REAL ESTATE NEWS

$10,000 Queensland Building Boost Grant

June 14th, 2011 | Category: Real Estate News

The QLD state government has just announced a $10K building boost for anyone building or buying a new home in QLD. This grant is limited to a specific time period and applies to new homes valued under $600k. It will commence on the 1st of August and will expire on the 31st of January 2012.

The grant is also available to non-Queensland residents. Multiple grants are allowed, it is possible to obtain grants for each new home purchased or built.

For FAQ go to http://www.budget.qld.gov.au/current-budget/tax-reform/faqs.shtml

Auction Spectacular on Russell Island

By Darren Ashenden| May 9th, 2011 | Category: Real Estate News

Ray White Russell Island is holding an Auction Spectacular at 1:00pm on May 29th 2011 at the Russell Island Recreation Hall. The Recreation Hall is situated across the road from the main access jetty and easily accessible to any who wish to attend.

It should be a good day out with plenty of action as 10 houses and 9 blocks of land are on offer. There is a good spread of property and something for everyone considering a purchase on Russell Island. Some very good quality residential land allotments will be available and the range of houses covers standard residential, water view and water front homes.

Auctions are a great real estate event and generate an air of anticipation for both vendor and buyer alike. There is opportunity for vendors to achieve a clean sale and for buyers to pick up a bargain. If there is a high energy environment at the auction a vendor can achieve a better sale price than what could be expected in a private treaty negotiation.

People familiar with the auction process will form strategies for bidding as a buyer and a selling strategy as a vendor. Those not familiar with the auction process should give consideration to a strategy as this helps maintain a logical approach to decision making on the day of auction. A good strategy is one that works just as well for a buyer as it will for a vendor. A sample strategy is outlined below and can be adapted for the vendor or the buyer. The premise for the strategy is to set price limits at various ranges and it is recommended that four prices are considered.

1. Cartwheel Price this is the price that would make you do cartwheels if achieved. For the buyer it is normally their opening bid or their bottom dollar and for the vendor it would be a price over and above the set reserve.
2. Fair Market Price this is the price that would be considered a fair market deal for both vendor and buyer and would be consistent with the lower end of current market value.
3. Push Comes to Shove Price for the buyer this is an amount they are prepared to go to if competing with another bidder and would be consistent with the upper range of current market value. For the vendor it would be the price they could accept, possibly with a bit of reluctance, for a sale and would be on the low end or just under current market value.
4. Walk Away Price this is the absolute maximum price a buyer would go to before walking away from the deal if bidding goes beyond this figure. For the vendor it would the absolute minimum price they could consider before passing the property in.

This is a good concept to consider and will help keep the emotions at bay on auction day.
As a buyer at auction you will need to have your finance in place, do you research on the property, get a valuation if you wish and a building and pest report. The 5 day cooling off period does not apply to sales under the hammer and terms are normally a 10% deposit paid on the day and a settlement period of 30 days is normal. The best advice is to be prepared and have fun.

Bay Island Houses Back on the Menu???

By Darren Ashenden| February 6th, 2011 | Category: Real Estate News

The real estate industry is experiencing a lull but with housing affordability at its best in years the climate is right for buying. This is evident in the current buying trend on the Bay Islands where in the last month buyers have been snapping up bargains on the top and bottom ends of the market. The mid market is currently where the bargains are and there are still a few left in the other ranges.

At present you can buy a great lifestyle home for around $300,000 + or - $50,000 or you can grab a great starter or investment property for $200,000 + or - $20,000 with an average rent return of $210 per week and if you dont mind putting in a little effort a water front bargain around $400,000 is achievable.

The Bay Islands are becoming popular and are growing. They have a strong appeal for the retiree and retiring but the young families might just be the new trend. Why not take a day out and have a look around, you might be surprised.

Unique Opportunity on Southern Moreton Bay Islands

By Darren Ashenden| January 30th, 2011 | Category: Real Estate News

The economic climate throughout the world has contributed to creating one of the best buyers markets seen since the 1990's. People are hurting financially and markets have been flooded with stock leaving us in a situation of over supply and under demand. Buyers who are in a position to purchase have been getting great deals all over Australia and this is true for the Southern Moreton Bay Islands. This mostly undiscovered location is fast becoming a place to be for those looking for affordable coastal housing close to Brisbane or for a lifestyle shift. The recent Queensland floods have also generated an interest in areas that are not prone to flooding such as the Bay Islands.

The Bay Islands have a unique real estate market that can accommodate the needs of most people with entry level vacant land from $30,000 right through to direct access water front land at over $300,000 and everything in between. This is the same with established dwellings with very affordable houses from under $200,000 to top dollar water front up to $1,200,000. At present you can secure a water front property from around $400,000 but this wont last forever. Since 2007 the islands have had a huge increase in services and everything needed is accessible locally and for the extras a short trip to Victoria Point will give access to a major shopping facility with cinemas, restaurants, taverns and clubs.

The culture of the islands is fairly laid back and friendly without the hustle and bustle of suburbia or city dwelling, there is a common saying amongst the Russell Island locals which goes "no hustle and bustle on Russell" and borders on being the motto for the Russell Island residents. The climate is all but perfect, the air is fresh the skies are clear and the water is clean. For people who enjoy the waterside lifestyle the islands offer a huge array of options from a quiet kayak to exhilarating waterskiing, from a peaceful sail to a relaxing fishing trip. Some of the most beautiful locations in Moreton Bay can be reached in about 20 minutes by boat, have a BBQ on the beach of South Stradbroke Island, grab a cold beer at the Little Ships Club on North Stradbroke Island, snorkel the ship wreck at Peel Island, sail or cruise to Brisbane; all is available the choice is yours.

Why not come see for yourself? Jump on a ferry or vehicle barge and spend the day or weekend and see if you are not affected by the lure of these wonderful islands. Go on I dare you