What’s the best way to handle utility connections when you move?

February 23, 2012 Leave a Comment

Did you know that the average time it takes to disconnect the average home’s utilities and reconnect them at your new address is nearly six hours?

Who has that sort of spare time when they’re in the middle of moving?

It would be great if it were only the water, electricity and gas you had to contend with. However, these days there’s usually also the phone, pay TV and Internet that all need to be disconnected and then re-connected. That means dealing with tedious call centres, waiting in time-consuming queues, and usually having to put up with providers trying to upsell you to different products from the one’s you’re using.

First National agents recognise that you need help and we have the ideal solution. One phone call to Direct Connect will see all your utilities transferred to your new address expertly and efficiently.

Direct Connect will even let you know if there’s a better deal for you if you want them to. They keep you informed and you can spend your valuable time looking after the unpacking, the kids and getting set up.

Just ask your First National property manager for the details.

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First National partners with Lee Woodward

February 21, 2012 Leave a Comment

Audio, On-Demand and Live Training are First National's Edge

Media Release: 21 February 2012

First National Real Estate today announced it has launched a new national professional development initiative in partnership with leading industry trainer, Lee Woodward, across its network of 450 plus offices.

First National’s Competitive Edge with Lee Woodward is a professional development initiative designed to connect each office’s entire team to a better way of thinking, making it operate as a closer business unit.

‘Our members are operating in a tough market and we recognize the challenges they face will not be addressed by a traditional approach to professional development in 2012 and the years ahead’ says Chief Executive, Ray Ellis.

The network has worked with Lee Woodward to tailor a multi-media based programme with the aim of driving greater unity between sales, property management and management functions of every First National business.

‘The programme will target each department’s needs specifically, but uniquely it also references the many products and solutions that First National members already have at their fingertips, but perhaps aren’t fully exploiting’ says Mr Ellis.

‘This creates a holistic approach that is a first for any network in Australia. Lee brings cutting edge expertise, practical advice and fresh thinking to real estate practice, but he also understands how to align that to First National’s service strategy’.

First National Real Estate has experienced a renaissance since a complete change of strategy in 2004 says Ellis. The subsequent speed of innovation has increased exponentially each year, necessitating a highly targeted approach to staff education and development.

‘The entire real estate industry is struggling to keep up with the demands of changing consumer trends, technological evolution, and the new Australian property marketplace. First National has introduced a raft of measures to reduce days on market, improve customer service perceptions, lift skills and engage local communities with their First National member.

‘We have invested in an initiative that would typically cost an individual office tens of thousands of dollars a year each, if they didn’t belong to First National,’ says Mr Ellis ‘and that’s in addition to our normal professional development schedule which is delivered comprehensively throughout metro and regional Australia.’

Lee Woodward, started his real estate career in a First National office and is regarded as one of Australia’s most gifted trainers. His unique insight into the real estate business cuts through the gimmicks.

‘My objective, through ‘The Competitive Edge’, is to bring training, with the same strategy and theme across the business. Interviews with great agents, trainers and coaches in their area of expertise will be augmented by multimedia resources that clearly explain the real estate journey, process, systems and strategies that are needed to be effective’ says Lee Woodward.

First National Real Estate has approximately 450 offices throughout Australasia and supports Australian Red Cross through the First National Foundation.

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Issued by: First National Real Estate:

For further information Stewart Bunn, National Communications Manager, First National Real Estate on 1800 032 332

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New South Wales Gems Sparkle at Awards Dinner

February 20, 2012 Leave a Comment

First National NSW Chairman, Mark Millington

Media Release – 20 February 2012

First National Real Estate announced its NSW/ACT General Excellence and Marketing (GEM) Award winners on Saturday night during an elegant 60’s themed dinner held at the Hilton Hotel in Sydney.

The Awards recognise the network’s best performers in NSW/ACT over the past 12 months which, says State Chairman Mr Mark Millington, have been beyond expectation given the volatile economic and market conditions.

“Marketing and selling property effectively in a marketplace which fluctuates and turns with every wind change is a tough ask, but that is exactly what our members have been able to do,” Mr Millington said.

“I am delighted that the teamwork of our members and their staff achievements are being acknowledged through these Awards.”

On the night the Top 10 Offices in the state were named and included:

  • First National Real Estate Byron Bay (Sales Office of the Year)
  • First National Real Estate Port Macquarie
  • First National Real Estate Walsh & Sullivan (Baulkham Hills/Winston Hills)
  • First National Real Estate Wal Murray & Co (Lismore)
  • First National Real Estate O’Connor, Wollongong
  • First National Real Estate Daystar (Padstow)
  • First National Real Estate Epping Central (Epping)
  • First National Real Estate Rod Jones (North Narrabeen)
  • First National Real Estate Carlingford
  • First National Real Estate Mudgee

First National Real Estate O’Connor was also named the Property Management Office of the Year.

Individuals were also recognised, with the Top 10 Salespeople being:

  • Allison Mifsud, First National Real Estate Epping Central

(Salesperson of the Year)

  • Tony Iskander, First National Real Estate Marrickville
  • Michael Sleiman, First National Real Estate Daystar (Padstow)
  • Ross Patten, First National Real Estate Ross Patten (Ryde)
  • Mike Brady, First National Real Estate Gunnedah
  • Deborah O’Brien, First National Real Estate Homeway (Castle Hill)
  • Daniel Godoy, First National Real Estate Carlingford
  • Peter Diffin, First National Real Estate Walsh & Sullivan (Winston Hills)
  • Scott Henry, First National Real Estate Holgate (Lane Cove)
  • Mario Valensise, First National Real Estate Sellect (Kellyville)

Georgia Bedikian from First National Real Estate Holgate (Lane Cove) was named Property Manager of the Year while Amie Thompson from First National O’Connor and Greg Ward from First National Real Estate Port Macquarie were named Property Manager Rookie of the Year and Sales Rookie of the Year respectively.

Alisha Thomas from First National Manly was named Administrator of the Year and Kathy Tomaras from First National Marrickville was named Receptionist of the Year.

Mr Millington said that with the greatly improved prospects for 2012, he hopes the year ahead will be even more rewarding for members.

“All First National members and their teams should be very proud of their efforts, knowing they have helped many clients realise their home ownership aspirations as well as contributed to the ongoing success of their respective offices and the network as a whole,” Mr Millington said.

“Personally, I am motivated by the excitement of sharing in shaping an organisation that excels at every level and continues to strive for setting industry benchmarks.”

State winners of the First National Real Estate GEM Awards will automatically be in the running for the national Awards to be held in May this year at the network’s annual National Convention.

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Issued by: First National Real Estate

For further information Stewart Bunn, National Communications Manager, First National Real Estate on 1800 032 332.

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Men are from the garage; Women the kitchen…

February 17, 2012 Leave a Comment

Women believe they put more importance on the kitchen when hunting for a home compared to men, First National Real Estate’s survey of women and property shows.

As well, women feel the bathroom and the size and number of bedrooms are a higher priority for them than men when buying a home. Women are also more likely to rate proximity to friends and family as extremely or very important. But expect men to be checking whether a home has a garage or a workshop – more men than women say these would be a priority when buying a home:

The survey, of 1,207 Australians (603 male and 604 female), looked at key factors influencing home purchase decisions as well as differences between men and women. Respondents were asked to rate the importance of a range of features that would influence their selection of a home. Overall:

  • 73 per cent said having a garage would be extremely or very important;
  • 71 per cent said the quality of the kitchen; the home having water saving systems or equipment, such as a grey water recycling system or rain water tank, was considered extremely or very important by 67 per cent of respondents;
  • 65 per cent said the quality of the bathroom; and
  • 56 per cent said a low maintenance garden or courtyard.
  • At the bottom of the list were: the home having good potential to improve or renovate (38 per cent), proximity to friends and family (36 per cent) and the home having a security alarm system (31 per cent).

But when couples were asked what things they believe they would prioritise more than their partner, clear gender differences emerged.

  • Far more women (28 per cent) placed a greater emphasis on the kitchen than men (three per cent);
  • Women also said they would place a greater emphasis on the bathroom – 17 per cent compared to two per cent of men);
  • 10 per cent of men said the garage or the size of the garage would be a priority, compared to four per cent of women and the same number nominated a shed or a workshop, compared to only one per cent of women;
  • 43 per cent of women compared to only 28 per cent of men said proximity to friends and family is an extremely or very important factor and 46 per cent said proximity to where people in the household work was extremely or very important, compared to 36 per cent of men;
  • Women seem more environmentally aware than men – 72 per cent said water saving systems would be an important feature, compared to 63 per cent of men.

And despite becoming an important buying power in the property market, some women say they are still discriminated against. Thirty four per cent of female home owners said they had experienced gender discrimination from tradespeople around the home and 25 per cent said they had experienced it from real estate agents. Only 11 per cent said they had been discriminated against by their mortgage lender.

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Is it worth making your property more energy efficient?

February 15, 2012 Leave a Comment

Do you want to make your home more environmentally friendly but are not sure where to start, or whether it’s even worthwhile?

Green credentials are now a stronger selling point for a property than ever before and there’s little doubt buyers are motivated by green investments you may have made in your home. Even just small eco-improvements around your home will benefit the environment and increase your home’s value.

Making such changes is one of the easiest ways you can boost your asking price or make your property more appealing. As well as reducing your impact on the environment, you’ll save money on utility bills.

Although you may feel overwhelmed by the deluge of information about climate change, energy issues and savings, to the point that you don’t quite know where to start, there are many ways to make positive changes for a minimal cost in terms of dollars and time.

First National Real Estate’s 10 tips for creating a greener household include:

  1. Install a triple A-rated showerhead and a dual flush toilet to cut your water usage. If you rent your home, consider adding a 1.25 litre PET bottle filled with water to your toilet cistern to reduce the tank’s capacity.
  2. Replace standard globes with energy efficient (compact fluorescent) light bulbs.
  3. Install a water tank to use rainwater on the garden. In some homes, this can halve water usage and deliver a greener, more attractive garden during summer.
  4. Have your home’s insulation checked – walls and ceilings may need a top-up.  Good insulation can save up to 55 per cent of heating and cooling costs.
  5. Repair the trim around windows and doors to prevent drafts and heat loss.
  6. When replacing old or cracked windows use double-glazed glass. It provides better insulation for heat and noise, while acting as a deterrent to burglars due to its strength.
  7. Use solar powered outdoor lights to illuminate your pathways and garden at night.
  8. Install ceiling fans.  They’re far more energy efficient than air conditioners but will provide a cooling air-flow on hot summer days.
  9. Think long-term and plant deciduous trees in areas that let the sun in during winter and provide shade in summer.
  10. Start a compost heap to minimise waste sent to landfill, and provide your garden with a great source of nutrients.

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Should you invest in Australian property?

February 14, 2012 Leave a Comment

Consider these statistics...

The decision to rent or buy is always a big one. The traditional strategy of buying a first house and then moving up to the ideal home as your income and equity grows is fast being replaced by the initial purchase of an investment property. However, the alternative of renting indefinitely while you save to buy is becoming equally difficult because of escalating rents and an historic squeeze on vacancies.

If you’ve wondered whether you’re ahead by renting or better off buying, consider these statistics.

  • The median net wealth of a renting household is $55,265 whereas homeowners have nine times as much – $487,183
  • Renters comprise 28.7 per cent of the nation’s households but have only 6.3 per cent of the nation’s wealth
  • Australians who own their home are worth 13 times more than renters – $734,394

So, despite arguments to the contrary that emerge from time to time, real estate ownership has made the average Australian second only to Swiss residents as the wealthiest in the world.

So how do you take the step from renting to buying your first home?

  1. Approach the market with a sound five-year plan. Get into the market, pay down the mortgage, and establish equity in the home as a basis for long-term financial security and flexibility.
  2. Budget for extras. As well as a solid deposit, have money set aside to cover insurance, routine maintenance costs and to meet mortgage payments for several months if something goes wrong.
  3. Don’t worry about the market. Your focus should be on building a deposit while looking for the property that matches your lifestyle and budget.
  4. Compromise. Your perfect home is likely to be out of reach for now, so focus on hunting down a property that has solid real estate attributes – good location, off-street parking, security, quality finishes and proximity to restaurants and transport. Choose something that will suit your needs for the next five years or so while you build up equity and prepare for the next phase of home ownership.

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Renting the family home; Should it be treated differently?

February 14, 2012 Leave a Comment

Treat the family home as though it were a normal investment

We’re all emotionally attached to the family home so making the decision to rent it out can be fraught with difficulty for some.  Letting go can sometimes be a hard thing to do but homeowners across the board need to treat their home just as they would an investment bought specifically for rental purposes.

Even though it’s your private residence, you’re now the landlord so you should consider having the property professionally cleaned to set the standard as well as future expectations for the incoming tenant.

Landlords who demonstrate their personal high standard of cleanliness usually find their tenants respect the property, returning it in the same condition when they leave.

This also applies to the condition of the interior and exterior of the home. Setting a high standard of living and comfort can make all the difference because the longer a tenant stays, the less wear & tear on the property.

Your Property Manager can put you in contact with professional cleaners and qualified tradespeople and can even arrange quotes in most cases.

Ultimately, renting your family home shouldn’t cause any great concern. Properly prepared and presented, then managed carefully by First National Real Estate, you can expect to attract tenants who’ll care for it as much as you do.

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First National Supports Rates Decision

February 9, 2012 Leave a Comment

Media Release – 9 February 2012

First National Real Estate’s CEO, Mr Ray Ellis, supports the RBA’s decision to keep interest rates on hold, saying stability is what is sought during times of ongoing consumer nervousness and tension.

“The market is tightly wound at the moment, and movement of any kind could unsettle confidence, which is why we believe the decision by the RBA was the right one at this time,” Mr Ellis said.

“Our agents have reported drops in listing volumes for the second month in a row, which, in part, reflects home owners waiting for selling conditions to improve before they put their properties on the market but also reflects seasonal factors.

“While the market remains slow in much of Australia, decreases in housing availability will begin to place upward pressure on prices as it increases competition, ultimately reducing the number of days it takes to sell a home.”

Mr Ellis said home buying opportunities, even with the rates remaining steady, were still plentiful as interest rates are still relatively low and home prices are at their most affordable for quite a number of years.

“This all bodes well for a property market looking for signs of stability and recovery” Mr Ellis said.

“Any decreases in rates at this time could have further added to consumer nervousness, which is still suffering from uncertainty around global economies and impacts of rising living costs, especially with the advent of the carbon tax.

“At the same time, an increase now could result in reduced affordability, something first home buyers in particular can ill-afford at a time when some of the government assistance schemes are being cut back or dropped altogether.

Mr Ellis said he encouraged anyone looking to purchase a home at the moment to negotiate.

“All the Big 4 banks and other mortgage lenders are on record as saying they are willing to discuss rates with home buyers in order to retain their share of the market, so buyers are in a real position of power to make them deliver on their statement,” Mr Ellis said.

“A calm approach is exactly what is needed right now to allow the property market to catch its breath and stabilise activity, so it can prepare for the next wave of influencing factors. This falls right into the hands of home buyers who should be able to secure the best deals they have for many years.”

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For further information contact Stewart Bunn, National Communications Manager, First National Real Estate, on 0413 624 317

 

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Renting With Pets, Think Again…

February 3, 2012 Leave a Comment

You own an investment property and you’re wondering whether you should consider applications from tenants with pets.

Conventional wisdom and maybe even your property manager’s advice suggests you might want to think twice about that. Obviously there’s the potential for damaged carpet as a result of small accidents, marked walls or garden damage. But is that really any different from the normal wear and tear of renting to people without pets?

New research suggests perhaps not.

Responsible pet owners typically work hard to ensure their pets don’t annoy neighbours and don’t do damage to their rental property. They know that one black mark against their name means it may be much more difficult to rent in future, or worse, they may have to surrender their pet to be euthanised, if they can’t find a suitable property.

The research also shows that tenants with pets pay and average $25 to $35 dollars more per week for their property.

Naturally, as with all rental applicants, good pet references are essential. Your property manager may also ask that your tenants sign an annexure to their lease, clearly spelling out expectations and requirements such as having carpets steam cleaned when the property is vacated.

As a landlord, the choice remains yours but allowing your property manager to consider applications from prospective tenants with good references expands your pool of potential customers. Anecdotal evidence also suggests tenants with pets rent for longer periods, reducing the wear and tear that occurs when people move in and out, and, lifting your annual net return.

First National Real Estate offers a ‘Pet Friendly Rental Search’ on its national and member websites. Prospective tenants simply tick the ‘Pet Friendly’ box when searching for property to instantly separate properties that are an option for them.

Even though vacancy rates are at very low levels and many landlords experience no difficulty finding good tenants for their properties, renting to a responsible tenant with a pet may see your investment leased for a longer period, at a higher rate, and that’s well worth thinking twice about!

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Australian Property Alerts Surge

February 2, 2012 1 Comment

Example buyer registration eCard

Technology has been firmly embedded in real estate marketing for many years but First National Real Estate is leading the charge when it comes to regular customer communication about homes suited to their needs.

Buyer alerts issued from First National’s Utopia cross matching system surged by 50% in 2011 with some 375,000 customers receiving SMS alerts, telling them that a property matching their wish list had just been put on the market. More than 11.8 million email alerts and property market updates were also issued.

The system is used equally by buyers and tenants and customers love the regular, instant updates.

‘Our customers tell us we are the only real estate brand that gets back to them when they take the time to tell us about their property hopes and dreams;’ says National Communications Manager, Stewart Bunn.

Customers register their details by visiting First National member websites and following the links for priority alerts.

‘It’s simple to update search criteria, as your wish list changes, and also to choose to receive market updates or not’ says Mr Bunn.

‘Plus, once you’ve bought or rented a new home, it’s easy to remove yourself from our database so we don’t bother you with updates you no longer need. Our customers just love the convenience and our members have reduced the number of days it takes to sell a home or rent a vacant investment property.’

Find out more about First National’s Utopia system by talking to a local First National member today.

 

 

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