How to Add Your Property

Adding a property to PropKeeper is about more than just filling in an address. It’s about getting your ducks in a row so you can see the big picture of your wealth. This guide walks you through the setup process step-by-step, matching exactly what you see on your screen.

📝 The "Before You Start" Checklist

Grab a coffee and have these bits and pieces handy. Having the right info now saves you from digging through old emails later:

Contract of Sale: For the exact purchase price and legal descriptions.
Settlement Letter: (If already settled) This from your solicitor has the final numbers.
Latest Bank App: If you have a loan, you'll need your balance and interest rate.
Council Rates Notice: Handy for land area and exact location details.

Step 1: Classification

This first screen is where you tell PropKeeper what kind of "beast" we’re tracking.

Project Type: Existing vs. New Construction

Existing Property: Choose this if you've bought a home that is already built and ready to go.
New Construction Project: Choose this if you are building from scratch or are mid-build.
- Plain English: Are you buying a finished house, or a slab of concrete that’s becoming a house?
- Why it matters: Selecting "New Construction" unlocks the Build Timeline and Handover steps. It lets you track drawdowns and milestones like "Fixing Stage" or "Practical Completion."

Property Basics

Property Nickname: Give it a name that makes sense to you (e.g., "Tarneit Investment" or "My Forever Home").
Property Type: Is it a House, Unit, Townhouse, or just Land?
Country: Currently set up for Australia and New Zealand.

Location Details

We’ve integrated Google Maps to make this bit easy.

Address Search: Start typing your address and select the correct one from the list.
Plain English: Think of this like "Auto-fill" for your property.
Why it matters: Selecting the address from the list automatically fills in your Street Address, City, State, and Postcode. This ensures your property is correctly geocoded for future features like automated valuations.

Step 2: Property Details (The DNA)

Once you hit "Next," you’ll dive into the specifics of the building itself.

Bedrooms, Bathrooms, & Car Spaces: The basics for any property listing.
Land & Building Area: Measured in square meters (sqm).
Energy Features: Tell us if you have Solar Panels or specific Insulation Ratings.
- Why it matters: Tracking energy features helps you understand the property's efficiency and potential for "green" loan discounts or better rental appeal.

Step 3: Acquisition & Land

This is where we get into the "nitty-gritty" of the money.

Contract Sale Price: The base price on your contract.
Stamp Duty & Legal Fees:
- Plain English: The "presents" you gave the government and your solicitor.
- Why it matters: These costs are added to your Cost Base. If you forget these, the ATO might think you made a bigger "profit" than you actually did, meaning you’ll pay more tax when you eventually sell.

Step 4 & 5: The Build Timeline (Construction Only)

If you selected "New Construction," these extra screens will appear.

Current Stage: Are you at Deposit, Slab, Frame, or Lock-up?
Drawdowns: Record each payment made to the builder so you can see your total "Paid to Date" vs. your "Build Contract."
Handover: This is the finish line! Upload your Occupancy Certificate here to officially move the property from "Construction" to "Established."

🔒 A Note on Your Data Security

At PropKeeper (under Probos Technology), we protect your data like it’s our own. We use bank-grade encryption and secure Australian servers. Your financial identity is safe with us.

Tip: If you're ever unsure about a field, just hover over the little ? icons for a quick "Plain English" explanation!