December 2013 edition

Holly-Golly Gee ... It’s a Christmas Tree! Say Goodbye to Two Zero One Three Merry Christmas, I Must say it has been an interesting, exciting, and unusual year for all sorts of reasons. We have a new Federal Government and our third Prime Minister in 12 months. 2013 marked a government shutdown in the US that had many wondering what sort of system sees the world’s biggest super power freeze its own federal working capital. This year there were floods and typhoons and the tragedy of the Boston Marathon. We had the death of Margaret Thatcher, Nelson Mandela and the resignation of a Pope. On the positive side we witnessed the royal birth his Royal Highness Prince George, Gai Waterhouse finally won a Melbourne Cup, Queensland retained the State of Origin and Argo won the best picture at the Oscars and best of all Australia secured their first Ashes series win since 2006–07. Lets keep the good times rolling into 2014 and have a safe New Year. **Check out my new website http://www.chriseustace.com. I would love to hear your feedback!** I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support this year and wish you a happy and safe festive season and an amazing 2014! Facebook Google Plus Website Email Call for a free appraisal today and get this book FREE!!! "How to sell your home for more" written by Ray Wood (RRP $24.95) will teach you how to maximize you chance of top dollar when selling your property.   Call me on 0412 852 369 Recently Listed BUNGALOW 3/201 Aumuller Street 2 Bed 2 Bath 1 Car  Unit PARRAMATTA PARK 5/66 Martyn Street 2 Bed 1 Bath 1 Car  Unit WHITE ROCK 6 Cilento Close 1305m2 hillside block Land MOUNT SHERIDAN Mt Isley Estate 26 elevated blocks Land Recently Sold MANOORA Armbrust st  SOLD Unit KEWARRA BEACH     Monterery St SOLD House EDGE HILL 2/106 Greenslopes Street UNDER CONTRACT 1/2 Duplex Cairns Market Update September 2013 newsletter surmised that the Cairns residential property market was showing signs of movement and that towards the end of 2013 we would hopefully see some great sales results. In addition, the local economy was said to be progressively improving, but taking a long time for those improvements to revive the local property market. Well the results are in and the Cairns property market is at the start of its recovery phase. Most of Cairns suburbs are no longer buyers markets and are moving into a balance between buyers and sellers. Prices are also now starting to rise slowly. Previously unsellable stock is starting to move. The Northern Beaches market is being pumped up by the proposed $4.2 billion Aquis resort development, which in turn is stimulating investors and we are now seeing confidence in the market. There has been little change in the Cairns North median house price during the course of 2013, with the November 2013 median house price trend standing at $362,000* compared to $359,000* in January 2013. You may be interested to know within Cairns North during November 2013 there were a total of 15 properties sold. Prices ranged from $142,500** for a one bedroom apartment, through to $557,500** for the sale of a three bedroom house. *According to Pricefinder.com **According to realestate.com   Sales Growth Sale growth for house’s in the 4870, 4879, 4869 postcodes Sale growth for unit’s in the 4870, 4879, 4869 postcodes. Testimonials Thank you Chris Eustace for selling my home. Your enthusiasm and professionalism was so refreshing. You got my price without any "to and fro's". Such a smooth, no fuss sale...and it took just 8 days!  Both myself and my buyer are over the moon! - Karen Bergman Thank you so much Chris Eustace, Cairns Realtor for selling my unit!!!! I seriously cannot recommend you enough. Coming from having my unit listed with another local Real Estate agent for over 800 days and having less than a handful of enquiries to listing with you and having numerous offers and a signed contract in 21 days!!! You rock!!! - Kelly Doyle Ideas for entertaining in small units Entertaining in your home when you live in a small unit can be challenging. Fitting a party worth of people in a 30 square meter space and making it one memorable event is totally doable as long you think smart and get a little bit creative with your space. Downsize your guest list There’s no rule saying that your get together has to involve every person in your social circle. Why not throw an intimate dinner party for three or four friends?   Have an indoor picnic Grab a picnic blanket and lay it out on the lounge room floor with cushions for people to sit on. Lay out platters of snack food like cheese and biscuits and have a relaxing afternoon get together.   Move your stuff around Don’t be afraid to move your furniture around to create welcoming spaces. Try moving your couch and chairs to the sides of a room to create a dance floor. Move your lounge room furniture on to your balcony if you have one and make a luxurious outdoor party zone.   Throw a casual cocktail party Clear out most of your furniture and throw a standing room only party. This works well if you’re planning on having a bit of a dance later on or if you want to invite lots of people but don’t have the chairs to accommodate everyone.   Make use of communal areas Most apartment blocks have communal zones like a BBQ area, pool or rooftop. Often these areas go unused so you might as well take advantage of them!   Borrow or hire It’s much better to make use of temporary fixes like borrowed chairs or hired sound equipment rather than add to the clutter of your apartment.   Pick a theme Have a movie night where everyone sits around on cushions and watches movies or a board game night where you set up a folding table in your living area.   ***Don’t let a small space get you down – live it up and party large*** Your local guy in real estate Born and raised in Cairns, Chris has a great relationship with this town and its people. He believes Cairns is an ever growing, conscientious and innovative community, a great place to live and raise a family. Cairns provides many great opportunities and a lifestyle that is the envy of almost anywhere else in the world. We are living the 'tropical dream'! After years managing in the events industry both in Australia and overseas, Chris decided it was time to follow his passion into real estate and apply the lessons learnt. Chris feels that this has been a natural progression and now allows him to help many of his friends buy and sell property. Buying or selling a property can be stressful as you are dealing with one of the biggest investments of your life, and Chris believes that it is his job to take the stress out of the equation and turn it into a positive life changing experience. Chris works for First National Cairns Central, and caters for the needs of buyers, sellers, renters and property investors. First National Real Estate Cairns Central is REIQ accredited. "Trust, honesty and integrity…always, that is my motto in work and life" says Chris. "Whether you are a first home buyer, an experienced investor or a developer I have the experience to help you achieve your goals in real estate. I have Cairns real estate knowledge and the support of one of Australia's largest networks putting me in a great position to help you in real estate." Chris's interests away from real estate include spending time with his fiancee, taking his dogs for a run, fishing, touch football and mountain bike riding. Contact me for a no-obligation appraisal and receive a book that will teach you how to sell your home for more (valued at $24.95 RRP), absolutely FREE! Copyright © 2014 First National Cairns Central, All rights reserved.

October 2013 edition

Living the tropical dream It is spring and change is in the air...so it's time to spruce up your garden and give the place a new coat of paint before the wet season rolls in. I am here to help with all your real estate needs and believe in "Trust, honesty and integrity…always!" Is it a good time to sell? Do you own a house worth about $400,000? If you want to sell quickly, new research indicates now could be the perfect time. A RealestateVIEW survey suggests first home buyers (FHBs) and investors are looking to get into the market around the $400,000 price point, with a preference for houses. The most likely beneficiaries are likely to be houses within 10 to 15 kilometres of cities where transport links and local amenities are mature. While houses are more popular, townhouses and units are also likely to pick up in this range. 66.9% are keen to invest in houses whereas 15.4% show a preference for townhouses & 8.9% want units.   Cairns landmark home sold One of Cairns landmark historical homes, pitched as "international embassy standard", has been snapped up by a Chinese buyer. The four-bedroom mansion Whitfield House has been purchased by a Chinese company for an undisclosed amount. Whitfield House dates back to 1925 and has hosted numerous politicians within its glamorous function rooms and countless weddings and jazz concerts in the manicured gardens. While admitting the property would be sold with a heavy heart, Mrs Glennie said it was time for a less hectic life. What's in this issue - Is it a good time to sell? - Cairns landmark home sold - Buy and sell in a balanced market - Competition time! - Hot tips when renovating your home - Market update Cairns North - Cairns North property data trends - Local business profile - Your local guy in real estate Facebook Google Plus Website Email Recently listed BUNGALOW 255 Little Spence St 8Bed 2Bath 2Car House $450,000 BRINSMEAD 8 The Peak Road 4 Bed 3 Bath 2 Car House OFFERS MOOROOBOOL  67 Carnation Drive 3 Bed 1 Bath 2 Car      House $389,000 KEWARRA BEACH 32 Jasmine st 6 Bed 7 Bath 3 Car   House $950,000 WESTCOURT 240 Buchan st 2 bed 2 bath 1 car   Unit $325,000 Recently sold KEWARRA BEACH 19 Stream st 4Bed 2Bath 2Car SOLD CAIRNS NORTH 348 Sheridan st 4 Bed 1 Bath 2 Car  SOLD Buying and selling in a balanced property market As property markets across the country become more balanced, and spring is off to a good start, both buyers and sellers are set to be winners if they follow some simple rules of engagement says First National Real Estate Chief Executive, Mr Ray Ellis. “The latest industry figures show the number of homes for sale is now more aligned with buyer demand, creating a balanced market in most states of Australia,” Mr Ellis said. “Naturally, for those wanting to sell a home or purchase one, they will still be seeking the best deal they can get. “While a balanced market heralds good news for sellers, as competition increases somewhat amongst home buyers, it also means there is less room to negotiate on price.” Mr Ellis says this increased competition means information becomes king in the negotiation process.m “Home buyers need to arm themselves with as much research and information as they can, so they are fully informed of local trends and similar property sales in the areas where they want to buy,” Mr Ellis said. “It’s also advantageous to get advice from their local real estate agent, especially one they feel comfortable with and trust. “We are there to help our clients achieve the best possible outcome, whether they are buying or selling a home.” Mr Ellis advises that home buyers should also set themselves a clear budget, secure conditional pre-approval financing and monitor wider market intelligence. “Combining these factors will keep them ahead of competing buyers by giving them the confidence to act decisively when they find the home of their dreams,” Mr Ellis said. For sellers, Mr Ellis says the key is meeting market expectations by setting realistic prices. “Too often, sellers see headlines about rising prices but don’t take account of what the local market is doing. They then set a price way above what buyers will pay, which only serves to frighten them away,” Mr Ellis said. “While supply is still relatively short, and will continue to be so for some time, there is still strong competition for quality properties that come onto the market.” Mr Ellis says the best advice for home sellers is to secure the services of a reputable, trustworthy real estate agent who will guide them through the process, including what price to set and how best to prepare their property for sale. “A common mistake for sellers is to not prepare their property effectively.  Sometimes it’s simply a case of decluttering your home and giving it a spring clean, or it may involve repainting and fixing cracks in walls, ceilings, pathways and driveways. “It rarely involves a complete makeover, but if that is what it takes to maximise value, then sellers should do it as it may add thousands of dollars to the eventual sale price by generating greater competition amongst prospective buyers.” Competition time! If you can tell me the name of the company i work for you will go in the draw to win a dinner for 2 valued at $100 at our local Dunwoody’s Tavern. All you have to do send an email with the following details to: chris.eustace@fncairnscentral.com The Answer: First Name: Last Name: Address: Email: Dunwoody's - The home of flaming good steaks and pizza. 317 Sheridan Street Ph. 07 4051 6822 Hotel Opening Hours Mon - Sun 10am til 2am Restaurant hours Sunday - Friday : 11.30am to 2.30pm   and   5.30pm to 9.00pm Saturday all day dining : 11.30am to 9.00pm Entry will be drawn of the (1st November 2013) Prize winner will be notified by email. Hot tips when renovating your home When you’re planning to sell, it’s crucial to put together a list of potential improvements that will maximise your sale price. But how do you make sure you’re not investing money in areas where your costs won’t be recouped? The most popular improvements right now in Australia are: Add a veranda. Instantly boost kerb-appeal with this low cost addition to the front or rear of your home. Clean & paint. Relatively inexpensive, a fresh coat of paint is a sure-fire way to achieve maximum return on investment. Stay neutral though. Choose current colours. Earth tones are in, pastels and pinks are out. Remove any colour schemes that don’t contribute to a tonal flow throughout your home. Improve light & flow. OK, adding new windows is pricey, but introducing more light or even a view to a room appeals to absolutely every buyer. Remove walls. Wherever possible, combine rooms to increase the sense of space, as long as you don’t reduce the total bedroom count in the process. Update Kitchen. Good quality kitchen appliances instantly make a home more saleable, as long as other other important features have not been forgotten. Don’t make a bold statement with colour and think twice about steam-ovens or built-in coffee machines unless you’re offering a premier property. Update bathroom. Here’s where you can make a big difference with minimal cost. Major bathroom renos don’t typically influence price as much as kitchens so save money here by making just small changes. Just changing the vanity, a mirror, taps, the sink, or lighting fixtures can quickly and cheaply boost appeal. Be timeless. Traditional choices offer broadest buyer appeal. Choose timber over polished concrete, carpet over tiles in bedrooms, stone over Formica, plain fabrics over floral, and simple rather than elaborate with lighting. Market Update - Cairns North Cairns North profile summary In the 2011, the population of Cairns North was 4,444. This number is comprised of 47.6% females and 52.4% males. The median/average age of the Cairns North population is 35 years of age, 2 years below the Australian average. 52.8% of people living in Cairns North were born in Australia. The other top responses for country of birth were England 5.2%, New Zealand 4.7%, India 2.7%, Japan 2.5%, Papua New Guinea 1.7%. 65.5% of people speak English as their first language 2.8% Japanese, 1.3% Mandarin, 1.1% German, 0.9% Korean, 0.8% French. As you can see a great demographic of people share Cairns North and there is something for everyone. Properties range from beautiful city-view apartments overlooking the ocean to elaborate original houses built in this area back when the rapid residential development occurred in the 1970s. There are many commercial properties in Cairns North providing a thriving suburban hub and a real estate 'hot-spot'. The suburb of Cairns North is a highly sort after area for buyers as many owners have renovated and restored their homes to their former 'Queenslander' beauty. This has in turn increased the value of entire streets as they become 'boutique streets'. Cairns North property data trends Local business profile Ocean World Seafood Market operates 7 Days a week, offering fresh seafood to the retail sector and supplying some of Cairns leading restaurants. We also operate a busy take-away fish and chip department cooking from 9am to 7pm every day. In 2007 Peter and Mende Adams purchased the already established Ocean Wild Seafood Market, originally started by local prawn fishing identities, the Corbett family, with a commitment to providing LOCAL and Australian seafood. Changing the name to Ocean World Seafood Market put their own identity on the business. With 20 years experience in the hospitality and retail industry Peter and Mende are renowned service specialists and instilled their knowledge of the food industry into providing an excellent product both in fresh seafood and quality cooked product. The business has a strong local customer base that enjoy the fresh local produce all year round Ocean World Seafood Market 379 Sheridan St Ph, 07 4041 0242 Trading hours 9am - 7pm 7 days Your local guy in real estate Born and raised in Cairns, Chris has a great relationship with this town and its people. He believes Cairns is an ever growing, conscientious and innovative community, a great place to live and raise a family. Cairns provides many great opportunities and a lifestyle that is the envy of almost anywhere else in the world. It is no accident that Chris has well refined professional skills in customer service, negotiation and great attention to detail as he learnt these skills in the highly demanding hospitality industry. Chris learnt his communication skills, persistence and high level of customer service both domestically and internationally specialising in the very intense special events sector of the hospitality industry. Chris's experience includes two years working and running prestigious events in the United Kingdom, including Bloomberg's annual staff party (4500 guests), Buckingham Palace (8000 guests), Scottish Open Golf at Loch Lomond, Wembley Stadium for Princess Diana Memorial Concert and the Brit Awards. It is this type of experience that has taken his organisational and negotiation skills to a new level. After years in the world of events, he decided it was time to follow his passion into real estate and apply the lessons learnt. Chris feels that this has been a natural progression and now allows him to help many of his friends buy and sell property. Buying or selling a property can be stressful as you are dealing with one of the biggest investments of your life, and Chris believes that it is his job to take the stress out of the equation and turn it into a positive life changing experience. Chris's interests away from real estate include spending time with his fiancée, fishing, mountain bike riding and just being out in the Queensland sun. Contact me for a no-obligation appraisal and receive a book that will teach you how to sell your home for more (valued at $24.95 RRP), absolutely FREE! Copyright © 2014 First National Cairns Central, All rights reserved.