“Each of these agents have excelled over the last 12 months, the first year they have been with the network, and they were automatically in the running once they won their state award,” First National Real Estate CEO, Mr Ray Ellis, said.

“They are all deserving of the national title, having worked hard to earn their recognition, and it is through their dedication and commitment that we, as a network, are able to remain at the forefront of our industry going from strength to strength every year.”

According to the nominees, one of the best things they have found working with the First National network is the support they are provided with.

“I’ve found the company very supportive.  The network makes it easy to do the simple things well.  The technology compared to other agencies and networks is unparalleled,” Queensland winner, Brenton Faulknau said.

“I’m a big fan of good and regular training so the quarterly training days with quality trainers provided held in our town are fantastic,” NSW nominee, Greg Ward, said.

“First National offers great IT support for my role, and it’s a great office to work at with great people which makes the working day so much better,” WA Rookie of the Year, Bruce McDonald, said.

Sarah Burton, South Australia’s Rookie of the Year representative, said First National was “fantastic and a well-established corporate network which combines local knowledge with national strength.”

“Plus, they are backed by industry leading marketing systems, technology and quality standards.”

But, for Sarah, the best part of working with the network is that you are a member of a community.

“They provide fantastic sales support and give us the opportunity meet, learn and network with fellow colleagues at the SA/NT Quarterly awards.  Here we are able to attend development training to keep up to date and identify opportunities for improvement,” Sarah said.

“Being part of this ever developing community would be one of the best parts of working with First National.

“Development training offered at award functions and the chance to grow and expand our knowledge of the industry with up to date technology, including programs such as Utopia provides tremendous support to us in our role as agents.”

Jamie Maynard, winner of Victoria’s Rookie of the Year, said the best part of working with First National is the ‘great team environment.”  What he finds most supportive for his role is the fact First National is “a great brand, well-known by everybody in the community.”

- copy ends -

For further information contact Stewart Bunn, National Communications Manager, First National Real Estate, on 0413 624 317

“Each of these agents have excelled over the last 12 months, the first year they have been with the network, and they were automatically in the running once they won their state award,” First National Real Estate CEO, Mr Ray Ellis, said.

“They are all deserving of the national title, having worked hard to earn their recognition, and it is through their dedication and commitment that we, as a network, are able to remain at the forefront of our industry going from strength to strength every year.”

According to the nominees, one of the best things they have found working with the First National network is the support they are provided with.

“I’ve found the company very supportive.  The network makes it easy to do the simple things well.  The technology compared to other agencies and networks is unparalleled,” Queensland winner, Brenton Faulknau said.

“I’m a big fan of good and regular training so the quarterly training days with quality trainers provided held in our town are fantastic,” NSW nominee, Greg Ward, said.

“First National offers great IT support for my role, and it’s a great office to work at with great people which makes the working day so much better,” WA Rookie of the Year, Bruce McDonald, said.

Sarah Burton, South Australia’s Rookie of the Year representative, said First National was “fantastic and a well-established corporate network which combines local knowledge with national strength.”

“Plus, they are backed by industry leading marketing systems, technology and quality standards.”

But, for Sarah, the best part of working with the network is that you are a member of a community.

“They provide fantastic sales support and give us the opportunity meet, learn and network with fellow colleagues at the SA/NT Quarterly awards.  Here we are able to attend development training to keep up to date and identify opportunities for improvement,” Sarah said.

“Being part of this ever developing community would be one of the best parts of working with First National.

“Development training offered at award functions and the chance to grow and expand our knowledge of the industry with up to date technology, including programs such as Utopia provides tremendous support to us in our role as agents.”

Jamie Maynard, winner of Victoria’s Rookie of the Year, said the best part of working with First National is the ‘great team environment.”  What he finds most supportive for his role is the fact First National is “a great brand, well-known by everybody in the community.”

- copy ends -

For further information contact Stewart Bunn, National Communications Manager, First National Real Estate, on 0413 624 317

“Each of these agents have excelled over the last 12 months, the first year they have been with the network, and they were automatically in the running once they won their state award,” First National Real Estate CEO, Mr Ray Ellis, said.

“They are all deserving of the national title, having worked hard to earn their recognition, and it is through their dedication and commitment that we, as a network, are able to remain at the forefront of our industry going from strength to strength every year.”

According to the nominees, one of the best things they have found working with the First National network is the support they are provided with.

“I’ve found the company very supportive.  The network makes it easy to do the simple things well.  The technology compared to other agencies and networks is unparalleled,” Queensland winner, Brenton Faulknau said.

“I’m a big fan of good and regular training so the quarterly training days with quality trainers provided held in our town are fantastic,” NSW nominee, Greg Ward, said.

“First National offers great IT support for my role, and it’s a great office to work at with great people which makes the working day so much better,” WA Rookie of the Year, Bruce McDonald, said.

Sarah Burton, South Australia’s Rookie of the Year representative, said First National was “fantastic and a well-established corporate network which combines local knowledge with national strength.”

“Plus, they are backed by industry leading marketing systems, technology and quality standards.”

But, for Sarah, the best part of working with the network is that you are a member of a community.

“They provide fantastic sales support and give us the opportunity meet, learn and network with fellow colleagues at the SA/NT Quarterly awards.  Here we are able to attend development training to keep up to date and identify opportunities for improvement,” Sarah said.

“Being part of this ever developing community would be one of the best parts of working with First National.

“Development training offered at award functions and the chance to grow and expand our knowledge of the industry with up to date technology, including programs such as Utopia provides tremendous support to us in our role as agents.”

Jamie Maynard, winner of Victoria’s Rookie of the Year, said the best part of working with First National is the ‘great team environment.”  What he finds most supportive for his role is the fact First National is “a great brand, well-known by everybody in the community.”

- copy ends -

For further information contact Stewart Bunn, National Communications Manager, First National Real Estate, on 0413 624 317

“Each of these agents have excelled over the last 12 months, the first year they have been with the network, and they were automatically in the running once they won their state award,” First National Real Estate CEO, Mr Ray Ellis, said.

“They are all deserving of the national title, having worked hard to earn their recognition, and it is through their dedication and commitment that we, as a network, are able to remain at the forefront of our industry going from strength to strength every year.”

According to the nominees, one of the best things they have found working with the First National network is the support they are provided with.

“I’ve found the company very supportive.  The network makes it easy to do the simple things well.  The technology compared to other agencies and networks is unparalleled,” Queensland winner, Brenton Faulknau said.

“I’m a big fan of good and regular training so the quarterly training days with quality trainers provided held in our town are fantastic,” NSW nominee, Greg Ward, said.

“First National offers great IT support for my role, and it’s a great office to work at with great people which makes the working day so much better,” WA Rookie of the Year, Bruce McDonald, said.

Sarah Burton, South Australia’s Rookie of the Year representative, said First National was “fantastic and a well-established corporate network which combines local knowledge with national strength.”

“Plus, they are backed by industry leading marketing systems, technology and quality standards.”

But, for Sarah, the best part of working with the network is that you are a member of a community.

“They provide fantastic sales support and give us the opportunity meet, learn and network with fellow colleagues at the SA/NT Quarterly awards.  Here we are able to attend development training to keep up to date and identify opportunities for improvement,” Sarah said.

“Being part of this ever developing community would be one of the best parts of working with First National.

“Development training offered at award functions and the chance to grow and expand our knowledge of the industry with up to date technology, including programs such as Utopia provides tremendous support to us in our role as agents.”

Jamie Maynard, winner of Victoria’s Rookie of the Year, said the best part of working with First National is the ‘great team environment.”  What he finds most supportive for his role is the fact First National is “a great brand, well-known by everybody in the community.”

- copy ends -

For further information contact Stewart Bunn, National Communications Manager, First National Real Estate, on 0413 624 317

Media Release – 9 May 2012

In the light of the federal budget, which has just been handed down, First National Real Estate says the government should have delivered on the GST promise of abolishing stamp duty and that home buyers should also do their bit to support the Australian property market.

“Australia’s soft property market will continue to tread water unless major changes are made.  We need more new housing stock to come onto the market, indirect costs to be reduced, inefficient taxes such as stamp duty to be abolished – preferably all three!,” Ray Ellis, CEO, First National Real Estate said.

“And  while HECS-like schemes are commendable for assisting home buyers to pay their stamp duty obligations, it should be a matter of reducing, or better still, getting rid of stamp duty altogether and that falls on everyone’s shoulders.

“A struggling property market affects all Australians, as it is a key driver of the nation’s economy and represents a burden for all to share.  This is why home buyers should do their bit and continue to put pressure on governments to live up to their GST promises.”

Mr Ellis said property taxes are reducing home buyers’ ability to purchase new homes, whether they are first home buyers, upgraders, downsizers or investors.

“The real issue for the property market is that buyers aren’t buying and part of that reason is the exorbitant extra costs associated with buying a property,” Mr Ellis said.

“These extra purchase costs mean it is more cost efficient for home owners to consider renovating or think outside the box and look at dual occupancy type solutions.

“The excessive cost of developing vacant land has stalled the process of newly built home stocks coming onto the market, which is having a devastating impact on the market overall.”

Last year, stamp duty accounted for 37% of total property related taxes in Australia and Mr Ellis believes the reliance of Governments on property taxes to boost their coffers should have lessened over time with the introduction of the GST, but the opposite trend seems to be occurring.

“We were promised a reduction in taxes like stamp duty when the GST was introduced.  Not only has it stayed, nationally, stamp duty has risen, due mainly to increases in NSW and Victoria according to industry figures,” Mr Ellis said.

“And yet, property taxes were cut in WA and NT, and government revenues actually increased.

“What seems to be happening is that stamp duty is putting new homes beyond the reach of many, so fewer homes are selling overall, reducing revenue raised through these taxes to governments,” Mr Ellis said.

“But basic economics is at play here, if the stamp duty was lowered more homes would sell, both home owners and governments would see increased revenue.

“Consideration could also be given to abolishing stamp duty and recouping those lost taxes through a more equitable means where the whole population pays – not just those who have saved for a new home.

“Perhaps we should increase tax paid on luxury items such as tobacco or alcohol, or fast food items.”

According to Mr Ellis, making home ownership too taxing is a short-sighted and quick grab for cash by governments and should be ‘stamped out’ as soon as possible so that everyone can achieve their home ownership goals.

-    copy ends –

For further information contact Stewart Bunn, National Communications Manager, First National Real Estate, on 0413 624 317

Related articles

• Coalition calls for stamp duty reform (simplelandlordsinsurance.com)
• Bonfire of red-tape applauded (firstnationalrealestatemedia.com.au)

Media Release – 9 May 2012

In the light of the federal budget, which has just been handed down, First National Real Estate says the government should have delivered on the GST promise of abolishing stamp duty and that home buyers should also do their bit to support the Australian property market.

“Australia’s soft property market will continue to tread water unless major changes are made.  We need more new housing stock to come onto the market, indirect costs to be reduced, inefficient taxes such as stamp duty to be abolished – preferably all three!,” Ray Ellis, CEO, First National Real Estate said.

“And  while HECS-like schemes are commendable for assisting home buyers to pay their stamp duty obligations, it should be a matter of reducing, or better still, getting rid of stamp duty altogether and that falls on everyone’s shoulders.

“A struggling property market affects all Australians, as it is a key driver of the nation’s economy and represents a burden for all to share.  This is why home buyers should do their bit and continue to put pressure on governments to live up to their GST promises.”

Mr Ellis said property taxes are reducing home buyers’ ability to purchase new homes, whether they are first home buyers, upgraders, downsizers or investors.

“The real issue for the property market is that buyers aren’t buying and part of that reason is the exorbitant extra costs associated with buying a property,” Mr Ellis said.

“These extra purchase costs mean it is more cost efficient for home owners to consider renovating or think outside the box and look at dual occupancy type solutions.

“The excessive cost of developing vacant land has stalled the process of newly built home stocks coming onto the market, which is having a devastating impact on the market overall.”

Last year, stamp duty accounted for 37% of total property related taxes in Australia and Mr Ellis believes the reliance of Governments on property taxes to boost their coffers should have lessened over time with the introduction of the GST, but the opposite trend seems to be occurring.

“We were promised a reduction in taxes like stamp duty when the GST was introduced.  Not only has it stayed, nationally, stamp duty has risen, due mainly to increases in NSW and Victoria according to industry figures,” Mr Ellis said.

“And yet, property taxes were cut in WA and NT, and government revenues actually increased.

“What seems to be happening is that stamp duty is putting new homes beyond the reach of many, so fewer homes are selling overall, reducing revenue raised through these taxes to governments,” Mr Ellis said.

“But basic economics is at play here, if the stamp duty was lowered more homes would sell, both home owners and governments would see increased revenue.

“Consideration could also be given to abolishing stamp duty and recouping those lost taxes through a more equitable means where the whole population pays – not just those who have saved for a new home.

“Perhaps we should increase tax paid on luxury items such as tobacco or alcohol, or fast food items.”

According to Mr Ellis, making home ownership too taxing is a short-sighted and quick grab for cash by governments and should be ‘stamped out’ as soon as possible so that everyone can achieve their home ownership goals.

-    copy ends –

For further information contact Stewart Bunn, National Communications Manager, First National Real Estate, on 0413 624 317

Related articles

• Coalition calls for stamp duty reform (simplelandlordsinsurance.com)
• Bonfire of red-tape applauded (firstnationalrealestatemedia.com.au)

Over the past decade, the connection between cheaper money and housing market improvements has been broken, he says, by artificial stimulus like government first-home buyer grants and building boosts. These have distorted the normal property cycle, inflated demand and prices, and have made the housing market more cyclical than it used to be.

Underlining Matusik’s point is the fact that despite falls of nearly 1.5% in mortgage interest rates in the past year, new housing starts have continued to decline, and, soft April home values show that despite a somewhat stable start to 2012, national home values have slipped 0.7% year to date.

Market ‘hole’ coming

With a raft of government incentives coming to an end, demand that has been brought forward may soon lead to a ‘hole’ that could last three to six months, or longer says Matusik.

Research reveals what’s ending, where and when…

What will it take to lift the market?

Residential property, especially new housing stock is over-taxed. If we’re to lift new housing starts, Matusik says we must:

1. Increase the speed of population growth.
2. Increase the supply of raw land across urban Australia
3. Reduce approval times and unnecessary compliance red tape
4. Allow the market to dictate demand
5. Have new property valuations based on rental returns, not market comparisons
6. Reduce taxation on property (HIA research shows this is up to 40% of a new home’s final price)
7. Remove GST on new construction
8. Remove stamp duty from off-the-plan sale.

However, the biggest problem affecting demand is the current oversupply of property for sale. Buyers are simply spoilt for choice and too many vendors are unrealistic in their expectations.

Healthy supply levels run at about 200,000 homes for sale at any given time. Australia currently has 400,000. Even a 1% or 2% drop in interest rates is unlikely to make an impact on their salebility, unless it is combined with sharp market pricing and aggressive marketing.

Make a decision

Matusik has some sharp advice for vendors who are overpriced, have been for sale far too long, and ‘who haven’t got a clue’.

He suggests that with rental vacancy rates running at just 1.7%, they should…

1. Renegotiate mortgage finance
2. Take their property off the market
3. Lock into a low fixed-interest rate for a couple of years
4. Rent the property out

And for those who really need to, or want to sell…

1. Understand their dwelling’s value and accept the market – rip the bandage off and move on!
2. Assign one good agent (multi-listing is sales death in a buyer’s market)
3. Give your agent a short time frame to sell – 30 days
4. Require offers on signed contracts – no verbal offers

Promote, promote, promote

You can’t sell a secret.

So, vendors who want to stand out from competitors must invest at least 1% of their home’s predicted sale price in marketing. Without some serious marketing push, there’s just no chance of standing out. Get professional photos taken and set an asking price – recent research shows 75% of buyers don’t even lift the phone to make an inquiry on properties without an asking price.

As with selling a car, presentation must be immaculate, every single time a buyer looks at the property. Clean the windows, light the fire (if you have one), trim the garden, plant or display fresh flowers and open all the curtains.

As Matusik correctly says, many may disagree with his views. However, for vendors who have a property that has languished on the market for more than six months, smaller or lesser actions are simply like re-arranging deck chairs on the Titanic.

Click For more information on regional locations eligible for government relocation grants:

Victoria

New South Wales

Over the past decade, the connection between cheaper money and housing market improvements has been broken, he says, by artificial stimulus like government first-home buyer grants and building boosts. These have distorted the normal property cycle, inflated demand and prices, and have made the housing market more cyclical than it used to be.

Underlining Matusik’s point is the fact that despite falls of nearly 1.5% in mortgage interest rates in the past year, new housing starts have continued to decline, and, soft April home values show that despite a somewhat stable start to 2012, national home values have slipped 0.7% year to date.

Market ‘hole’ coming

With a raft of government incentives coming to an end, demand that has been brought forward may soon lead to a ‘hole’ that could last three to six months, or longer says Matusik.

Research reveals what’s ending, where and when…

What will it take to lift the market?

Residential property, especially new housing stock is over-taxed. If we’re to lift new housing starts, Matusik says we must:

1. Increase the speed of population growth.
2. Increase the supply of raw land across urban Australia
3. Reduce approval times and unnecessary compliance red tape
4. Allow the market to dictate demand
5. Have new property valuations based on rental returns, not market comparisons
6. Reduce taxation on property (HIA research shows this is up to 40% of a new home’s final price)
7. Remove GST on new construction
8. Remove stamp duty from off-the-plan sale.

However, the biggest problem affecting demand is the current oversupply of property for sale. Buyers are simply spoilt for choice and too many vendors are unrealistic in their expectations.

Healthy supply levels run at about 200,000 homes for sale at any given time. Australia currently has 400,000. Even a 1% or 2% drop in interest rates is unlikely to make an impact on their salebility, unless it is combined with sharp market pricing and aggressive marketing.

Make a decision

Matusik has some sharp advice for vendors who are overpriced, have been for sale far too long, and ‘who haven’t got a clue’.

He suggests that with rental vacancy rates running at just 1.7%, they should…

1. Renegotiate mortgage finance
2. Take their property off the market
3. Lock into a low fixed-interest rate for a couple of years
4. Rent the property out

And for those who really need to, or want to sell…

1. Understand their dwelling’s value and accept the market – rip the bandage off and move on!
2. Assign one good agent (multi-listing is sales death in a buyer’s market)
3. Give your agent a short time frame to sell – 30 days
4. Require offers on signed contracts – no verbal offers

Promote, promote, promote

You can’t sell a secret.

So, vendors who want to stand out from competitors must invest at least 1% of their home’s predicted sale price in marketing. Without some serious marketing push, there’s just no chance of standing out. Get professional photos taken and set an asking price – recent research shows 75% of buyers don’t even lift the phone to make an inquiry on properties without an asking price.

As with selling a car, presentation must be immaculate, every single time a buyer looks at the property. Clean the windows, light the fire (if you have one), trim the garden, plant or display fresh flowers and open all the curtains.

As Matusik correctly says, many may disagree with his views. However, for vendors who have a property that has languished on the market for more than six months, smaller or lesser actions are simply like re-arranging deck chairs on the Titanic.

Click For more information on regional locations eligible for government relocation grants:

Victoria

New South Wales

Click here to start searching for your rural escape!

The inaugural Regional Victoria Living Expo revealed the strength of interest amongst Melburnians to move to regional centres and smaller townships throughout rural Victoria says official event partner, First National Real Estate.

More than 8000 people streamed through the doors last weekend at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre where regional centres, business and career opportunities, educational options, housing options and cultural diversity were showcased.

Speaking about the success of the event during parliamentary discussion last week, Victorian Deputy Premier, Peter Ryan said the opportunities in the regional parts of Victoria are absolutely huge.

‘I am thrilled to be able to say that at the expo all 48 of the rural municipalities were represented.

‘A number of mayors and councilors have reported back to us since the expo that they have received inquiries from a vast array of people with different forms of expertise who are now actively pursuing the prospect of being able to move into regional Victoria’ Mr Ryan said.

First National Real Estate confirms it received a significant response at its display booth where thousands of properties throughout regional Victoria were showcased, and representatives from a multitude of its regional offices were on hand to discuss the various attributes of each area.

‘Research released by Peter Ryan indicates 11 per cent of Melbourne’s metropolitan residents, around 450,000 people, are contemplating moving to regional Victoria in the next 3 years. A further 39 per cent are talking about making the move in the near future’ said First National’s communications manager, Stewart Bunn.

‘First National has over 80 offices throughout both metropolitan and regional Victoria so our members are exceptionally well placed to share their knowledge of regional markets, housing values, growth opportunities.

‘We were not surprised that throughout the course of the weekend, over 300 people registered with First National to receive property alerts, or to start the sale of their Melbourne property so they can achieve their escape to the country.’

Since the expo, First National Real Estate has received further enquiry, nationally, from people wanting information about the various incentives and grants on offer from state governments nationwide.

‘What this reveals is the extent to which Australians are changing their views towards regional relocation’ said Mr Bunn.

‘Historically, we’ve been a nation of coast-dwellers but despite the recent softening of house prices in our capitals, the price of metropolitan living continues to trend upwards. As our population grows and the infrastructure of our cities is stretched, more Australians are contemplating the benefits of our regions.

‘As work patterns change and regional employment opportunities improve, the prospect of buying a regional property, reducing the size of your mortgage and enjoying a less stressful lifestyle appears to be very much in the minds of Australians’ said Mr Bunn.

In acknowledgement of this trend, First National Real Estate has introduced ‘Lifestyle’ and ‘Rural Specialists’ amongst its staff throughout regional Australia.

‘These regional members of our network focus on helping people in metropolitan locations make the shift to regional areas by sharing information, demystifying country property and working closely with our city members to facilitate the process’ said Mr Bunn.

The Victorian government has launched a new website, www.goodmove.vic.gov.au which aims to assist people interested in making the move to regional Victoria with all the additional information they’ll need.

- copy ends -

Issued by: First National Real Estate

For further information contact:

Stewart Bunn, National Communications Manager, First National Real Estate, on 0413 624 317

Click here to start searching for your rural escape!

The inaugural Regional Victoria Living Expo revealed the strength of interest amongst Melburnians to move to regional centres and smaller townships throughout rural Victoria says official event partner, First National Real Estate.

More than 8000 people streamed through the doors last weekend at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre where regional centres, business and career opportunities, educational options, housing options and cultural diversity were showcased.

Speaking about the success of the event during parliamentary discussion last week, Victorian Deputy Premier, Peter Ryan said the opportunities in the regional parts of Victoria are absolutely huge.

‘I am thrilled to be able to say that at the expo all 48 of the rural municipalities were represented.

‘A number of mayors and councilors have reported back to us since the expo that they have received inquiries from a vast array of people with different forms of expertise who are now actively pursuing the prospect of being able to move into regional Victoria’ Mr Ryan said.

First National Real Estate confirms it received a significant response at its display booth where thousands of properties throughout regional Victoria were showcased, and representatives from a multitude of its regional offices were on hand to discuss the various attributes of each area.

‘Research released by Peter Ryan indicates 11 per cent of Melbourne’s metropolitan residents, around 450,000 people, are contemplating moving to regional Victoria in the next 3 years. A further 39 per cent are talking about making the move in the near future’ said First National’s communications manager, Stewart Bunn.

‘First National has over 80 offices throughout both metropolitan and regional Victoria so our members are exceptionally well placed to share their knowledge of regional markets, housing values, growth opportunities.

‘We were not surprised that throughout the course of the weekend, over 300 people registered with First National to receive property alerts, or to start the sale of their Melbourne property so they can achieve their escape to the country.’

Since the expo, First National Real Estate has received further enquiry, nationally, from people wanting information about the various incentives and grants on offer from state governments nationwide.

‘What this reveals is the extent to which Australians are changing their views towards regional relocation’ said Mr Bunn.

‘Historically, we’ve been a nation of coast-dwellers but despite the recent softening of house prices in our capitals, the price of metropolitan living continues to trend upwards. As our population grows and the infrastructure of our cities is stretched, more Australians are contemplating the benefits of our regions.

‘As work patterns change and regional employment opportunities improve, the prospect of buying a regional property, reducing the size of your mortgage and enjoying a less stressful lifestyle appears to be very much in the minds of Australians’ said Mr Bunn.

In acknowledgement of this trend, First National Real Estate has introduced ‘Lifestyle’ and ‘Rural Specialists’ amongst its staff throughout regional Australia.

‘These regional members of our network focus on helping people in metropolitan locations make the shift to regional areas by sharing information, demystifying country property and working closely with our city members to facilitate the process’ said Mr Bunn.

The Victorian government has launched a new website, www.goodmove.vic.gov.au which aims to assist people interested in making the move to regional Victoria with all the additional information they’ll need.

- copy ends -

Issued by: First National Real Estate

For further information contact:

Stewart Bunn, National Communications Manager, First National Real Estate, on 0413 624 317