Blog

Towards Tomorrow

Sustainability is our future and we are responsible to leave our kids and their kids a clean and sustainable place to live in. You might ask yourself “how can I make a difference”? Well, it all has to start somewhere, and what better place than to start right now, right here! Look around your home and you’ll be amassed how much you can do to make a difference.

During the water shortage we were asked to save water by being smart and making smart choices by adding water tanks, shower savers, moisture releasing agents for the gardens and we made it through. Although, It had to become desperate with water levels at 16% before we all actually realised, that it was actually happening to us and that we were the only ones able to do something about it. Let’s not gamble with time and act now, so that it is not too late.

Now that we have water under control, energy usage is the next big thing to tackle and switching to greenpower is the best way to cut our greenhouse emission. Almost all electricity companies offer their choice of greenpower. Switching to greenpower is the first step, but if you’d like to take the concept further, you can generate your own power through solar panels. While these can cost several thousands of dollars to install, some energy companies offer low deposits and payment plans.

Other energy saving tips include turning down the temperature of your hot water service in the summer months, don’t over cool your home, keep fridges and freezers in a cool, well ventilated spot and switch off all appliances at the wall – this will save greenhouse gases and 10% off your electricity bills.

Other gardening tips include starting an organic garden at home, composting food scraps, planting Australian natives to support native birds and insects, replacing lawn with native grasses, drought tolerate ground cover shrubs, pebbles or other permeable materials. Using non-toxic fertilisers like manure, compost and other organic materials and using natural sprays to avoid pests.

As a real estate sale professional, searching for ways to make a difference and looking to provide an unprecedented level of service, respect, honesty and transparency, I’m your SMART choice in real estate; Trading with a focus towards our future and working towards tomorrow.  Focusing on SMART choices like sustainability, eco-friendly transport and renewable energy for our homes, makes me your SMART choice.  I have partnered up with likeminded sustainable companies; Nope Electric Bikes, Brisbane City Council, Switch Select, Quest Newspapers and a team of experts in Pest and Building, Air Conditioning, Plumbing and Electrical to be able to provide you with the complete sustainability solution to selling your house for the best possible price

With everything we try to achieve, we focus on results, but where real results happen, is when we focus on CHANGE. We should work on SMART choices, for SMART results. We only have one Earth, one Planet so start today to make a difference tomorrow because everyone can make simple changes to the way they live to reduce their individual impact on the environment.

Understanding Auctions

BUYING AND SELLING QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Question: What is a Real Estate Auction?

Answer: Auction is a form of no price marketing of a property through intensive advertising medians designed to capture the maximum attention of buyers within a set time frame.  The process is a means of purchasing Real Estate through public negotiations to determine the true market value of the property.

Question: What is the Reserve Price?

Answer: The Seller usually sets the reserve price on the day of the Auction.  The Real Estate Salesperson is unaware of the reserve.  The only person who will know is the Auctioneer.  The reserve is usually established by the purchaser feedback.

Question: How do we bid at Auction?

Answer: Simply attract the attention of the Auctioneer by; putting your hand up, calling out, or nodding your head when you catch the Auctioneer’s eye.  The Auctioneer usually nominates the amount of the bid he is looking for.

Question: Can I buy before the Auction?

Answer: Yes.  In most cases you can.  You simply submit the offer to the agent on a REIQ Contract of Sale and if the price and conditions are agreed to, the Contract is completed and the property sold prior to Auction.  In fact 50% of Auctions are sold this way.

Question: I can’t buy at Auction because I have to get Finance

Answer: That’s OK!  You can organise through your bank or building society, approval to bid up to a price you are prepared to pay.  The offer would be subject to the Bank’s valuation.  This is very simple to organise and only takes a couple of days.

Question: I want to buy it but, I have a house to sell!

Answer: There are two answers.  If you are in a sound financial position you could arrange a bridging loan.  The other way is to buy on a longer settlement date giving you time to sell and settle your house.

Question: What price do I have to pay to buy the property?

Answer: This is the price YOU are prepared to pay.  Other people will perceive different amounts.  Generally, your price will be established by what property has sold for around the area and also the particular features the home offers you.

Question: What Contract do we sign and what are the standard conditions?

Answer: The Contract is the standard REIQ contract.  This contract is on display at the auction.  The usual conditions of purchase are 10% of the purchase price paid as a deposit and the settlement date is usually 30 days from the signing of the Contract.

BIDDING AT AUCTION – How to be a Winner !

Today many property transactions occur at or prior to Public Auction – so bidding at Auctions is something you should make yourself familiar with.  Many Buyers are experienced and handle an Auction sale with ease, while others are somewhat unsure about the Auction system.

Register Your Interest

If you see a property you’re interested in buying, it’s important to let the agent know.  Then you can be sure that you will be advised if any other offers are made by another party prior to Auction day.

Preparing for the Auction day

A number of details should be attended to prior to the day of the Auction.  It is especially advisable to check all sales documentation relating to the property, as the Contract you will be asked to sign is a legally enforceable document.  Other areas that will require attention include;

• Availability of Finance,
• Discussing the property with a Builder or architect,
• Having the Estate Agent asses the value of the property you already own.

If you are unable to bid yourself at the Auction, you may have a representative bidder as long as you provide them with a letter of consent.  Arrangements should also be made for the deposit.  If successful at the Auction, you must sign the Contract and pay 10% deposit.

Set your limit beforehand

Before you get to the Auction you should know your upper dollar limit.  Ask yourself how much you really want the property.  What is the highest figure you’d pay to own it?

Bid Confidently

Buyers often feel they should hold off bidding until the Auctioneer has received the other bids, however such an approach can often work against the Buyer.  Unless there is a need for secrecy bids should be made clearly and confidently.

Your hesitation to bid may signal to other bidders that you are nearing your limit.  If a property is announced “on the market” during the course of the Auction by the Auctioneer, this means that a definite sale will take place and the Sellers reserve has been met.

The “passed in” Auction

If a property is “passed in” this means that the reserve price has not been reached.  In most cases the owner, in consultation with the agent, will immediately set the asking price at the reserve figure.  It is important to note that the highest bidder at the Auction will have the first exclusive right of refusal to purchase the property at the reserve price.  The property is often sold by negotiation immediately following the Auction.  So, if you are interested in buying the property, you should ensure if possible that you are the highest bidder.

Alternatively, if the highest bidder fails to make an increased offer during post auction negotiations and you were not the highest bidder but if you have some interest in the property, it is advisable prior to leaving the premises to ascertain from the agent the outcome of negotiations with the highest bidder.  If you still feel uncomfortable about Auctions, you can always get us to handle it for you.  We offer a free Auction purchase service to clients who would prefer to be represented professionally.

Next Page »