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.