POOLS MAKE NICE BEDS FOR BUGS

January 3, 2013 Leave a comment

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.

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First National Real Estate sees renewed enthusiasm for property

October 25, 2012 1 Comment

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

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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.

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Use it or Loose it

September 22, 2012 1 Comment

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.

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 Issued by: First National Real Estate

 For further information contact:

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

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Maximise your tax deductions before June 30

June 18, 2012 2 Comments

With the end of financial year approaching, property investors should be thinking about how to maximise their tax deductions. A BMT Tax Depreciation report may save investors thousands.

What is depreciation? As a building gets older, items wear out – they depreciate. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) allows property owners to claim this depreciation as a deduction. Depreciation can be claimed by any property owner who obtains income from their property.

Depreciation Facts:

  • BMT finds investors an average of between $5,000 and $10,000 as a first full year deduction.
  • Claim depreciation on new or old investment properties.
  • Adjust previous tax returns – get money back from the ATO!
  • BMT works with accountants to simplify the process.
  • BMT guarantees double our fee worth of deductions in the first full year claim or there will be no charge for our services.

BMT Tax Depreciation are Quantity Surveyors who specialise in property depreciation.

Quantity Surveyors are one of the few professionals recognised by the ATO to have the appropriate skills needed to estimate costs for depreciation purposes. Property investors should engage a specialist to complete a tax depreciation report on their property to maximise their deductions.

Claiming depreciation can boost investor’s tax deductions significantly. By ordering a report before June 30, investors can claim the fee straight back in this financial year.

Article Provided by BMT Tax Depreciation. Bradley Beer (B. Con. Mgt, AAIQS, MRICS) is a Director of BMT Tax Depreciation. Please contact 1300 728 726 or visit www.bmtqs.com.au for an Australia wide service.

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WARM UP WINTER BUYERS

July 2, 2011 Leave a comment

Selling your home can be nerve-racking, and with the number of days properties are on the market having lengthened this year, First National Real Estate Lakeshores has some simple tips to make sure your property stays on the boil during winter, and reduce any associated stress.

“The value of a property is mainly determined by its location, size and suitability to the buyer,” First National Real Estate Lakeshores principal Mark Millington, said.

“But there are things that a seller can do to maximise the value of the property, particularly in terms of its presentation, even if the weather is cold and things look a bit dull and gray.

“I mean, when someone wants to impress, they go all out to make themselves look and sound good, no matter what the weather is doing – it’s no different with the property you want to sell.

“It’s all about making a good impression and while it’s true that there will be fewer buyers in winter, it also means there will be less competition and less stock.”

According to Mark Millington the most important tip is to appoint a well-respected, reputable and trustworthy real estate agent.

“Agents have a duty to achieve the best price for their clients, keep their finger on the pulse of the market and keep their clients educated and informed about current market dynamics,” Mark Millington said.

“We are encouraging our agents to think creatively and strategically to shorten the number of days listings are on the market and maximise the price of their clients’ properties, including updating photography, remaining positive and upbeat, using all the leading edge marketing tools such as social media and buyer matching technologies, to make sure everything is being done to get the seller the best achievable price.

“Using an agent also offers security, acting as a barrier or deterrent to buyers who are not really serious about the property or who wish to make unrealistic offers for the property.  Most of all, many First National agents offer the additional protection of ISO 9001 Quality Assurance accreditation.”

Winter makes staging your home, the concept of showcasing its best, more important to securing top value for your property.  Mark Millington says putting in a little effort will make the world of difference.

“A well-presented house is likely to achieve its selling price more readily than an untidy, unsightly and unkempt property that has obviously not been well-cared for or maintained,” Mark Millington said.

“That’s why it’s important to make sure the owner does everything they can to make the property look good and that it is always presented in as pristine condition as possible.”

Here are a few things that Mark Millington says can be easily undertaken and are affordable:

  • Paint a few feature walls to create visual impact.  Consider using the services of an interior decorator for a quick consultation and some ideas.
  • Add a few personal touches like family photos and memorabilia around the place to give that ‘homey’ feel
  • Keep lights on during inspections to brighten the atmosphere and make sure curtains, shutters and blinds are open – letting in as much natural light as possible as well as make rooms feel much more spacious.
  • Make sure everything is clean including windows, both inside and out, and light fittings.
  • Place some flowers in vases to liven things up a bit, and even consider spraying some quality fragrance around (but not too much!)
  • Turn on heaters or light fires so that the temperature inside the home is comfortable, inviting the buyer to linger longer, especially on cold days.

Mark Millington said another key tip is that sellers should always try to keep in mind who they are selling to, just like any other product that is for sale.

“At the end of the day, the seller should put themselves in the place of the buyer, think about what would they look for and make sure their home delivers as best as it can,” Mark Millington said.

“That’s what we do here at First National Real Estate Lakeshores. We think of our clients and put them first, because that’s what we would like if we were their clients.”

For further information contact Mark Milligton, First National Real Estate Lakeshores, on 02 4359 1555.

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FIRST NATIONAL BUCKS INDUSTRY STANCE

April 22, 2011 Leave a comment

First National Real Estate Lakeshores Principal Mark Millington, has snubbed industry representatives who have said in recent media reports that the property industry would support moves to replace stamp duties with a broadening land tax or any other tax.

“It has long been recognised that stamp duty as a tax is inefficient and a complete rort,” Mark Millington said.

“So, while First National Real Estate agrees it needs to go, it does not support the notion that it be replaced with some other tax.

“As far as we are concerned, when the GST was introduced, it was meant to phase out a number of various state and territory government taxes, duties and levies such as banking taxes and stamp duty.

“Now, more than a decade on, we are still being burdened with stamp duty.  What’s worse, the property industry appears to be portrayed in some news articles as willing to settle for replacing the duty, instead of having it abolished altogether.”

Beyond the benefits to the property market of lowering the cost of buying, abolishing stamp duty would also serve to help the economy, by making room for the resources boom.

“Stamp duty inhibits mobility for many, which mean mining areas which are desperate for workers are finding it difficult to encourage workers to sell their homes and move to another area,” Mark Millington said.

“The government needs to look at policies that will encourage mobility rather than inhibit it.”

Mark Millington said the upcoming 2011 Federal Tax Summit presents the ideal opportunity to get blanket approval from state and federal governments to abolish this duty and there should be no further talk of ‘replacement’, but to deliver what was promised in the first place.

“Affordability is rearing its ugly head again, and governments need to stop being greedy and looking to the property industry to make up the shortfalls in inefficient spending and ‘black holes’,” Mark Millington said.

“As well as helping first home buyers enter the market, we need to keep stocks available in the upgrader and investor markets.  These people are looking at other investments because of the expenses involved in upgrading and investing in property.

“Governments even go so far as to put a stamp duty on the GST that is paid on commercial and industrial properties that are sold, which just seems ludicrous to me.”

Mark Millington is at a loss to understand why governments are resisting the move to abolish stamp duty, when so many are in agreement that it needs to go.

“A recent article said the OECD supported the rationalisation of state and government taxes particularly stamp duty on house sales, the ex-Treasurer Peter Costello said it should have been eliminated when the GST was introduced and even the Henry Review recognises the need for it to go,” Mark Millington said.

“The GST was meant to provide sufficient funding for state needs, and if they are not able to raise enough revenue through the GST they need to look at reform, rather than rorting hard-working Australians and replacing one tax for another.  We should get rid of stamp duty altogether.”

Issued by: First National Real Estate.  For further information contact Mark Millington, Principal, First National Real Estate Lakeshores, on 02 4359 1555.

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Australian Floods Appeal

January 11, 2011 Leave a comment

Click on the link to make your donation

First National Real Estate has launched a fundraising appeal through the First National Foundation, pledging that all funds raised will go to Australian Red Cross Emergency Services in support of people affected by the Queensland and Western Australia floods.

First National Foundation is committed to the support of Australian Red Cross Emergency Services and, through the fundraising efforts of First National Real Estate agents nationally, has already donated over $1 million towards the preparation of Australian communities for natural disasters such as those currently being experienced.

Funds donated provide real assistance on the ground such as helping Red Cross Emergency Services to coordinate the National Registration and Enquiry System that assists families, friends and relatives to locate each other.

3,919 people have already used the NRIS system currently being operated by Red Cross in Queensland. Red Cross is also assisting with recovery in Bundaberg, Dalby, Warwick, Chinchilla, Emerald and is on standby to provide additional support where necessary.

Red Cross is also distributing practical resources and useful tips to help Queenslanders and Western Australiansbegin cleaning up after floods. The ‘Cleaning Up After Flooding’ booklet helps households start the process, both practically and emotionally, but with a firm eye on safety.

Donations can be made to First National Foundation’s Australian Floods Appeal by visitinghttp://www.firstnationalrealestate.com.au

Issued by: First National Real Estate

For further information contact National Communications Manager, Stewart Bunn from First National Real Estate on 1800 032 332

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WIN $25,000 OF HOME FURNISHINGS WITH FIRST NATIONAL

October 9, 2010 Leave a comment

Super Massive Comp

Super Massive Comp

Throughout October, First National Real Estate is offering the chance for one lucky individual or family to update their home with $25,000 worth of brand new furniture and energy efficient appliances.

All entrants have to do is visit the First National Real Estate website, firstnational.com.au, follow the prompts, answer a couple of simple questions and submit their entry form to be in the running for the $25,000 home furnishings voucher.

‘Lots of First Home Buyers bought homes last year as a result of the stimulus package and many more Australian families are putting off the replacement of old, inefficient appliances. So, we thought we’d give one lucky family or individual a helping hand’ says Mark Millington, principal of First National Lakeshores.

First National Real Estate adopted an energy efficiency stance in 2009, providing its national network of offices with an Energy Efficiency Kit to assist its agents to reduce energy consumption in their offices and their customers’ homes.

‘An important part of the kit is a booklet printed on recycled paper that shows Australian homeowners and tenants how to lower their home’s energy bills’ says Mark Millington.

‘The book was so popular, our office soon ran out of copies but customers can still download a copy, or see all our energy efficiency and sustainability advice, by visiting firstnational.com.au/energyefficient’.

The website, booklets and brochures help people choose, and better use, more efficient appliances, solve design problems in older homes, and create more sustainable Australian native gardens.

To enter the competition, participants should visit www.lakeshores.com.au and follow the links to the Super Massive $25,000 Giveaway.

‘You can enter as many times as you like between 1 October 2010 and 31 October 2010. It’s that simple, there’s no skill required and all entrants have an equal chance to win’ says Mark Millington

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