Forever Embedded

Did you know that what you post on Facebook - your likes, shares and comments are all permanent fixtures on the site and can only be removed by the company?  YOU DON’T OWN THEM ANYMORE.  Your uploaded photos and comments are no longer your own – they become public and open to being used for filtering and sharing – and so the spider web grows.  And depending on how you look at it and what you choose to post, this is not a bad thing.  However, when people write nasty things about individuals it is a form of bullying and even though it’s only one persons opinion, add to it the opportunity for the message to ripple out and it can become hurtful and dangerous. Facebook does have many positives; it keeps people connected and some even make a living out of their postings.  It all comes down to capturing your audience and what type of content you choose to share with them.  Posting negatively on Facebook can turn on you just as quick, so be careful!

We all live in a technical age and social media is growing and evolving at an alarming rate.  We’ve attended a number of social media conferences of late and there are many positive and exciting advancements ahead for the real estate industry.  We believe we’re ahead of our game in this respect.  If you have any questions about social media, advertising or any other real estate query, we’re here to help.  Call us for a chat.

It Can't Be All That Bad!

Deaths, marriage break‑ups, sickness, financial difficulty - these are just some of the reasons people sell their homes.  Statistics put selling or moving house as one of the most stressful times in a person’s life.  There are so many emotions involved and when you mix everything together, you appreciate how important it is for an agent to have the utmost respect and understanding of the situation, whilst being empathic to the client’s needs.  There certainly are some great agents out there who have the ability to deal with difficult situations; all you have to do is find one that will work with you and who understands where you are coming from. 

A Flinders Parade property recently sold under the hammer for $2.1m and locals were not happy about the result.  The sellers didn’t have to accept the price presented on the day, but they did!  Like all sellers, when an agent presents an offer, they have the opportunity to decide whether to accept, reject or make a counter offer.  Ultimately, the final decision is up to the seller, after all it is their home.  However, most of the time the first offer is usually the best one.  Obviously a number of factors need to be taken into consideration and every situation is different. 

Our local market is showing approximately a 50% decrease in homes on the market for sale within the 4017 postcode.  This decline has, however, been slowly building for about 2 years now so this market is not new to us.  If you would like an update on the market or any real estate advice or assistance, please don’t hesitate to call us on 3269 1555.

Did You Know?

Builders (those born before 1946) known as the war babies and the next generation, Boomers (1946-1964), had the highest birth rate recorded, hence their name.  Next came Gen X (1965-1981), better known as the cultural and highly educated generation.  I can hear the moans and groans now but think about all the advancements we enjoy today!  Next is Gen Y (1982-1994) – the spenders with their heads down and butts down (sorry).  They are the ones accountable for our technology.  Following on is Gen Z (1995-2009) who are responsible for the lowest birth rate ever!  Well that tells you something!  And now we move into Alpha who have basically just started school. 

Why do I tell you this?  Australians per capita have the most gadgets and mobile devices in the world.  We are sponges and have a thirst for technology, knowledge and learning, and from this we grow.  Each and every generation that has come before us has left some kind of impression on what we have today.  The individual entrepreneurs of the future have just started to form. 

However, there is one thing that will not change and that is COMMUNICATION!   An open conversation.  Facebook, Twitter and other forms of social media will always be around, and regardless of what future generations bring to the table, communication and listening will always be best form of communication. 

The property market is no different as we evolve just like our future generations.  We are a ‘people’ industry so we are subject to constant change – we just have to learn to adapt to whatever comes our way.  That’s what makes life interesting.  If you need up to date real estate advice or assistance, please don’t hesitate to call us on 3269 1555.  

If You Don't Ask You Won't Get

Be prepared when purchasing and ask as many questions as possible.  The last thing you want to find out about a home you’re purchasing is that it has some hidden nasties!

When selling, if an owner chooses not to disclose information to their agent and/or the purchaser, the consequence is that the contract may fall over and this is something all parties don’t want!

We live in a unique community and with the number of homes listed for sale down, now would be a good time to be honest, transparent and up front with all parties resulting in a contact going though quickly and smoothly.  The unknown?  Well that may result in some stumbling blocks which will have to addressed as they arise causing delays and maybe even having to start the contract process over.   

On a brighter note, how wonderful is it that there are so many new businesses starting up in Sandgate.  This is exciting to see and if you would like to be kept informed on what’s happening, jump onto ‘Shop Sandgate’ on Facebook and like the page.  Also, don’t forget that fresh produce is now available Wednesdays and Sundays near Satori Organics!

Don’t forget – if you need any real estate advice or assistance, please don’t hesitate to call us on 3269 1555. 

Spring Has Truly Arrived

How beautiful is this time of year with the flowers in bloom and the birds chirping!  We live in such a wonderful environment; our very own island, Ah! It’s also time to spruce up those gardens and give them some water (they must be dying of thirst).

With a slight increase in the number of homes listed for sale over the last week or so, there’s still a shortage of homes for buyers to view.  With well over 15 people viewing at one of our homes on the weekend it was no wonder we received numerous offers.  This home went Under Contract very soon afterwards.

Support your local business community by shopping local, we have so many great businesses entrepreneurs that are achieving and kicking wonderful goals, get out there and support them!

With the 2015 Deagon Race Day nearly upon us we still have some tickets to our Corporate Marquee.  This year’s theme is a Garden Party and tickets are at $135.00 per head.  This included entry, food, drinks and programme.  Please call us on 3269 1555 if you would like to come! 

Communication

Isn’t it wonderful that we’re all so individual?  Our wants and needs in life are all different and it takes someone pretty special to know us well enough to predict what we need and/or want.  So why do people believe that real estate agents can read minds?  I’m sorry but we can’t. 

Communication is a big thing for both people and businesses because without it, we don’t know!  Ask a question and get an answer - how simple is that?  And why do so many people believe that agents don’t tell the truth, that they are only in real estate for the money, and that you can’t trust a thing they say?

What garbage!  This is so untrue of many of us – within any industry there is good and bad, and we have some really great agents in our community.  Not all agents are going to suit your needs but it is important that you find one that makes you feel comfortable, will listen to you and understands where you are coming from and where you want to be, and you go from there. 

Like anything in life, you can pick and choose and if you want an agent that is up-to-date with the local market, technology, marketing, etc then an agent that is accredited with the Real Estate Institute of Queensland is a good place to start.  Just like other professions, yearly accreditation is necessary to stay abreast of what’s happening in the industry - real estate is no different.

As we move into the warmer months and the peak period for property transactions, don’t forget that we are here to help you in whatever capacity you need - we can walk you through all your property dealings – rent or sale.  Just call. 

Up, Down and Around We Go!

In any market a seller wants to obtain the best possible price for their property regardless of their circumstances.  When it comes to buyers, there are many types looking at varying price ranges – investors wanting to buy low and rent high, developers wanting to buy very low and have extreme margins, first home buyers or ‘gen Y’ who just want to just get into the market, and families who are usually movers and shakers and slide from one price range to another (usually more prone to be an emotional buyers).  But while our market is stable - not going up or down, which sounds much better than flat lined, buyers will start to look elsewhere if they cannot find a suitable home.

For those home owners considering selling, remember that preparation and presentation is the key as first impressions are so important!  We had a home with overgrown gardens that looked messy and unloved, but the owner wanted the property on the market.  After a week, we had no interest.  So we recommended a complete a garden clean-up and the owner agreed to a small budget makeover (sound familiar).  We had our tradesman go in and within a day we had changed the appearance of the home.  Even though we did this, we couldn’t guarantee a fast sale, just a better response.  Again, we notified our buyers and that weekend we had the home under contract. 

With Spring just around the corner, think about what you may need to do to get your home ready for sale.  Make a list, just like buyers, and tick them off one at a time.  But don’t overdo it as it could be money down the drain!  The other option is to get an agent in and see what will benefit your home to maximise your return.  Sound good?  Well if you’d like more information on the best possible step forward then just call!