Our team at Dougmal Harcourts – The Property People recently attended the Harcourts New South Wales Quarterly Awards at the Star Room in Darling Harbour, to celebrate individual and office real estate achievements for the April – June 2013 quarter.
We competed against 66 other real estate offices, 150 sales consultants, and over 60 property management professionals across NSW to gain these highly sought-after awards.
ANNUAL AWARDS APRIL – JUNE 2013
Individual Awards:
Customer Service Award - Sarah Walker
Bronze Sales Achievement Award - Gary Ghassibe & John Krivograd
Gold Sales Achievement Award - Troy Holmes & Garth Makowski
Ruby Pin - John Krivograd
Property Management Business Development Award - Sarena Rowley
Top Lister - Garth Makowski
Top Marketing Budget - Garth Makowski
Top Auction Lister - Garth Makowski
Top 10 Sales Consultants - Income to Office - 4th place, Troy Holmes | 5th place, Garth Makowski
Office Awards:
Top Auction Office
Property Management Office Excellence Award - 1st place
Property Management Office Revenue Award - 1st place
Property Management Business Development Award - 1st place
NSW Top Office (highest gross revenue per sales consultant) - 2nd place
NSW Top Office (highest gross revenue) - 1st place
Well done to the whole Dougmal Harcourts team for receiving these awards. A few special mentions must go to our superstar on the front desk, Sarah Walker; our outstanding property management team; Sarena Rowley who manages out Property Management team; and Troy Holmes in sales for having an outstanding quarter. Well done guys, you truly deserve the recognition received!
Our August Auction Extravaganza event was held last week at the Rydges Hotel in Campbelltown.
On Tuesday 20th August we had another sensational in-rooms Auction event, featuring five great properties.
The auctions were action-packed, energetic, and fun for all with strong and competitive bidding for all properties.
The clearance rate for the night was an outstanding 100%! One property was sold before auction, and the other four properties were sold under the hammer ABOVE our sellers’ reserve prices.
BRADBURY, 12 Caley Street – SOLD BEFORE AUCTION!
AMBARVALE, 14 Woodcourt Street – SOLD!
CAMPBELLTOWN, 69 Waminda Avenue – SOLD!
AMBARVALE, 3 Drood Place – SOLD!
Well done to all our successful sellers, purchasers, and our team at Dougmal Harcourts – The Property People. It was a great night, with even greater results!
A big thank you to Paul Casarotto, our highly experienced and successful Auctioneer, and our sponsors Domain, The Macarthur Advertiser and Harcourts NSW for your support and sponsorship.
NEXT IN-ROOMS AUCTION TO BE HELD ON 18TH OF SEPTEMBER, AT THE RYDGES HOTEL, CAMPELLTOWN.
If you want to find out more about the process and the benefits of selling your property by auction, speak to one of our highly experienced Sales Consultants on 4628 7444.
Last week the Reserve Bank made the decision to again cut the official interest rate by 0.25 percent to a new record low of 2.5 percent.
This rate cut was decided based on the RBA’s concern for the national economy. Latest national data shows the jobless rate rising over June and building approvals down sharply over the month.
The lower dollar and a recovering share market are however a positive together, with increased buyer activity in the Australian housing market.
Locally, our housing market is very strong, fueled by these continually low interest rates. Properties are selling quickly, and there are not enough properties on the market to fulfil current demand. Off the back of this we are seeing some solid house price growth and good sale prices throughout the local market.
Our auction sales are particularly going really well, reflecting Sydney’s auction clearance rates around the mid seventies, and many properties selling well over reserve prices.
We are also now heading into the busiest selling time of the year - spring! Statistics clearly illustrate that spring is the busiest time in the real estate year. More people are selling and buyers are coming out of “winter hibernation” to purchase their new or next home.
If you are thinking about selling, now is the time to start getting all the things done around your home in preparation of a spring sale. Contact our office today and we can give you information on the things you should consider in getting you and your property ready for spring selling campaign.
When it comes to appraising a property’s value, the building and its design features are the main variables. Land value is relatively easy to estimate.
Following is a guide on contemporary attitudes to property values:
Bedrooms
The number of bedrooms remains the most common way to estimate a property’s value. Over the last 50 years the number of bedrooms in a typical home has grown from two to four, but the average household size has decreased.
Regardless of this shrinking household size, the desire for larger homes remains strong and the market tends to put higher value on four bedroom houses and three bedroom apartments. Extra bedrooms offer flexible lifestyle options such as a home office or guest room.
Bathrooms
The number of bathrooms and toilets is second only to the number of bedrooms when it comes to buyer interest. The market values a second bathroom and toilet or en suite very highly due to the convenience and privacy they offer.
Storage
This is an underrated influence on value. Homes with plenty of storage space are likely to be more highly valued.
Theatre room
The games room of the 70s and 80s has given way to home theatre. A room with flat screen TV, surround sound and comfy chairs are in demand.
Garaging
Secure car accommodation is still highly important to buyers.
Kitchen
A well-designed, functional and spacious kitchen with quality draws and cupboards, bench tops and appliances is a priority for home buyers.
Al fresco area
Whether it’s a simple social space with a modest outdoor setting or a lavish BBQ area with a patio, a functional and sheltered setting outside which expands the living area of the home and utilises the garden can be a great bonus.
All of these factors come together to establish an estimated selling value of the home.
At Dougmal Harcourts – The Property People, when we appraise a property’s value, we take in to consideration all of these attributes, plus current and relevant nearby sales to establish an estimated selling price for your home. Speak to one of our Sales Consultants and ask for a ‘Market Appraisal’to receive all of this up-to-date information personalised to your property.
When it comes to opening up your home to buyers, you only get one chance to make a first impression. Set your property up for inspection success with these simple tips.
Clean up
Make sure your whole property is neat and tidy when buyers arrive, including the garden and outside areas. Don’t forget to clean inside ovens, cupboards and wardrobes, in case potential buyers look inside. Remove shoes from the entrance and any hazards people might trip over. Clear out the mailbox and get those rubbish bins out of sight.
Do the repairs
Little things like broken or torn flyscreens, leaking taps and non-working lights greatly detract from a property’s presentation - and they are so easy and cheap to fix! Have a look around your home and get all the small repairs done before inspection day.
Invite light and air
Air-out your home thoroughly before the inspection so it feels as fresh and clean as possible. If the weather permits, open a window during the inspections, so air keeps flowing through. Draw back curtains and blinds to bring in as much light as possible.
Personal touches
A personal touch here and there helps your home feel “lived in”, and can spark an emotional connection with a buyer. Fresh flowers are another way to add personality and flair.
Strike the right temperature
Keep an eye on the weather and heat or cool your home so it’s comfortable at inspection times. You need to demonstrate that your property can effortlessly cope with the current climate. You should be aiming to give them a cool or warm blast upon entry, depending on what’s most welcome at that time.
Remove the pets
Pet smells or stains can turn someone off your property. Deodorise your property to remove the smell of your pets and clean traces of hair from floors and furniture. Put away feeding bowls and toys and remove any litter boxes or droppings from the yard. At inspection times take the dog for a walk so it doesn’t deter people from looking at your property thoroughly.
Tax time can often be confusing for landlords as to what can and can’t be claimed. Landlords obviously aim to claim the maximum amount of expenses that are allowable against their investment properties.
To help you get started, below are the more common items that landlord’s claim:
- Capital works deductions – extensions, alterations and structural improvements can be claimed, but not the land itself as this is subject to capital gains tax.
- Some depreciating assets such as curtains, blinds, stoves and hot water systems can attract a tax deduction.
- Repairs and maintenance such as replacing guttering, repairing electrical equipment, painting, cleaning or plumbing are all deductible. Check the ATO website as there are certain time frames in which these claims can be made.
- Travel to and from your rental property for inspections is tax deductible as long as this is the purpose of the trip.
- Other smaller items that are deductible include: advertising costs, body corporate fees, council rates including sewerage and water, gardening and lawn-mowing costs, insurance (including landlord insurance), pest control, property agent fees, office supplies and phone charges.
You should remember that you can only claim expenses relating to your rental property for the period that your property was rented or available for rent. Remember to keep all documentation and receipts for claimable expenses.
For more comprehensive information, visit the ATO website at the following links and consult with your accountant.
http://www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/Income-and-deductions/. Look down the left hand margin to Investments, including rental properties and you will see two sub-areas for information called Rental property expenses and a publication called Rental Properties 2012-2013.
