January 2014 edition

Sell this summer while the market is sizzling! Happy New Year, 2013 was an 'ok' year however 2014 is predicted to be a 'good' year as housing sales increase across Queensland and Australia and homeowners can expect a steady property value growth. If you have been thinking about selling to buy, or purchasing an investment property....NOW IS THE TIME! Remember...if property prices are low, you may get less for your house than you hoped, but you'll probably pay less for the house you intend to buy...and vice versa when prices are high. Industry experts are saying that the mortgage industry is at its most competitive level since the global financial crisis offering a number of incentives to sweeten the deal. These incentives include gift cards, cash-back, interest rate discounts and fee waivers. Worried about selling during the holiday season? With all the fun and festivities of Christmas and new years, you may be wondering if people are buying during this time. Inner city and urban areas may close down as residents disappear to the coast. But coastal areas and the country can shine during this festive season as numbers swell with visitors who can be tempted by the dream of a lifestyle change. So if you do not have your property listed you could be missing out. Please let me know what you think about my new website http://www.chriseustace.com. Facebook Google Plus Website Email Call me 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 SOLD 1/2 Duplex Cairns Market Update The Cairns market is continuing the momentum which first began at the start of 2013. It is improving, benefiting from increased air travel coming in from China which is having a real impact on the local economy and also the State Government's approval of the $4.2 billion Aquis Great Barrier Reef Resort mega-resort. Our tourism industry is on the way to recovery, bringing both domestic and international visitors, potential buyers and investors. Certain suburbs have performed quite well. House prices in Clifton Beach rose 18.5% over the year, 10.3% in Gordonvale and 9.7% in Smithfield. Cairns North recorded 27 preliminary unit sales and had a median price of $184,750. Manoora posted median unit price growth of 9.4 per cent to $175,000, and Trinity Beach recorded a median price increase of 5.1 per cent to $205,000 as well as 18 preliminary unit sales. Over the quarter Mount Sheridan was the strongest performer, followed by Bentley Park at 9.4% followed by Bayview Heights at 8.7%. This increase in price can be attributed to historically low interest rates and rising confidence. The Cairns region is expecting huge growth in infrastructure, transportation, employment and retail services and these are the tell-tale signs of a developing real estate hot spot. Sales Growth Australia's median house prices in 2013    * Sydney ^ 14.5% to $655,250 * Melbourne ^ 8.5% to $563,000 * Darwin ^ 3.3% to $540,000 * Canberra ^ 3.5% to $530,000 * Perth ^ 9.9% to $520,000 * Brisbane ^ 5.1% to $445,250 * Adelaide ^ 2.8% to $386,000 * Hobart ^ 2.2% to $330,000 * Capital city aggregate rose 9.8% to $540,000 Source: RP Data The latest official figures show there has also been an increase in the number of new home approvals. The Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows the overall number of new dwelling approvals, including apartments, climbed by 10.8 per cent in July to 14,304, in seasonally adjusted terms. The number of new houses approved increased by 3.9 per cent. 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 Brush up on colours before painting There is no doubt repainting your home will refresh and rejuvenate it, making it look like a brand-new building. But with thousands of paint colours to choose from how do you know where to start? Firstly you need to think about how you want your house to look.Do you want a modern look or are you trying to play on some of its character features? A good idea is to take a drive and do a bit of house spotting, taking pictures of some of the colour schemes and styles that you like. Once you have an idea of the overall vision it s time to get some sample pots and put some colour on your walls. Selecting colours from tiny pieces of cardboard under the fluorescent lights of a hardware store is incredibly difficult. Getting the right one is more pot luck than anything. So it's vital you get a minimum of three different colours to try. When painting samples onto your walls, paint a patch at least 500mm x 500mm and apply two to three coats so that you get a true indication of the colour. Also, it s a good idea to paint a few different spots on the house to see how the colour reacts in different light conditions. Grey colours are very modern at the moment. Light or blue greys give a subtle, less dramatic look, whereas dark greys add drama and impact to a house. If you want a fresh and bright scheme, then whites and light creams are the way to go. If you want a more sophisticated look, go for a colour such as a duck egg blue or deep beige. When it comes to the trim - doorframes, windowsills and other architectural details - you can go wrong with a crisp white. Black is also a good option for the trims of your house, but make sure you paint a large sample area of your house before you make your final decision as it s quite a dramatic look. Your front door can really be an expression of your personality and a way to add a splash of colour to the property. I like to use a high gloss paint here to contrast the low sheens used on the body of the house. High gloss paint also draws the eye directly to the front door and heightens its impact. Source: CHARLIE ALBONE NEWS LIMITED JANUARY 01, 2014 I came across this interesting article published on www.homesales.com.au on 16 December 2013 and thought I would share it with you. The Great Debate: Building new vs. Buying established One of the age-old questions for first time buyers in particular is whether to build a new home or purchase an existing one. There are advantages and disadvantages for each option, so you'll want to keep these in mind as you make your decision. Pros and Cons of New Homes  There are a number of benefits associated with buying a brand new home, including benefits such as the First Home Owner Grant Scheme. Purchasing a new home gives you a blank slate to work with, allowing you to choose all of the decorative features that you prefer. Once the home has been built, it's ready for you to move right in. You won't have to wait for existing owners to move out as you would with an existing home. New homes are outfitted with high-end appliances, brand new materials, and come equipped with Home Warranty Insurance to ensure that everything is in working order. They tend to be more energy efficient as a result of being constructed with the most up-to-date materials, saving you money in the long run. The potential disadvantages of new homes include the fact that they tend to cost more than older homes, which you will pay for in higher monthly repayments. Many new homes are built on small lot sizes due to an increase of land costs, which leads to smaller room sizes and a lack of outdoor space to work with. If you envision working in a sprawling garden, an older home may be a better option.   Pros and Cons of Established Homes Existing properties are usually situated within neighbourhoods or communities that are already established, allowing you to get to know your neighbours before you move in. This can lead to a higher sense of security. One of the main benefits of established homes, particularly period homes, is their character. Older homes may have larger bedrooms, high ceilings, and picture windows. However, closets and garages may be smaller than they would in a new home. Buyers have more negotiating power when purchasing an older home, leading to lower repayments and a financial buffer for emergencies and savings. Gardens may be large and already established with mature trees and walkways. However, there is also some degree of risk involved with older properties. It's important to look at the home survey carefully to ensure that all major items in the property are in working order, including the plumbing, roof, wiring, and central heating. There will be a higher need for repairs and maintenance, and your home may not be as efficient without significant renovation. Conclusion The decision to buy or to build is not an easy one, as each type of property comes with its own set of benefits. Ultimately, it will depend on your budget and the property in question. Think about your personal financial situation, long term plans, and job security before you take the plunge, and weigh all options carefully.  Source: www.homesales.com.au on 16 December 2013 So if you are interested in any of the blocks at Mt Isley Estate, Cilento Close or have seen a block you like, please give me a call. A bit of fun! An effective way to teach the young people you know how to save their money over the year by following this table and putting money aside each week. 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.