View magazine - Autumn 2019 by RE/MAX Australia

Summer 2019

THINK BIGGER

View Property Magazine

Australia & New Zealand

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

RE/MAX New Zealand Regional Office

Contents. 04

The edge – Brok Milligan

Love affair with renovating

Who’ll provide the shelter?

PO Box 11331, Ellerslie, Auckland 1542

On location – Gladstone, AU

www.remax.co.nz

The open home and the seller

Real estate: a great career choice

On location – Bribie Island, AU

An auctioneer’s DNA

RE/MAX events

My name is Harry and I am a hoarder

Size 8 or plus size

The lending landscape

P. +64 9 309 8478 E. corporate@remax.co.nz Level 1, 70 Stanley Street, Parnell, Auckland 1010

VIEW editor: Lyn Cox E. lcox@remax.com.au M. +61 418 793 096 VIEW editorial assisstant: Jennifer Kent VIEW design: Expressway Studio VIEW production coordinator: Jasmine Rimmer E. jrimmer@remax.co.nz VIEW advertising enquiries: Jasmine Rimmer E. jrimmer@remax.co.nz Jessica Kiely E. jkiely@remax.com.au

28 Mongolia

Copyright © 2019 RE/MAX Australia/New Zealand. All rights reserved. The materials herein 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.

One of a kind

On location - Wellington, NZ

What your property market doing

Time to take stock

On location - Maleny

Get your ducks in a row

Your open home checklist

Wearing my other hat

On location - Queenstown

Lifestyle 2.0

On location - Eastwood

2019 outlook for foreign buying

RE/MAX in the community

On location - Hunters Corner

Homeowners - for the very first time.

And featuring RE/MAX property listings from page 19.

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Communication and collaboration Michael Davoren, Managing Director

Chris Chapman, Finance Director

‘Disruption’ is a beautiful word

Network-integrated platform launched

Those of us who think the real estate industry will not be disrupted are wrong. It has been, is being and will continue to be disrupted. Any industry that does not embrace disruption is an industry that has a very limited future. RE/MAX has been the ‘disruptor’ in almost every country it has entered. It is the very reason why agents are on much higher commission shares, why women have been able to enter the industry in some countries, why the industry endorses the ‘team’ structure around the world and has allowed many people to develop successful businesses within businesses, why there are mature real estate industries in countries where there were none before they arrived, and why education levels in the real estate industry have increased considerably through organisations like RE/MAX University. It is also the very reason why RE/MAX will not only survive but thrive.

When we launched Precinct to our Australian and New Zealand networks in November, we passed the most significant milestone in the digital transformation of RE/MAX to date. Built in partnership with Microsoft, Precinct is a one-stop RE/MAX members’ portal, where members have easier access to key tools, resources and training, share ideas through social media, get real time network alerts, celebrate successes, and utilize Microsoft productivity tools. It is our RE/MAX service that’s available to any agent anywhere in Australia or New Zealand, agents who need and want to be more mobile. Our industry is in a constant state of innovation and change. Precinct is no different and will continue to grow and adapt to our members’ needs. Precinct is the first step in a greater innovation program as we make RE/MAX the #1 community for real estate professionals.

The big winner is… everybody wins.

Joel Davoren, Franchise Director

Josh Davoren, Marketing Director

Thinking bigger in a world of change

Client belongs at the heart of the process

It seems like we, and our industry, are becoming something different. We are surrounded by, consumed by, assisted by, hampered by, and amplified by technology. Technology is here to improve and enhance what we do - Precinct for example - and not necessarily replace it. There are some industries where this will inevitably happen. Real estate is not one of them. At the heart of our business is a transaction. What we do is not easily duplicated as it is unique in every single transaction. It is, therefore, hard to replace. At the heart of the transaction are people. People will do business with people they trust. When people trust you, you can influence them. So the more people that trust you, the more people you can potentially do business with. In this ever changing industry, thinking bigger might just be as simple as understanding that we need to embrace the amplifying benefits of technology at the same time we give equal weight to the basics of building strong, trusting relationships with our clients.

Communication and collaboration are most important skills for a real estate professional to master because they ensure the client is always at the heart of the process. Get these right and sales agents, administrators, property managers and business owners give clients a superior experience. In a world with so much ‘noise’, communication is paramount. While broadcast media continue to report their market predictions, the reality is that this national and (occasionally) interstate commentary cannot feasibly cover the intricacies of every market in Australia and New Zealand. We believe it is the role of the real estate professional to be the source of reliable and up-to-date information. This position of trust will only truly be valued when information is relevant and delivers insights that our clients cannot gain elsewhere. Collaboration is a skill that technology cannot disrupt (not in the real estate space any time soon). Understanding the specific and unique motivations of each person in a real estate transaction sounds obvious, but is not always easy. The real estate professional’s role is not to manipulate motivations but guide a process that achieves a satisfactory outcome for all. Choppy waters to navigate but when done right, incredibly effective and rewarding.

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The Edge Real estate agents today cannot afford to be ‘average’. In the business of helping sellers sell homes and buyers buy homes, an agent’s future is in delivering exceptional services. People’s experiences and the relationships you build with them… that’s the ‘think bigger’ in RE/MAX. And in a network of exceptional agents, these are those whose initiatives are extraordinary – giving them ‘the edge’. Introducing…

Brok Milligan’s 25 Days of Giveaways “Hey guys, Brok Milligan from RE/MAX Go For Sold and welcome to my 25 Days of Giveaways where you could win a prize, simply by joining me LIVE at 7pm each day from December 1st to December 25th. So congratulations, you’re all now one step closer to winning today’s prize!”

plays a video. The audience tags

And so it begins as each evening in the lead up to Christmas Day, the Palmerston North, NZ, agent invites the Facebook audience to play his game. Each evening he opens a box on his giant Advent calendar and

First token to the bottom of the

people for a chance to win a place in the semi-finals – the more people they tag the more chances they have. Brok chooses three and assigns a red, white or blue token. We then watch the three pucks plink, bump and bounce their way down the game. plinko board is the winner. Brok looks into the box to find out what prize has been won. Last year it all began with eight passes to Daytona Indoor Raceway, Palmerston North.

VIEW asked Brok a few questions: Do you have 25 different sponsors? I actually reserve five boxes for myself, and I personally sponsor those boxes. The other boxes are sponsored by local businesses. I have a gym, a few restaurants, few leisure activities, carpet cleaners, movie tickets, the list goes on.

Is this the second year you’ve done this? Yes. It is now an annual event, and I’m anticipating being ‘That calendar guy’. The first year, it was as simple as fill the calendar, make a video, post it! It was a very basic concept. Before I decided to do it again in 2018, I needed to recreate the concept. Then it hit me, Facebook LIVE! But that wasn’t big enough. I wanted more winners, more excitement, and more exposure. That’s when a semifinalists race came about. At first it was a winner’s wheel. I even created it, but I didn’t love it. If I don’t love it, how can I expect anyone else to? That’s when I made the plinko board. That was the winning recipe for last

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year’s concept. But what about the sponsors, I know, a video! But how will I add it into a live feed… See how it’s just getting bigger and better, A bit of a snowball effect. Logistically it’s an absolute nightmare!

What do you do for sponsors? I had my property videographer come on board and film a small video to help showcase the sponsor during the live feed. As a thank you gift, all the professional footage is gifted to the business, which they can then use for their own social media marketing. It’s also good for my videographer’s business, and mine. Everybody wins!

Is the final box opened on Christmas night? The first year, you had to submit your email to enter, but I took the original concept and made it much more interactive. Yes, the final box was opened on December 25th at 7pm.

When you tell your audience to ‘tag people for chances’ (to get the red, white or blue token), what do you mean?

I ask them to tag everyone and anyone they know. The more individual comments they make, the higher their chances are of being selected. I select the semi-finalists using software, which I run three times, allocating a token to each semi-finalist. Then it’s a race to the finish, winner takes all. The audience gets bigger and bigger as each day happens because of all the tagging.

How did you come up with the idea? I can’t recall exactly. The 12 days of Christmas is more common but I’m naturally a ‘go hard or go home’ kind of guy! I just think of things, I think some more ideas, do research, expand and boom! I am ALWAYS coming up with ideas that are absolutely ridiculous but doable if you have the funds and “go get it” attitude.

Who constructed the fabulous Advent Calendar? How big is it? My brother-in-law and I constructed the calendar back in 2017. It is 1.8m high and 1.8m wide. It has most certainly earned its title as being a GIANT ADVENT CALENDAR.

This year, I constructed the plinko board for the Christmas Race, and together they make a mighty fine concept.

Any changes planned for this year? I’ll have the plinko board and calendar in place as is because I think the current concept is great; however prizes will be even bigger and better. At some point in the future of my ‘25 Days of Giveaways’, I’m going to give away an overseas trip or a car or something just absolutely ridiculous! I just know it! That’s my goal here: to be known as the real estate agent who gets things done but has some fun along the way.

Find Brok Milligan on Facebook

RE/MAX Go For Sold sales associate, Brok Milligan, describes himself as an ‘aim for the stars’ person. For his customers, that translates to an agent who aims to exceed expectations. Plinko debuted on the popular American game show, The Price is Right, on January 3, 1983. It is similar to the game, pachinko, from Japan, where pachinko machines were popular as far back as the 1920s.

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Love affair with renovating

When looking at ‘gems to renovate’, look out for properties with the capacity to build another house in the rear for example.

In July last year, a one bedroom unit in Brisbane, Australia sold for more than $2.6 million, which was a pretty staggering figure at the time. It hadn’t even made it to the market. The buyer came from the agent’s database. The one-bedder was originally part of a three-bedroom, three bathroom apartment that had sold in 2015 for $2.3 million. The story made the papers, but what it didn’t tell was how much had been spent on the renovation.

and stress as well as financial block. A helpful rule of thumb is to allocate no more than ten per cent of your current property value on renovations, with the bathroom coming in at about two per cent and the kitchen perhaps a little more.

Now there’s the rub.

Engaging the experts

How much should you spend on renovating?

Be clear on who is project managing the job. Decide early what trades you will need to hire. Seek recommendations and quotes. If you are planning to be ‘on the tools’ yourself, recognise your limitations.

First question to ask yourself: Am I renovating to stay or renovating to sell? Let’s tackle renovating to sell. It’s relatively easy to find stories about houses increasing in value post-renovations, but profitably transforming an average property into something spectacular involves strategy.

Planning involves: Research Include in your checklist: neighbourhood demographics and current design trends and tips on renovations that appeal to modern tenants, stand the test of time and won’t date the property. New Zealand Master Builders suggests a great place to start is the House of the Year website, which features the best new homes and renovations across all budgets and categories. Approvals Find out if you need council approval – or body corporate approval – before you begin renovations. Finances A budget is in order, to include materials and labour, plus an allowance for the unexpected. Most renovations involve limitations, and can include time constraints

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Renovation realities Kitchens and bathrooms tend to be the two renovation projects that will chew through a budget, but they are also two rooms that can make such a difference to a home’s appeal and be quite the selling points. Renovating these spaces can impact on functionality; an updated, fresh look; safety; efficiency; and overall comfort and the experience. A Master Builders Australia survey last year found that the number of bathroom renovations had jumped 25 per cent in two years. A very basic bathroom renovation may average $6,000 to $12,000 depending on size and quality. Tip: Keep the costs down by not shifting the existing plumbing points. Updating a medium sized bathroom with mid-range products in Australia or New Zealand may cost $15,000 to $20,000, perhaps to $30,000… though you can go high as you want when you get into the realms of luxury. In truth, the cost of renovation is not something that can be determined purely by the size of the room or

chosen style. Costs vary significantly depending on location, chosen fixtures, materials, trades required and contractors of choice, for example.

And after the renovation When it’s all done and dusted, and it’s time to see what your efforts have been worth, be careful about having unrealistic price expectations. You cannot presume the property will sell easily, and you must heed market research. Here’s another way of looking at renovation for profit. Renovate with the intention to retain and rent the property. This may have benefits though depreciation, avoiding tax and duties, higher rental return and lower vacancy because tenants are attracted to your newly renovated property, plus the fact you are building your asset base and have capital growth potential.

Who’ll provide the shelter? BY MICHAEL DAVOREN

When governments of any persuasion start talking about making changes to those things that incentivise investors, people get concerned. Rightly so. Government legislation can seriously affect how society can meet the need for shelter. In Australia, we are heading towards an election. Should the Labor Party’s proposed negative gearing and capital gains tax changes be subsequently introduced in the fallout of that election, impacts will be felt. Shelter is a basic human need - like air, food and water. All people need shelter - an ongoing, sustainable supply of decent, habitable shelter. In some countries, including Australia, homelessness is already an issue with housing availability under pressure. The rather large percentage of households that rent – currently around 30 per cent in Australia and around 37 per cent in New Zealand – will need investors who are willing to provide rental housing. A great percentage of those providing shelter for everyday Australians and New Zealanders are ‘everyday’ landlords and property investors, not just the alreadywealthy making even more money through rentals and growing portfolios. What is the main reason these ‘ordinary people’ are investing? It is because there is a tax incentive.

The need for shelter is being met because investors have tax incentives. Incentives for the average person to be involved in the supply of housing is critically important, and it is only through financial incentives that people are likely to be involved.

will disappear and that basic need for shelter will be shaken to its core. It will affect people from all walks of life, and from all financial levels, exactly as occurred when the Hawke government removed negative gearing in 1985. Capital Gains Tax was introduced in September that same year. Six months after Treasurer Paul Keating announced the removal of negative gearing, it was reinstated.

Realistically there is no other reason. No matter how wishful we might be and how philanthropic we’d like to think people are, the average ‘Joe/ Josephine’ won’t be involved unless it is to create wealth through financial gain.

While words are often tossed around

Most people don’t become landlords for purely altruistic reasons. They are investors, and in a business that they should not be penalised for. And property does not have an unfair tax advantage over other investments, as some have suggested.

or make any mention of government-

in the guise of election promises, there is no real talk of government stepping up to meet rental demand. I have heard no government, no party, no politician and no public servant address who is going to fill the gap, assisted housing, in a way that fills me with great confidence in a 2019 approach or outcome. My genuine concern is for the percentage of renters who will be

New Zealand’s housing shortage continues to worsen, especially in Auckland, though an increase in dwelling consents has been greeted with confidence. However, it is acknowledged that the cumulative decade of housing shortage will take some time to tackle.

affected by increasing competition

Whether Australia or New Zealand, someone has to supply the housing, and in the short term – today and tomorrow - not just in the future.

Incentives that encourage investors

Take the incentives away – or introduce disincentives - and the investor will flee. Their motivation

because both renters and owner

for less rental stock, and higher rents. Where will they turn when the supply of rental properties dries up? When a government pulls incentives for investors, there’s likely to be more suffering and homelessness. to provide housing should be balanced against the needs of people to provide their own housing, occupiers make up the population of a nation, and both need shelter.

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ON LOCATION

Gladstone, Queensland, Australia Where are we? A short flight north from Queensland’s capital, Brisbane, is the coastal city of Gladstone – the gateway to the heart of the southern Great Barrier Reef. With warm weather all year round, it is a water and marine hotspot, which proudly boasts one of the highest percentages of boat ownership per capita in Australia. Gladstone has a strong and dynamic economy and is known for its skilled workforce and employment opportunities. Its primary industries are natural resources and commodities related, with the city home to two of the world’s largest alumina refineries. It also has a large marine and shipping industry, with the Port of Gladstone one of the largest multicommodity ports in Australia. Gladstone’s industry is shifting, with tourism rapidly becoming one of the city’s economic drivers. Home to a population of 64,000, Gladstone is a great place to live, work, play and invest. It’s where you’ll find RE/MAX Gold and Shane McLeod.

After a six-year declining market, Gladstone is experiencing a positive recovery.

The Lifestyle:

The average house price is in the high $200,000, with prices strongly expected to rise as Gladstone’s economy improves.

is fishing, water sports, snorkelling,

House prices and vacancy rates are improving, with investors and young families looking to move to the region showing an interest. With some of the best buying conditions in over a decade, Gladstone is moving away from being driven by big industry, with a more sustainable market in place for the future, making it an ideal location for owner occupiers with employment and for investors.

Marine and outdoor living is a big part of the city’s lifestyle. Whether it diving or just enjoying the beautiful beaches and waterways, Gladstone is the place to be. Gladstone Harbour is a beautiful place to wander and explore; and with world-class beaches to the north and south of the city, and beautiful ranges to the west, the region as a whole offers much to explore. Heron Island has some of the best snorkelling and diving sites in the world and is just a boat ride away, with regular day tours on offer.

In Shane’s view: I’m a born and bred Gladstone local, but I’m not biased. I just love the city, as does the whole real estate team. It’s really evident in the way we do business, promoting the region and doing business internationally while delivering personalised local service to the community. Gladstone has a great lifestyle; and while the city has grown and changed significantly over the past 15-20 years, it is still a great place to raise a family and enjoy.

The Market:

It’s a big city now, but it still has that country feel, which is what I love.

Gladstone has always experienced a fluctuating market, which is common in cities where industry is a big driver, but the city is coming out of the red.

A lot of people are drawn to the area for career opportunities, and for this reason Gladstone has a lot of investor interest. But the lifestyle here is too good to give up: they get hooked on Gladstone and end up as locals.

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The open home and the seller Things sellers often think: “I think I’m the best person to show a buyer around my home.” Buyers need ‘space’ to imagine themselves in the home, not you telling them how you use the spaces. Your agent is the one with all the experience and expertise, so allow them to do what they are best at.

“You won’t be able to answer their questions.” Through open discussion, you have given your agent an excellent and in-depth understanding of your home’s features. Any questions your agent can’t address on the spot, they will bring to you for answers and then get back to the buyer, which is a good thing because it keeps the conversation flowing.

buyers can choose to watch if they wish, but remember they generally have less than half hour in your home at the open home.

“I don’t think they will see how good the location is.” This is information you will have given your agent. Buyers tend to do their own research, driving around streets, checking out schools and local facilities. What about putting up a display board, or a digital screen, with pictures to show them? A great point of difference that will help them remember your house!

Knowing you are the owner of the property, a buyer may be too polite to ask the questions they really want to ask.

“I have so many things I want to tell them.”

“How will you keep an eye on strangers in my home?”

Potential buyers like to look around and keep their thoughts to themselves.

It is sensible to remove and secure any valuable items, prescription medications and poisons.

If you talk at them, they may be so overwhelmed they won’t say a word.

Your agent is experienced at conducting open homes, far more so than you. They will talk you through making your driveway and walkways safe and easy to navigate, having good lighting and placing signs by any really tricky spots.

If they want to know more, they will talk with the agent and return. Have a short video of yourself that

In almost all circumstances, the best place for the seller to be during an open home is away from the home. It doesn’t have to be far away, just somewhere to relax while your agent represents you and your home. Here’s a better way to be of value. •

List your favorite parts of their home and tell your agent why you love them.

•

Spend 15 minutes with the agent before the open home, just to talk openly and honestly about your expectations, and to listen to how much the agent knows about your home already.

•

Plan to do something you enjoy while the open home is on. Maybe try that new coffee shop you’ve been dying to get to. Take the pets with you.

“I don’t want just anybody buying my home.” Selling is emotional but you can’t allow yourself to get personally involved with potential buyers. (That said, once they’ve bought you may become firm friends, sharing a common love, the house!)

You are at risk of telling them too much. What you are interested in, what’s important to you, may not be interesting or important to them.

What you can do to is to make sure your homeowner’s insurance is upto-date.

When it’s raining, ask visitors to remove shoes to avoid potential slip and falls. Use doormats.

And in preparation, five of the best – •

Appliances – have them looking as good as they can be, inside and out.

•

A working sprinkler system (or remove it)

•

Window sills

•

Clean screens

•

Tidy pets’ toys, bedding, play and feeding areas

You and your agent share the same goal: to sell the property for the top dollar – so work together to achieve this.

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Real estate: a great career choice I guess you could say I was born into this industry – my father, James (Jim) Davoren, was a Gold Coast real estate identity from the mid-1960’s to early 80’s. BY MICHAEL DAVOREN Real estate has never been ‘just a job’ to me, so I have been very happy to see it moving toward being considered a profession over the past decades, albeit not as far or as rapidly as I would have liked. In today’s industry, the average and below won’t survive. Currently, not every person needs to enter real estate with a university degree, but more and more new people to the industry have a degree, or two. I returned to study in 2006 after 34 years in real estate, enrolling in an MBA, and I am very glad I did. It was incredibly valuable as I, and the real estate industry, moved forward. Someone who shares my passion for the industry and belief in the role education should play is John Cunningham, who set in motion his goals of turning the industry into a profession, forging positive change for agents and consumers alike, while Real Estate Institute of NSW president.

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How do you think the real estate industry for professional careers and career paths? It is not a career path on most people’s radar, certainly not as a ‘first choice’. That said, we are seeing more highly educated people – young and mature - coming to the industry than we did a decade ago. There is a perception about the real estate industry that needs to change and until it does, a real estate ‘job’, for most, may be a fallback position. The industry must set that change in motion by asking ‘what is an agent?’ That’s the pointer to a valuable profession. The second is to address industry entry qualifications.

What currently exists for agents wishing to pursue a professional path? While there are real estate networks and industry associations with strong professional development programs, and some excellent trainers, generally the onus is on the individual to take a particular career path and course of study.

We have the means to acquire the ‘knowledge’ of real estate, but what’s missing is the ‘ethics and standards’ component. That’s a critical failure in the existing training. There is no ‘official’ standard for career entry or steps along a professional path; and we look for a willingness across the industry to address this.

Where would you like to see this progress to? Ideally, university accredited courses leading to a degree in real estate would exist, with specialist fields. As such, you would hold a Degree in Real Estate-Economics or Real Estate-Business rather than the other way round. A start would be a Diploma in Real Estate as the official standard, recognised in New Zealand and Australia-wide. The goal is for every agent to be a professional agent, in the formal sense; but it’s a process, changing one perception at a time… and ‘will’ comes before ‘skill’.

How do you think the outcomes of this new direction will affect consumers and agents? It is undoubtedly positive for both. If it is good for the consumer then it is good for business. Real estate is a world of high value – low frequency transactions. It’s a place where

Q&A

with John Cunningham, Managing Director, Cunninghams

having the ‘flashy car and brightest teeth’ is not the answer. Our value to the consumer is what matters.

move away from a singular focus on the traditional skillsets towards connecting with consumers.

A CoreLogic survey of New Zealand vendors last year found that agents, while excellent practitioners of their craft (presenting property, marketing, sales patter), less than a third excelled in matters of communication, empathy and relationships. The focus was all on skills – the short term – versus relationships – the long term. The emphasis on training needs to

In addition to familiar roles, what professional opportunity may the real estate industry offer? When qualifications and career paths are formalised, roles within the industry will diversify. There’ll be opportunity for transactional careers – handling price negotiation, for example – and professional

advisory careers – such as property investment advisor. This will translate to multiple roles, as will increased specialization within the industry, which will move beyond sales, property management and commercial, for example, to real estate development, finance, sustainability and so on. EDITOR’S NOTE: Michael Davoren and John Cunningham both featured in Elite Agent magazine’s 2018 Industry Influencers.

why.remax.com.au | why.remax.co.nz

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ON LOCATION

Bribie Island, Queensland, Australia

Where are we? At the northern end of Moreton Bay in Queensland is the coastal town of Bribie Island. As the only island in the Moreton Bay region to be connected to the mainland by bridge, it is home to a population of approximately 33,000. Located approximately 60km north of Brisbane, the island stretches a further 34km up the eastern coast. While Bribie Island’s residential area sits in the south, the majority of the island remains uninhabited,with national park covering 55.8 square kilometres. Stunning beaches and the beautiful Pumistone Passage Marine Park border the island making it a popular destination for people to visit, stay, play and live. Bribie Island maintains a relaxed coastal lifestyle, but also has excellent facilities close at hand with great shopping, restaurants, bars and galleries. In all, Bribie Island is in a wellpositioned location, close enough to the CBD of Brisbane, but far enough away to enjoy a relaxed beachside lifestyle.

The Market: Bribie Island is a very tightly held market with strong buyer demand, and generally low stock by comparison. It is predominantly a lifestyle market, with an emphasis on

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waterfront living a driver for out-oftown buyers. It’s the location of Victoria Nicholson’s real estate business, RE/MAX Advanced. Bribie Island property prices vary to an extent depending on the area in which buyers are purchasing. Dry block homes average anywhere from $418,000 - $725,000 and waterfront living priced higher, ranging from $850,000 to $3million AUD. In recent years, Bribie Island has moved away from being a seaside village to a thriving lifestyle destination and, for that reason, demand for property in the region has strengthened.

The Lifestyle: Many people make the move to Bribie Island for a lifestyle change,

with a large proportion of the population being semi-retired or retired. That said, Bribie Island is also a popular location for families and professionals, and attracts many day visitors due to the Island’s accessibility and the many free and natural activities on offer. There are a number of beautiful beaches, including Woorim Surf Beach, and Red Beach - a stunning stretch of untouched beach perfect for fishing or a relaxing stroll. Pumistone Passage is a popular destination and provides a haven for stunning scenery and sea life. There’s also plenty on offer for those seeking an outdoor adventure, with fishing, four-wheeldriving, skydiving and jet-skiing, to name a few.

In Victoria’s view: I have lived and worked on Bribie Island for more than 25 years and love providing a first class real estate service to the Bribie Island community, along with my team. I moved to the region to be closer to family and enjoy a warmer climate, and have lived all over the Island. Each suburb is as good as the next. Bribie Island is a place that can be enjoyed by anyone. It’s a thriving hub that offers an abundance of free outdoor activities and entertainment. There’s always something new to see or do, with visiting best enjoyed by setting your clock to island time.

The DNA of an Auctioneer

Jennifer E Kent talks with Dene Tucker, Director, RE/MAX Auction Services.

He’s one of the best in the business, and while Dene Tucker’s expertise extends beyond auctions, it is his passion that has led him to excel both as an auctioneer and mentor. I sat down with him to discuss the notion of what makes an auctioneer. Is it something they are born with; and what exactly is ‘it’?

JEK: Are there certain characteristics that make for a great auctioneer? Absolutely. First and foremost you need to be able to laugh at yourself, and let go of any ego. The way in which you speak to others and connect with people is important. Having personality is a given, but the fast-paced nature of auctions requires an ability to think on your feet and be quick-witted. And you need genuine advocacy for the seller, and really want to get the job done.

JEK: What about ‘learned skills’? There are two main skills - the theatre (process) of auction and strong negotiation skills. These are both learned skills and a strong auctioneer must have the ability to ensure they complement each other.

JEK: What does an auctioneer’s responsibilities involve, aside from calling an auction? You don’t just turn up the day of the auction! You are part of the entire

marketing campaign, establishing a relationship with the seller and the agent from the beginning, being available throughout the campaign, having a presence at the reserve/strategy meeting through to the auction itself… is important. Also, on the day of auction, being approachable and mingling with buyers to get to know their motivations prior to auction.

JEK: How important is the auctioneer-seller-buyer relationship? It’s important that an auctioneer gets to the buyer’s level fast. This comes from understanding their motivation to buy, resulting in confidence for both buyer and seller at auction. Maintaining these relationships is incredibly important. From a seller’s perspective, having communication throughout the auction process, in particular throughout the auction call, is vital.

JEK: How does calling an auction relate to theatre? A common misconception with auctions is that it is ‘all for show’. Granted, it is theatre - with the auctioneer taking centre stage - but there’s nothing smoke and mirrors about it. Quite the opposite actually, and it is the auctioneer’s responsibility to ensure transparency. Reading an audience comes naturally to some, and is a highly valuable skill to possess. Understanding and being conscious of body language and eye movement will help in understanding when to push and when to back off. Being able to connect with the buyers is important.

JEK: Do you need to have a ‘big’ personality to become a successful auctioneer? There is no doubt that a person’s personality plays a part; but in saying that, there is no one type of personality that best suits the profession of auctioneer. For some, when calling an auction, a certain persona comes out – almost an ‘alter ego’ in some cases. People are drawn to charismatic people. Whether that comes naturally to them or is part of their stage persona, having a strong stage presence and delivering with confidence will undoubtedly lead to a stronger engagement with the crowd/buyers.

JEK: You must work with many different personalities through your Art of Auctioneering course. People with different personalities, with different traits, can become successful in the profession. What they do have in common, which is paramount to the success of any auctioneer, is that they are all passionate about calling auctions. It is a large part of what individually gives them such a presence up there, and why people are drawn to them.

JEK: What is your advice for someone interested in becoming an auctioneer? The same advice I would give a client who is buying or selling. Make sure you experience the auction process first-hand. Listen to others’ experiences. And completely understand and trust the auction process.

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RE/MAX Events RE/MAX Australia July Rally RE/MAX Australia held its July 2018 Rally at the Victoria Park Golf Complex in Brisbane.

growth. Lachlan Anderson from RE/MAX First, Caloundra, was the top sales agent for the period, while RE/MAX Bayside Properties produced the top sales teams, the Neilson Team and Team Gould.

Michael Sheargold, one of Australasia’s most well-recognised thought leaders, who’s known as a champion of change for the real estate industry, was the first of two keynote speakers on the day. Bruce Sullivan, who managed his own businesses from his teens and established a million-dollar network by age 24, was the second, and concluded the program the message: ‘Be your BEST you!’

The Rally program included ‘edge-ofthe-seat’ auctions with the 2018 RE/MAX Australia Auctioneer of the Year’ competition where the three finalists gave it their all. Paul Gaffney, from RE/MAX Executives, Holland Park, triumphed over Yianni Mooney, from RE/MAX First in Caloundra, and Greg Mulvihill, from RE/MAX Riverside at Graceville, to take the title.

The network’s January to June top performers were awarded, with RE/MAX Bayside Properties named top sales and RE/MAX Ignite, in Brisbane’s River Hills, named top office for property management

RE/MAX Australia presented Make-A-Wish® Australia Business Development Manager, Rhiahne Ralph, with a cheque for $43,899, representing the previous 12 months of the network’s fundraising efforts.

Rally time in New Zealand RE/MAX New Zealand held its August 2018 Rally at the Novotel Ellerslie, Auckland, where the successful full-day event brought a focus on leadership to RE/MAX members. The first keynote speaker was Justin Nickerson, who is formally recognised as the leading auctioneer across Australasia. Relationships are the cornerstone of real estate business, he said, as he examined the power of information and transparency between the agent, buyer and vendor. Second keynote speaker was pilot, Everest mountaineer, adventurer and dedicated family man, Mike Allsop, who is living proof of his philosophy ‘if you believe you can, you will’. His accomplishments include an unguided Everest expedition and

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running seven marathons in seven days on seven continents. RE/MAX New Zealand awarded its top performers for the first half of 2018 to complete the Rally program. Winners were RE/MAX Go For Sold, Palmerston North; Team Lewis, RE/MAX Go For Sold; Donna Russell, RE/MAX Central, Rotorua, and Lisa Walden, RE/MAX Zest, Pokeno. Zoran Mulovski, RE/MAX Zest, Remuera, was announced the top performing commercial agent. Denver-based Cheryl Luster, RE/MAX Senior Global Development Consultant, travelled to New Zealand for the event, and presented RE/MAX International Hall of Fame awards to Debbie Aldred, RE/MAX Realty Group; Jeff Bracegirdle, RE/MAX Partners; and Cherry Holden, RE/MAX Team Realty.

Asia Pacific eyes on Australia and New Zealand Real estate business owners and agents from more than 25 regions traveled to Seoul, South Korea, for the fourth annual RE/MAX Asia Pacific Convention in August last year. More than 350 delegates attended, representing all 18 regions in the Asia Pacific, plus the US, Switzerland and others. Real estate specialists talked trends and prospects of the global real estate market, real estate systems in their respective regions and investment opportunities. Australia and New Zealand join 16 other regions in RE/MAX’s Asia Pacific network – South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Guam, Hong Kong, Macau, China, Japan, Taiwan, India, Sri Lanka, Mongolia, Malaysia and Myanmar – and participants agreed that the greatest value in being there was the ample opportunity given to network, establish and build on relationships and discuss relevant issues. The global real estate giant, RE/MAX®, acknowledged its top regional performances at the Convention, with Australia and New Zealand claiming four awards.

The Asia Pacific is proving one of the fastest growing regions for RE/MAX globally. “For the first time ever, the greatest growth in RE/MAX globally in terms of agent and office count has come from outside the United States and Canada,” said Michael Davoren, who is one of six regional owners on the RE/MAX Global Advisory Council. “Individual relationships formed at Asia Pacific Conventions are leading to genuine business being done.” There was keen interest in commercial real estate, and hotels in particular. “Incoming investors represent a broad range, from companies to families. And Asia Pacific is far more than just China in terms of business interest in Australia and New Zealand. Nor is it all one way. For example, Australians invest in the Asia Pacific – chalets in Japan ski fields, and holiday homes in Bali, Thailand and Sri Lanka.” Previous Asia Pacific Conventions have been in Singapore, Bangkok and the Gold Coast. The 2019 location is New Delhi in India.

Study tour to Mongolia Michael Davoren led an Australian/ New Zealand contingent to Mongolia at the end of August last year, coinciding with the RE/MAX Mongolia bi-monthly ‘We are RE/MAX’ training and awards event. Michael and others presented to 32 RE/MAX Mongolia business owners and 450 agents.

Interesting facts: There are more than 2000 Mongolian students in Australia. There are 1250 ‘Mossies’ living in Australia permanently. There are 650 Australians living in Mongolia. Read more about Mongolia in ‘Mongolia on the bucket list’ – page 28.

The visit involved three days of presentations, office visits, meetings, and tours of residential and commercial sectors and the countryside. With the feedback from the visiting party, plus the subsequent promotion about this year’s study tour, the size of the study tour group is expected to grow. (The 2019 destination was still under wraps at the time of writing).

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My name is Harry, or Harriet, and I am a hoarder There is little that makes life more difficult for a seller than being a hoarder. That’s because space in the home is the one thing that they are most likely to have little of. And everyone tells you that you that the way to present your home for sales is uncluttered, isn’t it. Well, you don’t tend to find much uncluttered about the home of a hoarder. If you happen to be reading this and a hoarder, please don’t feel you are alone. The International OCD Foundation says that Hoarding Disorder (HD) affects 2–4 per cent of people around the world. Yes, HD is recognized by IOCDF as mental health disorder where people have difficulty getting rid of possessions that are no longer useful. The IOCDF says a diagnosis of HD requires all three of the following: •

•

A person collects and keep a lot of items, even things that appear useless or of little value to most people. These things clutter the living spaces and keep the person from using the rooms as they were intended. The items cause distress or problems in day-to-day activities.

For the HD home owner, in most cases, the living spaces can no longer be used as they were intended, and moving through the home may be challenging. Extreme clutter can lead to eviction, increased risk for fire, and impaired access to emergency services Just to be clear, hoarding disorder is not the same as being a clutterer or a collector. Clutter is described as ‘a large and disorganized collection of usually unrelated or slightly related objects piled together in spaces designed for other purposes. Clutter often appears in storage areas. Sometime it can extend to bench tops, furniture tops, on the floor or in hallways.

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Collectors typically keep their possessions well-organised, and often seek to display them so others can appreciate them. But sometimes collections can get away from you! Simply collecting or owning lots of things does not mean someone has HD. So, while it is not uncommon for our homes to get messy and/or cluttered at times, this is not the same as having HD. However, while you may not have a mental health disorder, you do see yourself as a hoarder because you: •

Don’t like to throw away things that are cluttering spaces

•

To the onlooker, your belongings appear to be in disorganized piles throughout the home

•

Some spaces in the home are unusable due to clutter

•

The prospect of moving, especially downsizing, makes you fearful

•

You feel quite irrational about the ‘tidyup’ someone suggests your home might need before it goes on the market.

Most people go through periods during which they have trouble getting rid of things. What you need are realistic expectations. It is most certainly not as simple as renting a skip and throwing everything away. Your possessions are not trash. They are valuable to you, and give you comfort and pleasure. Here’s what you need to do. If your agent, family or a friend suggests that your hoarding habits may impede a successful transaction through your home not presenting at its very best, listen to them. Let them help you. And if the ‘decluttering’ process is too big for all of you, bring in the professionals.

Did you know: There is a web site for clutterers: clutterersanonymous.org

Size 8 or plus size. Where are we heading in our homes?

In 2017, Australia overtook the USA in the big house stakes. In an unofficial survey of ten countries, after them came Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Spain, Japan, United Kingdom and China. Last year, new-build dwellings in Australia ranked second largest in the world behind the USA. In fact, using ABS data, CommSec found the average footprint of a new Australian home was the smallest it had been since 1996. When Statistics NZ figures last year showed that the average value of new dwelling consents had fallen, it was suggested the reason was a reduction in the average size of stand-alone houses, townhouses and home units. New Zealand house prices have increased faster than other OECD countries since 1990. The size of new houses has risen substantially. In 1990, the average new house was just 125sqm. Last year it dropped to 215sqm. Let’s take a look at what Australians and New Zealanders are liking and doing when it comes to their homes. When realestate.com.au looked at properties listed on its website in 2018, the most sought after home in the nation was a four-bedroom, two-bathroom house with a double garage on 670sqm. Median house price was $680,000. New South Wales home owners mirrored this preferred home but faced a $895,000 median and a 639sqm block. Victorians like the same house, though with a lower median price and slightly larger block

than NSW. Queenslanders also liked their homes as per the majority of Australians, but were keen for more land than other eastern states, at approximately 688sqm. In Western Australia they liked similar size houses on blocks that sat between NSW and Victoria in size.

home, purchased and refurbished by a fashion designer and her family to create a spacious, four-bedroom, open-plan home that flowed seamlessly out to the deck and garden. A major DIY project restored a Christchurch villa to its former glory; while a Wellington couple downsized to a simple, accessible, solid and low maintenance 124sqm weathered cedar box with two bedroom, ensuite and main bathroom, study and two decks.

Three bedroom homes had most appeal in South Australia and the ACT, though still with two-bathroom and two-car garaging. Northern Territorians liked a 842sqm block with a spacious four-bedroom home. In Tasmania, it seems home owners will give up one of the bedrooms and even one of the bathrooms but prefer a larger block size.

And proving that small can still be ‘wow’, one couple opted for an amazing 7.2 by 2.4 metre cottage on wheels; whilst two 74sqm, two-storey, two-bedroom town houses looked stunning on a 300sqm site.

While a similar breakdown of buyers’ choices around New Zealand wasn’t found, some of the most-loved New Zealand properties in recent years, as featured by Homes To Love, demonstrate just how varied home owner appeal can be.

It seems that Generation Y, Millennials, couples and small families all want to live closer to work, cafes, restaurants, shopping and airports, and are prepared to give up living space for better proximity to such desirable amenities. Apartments could contribute to the smaller home size perspective, though apartments are not restricted to ‘small’.

The winner to come out of 2017, for example, was a home wedged into the surrounds of a supermarket, a carpark and a mishmash of shops. The small site’s commercial zoning gave the option to design to the boundary, resulting in a family home and studio with plenty of outdoor space, which seems much larger than its 159sqm. Then there was the eight year old

Where will housing be this time next year, and what trends will home owners have followed?

But have Australians and New Zealanders truly embraced the idea of downsizing to more affordable, low maintenance apartment living, or is owning a larger house with a big backyard still what most people aspire to? Perhaps only the future can shed some light on the past!

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The lending landscape -

a changing scene BY GEOFF BAWDEN, PIVOTAL FINANCIAL

In recent months, feedback from both sides of the Tasman implies that those involved in providing home mortgage finance have changed their lending policies to make it more difficult to borrow money. It seems important that we put some context around that, because while there has been some tweaking of policy, the significant changes have more appropriately evolved for two reasons, neither of which have much to do with individual Bank policy. Firstly we have seen much more intervention at central government level. Regulators have (sometimes quite aggressively) introduced new regulation aimed specifically at controlling both the volume and quality of new lending. This has all been designed to protect the consumer and, while it has done that, the outcome is that in many instances it has become much more difficult to borrow money. Secondly, and in part because of the regulatory framework banks are now required to conform to, we have seen them tighten their assessment processes. Don’t confuse that with policy. I am talking about the process they follow

to assess applications and customer ability to pay. There is a difference. It is also true that cheap funds (originating largely in the USA) are not so easily obtainable for local banks to on-lend. When you can’t make the same profit margins, you don’t have the same desire to lend money and you become more selective about who you lend to. In essence, we have moved from a free market where it was as much about price as anything else to a much more controlled environment where it is now more about credit fundamentals and demonstrating clear ability to pay in a timely manner. I hear you ask - if the Global Financial Crisis is over why is it becoming more difficult to borrow money? To understand the reason for that you have to understand just how close we came to a worldwide economic meltdown caused primarily through irresponsible lending. If the USA Government had not moved to bail out the American banking system when it did, the outcomes would have been more farreaching.

And many say catastrophic. The new regulatory frameworks being introduced by central governments throughout the world are a direct outcome of the Global Financial Crisis, and even though that may have long passed they are being introduced specifically to avoid the mistakes previously made. And where to from here? Well, it is just my opinion but I don’t see it becoming any easier to borrow money any time soon. And what that means if you are in the market to borrow money to buy a home is that you need to prepare much more thoroughly if you are to avoid disappointment. In the same way that you go to an accountant for advice on how to run your business, or a solicitor for advice on all things legal, the good oil suggests you should also go to a finance specialist when you are wanting to borrow money. Don’t leave that to chance. Use a finance professional who deals with a variety of lenders. They know the options that might suit you best; and, unlike the bank, they present more than a single opportunity.

Disclaimer: While all care has been taken in the preparation of this publication, no warranty is given as to the accuracy of the information and no responsibility is taken by Pivotal Financial for any errors or omissions. This publication does not constitute personalised financial advice. It may not be relevant to individual circumstances. Nothing in this publication is, or should be taken as, an offer, invitation, or recommendation to buy, sell, or retain any investment in or make any deposit with any person. You should seek professional advice before taking any action in relation to the matters dealt within this publication. A Disclosure Statement is available on request and free of charge.

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FOR SALE

"The Pavilions" Queensland, Australia 59 Seaside Dr, Banksia Beach

$2,950,000

David Wereszczuk CONTACT: 0407 657 455 davidwereszczuk@remax.com Karen Wereszczuk CONTACT 0409 255 756 karenwereszczuk@remax.com.au RE/MAX Advanced

"The Pavilions" a stunning Peter Clayton home that represents the ideal Bribie Island lifestyle. Situated on Bribie Island's premiere street, this architectural masterpiece has been designed for easy living with a touch of class & sophistication on a 920sqm allotment. The kitchen features burl wood cabinetry, midnight sky granite bench tops & quality stainless steel appliances. The master suite is on the upper level & is complimented by a full spa ensuite, WIR & a balcony with amazing views of the canal & the Glasshouse Mountains. The outdoor zones are nothing short of a luxury resort, you can spend the day relaxing by the pool or enjoying a morning swim in the heated 22m long pool. The entertaining area has canal views of the Pumicestone Passage, the ideal place to watch the sun set over the mountains. Add deep-water access it is perfect for all watercraft activities.

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FOR SALE

Quality, Luxury & Space Brisbane, QLD, Australia 31-35 Herbertson Road, Carina Heights

From $589,000 View: By Appointment or Open Home

David Cotterill CONTACT: 0433 230 680 david.cotterill@remax.com.au RE/MAX United Vision

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Expect the luxury of space; the elegance of contemporary European styling and the precision of a superior quality build. An array of two-storey floorplans see living spaces positioned on either the ground floor or upper level. Regardless of layout, each spacious home will boast 2.7 metre high ceilings, a landscaped courtyard and balcony, as well as the comfort of reverse cycle air-conditioning throughout Luxe Travertine-look floor tiling and timeless white kitchens contrast with contemporary timber and black accents, to create interiors that immediately feel like ‘home’. Meanwhile, there is no compromise for those who cherish alfresco entertaining, with large private outdoor areas; some boasting retractable roof pergolas.

FOR SALE

Brand New Luxury

It's time to come home to Finch Row

Brisbane, QLD, Australia

Your new home awaits, inspired by the Queensland coastal aesthetic and classic Hampton’s style, embodying all the warmth and uniqueness of home in the heart of thriving Coorparoo. Premium position, architectural sensitivity and intelligent design have converged in this extraordinary Finch Row residence, set out over 3 levels.

19 Nicklin Street, Coorparoo

3-4

From $735,000 View: By Appointment or Open Home

David Cotterill CONTACT: 0433 230 680 david.cotterill@remax.com.au RE/MAX United Vision

Only 4.7km to the Brisbane CBD and within easy access to modern transport hubs including Langlands Park Busway Station (400 metre walk) and Coorparoo Train Station (1.5km). Vibrant dining, entertainment and shopping precincts are on your doorstep, including Coorparoo Square (offering Dendy Cinemas and ALDI) and Stones Corner.

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FOR SALE

Montalto Residences Brisbane, QLD, Australia 19 Jones Road, Carina Heights

2-3

1-2

From $440,000 View: By Appointment or Open Home

David Cotterill CONTACT: 0433 230 680 david.cotterill@remax.com.au RE/MAX United Vision

Rising from the Carina Village and overlooking the entire suburb, your new neighborhood 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.

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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. These homes at Montalto feature Italian style kitchen with stone bench tops and Bosch appliances adding style to every meal. Entertain friends and family in inspired spaces that are every bit as relaxing as a traditional family home.

FOR SALE

Flinders Peak Winery Scenic Rim, QLD, AUSTRALIA Peak Crossing

10+

$6.5million AUD negotiable View: www.remax-a1.com.au/20030730 CONTACT: Ajay Bakshi CONTACT: + 61 435 778 899 aj@remax.com.au RE/MAX A1

FREEHOLD PROPERTY WITH BUSINESS - 4 Income streams - Organic winery with state-of-the-art distillery. - Accommodation (Bed and breakfast) - Licensed cafe - Function/wedding venue Flinders Peak Winery is located in the Scenic Rim Region. The sale includes 34.19 hectares of land, consisting of; One 9 bedroom house with 4 car accommodation and a swimming pool (owners residence); a cellar door outlet (currently being leased as a licensed café); care takers, 2 bed accommodation; 22 brick and tile short-stay residences (consisting of 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, single car garage – currently being rented as bed and breakfast and fully furnished); and 47 acre vineyard producing 20 tonnes of organic wine each year.

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FOR SALE

A delightful home New South Wales, Australia 9 Pooley Street, Queanbeyan

$650,000 AUD View: https://remaxcapital.com.au/

John Buckley CONTACT: 0429 843 777 john@remaxcapital.com.au

RE/MAX Capital

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Ideally located, with easy access to inner city Canberra and only 15 minutes the International airport, this exceptional 3 bedroom home is perfect for the growing family or the empty nesters. Ready to lock up and leave, there is ample space to park the caravan teenager’s cars. With nothing to do but unpack, 9 Pooley Street will be your best move this year. Make sure you view our 3D Virtual Tour to see what living here is really like. - The kitchen is exceptional in quality & design. - Offering a traditional formal lounge and dining. - Completely remodeled main bath and laundry. - The easy care yard has plenty of water tanks - The double garage offers internal access. - The 3rd garage is located at the rear and is perfect for a workshop.

FOR SALE

Cherish this lifestyle Canberra, Australia 7/15 Fox Place, Lyneham

By Negotiation View: https://www.remaxcapital.com.au

Locals love it and now you can too. Set in the heart of Canberra, this exceptional apartment offers so much more. With over 80m2 of terrace, you can be the entertainer and within minutes you are at the Australian National University or the restaurant strips of Braddon and Dickson. Despite the hustle of the city, this exceptional residence is peaceful and serene with the neighbouring wetlands and parks almost at your doorstep. View our 3D Virtual tour and see what living here is really like.

John Buckley CONTACT: 0429 843 777 john@remaxcapital.com.au

RE/MAX Capital

FOR SALE

Guaranteed to surprise New South Wales, Australia 1/13 Gilmore Place, Queanbeyan

$220,000 AUD View: https://www.remaxcapital.com.au

Need a companion? Yes, you and your fur baby can move into the unique offering in Gilmore Place. For those in need of a courtyard, this is not only your most economical option; it is also artistically designed and immaculately presented. Handy to the main arterials to Canberra and within a few steps of the supermarket makes this one a winner. Make sure you view the 3D Virtual tour to see what living here is really like.

John Buckley CONTACT: 0429 843 777 john@remaxcapital.com.au

RE/MAX Capital

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SOLD

RECORD PRICE IN STREET Brisbane, Australia 27 Nordenfeldt Rd, Cannon Hill

CONTACT AGENT www.remax.com.au Jacob Secco 0413 935 198 jsecco@remax.com.au Kath Chown 0458 912 906 kathchown@remax.com.au

RE/MAX Executives

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Stunningly restored circa 1920s Queenslander boasting traditional features throughout with a perfect North-Eastern aspect to capture the cool bay breezes. Exuding charm and grace with a mix of old and new, the home has multiple open plan living areas, spacious outdoor options and is complete with a separate detached fully approved dwelling. KEY FEATURES: * 1920s 4 Bedroom + study Queenslander * Elevated 810sqm double block * Meticulously refurbished throughout * 10ft ceilings, VJ's, fretwork, picture rails and polished timber floors * Established landscaped gardens give privacy front and rear * Sparkling In-ground pool * Fully detached 2-Bedroom dwelling

FOR SALE

ROYSTON HOMESTEAD 31 Wanganui Road, Marton Rangitikei, New Zealand

By Negotiation View: www.remax.co.nz/TL1034 Carol Lewis CONTACT: +64 27 444 4845 carollewis@remax.net.nz Mike Lewis CONTACT: +64 27 444 4845 mikelewis@remax.net.nz RE/MAX Go for Sold AlRose Limited MREINZ Licensed under the REAA (2008)

Up a long enchanting tree-lined driveway, hidden from the road, find Royston - an extraordinary, distinguished, significant and impressive 6 bedroom character homestead featuring 5 living areas & 3 bathrooms. This private sanctuary on fairytale grounds of 7423 m2, built in 1896, has always been a popular place for families & friends to gather for celebrations. Enter through the impressive foyer, & marvel at the ingenious floor plan with the ground floor accommodating formal lounge, casual lounge/family room, library, children's lounge, kitchen/dining combined, guest bathroom, butler's pantry, & excellent indoor/ outdoor flow to the veranda & sunroom enjoying all-day-sun. Then it’s upstairs to the six bedrooms & two further bathrooms. All the hard work really has been done, & it’s ready for a family to enjoy. View video on teamlewis.co.nz

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orientated and people connected in small groups. English is widely spoken in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar.

The 131-foot tall Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue is by the Tuul River at Tsonjin Boldog, where according to legend, he found a golden whip.

“I see the people as embracing the best part of Western culture, without losing the history of their own culture, especially in housing and shelter. Around 60 per cent of the people still live in yurts, and you see examples of this right in the middle of the capital city. “But while plenty of yurts are evident, not all property is low cost. We passed through golf course estates on the outskirts of Ulaanbaatar where prices ranged from $500k to $2mil US. More than half the population lives in Ulaanbaatar; they need to address infrastructure - but they already know this!” Approximately 30% of the Mongolian population is nomadic or seminomadic, and horses remain integral to the culture. Over one million people live in rural areas, mostly involved in traditional livestock herding and, to some extent, crop production.

Mongolia on the bucket list Mongolia, in east Asia, is a landlocked country bordered by China to the south and Russia to the north. Its population is approximately 3,129,000. The majority of its people are Buddhists, and the non-religious make up the second largest group. Michael Davoren led a small group of Australians and New Zealanders there last year. “You went where? people ask,” said Michael, “Why? is invariably their next question.”

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“Then, I tell them it’s a place of amazing people and amazing sights. And if there’s an opportunity, I’d love to get back there.” He describes Mongolia as very much a frontier country, with wealth predominantly coming from mining and tourism. Tourism, he says, is where there’s great opportunity for investment. “Anyone who goes to Mongolia says ‘Let’s look at the Gobi Desert!’ It’s one of the world’s great wonders and, here alone, there is ample opportunity to capture a greater tourist market.” He found the people amongst the most welcoming, friendliest and helpful he’s encountered, with Mongolia’s culture being very family

Land in Mongolia is under state ownership, though the Constitution provides for the possibility of private ownership of urban and arable land. Most private holders of land presently hold their land either through possession rights,

or use rights. Both foreigners and Mongolians can buy and sell developed freehold property, but the terminology is not ‘a sale of land’ but rather a ‘lease’ or an ‘Immovable Property Ownership Certificate’. By way of simple explanation, there are three major ways of holding land. 1. Every Mongolian is allowed to have a plot of land to live on for free for life. It is allocated by the government, generally where people already live. 2. If a plot of land comes to auction, priority and lower prices are given to ‘good public institutions’ such as hospitals, schools and libraries. 3. Developers can buy a ‘construction lease’ of generally five years, with conditions including submitting architectural plans within one year, start foundations within two and complete construction within five years when most prefer to hand the land back to the government. In 2018, RE/MAX Mongolia, owned by husband and wife team, Batbaatar Narantuya and Bujinlkham Bold, won the global network’s ‘Country of the Asia Pacific Region’ and ‘Leading by example’ awards. “Mongolians are people who search out every opportunity to learn, hence why we were invited to visit with RE/MAX Mongolia and network with 450 agents. They were very interested in making connections.

“When we visited the real estate offices, we found them similar to our own offices - modern, well-appointed and professional.

“I suppose that Australia was once as

“Wherever possible, striking balloon signs were used to give an office high exposure, and we saw a couple of high rise building with the RE/MAX balloon right up top. You could spot them from three or four blocks away.”

learn and keen to implement new

Michael noted that RE/MAX Mongolia had a youthful team.

family and personal contact remains.

“The average age of agents would be in the mid to low thirties. The agents are younger because the industry is younger in Mongolia.

comes before liking you, which

“Young people are jumping at the chance to get their start in the industry, and are coming in with very good education and experience to then hone their skills with the ongoing training that’s available.”

everywhere in the modern world.

Around 68% of the total population of Mongolia is under the age of 35.

That’s why returning is now on my

immature in its real estate industry, and while we may be a lot further ahead now, Mongolia is willing to ideas. “Technology is oozing into the real estate scene in Mongolia, and databasing is just a big as it is here, but I could see how important culture,

“In Mongolia, getting to know you comes before trusting you. Then business gets done, and that is really the basis of business just about

“It is a model of how real estate business and culture are linked in a country that is well worth visiting, and for more than just a flying visit. bucket list.”

Yurts are portable, sturdy, tent-like dwellings that have been the primary style of home in Central Asia, particularly Mongolia, for thousands of years.

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One of a kind

Heritage-listed ‘Crohamhurst Observatory

To an agent, every property they market, and every seller, deserves the same degree of attention and service. That said, every now and then something very special comes along that will stay in their mind long after the listing is over, the marketing campaign finished and the sale process come to an end. And being special may have nothing to do with sale price or the value of the marketing campaign.

Here are five such properties.

Scenic rim masterpiece For Lisa Psaras, RE/MAX Regency, it was a category five-rated, commercially designed hotelstyle grand residence of 1,022m2, plus caretaker or guest studio and industrial-grade four bay lock up garage, on 18.73ha in the Scenic Rim, Queensland. The owners had led the construction project from start to finish, and had landmark projects to their name including at Hayman Island,

Daydream Island and Kakadu National Park; the Hinze Dam spillway, Darwin power station, Gladstone aluminum smelter, as well as many residential and mixed-use buildings, commercial scale sheds, cinemas, warehouses and medical centers. In addition was a passion for interior finishes and creating environments that showcase their appreciation of their surrounds. It all came together in a masterpiece of grand design and proportions.

Weathering the years A heritage-listed property on 1.33 hectares made a lasting impression on Sandra de Jersey, RE/MAX First. ‘Crohamhurst Observatory’, constructed in 1935 for Inigo Owen Jones, who’s said to be Australia’s most famous long-range weather forecaster, sat perfectly positioned in a garden complete with rose bushes, a holly hedge, bunyas and hoop pine. The observatory building, with its three large rooms and a storage room, still had its original benches. Nearby on the property was a lovely renovated four-bedroom Queenslander relocated from Maryborough about 15 years ago. The property’s just 25 minutes from the beaches of the Sunshine Coast. Inigo Jones died on November 1954, aged 82, at Crohamhurst Observatory, from where he’d issued his somewhat controversial predictions for many years The Crohamhurst Observatory was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in November 2008.

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Fine winery

Mine host John Buckley, RE/MAX Capital, had the unusual experience of marketing a property that had originally been the main office for the Lake George Mining Co, and was constructed in the early 1890s. The mine closed somewhere around 1964. The office was now a magnificent homestead. The property came complete with its mining history and dramatic landscape. It was easy to

imagine as a homestay or similar. There were concrete silos and assorted fortifications and battlements, a dam that offered an Aussie take on the famous Lake Louise with its copper green colours and background of pine trees, and possibly the world’s largest home fire pit. The 37 hectare property was at Captians Flat, south of Queanbeyan, NSW.

Ajay Bakshi from RE/MAX A1 in Queensland was delighted with the listing of a winery in the Scenic Rim Region. The freehold property offered four income streams through an organic winery with a state-ofthe-art distillery, bed & breakfast accommodation, a licensed café and a functions/wedding venue. A nine-bedroom home with pool would make an enviable owners’ residence. Also on the 32 hectares was a two-bedroom caretaker’s cottage and 22 fully-furnished short-stay residences, each with two large bedrooms, two bathrooms and single car garage. Original planting of the 40- acre vineyard had begun in 2003/04, and consists of some 21,000 vines. Around 20 tonnes of organic wine are produced each year. Another five acres are planted with citrus. The property neighbours one of the largest camel farms in Australia. Ajay says the future may hold the world’s best vodka being distilled in the winery – from camel’s milk! That’s memorable!

Nuts to you RE/MAX Precision’s Aaron Thompson had a one-off with a high-yielding Macadamia farm. At a time when there was a lot of positive hype in the market over macadamias, the producing farm was the only one of its size on the market in Australia. Global demand for macadamia kernel is strong and increasing. The appetite and demand for macadamias in the market place is greatly outstripping supply. Australia contributes more than 30 per cent of the global crop. Each

year 70 per cent of the Australian crop is exported to over 40 countries but the biggest market for macadamias is Australia itself. The Bundaberg region is often referred to as the world macadamia capital.

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ON LOCATION

Wellington, North Island, New Zealand Where are we? Wellington is the capital of New Zealand and the second most populous city in the country, with a population of over 410,000.

due to the Government investing in the city’s infrastructure, bringing many job opportunities for both blue and white collar workers.

The city itself is a cultural mecca with an eclectic arts scene, excellent dining options and world class coffee.

Located on the south-western tip of the North Island, on the western side of beautiful Wellington Harbour, the city’s location makes it well placed for trade both locally and internationally.

There is a strong first home buyer market and with more than 80% of buyers outside a two kilometre radius, buyers are looking to invest further north.

The Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa Tongarewa, is a popular attraction for visitors, as is the Wellington Botantic Garden and Wellington Zoo.

The median house price in Wellington is currently sitting above $590,000. It is anticipated that while there will be an increase in supply on market, demand may decrease slightly.

While the city is the heart of culture and arts, Wellington welcomes residents to experience an outdoor lifestyle, with many parks and walks along the harbor. With the majority of Wellington’s residents living within three kilometers of the coastline, it is also a popular destination for those seeking adventure and is becoming a popular destination for mountain bike riders.

The capital’s primary trade is that of service-based industry and Government, but it has a growing skilled workforce thanks to major construction growth throughout the city. Wellington is a thriving city boasting many opportunities, particularly for young professionals. It is a creative and energetic city and is increasingly becoming recognized for its advances in technology and innovation. Home to a number of national museums, theatres and galleries, as well as a world-class culinary and coffee culture it is also a popular destination for domestic and international visitors.

The Market: Wellington’s property market has experienced strong growth over the past few years and while currently holding steady, property prices may look to subside slightly in future. The strength of the Wellington property market has largely been

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RE/MAX agent and long-time resident, Brent Allan, has a vested interest in promoting Wellington’s property market.

The Lifestyle: Wellington offers residents a variety of lifestyles, which is part of what makes it such an interesting city to live in.

Wellington offers residents a more relaxed and affordable lifestyle, with the cost of living below other major New Zealand cities.

In Brent’s view: I raised my family in Wellington, so I enjoy sharing my personal experience of living the Wellington lifestyle with my clients, along with my real estate expertise. Wellington has a lot to offer as a cultural centre, business centre and tourist centre but it also offers a great lifestyle. And the further north you get the more it becomes about working to live. It is a beautiful place, and it’s true that you can’t beat Wellington on a good day!

What is YOUR property market doing? What’s the market up to? Which market is that? The real point is that there is no one property market that every buyer and seller currently sits in. There are property markets all across Australia and New Zealand – in cities, in city suburbs, in country towns and in coastal locations, for example – all performing differently. Not only is each state or region at its own stage of its property cycle, but within each state or region different segments of the markets are behaving differently; and this extends beyond location to aspects like different property types. Housing is Australia’s single largest asset class, worth more than four times the value of Australian-listed stocks. In New Zealand, investment in houses represented around one third of all investor activity in a 12-month period. While we face low interest and inflation rates, numerous taxes and a stock market that is out of an individual’s control, real estate is more than an asset class; it is a longterm asset wealth growth vehicle too. Real estate may protect investment against inflation through the economic cycles and offer growth in response to increasing demand for property. Investment concentrations tend to be highest within the capital cities, and we are all very aware of Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland and the movements and maneuvers in those markets. Take those three out of the picture and look at investment

potential in other major cities, mining regions, coastal markets and other markets associated with tourism and lifestyle factors. Coastal and inland regions of all Australian states have the potential for rental return and capital gain. Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Gladstone, Wagga Wagga, Dandenong and Mount Gambier are fair examples here. In New Zealand, the average national property price climbed 65 to 70 per cent over a decade, putting in a better performance than the share market. Almost half the value of New Zealand homes is inside Auckland city but as that market takes a breather, look to the opportunities to in regional New Zealand: in Wellington, Christchurch, Tauranga, Invercargill and others. A massive opportunity to buy may exist in any Australian state or New Zealand region, so don’t allow two or three markets to taint the scene. The law of supply and demand is a basic economic principle, and prominent in the housing market. When there is a high demand for properties in a particular city or state and a lack of supply of quality properties, the prices of houses tend to rise. When there is no demand for housing due to a weak economy and an oversupply of properties is available, the prices of houses tend to fall. This doesn’t just apply to Australia

and New Zealand, nor to only contemporary markets. For example, the US experienced an economic downturn from December 2007 until June 2009, during the ‘Great Recession’. The real estate market collapsed in 2007 caused by a decrease in demand for properties, which in turn created an oversupply of houses and saw prices decrease. In 2011-2012 Australia, it was rising interest rates that brought property markets in many centres to a grinding halt, though prices didn’t actually collapse. In all markets, those buyers who have a sound investment strategy and understand the fundamentals of economic and property cycles are most likely to end up in a financially sound position. One strategy is to buy well-located properties for capital growth, add value and then hold for the long term; but the key is having a strategy, have a plan and stick with it. Choosing the right location may mean drilling right down to the right property-type in the right street, which fits into your budgeted price range. Each one of us is moving through a phase of a property cycle that will afford opportunity for investors who know how to take advantage of it. What should make sense to a buyer, or seller, is to look to the performance of the market they are buying, or selling, in, and seek out the experts in that market. Education and knowledge will be critical to your success.

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Time to take stock, and buy that next

one

If you own an investment property – just one – but are having an internal tussle about increasing your property portfolio, you might like to read on. Wherever you are, there is a property cycle that is moving to its next phase. Prices may be falling, banks may be making it harder for people to borrow… and it may be a completely different scenario to when you bought your first investment property. What’s holding you back? Did you get that first investment right? Congratulations, you did your research before buying property #1 and looked into location, historical growth for the area, infrastructure, accessibility, supply and demand, and rental yields. Yes, you purchased the right property in the right area and after a couple of years you are seeing enough capital growth to be positive with a deposit on number two.

Get strategic. It’s time to review the performance of your current property portfolio – albeit a portfolio of one – and it is still a good performer. So it’s back to research, to find the type of property where the people are still going to be able to afford to buy and rent, where they’re going to have good jobs, where they’re going to have rising wages. Real estate investment is a long-term strategy designed to help you reach long-term goals. If you wish to build your investment property portfolio, you must have a

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strategic property plan that works for you, but you don’t have to go it alone. Invest in the expertise of others, the financial people and the real estate agents, to make your property investments work for you. Get that team of advisors on your side.

Check individual performance Think of a property portfolio as a number of investments each having its own function. For example, how much rental income should a property bring in to ensure your portfolio is a good performer that allows for further growth? How do you expect each property needs to function in terms of capital growth in an anticipated timeframe.

Don’t feed the weeds The worst thing about an underperforming property is that it can stall your forward momentum. But what if it is your only property? Be strategic. Selling that first investment and starting again is not a backwards move if it allows you to purchase another property that better performs to the goals you’ve set for your financial future. And it is likely that lessons you’ve learned will hold you in very good stead. It’s back to research again, this time as a seller. Reality is that sellers often overestimate the value of their asset. Sellers think their property’s worth a more than it is, and buyers inevitably think it’s worth less than what the seller thinks. That’s where you need the local real estate agents, to help you make an informed decision.

STOCKTAKING • Re-assess your current portfolio. • Consider spending on improvements. • Check the asset that may be a high-profit sale. • Critically asses your debt management plan. • U nderstand that while debt is leverage, growing portfolios and reducing debts make for good company. • Watch for interest rate rises, which can reduce your return. • Rationalise - consider selling underperforming assets. • Aim to be cash-ready to take advantage of best investment buys. • B uy investment properties with solvable problems. • Choose markets where rental properties are in short supply/ high demand. • Pay good attention to the ‘what ifs’. Growing an investment property portfolio comes from formulating an investment strategy that will help you achieve your specific financial goals. After all, there’s no one path to success in an industry as unpredictable as property investment. Because each investor’s circumstances are different, it comes down to the objectives of the individual, whether you are you are looking for cash flow or capital growth, for instance.

ON LOCATION

Maleny/ Montville, Queensland, Australia Where are we? In the picturesque hinterland of the Sunshine Coast, approximately 90km north of Queensland’s capital Brisbane, are the quant townships of Maleny and Montville, home to the two offices of RE/MAX Hinterland owned by Mark Clayton and Michael Reck. With panoramic views of the coastline and Glass House Mountains, it is an ever popular spot for coast locals and tourists alike and one of the country’s most popular wedding destinations. Maleny is recognised as the main centre for the many hinterland towns, with local schools, supermarkets and retail stores, public library, health centres, and a multitude of cafes and artistic curios lining the main street of town. Montville is located just outside Maleny with a slightly smaller population, but still exudes the quaint charm of cafes/restaurants, curios, art galleries and more along the main street with million dollar views of the coastline. The region’s history began in timbercutting, before turning to dairy and farming in the early 1920’s. These days the region is still home to a number of dairy farms, although

tourism is now a big influence with people escaping to the region to enjoy its beauty and relaxed lifestyle.

The Market: The Sunshine Coast hinterland has experienced steady growth over the last few years, with strong interest from local and interstate buyers, many of who are semi-retired and looking to move to the region for more relaxed lifestyle. Over the last five years the median house price in Maleny has increased by 33.6% and is currently sitting around $605,000. Montville has experienced an increase of 40.9% with house prices sitting around $715,000. Both regions have seen steady growth, with reasonable demand for property and ready stock available. The local market is expected to

remain steady, with interest in buying in the area unlikely to waver.

The Lifestyle: For many, hinterland living gives the chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of city living, take a breath and slow down to enjoy a relaxed lifestyle. Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve is a popular spot for visitors, with stunning views of the Glasshouse Mountains, as is the beautiful scenery throughout the Kondalilla National Park. Maleny and Montville are a foodie’s paradise, with a multitude of cafes and restaurants lining the main streets. A romantic dinner at Spicers Tamarind Montville, or a quick coffee at The Cubby House Maleny, is just a taste of what you can enjoy here.

In Mark’s view: The hinterland is just a beautiful and peaceful place to be. It is country living, but near enough to the beach and city. We are recognised as the number one hinterland real estate office, which we attribute to the way we feel about our market, our intimate knowledge of Maleny, Montville and surrounds and our real estate service in all aspects of residential sales, including lifestyle and acreage living.

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Get your ducks in a row

plenty of property viewings and auctions. Use this time to fine tune your needs and wants.

Make an offer - sign a contract to purchase With a pre-approved loan, you’ll be in a position to move quickly, which will help you avoid being gazumped and you can bid with certainty at auction. A seller may even accept an offer prior to auction or below list price because they have a serious buyer. After making the offer comes the conditional contract, which hopefully the vendor accepts and signs. Both buyers and seller sign contract of sale.

The paperwork Here’s where you work with your finance specialist towards your formal loan approval, and when you will need to provide all that documentation. Your solicitor or conveyancer plays their part in reviewing legal documents.

Popular theories on this saying’s origin include:

as your current savings and credit history.

• It’s a mother duck leading her ducklings in an orderly single file.

You don’t need to find your new home before you can apply for a loan. A finance application helps determine if you qualify for a loan and measures your debt ratio, an important part of working out how much of a house you can afford.

• Early bowling pins were nicknamed ‘ducks’ manually set up between rounds. • Player ‘shoot’ moving targets, often duck-shape, in a popular carnival game. • In a 1901 issue of the journal, Recreation, a hunter got 42 wild ducks at once by ‘getting his ducks in a row’ while tempting them with corn in a trough. Whichever, the accepted meaning is to be well prepared or well organized for something that is going to happen. Before you buy, get your ducks lined up. With careful planning and preparation, and an organized approach, your home buying experience is likely to be a whole lot better.

Do your sums Focus on your finances and connect with a finance specialist. You need to know what you can afford to spend and repay. Your borrowing power is determined by your income and financial commitments, as well

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Get the tick of approval Now you know how much you can borrow, get your finance preapproved. For starters, it gives you a realistic budget to go house hunting with and it ensures you are treated as a serious buyer. Pre-approval brings peace of mind, even though it’s not 100 per cent guarantee you’d be granted a mortgage. It provides a level of certainty around what you can afford to pay for a property and you can feel confident that your loan application, subject to the property valuation, is likely to be approved. Those that have their financial ducks in a row are much more likely to come out on top during negotiations.

Know the market Research the area you are buying into by browsing newspaper and internet property listings, speaking to local real estate agents, attending

Arrange inspections and organise insurance A building inspection and pest inspection should come before exchanging unconditional contracts. Proof of building insurance is usually required by your lender as part of the home loan process.

Unconditional contracts Once your finance has been unconditionally approved and building and pest reports are satisfactory, the contract will become unconditional and the transaction moves towards settlement. (Timing depends on your contract and your local/state government). There may be duties to pay on settlement.

Sign mortgage documents Shortly after your loan approval, your lender will prepare their mortgage documents and loan agreements and forward to you or your solicitor to sign.

Pay and settle The keys are yours – congratulations! * The process of buying a house will differ depending on whether the house is sold by private treaty or at auction. Rules may also vary in each state or territory.

TIPS: • Take a pen • Take a tape measure • Take photos

Date:

Address: Agent Name / Contact details: Very first impression: KITCHEN

Storage / Butlers pantry

Size / Functionality

Flooring

Aspect / Windows / Lighting

# of Powerpoints

Sink / benchtops

Fridge Space

Gas / Electric Cooktop

Oven

Dishwasher

Rangehood

LIVING AREAS FAMILY

LOUNGE

DINING

MEDIA

Size / Functionality Connectivity (television) Flooring Heating / Cooling Windows / Lighting BATHROOMS MAIN

ENSUITE

POWDER ROOM

Size / Functionality Flooring Heating / Cooling Bath Shower Vanity Towel Rails Powerpoints Extractor fans BEDROOMS MASTER

BED 2

BED 3

BED 4

Size / Functionality Flooring Windows / Lighting Built-in Robes

Walk-in Robes

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ENTERTAINMENT AREAS Size / Functionality

Heating / Cooling

Aspect / Lighting

Shade

Seating

Outdoor kitchen

Deck

Patio

Concrete

Pavers

GARAGE Size / Functionality

Storage

Electric garage door

External/side door

Internal Access

Laundry

GARDENS / BACKYARD Size / Aspect / Functionality

Fenced / secure

Landscaping

Shed

Swimming pool

Watering System

Low Maintenance

High Maintenance

Storage

Alarm system

Smart-wired

Smoke detectors

Insect screeening

In need of work

Ventilation system

Dry

Ceiling Access

Hot water cylinder

Gas Heating

LOCATION & ACCESSIBILITY

GOOD

OVERALL

Public Transport Education / Schools Medical Work Shopping Dining / Entertainment Recreation Are there any compromises?

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ADEQUATE

POOR

Wearing my other hat.

A different playing field. always been his dream, however he’s not about to think of real estate as a poor cousin. “I am truly focused on a career in real estate at the present. “I plan on having a very successful career in real estate… and if NRL happens to fall into place, then great.” He says he is often asked about his ‘dream job’, and whether that’s with a state side or perhaps the Kangaroos.

When Dave Murphy’s not talking real estate on the RE/MAX Real Estate Services team, he’s out on the field playing on a very different team. Late last year, Dave was announced co-captain of Northern Pride, a Queensland rugby league club based in Cairns. Northern Pride is a development club – and feeder club to the North Queensland Cowboys - built around the phrase ‘born and bred.’ The Club was formed to create a regionally based talent development pathway for players, coaches and administrators; and it competes in the QRL State competition and the Intrust Super Cup. Dave first started playing as a five-year-old in the BundabergHervey Bay region before moving to Toowoomba for boarding school. Beginning his professional NRL career playing in the under 20’s for Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs in Sydney, he moved to Cairns and Northern Pride in March 2015. He plays lock, which is #13; and he is very aware of the work-life balance he needs to maintain in order to perform at his best on either team.

Training with Northern Pride is obviously a huge part of Dave’s life. “We train from 4pm to 8:30pm, four times a week, so I make some very early starts to my real estate day at times to make sure I stay totally on top of my game there.” Dave’s profile as a footballer has a positive effect on his real estate career. “I love connecting with people at all levels, and I find buyers and sellers are very keen to talk about football with me – and are incredibly supportive of my role with Northern Pride. “I think many of them would like to be out on the field with me.” Dave is very conscious of not allowing his two profiles to negatively affect each other. “I hope my real estate career will only ever benefit from the profile I have as a footballer.” He says playing professional NRL has

“I have always been driven by success, and I’ve never had a specific dream job. “I’m more motivated to be successful in whatever I choose to do; and, for the foreseeable and exciting future, that means being on a team that’s in the real estate industry. “And I’m loving it here, and can’t see myself being keen on moving… ever,” says Dave. Proving that the team is everything, on the football or real estate playing field, Dave’s success inspires others to succeed. “We work in a fast-paced dynamic industry; sales is a transfer of energy, and, when it comes to motivation and being successful, inspiration must come from within,” he said. Dave has a Degree in Property Valuation but joined RE/MAX Real Estate Services in April last year, moving into a real estate sales career. This year, he and brother, Ray, one of Cairns’ top real estate agents, who is recognised and awarded Australiawide and internationally, kick off their own sales team for RE/MAX Real Estate Services – the Murphy Team.

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ON LOCATION

Queenstown, South Island, New Zealand Where are we? On the shores of the South Island’s Lake Wakatipu and set against the dramatic backdrop of the Southern Alps is the city of Queenstown. It is one of New Zealand’s most popular tourist destinations thanks to its picturesque natural surrounds, stunning weather and endless opportunity for adventure. Queenstown is a mecca for commerce-oriented tourism, especially adventure and ski tourism, and is the number one location for year-round resort destinations. It is also a base for exploring the region’s vineyards and historic mining towns. The majority of jobs in Queenstown are tourism or accommodation related, and both population and employment growth have been amongst the highest in New Zealand. The resort town has an urban population of more than 28,000.

The Market: RE/MAX agent Brian McMillan has observed the Queenstown market move through its cycles over the past 13 years. Tourism and population growth have accelerated Queenstown’s property market with demand for property in the city exceeding supply. Mid 2018 saw Queenstown house prices hit a record median of $1.05 million NZD. Although the speed-of gains has slowed over recent months, the average gains show around 9.96% per annum when viewed across a 35 year chart. The region’s infrastructure and economic growth has also helped to bring on positive market figures.

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However, a very real shortage of homes suggests that prices are unlikely to fall in the near term. Dominating the buyers are out-oftowners, mostly from Auckland or Australia. For investors, strong rental demand plus growth pressures on housing stock makes for a healthy picture over the long haul.

The Lifestyle: Queenstown is arguably one of the most beautiful towns in the world, which may be in part what attracts people to the area. It is a place for adventure seekers and is a popular resort town that brings many

domestic and international visitors year-round. Skiing and snowboarding are popular activities during winter. Kayaking, rafting, bungee jumping the Nevis Swing as well as the many hiking trails surrounding the town offer plenty of places to explore and capture the stunning beauty of the region. Queenstown enjoys a very social lifestyle - there is always something on offer to explore or a new restaurant/ bar to try, and although the town shines during all four seasons, the peak seasons are winter and summer.

In Brian’s view: Without question, the dominant attractant to Queenstown is the environment and the lifestyle that many seek. However, the secondary feature that serves us well is the steady returns on funds invested in Queenstown property. For all its growing pains, Queenstown still retains an atmosphere and an attitude that ‘feels’ special, happy, relaxed and friendly. With its growth has come conveniences; shops and connectivity. Cheaper airfares don’t just bring folks in, but allows locals to travel too. After all my years here, I couldn’t think of a better place to live.

Lifestyle 2.0

We often hear of suburbs to look out for but their names seem to be in almost constant flux. Why is that?

Who decides this and what defines a suburb as an up-and-comer? Is this ripple manipulated by town planners, adept in the knowledge of what buyers are looking for and approving physical changes? Gentrifying, if you will? Or is it through revitalisation of older suburbs by new buyers adding to the changing character of an area? Suburbs in the throes of gentrification are often identified through owners renovating properties, generally purchased by buyers with higher income streams. This isn’t the only thing that signifies a growing area. The style of housing may change, but with this also brings a change in lifestyle. The process of change is often a slow one, with the shift in defining a suburb’s lifestyle not something that happens overnight. And it’s something buyers and investors eagerly follow. Or perhaps they’ve steered. Historically, the need to be close to the CBD was linked to higher education options and white collar employment opportunity. With that, restaurants, cafes, entertainment and the like were generally reserved for inner city locations. We are now seeing precincts of these types creeping further into middle to outer ring suburbs, reducing people’s need to travel when the lifestyle they seek is on their front doorstep. The shift in the landscape of buyers/ investors could be due to a number of influences, such as improved transportation, flexible working options and increase of local facilities

adhering to a more consumer-driven lifestyle. Add to that the growing popularity of services promoting a lifestyle of convenience then the move to these suburbs just about guarantees a particular lifestyle. Think UberEats or Menulog, for example, supplying a family meal to your door without the bother of cooking; or leaving the car at home and taking an e-bike to work– not only is it cost-effective but removes time spent sitting in peak hour traffic. People are drawn to these suburbs as they not only promote an affordable entry point and opportunity for property value growth, but the formation of these mini-city hubs – pop up art galleries, retail boutiques, cafes, bars and the like - reduces the need to travel far. Not only that, they create a community environment of their own and it is these new attributes that tend to influence buyers and investors. RE/MAX Riverside’s broker owner, Martin Hood, says that home owners are now looking for not just a home, but a lifestyle to buy into. In the 25 years he has been selling property, Martin says there has been a big shift into this café culture lifestyle. He says there’s a growing trend of boutique bars and

microbreweries moving into suburbs, which is taking over from the pub culture of yesteryear. “Cafes are not simply just a place that sells coffee anymore, they bring people together,” says Martin. “It’s a lifestyle that is not reserved for younger buyers either. Mature buyers, too, want to have a place to meet and enjoy the community close to their homes. This is a big factor when it comes to buying.” With the changing nature of people’s fast-paced lifestyle, the revitalisation of these suburbs is providing residents with the conveniences of a modern community. The shift works two ways. Firstly, through buyers looking to buy into an already established area; where change in housing style and density has already been approved under a town planning concept. Basic infrastructure, transport hubs and commercial zones may already be in place to support such developments. Secondly, through gentrification where-in buyers become the designers of the suburb itself, generating a need for local amenities/shops/facilities, which is in line with their own lifestyle choices. Regardless of the way in which the concept evolves, what has always been paramount when purchasing a home is that at the core to living a particular lifestyle is the community surrounding it. And the ripple this causes through suburbs is a positive thing for the property investor to watch for.

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ON LOCATION

Eastwood & Lidcombe, Sydney Inner West, NSW, Australia

Where are we? Eastwood and Lidcombe are located in the north-west of Sydney, New South Wales, and are positioned along the railway line connecting the outer suburbs of Sydney to the CBD. Lidcombe, just 14 kilometres from the CBD, has all the conveniences in the one place - supermarkets, schools, places of worship, health specialists and access to excellent public transport. There really is no need to venture outside this culturally diverse suburb. Seventeen kilometres from Sydney’s CBD is Eastwood, a suburb alive with culture. Eastwood still enjoys the rarity of a community-minded spirit that is often lost in inner city living; and with no major shopping centre, the streets are a cultural precinct of their own, with many different eateries, grocers and retailers, which in the evening and weekends come to life with locals and visitors. David Kim has established a RE/MAX K1 office in each suburb.

The Market: The property markets in Eastwood and Lidcombe are very similar to other areas across Sydney right now. General numbers of properties on the market are down and while the urgency has gone out of the market,

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buyers are still very much around and properties are selling fast when the property is priced correctly. Western Sydney suburbs, including Eastwood and Lidcombe, have experienced the biggest increase in Sydney property prices over the past decade. Eastwood’s median house price rose by 165.2% over this period with current prices sitting around $1.86million. In Lidcombe, buyers may expect to pay $1.31million after a rise of 143.6%. After significant increases in house prices over the last five years, prices have been holding steady, although the market has recently experienced a drop in clearance rates. Although the Sydney property market is cooling, high prices are likely to remain as demand for property remains steady against the backdrop of less supply.

The Lifestyle: There are a number of good schools, parks and recreational options throughout both suburbs making them brilliant, family-friendly suburbs and communities. They have an eclectic mix of cultures with a presence of Korean and Chinese families and businesses alongside others. There is a strong sense of culture throughout the area, which is largely characterised by many cultural celebrations and wonderful dining options. Eastwood’s main street becomes a vibrant open market at night, similar to what you would find throughout Asia. A culturally diverse and inclusive suburb, there is always something to see and explore.

In David’s view: I came to Eastwood from South Korea over 30 years ago, so I have a strong association with the area. I am truly passionate about this location in which I live and work. It is a wonderful place to be and there is a great sense of community. I’ve lived here for a long time now. I raised my family here. I still love it after all these years.

2019 outlook for foreign buying in Australia & New Zealand BY CARRIE LAW, CEO, JUWAI.COM

The most frequent question I am asked around this time of year is about the 2019 outlook for Chinese property buying. Here I try to give you some insight into what to expect in your local market.

Reliable Chinese buyers still like AU-NZ In Australia, a Chinese buyer paid AU$4.5 million for a second-hand downtown apartment in Brisbane, a record for the building, ‘Abian’. The vendors, who’d bought the unit off the plan, made an easy $500,000 in profit — even after investing $200,000 in renovations. In New Zealand, a 24-story Miamistyle apartment building planned for Auckland’s North Harbour set off a frenzy among local and foreign Chinese buyers when it was advertised online. The Chinese buyers snapped up 20 apartments per week. As these examples and many others show, Chinese buyers are still important in both countries. They help soften effects of a slowing property market on vendors looking for as much value as possible. Our estimate is that, when the final count is done, mainland Chinese buyers will have spent as much as US$129.3 billion on global real estate in 2018. That’s a growth rate of about 3% to 8% over 2017 levels. For New Zealand and Australia, we think Chinese buyer growth in 2019 will be flat. Given local market conditions and global economic risks, we don’t foresee rapid Chinese buyer growth in these countries in 2019.

These numbers are all the more remarkable when you realize that they have grown from nothing within the last decade. The first year that Chinese began to really be noticed on international real estate markets was 2010, and that year they only bought $5 billion of real estate and mostly commercial. It’s a good thing for local markets that Chinese buying is not expected to drop away in 2019. That’s because Chinese are the most spendthrift of foreign buyers. They account for more than one-fifth of foreign buying in both Australia and New Zealand. Chinese buy more Australian property then do nationals of any other country. In fact, they buy twice as much real estate as the next closest country. In New Zealand, Aussies come first, greater China is number two.

Like water behind the dam Chinese wealth generation is the key motor driving the wheel of investment. The investment bank, Credit Suisse, counts 1.6 million U.S.-dollar millionaires in mainland China. Because of their prosperity, these individuals dominate the buying of international property. They currently hold A$13 trillion of assets. And their assets have grown by about 16% per year every year since 2011.

On a population-wide scale, wealth per adult has more than quadrupled over the past six years in China. Consider that for a moment. Put yourself in their shoes and ask yourself, “If I were Chinese, how likely is it that I would be able to buy an overseas second home if I now had four dollars for every one dollar I had six years ago.” That’s how fast the economy is growing in China. It’s not just their swelling bank accounts that explain Chinese property purchases. It’s also that they tend to trust real estate more than other assets. Because of low interest rates, the volatile stock market, and limited investment opportunities, Chinese put their savings into real estate at higher rates than other nationalities. Property today accounts for 53% of wealth held by Chinese adults. Other research also suggests that Chinese demand for international property will only increase through 2025. In a 2018 survey for the Financial Times, Chinese overseas investors named residential property their favourite asset class. The question for Australia and New Zealand is this: When will Beijing relax the restrictions that make it harder for Chinese families to move more money overseas to buy real estate? Because, when they do cut the red tape, you can expect to see a surge in investment in Australia and New Zealand.

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Gladstone real estate agency

RE/MAX in the community

Team Lewis, RE/MAX Go For Sold

RE/MAX is committed to community support, an attitude that runs wholeheartedly through the networks in both countries. RE/MAX Ignite

Gladstone real estate agency, RE/MAX Gold, and Roseberry Queensland again united to help the less fortunate and called on a generous community to donate back-to-school supplies in time for the 2019 school year. The annual Back to School Supply Drive has been a resounding success for RE/MAX Gold and Roseberry Queensland since 2016.

RE/MAX Bayside

Team Lewis, RE/MAX Go For Sold, loves its small community towns. All members participated in two Rangitikei North Christmas parades for 2018, in Bulls and Marton. Carol Lewis; Mike Lewis; Deb Lewis with son, Finn; Gems Mason with son, Ruben; Pauline and Bill O’Donoghue; and visiting Irish PhD student, Connor, were all part of the fun. RE/MAX Ignite principals Adam and Roxanne Workman regularly support schools and sporting groups, but each December, they go a bit further. They ‘Play Santa’, and at Christmas mailed around 900 personalised letters to children, in envelopes filled with glitter and with handwritten addresses.

RE/MAX Success

RE/MAX Zest’s Lisa Walden, Gemma Rowlinson and Yasemin Mead met up with Santa in Pokeno’s first Christmas parade, which attracted 40 festive floats.

RE/MAX Zest

RE/MAX Results Morningside

The RE/MAX Results Morningside team put together 50 hampers for some less fortunate in the local community after asking school chaplains and P&C Associations to identify needy families. The hampers were filled with goods and vouchers through the efforts of RE/MAX Results staff and customers, and generous donations from local businesses. In Mackay, RE/MAX Results also put hampers together, participating in the Daily Mercury’s annual ‘Adopt a Family’.

RE/MAX Zest

RE/MAX Bayside Properties teamed up with Alexandra Hills IGA X-press, realestate.com.au and Night Ninjas to deliver care packs to Redlands’ homeless, which included Christmas messages from local school students. The 100 packs were handed out by Night Ninjas, a group supporting the homeless and disadvantaged in the local community. RE/MAX Success raised more than $7,847 for drought-stricken farmers through September, October and November, with the support of its sales and property management clients. The office partnered with Lifeline Darling Downs and South West Queensland Ltd to support local farmers who had not received significant rainfall for more than seven years.

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RE/MAX First

RE/MAX Regency RE/MAX Platinum

RE/MAX Gold

RE/MAX Zest made a bright statement at the Pink Star Walk 2018, held at Auckland Domain late in November. Broker owner Eric Chase, agents and support staff – along with family, friends – were among 3000 who walked to raise awareness and funds, with the ultimate goal to prevent deaths from breast cancer.

RE/MAX Zest

In November, RE/MAX Platinum invited 20 ladies on a shopping adventure, which has become an annual event. The group spent up big in eight outlets including Christmas Shack, Bendon, and manchester and handbag outlets. They raised $1000 to support JDRF and its work with type 1 diabetes. RE/MAX Zest held its annual Halloween party for local families – past and present clients - at the Pokeno office. The team loves a celebration in the tight knit community! RE/MAX First’s Sandra de Jersey put on her fourth Fabulous Funky Fashion event at Kawana Surf Club on the Sunshine Coast in October, raising around $3700 for the Cindy McKenzie Breast Cancer Program. More than 100 ladies and gentlemen attended the afternoon tea party.

RE/MAX Realty Group

RE/MAX Regency’s Belinda Walker raised around $900 through her Pink Ribbon Breakfast in support of National Breast Cancer Awareness in October last year, held at The Allotment Cafe, Reedy Creek. Local business owners were generous with donations for raffles and giveaways on the day. [Pics courtesy of Allara J Photography] RE/MAX Realty Group’s Ben Kloppers was centre-stage at the Varity of Chefs 2018 gala in August. His auctioneering talent saw an amazing $48,500 raised. That plus a silent auction meant more than $75,000 was raised at the charity fundraiser.

RE/MAX Gold

More than 150 invited guests enjoyed a premiere screening of the movie, Book Club, in August, courtesy of RE/MAX Riverside. The event, at the Regal Twin Boutique Arthouse Cinema in the Brisbane suburb of Graceville, was Martin Hood’s seventh annual Exclusive Client Appreciation Film Night.

RE/MAX Riverside

The RE/MAX Gold team could have just stayed in bed, but that would not have helped the Gladstone community, and in particular the foster families who look after children in their care. Instead the real estate team celebrated an August of collecting donations by going to work in their pyjamas. After 10 years of cultivating his luscious locks, Gladstone real estate agent, Anthony Williams, gave them the chop for a good cause. The RE/MAX Gold agent participated in the Leukemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave in August last year. RE/MAX Excellence’s Rob Levy donated $1000 from every July sale to help find a cure for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS. He was moved to help Peter and Amy Reinke who channel their grief of losing baby Joshua into Red Nose Day, which occurred a few days after his passing.

RE/MAX Excellence

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ON LOCATION

Hunters Corner/ Papatoetoe, Auckland, New Zealand Manukau Harbour

Where are we? New Papatoetoe, or Hunters Corner, is part of the wider Papatoetoe region, approximately 18km south of Auckland city. Papatoetoe is part of the Manukau district and one of the largest suburbs in Southeastern Auckland. Historically the region was largely used as farming land until the 1950’s, but has grown to become a culturally diverse business, health and retail district. Hunters Corner is home to a number of quality schools and is a popular location for families for that reason. Papatoetoe is considered by some as the “Jewel of the South,” with a number of parks and recreation facilities throughout the suburb and an international golf course close by. The region also provides easy access to Waitemata and Manukau harbours. Papatoetoe is a culturally diverse region of approximately 38,900 and has a strong migrant population.

The Market: While the property market in Auckland is on a downward trend, demand for property in Hunters Corner will continue due to its popularity. House prices in Hunters Corner are holding steady even

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against outer lying areas where they have recently seen a 10% price drop. The majority of buyers are owner occupiers looking to upgrade their first/second home and are families looking to relocate to the region. House prices in Hunters Corner are on average upward of $800,000 to $1million NZD. Recent zoning changes in the area have brought an increase in apartment/unit living and it is anticipated that this will make up a large proportion of the market moving forward.

The Lifestyle: Hunters Corner is a multicultural suburb with a strong migrant

population. As such there are a variety of businesses that cater to the diverse community. Hunters Corner has the convenience of being close to the motorway providing a short 25 minute trip to Auckland’s CBD and 20 minutes to the Airport. Its proximity to waterways, many parks and recreational facilities provides residents with ample opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. Perhaps the main attraction of Hunters Corner, and the reason property is in high demand is due to the many quality schooling options available. For this reason, it is a very family friendly suburb and has many respectable neighbourhoods.

In Don’s view: I opened RE/MAX Revolution at the beginning of 2018. It was my strong association with the region that led me to open one of the largest RE/MAX offices in New Zealand. I first started working in Hunters Corner and the Papatoetoe region over twenty years ago and in that time I’ve witnessed a huge change in the region. House prices have increased by over 40%. It has become a popular generational suburb, as well as a successful business district. It still holds a strong welcoming community and I’m now selling to the next generation. We pride ourselves on our contribution to the local community. Working in the area is like coming home.

Home owners – for the very first time Message from a reluctant first home-new build owner

Buying our first home hasn’t been as smooth sailing as we had imagined. We set out on our mission to leave no property unturned on the major property portals, flicking through the weekly property guides and newspapers and putting some feelers out to a few we knew in the industry. In our minds, we had two options to get into the area we were after. Firstly, our most ideal option of buying an established older home that may have had a tidy up already (we were happy to do further down the track if needed) along with a decent backyard for entertaining and the future (kids that is). The other option, which many people insisted was the best way to ‘get on the ladder’, was to purchase a new build in a subdivision that was looking more like Coronation Street on some roads (think… shared walls) than our previous ideal and the spacious option we had, for years, imagined. These town house options may be in a great area… growing, developing and with a lot of our generation (Y) moving in; but you’re also able to watch them wash their dishes and themselves. Anything else you can imagine can be seen, and in some cases can’t be unseen. You could knock on your own internal wall and your neighbour would be able to respond on the other side, just like

you were at school camp again. Fast forward nine months… Four sale and purchase agreements where our offers were ‘not quite enough’, a serious amount of disappointment and deflation at the process not going as imagined, and we’ve now gone unconditional on a house and land package in a new subdivision. A different one to the previously mentioned ‘Coronation Street replica’, might I add. We’ve gone for somewhere in between. We’re in a subdivision where our boundary is in the single metres off our neighbours, but we have a freestanding home, brand new; and don’t worry, we got the back yard in there. Smaller than first thought, but we’ve got it. It’s funny what we think we need, when realistically it’s not actually necessary. At some point during the frustration and deflation of our search for our first home, we realised that we didn’t actually have kids, we didn’t actually need that much space between the two of us, and were, in fact, looking for that forever home instead of what was actually right for where we are in life, now – just the two of us. It has been such a drastic mind shift that I personally wasn’t prepared for.

Mostly, because we didn’t think it was an option. Never did we think, let alone imagine, we would be building our first home. Financially, it wasn’t even a consideration. We went from looking at 1950’s homes and wondering how many years the roof had left in it, to deciding where we would be positioning the door into a bathroom and gauging this by looking at a flat plan with lines on it representing walls. Very quickly, we have had to change how we think. Instead of walking into a house and imagining how we would live in it, we are creating something to work around us. Simple things like a roof – hips? Gables? The unfamiliar terminology that was asked of us in how we wanted our roof was met with our unhelpful response of ‘one that covers the house’. We’ve now looked at several roofs, colour schemes of weatherboard and painted brick, and different sized eves. And that’s just the exterior. Decisions, decisions, decisions. Quite the privilege, really. Don’t think I’m putting on a builder’s hat and purchasing my first pair of steel cap boots to traipse the site though. We are leaving it up to the professionals to manage it all.

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UNDERSTAND

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View magazine - Autumn 2019

Articles inside

RE/MAX in the community

Homeowners - for the very first time

On location - Eastwood

2019 outlook for foreign buying

Lifestyle 2.0

On location - Queenstown

Wearing my other hat

Get your ducks in a row

Time to take stock

What your property market doing

One of a kind

Mongolia

And featuring RE/MAX property listings from

The lending landscape

Size 8 or plus size

The edge – Brok Milligan

RE/MAX events

My name is Harry and I am a hoarder

An auctioneer’s DNA

The open home and the seller

Real estate: a great career choice

Who’ll provide the shelter?

Love affair with renovating