View Property Magazine - Autumn 2018 by RE/MAX Australia

February 2018

A Celebration of Success

View Property Magazine

Australia & New Zealand

Contents. RE/MAX Australia Regional Office P. +61 7 3007 9000 E. remax@remax.com.au 143 Coronation Dr, Milton QLD 4064 PO Box 1326, Milton QLD 4064 www.remax.com.au

On Location – Clevedon, NZ

On Location – Hervey Bay, AU

Real estate – a game of finance

08 Main event: 2017 RE/MAX Asia Pacific Convention 12

Is DIY worth the risk?

P. +64 9 309 8478

What makes a great real estate experience?

E. corporate@remax.co.nz

Fishing for marlin

On Location – Palmerston North, NZ

Technology creates transparency

Into the world of opera

On Location – Wagga Wagga / Junee, AU

VIEW editor: Lyn Cox E. lcox@remax.com.au M. +61 418 793 096

Buyers love the great outdoors

VIEW editorial assn’t: Jennifer Kent

On Location – Christchurch, NZ

VIEW design: Melissa Wimberley E. mwimberley@remax.com.au

Governing real estate

VIEW production coordinator: Jasmine Rimmer E. jrimmer@remax.co.nz

On Location – Townsville, AU

VIEW advertising enquiries: Aimee Doherty P. +61 7 3007 9000

Hold, fold or lay your cards on the table

Two cities you didn’t think Chinese buyers liked

Eight seconds to make an impression

On Location – Warkworth, NZ

Pets on the move

Thinking about leaders

On Location – Caulfield, AU

Not so outrageous after all!

RE/MAX in the community

RE/MAX New Zealand Regional Office

Level 1, 70 Stanley Street, Parnell, Auckland 1010 PO Box 11331, Ellerslie, Auckland 1542 www. remax.co.nz

Copyright © 2018 RE/MAX Australia/New Zealand. All rights reserved. The materials here in may not be duplicated, copied or reproduced – in whole or in part – in any way without written permission. VIEW magazine is provided to RE/MAX Affiliates as one of many benefits. The opinions of guest contributors and interviewed guests are their own and not necessarily those of RE/MAX Australia/New Zealand, or its affiliates, or any of its owners, officers, employees or agents. While every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information it contains, neither the publishers, authors nor their employees, can be held liable for inaccuracies, errors or omission. Readers should not rely on this newsletter as a substitute for professional advice.

Communication and collaboration Michael Davoren, Managing Director

Joel Davoren, Franchise Director

In what was a massive 2017 for our Australian and New Zealand networks, I visited each and every office. I got to know our people more intimately, and see how the industry and RE/MAX® as a network are performing. RE/MAX in our regions is very much on the move, with growth in the number of offices and, more importantly, in the number and quality of agents, property managers and administrators.

I can’t claim to be the first to say this about running a successful business but I believe it: Make people your #1, the rest will follow. There’s a lot of talk around real estate agents being replaced by various software but the traditional, agent-centric model has more than just staying power and will remain essential in the coming years.

The RE/MAX Asia Pacific Convention was one of the most effective networking events for the industry, and was proudly hosted by RE/MAX Australia and RE/MAX New Zealand on the Gold Coast, Queensland. We have also undergone an international brand refresh and a total refit of our Australian regional head office. The evolution and changes to the industry in both countries is as intense as I’ve ever seen it. Change is not new to our industry; but, in the present environment, it is being affected by legislation, regulation, technology (disruption), and education, all of which eventually affect the market place, and you, the customer. In some cases, the effects may not be welcomed but, I’m happy to say that in many cases, the outcome is positive change.

Chris Chapman, Finance Director 2018 will see a RE/MAX technology focus designed to dramatically improve engagement within the network and to streamline access to training and marketing resources and network collaboration. The RE/MAX digital transformation will be built on the trusted Microsoft 365 platform enabling our affiliates to integrate their everyday productivity tools with the wider RE/MAX community. It includes new property portals featuring simple and intelligent search tools, and profiling of our top professionals, making the portals the go-to place for both property search and agent selection. The technology initiative fully aligns with our community-focused growth strategy. Our RE/MAX community will be stronger, with effective communication channels and exceptional content, and our customers will have an industry leading experience as we equip our agents with even more access to top-line training and resources. This year we will give the industry and our customers, the most professional and connected network of agents; the outcome of which will be enduring relationships and exceptional service.

Buying a home is a huge and emotional experience. People want an agent to give them practical, cultural, and emotional guidance as they buy and sell. While some tasks are easily automated, others such as staying up-to-date on market movements, local council and government impacts, industry matters, networking with other agents, and negotiating with buyers and sellers require a human touch. I believe agents will remain the most costeffective and efficient method for sellers to find home buyers. What technology can do is improve the agents’ ability to inform by interpreting and explaining through data. Buyers want the stories and the best agents will have the sophisticated tools to back them up. Technology can enhance human talents, complement skills, and provide customers with richer, more meaningful experiences but the human agent will remain critical in relationships. People and the relationships we cultivate, being pre-emptive and knowing our customers well enough to know their needs before they do, and embracing the tools that better our customer’s experience – that is the future.

Corinna Mansell, General Manager, NZ Women today are being recognised as leaders in their fields as sales associates, in business ownership and in franchise ownership. It began as women, wanting to get back into the work force after raising their families, found they could not only do well but thrive and grow strong businesses in this industry. Whether it is better compassion and empathy, or otherwise, real estate has opened the doors for women to have great career options. This year’s RE/MAX Asia Pacific Convention featured a panel of ‘Superwomen’ sharing their stories of success and celebrating diversity in what is an industry offering unlimited opportunities.

This is an investment in our people, our customers and our future.

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On Location: Clevedon, North Island, New Zealand Where are we? Clevedon is still the best kept secret in the greater Auckland area, boasting beautiful landscapes, a vibrant arts and music scene, cafes, boutique food producers and markets, superb vineyards and a working agricultural community. Just 40 minutes from the CBD of Auckland City, Clevedon is synonymous with ‘Rural Style’. Farming is still a way of life but increasingly it offers the rural lifestyle, close to the sophistication and amenities of Manukau and Auckland cities. Clevedon is the centre of the world famous polo season that comes alive from December to February and the Farmers Market and Craft Market make the village a popular place to be on Sundays. The Hunua Ranges to the south provide a stunning backdrop, while to the east lies Kawakawa Bay and Orere Point.

The Office: Michelle Goodman and Richard Sumner opened RE/MAX Edge in Clevedon in March last year with every intention of growing their business. The plan was to grow through expanding their territory and Papakura was a jewel in their sights. When an opportunity presented itself at the end of the year, they didn’t hesitate and opened a second RE/MAX Edge office in January of this year. With the addition of the Papakura office, RE/MAX Edge provides a full suite of real estate services and options for its clients.

The Market: Given Clevedon’s appeal as a rural village, proximity to the village is appealing as are the lifestyle properties that offer a more rural living

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aspect. The median home value is $1,155,450 and the median weekly rent is $550. Auckland has had an amazing decade in its property market with around 100 Auckland suburbs now with a median Council Valuation (CV) of $1 million or more and Clevedon has certainly been part of this growth. Papakura, as Clevedon’s closest southern suburb, is a more residential area with family homes, investment properties and a growing commercial market.

In Richard and Michelle’s View: Both residents of Clevedon Village, we look forward to being involved in the future development of the area. With changes outlined in the Auckland Unitary plan, the landscape of the area will inevitably change and we feel privileged to be part of that discussion. As Clevedon is not traditionally a rental investment market, the expansion of RE/MAX Edge into the Papakura area extends the scope of our business and provides further opportunity for the astute investor. We, and our families, have numerous out of town and overseas guests to stay, and love showing them around our slice of paradise. With stunning beaches, regional parks, markets, wineries and boutique farm offerings, Clevedon is certainly the place to be.

Find RE/MAX Edge on Facebook

RE/MAX 2Aspire

RE/MAX Edge

Celebrating. RE/MAX K1

New RE/MAX offices, new broker owners, office expansion and relocations in the past six months across Australia and New Zealand.

New Zealand: RE/MAX 2Aspire opened in Waiuku in October, which broker owners Peter and Maureen Strong celebrated with a New Year event. Broker owners Michelle Goodman and Richard Sumner expanded their Clevedon-based RE/MAX Edge business to open in Papakura in January. Don Ha Real Estate rebranded as RE/MAX Revolution in January.

RE/MAX Revolution RE/MAX West

Australia: In September, broker owner Joe Scavera opened RE/MAX Hills Lifestyle in Baulkham Hills, Sydney. Broker owner David Kim expanded his RE/MAX K1 operation in Sydney, opening a second office in Eastwood in September. RE/MAX Territory relocated its Monterey Keys team to Labrador on the Gold Coast in November. Broker owner Rob Campbell has three RE/MAX Territory offices with Shailer Park, Oxenford and Labrador.

RE/MAX Territory

Kris Bansal and Satyam Mendiratta became the new broker owners of RE/MAX West in Hoppers Crossing, Melbourne and celebrated their new office in January.

RE/MAX Hills Lifestyle

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On Location: Hervey Bay, Queensland, Australia Where are we?

The Market:

Approximately 3.5 hours north of Brisbane is the coastal city of Hervey Bay. Located within the Fraser Coast and Wide Bay region, it is one of the main ‘sea-change’ centres for those looking for a relaxed beachside lifestyle. The town is recognised most for its marine experiences, being one of the first places in the world to offer whale watching.

Hervey Bay offers a stable market, with steadily increased sales activity thanks to a burst of development and infrastructure in the region over the past two to three years. With home ownership more attainable, young families are able to buy bigger at a more affordable price than in the larger metropolitan areas. A four-bedroom, two- bathroom home on a large block is averaging around the $320,000 mark while in Brisbane a onebedroom, one-bathroom unit might cost $315,000. Retirees are happy to buy low-maintenance homes with plenty of space and still have money left over. As one of the more affordable regional centres, Hervey Bay offers encouraging growth prospects and an excellent opportunity for investors, with the purchase of $350,000 homes able to be rented out for $360 per week– a great opportunity for those looking for alternatives to metropolitan regions.

Hervey Bay also ranks highly as a fishing destination. The main economic driver is tourism. The town’s centre runs along the esplanade, which hosts many cafes and retail options. The close proximity to world heritage-listed Fraser Island is also a major drawcard, and close by are the fishing villages of Burrum Heads and Toogum with vast stretches of un-spoilt beaches. The region brings together backpackers, families and grey-nomads, all looking to enjoy what this aquatic paradise has to offer, with many choosing not to leave.

The Office: Adam Kratzmann has been at the helm of RE/MAX Partners for the past eight years having purchased the office in April 2010. Leading a large team of 11 agents covering Hervey Bay and surrounds, the office covers all areas of residential and commercial sales and leasing. RE/MAX Partners also services sales of management rights, business sales and auctioneering. As a one-stop-shop in the Hervey Bay region, Adam and his team pride themselves on servicing the community they love.

In Adam’s View: With first class beaches, fishing and so much to see and do around Hervey Bay, many – like me - choose to make the city their new home. We’re seeing many people from down south making the move away from the hustle and bustle of the busy metropolitan areas to enjoy the relaxed lifestyle that Hervey Bay has to offer. It is also a much more affordable region for young families to buy in, and for retirees looking to enjoy some left over spending money. There is a real sense of growth happening in the region, with big developments in the works creating a great opportunity for investors who are looking for alternative locations.

remaxherveybay.com.au

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Real estate – A game of finance BY GEOFF BAWDEN, PIVOTAL FINANCIAL

Not convinced? Well, focus on this for a moment. Who hasn’t played a game of Monopoly? The origins of the game of Monopoly, a game where the objective, through the acquisition of property is to ‘remain financially solvent while at the same time forcing others into bankruptcy’ goes back to the early 19th Century. The principles haven’t changed much and there are some valuable lessons the game teaches us about finance and property. 1.

It is beneficial to have cash in reserve. Failure to do that almost certainly will leave you in the position of being unable to meet the commitments you will inevitably incur.

Understand the importance of cash flow. Start slow and build your cash reserves.

Don’t rush. The best players diversify and take their time building a portfolio.

At Pivotal Financial we have always said that real estate and finance are linked, and the best decisions remain the ones that have well thoughtout strategies. If you fail to understand the dynamics of the financial side of your real estate transaction then simply put, as in the game of Monopoly, you are potentially setting yourself up to lose. Whether you are purchasing your first home or you have a portfolio of investment properties, the strategy should be the same. It should be well thought-out and you should have explored all of the options before you make your next move. We need to stress the importance of linking finance and real estate together. You have heard of ‘back to the future’? Right now, it is more a case of being ‘back to the past’. Post GFC we have seen a huge shift in lending trends.

Central governments internationally, and particularly in Australia and New Zealand, have a clear understanding of the risks that contributed to the financial crisis and have actively moved to mitigate those risks in order to avoid a repeat performance. In the finance world we now live in, it is a riskaverse environment, and that is not going to change any time soon. Simply put, some who have readily been able to obtain finance in the past might not qualify in the future. That directly affects sales volume unless care is taken and we understand the importance of linking both the sale and the financing together as one cohesive process. Real estate agents who may have been able to fly by the seat of their pants in the past, signing someone up in the hope that the finance works, will have to think again. In a risk-averse market, why would you waste your valuable resources signing someone up without first having established that your client has a reasonable chance of getting finance; and secondly, without having a complete understanding that your client is even looking in the right price bracket? The smart agents get it; and you know what, the smart buyers come well prepared. But those buyers who don’t come as well-prepared need the professional approach of an agent more than ever. So try telling me that real estate is not a game of finance? The two are integrally linked.

ABOUT PIVOTAL FINANCIAL: In 2013, RE/MAX Australia and RE/MAX New Zealand established a clear synergy between real estate and finance for the benefit of consumers. Pivotal Financial is the financial arm. Matthew Andrews, General Manager, Australia pivotalfin.com.au Geoff Bawden, General Manager, New Zealand pivotalfin.co.nz

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2017 RE/MAX Asia Pacific Convention Gold Coast swelled with RE/MAX agents. An outstanding event hosted by RE/MAX Australia and RE/MAX New Zealand - and the Gold Coast itself - wooed and wowed hundreds of real estate delegates in August-September 2017. The field was strong for the charity golf day at RACV Royal Pines Resort on Wednesday. Everyone was happy and relaxed at the official welcome reception poolside at Sheraton Mirage on Wednesday evening, kicking off the following two days of formal conferencing. Over the course of three days, the event produced amazing speakers, memorable social occasions and important networking opportunities, while long-standing friendships and business relationships were re-kindled and new ones forged. In regional franchise awards presented by RE/MAX LLC at a session for master franchise owners, RE/MAX Australia was the silver medalist for the hotly-contested franchise sales award, which recognized the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s significant growth year-to-date 2017. Eighteen regions now make up RE/MAX Asia Pacific, with delegates also coming from other countries including Canada, United States, Poland, Argentina, South Africa and Italy.

Pics by Barry Alsop, www.eyeswideopenimages.com

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Flags proudly held high. Indigenous dancers from Australia and New Zealand signaled the start of the formal program on Thursday morning, followed by a stirring flagbearing ceremony recognising and welcoming all nations with representatives at the event. The RE/MAX Asia Pacific region now encompasses Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Guam, Myanmar, Mongolia, Taiwan, Macau and Hong Kong. No flag bearer was more proud than Ken Tan, Director of RE/MAX Malaysia, who held his country’s flag that little bit higher to celebrate Malaysia’s Independence Day on its 60th anniversary. ‘Merdeka! Merdeka!’ Thursday special guests and keynote speakers included Dano Sayles from RE/MAX Lifestyle in Maui, Hawaii; John Witheriff, Director of the Commonwealth Games Authority; and The Superwomen Panel of Lisa Claes, Managing Director, CoreLogic, Candice Cordero, Chief-of-

Staff, REA Group, and Dotti Sosa, co-founder and owner of RE/MAX Argentina / Uruguay which was facilitated by acclaimed sales coach Cindy Tate. Around 100 delegates opted for a Thursday night filled with classic Aussie experiences at Paradise Country on the Gold Coast. Pics by Barry Alsop, www.eyeswideopenimages.com

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Pics by Barry Alsop, www. eyeswideopenimages.com

Auctioneer showdown The Friday program began early with three RE/MAX agents battling for the title of 2017 Auctioneer of the Year. Two were trying to reclaim the title - Greg Parker from RE/MAX Regency, Robina, and Paul Gaffney from RE/MAX Executives, Holland Park - while Ben Kloppers from RE/MAX Realty Group in Warkworth was a last minute stand-in with less than 24 hours’ notice when fellow New Zealand contender Eric Chase from RE/MAX Zest in Remuera was unavoidably detained elsewhere. The judges scored the auctioneers as their skills were put to the test conducting a mock auction. All ‘sold’ the property under the hammer for $895,000, but the big winner on the day – the man to claim the 2017 RE/MAX Auctioneer of the Year title - was Greg Parker. Friday special guests and keynote speakers included author and inspirational speaker Li Cunxin of Mao’s Last Dancer-fame; REA Group’s Nigel Dalton, who ranks in the top 10 most influential people in technology in Australia; RE/MAX Italia’s Dario Castiglia; and Sebastian Sosa, international affairs professional and owner of RE/MAX Argentina-Uruguay.

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Celebration on high The 2017 RE/MAX Asia Pacific Convention’s final event was a spectacular cocktail party on Q1’s 77th floor, incorporating the RE/MAX Asia Pacific awards. Australian offices RE/MAX Regency, Gold Coast, and the Sunshine Coast’s RE/MAX Hinterland, and New Zealander Zoran Mulovski from RE/MAX Zest won top awards. RE/MAX Regency agent Stuart Legg was in the top three commission earners for residential sales. RE/MAX Territory, with offices at Shailer Park, Oxenford and now Labrador was named in the top three multi-offices for agent growth. RE/MAX Bayside Properties, RE/MAX Profile Real Estate and RE/MAX Results featured in the top three for sales and agent growth categories. Singapore, South Korea, Malaysia and Guam figured strongly in top office accolades, with Eduardo Santos from the Philippines named top residential sales agent. Denver-based Larry Oberly, Cheryl Luster, Adele Qi and Jan Repa from RE/MAX LLC were on hand to present the awards.

“THE 2017 CONVENTION MATCHED ANY THING I’VE WITNESSED ANY WHERE GLOBALLY… RE/MAX OR OTHERWISE” – Michael Davoren

Pics by Barry Alsop, www.eyeswideopenimages.com

RE/MAX South Korea hosts the fourth annual RE/MAX Asia Pacific Convention in Seoul this year.

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Is DIY worth the risk? BY KARL RADEMEYER, RE/MAX FIRST, SUNSHINE COAST, AU

Managing your own investment property: This involves risks in choosing the wrong tenant, incorrect bond payments, the need for proper leasing documents and regular inspections, what actions to take when your tenant is in default, your legal responsibility towards your tenant, etc: all of which could lead to serious financial loss and drawn out legal procedures and frustration. DIY landlords regularly ask us to take over management after they have suffered losses and discomfort. They are amazed of how stress-free they feel. In most cases they also achieve a much higher rental income through a reputable property management company. Selling your own property: Less is written about the potential traps for DIY sellers. The idea of selling your home sounds like fun! After all, you know all of its best features, so you would be the best person to sell it, right? Are you sure? It is definitely possible to sell your property without an agent, and many have done so successfully; but do it with your eyes open to the potential challenges, risks and downright disasters. Risk 1 – Incorrect pricing strategy As a property owner, you can form an impartial opinion of how much your home is actually worth? History shows that sellers get this wrong most of the time, causing the property to either undersell; or, if overpriced, the property ends up sitting on the market for a long time and eventually sells for below market value.

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Risk 2 – Not reaching potential buyers. Can you market your home so it stands out from a sea of competition? What is the target audience? How vast is your network? There is no point losing time and money on non-qualified buyers. Do you have the expertise to do a great write-up to attract the right buyers, know how to combine it with the right photos to ‘pull’ the right interest? Using a top selling agent who already has keen buyers and knows how to up-sell your property features against others on the market is the key to getting the best result. Risk 3 – Lack of time Organising and conducting open homes, having private inspections and handling a high volume of enquiries has the potential to turn into a fulltime job. And if you want an auction, you’ll have to organize the event and the auctioneer. Have you the time… and the patience? Risk 4 – Making it confronting for buyers Buyers are uncomfortable inspecting a property if the owners are present. They feel they can’t point out any issues and they are hesitant to ask questions that might offend the owner. Risk 5 – Negotiating and not recognising the right offer As the property owner, are you the most skilled negotiator? Will you recognise the right offer and know what to do with it? Can you close the transaction? Buyers do not like negotiating directly with a seller and both parties find it very confronting, often leading to buyers walking away from a deal as emotions run high.

These are generalized potential pitfalls that DIY sellers need to be aware of, but to me the greatest mistake a seller can make is choosing a poor agent (often choosing the one with the cheapest fees). Do your research and appoint an agent with a great track record and a good reputation in your area, as that will be your best chance of achieving a great result. Whether knowing these risks will convince you to get a reputable real estate agent or not, it will hopefully make you a better and more conscientious seller.

What makes a great real estate experience? BY KATE BRADLEY, RE/MAX ELITE, NELSON, NZ

At some stage in your life it is likely that you will need a real estate agent. You might be a buyer, a seller, an investor or a tenant. As a real estate agent, the highest form of praise that you can give us is to refer our services to another. It is especially rewarding where we have sold to someone in the past and their children, parents or a friend tells us they have been referred… when we are the family’s go-to real estate agent! We call this repeat and referral business. In the same way that you have a solicitor, accountant and so on, we want to be your realtor. The only way that we can be this person is to provide you with exceptional service every time. So what makes this service great - so great that you would refer us to somebody else? Well, what makes something great? Would you be surprised to hear that it is actually more about the experience than the thing itself? A great meal, for example, is more likely to be about the company, the location, the ambiance as well as the way the food tasted. Greatness remains in the memory through the enjoyable experience of a meal. We, your agent, must become the positive and memorable experience. We know that you want the great result but we need to enhance your experience, and to do this we need to make this not only memorable, but also seamless. Here’s a few of the things that we might do to make this experience positive and memorable for you. •

We will greet you with confidence in our ability to achieve the outcome that you want. Hi I’m

Kate and I’m looking forward to selling your house. •

We will ask you a lot of questions, some will be emotionally driven - Will you be prepared when this home attracts offers quickly? We will be honest, professional and efficient, but we will also be heartfelt and empathetic.

•

We will stay in constant contact, both to give you relevant information and to answer your questions. Ask away- no question is trivial. We’ve probably heard it before.

•

We will be adaptive to your needs, timeframes and your motivation. What is best for you?

•

We will endeavor to pre-empt your needs. We will explain the process to you, so that nothing is a huge surprise, and we will stay involved with you throughout the whole process, right until moving day.

We enjoy closing the deal after the negotiations, but it is happy customers who are the anchor of our long term business. We will be appreciative of you and your business and our best hope is that from the whole process we will make two close relationships, one with the vendor and one with the purchaser. We want our clients to feel like they are friends, not just numbers, not just sales. In short, we want to deliver the results that you need while making your experience easy and memorable. We want your real estate experience to be extraordinary. We want to be sure that you remember us in the same way. We want to be your realtor. When you think real estate, think me: your agent for life!

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Fishing for marlin VIEW editor Lyn Cox talks with broker owner and agent Nick Scarf.

He also wrote that there was more to marlin fishing than the fight, that it was “about sitting in the middle of the ocean and being completely unsure about what will happen next” and Nick sees similarities in the unpredictability of auction outcomes where the market, and the winning bid, determines the sale price.

RE/MAX Property Specialist’s Principal Nick Scarf recently sold an award-winning stand-out home prior to auction and above the auction guide of $4.5 million. When I spoke with him about his success, he likened the sales process to ‘fishing for marlin’, which Marlin fishing is put me in mind of something considered by some written by author and anglers to be the fisherman John Ashley in pinnacle of offshore The Australian some game fishing. years ago. Ashley said: “Marlin fishing is about life – about putting the effort in even when the results aren’t favourable and about being prepared to bounce back ready for more.”

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I fished for a bit more information… How did you come up with the analogy of the buyer being that marlin?

In a way, I began thinking of the prize fish as the trophy home I was trying to sell but then realised what I was really after was the perfect match for the home, the perfect buyer, and that was the catch I was after. In order to find the marlin, I’d have to have the right tackle.

So, did the auction process give you the right gear?

in the feedback and our reading of the market, be patient and let the auction play out?

It did. Like any experienced angler, we set ourselves up to catch that big one. We netted other catch along the way but we remained patient and trusted in the process, and ultimately found the fish we were after. You may go out fishing with the intention of catching a specific species but you are not always guaranteed of that. However, if you have a plan you are more likely for it to occur. In the case of our auctions, we have a very clear plan.

So, a good angler can catch whatever they are fishing for if they have the skills, if they can apply the knowledge, if they have the right gear and if they take the right approach.

How do you deal with pre-auction offers?

That’s why you want them in your boat, just as you need the experienced agent in your real estate experience.

The auction process give us the framework to move in any direction depending on the bites. During the auction marketing program, we are able to get a sense of which buyers are in the market place - akin to the angler out in the charter boat getting a sense of what fish are running. This tells us what action we need to take… should we move the boat? Should we adjust our rig?

When you are fishing, sometimes the gear gets tangled or you hit a snag. The experienced angler knows how to sort out tangles, avoid snags and deal with them should they occur.

So the auction is not static or totally predictable? Auction is an organic process just like fishing. Along the way we get nibbles – emails and enquires, from local, interstate and off-shore locations – and all this serves to give us a perspective on the market. It’s a bit like a window to what’s happening in the ocean depths. The entire auction marketing program builds a deep understanding of the market. How do you know when to reel in? An auction program continually gives us feedback. We can get a tug on the line at any time. For the angler, the challenge is should they keep the 560kg marlin they hooked in the first ten minutes or wait for the one they really want, the 800kg+ prize. The challenge is the same for the experienced agent and the seller. Do we take the earlier offer or trust

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On Location: Palmerston North, North Island, New Zealand Where are we? Palmerston North can deliver mountains to sea, city to countryside, all in the same day. It is two hours by car to New Zealand’s capital, Wellington, and an hour and 10 minute flight to Auckland. The city offers the sophistication and diversity of a major city, including art galleries, urban street art, cafes and restaurants, surrounded by an array of outdoor experiences, and is bordered by the Tararua and Ruahine mountain ranges spectacularly divided by the Te Apiti – Manawatu Gorge.

The Office: Pamela Lee Burge is RE/MAX Go For Sold’s broker owner, who for around 14 years has led a committed team to exceed expectations and deliver outstanding results through residential and lifestyle markets including Turitea, Aokautere, Kairanga, Longburn, Ashhurst, Bunnythorpe and Whakarongo, Feilding and the Rangitkei. While RE/MAX Go For Sold grew significantly in 2017, its consistent family feel is widely recognized and often remarked on. Pamela has implemented a mentoring course for agents in another impressive initiative.

The Market: Palmerston North has economic strengths in research, especially in the bio-industry, defense, distribution and smart business sectors, and the city boasts more than 70 major educational and research institutions. The city has a long history of innovation in the business sector, with firms founded in or near the city nationally or internationally renowned.

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The median house price for Palmerston North spiked up $23,000 to a two-decade record high of $385,000 in August last year before dropping $49,000 in September, and the market was a bit up and down for the remainder of 2017. In general, Palmerston North tends to follow slightly behind the trends set by major cities. That said, a tight supply of houses may be a key factor behind rising prices in Palmerston North, but with new construction starting to replenish the region’s housing supply, price increase activity may be gentle through this year.

In Pamela’s View: Having been in the industry for nearly 40 years I have seen many changes to the city, the market and to real estate. Our city has grown, the market is ever changing and real estate is much more professional than the early days. Over the years Palmerston North has shown to be a market that is a bit insulated from the rest of the country. Whilst property prices have increased over the last couple of years, we do not get the out-of-control highs or the real lows the other cities have. With the hospital, Massey University and Government research facilities, Palmerston North is a great place to invest. Landlords enjoy low vacancy rates in the current market. Recently I was reminded what a beautiful city we are and how important it is to stop and smell the roses, almost literally. The Dugald MacKenzie Rose Garden in the Victoria Esplanade Gardens is the pride of the city. Opened in 1968, the garden has over 5000 roses. A truly lovely place to live!

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Technology creates transparency In October 2017, RE/MAX Regency’s Cushla Symons and broker owner Justin Miller appeared on the cover of Elite Property Manager, chosen because theirs was an important story of a real estate office that makes deliberate and strategic use of technology to create trust with clients and protect against ‘would-be disruptors’. Cushla leads a cutting-edge property management team on Queensland’s Gold Coast. Justin is the agency principal at the helm of property management and driver of the technology agenda. Cushla says that embracing technology has enabled greater levels of operational efficiency, enhanced customer service and given her team a competitive edge.

In Cushla’s market place, the numbers of overseas and interstate investors are significant. She says 3D scanning lets the property owner become more engaged with the property, and this impacts positively on repair and maintenance matters. Cushla’s team also use a Ricoh 360-degree camera with a fish-eyed lens to capture a video that is uploaded to a private YouTube account, where the property owner can view it via an unlisted link. “Our written report and our walk-through with video while we comment and zoom in on issues created an unprecedented level of access for a landlord.” early movers

“We were on the introduction of Matterport 3D scanning technology...”

Included in the impressive implementation of technology by Cushla’s team is Matterport 3D. “We were early movers on the introduction of Matterport 3D scanning technology, which can create a three dimensional, high definition interactive tour of a property.” The scans are used for online virtual tours by tenants, entry condition reports and property marketing; and Cushla says its use minimises human error and overcomes language and geographical distance barriers. “It is brilliant for out-of-town landlords, but prospective tenants can also complete a virtual tour online from overseas and interstate. We can create condition reports that make things very clear, with increased certainty for the property owner and the tenant.

She says the technology her team has implemented has greatly improved communication.

“Quality communication happens through live links which hold information that is relevant to landlords and tenants, and we use this as an educational tool. We send out an SMS with the link, letting them know there is a matter they should be aware of.” “Technology is always moving and we are exploring what’s the next best thing for our business, but there’s a critical need to test and make sure it is going to help rather than hinder, and that the customer ultimately reaps the benefit. Ultimately, to remain successful, we have to move with the technology that provides the best experience for our customers. “Our strategy is about being future-ready. Technology creates transparency and transparency is the new trust,” said Cushla.

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Into the world of opera Open homes should be a great experience RE/MAX Riverside agent Patrick Martin knows how to make an open house something special. In Brisbane’s sought-after western suburbs, his inclusion of an operatic tenor performance at Open For inspections (OFI) creates high interest and draws crowds. Patrick says his initiative for houses in ‘blue chip’ suburbs was intended to increase interest, foot traffic, the duration of viewing, and the enjoyment of the viewers. For selected properties, he arranges the services of Sven Roehrs, a member of the Brisbane Chorale, one of Australia’s premier symphonic choirs, who has also sung with OperaQ and was recently invited to sing with Opera Australia in Aida.

“Can this assist the sales process and lead to a result? It’s a strategy that will work in certain situations; for example, when there are a lot of other opens competing for attention.” Patrick publicises Sven’s OFI attendance through a neighbourhood letter drop and social media. “This has the effect of ensuring a ‘busy’ first open and creating positive conditions when potential purchasers view. It’s different, it’s fun and both the vendors and viewers love it.”

“I was going to go on to another open home but I enjoyed the Tenor so much I lost track of time and suddenly realised I really liked the house and decided there and then to buy it!”

“We had more than 60 people attend Sven’s first OFI performance, which is about three times what we would consider the usual average,” said Patrick.

Buyer, Wen Chi Hu,

“Sven’s tenor vocal ranges typically infuse an air of light and optimism to the proceedings and, more importantly, drive up the viewing numbers.

Sven Roehrs classically trained under OperaQ soloist Virgilio Marino, as well as Manish Singh and Anna Stevens of the Royal Academy of Music in London. The multi- faceted artist also likes to sculpt

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and paint, and his Archibald entries have included highly-regarded Australian poet, Bruce Dawe OA, and stem cell scientist, Professor Alan Mackay Sim, the 2017 Australian of the Year. When Patrick Martin first came to Australia from Ireland in 2008, he immediately fell in love with the country. Having worked in property sales and construction for over 20 years, he sold over $12 million in properties in the last 12 months. He has a very obvious passion for real estate and a systematic yet creative approach to selling that is proving a perfect fit with the Brisbane residential real estate market, and he says open homes, despite what some say, definitely are not a waste of time. He believes an open house, done well, creates opportunities for the seller to find potential buyers for that property as well as creating future opportunities for agents to bring buyers and sellers together. Patrick’s guide to good OFI’s: Present the house effectively. Present honestly. If the OFI is poorly conducted, buyers likely won’t be impressed with the home or with the agent. Market the OFI properly. Why put time and money into an open house if you’re not willing to promote the event. The event should reflect the commitment to selling the property. Use social media posts, multiple signs and advertisements, even add-on activities that please a crowd must be used to generate interest.

floors, countertops and bedrooms. Make outdoor areas attractive and welcoming. Think about any ways you could make the experience extra special for visitors. This might extend to wine tasting with cheese and tapas at a high-end home. Consider families because children’s impressions do count. Perhaps play a child-friendly movie or have colouring books and crayons available. Prepare to gather information, then follow up. The agent should set up systems to ensure optimal lead generation, include the sign-in process and marketing materials. The OFI is first and foremost about finding the buyer for the home, but it also should serve to put the agent in contact with other potential buyers and sellers. Forgetting to follow up with visitors is one of the biggest open house mistakes an agent can make. And proving that open homes can sometimes surprise… An agent from Arizona in the US decided to close his OFI early because visitors were unusually light on. In this case, he obviously hadn’t been greeting visitors at the front door, which turned out to be ‘protected’ by an almost metre long diamondback rattlesnake slithering around on the welcome mat. He assumed that was why foot traffic was so down on the day!

Prepare the property. The aim is to create an atmosphere that is conducive to purchase. Begin by addressing street appeal. When you move to the interior, get serious with cleaning bathrooms,

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On Location: Wagga Wagga and Junee, New South Wales, Australia Where are we?

The Market:

Wagga Wagga is the largest regional inland city in New South Wales and the main regional centre for the Riverina region, which is known for its beautiful national parks, lakes and rivers. It is located midway between Sydney and Melbourne and offers residents all the comforts of a major city, with a family-friendly atmosphere. Home to one of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s major defence force bases, the city also has a strong agricultural and transport industry. The Murrumbidgee River is popular for many water sports and fishing. Located 40km north-east of Wagga Wagga, Junee is a vibrant town full of history with many attractions. Known as a railway town, there is still a strong connection to this past, although agriculture and correctional services play a large part in the local economy.

With a progressive council in both Wagga Wagga and Junee, the opportunity for growth has been encouraging, with the local government funding major industry in both towns. New industry bringing long term job propspects means a solid property forecast. While the value remains strong in both cities, the volume of stock on the market remains low for now. House prices are sitting at an affordable rate, particularly in comparison to larger cities - another reason why many people are making the move to the area. For a three-bedroom home in Wagga Wagga, prices are averaging $380,000 and in Junee $200,000. Anticipating a boom in the coming months as a result of the strengthening economy and increased migration from the major cities, the projection for Wagga Wagga and Junee is positive.

The Office: Family-owned and run by mother and daughter duo, Annette and Jenna Pollard, RE/MAX Elite is the largest multi-office realty servicing the Riverina region. The Junee office was originally opened in 2009 and holds a strong market share in the region. Expanding the franchise, the Wagga Wagga office was opened in 2013. RE/MAX Elite understand the need to service the surrounding areas with agents also in the Lockhart region. Having worked together for the past 15 years, the team at RE/MAX Elite has in-depth knowledge of the area with specialists in residential and commercial sales and leasing, as well as a strong rural sales constituent.

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In Jennaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s View: Both Wagga Wagga and Junee are becoming increasingly more populated as people are moving into the area for a more relaxed lifestyle while still having everything they need at hand â&#x20AC;&#x201C; shops, entertainment, education and so much more. Industry in the region is generating great long-term job prospects and people are looking to the region for long-term stability. We have organically grown both offices with our dedicated team. We aim to provide our team with the best tool kit in the marketplace to be able to offer the best opportunities and point of difference to our clients.

New Year, New Look, New Experience!

remax.com.au | remax.co.nz VIEW PROPERTY MAGAZINE

FOR SALE

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MATCH YOUR LIFESTYLE VISION WITH OPPORTUNITY

NZ SECTIONS FOR SALE Sections priced from $849,000 125D Murphys Road, Flat Bush Auckland, New Zealand

AGENT: Don Ha (Director & Licensed Agent) CONTACT: (+64) 021 968 309 don.ha@remax.co.nz AGENT: Steve Starke CONTACT: (+64) 027 541 3061 steve.starke@remax.co.nz RE/MAX Revolution Top One Real Estate 2015 Limited Licensed REAA 2008

Section sizes from 1000sqm Available now are less than 40 stunning elevated lifestyle sections with northerly sun facing aspect designed to allow you the best of town and country. Commute to main transport corridors while having the comfort and quiet of majestic rural outlook and peace at home to balance you on your lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s journey! Apply now for your families new piece of real living in the much desired New Zealand Country air. Titles are due this year! Call the Don Ha project marketing team today to view.

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FOR SALE

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WHITFORD MANOR ESTATE Section sizes from 456m2 - 1648m2

NZ SECTIONS FOR SALE Sections priced from $715,000 40 Saleyard Road, Whitford Auckland, New Zealand

Whitford Manor Estate occupies a stunning site on the corner of Whitford Park and Saleyard Roads. Surrounded by rolling green hills and mature trees, it is the perfect location for your dream house. This exclusive subdivision has all the charm of a country estate but with the convenience and amenity of living within Greater Auckland. Green and lush landscaped grounds are spread around each freehold site. A central swimming pool, spa/sauna and gymnasium complex, tennis court and lake area for the exclusive use of residents is included. Featuring sections for sale, terraced houses and 'Manor Block' apartments, this development is full-funded and the first titles will be available in early 2018. Call the Don Ha project marketing team today! VIEW PROPERTY MAGAZINE

FOR SALE

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RAMADA MANUKAU 2-Bed | 2-Bath | 1-Car park

NZ APARTMENTS Dual Key Apartments priced from $680,000 770 Great South Road, Manukau Auckland, New Zealand

AGENT: Don Ha (Director & Licensed Agent) CONTACT: (+64) 021 968 309 don.ha@remax.co.nz AGENT: Michael Pham CONTACT: (+64) 021 214 7240 michael.pham@remax.co.nz RE/MAX Revolution Top One Real Estate 2015 Limited Licensed REAA 2008

Buy a brand new apartment in Manukau off the plans today! Construction is expected to commence later this year. The building consists of 67 residential units and they're selling quickly! Located in a great position in the heart of Manukau City, making this apartment complex very close to local eateries and minutes away from the shopping centre and the new MIT train station. Get your home and income in the sky now! Secure your property now at 10% deposit and pay no more until completion. Call the Don Ha project marketing team today!

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FOR SALE

NZ TOWNHOUSES Priced from $735,000 1 Makamaka Lane, Albany Heights Auckland, New Zealand

BRAND NEW ASHTON VILLAS TOWNHOUSES 3-Bed | 2-Bath | Tandem Car park Buy now at 10% deposit and pay nothing more until completion! These are brand new brick and weatherboard homes. Don Ha

AGENT: Don Ha (Director & Licensed Agent) CONTACT: (+64) 021 968 309 don.ha@remax.co.nz AGENT: Alan Wong CONTACT: (+64) 021 720 319 alan.wong@remax.co.nz RE/MAX Revolution Top One Real Estate 2015 Limited Licensed REAA 2008

Perfect as a first home for a young family or may suit a downsizing situation. Steve Starke

We're expecting the homes to be completed early to mid 2018. These homes are handy to the motorway, Auckland's biggest Westfield shopping centre and Massey University. Albany is a thriving area and is experiencing rapid growth, buy now and join the hype.

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FOR SALE

NZ TOWNHOUSE Asking price $709,000 13 Ashington Road, Silverstream Wellington, New Zealand

BRAND NEW, SUNNY TOWNHOUSE IS NOW READY 3-Bed | 2-Bath | Tandem Garage Imagine getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city to these superbly located townhouses in the heart of Silverstream. This 192.4m2 home offers 3 double bedrooms, two spacious living areas with tandem garaging and off-street parking. The sliding doors of the main lounge open onto a private sun-drenched outdoor living area. Silverstream offers more than just the beautiful surrounding bush-clad hills, it's walking distance to the local shopping village, all levels of schooling, doctors, cafes, bar, Pet Vet and train station. Call for a private viewing today!

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NZ SECTIONS FOR SALE Sections priced from $300,000 136 Travers Road, Te Kauwhata Auckland, New Zealand

BEAUTIFUL SPACIOUS SECTIONS FOR SALE Sections sizes range between 700m2 1000m2 Buy now at 10% deposit and pay nothing until settlement which is approx April 2018. Don Ha

AGENT: Don Ha (Director & Licensed Agent) CONTACT: (+64) 021 968 309 don.ha@remax.co.nz AGENT: Hemant Parikh CONTACT: (+64) 021 629 359 hemant.parikh@remax.co.nz RE/MAX Revolution Top One Real Estate 2015 Limited Licensed REAA 2008

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If you don’t have a builder that’s not an issue! Steve Starke

We can connect you with house and land packages, where you can add your own personal touch with some minor customization. Or you can buy one of the newly built homes too. What are you waiting for? Pick up the phone and call the team now for an information pack, these sections are selling fast!

FOR SALE

NZ FIXED INCOME

BULLET PROOF INVESTMENT

Price by Negotiation

9-Bed | 9-Bath | Shared Kitchen + Laundry Facilities

2-6 May Road, Mangere Auckland, New Zealand

Guaranteed rental return of 5.8% net return per annum with this total hassle free investment. We're selling these high quality boarding apartment blocks with 9-year leases, plus 2 rights of renewal of 6-years each and rent reviews every 3-years. The best thing is that the tenants pay for 100% of outgoings and you get your 5.8% net return regardless if the property is tenanted or not. Why not upgrade your investment portfolio to a gold star investment product? These excellent residential blocks are built to last and like a luxury hotel.

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FOR SALE

NZ APARTMENTS Priced from $280,000 24-26 Frankton Road, Frankton Queenstown, New Zealand

BRAND NEW RAMADA HOTEL IN STUNNING QUEENSTOWN 1-Bed | 1-Bath Selling fully managed hotel units. The ultimate hands-off investment, perfect for the overseas investor. Great Yield! Don Ha

AGENT: Don Ha (Director & Licensed Agent) CONTACT: (+64) 021 968 309 don.ha@remax.co.nz

Queenstown is also known as the Adventure Capital of the World, with hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the globe every year.

AGENT: Steve Starke CONTACT: (+64) 027 541 3061 steve.starke@remax.co.nz

Rental demand is high from locals and visitors alike.

RE/MAX Revolution Top One Real Estate 2015 Limited Licensed REAA 2008

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Mala Maharaj

With construction commencing in 2018, it's the right time to buy as you can secure these now at pre-construction pricing!

FOR SALE

NZ DUPLEX FOR SALE

BRAND NEW DUPLEX HOUSES

Asking price $895,000

4-Bed | 2-Bath | 1-Car Garage

16 Tapuwae Way, Mangere Bridge Auckland, New Zealand

Architecturally designed, this house will be proudly built by Kiwi builders, Straightline Builders. These homes are due to be completed earlymid 2018.

AGENT: Don Ha (Director & Licensed Agent) CONTACT: (+64) 021 968 309 don.ha@remax.co.nz

This new home is a great deal and when you buy today, you secure it at pre-construction prices!

AGENT: Mala Maharaj (General Manager & Licensed Agent) CONTACT: (+64) 021 858 325 mala.maharaj@remax.co.nz

Centrally located - only 5km from Auckland Airport and 15km to the Auckland CBD, with 12 schools close by.

RE/MAX Revolution Top One Real Estate 2015 Limited Licensed REAA 2008

Motorways, employment, parks and shopping are all within easy reach. Get in quick and call the Don Ha Project Marketing team now!

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FOR SALE

NZ TERRACE HOMES Asking price $1,495,000 39-47 Union Street, City Auckland, New Zealand

SPECTACULAR TERRACE HOMES IN AUCKLAND CBD 2-Bed | 2-Bath | Tandem Car Park These high quality homes come with beautiful interior and exterior features. Located on Union Street, it's perfect for all those Auckland City workers as they can walk to work! Don Ha

AGENT: Don Ha (Director & Licensed Agent) CONTACT: (+64) 021 968 309 don.ha@remax.co.nz RE/MAX Revolution Top One Real Estate 2015 Limited Licensed REAA 2008

Steve Starke

With views to the Auckland Harbour Bridge and north facing living spaces, this is truly a property you don't want to miss! This is a great opportunity to own in this sold out complex which is due to be completed mid 2018. With construction underway and demand for these are apartments high, you'll have to be quick to secure in this iconic apartment building.

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FOR SALE

NZ APARTMENTS 1-Bedroom Apartments priced from $600,000 41-43 Gillies Avenue, Newmarket Auckland, New Zealand

RAMADA FREEHOLD RESIDENTIAL AND SERVICED APARTMENTS Here is an exceptional and unique opportunity to occupy a prime site on the crest of Gillies Ave, Newmarket. These apartments put you in the heart Auckland's most prestigious suburbs located within the Double Grammar Zone.

These highly anticipated apartments will bring 63 Residential and 63 Serviced Hotel Apartments in a selection of studio, one, two and three bedroom layouts. Each apartment has been designed for modern living with intelligent planning that maximizes the sun, views and living space. Get in now to secure your preferred apartment by calling the Don Ha project marketing team today!

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NZ LIFESTYLE SECTION

RESOLUTE, SUNNY, SKY GREEN LIVING

Price by Negotiation

Section size 84,293 sqm

422 Otau Mountain Road, Clevedon Auckland, New Zealand

Essential viewing for the discerning home builder wishing to make a lasting statement of wide sweeping views of two coasts and mighty ranges. This land has quite possibly the finest available views in the Clevedon Hills. Alan Wong

Interest has already been strong in this stunning platform for your family's future prosperity and comfort. The title is already available and with power and telecom being brought to the site by the Vendor, you need to get your sharpest designer across this site and flesh out your dream home. Call us to view today!

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FOR SALE

NZ SECTIONS FOR SALE

PUKEKOHE HEIGHTS ON THE HILLS

Sections priced from $459,000

Section sizes from 1000m2

43 Rowles Road, Pukekohe Auckland, New Zealand

Bella Vista Estate subdivision is an upmarket subdivision located on Rowles Road, Pukekohe. Protective covenants will protect every buyer's investment. If you're looking for your perfect site, then you must visit Bella Vista Estate. House and Land Packages are available to ease the design process if you want that assistance. Take action now, call our team for a no obligation chat about how we can help you on your path to building your dream home.

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NZ BRAND NEW HOMES

AFFORDABLE STAND ALONE HOUSES

Priced from $795,000

4-Bed | 2-Bath | 2-Lounge | 1-Car Garage

57 Senator Drive, Manurewa Auckland, New Zealand

These are free standing brand new houses to be built on freehold sections. There are 3 types of houses being built here and when you get in first, you'll have first choice of your home. Don Ha

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Close to motorways, Takanini shopping centre and in zone for the sought after, Alfriston College. Steve Starke

With lending now available up to 90% for new builds, now is the time to secure your future. Call the Don Ha project marketing team today!

FOR SALE

NZ APARTMENTS Apartments priced from $539,000 69 Hall Avenue, Mangere Auckland, New Zealand

SOUTH AUCKLAND'S HOTTEST INVESTMENT 1-Bed | 1-Bath | 1-Car park A new benchmark for exceptional urban design at a price point unmatched within the Auckland Market, delighting home buyers and investors alike. This development consists of 119 architecturally designed apartments spread over three levels within a secure, gated, suburban community located in a prime commuter belt. Located in a prime rental growth area close to industrial and commercial hubs and major employers. Get first mover advantage and leap up the property ladder by calling Team Don Ha today!

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NZ LIFESTYLE SECTION Section priced at $1,995,000 79 Griggs Road, East Tamaki Heights Auckland, New Zealand

DEVELOPERS STOCK CLEARANCE SPECIAL ONE OFF PRICE Section size 20,682sqm If you want peace and quiet every day with a picturesque outlook of serene surrounding bush and birds singing in the morning to wake you up then this lifestyle block is what you deserve. Don Ha

Steve Starke

Building platform is facing directly out into rural bush settings. This lot awaits someone special like you to come along. • Buy and build now using the low deposit rules for new build • Excellent school zones • Only 5 minutes to Botany Town Centre

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FOR SALE

NZ PRESTIGE Price by Negotiation 9 Springcombe Road, St Heliers Auckland, New Zealand

OCEAN GRANDEUR & GAIN Here now is an opportunity to move your family to a simply stunning outlook in very exclusive St Heliers. You will quickly be captivated by the charm of this stunning classic home with beautiful plastered ceilings, wooden floors, fire and mod cons, this property offers the best of vogue and proven design. Add to this a granny flat for your older family members wanting a little retreat from the fun and bustle â&#x20AC;&#x201C; then top it with this: Our Vendor has designed a truly palatial yet practical home exceeding 750m2 with additional room for garaging extending that number as required if you have the vision. Yet you could also take the opportunity to build up to six standalone new homes (subject to council approval) on the site and drive your astute purchase to the next level. VIEW PROPERTY MAGAZINE

FOR SALE

AMAZING VIEW! 16 Armagh Terrace, Marton, Rangitikei, New Zealand NZD $425,000

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AGENT: Carol Lewis CONTACT: +64 27 444 4845 carollewis@remax.net.nz AGENT: Mike Lewis CONTACT: +64 27 444 4845 mikelewis@remax.net.nz RE/MAX Go for Sold AlRose Limited MREINZ Licensed Under the REAA (2008) View: remax.co.nz/RNG1150

Take the lift or walk up the stairs to discover what is on offer here! The spacious 4 bedroom family home is located in a sought after area of Marton and has extensive rural views. The home features the following areas: Downstairs: kitchen, dining/family/office alcove, single bedroom, separate toilet, separate living room, conservatory. Upstairs is accessed by the hydraulic lift (max. 300 kg) or stairway: 3 double bedrooms, including main with ensuite, kitchenette, family bathroom, separate living room plus plenty of storage. Solar hot water system to keep those power bills down. Carol Lewis

Mike Lewis

The double internal garage/workshop with 3 phase power is so handy. Truly a very functional and strongly built desirable home. Proudly marketed by Team Lewis.

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FOR SALE

ADOBE MOTEL 2 Totara Street, Marton, Rangitikei, New Zealand By Negotiation, Plus GST (if any)

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8 units currently operated by husband and wife team living on site: 1970s, 3 bedroom residence featuring open plan living, spacious bathroom, good indoor/outdoor flow to private area adjacent to double garage (approx. 52 m2) and carport adjacent to office. Approx. 117.90 m2 (office/reception/residence). Zoned Residential under the Rangitikei's District Plan on a freehold title of 2813 m2 more or less. Units 1 to 4 (approx. 127.30 m2) and Units 5 to 8 (approx. 127.30 m2): If you have ever thought of owning a motel, then here it is. No lease to pay!

Sold as a freehold going concern plus GST (if any).

Proudly marketed by Team Lewis.

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FOR SALE

HOUSE + SLEEPOUT 21 Oxford Street, Marton, Rangitikei, New Zealand NZD $310,000

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Can't find what you are looking for, or is this a solution for you? Live in the house or live in the permitted secondary accommodation/studio which comprises 2 bedrooms, living room, kitchen nook, separate bathroom/laundry, and single internal access garage at the end of driveway No. 2). Two families could live here too or maybe you could have your studio on site! Carol Lewis

Mike Lewis

The two bedroom home features a separate living room, heated by a gas fire, with a good sized North-facing sunroom, modern kitchen/dining combined, separate toilet, bathroom and an undercover back porch. There is a campervan port at the end of driveway No. 1. Proudly marketed by Team Lewis.

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FOR SALE

STUNNING RESIDENCE 8 Skerman Street, Marton, Rangitikei, New Zealand NZD $560,000

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2774 m2 of park-like grounds, ambient & a most special place to call home. Family gatherings reign supreme from cricket on the front lawn to swimming pool & BBQ parties hidden away from the road. Restfully private too, to unwind & to restore your inner-self. Marble floor in the welcoming entrance foyer lets you know you are somewhere special & creates an unforgettable first impression. Choice of 2 living areas; 1 with a roaring fireplace; the other with a free-standing woodburner. Both rooms & the dining area open out to the gorgeous courtyard. Pool house has a bedroom & bathroom so ideal for a teenager's pad or to accommodate relatives or guests. Modern kitchen, with walk-in pantry, adjacent to the laundry with the convenient stable-door to the outside, positions the home close to the double garage. Kerbed tarsealed driveway provides ample off street parking; boat parkng too! Proudly marketed by Team Lewis. VIEW PROPERTY MAGAZINE

FOR SALE

Richard Sumner

Michelle Goodman

Coastal Paradise Found Whakatiwai, New Zealand 1843d East Coast Road, Whakatiwai

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AGENT: Annie Wilson CONTACT: 027 232 7886 awilson@remax.net.nz AGENT: Warwick Wilson CONTACT: 021 80 39 69 wwilson@remax.net.nz RE/MAX Edge Clevedon Edge Real Estate Ltd REAA 2008 View: remax.co.nz/19357365

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Proudly sited above the ocean the property enjoys world class vistas - the Coromandel Ranges form a backdrop for the ever changing ocean with the lights of Thames twinkling by night. A character designer home built for a couple who proposed to use it as an upmarket lodge. All rooms are particularly spacious with very good flow to loads of separated deck space to take in the amazing views. Designed to compliment the subtropical gardens with majestic palms it captures our pacific heritage - a serene very private environment in which to relax. Triple car garaging and a huge workshop/studio complete the building package. Michelle Goodman

Holiday at home with tennis, fishing, boating, swimming , paddle boarding, kayaking and magnificent walks through the state park at your doorstep. Richard Sumner

FOR SALE

BIG FAMILY? Clevedon, New Zealand 175 McGregor Rd, Clevedon

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AGENT: Richard Sumner CONTACT: 027 292 4754 rsumner@remax.net.nz AGENT: Michelle Goodman CONTACT: 027 403 4063 mgoodman@remax.net.nz RE/MAX Edge Clevedon Edge Real Estate REAA 2008

Rarely do you find such a property that can be configured to suit you needs as easily as this one • + Bedrooms • 3 Bathrooms • 3+ Lounges • Separate Entrances • 1 hectare of garden and lawn

A wonderful property in a wonderful position high on the hill!!

View: remax.co.nz/19678595

FOR SALE

Escape To The Country? Clevedon, New Zealand 294 Clevedon-Kawakawa Rd, Clevedon

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AGENT: Michelle Goodman CONTACT: 027 403 4063 mgoodman@remax.net.nz AGENT: Richard Sumner CONTACT: 027 292 4754 rsumner@remax.net.nz RE/MAX Edge Clevedon Edge Real Estate REAA 2008

A few minutes drive from the charming village of Clevedon, is this family friendly home with plenty of room to move. Set on approx. 5 acres, the home has four good sized bedrooms, sunny open plan kitchen and dining room with large picture windows to overlook the neighbouring farmland. The outdoor area features large multi level decking, pergola complete with fire pit and easy care gardens. A double garage plus new 120sqm clear span shed are enough to keep any amount of toys in and will certainly provide enough space for the man of the house.

View: remax.co.nz/19430455 VIEW PROPERTY MAGAZINE

FOR SALE

Lustre Residences Brisbane, Australia 1-5/112 Pembroke Street, Carina

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AGENT: David Cotterill CONTACT: 0433 230 680 david.cotterill@remax.com.au AGENT: Remy Durieux CONTACT: 0435 718 695 remy.durieux@remax.com.au Pro Max Investments Pty Ltd In conjunction with RE/MAX United Vision View: thedcteambrisbane.com

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Located in the heart of the thriving suburb of Carina, Lustre Residences on Pembroke provides you with the opportunity to live in a brand new terrace style home, less than 15 minutes from the Brisbane CBD. With modern architecture, spacious interiors and the convenience of being surrounded by local amenities, Lustre Residences is a lifestyle opportunity to be excited about! David Cotterill

This exclusive boutique development comprises of five terrace style homes, all offering a sophisticated blend of space combined with impeccable attention to detail. Comprising of three bedrooms, two bathrooms, private courtyards, and garage accommodation for one vehicle as well as additional off street parking. These town homes are practical, flexible and generous in size, and deliver you a functional layout over two levels with versatile floor plans to cater for everyday living. Stacy Candelaria

FOR SALE

Montecino Brisbane, Australia 1-14/28-32 Wattle Avenue, Carina

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AGENT: David Cotterill CONTACT: 0433 230 680 david.cotterill@remax.com.au AGENT: Stacy Candelaria CONTACT: 0434 397 440 stacy.candelaria@remax.com.au Pro Max Investments Pty Ltd In conjunction with RE/MAX United Vision View: thedcteambrisbane.com.au

Experience 'how the other-half live' at the striking new Montecino apartments! Designed by renowned architects, these stylish well-appointed residences offer surprisingly affordable yet luxurious entry into the property market, for home owners and investors alike. Each apartment will enjoy bright north-facing living areas and a private entertaining balcony. Modern charcoal tiling and carpets contrast with crisp white walls and stone benchtops; while bamboo flooring brings warmth to the interior living spaces. Air-conditioning, European kitchen appliances and energyefficient LED downlights are all standard; in addition to secure building access, parking garage and intercom. Only 7km from CBD and situated in one of Brisbane's high growth suburbs, these brand new ready to move in apartments present an unmissable lifestyle opportunity.

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FOR SALE

Montalto

Find The Perfect Place!

Brisbane, Australia 1-23/19 Jones Road, Carina Heights

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Rising from the Carina Village and overlooking the entire suburb, your new neighbourhood is ideal. A French cafe and a spa are seconds away from your door. Just a short drive from your new home at Montalto you'll find life's other essentials; a supermarket, a deli and an abundance of other cafes and restaurants. David Cotterill

Browse the nearby library for a good book, take in a movie, visit the local barber for a close shave or let your dog run off leash at several nearby parks, it's all so close to your new home at Montalto.... and your new home is beautiful. Remy Durieux

FOR SALE

Eureka Terraces Brisbane, Australia 1-5/81 Orana Street, Carina

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Located just 7 kilometres from the Brisbane CBD, Eureka Terraces is a boutique modern collection of five tailored new craftsman style homes with a fresh contemporary feel. A convenient location in the heart of thriving Carina, progressive plans with premium finishes. Eureka's clean lines and carefully crafted details integrate with a level of finish and quality to suit your lifestyle. Magnificently designed and styled, you'll appreciate the attention to detail throughout each new home with a focus on quality and exceptional living space. The ground floor layouts of each home are cleverly designed with open plan living featuring a palette of warm neutral tones complimented with easy care tiled floors and high ceilings, which offer a feeling of freedom and space while ducted airconditioning ensures your absolute comfort all year round.

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FOR SALE

Private Forest Retreat Brisbane, Australia 400 Birdwood Terrace, Toowong

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AGENT: Beth Mitchell CONTACT: 0405 576 506 Sales Executive In conjunction with RE/MAX Results Morningside View: remax.com.au/19129625

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Rarely do you have the opportunity to secure an architectural masterpiece designed for smart family living, on 3400sqm of protected forestry within 5km of the Brisbane CBD. Welcome to 400 Birdwood Terrace, a contemporary home designed to blend with its stunning natural surrounds. With an impressive combination of functionality and ultra modern aesthetics, it is sure to captivate the heart as you first experience all that makes up this brilliant home. Paul Brinckman

Lee-Anne Fernandez

Nestled among the "Treetops of Birdwood", located down a private road and set on a backdrop of birdsong from your undisturbed forest. The flow as you transition flawlessly from front courtyard to open plan living and back deck is heightened by the sight of greenery as far as the eye can see. With the option to transform three separate areas into one epic space comes the enviable opportunity of an all-inclusive entertainment platform and flexible family living.

AUCTION

The Ultimate Dream Home Brisbane, Australia Auction: Onsite, February 17th at 2:00pm

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AGENT: Paul Brinckman CONTACT: 0413 756 333 paul.brinckman@remax.com.au AGENT: Lee-Anne Fernandez CONTACT: 0404 086 800 leeannef@remax.com.au In conjunction with RE/MAX Results Morningside View: remax.com.au/19608915

5 Grasmere Place, Carindale Located in a highly sought-after family pocket of Carindale, this beautifully spacious 2 storey home situated on 875m2, offers the perfect setting for a large family or those that like to entertain. With multiple living spaces and a magnificent alfresco area surrounded by a sparkling salt water pool and your very own orchard, you will be the envy of all your friends and family! Downstairs greets you with a large open plan family, dining and kitchen area for all to enjoy. You can also find your own space and spread out into one of the separated living rooms or maybe nestle in to watch a movie in the media room. One thing is for sure, there is no shortage of space in this home. Upstairs showcases yet another living space and a sizeable master bedroom with ensuite and separate his and hers walk in robe, as well as another 3 large bedrooms all featuring built in wardrobes and air conditioning. VIEW PROPERTY MAGAZINE 53

FOR SALE

The Ultimate Lifestyle South East Queensland, Australia 523 Wivenhoe Somerset Road, Split Yard Creek

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Doug Stronach

AGENT: Dan Elliott CONTACT: 0439 727 441 danelliott@remax.com.au In conjunction with RE/MAX Results Morningside View: remax.com.au/18186615

Enjoy your own Private Oasis listening to trickling waters of the constantly flowing Split Yard Creek, this truly magnificent architecturally designed home captures stunning views from its extensive verandas and makes the most of its stunning surrounding foliage.

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Entering the home you are instantly overwhelmed by the sandstone feature wall. the grand master bedroom that overlooks the flowing creek and tranquil surroundings, which also features a walk through wardrobe and large ensuite. Underneath there is a wine cellar which is perfect if you enjoy a relaxing glass of red while taking in the scenery.Across from the house is a large area with manicured lawns and features a picnic area with wood fire pizza oven and BBQ overlooking the private creek, there are walkways along the creeks edge and bridges over for complete accessibility.

FOR SALE

A SENSE OF SPACE SARATOGA 312/50 Macquarie Street, Teneriffe

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AGENT: doug stronach CONTACT: 0412 448 991 dougstronach@bigpond.com In conjunction with RE/MAX Integrity View: realestate.com.au/127371290

With all the historical appeal of Woolstore living this residence in the landmark 'SARATOGA' Heritage building is a must see. This residence embraces the buildings original hardwood floors, exposed architectural wooden roof trusses that is highlighted with 8m high ceilings over a floor space of 167sq.m plus private open air internal courtyard. The main downstairs floor acommodates all aspects of the residence with main living area, dining space kitchen, separate laundry room, private downstairs bedroom, bathroom and airconditioning throughout. Staircase leads to the upper level where 2 private and separate Master bedrooms are located with own ensuite, built-in wardrobes and individual air-conditioning systems. Installed glass panels and louvres in the sawtooth roofline captures the natural breezes and sunlight into the apartment. VIEW PROPERTY MAGAZINE 55

FOR SALE

Jacob Secco

What Breathtaking Views! Brisbane, Australia LGC 11 Hillside Crescent, Hamilton

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AGENT: Nerina Sportelli CONTACT: 0403 470 763 nerinas@remax.com.au In conjunction with RE/MAX Integrity View: remax.com.au/125932738

'Camden' offers a much sought after Hamilton Hill address with the exclusive apartments in this complex rarely being offered for sale - they are tightly held by some of Hamilton's most elite. The apartment complex is nestled amongst some of the most exclusive multi-million dollar properties on this renowned hill. You'll love this exclusive, superbly located apartment, so close to the river you can almost 'touch' it. With spectacular panoramic river views ranging from the Gateway Bridge through to the Brisbane City highrises, this vista will leave you breathless. Jacob Secco

The very large internal space is complimented by a spacious, private courtyard, giving you a huge total living space of 171m2. The breathtaking river views can be enjoyed from every room, and extensively from the open plan living area, the kitchen, and the courtyard. 56

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FOR SALE

Refurbished Post War Brisbane, Australia 30 Buckley St, Carina Heights

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AGENT: Jacob Secco CONTACT: 0413 935 198 jsecco@remax.com.au In conjunction with RE/MAX Executives View: remax.com.au

This recently refurbished 3 Bedroom Post War presents such a great opportunity in a popular pocket of 'Res A' homes. The home has undergone a smart re-configuration converting a bedroom into a spacious lounge/dining area, allowing a massive kitchen and bathroom footprint! The 3rd bedroom has then been added to the rear of the home with potential separate entry. The modern kitchen has been made so much more practical with its new size, as well as the family sized bathroom. Outside has a separate laundry area and large rear back yard. All this on a 607sqm block!! A must inspect!

SOLD

Secure your lifestyle...!! Brisbane, Australia 6 Moorbell Street, Tarragindi

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AGENT: Jacob Secco CONTACT: 0413 935 198 jsecco@remax.com.au In conjunction with RE/MAX Executives View: remax.com.au

This meticulously renovated family home is positioned perfectly on a 607m2 block with 2 street access and in one of Tarragindi's most sought after neighbourhoods!! It is totally co-ordinated from top to toe with 3 spacious bedrooms up, (main with a huge ensuite and walk in robe) polished hardwood timber floors throughout, a brand new gourmet kitchen plus a walk-in butler's pantry. The living areas flow onto the private rear deck overlooking the sparkling in ground salt water pool. This is truly a unique opportunity the secure your peace and privacy less than 10 minutes' drive to Brisbane CBD.

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FOR SALE

Solid Family Home Brisbane, Australia 117 Gilliver St, Mount Gravatt East

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AGENT: Jacob Secco CONTACT: 0413 935 198 jsecco@remax.com.au In conjunction with RE/MAX Executives View: remax.com.au

This 3 Bedroom Brick family home has position and privacy!! With polished timber floors, huge entry/sunroom, spacious lounge and dining area, Air-Conditioning, 3 generous bedrooms plus a study nook, recently renovated bathroom, neat and tidy kitchen, great private deck for entertaining overlooking the level backyard. Downstairs has a useful laundry area and multipurpose space, small covered patio area and a remote double lock-up garage. Situated on a 615sqm block in a very popular 'Res A' pocket, close to transport, schools, freeway access and Westfield shopping centres - an inspection is a must!! John Buckley

SOLD

Charming Queenslander Brisbane, Australia 50 Burlington Street, Holland Park

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AGENT: Jacob Secco CONTACT: 0413 935 198 jsecco@remax.com.au In conjunction with RE/MAX Executives View: remax.com.au

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This recently refurbished Queenslander is everything you've been searching for! This 4 Bedroom plus study (optional 5th Bedroom) family home has abundant space and living options. Such classic style, with ornate plaster ceilings, front entry room and polished timber floorboards. While also enjoying modern living, with 2 large private decks, updated kitchen and bathroom, internal stairs - opening up so many great options for the growing family. Wellpositioned on a 587sqm block in a desirable Holland Park location. This one ticks all the boxes! John Buckley

FOR SALE

Private sanctuary Canberra, Australia 1/16 De Burgh Street, Lyneham

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AGENT: John Buckley CONTACT: 0429 843 777 john@remaxcapital.com.au In conjunction with RE/MAX Capital View: remaxcapital.com.au/

Set in a quiet street on the light rail corridor with easy access to The Australian National University and Canberra University, this sensational resort-style one bedroom apartment will appeal to owner occupiers and investors alike. • Neat and modern ground floor apartment • Light rail to sweep you into the city • Private courtyard, ideal for entertaining • Access for those with limited ability • Light filled open plan living

FOR SALE

Convenience with style Canberra, Australia 16/45 Enderby Street, Mawson

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AGENT: John Buckley CONTACT: 0429 843 777 john@remaxcapital.com.au In conjunction with RE/MAX Capital View: remaxcapital.com.au

With such easy access to Canberra Hospital, Westfield Woden and a selection of restaurants, this executive townhouse combines convenience with style.

• Stunning example of metropolitan living • Massive bedrooms • Executive residence • Secure parking • 1.5 kms to Canberra Hospital and Woden

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RE/MAX always rising In 2018’s first month, global franchisor RE/MAX rose to the top five of Franchise 500 and was once again named #1 real estate franchise. Announced mid-January, RE/MAX, LLC, one of the world’s leading franchisors of real estate brokerage services, ranked fifth among the 500 franchise companies included in this year’s Entrepreneur Franchise 500® survey. More than 1,000 franchisors applied for the 39th annual ranking. The franchises in the top spots reveal the newest trends as well as the industries that keep going strong decade after decade, according to Entrepreneur. Only McDonald’s, 7-11 Inc., Dunkin’ Donuts and The UPS Store ranked higher. The 2018 Franchise 500 marks the 15th time in 19 years that RE/MAX is the top real estate franchisor. “Nobody in the world sells more real estate than RE/MAX as measured by residential transaction sides,” said Adam Contos, Co-CEO of RE/MAX. “Broker/owners and agents want to be affiliated with the number one name in real estate because of our brand awareness, continued education, on-demand training, competitive advantages and technology. Entrepreneur continues to rank us higher than our competitors, and that’s because of the unmatched quality of the real estate professionals in the RE/MAX network.” Highlights of the 2018 Franchise 500 survey include: •

RE/MAX ranked #5 overall, up from #10 in 2017, #21 in 2016 and #75 in 2015

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RE/MAX ranked #1 among real estate franchises

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The top 10 overall standings include #1 McDonald’s, #2 7-11, #3 Dunkin’ Donuts, #4 The UPS Store, #5 RE/MAX, #6 Sonic, #7 Great Clips, #8 Taco Bell, #9 Hardee’s and #10 Sport Clips.

The Franchise 500 is considered the oldest and most comprehensive franchise ranking in the world. Companies are judged by the same criteria including costs and fees, size and growth, support, brand strength and financial strength and stability. In addition, it was announced in January that numerous RE/MAX leaders had been recognised in the 2018 Swanepoel Power 200 list of top influential executives in business. RE/MAX Co-CEO, Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board, Dave Liniger, claimed the fourth spot on the list, up from sixth in 2017 and eighth in 2016. RE/MAX Co-CEO Adam Contos made his debut at No. 18. RE/MAX President Geoff Lewis was listed at No. 24. Nine additional RE/MAX leaders were recognised. “I’m humbled to be once again recognised as an industry innovator and I’m proud to be in the company of so many other RE/MAX leaders,” said Dave Liniger. “RE/MAX is built upon the dedication and contributions of our entire network, and I congratulate the members included in this year’s Swanepoel Power 200.” RE/MAX was founded in 1973 by Dave and Gail Liniger, with an innovative, entrepreneurial culture affording its agents and franchisees the flexibility to operate their businesses with great independence From a single office that opened in Denver, Colorado, RE/MAX has grown into a global real estate network with more than 115,000 sales associates in more than 100 countries and territories. RE/MAX was ranked the leading real estate franchise for the ninth consecutive year in the 2017 Franchise Times Top 200+® survey and was named the top real estate franchise in Entrepreneur’s 2017 Top Global Franchises list.

Buyers love the great outdoors BY DEBBIE ALDRED, RE/MAX REALTY GROUP, WARKWORTH, NZ

If you are thinking of selling this year, or are wondering what renovations might give return on your investment, these features on buyer wish-lists of the past six months may interest you. When it comes to selling your home, often you are told that a little renovating will go a long way. The question is, what has the potential to impress potential buyers the most? Having talked about this and compared notes with fellow agents in Australia and New Zealand, the three most popular areas that buyers tended to get excited about were the kitchen, dining and outdoor entertainment spaces. Let me focus on the latter – the outdoor entertainment spaces. There are any number of versions – expansive decks, covered courtyards, small but clever patios, pergolas, pavilions, courtyards with cozy fireplaces, courtyards with pizza ovens, decks with horizon pools, and the list goes on.

Outdoor kitchens •

Seemed to be an expectation rather than an ‘I wish’. They are an extension of the kitchen, fully equipped to cook, serve and entertain.

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For the basics, start with a barbeque with a good looking server and cupboard space.

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Using the same bench surface in the kitchen and outdoors adds to the seamlessness; and if it’s stone or marble, the luxury.

Balcony basics •

To be functional, the balcony needs to be an extension of the internal living space, and preferably at least two metres deep.

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Glass balustrade works best to take in views from upper levels, while an opaque or solid balustrade is often appreciated on a lower floor for 24/7 privacy.

And helpful styling tips: •

With the trend to seamless transition from inside to outdoor, decorate the outdoor space with modern outdoor rugs, ottomans and side tables - furniture and décor that looks like it was created for the indoors. Scatter comfortable, on trend cushions for a touch of luxury.

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Natural materials are in and textured fabrics in soft coastal colours look fabulous.

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Don’t forget potted palm trees and clusters of plants in quality pots. Always remember the rule of three, if using more than one plant.

Here are the top five outdoor looks that seem to grab buyers: Indoor-outdoor entertaining •

Sliding panels and bi-fold doors across the rear of the house, blending the indoors and outdoors, and then, moving seamlessly from the indoors to the garden.

A complete outdoors •

A large covered outdoor space complete with entertainment deck, outdoor kitchen or at least, a clever barbecue set-up. Extra ‘wow’ comes with a wall-mounted TV, space for dining plus a lounge setting, all framed by a low-maintenance garden and good lighting.

Well-designed outdoor spaces will always add value, and an attractive deck, balcony, terrace or courtyard will make a huge difference to the final price you will achieve for your property.

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On Location: Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand Where are we?

The Market:

Christchurch is the South Island’s largest city and New Zealand’s third most-populous. Known for its English heritage, it’s a fascinating city with flatbottomed punts on the Avon River meandering through the city centre, cycling paths, and the green expanse of Hagley Park and Christchurch Botanic Gardens.

In general, post-earthquake building, tighter bank loan-to-value ratios, less immigration and buyer resistance to unrealistic prices impacted on the market in 2017. On the up-side, strong population growth and low interest rates fueled construction demand and there was a rise in the number of tourists helping the retail sector. Moving into 2018, households are feeling more confident. Christchurch is a market with nothing but potential and promise. Businesses are moving back into the city centre, and new shopping centres are continuing to emerge in the suburbs. With Christchurch’s attractions and a slow and steady housing market predicted, this is expected to be a very positive year ahead.

Sadly the earthquakes of recent years destroyed many of the historic centre’s stone buildings but the ongoing recovery and rebuilding project is bringing new vitality into the city. The city’s energy is evident wherever you go. Auckland is a little over an hour by plane and Queenstown is a six hour scenic drive south. There is a strong agricultural industry and Christchurch is the second largest manufacturing centre in New Zealand behind Auckland. Tourism is a significant economic factor with the close proximity of the ski fields and other attractions of the Southern Alps.

The Office: RE/MAX Initial is located in the popular Avonhead area only two minutes from the airport and 10 minutes from the heart of Christchurch’s central retail precinct. Broker owner Murray Irvine opened the office in 2011 with a great team behind him. The team of experienced sales agents and property managers provides real estate services to all of Christchurch and Canterbury, with agents specializing in local residential as well as rural and commercial properties.

In Murray’s View: Christchurch has experienced some very testing climatic events over the past six years but this has now resulted in us having to rebuild the central city into a strong new exciting place to live and work. It is now one of the safest places to be because of all the latest technology incorporated into our new buildings. All our homes have also been updated and bought up to the new building codes of today. Visitors to our beautiful city are excited to experience the transition of the old and the new side-by-side. We are still only 10 minutes from the beaches and an hour’s drive up the mountain to one of the most popular ski fields in New Zealand. Christchurch has so much to offer being the gateway to the South Island.

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Governing real estate BY MICHAEL DAVOREN, MANAGING DIRECTOR RE/MAX AUSTRALIA & RE/MAX NEW ZEALAND

Governments and their effects on real estate markets Many governments have tried to influence the direction of real estate markets. We have seen what they have done to try and curb certain market places like Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland. The problem is, when governments involve themselves in manipulating markets, while they are trying to affect the market in one city, there can be unnecessary adverse impacts on other markets. There is not one property market – in any country – there are hundreds, even thousands… down to the smallest in location, economics, type of real estate and demographics. Federal legislation or intervention through the Reserve Bank decisions, for instance, influences not just the markets it is intended to affect but market places throughout an entire country. A government creating legislation to affect negative gearing could damage housing stock availability in many areas. Movements in loan-to-value ratios to slow down investment from certain sectors will have a legislation flow-on affect to all the markets as restrictions to lending limits in order to put a lid on spiraling property prices can affect buyers in more stable, affordable markets. Restriction on foreign investment can affect areas that need investment. For example, the easing Sydney market undoubtedly brings positive outcomes. The muchneeded stock supply is improving. As people are being released from that market, they sell up and

move into other markets. But, not every market was a Sydney market. Change of government is widely accepted to have an impact on property markets, as we saw last year in New Zealand and in the state election for Queensland. What elections do is slow down markets while the elections are being held. There is rarely any direct impact of the election in itself. In New Zealand, despite scaremonger commentating of the negative effects, in reality, the real estate market there is strengthening in many areas. Another crucial consideration is that when issues like capital gains and negative gearing come into discussion, both of these can have major effects on society. An attack on capital gains on private homes would have a massive impact on the Australian dream, and there would be social ramifications. And who is going to provide housing when there is no incentive to be a landlord?

History has shown us that no matter what is going on in our backyard or the world for that matter, houses still sell. People need to up size, down size or relocate for all sorts of reasons and when there is uncertainty or a change in the current market trends real estate sales people are even more important in the transaction process. Corinna Mansell, GM, RE/MAX New Zealand

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On Location: Townsville, Queensland, Australia Where are we?

The Market:

Townsville is a sprawling coastal city, often dubbed the ‘capital of North Queensland’ by locals. With the average winter day averaging a top of 25 degrees, it offers an idyllic lifestyle while still being one of the largest regional centres in the state. It is a city for those who like to explore, with much to see and do in and around the city. There’s no missing Castle Hill in Townsville’s city centre. A popular fitness spot, it also offers 360 degree views. Running along the beachfront from the marina, The Strand bustles with a mix of cafes and restaurants, parks, playgrounds and waterpark, and finishes at Jezzine Barracks, a gentle attraction with stunning gardens surrounding the military history of the city. Heading north from the city, Crystal Creek Falls is a popular swimming destination and south, Billabong Sanctuary can guarantee a croc sighting. Magnetic Island is a short ferry ride away and is a popular spot for nature lovers, with many walks and coral reefs off shore.

Coming off the back of the mining boom Townsville was hit hard with property prices dropping significantly. Presently, prices have remained fairly stable - if low - over the past year, making it a very affordable place to live. Townsville is currently a buyer’s market with house prices averaging $320,000 for a three-bedroom home or $250,000 for a two-bedroom unit. There are signs of improvement in the city’s market however, with median asking prices rising slightly on previous years and a number of big infrastructure projects likely to impact positively and add confidence.

The Office: RE/MAX Excellence is owned and run by Marion Grice and Mark Stevenson who opened their Townsville inner-city office in March 2006 and their second office in Belgian Gardens in September 2008. RE/MAX Excellence has a large team of agents dedicated to providing excellence in service, with many multi-awarded agents recognised for their outstanding efforts. RE/MAX Excellence consistently ranks in the Top 10 performing RE/MAX offices in Australia.

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In Mark’s View: Like a lot of regional towns, Townsville has seen its fair share of ‘tough times’ over the last decade, but in the last six months, there have been significant signs of improvement. Prices are increasing in parts of our market, unit stock is selling again, and upper-end ($1m plus) properties are moving. Investors, especially southern investors, are back in the marketplace, and a few developments are soon to be underway. With construction of the new Super Stadium in the CBD underway and the Adani Coal Mine moving ahead, there is renewed market confidence for 2018. The general word out there is that Townsville is a ‘Sleeping Giant’ that’s on the radar of a lot of Investors who are looking to get into the market before prices really start to move.

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Hold, fold or lay your cards on the table BY CAROL LEWIS, RE/MAX GO FOR SOLD, PALMERSTON NORTH, NZ

Once a buyer has found a property that meets their selection criteria and that property is being sold by private treaty, the next step may be to put an offer on the property. (Note – a property offered through auction will differ in terms of the offer process.) Sometimes buyers have put so much time and energy into research, they forget that finding the ‘right ‘ home or investment is only half the battle. Enter negotiation stage… a daunting process for some! The offer and negotiation process can vary widely from region to region, state to state and country to country so have it explained clearly and thoroughly by the real estate agent marketing the property. Don’t be afraid to ask questions as it is an obviously important step in the transaction. By the time a buyer reaches the negotiation table they will have looked at many properties and have a pretty good idea of what similar homes in the area have sold for. (Note that’s sale price not asking price you need to be concerned with.) The seller and the agent have worked together to set an asking price. The offer is entirely up to the buyer, based on their research and desire for the property. There is no rule to say it has to be below or, above the asking price, or right on the money.

However, the most common scenario is that the asking price is a starting point for the negotiations. The more the buyer knows about the nature of the market they are buying in, the more idea they will have about the seller’s expectations. For example, in a seller’s market – a market where there are more buyers making offers on good properties than there are sellers– a property owner may not be willing to drop the asking price at all. Information that might help a buyer come to an offer figure, if available: •

What led the seller to the asking price?

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Why are they selling?

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How long has the property been on the market?

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Has there been any change to the selling price since the property has been on the market?

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Has the seller received other offers?

The buyer may not find all the answers to these questions but all information gathered will be of assistance. Buyers who are fair, honest and respectful - and are able to put themselves in the seller’s shoes - tend to be the better negotiators. And should the seller accept the offer, the buyer should be prepared to enter the final phase of the transaction.

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Two cities you didn’t think Chinese buyers liked BY CARRIE LAW, JUWAI.COM | RE/MAX PARTNER

Carrie Law is CEO of Juwai.com, the No. 1 Chinese international property platform She has over 20 years of experience in providing effective total solutions for customers in real estate and media, including digital, social media, outdoor, print and television. Her prior roles include senior Greater China executive with the REA Group (ASX:REA) and General Manager of iProperty Group, Asia’s No. 1 online property group. When it comes to foreign buyers, the big cities like Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland get all of the media attention. But nearly half of Chinese buyers, who are by far the biggest group of overseas investors, actually prefer property in smaller cities and locations. Let’s look at two locations that you may not have thought appealed to Chinese buyers, but which actually do. Toowoomba Toowoomba felt some impact from the fading gas and mining boom. It’s not all bad, however. Some Chinese buyers find plenty to like in the city and its surrounding region. There are new homes under construction in suburbs like Glenvale, Cotswald Hills, and Kleinton. With prices starting in the low $400,000s, they are more affordable than similar homes in Brisbane and Sydney. New construction is especially appealing to foreign buyers because Australian regulations bar non-resident buyers from purchasing second-hand homes. Toowoomba has two more aces in its hand: infrastructure and education. Infrastructure projects like the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing are pumping life into the local economy. By shifting heavy vehicle highway traffic out of the city and to the north of Toowoomba, the TSRC also improves property values in the suburbs that currently suffer the most from congestion. Efforts to create a formal education centre in Toowoomba are bearing fruit. Nearly 30,000 international students enrolled at University of Southern Queensland last year, with China being

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the top source of students in Australia. USQ was named Australia’s top university for international student satisfaction.

Wellington Wellington may be New Zealand’s capital and second most populous city, but with just 412,500 residents it is often overshadowed by the larger and more dynamic Auckland. Some Chinese buyers consider Wellington to be the Vancouver of the Asia Pacific. Both cities are relatively small and located on beautiful harbours. Summer average temperatures are 18 degrees Celsius in Vancouver and 19 degrees in Wellington. And both cities have an average of 15 to 20 rainy days in their wettest months. For Chinese buyers, Wellington offers an appealing lifestyle in a beautiful environment. Clean air, clean water, and clean food are abundant — unlike in China itself. And the property market has shown staying power. Prices are up 10 per cent over the past year. Rental yields of 7 per cent or 8 per cent are double the prevailing rate in Auckland. Meanwhile, new construction is limited, putting a floor under future price falls. Despite its attractions as a destination for investment, most Chinese buyers are purchasing for their own use. These are families that are moving to ‘Windy Wellington’ or whose children will be studying and working there. Over the long term, this means closer ties between the city and New Zealand’s largest trading partner. That can only benefit Wellington with faster economic growth in the Asian Century.

Numbers to Know: 3-Year Chinese Buyer Demand Growth* Toowoomba, +80% Wellington, +153% *Source: Juwai.com Chinese consumer real estate buying enquiry data, 2014-2016.

Eight seconds to make an impression RE/MAX Results agent Allan Tillett says he has had his two greatest career highlights to date, in a career that’s already spanned three decades, all in the same month. What made the events highlights was not so much in the sale price of each of these two very different properties but in the nature of the properties themselves. One, in the Brisbane suburb of Hawthorne was more than 100 years old and perched high on a hill affording dazzling views over the city skyline. Allan says about the home: This was a distinguished home with heritage appeal, one of Hawthorne’s originals. The critical and unique thing about this property is that it had been restored rather than renovated. There is a very big difference. The second was a thoughtfully rejuvenated 1970’s classic home backing onto Toohey Forrest in the Brisbane suburb of Tarragindi. This home proved an architect’s dream, three times over. Allan explains: This home proudly displayed the hallmarks of modernist architecture. It was built by leading

architect, Basil Veal, rejuvenated by its second owner, leading architect Bernard Penhey, and I sold it – for its second time – to an architect. I think modernist homes come from an era in which architects were allowed to complete their vision. They are like individually crafted objects. Generally constructed from hard-wearing, long-lasting postwar materials like brick, timber and glass they have great connection with the outdoors and an intrinsic ‘warmth’ inside. This style of house is now very much back in fashion. They have big, open rooms, with plenty of informal living spaces and buyers love the way they let in as much light as possible. I’ve been told they remind people of their youth and the houses they grew up in. These two special homes cried out for very individual attention when it came to property marketing. For the ‘modernist’, Allan chose still photography, even including his own Mustang, which was the same vintage as the 70s home when he listed and sold the home for the first time in 2015. For the Federation Queenslander, Allan chose video. The short film starred Allan and fellow

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RE/MAX Results agent Kylie Harnisch, resplendent in fashion of the 1920s, and was mostly shot in sepia. He describes how it came together. Step 1 was a thorough exploration of the home’s history, looking for all significant factors, in order to showcase the real character and the integrity of the home. By using video, we were able to take people there and feel the history; and it gave the opportunity to really target the right buyer demographic. Step 2 was to connect with people who had expertise and/or passion in that type of home, and benefit from their networks.

reviewing a listing by looking at photos and videos, and that homes with professionally taken photographs and videos get more page views on line. Depending where you read it, somewhere around 88 per cent, and anything up to 95 per cent, of prospective buyers go online to search, which means images of the property you own are their first point of contact.

In all of about eight seconds, your prospective buyer has seen your photos, taken in the headline and If you only have eight made a decision whether to look further or elsewhere. seconds to leave an In those few seconds, poor impression, you want imagery could cost you it to be the best! a sale!

Step 3 was the concept for the video itself. In this case, the gramophone was the inspiration. It is original – and the property owner played it for me. It became central to the concept. Everything in the home was perfect and all we needed was to hire our 1920s outfits. The video begins, in sepia, with the phonograph and returns to sepia as I pick up the old phone at the end.

If yours is a high-end property, it is even more critical to spend the money needed for the superior photos, video and drone photography.

Countless studies worldwide tell the same story: that buyers spend an awful lot of their time

If you only have eight seconds to leave an impression, you want it to be the best, which will

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Just about everybody these days has a smartphone that has the capability to take amazing photos, but having the tool doesn’t turn us all into great photographers.

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most likely occur through best quality stills and best quality video. Allan Tillett knows this and chooses professional videographer, Aaron Singfield and professional photographer Amy Hopes from RealScope (www. realscope.com.au) to showcase properties.

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Video gives buyers a chance to ‘meet’ the agent when watching them on screen. An agent’s personality comes across greater through video than a portrait picture on a website.

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Professional photographers know which angles will make each room look its best.

Videos are becoming the norm when listing property.

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By using post-production tools such as Photoshop, professional photographers can enhance the photos and make them stand out.

Faster internet and smart phones mean higher quality videos are watched by more and more people.

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Videos are a great snapshot of a listing, in 60 seconds a potential buyer gets the highlights of a property.

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Videos are a great tool for social media: having a viral video on Facebook gives huge exposure to a listing.

Amy outlines some benefits of professional photography: •

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buyer in the home, with natural lighting and scale.

Great presentation is essential. An excellent professional photographer will go the extra mile to help declutter rooms to get the best shot.

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People love sharing photos on social media, so it’s important to make sure your photos are visually striking.

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Virtually staging rooms with digital furniture is also becoming more common. Professional photographers can turn empty rooms into realistic furnished photos.

Aaron talks about the benefit of using video: •

Video is a great way to boost an agent’s online profile.

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Agents can get more creative when selling a house using video.

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A property video gives more of a ‘realistic’ view of a property than photos, putting the potential

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On Location: Warkworth, North Island, New Zealand Where are we? Warkworth is a picturesque town about 45 minutes from Auckland central. On the Mahurangi River and at the head of Mahurangi Harbour, Warkworth acts as a gateway to the stunning beach and wine areas to the east. Goat Island, Tawharanui and Matakana are all within easy reach. The wineries around Matakana are interspersed with artists’ studios and charming country cafés. The Warkworth district is known as the Kowhai Coast, named after the native kowhai tree, and the town’s annual spring Kowhai Festival is one of the largest community festivals in the country.

The Office: Ben Kloppers and his wife, Nola, took their newlyopened RE/MAX Realty Group into the network’s top four within a year, while the pair personally excelled in real estate sales, making #1 sales team in that time and earning a place in RE/MAX’s prestigious Platinum Club. Ben and Nola grew the RE/MAX Realty Group team to eight professionals in their first year, and currently lead an awardwinning team of 12.

The Market: Warkworth has had considerable retail and residential growth on the outskirts of town, which is all part of population growth and demand for housing emanating from Auckland. Many buyers are empty-nesters or retirees, but with Warkworth prices below Auckland levels, many find the commute to the city an acceptable tradeoff. Sections (blocks of land) don’t remain on the

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market for long. With the attractions of the location and facilities already at hand, many property investors recognise Warkworth’s potential for future growth in homes, population and jobs.

In Ben and Nola’s View: Warkworth has been identified by the Auckland Council as a satellite town, meaning it’s earmarked for significant growth with an anticipated 4,500 in 2015 and 25,000 by 2030. To cater for this, approximately 1000 hectares of land around Warkworth has now been zoned ‘future urban’. We believe we’ll have a fairly strong real estate market ahead due to the demand and growth in our area. Fantastic Warkworth gives us the best of both worlds! We’re a small premium wine region with 16 vineyards. Being a coastal area, we have numerous white sandy beaches, offering safe swimming, surfing, regional parks for some incredibly scenic walks plus the marina and bay for safe boating and fishing. We also have golf courses, art galleries, movie cinemas, the Marine Reserve, Sculptureum, Morris and James Pottery, sports clubs, schools, and so much more. Our top ‘show and tell’ outings with visitors are wine tours; Tawharanui Regional Park and Omaha Beach for a swim, surf or walk; some boating and fishing; and then over to Kawau Island for lunch.

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Pets on the move Whether it is down the road or across oceans, moving house tends to be a stressful event for all involved. And while we two-legged beings are busy running around getting everything organised for house inspections and packing up our lives, our fuzzy, furry and feathered friends are also feeling the stress. It can be quite confronting when suddenly their favourite spot to lie in the sun is covered in halfpacked boxes, but, as a pet owner, there are some things you can do pre and post-move to make the experience a little easier on them. Whether you’re selling your home or ending a tenancy, there are likely to be house inspections prior to your move and pets can find strangers entering their domain unsettling. Keeping pets in a quiet place or removing them from the property completely may be a good way to ensure they don’t get stressed during this process and inspections run smoothly. If you decide to remove them from the property, try to ease them into being somewhere else without you. Short stays at a friend’s place or in board is a good way to familiarise them with this.

If you are travelling by air, organise to be travelling on the same flight. You may require proof of vaccinations, so check with the airline in enough time to have this organised. Most airlines will not allow pets to be sedated for flights. If travelling by car, plan ahead and make sure you know the route you’re taking, allowing plenty of breaks along the way to give your pet a chance for some fresh air. Keep all documentation on hand (don’t pack it away!) and update your pet’s registration details as soon as possible. Different animals can show different signs of stress, so be aware of changes in your pet’s habits and appetite. Expect behavioural changes during the move. It may take a while for them to adjust to their new surroundings. Try to keep their routine as normal as possible and use familiar toys, bowls and bedding, for example. Remember, reassurance is key. After all, you are their world.

Ensure that you have all vaccinations and veterinary details up-to-date. Your vet may be able to suggest a new veterinary surgery where you are relocating to and have their records sent directly there. Stock up before you leave with any special medication or dietary needs your pet requires so you don’t have the stress of sourcing it in a new location. If you know your pet gets stressed easily, talk to your vet about sedatives to help cope with the move.

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THINKING ABOUT LEADERS Mention thought leadership and you might feel you need to look over your shoulder for the buzzword police!

ideas, turn ideas into reality and show others how to replicate their success. To do so, they share methods, processes, guidelines and best practices.

However, thought leadership is now a skill that people are legitimately adding to their Linked In profiles and CV’s.

Becoming a thought leader is considered easier when an individual already has a great product, service, program, initiative or company behind them.

The thought leader’s expertise tends to be sought out. These are the go-to people in their field of expertise. Thought leadership isn’t something you were born into, it’s not where you went to school, not a pedigree. Thought leaders do come in every shape and size, from any background or community, and from any tier in the workplace, from CEOs to sales staff. But not everyone can be a thought leader, because thought leaders have knowledge and expertise in a particular niche, a certain level of commitment, a point of view and often even a willingness to challenge the way things have always been done. And ultimately, thought leaders are trusted sources who move and inspire people with innovative

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The RE/MAX® ranks are well-represented with thought leaders. Business owners, sales associates and property managers from RE/MAX Australia and RE/MAX New Zealand are regularly sought out by industry groups to share knowledge and experiences in a variety of forums. VIEW introduces five such individuals in Hayley Van de Ven, Melita Bell, Tony Williamson, Murray Carter and Garry Malcolm.

Hayley Van de Ven chose a real estate career when straight out of high school. A successful sales agent by 18, her career went from strength to strength. After 12 years of selling, managing and collecting awards, she added two and half years

of corporate experience while growing the RE/MAX brand throughout Queensland. In 2016, she stepped into business ownership, with RE/MAX Results based in the Brisbane suburb of Morningside. Her office enjoys top market share. She opened her second RE/MAX Results office in Mackay, Queensland in May last year. Hayley’s story of juggling multiple roles of business owner, wife and mother attracted Christina Guidotti, CEO of Christina Guidotti International, founder of Leading Women Programs and partner at Thought Leaders Global, and led to her inclusion on the speaker program at the Leading Women Event, held at The Palazzo Versace, Gold Coast on 16th October last year.

Melita Bell is a leading agent at RE/MAX Success, who delivers amazing success to her clients. She found her passion for selling real estate when she worked as a personal assistant before diving into sales. An entirely new market didn’t stop her writing over $1.1 million in gross commission in her second year of sales, securing 102 property sales with an average sale price of $350,000 in that period. Her amazing grass-roots success story has inspired many already. She was a major keynote speaker at AREC in 2017. In November she was one of seven highly acclaimed speakers chosen for the inaugural ‘Empowering Women in Property’ event, which encompassed a holistic perspective of what makes up a woman working in property, covering topics from motherhood and sleep deprivation to financial success.

Tony Williamson, owner of RE/MAX Real Estate Services, delivered the keynote address for the Young Entrepreneurs Project (YEP) in November last year. YEP is an entrepreneur-centred service with the objective of encouraging entrepreneurship and self-employment in Cairns and the surrounding region. It aims to inspire, educate, and connect future entrepreneurs to help them start or build sustainable and rewarding self-employment. It is proving an amazing platform to help people from all walks step into the intimidating realm of starting up a business. A driving force in the real estate industry, Tony’s extraordinary vision has positioned his business as the industry leader. A nationally recognized market expert, he is a popular motivational speaker throughout Australia, and is frequently quoted in the media.

RE/MAX Regency broker owner Murray Carter spoke at the Complete Leader Conference in Sydney in October last year, which was the 10th annual Leadership Conference showcasing great people who have achieved significant milestones of management, direction and leadership moments. Lee Woodward, founder, CEO and Creative Director of Australia’s largest real estate training and systems development company Real Estate Academy, organised the conference. Murray’s inclusion on the prestigious speaker program was recognition of his leadership style when it comes to people management. He has total dedication to the philosophy of support style management and has created a suite of professional services that encourages great salespeople and has led to an incredible property management business that has been recognised internationally for its results. Murray established RE/MAX Regency in 2008 after more than 25 years in property and development. His entrepreneurial skills have transformed the agency that began with a staff of two to what it is today – one of the top RE/MAX agencies in Australia and New Zealand, with a staff of more than 50.

Garry Malcolm, owner of RE/MAX Team Realty, frequently finds himself invited to present at real estate industry, business and community events. Starting as a real estate sales person in 1981, he has served as a Real Estate Institute of New Zealand district member for the past 30 years and was appointed a Fellow of the REINZ in 2002. In 2004, he and wife Maree opened their RE/MAX office, which is regularly named a top office for RE/MAX New Zealand, and Garry, himself, has been named RE/MAX New Zealand Broker Owner of the Year and awarded RE/MAX International Broker Owner. He’s been invited to a business owner panel at a Ray White Convention, has sat on a panel at the international RE/MAX R4 Convention in Las Vegas, presented at numerous RE/MAX Broker Owner conventions and facilitates RE/MAX training in New Zealand. The one thing that thought leaders do that sets them apart from the crowd is the fact they share information with the world through blogs, articles, public speaking events, and other platforms for broadcasting a message. Thought leaders inspire positive change and share their knowledge in order to make their business and their industry a better place.

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On Location: Caulfield, Victoria, Australia Where are we? Caulfield is an affluent suburb within the city of Glen Eira, Melbourne. Approximately 12 kilometres from Melbourne’s CBD, the suburb boasts an excellent balance of all the conveniences of inner-city living with the comforts of a safe, quiet neighbourhood. Caulfield Park is a popular attraction with its beautiful gardens and war memorial, and is also a popular sporting and fitness park, playing host to a number of well-known sporting clubs. Caulfield is a peaceful suburb whilst offering all the delights of modern living and a contemporary lifestyle. It has excellent public transport, a good selection of restaurants, cafes, and retail stores, and St Kilda beach only a short stroll away. Many prestigious schools are within the Caulfield catchment and it is home to Monash University’s second largest campus. For the business person, its close proximity is part of the appeal of this suburb. For families, the education options are some of the best in the country. With beautiful tree lined streets and gardens, it is a pretty suburb that has something for everyone.

The Office: Broker owner Greg Peled opened RE/MAX Property First in June 2016. His vision for the office was, and remains, to bring something valuable and unique to the Caulfield area, something that had not been seen before. The office itself is unique in its market - a large converted warehouse with modern features that provide state-of-the art facilities for agents to service the community.

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RE/MAX Property First is a one-stop-shop, with dedicated agents covering all areas of residential sales and leasing, commercial sales and leasing, investing and development opportunities.

The Market: Caulfield is one of Melbourne’s more expensive suburbs to buy into with high-priced homes attracting second-cycle buyers and investors. Caulfield has experienced steady growth over the last three years, currently sitting at a growth rate of 8.99 per cent per annum for homes and 3.93 per cent for units. Median house prices are currently around $1.8million to- $2million and the median unit price is around $565,000, attracting affluent buyers. The streets are dappled with a mix of period-style and modern houses as well as apartment complexes. Many buyers are choosing to demolish and re-build modern new homes.

In Greg & Julia’s View: In our vision, RE/MAX Property First has the potential to change the nature of real estate business in Caulfield and surrounding suburbs, both for agents and clients. Our office will ultimately provide the public with extra quality and service that they have been looking for. We are projecting excellent growth in the area, which is sought-after by those looking for high-quality living. We plan to not only bring first-class service to our clients, but we additionally plan to continue to grow our office to become one of the largest in the region and to revolutionise real estate in Melbourne.

Not so outrageous after all! BY VIEW EDITOR LYN COX

In a recent article, 7 outrageous real estate client demands , Cara Ameer, a realtor from Ponte Vedra Beach in Florida, US, suggested that buyers and sellers often mistakenly think that everything related to listing and showing homes falls to an agent and fully expect their agent to do things beyond the scope of their job. ‘Outrageous demands’, she called them. The strange thing was, as I read the article, they didn’t seem all that outrageous to me because I’d heard of agents doing these things. And happily! In my time as public relations consultant to RE/MAX Australia and RE/MAX New Zealand, I have spoken with hundreds of agents. I would say that very few haven’t at some time performed tasks that fall outside the ‘average’ agent’s function and so exceeded their customer’s expectations.

Here are five of the ‘outrageous demands’ listed in Ms Ameer’s article, translated into my words: Maid service or house cleaning The seller will often say ‘I’ll need you to come over before Opens to straighten things up’, which could stretch to making beds, doing laundry, stacking the dishwasher or vacuuming. A ‘pre-showing house check’ can often turn into way more than what an agent bargained for. Landscaper, lawn mower or pool cleaner. Excuses include ‘we can’t get back in time to clean up’, and ‘our mower man isn’t returning our calls’ but what it means is that the pool is a mess, the grass is a metre high, the driveway is covered in leaves etc. Agents are expected to arrive with a supply of gloves, yard tools and green garbage bags.

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Pet sitting or dog walking Some sellers expect the agent to attend to pets — feeding them, playing with them, taking them for walks, putting them in a crate or even taking them off somewhere for the OFI. Personal chauffeur Here’s the scenario: The agent offers to pick up out-of-town buyers for a day of house-hunting and ends up the personal limo driver, buying coffees and driving them to the airport. 24/7 availability Buyers and sellers expect the agent to be available no matter the day or the hour. Sellers demand numerous open houses. Demanding buyers want to be shown a home immediately… regardless! Once the house is under contract, they expect the agent to open up the home for visiting tradies to family friends. There is no difference between urgent and important. For the record, the final two ‘outrageous real estate client demands’ in Ms Ameer’s article were the buyer or seller insisting that they do things their own way and, less familiar to Australian and New Zealand real estate markets, buyers wanting to share in agents’ commissions and sellers expecting agents to cover all costs associated with presenting and selling the property. And while the majority did, not all US agents agreed with the author. Some comments in response were in favour of playing chauffer, especially to out-of-town clients. One admitted to carrying and donning emergency rubber gloves. One dug a hole to bury a pet that had passed away just prior to the listing appointment. Another had been maintaining a home for almost a year for a deceased client with no family in the US, while it went through probate. And then there was the

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agent who spent three hours in a jail, trying to convince the guard that the client, a prisoner, needed to sign the sales contract with the agent’s ink pen and not the standard prison-issue pencil. How do our RE/MAX agents in Australia and New Zealand feel about all of this? Well, a quick ask around and here is what I discovered in just an hour. Gaby McEwan, broker owner, RE/MAX United Vision, once had a client called George (not his real name) who made her buy him cigarettes, bread and dinner every time she saw him, though she eventually drew the line on the cigarettes. Instead George would scrounge cigarettes off potential buyers! He was about $30,000 overpriced but the more Gaby fed him, the more he refused to budge on price. When she stopped giving him dinner, George complained that he couldn’t afford to eat on his pension, so she suggested he sell the house! It took two weeks of no meals, he listened and met the market. The buyer brought him a carton of cigarettes, Gaby provided food again… so for George it was win/win. Dee Mangion, from RE/MAX Results, gives a free pre-marketing styling consultation. She directs owners to where they can see style ideas and make affordable purchases, often buying them magazines. Darren Young, broker owner, RE/MAX One, has sold furniture for sellers on holiday overseas. Agent Raewyn Beazley and her husband helped move a buyer with a disability and Raewyn also helped sort out her finance, insurance and a solicitor. The buyer didn’t own a table and chairs so Raewyn purchased this for her. Kerryn O’Leary, from RE/MAX Profile Real Estate, has just about done it all. She has styled properties

with own personal accessories, watered gardens, swept patios, made beds, done the washing up, and fed and relocated pets. She also has gifts for tenants as an incentive to tidy for OFIs. Tracey Fox, from RE/MAX Zest, offers a complimentary dressing of her client’s houses through her interior design company, Tracey Fox Design, spending a great deal of time selecting the appropriate items to place in each property and even using her own paintings. She also helps buyers in their decision-making process around the design and build of a house and gives them guidance if and when they decide to renovate or refresh their new homes. Adam Workman, broker owner from RE/MAX Ignite, has mowed lawns prior to sale or new tenants. He has coordinated everything from cleaning out a house and organising skip bins to a house wash, painting and new carpets, plus carried out minor changes in the bathroom and kitchen to enhance the sale price. He often uses the office gurney to clean driveways. The office also has a community trailer for sellers, buyers, tenants and the community to use free-of-charge. Kylee Harnisch, from RE/MAX Results, cleaned and scrubbed a house top-to-bottom, including screens and the front door, so that it was ready for the buyer to move in on settlement day, after her seller had left it in a poor state. Liza McKilliam, from RE/MAX Profile Real Estate, has organised gardeners on many occasions, and even a floor sander/polisher for one listing. Vicki Ford, broker owner, RE/MAX Victory, says she and her agents have helped customers pack and move, taken unwanted items to the rubbish tip, mowed lawns (or paid for mowing), and organised removalists, cleaners and handymen. They have helped stage homes for photos, with agents even bringing then gifting cushions and other items. Lee Anne Fernandez, from RE/MAX Results, had a very elderly client who’d been moved into care. She project-managed new carpets and painting before the property went on the market. An upstairs

apartment had a water leak and the listed unit was completely flooded less than 24 hours after it was ready for sale. She organised industrial driers the same day and had the unit completely dried and ready for market by the end of that week. Mark Shorrock, from RE/MAX Profile Real Estate, assists sellers from start to finish, including getting the property ‘sale ready’, finding tradespeople and professionals. He even shops for plants to decorate a house. Hayley McNaught, from RE/MAX Go For Sold, has tended gardens, taken her own outdoor furniture to better present a house, and roped her husband in to do almost a full makeover on a seller’s rental property. Julien Ladureau, from RE/MAX Results, handled a very emotional sale of a home with a huge rose garden. The seller really didn’t want to part with it but circumstances dictated the move. Julien had an artist do a gorgeous picture of the house so the seller could have it as a keep sake. And… Craig Pratt, from RE/MAX United Vision, has this story to tell: “This was my first ever sale. I helped pack up the house, lent my trailer every weekend for six weeks, my daughter vacuumed his house, I measured every wall in the house for painting, I drove 25km to pick up the paint, I air-broomed the outside of the property before each open home, and I met with various trades and contractors. I sold the property at a record price for the area and then had our commission reduced by 0.5% because the seller was disappointed…..” This is but a small sample of what the RE/MAX agents in Australia and New Zealand are doing week in-week-out to assist their real estate customers. Not one of them mentioned ‘outrageous demands’. I think I know where to find agents who truly understand the meaning of giving extraordinary service!

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In appreciation of clients Just shy of 200 invited guests were privileged to a World Premiere Screening of Murder on the Orient Express at the Regal Twin Boutique Arthouse Cinema in Graceville, Brisbane in November when RE/MAX Riverside, AU, held its annual Exclusive Client Appreciation Film Night.

RE/MAX in the community RE/MAX Australia and RE/MAX New Zealand are committed to supporting the community, an attitude that runs wholeheartedly through the networks in both countries. An advantage of large networks is also the opportunity to firmly stand behind a cause, and as such, RE/MAX Australia is proud to support Make-A-Wish® Australia and RE/MAX New Zealand to support Variety - The Children’s Charity. Halloween fun In October, RE/MAX Zest, NZ, held its annual Halloween barbecue for local families at the Pokeno office. The team is part of a tight knit community that loves to celebrate. Wax for a Wish In December, Joel Davoren, RE/MAX Australia Franchise Director, and Matthew Andrews, CEO of Pivotal Financial, the real estate network’s finance arm, were the first to grit their teeth, bare parts of their body and get waxed for a good cause. ‘Wax for a Wish’ is a fundraising initiative of RE/MAX Australia’s chosen charity, Make-A-Wish Australia, the organisation helping grant the wishes of children and teenagers battling life-threatening medical conditions. Movie under the stars The annual ‘Movie under the Stars’, presented by RE/MAX Success AU and in partnership with realestate.com.au, exceeded expectations with more than 2,000 movie-goers coming together at Toowoomba’s Queens Park on Saturday 4th November, 2017 to support Make-A-Wish Australia and raise more than $3,000 for the foundation. The outdoor cinema screened the computer-animated musical Sing and Batman from Batmobile Qld made a star appearance.

Let’s go shopping In November, RE/MAX Platinum, AU, invited 30 ladies onto a bus for a shopping adventure, which has become an annual event. This year the group spent up big in eight stores and through a varierty of activities on the day RE/MAX Platinum was able to donate more than $1,250 to the Smith Family Foundation. Playing Santa RE/MAX Ignite, AU, principals Adam and Roxanne Workman regularly support local schools and sporting groups. In November, Roxanne was MC at a Ladies’ Day event attended by more than 120 women, and amongst other duties, judged fascinators, shoes and overall outfits. Each December, the Workmans also ‘Play Santa’, mailing more than a 1000 personalised letters to local children and some young adults. Delivering school supplies RE/MAX Gold, AU, partnered with Roseberry Queensland and called on the Gladstone community to pull together for less fortunate, local school kids and families, by donating backto-school supplies in time for the 2018 school year. The Back to School Supply is now an annual event for the office. Feeding families in need The Foodbank Collection 2017 held by RE/MAX Team Realty, NZ, was a community effort. Members of the public were encouraged to donate nonperishable foods then the real estate team travelled around in trucks, on foot and in their RE/MAX-branded van handing out packages to families in need. Winning business RE/MAX Go For Sold, NZ, ran a competition for all vendors who listed and sold a property with the team in 2017 to go in the draw to win $5,000 cash. The lucky clients happened to be those of Carol and Mike Lewis, who handed over the extra-large cheque in late December.

Exclusive screening When RE/MAX Partners AU presented an exclusive screening of The Star in December at the Hervey Bay Bigscreen Cinemas, the fundraiser for MakeA-Wish® Australia was so well-supported that it exceeded her expectation and raised more than $800.00.

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DOING MORE FROM TO

FOR SALE

SOLD

Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the sign of a RE/MAX agent Our professional agents will take the time to guide you through the entire process, help resolve any concerns that arise along the way and ensure that your home sells for the optimum price in a timely manner. Because taking real care of our clients is something we've always taken pride in.

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