Property by the Bay

Prime Cuts

2012-02-10T11:14:00.000+10:00

The picture of last year's housing market, and what it might look like this year, is becoming a little clearer. Two sets of figures are out showing the price falls of last year eased in the final few months of 2011. Capital city home values fell 0.5% in the December quarter, an improvement on the 13% decline in the previous three months, according to RPData. Australian Property Monitors figures found zero growth for the December three months. With interest rates falling, optimism edged back in; that was until companies began cutting jobs straight after Christmas. The upshot is a year of housing markets moving sideways.

Turi Condon, Property Editor, Weekend Property

The Weekend Australian

Buyers Find Hidden Gems

2012-01-11T16:27:00.001+10:00

Shorncliffe has been revealed as one of Greater Brisbane's most successful property growth suburbs, according to RPData.

House prices in Shorncliffe have risen by 26% since 2006, which ranks them fourth for price growth in the Greater Brisbane area.

Bahrs Scrub topped the list at 34% while Mount Crosby came second at 30.1%.

Shorncliffe vendors Paul and Jan O'Brien are selling their home at 14 Eagle Terrace after 12 years living in the area. After spending $250,000 on the land in the late 1990s, their architecturally designed four bedroom home has now been put on the market for offers over $2million. Mr O'Brien said he's surprised at how much land is now worth.

"It was very much a country sort of a place," he said. "When we moved here, the retail strip wasn't there, it wasn't the popular place to go - it was a hidden treasure."

Mr O'Brien said people were now drawn to Shorncliffe for its good schools, cool sea breezes, access to transport and views of the coastline.

Second Avenue Realty principal Gai O'Driscoll said people looking for potential investment suburbs should consider anything near water. "In this area, the closer you are to the trainline, shops and waterfront, the more you get for your money," she said.

Article by Ben Johnson Printed in the Northside Chronicle Property

11 January 2011

CHRISTMAS CHEER IS HERE

2011-12-13T13:00:00.000+10:00

This year we hosted the eagerly awaited Christmas Party. Each year we try to come up with something different to show our guests that we are not only Real Estate Agents but we are Dads, Mums, Sisters and this year extremely good cooks.

At Christmas each year we like to raise funds for a local charity and each year we create a new theme. In previous years we've donated to the Paddy's Van which is co-ordinated by St Patrick's College Shorncliffe to feed the homeless, locally and in the City, they do such a wonderful job! This year we were privileged to have the Salvation Army come along and sing Christmas carols. They were absolutely amazing, just like angels.

Once confirmed that they would be singing, it was decided that they would be the charity that would receive the funds this year, so we put our heads together and came up with a silent auction, but what to auction!!! So we decided that our expertise outside of Real Estate was cooking, so we all set out to cook some Christmas treats. Everyone got on board and they all came up with some exciting items, like a traditional Christmas Cake, Chocolate Ball, Rum Balls, Apricot Balls, White Christmas, Chocolate crackles and the best of all a large Ginger Bread House.

A Silent Auction enables each individual to enter a price that they would pay for a particular item. The auction process was opened for 1 hour and the bidding began. Gradually each person places their bid and in the last 5 minutes is usually a frenzy or rush to enter their last bid. Once all bids are entered each treat was delivered to their new owner. The highest amount paid was for the Ginger Bread House at $110 which was amazing and made by Fiona. The next item was the traditional Christmas Cake with fondue icing at $90 made by Gai. Overall the money raised through the Auction was $635.00. We've even had orders for next year already! We must be extremely good cooks.

The Salvation Army and our guests were absolutely blown away by the wonderful assortment of treats that our staff made as they all thought that we had just purchased the items. It was a credit to Leanne, Sue, Fiona and Kym. Next year we'll have another exciting theme to organise.

GREAT TIME FOR SELLING

2011-11-23T12:32:00.000+10:00

How best to present your home is always a hot topic! Cooking cakes and offering coffee was introduced 10 years or so ago, then came sweet smelling candles (some still use it), but today buyers are looking for neat and tidy well presented homes. Buyers don't want to spend anymore money when they move in to the home.

If your contemplating selling look at the time frame and what needs to be done. Don't over spend as sometimes you can over capitalise and not benefit from the improvements.

Plan your time and make your list and if you need assistance then call us to help.

WELCOME TO SPRING IN SANDGATE

2011-11-03T09:02:00.002+10:00

How wonderful Sandgate looks with the trees in full bloom. It is such a great time of year, with the temperature just perfect! However for hay fever suffers it's not so good.

While previously October and November are the best months of the year to sell there's still caution our there. Pricing is the major factor in buyers moving forward, however sellers need to be educated about the market today and not have an unrealistic or look at yesterdays pricing.

Feed back that we get from buyers is that some homes are not clean or the gardens not in good condition or there' cobwebs hanging of the lights. For sellers one way to assist is preparing the home for the market as it's so important. First impressions are critical if you want to stand out from the rest.

Just the other day I was driving past a home that was on the market with another agent and as you couldn't see the house from the street, the first impression was this long fence. It was falling over and I advised the owners that they need to have this fixed as potential purchasers will only see this as additional cost for them. As I drove past again they where fixing the fence, how good is that! Not many agents would stop and help people regardless.

Over the years professionals have suggested to have freshly brewed coffee, baking cakes or even champagne and nibbles, but today it comes to having your home clean or having general maintenance completed. Clean everything from light switches, skirting boards, ceiling fans, windows, etc. Ensure that everything is in working order, people will see how good the home looks and will be impressed, and not only that you'll have a clean home.

With the interest rates reduced another 25 points we believe that this will stimulate the market during November.Lets hope so!!!

Where do you start?

2011-09-25T07:29:00.001+10:00

Selling a major asset can be a daunting task, with so many people offering advise and suggestions on their experiences, good or bad! It's like anything in life that when you mention something that your going to do that everyone has a story to tell about their experiences, to be honest they wouldn't be human if they didn't.

The selling processes can be easy if you find the right person to help. Ask around find out who people have used and what they had experienced during the selling processes. Keep in mind that we are all different. Feel comfortable with that person as your going to trust them with your asset. Attend Open Houses, this is a good way to see the agents in action and an insight into how they operate outside your environment. This is also an opportunity to see homes that compare to yours or what you think compare.

Our Market Report shows up-to-date comparisons of homes that have sold in the area and is a wealth of information. A free copy is available.

Your looking for a trusted adviser someone who has your best interested at heart and not their own, someone who is genuine, honesty and transparent. Dianne Ray, Fiona Brightman and myself have been Helper Agents for sometime now and together our focus is to do the best we can as we only want to help our clients. As our client base grows so does our Client for Life process begins.

BAYSIDE LIVING AT IT'S BEST

2011-07-25T10:33:00.001+10:00

Some of our homes had record turnouts at our Open Houses this weekend. This is a great indication that people are wanting to move into our area as they can see the future potential, and why not. We know that we have something special. However, some homes still had no one view and this is very disappointing for all parties. The feeling of disappointment after working all morning to prepare your home, all ready to show and no one turns up is heart wrenching!

The wonderful temperatures that we've had have confused the trees and flowers. We're seeing the blossoms out at least 6 weeks earlier than normal and then we'll have a chill and they drop off all their new buds and then they have to start over again. Not only is mother nature confused, so is the market.

This is the last week before Stamp Duty increases so we're hoping that people will action sooner rather than later to get the discounted rate. We also hope that we'll be run off our feet with contracts! So, until next week, enjoy life!

How wonderful it is

2011-07-18T11:35:00.000+10:00

How lucky we are to live in an area like Sandgate and surrounds. The local waterfront was brimming with families over the weekend, eating, playing and just enjoying the sun. We've wonderful locals that pride themselves in showing people what our area has to offer.

Our area has so many lovely homes ranging from beautiful Queenslanders through to modern contemporary with the older homes preferred. We also have the height restriction of 8.5m which eliminates high rise unlike the Redcliffe area. Ideally this area is popular with young families and those that love the waterfront.

Christmas is a Special Time

2010-12-24T10:54:00.000+10:00

Christmas is yet upon us and another year draws to an end. We've more properties to sell than ever before, so now is a good time to buy as there are some really good buys. Traditionally Christmas can be slow but we've certainly been run off our feet so far. Our staff will be having a well deserved break, but the office will still be opened during the Christmas and New Year break. With Wednesday the first day back and Friday the last of 2010. We would like to take this opportunity to wish all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year as we look forward to 2011.

HELPER AGENT

2010-11-23T09:15:00.000+10:00

Being a Helper Agent has changed the way that I feel about people in my everyday processes. I appreciate what and who people are. To be able to make a difference is important. During our lives we all hope that through something that we do that we can make a difference to someone. I have the best job in the world as I get the opportunity to make this happen more than most. I'm proud to be a Helper Agent because that's what I do I help people. As one of the least trusted professions, I find that real estate agents are treated with disrespect and lower than low, always after the money and not thinking of their clients needs. Well I can tell you that everyone has friends that are different and so are we.
Society has created names for different generations, war babies, baby boomers, gen x, gen y, gen z, alpha and soon beta. Now add another new era Helper Agents your agent of choice in real estate. Go to www.helperagent.com.au and find a Helper Agent who can help you.

Welcome

2010-11-22T13:53:00.000+10:00

Our local knowledge is second to none! We cover Shorncliffe, Sandgate, Brighton, Deagon and Bracken Ridge. We have a unique community that is similar to a small town and yet we're only 20km north-east of Brisbane's CBD. With so much to offer it is no wonder that this area is very popular.

The photo shown was taken by Gai and is of Sandgate Pier in Shorncliffe one of the many features of this wonderful area.