When selling a house clients often ask me what I can I do to get the highest possible price. My advice is simple, present the home to it’s best potential. As I often stay it’s all about first impressions. So what are some hints and tips to present it at its best. Here are a few:

*Make sure that trees and shrubs are pruned. Nice neat gardens, mulched and with lawns that have been cut and edged.

*Remove any clutter from the property. Create a sense of space and room.

*Have gutters clean and tidy and free of rust. Maybe a paint touchup if required.

*Open blinds, plenty of lighting and move any excess furniture. Clean the carpets or tiles.

*Clean the wet areas such as bathroom and kitchen and fix any cracks in tiles.

*Conduct a general clean and remove any cobwebs, dust any skirting boards, store appliances away.

*And finally don’t leave things lying around. Store them away in cupboards.

While it’s not rocket science to do these tasks and we are all very time consious, it is important that when placing your property on the market that you give yourself the best opportunity to get the highest price. While it’s easy to blame the market or the agent a simple look at sprucing the home could achieve you the sale you want. For further tips and hints call into the office or visit www.merrifield.com.au

Momentum is caused by confidence and at the moment we are seeing an increase in enquiry and sales. Great weather over January and plenty more people around generate energy which gives the town a buzz. Cruise ships arriving, families on holidays and tourists from afar help create this. To me that’s a great thing and from the people I have spoken to it has encouraged people to spend mainly in retail and certainly in property.

The federal government is busy working out ways how to hand out money to assist Australians and the reserve bank has reduced rates to it’s lowest since 1964 to ease the burdon on mortgage holders.

The real estate market is part of a cycle and if you look at history you will see that the next part of the cycle is likely to see an increase in property sales followed by an increase in building approvals and then a return of confidence from businesses. While we are not immune from everything that is happening around the world it really does depend on your perspective on things. If you think it’s all doom and gloom it will be.

For me Albany is a wonderful town with many opportunities and a great place to call home. Remember positive experiences create positive momentum and that momentum creates even more wonderful experiences. Buying property should be one of the most positive experiences you have and there is never a better time. Visit www.merrifield.com.au for the latest properties, expert opinions and hints and tips and you will get that positive experience.

You have a ½ glass of water.  Depending on the mindset, the optimist will tell you its half full and the pessimist will tell you its half empty.

Which category do you fit into?

There is no arguing that 2008 was less than good, property prices fell, the share market certainly fell, big projects slowed dramatically and in some cases were abandoned altogether, oil prices fell, the Australian dollar fell, it was like “the was falling” and this resulted in panic.

Unfortunately, via widespread media, the panic epidemic influenced others and there was a roll on effect which caused people to enter a state of paralysis.

Although the panic started to hit in the latter part of 2008 thanks to all the media with the reports of “doom and gloom” the actual fall had started some 18 months earlier.

Enter the Federal Government to shower Australians with handouts to keep spending levels up and stop the economy from grinding to a holt (to little avail).

I believe its time to balance the scale a bit. It’s not all bad.

A new landscape is emerging with possibly the best buying opportunities we have seen for some time.

Property prices have fallen.  Interest rates have fallen.  There are some really good buys around.

People are starting to once again see value in the real estate that they buy.

January proved to be the best month for sales that we have seen for some time and this proved to be a fact across the board for all local agents.

And, yes I see that unemployment is going up but even if it were to go up way beyond all the predication – assume that it goes up to 8 %, remember that the other 92% will still be employed.  People will continue to live. Life will go on. The world will not come to an end

And remember that the market is a forward-looking beast. A rally is inevitable. We don’t know when, no bells will ring to let us know, BUT by the time that we do know and recognize the fact and the media starts its everyday coverage, the news will be history.

 The federal government is current handing out it’s 42 billion dollar stimilous package and part of that package is available for investors who rent out there investment properties. It is also available for owner occupiers. The government will allow you to claim up to $1000 per rental property for insulation.

The rebate is not means tested and is for ceiling insulation only. You must be over 18 years of age, be an Australian citizen or permanent resident and it must be installed by registered company with it meeting Australian Standards.

Here is how it works. The rebate system starts from the 1st July, 2009 however all eligible installations after the 3rd Feb, 2009 can be claimed apon with proof of a receipt. The householder makes payment in full to the installer then they make a claim to the government and the claim is then processed which is expected to take approx 8 weeks. The payment will then be directed into your nomiated bank account with some claims being audited to make sure the installation meets good practice.

This is a fantastic opportunity to add insulation before winter hits so to find out how to go about claiming this for your investment property contact the office on 98 41 4022 or visit www.merrifield.com.au