing with the issue of rent increases. Owners want to look after their renters but need to cover increased costs. Renters are battling cost of living presures so it is a tricky balance. 

Apartment rents have been volitile over the last few years. Lately they have risen sharply and everyone wants to know if they will keep rising. 

It was some time ago that Josh and Emma Wilson met at an 80's party on the South Coast of NSW. Since then they have moved homes and travelled through France before falling in love with Melbourne and each other somewhere along the way. Josh grew up in the Barossa Valley in SA and was a self confessed computer nerd in his early days before building a very successful IT Project management business Melbourne. Emma's journey takes in retail, visual merchandising, cupcake baker, interior designer and now has found her passion as a ceramicist. So how does a IT consultant and a ceramicist manage to live and work in their separate businesses in an apartment during lockdown? Let's find out. Emma's business is Hunter and the Fox  Email Emma [email protected] Josh's web site is here  Email Josh [email protected]

When Harriet Alexander was living in London she took in a three legged rescue dog. "Pedro" had a number of behavioral issues due do past trauma and neglect. Little did she know at the time Pedro was about to completely change her life. Harriet was so determined to understand him and how to help him that she ended up making a career of it. With the help of inspirational mentors and a lot of study in canine behaviour management, Harriet operates a professional dog training business in Melbourne called All Dogs are Good with methods that are ethical and kind and are a long way from the old training technics based on fear, and intimidation. Harriet sits on the board of of Pet Dog Trainers of Europe who have just run their very first online summit. You can get in touch with Harriet ... Email - [email protected] Facebook Instagram Website

If you have never tried a Canelé you are in for a treat. If you are already a fan then I have some very exciting news. With its origins in the Annociades convent of Bordeaux where nuns cared for disadvantaged children, Melbourne has its very own decedent of the French boulangerie Vincent Uso moved to Australia from France about 6 years ago. With a dream in his heart and the secrete recipe from his Uncle Alain in his pocket he has just started baking the most magnificent Canelés here in Melbourne. Buy day he is an architect but by night he transform to produce French pastries that can be delivered to your door. Canelé Alain is operating through Covid and you can order here ...or email [email protected] ...or follow them here. facebook instagram Either way bon appetit...

Don't you just adore a good love story. Jelmer Stellingwerf was happily going about his life working in Switzerland when he was swept off his feet by an Aussie girl studying music at Zurich. Somehow he convinced his boss Australia would be a fantastic place to set up a new office and he and Karina moved here in 2019 leaving his family behind in his home land of the Netherlands. Karina is a professional musician (which the neighbors love) and Jelmer is the Managing Director of Swiss Grip Australia which as the name suggests is a non slip safety coating and he has very quickly grown the Australian business which now provides the product to many sectors including aged care, hospitals, hotels, domestic and recreational sectors. It is a great story and you can  contact with Swiss Grip on their web site or email [email protected] or call 07 7020 20471.  

Have you every wondered how some people are able to do so much for others without any hint of personal recognition or financial gain. Growing up in Melbourne as the youngest 4 boys Nic Bolto had his outlook on life re set when his oldest brother Rob died of Leukemia. As if that want enough he lost another brother to suicide sending him and his family into deep shock for many years. What he discovered through this experience is the awful lack of responsiveness and care in our community to help us manage life's traumatic events. Nic is the Chair of "The Retreat" which is Bed & Breakfast set is 53 Acres of wilderness near Buxton Victoia. As you will hear The Retreat provides a fabulous experience for paid guest which along with generous sponsorship support, contributes to the cost of hosting families in desperate need of support who can't afford the stay. Obviously the current times of lockdown are devastating and Nic shares how he has been navigating his way through Covid both personally and professionally.

Most Victorians have endured some form of restrictions since late March 2020 and it will continue until late November 2020 and beyond. For Daniel Wolff the early days of lockdown were tough and it took him a couple of months to settle into a pattern that helped him deal with the personal and commercial challenges most of us are facing every day. Daniel is the Director of Capstone Education who are business consultants to Registered Training Organisations (RTOs). Both Capstone Education and their clients being large and small training organisations across Australia have had to refocus on their clients needs to keep themselves relevant without the ability to meet or train in person. It is akin to fighting with one hand tied behind your back. Daniel shares his views on life in lockdown and what helps him in life and business.