Western Property October 28 2022

GROWING YOUR OWN!

GARDENS

The rising cost-of-living has driven many to adopt a green thumb, opting to grow their own delicious fruit and vegetables at home, as opposed to purchasing them in-store.

According to Brett O’Neil from Hydro Haven Nursey, saving money is just the beginning of the benefits.

“Especially with fruit going up another eight per cent by the end of the year, people are going to be more inclined to start their vege tables outside,” he said.

“The products that you get from the supermarkets aren’t fresh – by the time you get your vegetables onto the shelf, it’s lost all its vitamins. If you’re growing your vegetables at home, you know what’s in it, and you know it’s fresh and healthy.”

More specifically, recent tumul tuous weather has led many to hydroponics, with people yearning for control over their environment.

“You’ve got pure control over what you do – you haven’t got control over outside,” he said.

“The benefit of it is, if you’ve got floods outside, you might not

have floods inside. You’re going to get produce inside, but no produce outside.”

But, no matter the method, Mr O’Neil said it’s the foundation that’s most important.

“You’ve got to have a good soil. Your garden has to have a good medium,” he said.

“You can go on YouTube to get

ideas of what you can do, but it comes down to the preparation of your soil, which is really very important, and then you’ve got to maintain your soil. That’s where your nutrients come in.”

If you want to get started now, the options are endless for what you can grow.

“What you can start growing

now is all your micro greens. You can start growing your lettuces, your tomatoes, your cucumbers,” he said.

“Any summer ones you can start now at this stage, so when it comes through to summer, end of spring, they’re ready, and you can start planting your winter crops.”

– Cassidy Pearce

Brett O’Neil with fresh tomato plants at Hydro Haven Nursery.

STYLE: Architecturally designed and master built.

RESIDENCE: This truly impressive property consist of 5 bedrooms, 3 with ensuites and the master with a spa bath. Sunken formal lounge, dining, family, upper level relaxed living, cocktail bar and lounge and home office. On the lower level there is a huge completely self-contained studio including large living room, kitchen with granite bench tops and ensuite to the over sized bedroom.

FEATURES: This is the most luxuriously appointed home I have ever brought to market. The craftsman builder has ensured every minute detail is finished to perfection. As soon as you step up to the magnificent front door you know you are going to enter a home like no other. The sheer size and beauty of the sweeping staircase takes your breath away. You feel like you have entered a romantic fairytale! The marble has been imported from Italy and has been placed extensively through out the home. The home is spread over three levels with plenty of options for entertaining friends and family. You enter the enchanted sunken formal lounge through beautiful sliding french doors to find a marble fire place and turret ceiling. The kitchen is complete with custom cabinetry, stone tops, double oven and zip-hydro-water system offering boiling, chilled or sparkling water at your finger tips. Complete with six bathrooms three with spa baths. Marble cocktail bar fitted with dishwasher and coloured lighting. Spacious balcony overlooking the large in-ground swimming pool and stunning views of the Blue Mountains. Completely private spacious backyard with pond and landscaped gardens.

OTHER INCLUSIONS: Ducted Air Conditioning x 5, Central Heating Intercom System, Electric Blinds, Laundry Shute, Security Cameras, Pool Amenities, Gas Heated Pool, Garage with Workshop, Double Carport, Abundance of storage options inside and out. This magnificent palatial residence is truly unique and an icon in Glenmore Park. It will make the perfect property for two families if you want to accomodate the in-laws, you can without imposing on each other’s space. If you purely want a residence that is completely unique, elegant and impressive this is the one for you.

Why did you become involved in the real estate industry?

I wanted to transfer my corporate and relationship building skills I acquired and refined in the pharmaceutical industry with my passion in real estate. In real estate, you are engaged in people’s lives in a way that you are not in many other professions.

Tell us about the first house that you sold / leased?

My role is one of Business Operations. Running operations for a real estate team means I, along with the Principal oversee the company’s strategy, implementing improvements and driving efficiency across real estate operations. The role also entails improving the Client’s Journey social media marketing and working on processes for Property management that keeps everyone on track and new business coming in. I manage workflows, team branding and culture, special events and random projects that come up.

Why should people choose you over other agents?

Because each client has a why, and we engage on what that individual person’s motive is and work with them to assist them to achieve it.

We walk with you as you progress through each step of your real estate dreams. We’re creating a future that will enable every client to connect, build, achieve and celebrate.

What has been your biggest ever real estate achievement?

Office culture has been a top priority for our business in the past 3 years. For me, it is the fact that we have achieved a positive, driven and respectful office culture that embraces each member of our team as family, and such treat each other the way we would like to be treated ourselves. In an industry that has be known for offices competing within themselves, we have worked tirelessly to have a culture where our agents don’t compete against each other – rather, they work together as a team. This in turn reflects on our interaction with clients and the huge success we have. These values not only constitute our company’s DNA but also are essential to how we hire great talent, grow as a team and flourish as a working unit. Just read our multitude of 5 star google reviews.

What should people do to ensure their home sells or rents for the best possible price?

• Research the local market - If you are thinking about selling, then it’s likely you’ve already started looking at recent sales results. This is a great starting point as it can help you to get a feel for the market. To get into more details, talk to our reals estate agent

• Get appraisals and set a goal : Pick the agents that look best on paper and are held in high esteem by other locals, and get an appraisal from all of them – if you have the time.

• Work with your agent to achieve your goal

• Prepare your home for sale - One of the most important aspects to any home is its presentation and street appeal .

• Marketing - Trust your real estate agent and do not be afraid to spend on marketing to sell your home. A great marketing campaign often means a higher selling price.

• Be ready for open homes

• Our team at LJ Hooker is also waiting to assist you. We offer you experience alongside excellent market knowledge that helps make the selling process as smooth and as efficient as possible. So contact us today for a free property appraisal. - Nadien Elias

LITTLE PENRITH GEM

What makes this property stand out?

Modern renovated apartment with generous room sizes and large outdoor entertainment area in security complex.

Who should buy this property?

Owner occupiers and investors.

What’s the suburb like?

Penrith is a dynamic and desired location and is the third largest growing economy in Australia. Demand for this area is high as it provides easy access to major transport hubs, the Penrith CBD and quality schools. As the new airport takes shape more and more people will move to the area resulting in higher property prices and increased rent returns.

Q) HOW HAVE SALES BEEN IMPACTED WITH THE CHANGE IN INTEREST RATES?

Whilst rising rates brings

to everyone, we have just finished

in the last

doing.

months. There is no hard & fast rule

sell for so many different reasons

Q) HOW DO THE HEADLINES AFFECT THE MARKET?

Without doubt the

think of

make it sound all doom and gloom, however I

buying in the current Sydney market especially

local Penrith LGA. With a new international airport on our doorstep in the coming years, the growth and potential will be huge.

Q) IN YOUR OPINION, DESCRIBE A GOOD AGENT?

For me personally it is following the same principals every single day. Turn up,

honest,

and always follow up. Don’t ever assume as

only do this 2-3 times in a life time so talk them through

step of the process.

Locals looking after Locals

& Taylor - Penrith

Help?

us

Altac Air Conditioning are dedicated to providing the best possible service with quality products from trusted manufacturers in a professional manner, with minimal disruption to our customers. We guarantee competitive prices and excellent workmanship on our air conditioning service in Penrith.

The hot tip for the race that stops the nation on Tuesday is the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) will again subject mortgage hold ers to another rise in interest rates.

The RBA hasn’t lifted its cash rate on Melbourne Cup day since November 2010, at the tail end of the global financial crisis, when it hiked the rate by a quarter of a percentage point to 4.75 per cent.

While there will be no surprises if the central bank increases official rates for the seventh successive month on Tuesday, the conjecture is around by how much.

As predicted by Broking Breakdown, the RBA in October imposed a 25 basis points increase after four consecutive half percentage point rises. It resisted

pressure to follow the likes of the United States Federal Reserve which has been raising interest rates in 0.75 per cent increments in its bid to curb soaring inflation. Australia is not faced with the same inflationary pressures of the US or Britain, but global economic headwinds and recent floods locally will be a factor on Tuesday as the increased costs of natural disasters fuel inflation.

The RBA’s 25 basis point rise in October lifted the official cash rate to 2.6 per cent. Minutes of the RBA board meeting noted the argu ments for a 25 or 50 basis point increase were “finely balanced”, but the case for a 25 basis point bump was “stronger” given that the cash rate had been increased

substantially in a short period of time and the full effect of that increase lay ahead.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) economist, Belinda Allen, has noted the transmission delays between interest rate rises and higher mortgage repayments at CBA had a three-month lag time.

Ms Allen said this means only 125 basis points of tightening would have hit “mortgage hold ers’ cash flow”, with the July half percentage point hike now just flowing through to higher mort gage repayments.

Given this and other economic factors, CBA expects one more 25 basis point in November, with the potential of another in December.