New Listing – 213/1000 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley / An outstanding opportunity awaits you!

Representing excellent value for first home buyers or investors, this well located apartment presents a great opportunity to get your foot in the door of this hot property market. It offers tasteful interiors with quality finishes in a central location.  Privately elevated within the Emporium complex, this inviting apartment is immersed among some of Brisbanes restaurants and cafes.

View this property online.

New Listing – 35/448 Ann Street, Brisbane / 141sqm of Luxury at a Sensational Price!

Its the attention to detail in both design and finish that makes this special apartment stand out from the rest. Metropolis is one of the CBDs best kept secrets, boasting a fabulous rooftop pool, entertaining area, gym and sauna. Apartments in this building are tightly held and sell fast, so be sure to arrange your inspection today.

View this property online.

All enquiries to Ben White on 0414 647 582

Give It Back To The Community

Councillor Helen Abrahams calls for a Community Centre at 1 Orleigh Street, West End.

 

In a statement issued recently, Cr Abrahams said:

Several members of the local community approached me with this idea, and so as I have made mention to other local residents that Council has purchased this house, the response has been unanimous, that Council should keep the building and provide it for a community use.

The existing house is a wonderful character house with enclosed verandas. These buildings are easy to convert into a community facilities building and possibly a child care centre.

The suggestions for a community building include:

·        a meeting space for young mothers

·        a hub for groups of people who wish to come together to create products for sale such as a small social enterprise

·        a Sustainability Centre demonstrating and supporting climate change initiatives

·        an Indigenous History Centre

Several of these activities could be accommodated in this building. Other suggestions include low cost housing, or selling the house to a housing co-operative.

Presently there are 112 community services in the West End Peninsula (Sept 2010).  However, the proposed population increases for the West End peninsula will see the need for additional community facilities.

54% of these current services are meeting the needs of the local community and the remaining 62% of services are considered under threat from development pressures. Churches and child care centres were identified as secure from the gentrification pressures. The 23 boarding houses were considered the most vulnerable.

With a tripling in population there must also be a link with the reciprocal tripling of community services. The purchase of this site provides the Lord Mayor the opportunity to demonstrate his commitment to the existing community and to provide community infrastructure.

Urban renewal is more than building skyscrapers. It is to ensure community facilites are also provided so that people will want to come and live in these areas.

At the moment, the Lord Mayor is simply building skyscrapers and generating congestion.

The Orleigh Street site is being purchased in order to construct a roundabout for the CityGlider bus service at the West End Ferry terminal. A small portion of the site is necessary for the roundabout.  This will leave the dwelling and a sizeable area untouched.  The house could easily remain on site although it may need to be shifted back on the block.

Source: www.westender.com.au

Research shows property still the best investment

Australia was one of the countries that came out of the GFC on top. Research now indicates that the housing market looks like it is going to take off again. Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia (MFAA) and BankWest recently conducted surveys finding that almost three in four  (73%) of respondents expect house prices to rise, which is the highest level of confidence in more than three years. 

Below is an excerpt from RP Data with relation to the research carried out.

“Phil Naylor, CEO of The MFAA said confidence in the housing market is not only pre-GFC – it’s back where it was during the height of the housing boom.

However, he warned that the recent interest rate increases are negatively impacting households.

The proportion of respondents who are struggling to meet their mortgage repayments have increased to 15.9% from 11.7% in May 2009.

About half of the respondents believe now is a good time to buy a new home, with almost two-thirds (63%) of South Australians saying now is a good time to buy. Queensland was the least optimistic at just 41.4% of respondents believing it was a good time to buy.”

First National Metro sales team is confident that this increase is a realistic expectation and sales results over the last three months are showing the trend towards this outcome.

Do you think the GFC is over for Australia? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

RealEstate.com.au Introduces Property.com.au

RealEstate.com.au has a new initiative out there and they want your input!

What the they have to say …

“Find a home. Talk to us.

Property.com.au is the first real estate website to ask what YOU think. Tell us your opinion of our design, our color scheme, our search tool, our maps… In fact, tell us what you think about anything and everything that has to do with our site.

We have all the listings from realestate.com.au, but we look completely different.

Why? Because we are experimenting with new ways of doing things. We want to make your home hunt better, faster, easier and more useful. From our one-click search page to the sliding bars that let you zoom in on your dream home, it’s all new.”

Interesting play from the industry leader, would love your comments or opinions on the new BETA project! You can visit the new site at http://www.property.com.au.

Handy Hint – Deposits

Whether or not a deposit is paid has nothing to do with whether or not a contract is binding. It is a myth that buyers may withdraw from a contract prior to paying their deposit.

The only criteria that must be met to establish a binding contract are –

1. the buyer and the seller have signed the contract; and
2. the buyer or buyer’s agent have “received” a copy of the contract

Fundamentals Top Of Mind For Property Investors

Written by Michael Cant, Commonwealth Bank Executive General Manager Retail Products, for RP Data

Recent months have certainly been interesting for property investors. With the Australian economy turning the corner onto the road of recovery and three successive cash rate increases by the Reserve Bank of Australia between October and December 2009, it’s becoming more important for property investors to focus on having the fundamentals right when it comes to managing their investments.

No doubt that some, if not the majority, of property owners are feeling some impact from an increase in their mortgage repayments. However, if you’ve got the right fundamentals in place, you’ll find managing interest rate fluctuations a lot easier.

A simple way to assess how well you’re managing is to constantly review your budget. Do you have a strong, but realistic budget that allows for you to make extra repayments on your mortgage? Prepaying your mortgage when you can afford to will help knock off a lot of interest, especially during the first seven years, since the majority of the first years’ payments go towards interest only.

In addition, can you alter the frequency of your loan repayments? Going from monthly to fortnightly or weekly will deliver a positive impact on your repayments. This will not only be kinder to your cash flow but will pay a little extra off the home loan each year as there are more repayments calculated on a weekly or fortnightly basis in the calendar year.

Finally, and most importantly, always keep sight of your long term investment goals. By implementing strong fundamentals into your property investment plan now, you’ll make a big difference to your financial future.

For more information on property investment visit: www.commbank.com.au/propertyinvestor

2010 Market Activity Index Update

Over the last week RP Data’s Market Activity Index has jumped by a very impressive 29.6 percent, this is coming of the back of an increase in activity of 15.8 per cent during the previous week. 

The increase in the Index during the most recent week is the second greatest jump in its history which dates back to the beginning of 2008.

Based on the most recent week’s results detailed below is the performance of each individual state:

• New South Wales – activity is 34.4 per cent greater than it was at the same time last year and 31.7 percent greater during the week.
• Victoria – activity is 21.8 per cent higher than it was at the same time last year and over the last week activity has jumped 31.5 per cent.
• Queensland – the Index has recorded an increase of 29.1 per cent during the last week and is 23.6 per cent greater than at the same time last year.
• South Australia – over the last seven days activity has increased 27.1 per cent whilst activity is 23.3 per cent greater at the same time last year.
• Western Australia – compared to last year current activity is 66.4 per cent higher and the last week has seen activity lift by 24.9 per cent. 
• Tasmania – RP Data was not collecting this information for Tasmania at the same time last year however, activity is very strong and has climbed by 26.2 per cent during the week.
• Northern Territory – the current level of activity is an amazing 440.4 per cent higher than at the same time last year with activity increasing 43.5 per cent during the last week.
• Australian Capital Territory – current activity is 134.3 points greater than last year and 54.7 per cent greater than last week’s result.

It certainly looks as if the beginning of 2010 will see a great deal of residential property market activity thanks to the current strong level of pre-listing activity.

Information supplied by RP Data

Every Drip Counts

In light of the water restrictions sweeping our country, homeowners need to be proactive when it comes to water conservation. By ensuring your property is water friendly, you will not only help to save the environment and reduce your household costs, but you will also improve the value and attractiveness of your home should you be selling it now or in the near future. Take our quick quiz to see how water friendly you are.

Saving Water and Energy Consumption

1. Have you recently checked and fixed leaking taps around your home?
2. Have you installed a flow regulator on your taps?
3. Do you use cold water more than hot water?
4. Do you have a low-flow shower rose?
5. Do you use the half-flush more than the full-flush?
6. Do you turn off the tap in between brushing your teeth and rinsing your mouth?
7. Do you wait until you have a full-load before you turn the washing machine on?
8. Do you use a drip irrigation system to water your garden?
9. Do you use grey water to water your garden?
10. Do you have a rainwater tank?

If you answered “YES”

1. to up to four questions only: Oh no! You’re wasting hundreds of litres of water a day. Please read below for ten tips on how to reduce your water usage at home.
2. to up to six questions: You’re on your way to saving our planet! Good work!
3. to up to more than seven questions: Each day you are saving our planet. Well done!

Check for leaks
Checking for leaking taps or pipes is an easy way to reduce water wastage in your home. If you do have a leak, you may need to replace the washer. Purchase from your local hardware store.

Install flow regulators
Flow regulators control the amount of water coming out of your tap. They are ideal in high water usage areas and are very easy to install, allowing you to halve the amount of unnecessary water and energy consumption.

Use cold water
Try using cold water instead of warm water for washing clothes. This will save the energy of heating water.

Install a AAA, low flow showerhead
One simple way to reduce water usage is by fitting a AAA, low-flow water saving nozzle in your shower. By having a shorter shower with this type of showerhead you will easily reduce your water consumption and energy footprint.

Only use the half-flush
By only using the half-flush button on the toilet, you can save many litres of water.

Turn off the tap
Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth, and fill the sink with a small amount of warm water when rinsing your razor. This will save litres of water per minute!

Wait until you have a full load
Try waiting until you have a full load before using the dishwasher and washing machine. Not only will this reduce your work load, it will also save water and energy use.

Install a drip irrigation system
Drip irrigation systems are the most water efficient, delivering a controlled trickle of water to the roots of plants at a low pressure. If properly installed, homeowners can use up to 75% less water than they would use with sprinklers.

Install a grey water system
Grey water systems utilise the water discharged from household appliances and fixtures such as showers and washing machines then distribute it throughout your garden. If professionally installed, grey water systems can be a safe and beneficial way of accessing extra water for the garden. Talk to a licensed plumber and your local council about the feasibility and requirements of a grey water system.

Install a rainwater tank
Rainwater tanks have come a long way. There are now tanks that can be fitted under verandas and decking, thin and sleek modular tanks that can be fitted to rear or side walls, virtually disappearing from view, and a range of above and below ground interconnecting tanks that provide very substantial amounts of water.

Preparing You Home For Sale

So you’ve made the decision to sell. The marketing plan is in place and you’re ready to have potential buyers walk through your property, but the question remains… are you really ready for this? Here are some tips that have proven to be invaluable to the successful home seller.

The right preparation and just a little investment, whether it be time or money spent on sprucing up your home, can deliver significant financial results. First National Metro Real Estate is familiar with, and understands, differing buyer requirements. To help us get you the best result for your home, we have provided some tips that have proven to be invaluable to the successful home seller.

Consider re-configuring rooms
If you are advertising a three bedroom home for sale then that is what people will be coming to see. Consider re-organising the rooms for the sale to show them to their best advantage. Hire or borrow some bedroom furniture, and put excess items in storage.

Tidy up the garden
Keep in mind that first impressions count. Dig out weeds, put mulch on the garden beds, keep paths and the driveway swept, prune and shape trees and shrubs, and make sure rubbish bins are clean and tucked away.

Get rid of the clutter
Crowded shelves and drawers can make rooms and storage space seem cluttered and smaller. Consider putting non-essential items in storage throughout the sale period.

Not everyone loves your cat as much as you!
If you have pets, it is also advisable to keep them out of the house, or ask friends or family if they will look after them during inspections. Remember to air your house as well as store your pets bowls and toys prior to inspection.

Remember first impressions last
Set the scene for your prospective buyer. Draw attention to your property’s best features by displaying fresh flowers and hanging decorative hand towels in the bathroom.

An open home is a great way to promote your property to prospective buyers. With the right preparation, an open home can be very successful.

You can also watch ‘Preparing Your Home For Sale’ on video.