A Time to Refect

The utter devastation of the hostage situation in Sydney last week was a moment when the entire country felt helpless and yet we were glued to the television to see how the entire scenario was to be played out.  Everyone had an opinion on what should happen, but ultimately it really didn't matter what we thought or said. However, you certainly have to give credit to the police; not only did they evacuate one of the world’s top cities within minutes of the event, but their ability to manage the siege was an unbelievable and amazing feat.  Everyone had a job to do and even though two people heroically lost their lives in this unimaginable event, it showed that people are resilient and strong.  This type of individual will not divide us, but will strengthen us to become more determined to stick together.

As we sympathise with the devastation these families are experiencing, we also remember others who have also lost loves ones throughout the year.  It’s a time to reflect, give thanks and hug our family and friends a little tighter.  

We look forward to 2015 with great optimism as our local market shows some signs of improvement, not in the number of listings, but properties sold, and to be honest we all want homes sold.

Now that our phones are back up and running after the hail storm, our office is available to take your call  over the festive season.

From everyone at 2^nd Avenue Realty, we hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year.

Duck for Cover

During last week’s hail storms water trickled into our office PABX box and boom, GONE!  Unfortunately, we have been without phone lines since as we patiently wait for our box to be replaced and phone lines restored.  We apologise if you have been trying to call our office and the phones have been ringing out, please call 0411 838 979 in the interim, as we don’t want to miss your call. 

Due to the overwhelming generosity of our community we have delivered our first supply of donated Christmas presents to the Salvation Army.  Thank you!

The Christmas Wishing Tree will conclude on 19 December 2014, so there’s still time to donate a gift if you would like to do so.  Just drop your present into our office and place it under the tree!

As we have nearly SOLD all our homes, we are now in need of more to sell!  The buyers are patiently waiting in the wings for the right home to come along.  So, if you have been thinking, ‘Is Christmas a good time to sell?’ don’t hesitate, as when there’s plenty of buyers and not enough homes around, anytime is good!  Why not try now!

Don’t forget that the majority of solicitors/conveyancing companies take a holiday break over Christmas and don’t return until the New Year.  It is important that you contact your legal team to ensure that they are working during the festive season.

There was romance in the air today in our office when Greg Williamson brought in a big bunch of flowers for his lovely wife (and our lovely receptionist) Sue.

Sue was delighted to receive the flowers, and gave Greg a big kiss when he passed them over our reception counter.

Sue and Greg have known each other for 40 years this year
They celebrate 31st wedding anniversary today and also their 31st year in their home at Shorncliffe!!

Congratulations to you both!!

With the Christmas period looming, it’s no wonder that people are saying, “what happened to the year!”  It feels like we've only just packed away last year’s Christmas decorations and here we are once again! 

This year our office has erected an  amazing Christmas Wishing Tree to support the Salvation Army and the wonderful work they do.  If you would like to donate a small gift, you are more than welcome to contribute.  The Salvation Army have informed us that the ages 10-15 years are often overlooked.  Please mark your gift with the age appropriate group, and whether it’s for a male or   female.  The joy of giving sure is greater than receiving. 

Over the last 10 months there has been mixed results for our local market with the number of homes sold down from previous years. The graph below shows houses and units sold from January to October 2014 (Sourced from RP Data) within the 4017 postcode.  Total sales are based on contract date, not settlement date. 

This year so far, property sales figures are showing—Sandgate 92, Shorncliffe 14, Brighton 200, Deagon 80 and Bracken Ridge 265.  For the total number of homes/units in the 4017 this equates to 0.043%. 

From 1 December 2014, the real estate industry in Queensland will be deregulated and four new Acts will take effect.  The previous Property and Motor Dealers Act will be repelled and a new Act will commence.  Changes will benefit consumers and agents alike.  If you are interested in perusing the changes, you can view the new Acts online at www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au.

There are times when a home is in the perfect location, but it’s standard does not reflect the price.  If major renovations are required, then the price should reflect his.  A little tender loving care, a general cleanup, garden maintenance, house washing, minor repairs, washing walls and replacing light globes etc, all add to the presentation.  If you are thinking of selling, don’t overlook these items - you may just need a mini makeover at a mini price. Watch Selling Houses Australia; they suggest that it all comes down to presentation as first impressions count.  This is what buyers are looking for!

If we can assist you with advice on the presentation of your home, please call one of our team on 3269-1555.  The impact that a few minor changes can make will surprise you. 

A TIME TO ENJOY

On 14 November 2014 a Christmas Wishing Tree will be erected in our office and all gifts donated will be given to the Salvation Army for distribution.  We are encouraging the local community to become involved, and anyone wishing to donate can bring their gifts into our office to place under the tree.  Please tag your gift with the age group and whether it’s suitable for a male or female (the Salvation Army have informed us that the age group 10-15 years is often overlooked).  The gifts will be handed over to the Salvation Army on Friday, 19 December in readiness for Christmas.  All gifts and donations are very welcome. 

Shop Local is a great initiative for any community, and we are very lucky to have such a wonderful supply of small businesses on hand, each one offering great alternatives and an array of services.  From our shop front businesses with their bricks and mortar, to our home based businesses - the ones you don’t see – each and every one survives because of the locals, so get out there and support them!

We've had a trickle of homes coming onto the market but we are still well below normal supply.  Having completed a good number of Comparative Market Analysis reports for home owners recently, one thing is apparent and that’s the simple things that are often overlooked – general maintenance!  Washing walls, light globes working, garden beds cleaned, de-cluttering etc. Getting all these small jobs done still doesn't guarantee a quick sale, just a better presented home and first impressions do count! 

Housing Market Update

Queensland real estate will top capital gains across the country for the next two years, new data shows. The National Australia Bank third quarter Residential Property Survey found Queensland had overtaken Victoria as “the strongest state”.  NAB Chief Economist, Alan Oster, said the state “is doing wonderfully well”.  “It’s warmer than anywhere else”.

Foreign buyers made up 17% of the state’s new property market with owner occupiers and investors at 34% each, and owner occupiers expected to rise slightly next year.  For existing properties, “demand was strongest for houses in the inner city and middle/outer ring and for inner city apartments”.

“Capital growth prospects over the next 12 months improved for houses in all price points below $1million, with prospects assessed as ‘good’ in all price brackets”, NAB said of Queensland.  Major events such as the G20 and 2018 Commonwealth Games would only lift the state’s profile.

Mr Oster said Queensland house prices were expected to rise 2.9% on average next year and 3.2% in 2 years.  (Courier Mail article Thursday, 16 October 2014 by Sophie Foster)

Music by the Sea presents Kavisha Mazzella

If you enjoy really good folk music, make sure you mark your diary for Saturday 1st November when Aria Award winner, songbird and folkloric explorer Kavisha Mazzella headlines for Music by the Sea.

Passionate about justice, Melbourne based Kavisha was awarded an Order of Australia in 2011 for her services to singing and song writing, reflecting the experience of refugee, multicultural and indigenous communities through performance.

Singing original songs, the lyrical ingredients of her style mixes a delicious blend of humour, poetry, social justice and spirituality.

               

This Saturday, November 1, 2014, 7:30 – 10pm at Sandgate Town Hall

You will find ticket prices and bookings at www.musicbythesea.com.au 

Looking down Brighton Rd toward Sandgate Town Hall, 1940s. Not changed a lot really

IT’S HOT OUT THERE!

As we move into the hot temperatures, it’s a good time to be prepared for the unknown as we have had some unseasonal conditions.  The recent lightening spectaculars we've enjoyed in the evenings have been absolutely amazing, but we must be mindful that storms can prove to be very dangerous and a dry season has been predicted so take care and be prepared!

With only 8 weeks until Christmas, our preparations are under way for the season.  Each Christmas we like to support a great organisation that helps others.  The past couple of years we have been fortunate to have the Salvation Army choir sing for us at our Christmas Party so this year we have decided to set up a Wishing Tree in our office to help with the wonderful work they do in our community, especially at Christmas time.  We believe that those less fortunate should enjoy the same as everyone else!  Our Wishing Tree will be erected on Friday, 14 November 2014; anyone in the community wishing to donate can drop gifts into office to place under the tree.  Please don’t forget to mark the appropriate age group and sex on the gift.  All gifts will be given to the Salvation Army just before Christmas.

There is still a short supply of properties on the market with some homes selling quicker than others.  There is no right or wrong reason why one house sells over another!  Buyers are abundant as attendance at open home inspections increased over the weekend.  Maybe the media coverage of Brighton has worked after all!

A meeting this evening about Cabbage Tree Creek Revitalisation

Open to the public an event tonight at QCYC in Shorncliffe.

Kerry Millard MP Member for Sandgate will be holding a forum this evening about Cabbage Tree Creek Revitalisation.

Speakers from Transport and Main Roads Boat Harbour Team will be attending.

See the poster opposite for more details

Great Expectations

Brighton has become a hot topic as it is forecast to be one of the top ten suburbs to buy in!  Brighton, similar to the surrounding  suburbs of Sandgate, Shorncliffe and Deagon is fast becoming a destination and offers great infrastructure and a wonderful environment for everyone.  

This area is  serviced by the Shorncliffe train line, main bus lines, close to the main arterial roads and houses some very popular early,   primary and secondary schools.  While being only 17kms to Brisbane CBD and close to Brisbane Airport, Brighton is nestled on the coast in the Bramble Bay precinct and overlooks Moreton Island.  

This area also offers a vast array of arts, music and healthy lifestyles, with many  eateries, coffee houses, restaurants, medical, financial institutions and other small retail and service industries—Brisbane’s best kept secrets!

Information sourced from RP Data shows a mixed result for the period from 2004 to 2013.  2002 to 2004 was the peak increase in prices for this entire area and since then there has been slight increases and in some cases Brighton has out performed Brisbane City Council.

There is absolutely no guarantee that there will be an increase in buyer activity, however, this exposure does place a seed in people’s minds and will bring them into an area that they may not have even considered previously.  The experts have only just found it, we know it, and we’re open to having people discover us! 

There is still not enough homes for sale.  Currently on www.realestate.com.au there are 70 properties on the market for sale in Brighton, around 40% lower than expected.  The other surrounding suburbs are similar with low supply.  High demand would   normally raise prices up, but in this case, that’s not happened yet!

If you need any  assistance with your property needs, please don't hesitate to call our office on 3269 1555.

So Much is Happening

Omg!  For those that watched the Block Finale on Sunday night what a surprise.  The highs and lows of real estate! One minute the excitement of going over the Reserve to the lows and disappointment of just reaching the Reserve.  You have to feel sorry for them after putting their lives on hold and all that hard work, I have a feeling that this won’t be the end of the saga!

Brighton has been mentioned as one of the top suburbs to watch out for. Well we’ve already known this for sometime and now that the seed has been sown into buyers minds, we’ll wait and watch to see the impact on the community.   

How exciting to see so many events in the area. The hardest thing is which one to attend!  Well done to all the organisers it’s not easy!

With flowers blooming and the warmer temperatures looming it is a good time to prepare the gardens for what they say will be a dry season.  Having transplanted a large Cycad,  which by the way is easier said than done,  allows time for it to settle into it’s new home before it gets too hot, as it will never be moved again.  The marks on the arms are proof!

With only 70 days until Christmas it’s nearly time to prepare for the festive season, what a great time of the year!

What to Do ...

Little is known of some individuals and their contribution to our community.  The unsung heroes that go about their duty unnoticed and don’t want or ask for the accolade they so rightly deserve.  They are the volunteers, the carers, and the people giving hope - a big thank you to you all! 

We’re pretty lucky to have such wonderful people within our community and we just wanted to give them a mention.  Now turning to our local property market, did you know there are a number of different ways to sell a home?  There is auction, tender and listing with a price (also known as private treaty).  Having options is great, but as a seller you also need to know the overall success rate of all forms of selling in your market.

The media shows a higher than normal success rate for action clearances.  Regarding of what the media is saying, our local area auction results (sourced from rpdata) paint a different picture.  From 1 September 2013 to now, there were 75 auctions - of these 41 properties were passed in, 14 sold on the day, 6 sold prior to auction, 4 after auction and 10 withdrawn.  Overall, during this same period there were 700 properties sold.  You do the sums on auction results in our local area, hmmm!

Ultimately, buyers are astute in their buying power and prefer to know exactly what a home is listed for.  We’re not against auctions but we do have to look at all aspects of selling before anticipating and advising on the best possible outcome for sellers in the current market.

If you’re selling and undecided about what to do, our team is more than happy to assist with all your property needs.  Please don’t hesitate to call if you would like help!

Yee Haw!

What a superb day for our local community.  The organisers and volunteers of the Deagon Community Picnic Races have to give themselves a big pat on their backs for a great day!  Well done!

The copious amounts of champagne consumed (no wonder they ran out) and sound of the horses thundering down the track was awesome.  I’m sure there were a lot of empty pockets and sore heads on Monday morning.

Our marquee, De Agon Saloon, had 100 people in attendance and all dressed up for our theme - Wild Wild West.  What a day!  We hope everyone enjoyed it as much as we enjoyed preparing for it!

The next big question is, are we going to back up next year?  Well, maybe, maybe not.  Watch this space!

Our local property market is slowly showing some signs of picking up with homes being listed for sale, however, buyers are cautious in their selections.  Even though homes may list there is not indication of a quick sale, it will all come down to the list price and what each home has to offer.

Our team are more than happy to assist with your property needs, call us if you would like help!

Who Do You Know

It is really astounding the number of people we speak to over a normal week.  On average we would have about 5 groups through each open home for inspection, and we conduct approximately 6 open houses each week - then add the people that we speak to during the week.  On average we would speak to about 150 people per week - multiply this by weeks in the year and we would speak to over 7,500 people!  I’m exhausted just thing about it, but in reality we would speak to a lot more. 

What this shows is not only do we talk a lot, but that we have a lot of contacts.  The old saying is that it’s not what you know but who you know, could apply.

With spring in the air, more homes will start to come onto the market for buyers. So come on out and see what we have to offer as we have some great new listings. If we’ve already met you and we don’t recognise you - please don’t take offence, as you can see we do meet a lot of people!

Appreciate What We Have

A pregnant pause has occurred in our market whilst I was away for a short stay in Ubud in Bali.  What a wonderful part of the world, if you ever have the opportunity to visit it is well worth it!

The temperatures in Bali are very similar to Queensland, and the Balinese have mastered the tropical garden.  Creating this style of garden is perfect for our environment and with so many amazing colour varieties, will enable you to create a wonderful tranquil surround, just in time for summer.

Meanwhile, the media is stirring up the pot by playing the property market (in some areas it is) but locally, whilst our property market has certainly seen better times, it is within a whisker of improving.  With the warmer temps not far away it will be perfect timing if you want to consider selling your home.

Herd Em Up

Previous generations used the railway line to monitor when they could safely move the herd from one side of the farm to the other. Others used it as a guide for coming home from the Friday night drink at the pub.  It was the only point of reference that they had to get home, apart from the light in the window.  These days the railway is used domestically for herding people to and from destinations without so much of a thought about bygone generations.

The Sandgate rail line was one of the earliest built in Queensland. This was the place to be seen with the foreshore packed with weekenders.  Not much has changed over the years as today we see so many people enjoying what we have everyday.  How lucky are we!

Obviously everyone loves living here, but currently there are insufficient properties on the market for sale to cater for the amount of people wanting to buy. Buyers don’t like waiting for too long and if properties don’t trickle onto the market soon, then they will look elsewhere.

The short season (not much of a winter) is nearing completion; Spring will soon be here, with Jacaranda blooms everywhere. Spring has always been a perfect time to sell and if you need any assistance then don’t hesitate in calling us.

Sold Before Going to Market

Our thoughts and prayers go to all the families of the people who lost their lives in the recent Malaysian Airline disaster.  What an unthinkable and despicable act this was as it and it certainly brings back memories of September 11^th.  Even though the people who did this believe that their actions are just, it does not waiver us from standing tall against them.

On a positive and local note our Deagon Race Day marquee tickets have all sold out. Excitement is brewing as preparations move forward for our Wild Wild West theme, Yee Haw!

Our local market has certainly fallen in line with the current temperatures.  However, homes are selling and some, before they go to market.  It really doesn't matter whether buyers have the knowledge of the market as our buyers on our client database are informed prior to a property going to market.  This allows our clients to have an opportunity to view a home well before listed on the internet, there has to be some benefits.

Internet information sometimes cannot be replied upon, as recently a buyer informed me that the information that they obtained from a web site was correct and the home was built in a certain era, when actually it was not built in that era but 20 years later.  The internet is supposed to have credibility and to be honest we all use the information as gospel, but sometimes they do get it wrong!  

Time is Moving Quickly

Chilly temperatures haven’t dampened the enthusiasm of buyers wishing to purchase in our great area.  With such a short supply of stock available and buyer interest not waning, we might see things change into a sellers market!

And who wouldn't want to live here?  Our area is quite unique and has so much to offer, and the waterfront is definitely a drawing card.  We’re a destination not a drive through suburb and people come from all over to walk their dogs, eat our fish and chips, ride their bikes, fish, sail or just have a picnic.  We are the envy of our visitors.

Within our location are some of the most wonderful examples of historical homes and now with the new Town Plan in place, we’re hopeful that the level and age of our properties will be maintained.

We've had a number of our sale properties recently go under contract before even being listed for sale!  This was due to having a buyer match in our client database and the buyer being in the right place at the right time.  So you can see that being on a real estate database does have its advantages.  Sellers will continue to use agents to sell their homes, and buyers can have all the information available at their fingertips, but if they aren’t on an agents database, then they may miss out, especially in this market!

 

If you’re considering selling, now is a good time to prepare your home for the market as the warmer months aren't far away.  Pruning, cleaning and general maintenance are just a few of the things you can do to benefit your home.  If there are rooms or areas in your garden that need freshening up, like painting or weeding, getting these jobs done will greatly assist.  Presentation is so important so make sure your property is as crisp and clean as possible—as we keep saying, first impressions count!   With only 5 weeks until the end of Winter, 13 weeks until Summer and 17 weeks until Christmas, now is a good time to start!

Our quarterly Market Reports are now available.  John is out walking the streets and Dianne is delivering them on Marilyn, her affectionately named scooter.  Watch out for them and stop and say hello.

On a more somber note, our hearts and prayers go out to the families of those that have lost their lives in the recent tragedy.  This is such an injustice; there is no excuse for taking someone's life. 

As always, Dianne, John and Gai are available to help with all your real estate needs.  Call on 3269 1555 and one of us will be in touch.

There is a Chill in the Air

Now that we move into the second half of the year (FYI it’s only 24 weeks until Christmas) and the winter season has finally arrived, we can give justification for wrapping up and whinging about the cold!  We tend to hover outside to capture the warmth of the sun during the day but are very quick to sneak inside to snuggle up at the first breath of chilliness.

Fewer homes are being listed for sale, which indicates that owners are either sitting and waiting to place their homes on the market, or everyone is comfortable where they are!  I like to believe both scenarios but for those holding back believing that the market may change into a seller’s market, they may be waiting some time.  Regardless, a home is only as good as what someone is willing to pay, and buyers are far better educated and knowledgeable than ever before.  There is one other party with an interest that we also need to consider and that’s the banks.  When either buying or selling, keep in mind that they will only lend what a home is worth! 

One thing is for sure and that is we do live in a wonderful location.  You only have to take a drive down Flinders Parade and watch the sun come up over the ever changing shoreline to realise how lucky we are.  What a fabulous way to start the day and how privileged are to be able to enjoy this every day!

Be Quick!

How exciting that the Deagon Community Race Day tickets has finally been released, be quick as they sell very fast! This year there’ll be a good number of Corporate Marquees, so be in the know!  Regardless it’s a great day for our Community!

Brrrr…… the cooler temps have finally arrived, but what about the beautiful days!  This not only brings people out of their homes but also gets buyers to attend Open Houses.  Some of our homes had over 10 groups viewing and with two of the homes going Under Contract with Multiple Offers shows confidence is returning.  The upper market while is a different market still had people viewing.

Overall with the number of homes that we’ve listed over the last couple of weeks shows that if sellers list their homes at realistic prices will bring good results.  While the supply is low and demand is at a high, and all indications show that the market should have changed, in reality it has not, so we are patient and buyers have to as well!  

When we look into our crystal ball we see………, we’ll as you know we don’t have one, but we do have a number of listings coming onto the market and if we continue to list homes and sell then just as quick, then we have happy seller/s and happy buyer/s.  If you want to know more then please don’t hesitate, just call!

Heading in the Right Direction

Recent amendments to the Property and Motor Dealers Act will see changes implemented in the coming months.  The Real Estate industry will now come under a number of different Acts but the main one that will affect consumers will be the Property Occupation Bill.  The major change will be the deregulation of commission paid, which will certainly be the hot topic, as it will give consumers and agents alike the ability to negotiate commissions.  The reduction of paper use for the preparation of contracts will cut down on red tape. 

As an overview of our local market for  Brighton, the number of homes currently listed for sale as at 18 June 2014 on realestate.com.au is 104 properties.  When you break this down, there are 29 new home packages in a new sub-division and another 21 under contract.  There is also one or two units and some land registered.  Overall, there are approximately only 75 homes for sale out of 3,800, which is less than 2% of homes in Brighton on the market.  Wow!  As a comparison, between January to June 2013, 188 homes had sold in Brighton.  From January 2014 to date, only 47 have sold (sourced RPData).  For all the other suburbs Shorncliffe for  2013 shows 38 sold and to date 3, Sandgate 82 for 2013 and to date 17, Deagon 86 for 2013 and to date 18 and Bracken Ridge 253 for 2013 and to date 64.  The number of homes sold has definitely slowed, as has the number listed for sale.

It’s not all doom and gloom though as there are signs that homes are coming onto the market.  We appear to be signing new homes up well in advance of them going on the market.  Preparation of the home is so important as sellers only have one    opportunity to show their home to the world and it needs to be right. 

For the last four quarters, from data sourced from www.realestate.com.au, 2nd Avenue Realty were the number one selling agent for three of these quarters.  We are extremely privileged to be helping sellers and buyers alike!

After boasting to the Southerners that we are still wearing t-shirts, the cooler temps have finally arrived. Now Winter is upon us, we look forward to receiving many calls to assist with  prepping homes for the blossoming of Spring.  It’s only around the corner!  Dianne, John and Gai are available to help so call on 3269 1555 and one of us will be in touch. 

Do You Feel It?

How good is it to walk into a home and it just feels right? 

Do you remember the Australian movie the Castle?  They loved the home and everyone recalls the solicitors in court saying, ‘it just had the vibe’.  Well, it is the vibe and homes today still carry the feeling. 

The vibe, or lack thereof, can apply to any home.  We have all felt that feeling when you walk into a home and there is either a coolness about it, or it encases you with loving warmth.  Regardless of the temperature of any property, with a little work, it can still shine.  Having watched our fair share of television shows, makeovers can easily change a cold home to a warm home; it just takes some imagination, obviously money and good presentation and styling.

We’re not builders, landscapers or architects but we do have all these tradespeople at our fingertips to assist with preparing a home.  You only get one chance to show off your home so you need to make it a good one!

With our expertise of market trends, we’re able to assist you with our knowledge, expectation, preparation and hopefully a successful outcome.  Our team at 2^nd Avenue are well aware of the needs of people so if we can help you in any way, please don’t hesitate to call us.

Times Are Changing

The roller coaster ride of real estate continues to amaze buyers, sellers and agents alike!  With Easter fast approaching, it’s hard to believe that April is just around the corner.  We’re now moving into the peak selling period, however, a low percentage of homes on the market shows a lack of confidence is still out there.

There is good news though as other states start improving, historically the ripple effect usually ambles up to Queensland.  With these indications, we sit and wait as patience is the key word for all!  If you’re considering up or down sizing in this market then it really doesn’t matter when you sell!

We have over 13,500 homes in the 4017 postcode and there’s currently 252 properties listed for sale/auction (sourced realestate.com.au). The percentage ratio per 100 is widening and buyers, sellers and agents alike are eagerly waiting for the market to shift. 

Current indications show that listings are selling quicker than previously, and multi offers are coming through, so we do have a many happy clients. 

Realistic list prices put SOLD signs on homes; the last thing that anybody wants is a home that sits on the market for a lengthy time. 

Our industry is evolving with major changes that will affect consumers.  Deregulation is on the horizon, the   current Property and Motor Dealers Act (PAMDA) is being split into four bills, the Queensland Government Property Law Review Paper - Sellers Disclosure is under review, amendments to the   Privacy Act were introduced on 12 March 2014 and the Credit Act and the Queensland Water Act were amended, and there’s still more to come!

The future of real estate is exciting with so many changes, new technology and social media, but there is one thing that will never change and that is people. Every one of us has a story to tell and we are very lucky and privileged to be a part of yours.

If you would like some guidance on preparing your home for sale, please don’t hesitate to call either Gai, Dianne or John on 3269 1555.  We’re here to help!

Our February 2014 Quarterly Newsletter is now available.  Check is out now. 

As Time Goes By ...

The last 20 years has seen the introduction of an array of technological advancements and the sky is the limit as to what’s still to come.  What’s in stall for the next 20 years?  Well your guess is as good as ours!

We can never stay ahead of technology but we can go with the flow.  The babies of today are using iPads to interact and I can hear the gasps or sighs!  The TV was introduced in the 40’s but came into vogue in the 50’s.  I recall getting our first TV and watching it in black and white with all our neighbours and remember the excitement!  Then came the 60’s, which some would like to forget, which saw the modern car, first demonstration of the computer mouse and ATM’s all in one decade, and the list goes on …  Advancement is great for us, but with the introduction of all these gismos, one things still stays the same, people!

There are also changes occurring in real estate, which some may not like, but as in all areas of life, there has to be advancement in all industries to stay up-to-date with technology.  Here at 2^nd Avenue Realty we are riding the wave of advancement and we are staying abreast of what’s happening in the market, but our clients are still the most important and valued part of our business.  If you can help you in any way please don’t hesitate to call us.

Price & Presentation Mean Everything!

Every seller has a price in their mind of what they think their home is worth, and when they receive an agent’s view, some are reluctant to say anything.  If the price is not up to expectation, then it’s often assumed the agent doesn’t know what they’re talking about!

We come across this scenario more than you realise.  When we research a property, we take into consideration the attributes of the home, style, potential, location, land size, surrounding properties, transport, schools, local knowledge, previous sales, properties on the market, flood areas, building requirements, zoning, etc, etc, etc, the list goes on!

As much as it may hurt, if you are thinking of selling, you do need to look at all the facts and remove your personal involvement.  You will be passing the property onto someone else who will love it just as much as you have!  Keep in mind that your home will be open to public scrutiny, good and bad.  If you present the property in the best light possible, then that will make it easier for the buyers to give quality feedback!  Feedback doesn’t sell, but if your property is priced correctly and looks good, then you should have a win/win situation. 

Our team at 2^nd Avenue Realty have many years experience in buying and selling real estate, and as your local Helper Agents® and property specialists we (Gai, Dianne and John) are available to help you with the process.  If you need advice, please don’t hesitate to call.