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Lifestyle | Property | Inspiration
autumn 2017
Esther & Grant Barnett m. 0410 573 114 e. gbar net t @aspiremail.com.au w. aspireestateagents.com.au PO Box 612 Buderim QLD 4556 Facebook:
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Introduction Welcome to our first edition of Beaches; Each season we will bring you lots of great reviews on fashion, food, travel, finance, property and much much more. We’d love to hear from you too. If you know someone who
has an inspirational story or product you think our local community would love to learn more about simply drop us a line or give us a call. gbarnett@aspiremail.com.au | 0410 573114
Dress Me With the first day of autumn around the corner, March is the time to review and revamp your wardrobe. Blessed as we are with our weather, living on the Sunshine Coast does not exclude us from new season fashions and a touch of cool weather to shape and influence how we dress. Before diving headfirst into your wardrobe to prepare for Autumn Winter 2017 (AW17), here are a few fashion thoughts for the upcoming season.
season in the southern states for 20 years. Andrea’s customers purchase their favourite style in seasonal colours year-round.
A wish list to shape your AW17 wardrobe would include a pair of skinnies, a crisp white shirt, leather sneakers and your favourite, go-to jacket.
Leather sand shoes are another must have in the wardrobe. Pair with your favourite dress, skinnies, wide leg pants or skirt. Favourite designers for leather sand shoes are local Sunshine Coast designer Zoe Kratzmann and Melbourne designer Maya McQueen. Something classic but funky from both designers.
Whether they’re bold red, pastel or a staple dark colour, skinnies are an autumn wardrobe essential. It’s hard to play favourites when it comes to Australian designers, but Andrea Yasmin has been selling the same style of skinnies every
Another wardrobe essential is the crisp white shirt. There has been so much incredible shirting over past seasons. Whether it be crisp cotton or silk, stripes or bold colours the shirt is easy to style. Always looking fabulous with skinnies in a casual sense or with business wear, you can’t go wrong with the Anna Hoffmann cotton shirt (pictured).
If I had to pick one piece off the wish list for my AW17 wardrobe, I would choose Anna Hoffmann’s short jacket (pictured). Wear it with confidence to meet an array of occasions. Pair with staple pieces, like jeans or skinnies, this jacket will get me through the cooler months. Try rocking the jacket with a cocktail dress, we’re looking for comfort AND STYLE. A range of these new season fashion ideas are in stock now at Sedgwick’s Boutique – mention this article to receive 10% off any new season purchase. Sedgwick’s is located on top of Buderim and amongst some of the best fashion boutiques and cafes on the Sunshine Coast. Alternatively, you can check out the on-line boutique at www.sedgwicks.net.au
Sedgwick’s Boutique P: (07) 5445 5034 E: sales@sedgwicks.net.au Shop 17, 2 Ballinger Road Buderim QLD 4556 Australia
This article was written by Nikki Miller owner of Sedgwick’s Boutique, stockists for Anna Hoffmann, Andrea Yasmin, Lisa Barron, Lounge, Maud Dainty, Maya McQueen, Moss & Spy, Trelise Cooper and Zoe Kratzmann.
Yum Yum Let’s face it, desserts are absolutely delicious. But sometimes they come with a price, that feeling of a sick tummy and a bit of guilt after you’ve finished the last bite. Lucky for us we have been able to sample some of Cheryse Healy’s treats from Rosebed and Finch. She is selling nourishing slices to the Sunshine Coast at wholesale prices. These Sweets are not just beautiful to look at; they're also delicious to eat, without the guilt!
Our Event cakes, 12 slice boxes (4 slices of 3 flavours) or 20 bliss balls (2 flavours) are all $35
”Given that the wholefood eating has
Rosebed and Finch will also custom make any flavours that may tempt your tastebuds or recreate any of those traditional desserts you want.
become very fashionable, unfortunately it can now be very unaffordable for those with genuine intolerances to find alternative snacks for their week. We are aiming to provide that delicious weekly 3 o clock pick me up free from gluten, dairy and those nasty hidden refined sugars, as a lighter, healthier way to satisfy that sweet tooth of yours at very affordable prices.
And readers can mention this ad to receive $5 off their next order. Their amazingly healthy and delicious sweets include salted caramel slice, Oreos, Snickers, Bounty bars, lime macadamia and coconut slice and one very yummy rocky road.
You can find them on Facebook or on Instagram under rosebedandfinch
”
Great Reads What a stunning end to this hot hot summer 16/17. For me it was all about relaxing and catching up on a bit of reading, and what better place to plonk and read but under the brolly by the pool on this, I think the most stunning place to live on the planet, Buderim. I managed to read through the whole range of Clifton Chronicles written by the fabulous (not just author but amazing storyteller) Jeffrey Archer. 7 books in all: ONLY TIME WILL TELL (2011) THE SINS OF THE FATHER (2012) BEST KEPT SECRET (2013) BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR (2014) MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD (2015) COMETH THE HOUR (2016)
And finally THIS WAS A MAN (2106)
A fantastic journey of overlapping families and events/ wealth and tragedy, Harry growing up on the backstreets of Bristol and how he plans to marry into the upper-class...but tragedy strikes, coupled with the Barrington’s revelations and a trademark twist!! With the somewhat evil carry on of Lady Virginia Fenwick... revengeful behaviour steering evil antics for generations. I will reveal no more but undoubtedly recommend this bestseller. I could not put the books down enjoying the twists and turns and gasping at times with a" NO!... OMG really" finishing one book and roaming straight on to the next. Awesome. I would thoroughly recommend buying all 7 so you don't get disappointed with the cliff hangers at the end of each book!
Finally the climax happened, I finished the 7 th book, but summer wasn’t over yet!!! ... I thought it was going to be so hard to get into another book. Until: ME BEFORE YOU by Jojo Moyes.
This is also a movie but I would recommend the book over the movie any day. A controversial subject of 'Will' a successful entrepreneurial young man who is tragically hit by a motorbike and ends up a quadriplegic who's ego is so big and with his life never to be the same he is considering euthanasia. Louisa is a young unemployed local girl who is employed as
his career and after suffering from Wills sour tongue and low moods eventually breaks him and makes him smile again! a twisting love story. There is a sequel that i am plying my way through but i won’t give the title away until our next Beaches magazine is released. Sensational story again with twists and shock revelations along the way. A must read. If you’re a lover of reading I’m sure you would enjoy all of the above. Esther x
Take Me There Prior to 2011 Esther or I had never been to the island of Bali. My thoughts of Bali had always turned to a destination for end of season footy trips; teenage schoolies…… pretty much South East Asia’s answer to the party island of Ibiza in Europe. It took a work conference in 2011 to quash that theory completely and turn both Esther and I into big fans of a small island that seems to have so many Australians including us….captivated.
The local area also offers up some great places to dine or watch the sun go down including one of the world’s most famous cliff top bars…The Rock Bar which is only a short cab ride south. I seem to walk ten paces slower when I’m walking around the grounds of this amazingly beautiful hotel and just writing about it makes me want to find the next available flight and head back for another fix of doing “absolutely nothing”.
Although we have now stayed up and down the island we continue to be drawn back to Jimbaran Bay and the gorgeous & grand Intercontinental Hotel. This 417 room, five star grand old lady is simply stunning and perfect for mature age couples or families looking for either a romantic escape or a place to do absolutely nothing but relax and unwind. Most of the staff have worked at the hotel for many years and are exceptional hosts. Jimbaran Bay offers some of the best beaches in Bali and unlike some areas further north have virtually no touting from locals and the beaches are very clean. The hotel is a world away from the hussle and bustle of Kuta, Legion and Seminyak however if you do wish to jump in a local cab and get your fix of great shopping, restaurants and night life you are only a 15 minute cab ride away.
Favourite Restaurant: Too many to choose from but Balique Restaurant is great and just across from the Intercontinental.
Bali loves:
Favourite Café: Watercress Café in Kerobokan….simply awesome for lunch. Favourite Beach Club: The original Ku De Ta and some of the smaller ones now are great too. Favourite Bar: The Rock Bar. The sunsets and cocktails are ridiculously good. Favourite Shopping: Take your pick…but it’s hard to go past Seminyak and its awesome boutiques.
Talking Cash. Do you know your numbers? While most Aussies can remember their phone number (94%), their number plate (77%) and their parent’s phone number (76%), new research from UBank has revealed 85 per cent of Australians don’t know their home loan rate. For the second year, UBank has released The UBank Know Your Numbers Index, which aims to understand how Aussies are tracking with their financial management. The 2017 report reveals a slight rise in people not knowing their exact home loan rate – up from 84 per cent in 2016. Of those surveyed 44 per cent could only recall an approximate figure for their home loan rate while the remainder (41%) simply didn’t know their rate at all. Buying a home is one of the biggest investments of your life, so it’s really important that you find the right loan that suits your individual needs. Simply knowing your exact home loan rate and managing it closely could save you thousands of dollars a year.
The research also uncovered that over a third (35%) of Australians acknowledge they ‘have a lot of debt’, but they also admit to knowing that refinancing can help their financial situation, which is promising. The UBank Know Your Numbers Index also discovered that nearly one in four (23%) think that refinancing a mortgage to save money is a good idea but are yet to find the right competitive rate. This is a step in the right direction. It’s great that some Australians can see the benefits in refinancing a mortgage. It might seem like a huge task but really, it’s a simple process that can save people thousands each year. For all your home loan and financing needs we highly recommend you give Colin Mason a call at SMS Finance on 0437 232721. Colin was recently awarded one of Australia’s most successful finance brokers and No 2 in Queensland.
Please note no third party arrangement exists between SMS Finance and Grant & Esther Barnett.
Lifestyle | Property | Inspiration
Property Talk Our Top 5 Tips on How to Be a Smarter Seller Selling a property is often the largest financial transaction many Australians will make so today we’ll give you our Top 5 Tips on how you can be a smarter seller.
Never underestimate that first impression.
Tip No 1.
Tip No 4 . Not considering early offers.
Over 85% of potential home buyers use the internet as their main tool to search for property. When a potential buyer finds your property online or through whatever marketing vehicle is being used they will immediately develop a level of perception against the advertised price. Prior to any Open Home or Private Inspection ensure your property is consistent with the experience your potential buyer has already received online. If it is not you are compromising your advertised price. Your agent team also needs to look sharp and know how to engage with buyers emotionally. Whether online or in person it needs to be 5 star experiences for any potential buyer....not just most times…..every time.
From our experience the best offers usually occur within the first few weeks of the campaign. Competition peaks within the first few weeks and buyers are most likely to make offers because they fear losing out to someone else. If this happens most sellers say no to the offer as they believe it has happened all too quickly. This is where you can potentially lose thousands of dollars if you don't have the right research, agent and advice. Some sellers also get over confident if they get an offer in the first week and reject the offer. This can be financially painful down the track. History consistently provides us with numerous case studies of property owners selling for far less than they were offered in the early stages.
Tip No 2.
Tip No 5.
Understand the true value of your home before putting it on the market.
I'm not accepting a penny less than the advertised price.
Statistics show most sellers will often only engage one maybe two agents before deciding on who is going to look after them. Engage a minimum of 3-4 local property experts to professionally appraise your home. Ensure you receive a Comparative Market Analysis from each agent of at least 5 properties similar to yours that have sold in your local area in the past 6 months. You should now be able to gauge where buyer interest maybe and discuss with each agent what they would do differently to ensure you achieve a premium price. Don't settle for being told what you want to hear when it comes to a high listing price or a low fee. Do your research and be very specific with your questions.
The greatest homes in the world can remain unsold due to a number of factors however it is mostly due to price, prominence or the agent. Your agent’s ultimate aim is to achieve the best outcome. The asking price could be looked upon as a starting point however if there are no offers or not enough inspections it's worth reviewing the pricing strategy. In a lot of cases the asking price is the only thing that needs to move not your acceptance price. From our experience most buyers are very price conscious and will be less likely to make offers if similar properties are available for less.
Tip No 3. Choosing an agent based on their fee
For more of Grant & Esther’s tips and advice whether you’re buying, selling or investing go to www.thepropertyshow.com.au where each week your biggest property and real estate questions are answered by experts….. PLUS when you subscribe you will receive a free copy of How to Present Your Home and Make more Money. It’s FREE so go to www.thepropertyshow.com.au and subscribe today.
alone can be a costly error. It’s important to be reminded how discount modelling in all service based industry works. For a discount fee operator to remain competitive and profitable they must have large volume and high turnover or they simply won't survive. And the real estate industry is no different. Agents generally charge according to the outcomes they are achieving. No different to a top surgeon or lawyer. You wouldn't see a top surgeon or lawyer discount their fee and you won't see a top performing agent who consistently achieves higher than average sale prices discount his or her fee either. The difference between a top performing agent and average one can at times be up to 5-6% of the sale price of a home. That can mean tens of thousands of dollars or much much more. Always remember...... the saving you may receive by choosing a low fee agent is only realised IF they can achieve your dream price. If they can’t and you’re left on the market for an unacceptable time period and are left selling for tens of thousands of dollars less your saving no longer exists. Choose your agent based on their performance in your local market place. And that doesn’t mean how many sign boards they have up. It means a combination of prices achieved, days on market & the difference between what that home initially listed for and what they sold for.
The moral of the message: a small amount of homework can potentially save you a lot of money.
Disclaimer This opinion was prepared and presented for educational purposes only. Grant Barnett or any persons interviewed in this material are not liable for any decisions made by any person viewing this material. Any persons should always seek professional independent legal advice prior to entering into any contractual arrangement with agents, buyers or sellers. © This presentation & information is copyright and not for any third party. No part of it may in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, scanning or otherwise) be reproduced, adapted, stored or transmitted without prior written permission from Grant Barnett.