HOME-GROWN Winter Edition

HOME-GROWN ALBURY/WODONGA & SURROUNDS

WINTER//EDITION

3 9 A L P I N E S T R E E T, T H U R G O O N A

IN THIS ISSUE ESSENTIAL WINTER GARDENING TIPS

Welcome to our winter 2022 issue of HOMEGROWN. An Albury-Wodonga based Real Estate Magazine, keeping you up-to-date with the latest listings and information as well as current local market statistics. In this winter edition, we have some great tips on winter gardening as well as some great local businesses on our community page.

We also have our quarterly results and some great articles on how interest rates affect the property market and the benefits of renovating your investment property. We hope you enjoy reading our thirteenth issue of Home-Grown as much as we have enjoyed putting it together for you! Here’s to a great winter.

HOW INTEREST RATES AFFECT THE PROPERTY MARKET QUARTERLY RESULTS NEW LISTING LOCAL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT BENEFITS OF RENOVATING YOUR INVESTMENT PROPERTY COMMUNITY PAGE TENANT OF THE MONTH DIRECTORS’ MESSAGE SOCIAL SNAPS

P I C T U R E D O N F R O N T - 4 2 4 W I L S O N S T R E E T, A L B U R Y (Image: CAPTURED SPACE)

ESSENTIAL WINTER GARDENING TIPS

66 GUNBOWER CLOSE, EAST ALBURY

ESSENTIAL WINTER GARDENING TIPS Gardening in winter should be far from WINTER PLANT PRUNING quiet. It’s a time to grow winter crops and prepare for spring flowers.

Sharpen the secateurs! The first chore, in all but frosty areas, is rose pruning. Be bold, leaving only an open framework of three or four main stems.

Spray these and the surrounding soil with lime sulfur to clean up pests and diseases.

Winter gardening in Australia is never drab with plenty of flowers to plant, plants to prune and winter vegetables to grow. Here, horticulturalist • Helen Young provides her essential winter gardening tips for maintenance during the cooler • months and the jobs to do now in order to prepare your garden for spring.

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Other plants to prune when bare include hydrangeas, wisteria and grapes.

Early August is the best time to give gardenias their main pruning.

Cuttings of frangipanis will make instant new trees; leave them to dry for a few weeks, then pot or plant into a sandy mix, adding stakes for support.

Cut ornamental grasses almost to ground level to rejuvenate and spray lawns for bindii as soon as their ferny leaves appear.

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WINTER FLOWERING PLANTS

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Although many plants are resting, spring bulbs, winter-flowering natives and flowering hedges are growing actively. Keep these watered and fertilised for peak performance.

VEGETABLES TO GROW IN WINTER •

Australian winters are never drab, with golden wattles, native fuchsias (correa) and banksias followed by starry crowea, boronia and geraldton wax. By August, flowering peach trees and perfumed jasmine command admiration.

WINTER GARDENING JOBS • • • •

Feed citrus in late July, using an all-purpose citrus fertiliser.

Keep sowing carrots, spring onions, leeks, broad beans, radishes, English spinach and peas.

If you haven’t planted asparagus and rhubarb crowns yet, don’t delay. Strawberries can also go in now.

Start seeds of tomatoes, eggplant and capsicum on a warm windowsill, ready for planting when the soil warms.

Carrots Grown all year round, carrots can Carrots: withstand a large variety of temperatures.

However, these veggies go great in those winter broths and soups. To ensure you get the best out of your carrots make sure that your soil doesn’t dry out, water regularly and keep the soil moist for the first two weeks of germination.

Broccoli: Broccoli love to grow in a nice sunny Broccoli spot, so make sure you position your growing produce where they will receive some rays of sunshine. Remember to give your veggies a good drink of water and keep the soil moist.

ESSENTIAL WINTER GARDENING TIPS

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Garlic A great tip for growing garlic is to Garlic: not water your soil until your cloves have germinated, which will occur approximately two weeks after planting. Following this, ensure you water the soil often enough so that it remains moist but not wet.

Spinach: Don’t forget to water your growing Spinach spinach regularly and feed once seedlings begin to emerge with a plant food and soil improver. Doing so will feed your crops above and below the ground by creating a balanced and sustainable growing environment for bigger, healthier crops. Depending on the type of spinach variety you’re growing, it should be ready to enjoy in six to eight weeks.

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HERBS TO GROW Turns out, it’s pretty easy to grow a variety of fresh herbs! Try your hand at these: •

Thyme

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Rosemary

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Parsley

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Basil

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Mint

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Winter Savory

HOMES TO LOVE

HOW INTEREST RATES AFFECT THE PROPERTY MARKET

4 2 4 W I L S O N S T R E E T,

ALBURY

HOW INTEREST RATES AFFECT THE PROPERTY MARKET

3 9 A L P I N E S T R E E T, T H U R G O O N A

If you’re in the market to buy a house in Australia, chances are you already understand how interest rates affect how much you’ll end up paying.

However, you might not realise just how far-reaching the effects of an interest rate rise or fall can be.

Australian property values fluctuate with interest rates When interest rates are low, it generally encourages prospective home buyers to enter the market. Since obtaining home finance is more affordable, those who may have been on the fence regarding the purchase of Australian property are more likely to take out a home loan and buy real estate.

In turn, this increase in demand for property leads to rising property values as inventory is scooped up and homes become more difficult to obtain.

Of course, the inverse is also true. When interest rates are high, consumers may be more unwilling to take out the mortgages they need in order to enter the property market. With fewer people looking to buy, the value of real estate stagnates or declines.

70 0 B E R R Y S T R E E T, A L B U R Y

Interest rates are a major factor in property cycles, However, it’s important to remember that interest and for that reason it’s important for potential rates are not the only factor that helps determine home buyers to keep an eye on where interest the cost and difficulty of purchasing real estate. rates are and where they may be heading.

Everything from location to population trends can impact home prices and availability.

Predicting the future

While interest rates are an important factor, it’s While trying to predict which way interest rates just as essential to work with a qualified buyer will move is far from a perfect science, there are agent to streamline the process and ensure you strategies consumers can use. make decisions that suit your needs.

In general, stronger economies tend to have higher interest rates, with lower rates used as a way to increase investment and eliminate a financial slowdown. In this way, staying apprised of general economic news and trends can help you determine whether interest rates are likely to rise or fall.

propertybuyer.com.au

QUARTERLY RESULTS

QUARTERLY RESULTS

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NEW LISTING 66 Gunbower Close, East Albury U n s u r p a s s e d Po s i t i o n , E x c e p t i o n a l L i f e s t y l e NICHOLAS CLARK 0439 215 293

Yardbird - the newest restaurant edition in Albury – has quickly become a favourite dinner spot for locals and visitors alike. Local husband-and-wife team Simon Arkless and Cait Mitchelhill, along with Melbourne restaurateur Denis Lucey, have brought slick city vibes to the region’s already strong culinary scene. Simon’s menu, inspired by the European tradition of cooking over fire, is all about bold flavours and highlights superb local produce. The eclectic wine list is a beautiful collection of wines from near and far to intrigue and entice. Open for dinner Tuesday – Saturday, Yardbird is the perfect venue to celebrate a romantic dinner, milestone birthday or catch up with friends over delicious food and wine in a beautiful, yet relaxed environment. With a leafy green outdoor courtyard, cosy leather booth seating and large wood fireplace, at Yardbird you can enjoy social dining all year round.

193 Townsend Street, Albury 02 6048 7804 @yardbirdalbury www.yardbird.com.au

BENEFITS OF RENOVATING YOUR INVESTMENT PROPERTY

53 TARRANT LANE, YACKANDANDAH

Time to update your investment Here we’ve covered some of the biggest benefits of renovating: property?

In today’s competitive rental market, 1. Increase sale price a stylish property ‘makeover’ is a Updating and maintaining your property regularly will most likely improve the price when you sell. worthwhile investment.

Owners of residential rental properties are required by law to ensure their properties are kept safe, secure and comfortable for their tenants. However, it’s also important to keep the property regularly updated and upgraded to protect its value in a competitive rental market. The end of a tenancy is the perfect time to refresh the property and reassess its rental potential.

Even if you have no plans to sell, it is worthwhile consistently keeping the property up-to-date and in good condition in the event that your circumstances change and you need to sell quickly. The best way to keep your investment looking fresh is to paint the walls at least every 10 years. Stained carpet and damaged flooring make the property look less appealing, so invest in a professional clean or polishing. If the property is vacant, consider replacing the carpet and floorboards.

If you have the means, renovating the kitchen and bathroom will add significant value. This is not always warranted however. It is important that you choose colours, fixtures and furnishings that are timeless. The safest bet is to stick to neutral colours.

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2. Attract better quality tenants Every renter has a story about a landlord who would not even fix a tap. It might be difficult to think from the perspective of the tenant, but it’s important not to be dismissive of their ideas or concerns. Obviously, the best time for renovations such as painting and recarpeting are best done when you first buy the property or between leases, but there are many minor works that renters won’t mind happening while they are there. Upgrades to ovens and air conditioning are always welcomed by tenants. The effect of updating and upgrading is that existing tenants will be happier and more comfortable, and if you are looking for tenants, you will have a wider selection of prospective tenants to choose from.

3. Improve energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact Installing solar panels might seem like a drastic and expensive outlay, but quite rapidly your current and future tenants can reap the rewards. This can make the property more appealing to tenants because the rapid rise in electricity prices is causing real financial stress for renters. Many people, in particular millennials, are becoming increasingly environmentally conscious and are renting for longer.

This, like capital works (kitchens and bathrooms) should really be a case by case scenario depending on the property and its value.

By showing that you are prepared to improve your 4. Depreciation considerations property creates loyalty with the tenants and they are Most renovations that are completed should be tax deductible and your accountant will guide you on the more likely to keep the property in better condition. best time to do this.

So apart from keeping the property in good working order there are many other reasons to update your rental property.

MW LIFESTYLE/MM PROPERTY

With a personal one on one touch, Boss Hair is the most prestige, innovative salon in the local region.

It’s there in our name, we provide the superior skill and seasoned experience expected of those at the top of their game. From our friendly nature to our premium services, Boss is proud to be Albury’s hair studio choice for the discerning individual.

Delivering all things luxury in hair.

RITA’S KITCHEN Coffee & comfort food made with love 1/342 Rau Street, East Albury 0415 971 331

Whatever you desire, Boss delivers.

P: 60210345 E: hello@bosshair.com.au 486 Macauley Street, Albury

At Albury Wodonga Animal Rescue we aim to save as many dogs, puppies, cats and kittens as we can from being put to sleep but we must have responsible, reliable and genuine foster carers to look after these animals while they are in our care.

We take dogs and cats from local pounds or that are surrendered to us for various reasons.

We vaccinate, worm, flea and desex each one and then find responsible loving homes for them. We are passionate about what we do but we can’t do it without your help.

One off or regular donations are very welcome.

Every donation helps us save more animals.

SPECIALISING IN DESIGN FOR: BRANDING EVENT STATIONERY WEDDING STATIONERY

VOLUNTEERS AND FOSTER CARERS NEEDED. awar.org.au 0436 435 035

TENANT OF THE MONTH

621b Dean Street, Albury NSW 2640 P: 1300-240-001 techcellence.com.au As a leading MSP in Albury Wodonga, Techcellence can help your business grow. From managing the life cycle of your IT & telephony investments, planning to procurement through to installation, training, and ongoing support, our proven capabilities in a complete range of IT solutions can assist in your business success.

We consult, guide, and assist you in creating the most dynamic, secure, and fully functioning technology platform for your teams, our offering includes a full suite of business technology services.

A determination to help businesses use technology to achieve more while enhancing customer service – without adding new challenges – was the driving force behind Darin and Sonya founding Techcellence back in 2009.

Since then, Techcellence’s team of certified experts has been on a journey of continuous improvement to provide businesses with the most up-to-date technology advice, products, solutions, and services needed to enable their people and customers to get more from technology.

Our holistic approach makes Techcellence unique as your technology business partner, it’s not just about understanding technology, what truly matters is knowing how to use the technology to make a difference. And our proven combination of proactive support, personalised service, and skilled We’ve made sure we have supported our committed technicians, provides first-class IT you can rely on. team with the best systems, processes and platforms to help them better serve the 3000-plus users we currently support.

DIRECTORS’ MESSAGE

With the recent election, some vendors have delayed their decision to sell. This, coupled with the general decrease in properties coming to market over the winter months as vendors wait for the spring season, has created a shortage in volume.

The small increase in interest rates (less than a cup of coffee a week to the average mortgage) has done little to deter buyers who are seeking their “forever” home.

Interest rates are still considered to be some of the lowest on record, and with great employment prospects, a strong economy and superb lifestyle choice, the Albury Wodonga area still presents great buying opportunities.

With the surge in Albury-Wodonga house prices over the past 2 years, predictions for the long-term moving forward is that the market will begin to stabilise, much like it did after the surge in 2002 – 2004. The current conditions however could be a great opportunity for sellers looking to take advantage of the final surge, whilst buyers are presented with their last chance to lock in a great interest rate before another rise predicted later in the year.

In a changing market, an experienced agent coupled with the right strategy is the key to achieving the best result when it comes to the sale of what may be your greatest asset. For buyers, it is ever important to secure pre-approval before finding the house of your dreams, then locking in a great rate whilst interest rates are still some of the best on record.

Lachlan Hutchins 0457 888 212 lachlan@steannicholls.com.au

Nicholas Clark 0439 215 293 nicholas@steannicholls.com.au

Jack Stean 0434 588 664 jack@steannicholls.com.au

Geoff Stean 0413 888 788 geoff@steannicholls.com.au

SOCIAL SNAPS

A group of staff attended Platter and Palette held at Beer Deluxe. Look how amazing their paintings are!

Nicholas calling down the successful auction at Bernhardt Street. PHOTO - BORDERMAIL

SOLD AT AUCTION - 700 Berry Street.

Ted celebrated his first birthday! PHOTO - DOG EDUCATION CENTRE

Matt Fankhauser made our Stean Nicholls logo using 3276 pieces of lego!

Lisa recently went on a trip to Bali. It’s great to see international travel slowly returning to normal.

Home-Grown is a Stean Nicholls publication. All opinions are our own. Compilation of statistical data relies on information from a number of external sources.

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Suite 1, Unit 19, 669 Dean Street, Albury 02 6021 5233 www.steannicholls.com.au

/steannicholls @steannicholls