Australian real estate news
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They are a city based estate agency displaying top shelf marketing reach with powerful sales systems and an impressive level of client service.
Sold by Wilson Property Agents:
- 808/1 Poplar Street, Surry Hills – $640k
- 3/60-70 William Street, Sydney – $490K
www.wilsonproperty.com.au
The Greater Building Society has today cut its three year fixed home loan rates and has also cut 49 points off its already low credit card rate.
The Greater’s three year fixed Ultimate (packaged) Home Loan has been cut by 15 points to 5.79% p.a which product manager David Bryde believes is the lowest three year home loan rate in Australia.
The three year Great Rate (basic) Home Loan has been cut by 15 points to 5.84% p.a.
The new home loan rates are available from tomorrow (May 18).
Mr Bryde said that, particularly for people who want certainty, there is an opportunity to lock in a low rate now without having to guess where interest rates may end up.
He said at a time when many credit card holders are still waiting for their bank to pass on any of the reductions other borrowers have received, The Greater has cut its credit card rate by 0.49%. From June 1, The Greater’s Visa Card rate will start from 10.25%.
Mr Bryde said the rate cut makes the card, which already has a five star rating from Canstar, even better value for people. He said as well as a low rate, the card provides up to 55 days interest free on purchases. The annual fee is waived if people spend a minimum of $10,000 each year.
“The Greater continues to offer Australian consumers with better value home loans and credit cards than the major banks as well as outstanding service,” Mr Bryde said.
The Greater’s rate cuts comes after this week’s release of Roy Morgan research by ABACUS which showed 21 per cent of people are likely to change their main financial institution in the next 12 months and that 50 per cent of people would be prepared to dump their banks if red tape is eliminated making it simpler to switch accounts.
“Alternatives to the major banks are already here and it is already easier to switch financial institutions than people think,” he said
The Greater Building Society is one of Australia’s largest building societies with almost 250,000 customers across NSW and South East Queensland.
People wishing to find out about more should visit www.greater.com.au
Harcourts, New Zealand’s largest real estate group, awarded for the 2011/2012 financial year which were received by individuals and offices from the Northern, Central, Wellington and Christchurch regions.
Harcourts Group Chief Executive Officer, Hayden Duncan says that it is crucial to recognise and celebrate our consultants’ achievements as they tirelessly continue to deliver outstanding results for homebuyers and investors alike.
“The success that Harcourts achieve year on year, regardless of its challenges is due to the ongoing faith our clients place in our people to consistently deliver market leading results in an exceptionally professional way. I congratulate each and every consultant in the country and especially our award winners for this year.”
“Given the enormity of our group, every award won regionally and nationally is fraught with fierce competition. The calibre of our top consultants is revered by all others in the industry. All results then go into the pool of Harcourts’ international awards. This competitive nature is why we hold the dominating market share in places like Christchurch, are the largest in New Zealand, are in over 10 countries and 773 offices in the world with close to 1700 sales consultants nationally, 5012 consultants globally supported by record sales. There is no question that we breed only the best,” says Mr Duncan.
“We have a team of people that have not only continued and pressed on within an environment of challenge and change but have exceeded in it. What some have been through is phenomenal. The effects of Christchurch have affected all businesses in one way or the other and the real estate industry has especially felt it.”
“As a global, national and local brand we recognise that it’s time to put a stake in the ground and move the industry ahead and by doing things like offering a scholarship to educated people with experience in the workforce, we are offering a chance to upskill themselves with full support and training so they have a chance to have a successful career over the rest of their working life. Much like the people we have celebrated this last week.”
“Real estate is no longer a job that just anyone can enter into as once thought – it is a profession requiring in depth training, a natural ability to be the best and for some it can be a life changing career move,” comments Mr. Duncan.
“With the largest in-house training facilities of any real estate company in the country, Harcourts goal is to grow the industry that not only maintains the ‘Harcourts Way’ as the ‘industry standard’ in terms of real estate services, but in doing so delivers outstanding real estate experiences to buyers and sellers,” says Mr. Duncan.
The four centre’s regional awards precede the National Awards ceremony held at the upcoming Harcourts Group Annual Conference at Auckland’s SKYCITY 21st-23rd of May, which is not only the largest real estate conference in New Zealand but has sold out for the first time in its history.
Harcourts will turn 125 years next year standing as the oldest real estate business in New Zealand with over 1640 consultants and 168 offices nationwide has just launched a scholarship programme for those wanting a change in career (www.opennewdoors.co.nz)
Harcourts offer a full range of real estate services specialising in residential, commercial, and rural property sales as well as property management services. Harcourts Group Ltd is owned by parent company Harcourts International.
Top 3 Sales Consultants Awards:
Northern:
(1) Anton Huang, Howick; (2) Matty Ma, Albany; (3) Charlotte Marshall, Eden/Epsom
Central:
(1) Sue Hooper, Tauranga Cherrywood; (2) Aaron Davey, Hamilton Glenview; (3) Tony Kerapa, Hamilton Glenview
Wellington:
(1) Marty Ritchie, Paremata; (2) Mike Ledger, Upper Hutt; (3) Glenn Green, Bell Block
Christchurch:
(1) Alison Aitken, Christchurch City; (2) Sue Roberts, Belfast; (3) Cameron Bailey, Papanui
Top Rural Sales Consultants Awards:
Northern: Lynn Lockhart, Papakura Rural
Central: Aaron Davey, Hamilton Glenview
Wellington: Suzanne Cottle, Levin
Christchurch: Sue Roberts, Belfast
Top NAI Harcourts Commercial Sales Consultants Awards:
Northern: Andrew Bruce, North Shore Commercial
Central: Paul Sanford, Rotorua
Wellington: Euan Mackenzie, Upper Hutt
Christchurch: Premilla Sharma, Christchurch City Business Brokers
Top Property Manager Awards:
Northern: Lizzie Simanke, Cooper & Co Real Estate Ltd
Central: Sharon Campbell, Realty Works Ltd
Wellington: Leigha Rowe, Hawera
Christchurch: Tracey Edwards, Accommodation Centre Ltd
Top Auction/Tender Lister Awards:
Northern: David Nightingale, St Heliers
Central: Aaron Davey, Hamilton Glenview
Wellington: Steve Welsby, Johnsonville
Christchurch: Alison Aitken, Christchurch City
Rising Star Awards:
Northern: Lisa Stone – Remuera
Central: Roger Tortoiseshell – Rotorua
Wellington: Steve Welsby, Johnsonville
Four Australian-based charities have received funding grants totalling $34,180 as part of the latest round of funding grants from The Harcourts Foundation.
In Queensland, a grant of $15,000 was provided to the Australian Leukodystrophy Support Group, whose aim is to provide assistance and information to those affected by Leukodystrophy and to support research into the disease.
$11,180 was granted to the Cancer Council Tasmania while a further $4,000 was provided to Alzheimer’s Australia in New South Wales.
Another $4,000 grant was provided to the Little Heroes Foundation in South Australia which offers support to children living with cancer and other serious illnesses, and their families.
The money granted will provide these charitable organisations with the funds to carry out important research and development projects, purchase vital equipment for those in need, and run significant community projects and services.
Mike Green, Managing Director of Harcourts International, is thrilled that The Harcourts Foundation is able to provide much needed support to local community groups and charitable organisations.
“I’m incredibly proud of The Harcourts Foundation and am so thankful that as an organisation we are able to help so many communities in need. Our local communities have supported us so well over the years and I’m thrilled that we are now in a position to give back to them,” Mr Green said.
Established in August 2008, The Harcourts Foundation aims to provide financial support that helps, grows and enriches local communities, and has received close to $1.5 million in donations from Harcourts staff, offices and clients around Australia and New Zealand in its first three and a half years of operation.
To date, all funds have been raised by dedicated Harcourts team members and clients in the form of fundraising events, auctions, workplace giving, individual donations or ‘off the top’ giving (a percentage calculated from each sales commission).
“The next round of grant applications has already begun, with the closing date being the 30th of June 2012.
“I encourage all Australian charities to jump online at www.harcourtsfoundation.org and download the grant application form. We look forward to funding as many applicants as possible,” Mr Green said.
Be sure to look out for grant application deadlines:
1 April – 30 June 2012
1 July – 30 September 2012
1 October – 31 December 2012
After months of spruiking increased funding costs as the reason behind increasing interest rates, ANZ changed their tune last Friday, instead blaming high retail deposit prices for its decision to pass on just .37% of the .50% official interest cash rate cut by the Reserve Bank (RBA). Interestingly, the ANZ did pass on the full .50% cut to the interest rate it pays its customers on deposits and although the bank denied the action was profiteering, consumers are sceptical
Read more here:
Weekly State of the Market report: Blame it on the Deposits
HIGHLIGHTS • The absence of any new developments completing in 2012 is expected to be the dominant driver of vacancy trends and will underpin a gradual decline from the current vacancy rate of 9.6 per cent.
Excerpt from:
Sydney CBD office market overview
One of the most significant members of Harcourts Western Australia, Neil Honey, has been honoured with the prestigious Roy Weston Medal in recognition of the contribution he has made to the organisation.
One of only a few honoured with the Roy Weston Medal, Mr Honey is the Licensee and Director of Harcourts Busselton, the region’s largest real estate agency.
“Innovative, passionate and honest are just three words often used to describe this year’s recipient of the Roy Weston Medal,” said Stuart Cox, Chief Executive Officer of Harcourts Western Australia is an introductory speech.
“Neil attributes the success of his business largely to his support network – from the leadership of his fellow directors to the strong team of dedicated professionals behind them.
“With a firm belief in transparency and honesty, Neil offers a service that is rare in real estate today. He is deeply committed to client communications from listing right through to settlement, and has established many long-term relationships with clients that have extended well beyond settlement date.
“These beliefs are echoed by his team, and together they have developed a strong commitment to changing the expectations of service within the real estate industry,” Mr Cox said.
Since forming his Harcourts office in 2006, Mr Honey and his fellow directors have taken the company to new heights, including achieving national recognition for their outstanding level of service in 2009, amongst many other awards.
“In his spare time, Neil can be found on the golf course, supporting his beloved Melbourne Demons Football Club, or spending time with his cherished family. A loving husband, father to four children and grandfather to six, Neil’s name is synonymous with professionalism, innovation and quality real estate service,” Mr Cox continued.
The Roy Weston Medal is judged on several areas including length of service with the group, peer recognition, and promotion and contribution to the Harcourts group.
About Harcourts:
With over 800 offices internationally, Harcourts is the fastest growing real estate agency in Australia.
Harcourts is the exclusive Australasian and South Pacific representative of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World ™, the largest real estate network on earth consisting of 650 companies, 5,000 offices, and 150,000 sales consultants.
This also provides membership of the exclusive Luxury Portfolio marketing options for the effective global marketing of properties valued in excess of $1million
Positioned in heart of Sydney’s inner east, the new Bayswater Apartments present a unique opportunity for investors and owner-occupiers to acquire a contemporary and low-maintenance apartment with a centrally located Rushcutters Bay address.
Read more here:
Rushcutters Bay – the gateway to the Eastern Suburbs
On the back of the Reserve Bank’s (RBA) shock announcement last week to slash 50 basis points off the official cash rate, experts have said Australians can expect up to three more rate cuts. The RBA’s quarterly statement on monetary policy made clear that our jobs and housing sectors are weakening as global economic growth continues to be below trend, with Europe struggling to drag itself out of recession.
Read More:
Weekly State of the Market report: Down, Down and Down
The property management team at Ray White Tokoroa in the central North Island have been awarded the quarterly property management award for Outstanding Service exemplary to Ray White by volunteering to learn sign language.
