First National CEO comments on improving market outlook

Reblogged from First National Real Estate - Australian Property Blog | Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Darwin, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart:

Click to visit the original post

This month, First National members gather for our network’s annual National Convention.

As always, we’re working hard to stay at the forefront of property services so a raft of new technologies and consumer focused strategies are scheduled for introduction to our members. These are aimed squarely at improving customer experiences and maintaining the quality of results we deliver to the many clients who choose First National Real Estate each year.

Read more… 337 more words

First National Foundation calls for donations to Tasmanian Bushfire Appeal

First National Foundation calls for donations to Tasmanian Bushfire Appeal.

MAKE A SPLASH THIS SUMMER WITH PROPERTY

Selling in Summer

Selling a home in summer can be tricky for some but rewarding for many.  First National Real Estate Lakeshores Principal, Mark Millington says it all comes down to getting the details right.

“Pretty gardens, spectacular views and a well-presented home will only go so far, especially in a market where buyers would rather be relaxing with a cool drink instead of house-hunting in the heat,” Mark Millington said.

“It is essential home sellers price their property correctly, choose the most appropriate sale method and market it appropriately.  Real estate agents can make a lot of difference here as they have the necessary knowledge and experience to maximise the value of your property.”

Mark Millington said that when it came to pricing the property, home-owners need to consider the market and buying conditions.

“Summer is a time when buyer numbers plateau – particularly during the holiday period – but the current market conditions of low interest rates and affordable prices will prove too tempting for many to pass up,” Mark Millington said.

“So it requires real skill to set the price at a realistic level where both the buyer and seller feel comfortable that they have paid and received a fair price.”

One of the biggest dilemmas summer sellers face is whether to go to auction or sell their house through private treaty (for sale).  In making this decision, there are a number of factors that should be considered such as location, style of property, level of demand and timing of the sale.

“Private treaty sales offer the advantage of a clearly stated price. This can be powerfully attractive to buyers who sell their property just prior to Christmas and are facing settlement in early January Mark Millington said.

“When you have properly priced your property, these types of buyers can be super motivated to make strong, fair offers, with a minimum of negotiation, but it’s essential to have your price right in the first place if you’re going to do business.

‘On the other hand, auctions allow the market to determine the price and competitive bidding can push the price up. Auction also offers the seller certainty that once the reserve is reached, the property will be sold, and there is no Cooling Off Period so the sale is secure – the buyer can’t change their mind. However, the timing of an auction is crucial so it’s best to have auction campaigns completed before the holiday period gets underway.”

When it comes to auctions, Mark Millington said there are two types to be considered: in-room or on-site.

“At an on-site auction, buyers can actually touch and smell what they are buying, which can provide a stronger emotional connection to the property,” Mark Millington said.  “Also, there is an argument to be made that suggests when it comes to those final bids, and the buyer is standing in what is to be their new home if they are successful, they are more likely to go that little bit further to secure their new home.

“However, in-room auctions are not affected by the weather or other environmental factors and when the market is running hot, the enthusiasm for other properties offered by auction at the same event can positively influence the bidding on your own property.

According to Mark Millington, the soft market of recent times is showing a trend towards private sales over auctions, with sellers more inclined to take that route than what they perceive as the uncertainty of the potential outcome on auction day.

“My advice would be to discuss all the options available with a real estate agent, who will help determine which method of sale best suits your individual circumstances and the likely degree of demand for the type of property you’ll be offering the marketplace,” Mark Millington said.

“The agent is there to help weight up the benefits and costs and pro’s and con’s of each scenario and to support a seller through the sale process.  They can only do that if the seller is open and honest about their feelings and share their concerns.

“At First National, we are there to put our clients first, which is why we lead our industry.”

- copy ends -

Issued by: First National Real Estate

For further information contact:

Mark Millington, Principal, First National Real Estate Lakeshores, on 02 4359 1555

POOLS MAKE NICE BEDS FOR BUGS

Pool

Pool

As the weather starts to warm up, pools becoming enticing beds and breeding grounds for bugs, so make sure to take the time now and check the pool to enjoy safe and healthy swimming this summer.

Recent research showed that 96 per cent of Australian pools take a dive in health during the cooler months, leading to a build up of harmful bacteria which could pose serious health risks for those swimming in it, like diarrhoea, ear infections and eye and skin irritations.

Out of more than 1000 pool water samples recently taken across the country, just four per cent of pools showed a healthy pH balance and only one in five were properly chlorinated.

Using the services of a professional technician, such as the pool and spa care experts at PoolWerx, to conduct regular water health and safety checks makes sense and may prove more affordable than it would be to seek help once the water has turned ‘green’ from flourishing bacteria.

Not to mention the reduced emotional stress and costs associated with a loved-one, friend or tenant becoming sick through infected pool water.

Top five tips for early-season pool maintenance include:

  1. Check the pool equipment to ensure it is in property running order.
  2. Ensure the pH level is within healthy levels.
  3. Make sure chlorine levels are adequate to disinfect all microorganisms.
  4. Vacuum and skim the pool regularly.
  5. Organize a regular professional check up.

It is also a good time to check the pool’s compliance with state laws and regulations as each state and territory in Australia has its own laws governing pool safety.

- copy ends -

First National Real Estate sees renewed enthusiasm for property

Reblogged from First National Real Estate - Australian Property Blog | Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Darwin, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart:

Click to visit the original post

First National Real Estate’s agents are working hard, all over Australia, dealing with renewed enthusiasm for property this spring.

Since the most recent Reserve Bank cut to official interest rates, there has been a sharp rise in consumer confidence. In fact, the number of Australians that think now is a good time to buy a home has jumped 10 per cent since March.

Read more… 321 more words

Which is best – renovate or buy?

Current buyers’ market conditions may be weakening, as a result of continued Reserve Bank interest rates cuts, but before making the decision to become a home owner or trade up, consider all your options carefully and make sure you are doing the right thing – it may prove prudent to renovate, says First National Real Estate Lakeshores principal, Mark Millington

“There is no doubt there are some great buying opportunities at the moment with low interest rates and steadying property prices, but for some, renovating may offer more benefits,” Mark Millington said.

“A granny flat, extension, or updating the home to the way you have always dreamed may be more cost effective and allow you to stay in the area you have come to love and appreciate.”

Mark Millington said there are myriad reasons why the current home may no longer be meeting the needs of the home owner including they need more space, their circumstances have changed or they just want a change of scenery.

“But whatever the reasons are, the ongoing uncertainty in domestic and international economies may make renovating more attractive, so my advice would be to weigh up the options, make a list of pro’s and con’s, and look at what your future needs might be,” Mark Millington said.

According to Mark Millington, the top things to consider are budget, location, time and space.

Budget:  there are inherently costs associated with both options.  Renovating is more susceptible to budget blowouts, but the hidden and add-on costs for buying a new home such as stamp duty, conveyancing and removalists can make it much more expensive.  A careful and detailed budget plan will help you weigh up the costs involved in both options.

Location:  consider whether you want to continue living in the area, or is there somewhere else you would prefer to call home?  Also, take the neighbours into account.  For many, relationships are forged with neighbours, and it is important whether you stay or move that you can see yourself getting along with your neighbours.

Time: what time constraints do you have?  Finding the right property that will suit all your current and future needs will take time, as will renovating. Often, house-hunters are required to compromise in some way, but the home renovator should be able to do exactly as they set out to do and have had approved by the relevant authorities.

 

Space:  make sure there is enough room to make the improvements you want, if you are looking to renovate.  If you are going to buy, consider whether you will need to make any further alteration, either now to ensure the new property can accommodate your current needs, or some time in the future to adopt for your changing circumstances. Asking an architect or builder to inspect the property with you can be of enormous benefit.

“Also, if you are looking at renovating, it is easy to let emotions override practicalities, so it is important to make sure you get the right advice to ensure you don’t overcapitalise,” Mark Millington warned.

“A very basic rule of thumb when renovating is to never spend more than 25 per cent of the value of your home.

“But before any final decision is made, look at the real estate market and get an appraisal on your house and look at prices of houses that appeal to you.

“Even consider asking a First National Real Estate agent for advice.  We can often help determine what the best choice is for you and your family by showing new properties and comparing them to what you love and dislike about your current home.”

- copy ends -

 

Issued by: First National Real Estate

 or further information contact:

Mark Millington, Principal, First National Real Estate Lakeshores, on 0243591555

Use it or Loose it

ImageFirst National Real Estate Lakeshores Principal, Mark Millington agrees with comments made recently by outspoken Senator, Bill Heffernan, that Government needed to make changes to avoid overseas investors owning Australia’s assets.

“Australian governments and business need to act today to realise the value of our natural assets or investors from overseas will do it for us” Senator Bill Heffernan said,  speaking recently at First National Real Estate’s Commercial and Rural Conference in Canberra.

The Senator made a passionate plea for changes to help Australians rather than overseas investors realise the value of our assets.

“By 2070 China will need to feed 50% of their population from outside the country and they are looking around the world to find investments to make that possible,” Senator Heffernan said.

“100 years ago we would never have thought a sovereign power could come and acquire assets here without an army. Now all you need is a cheque book”.

Mark Millington agreed, saying  “Senator Heffernan is right. If we do not find Australian investors, then overseas investors will step in.

“The Foreign Takeovers Act is out of date and we need to make sure, if and when foreign investors come in, that they are competing on the same basis as Australian investors,” Mark Millington said.

“In a challenging market Australians are being cautious and often the only way to sell a property is to look to overseas investors.  We like to get our clients a sale, but it is not in anyone’s interest to get unrealistic prices that then inflate average prices and increase rates.  We firmly believe the market has bottomed out and all we need now is some confidence and then we can see Australians investing in both commercial and rural assets.”

Senator Heffernan agrees. “There will be a lot of opportunities in the future. We need to make sure everyone investing in Australia does so on the same basis and we need to be able to tax foreign investors and make sure all Australians can benefit from our potential as the market garden of Asia.”

“We in Australia are wooden headed, we think agriculture is a mature industry and it is not. We need to get the modern equivalent of soldier settlers to develop the land and develop solutions or someone will come and do it for us,” Senator Heffernan said.

- copy ends -

 Issued by: First National Real Estate

 For further information contact:

Mark Millington Principal, First National Real Estate Lakeshores on 0418 970 591

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 93 other followers

%d bloggers like this: