Rental occupancy rates down

November 26, 2012 Leave a comment

Rental occupancy rates in Gunnedah have plummeted’ (sic) to the lowest point in three years, on the back of softening coal prices and continued delays to major mine developments in the region, but confidence in the medium to long term remains high.

Reports of the crashing coal price, slowing growth in China and especially the suspension of operations locally at Whitehaven’s Sunnyside Mine, have lent weight to rumours that Gunnedah has missed the mining boom.

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MAKING HOMES AGE-SMART

November 26, 2012 Leave a comment

As today’s Baby Boomers approach retirement, their needs change and so too should their living accommodation requirements.

Planning for a post working life includes looking at whether a different style of accommodation will better suit their future aspirations, such as an apartment or townhouse, or making alterations to an existing large family home.

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RENOVATE OR BUY?

November 5, 2012 Leave a comment

Current buyers’ market conditions may be weakening, as a result of continued Reserve Bank interest rates cuts, but before making the decision to become a home owner or trade up, consider all your options carefully and make sure you are doing the right thing it may prove prudent to renovate, says First National Real Estate Gunnedah principal, Mike Brady.

“There is no doubt there are some great buying opportunities at the moment with low interest rates and steadying property prices, but for some, renovating may offer more benefits”, Mike said.

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WHO WILL LEND A HAND FOR RENTERS?

October 30, 2012 Leave a comment

real estate reflections

First National Real Estate says government needs to do more to support renters and provide better assistance than what is currently offered through the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS).

While the network supports NRAS in principle, it is no longer effectively impacting on rising rents, leaving those most in need of assistance flailing in their efforts to make ends meet.

First National is calling on the government to look at changing NRAS so it has more relevance and achieves what it set out to do, or consider other forms of assistance such as bringing back some of the grants and other incentives that were obviously phased out too soon.

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First home buyers get a jump on spring

October 16, 2012 Leave a comment

All the signs are there that first home buyers are springing into action, even though in most states they are facing reducing government assistance.

Lesley Rattenbury, Principal of Gunnedah First National Real offers some helpful advice for those entering the market, saying research is critical.

“As we predicted in our Property Market Outlook Mid Year Update, the second half of 2012 is shaping up to see increased buyer activity and it seems that prime market conditions are proving irresistible for the first home buyer,” Lesley said.

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real estate reflections

October 8, 2012 Leave a comment

Your home may be your most important asset but some things will always be out of your control, warns First National Real Estate like a long hot summer and the threat of bushfires.

“There are not enough fire crews and trucks to protect every home in the event of bushfires and, sadly, a number of homes are destroyed by fire each summer,” First National Real Estate communications manager Stewart Bunn said.

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Rentals in hot demand

August 13, 2012 Leave a comment

Growing rental demand has again pushed median prices up, with family homes priced in the $300-$400 per week bracket in highest demand, according to Gunnedah First National but there are little to no vacancies to fill.

Property Manager Lesley Rattenbury said Gunnedah First National currently has a 99.5 per cent occupancy rate.

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Real estate reflections First Home Buyers Benefits Scheme

July 13, 2012 Leave a comment

The first Home Buyers Benefits scheme has taken many forms over the years since its inception. What does the latest raft of changes mean for you?

The government has announced the following changes as part of the 2012 State Budget: From October 1, 2012, the $7000 First Home Owner Grant will be replaced by the $15,000 First Home Owner Grant (New Homes) Scheme.

First home owners who purchase or build a new home where the eligible transaction commencement date (contract date) is on or after October 1, 2012 will be eligible for the $15,000 grant. The grant will reduce to $10,000 on January 1, 2014 for eligible transactions which have a commencement date (contract date) on or after January 1 2014. Read more of this post

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First National celebrates 75 years in business

May 24, 2012 Leave a comment

First National Real Estate is celebrating an historic milestone marking 75 years for the Brady family in real estate in Gunnedah.

The year was 1937, when PW Brady and Sons (formerly Brady and Ewing) first opened its doors as stock and station agents, as Peter Brady put his own extensive stock experience to use at the new Gunnedah Saleyards.

Down through four generations, the Brady family business has grown and changed along with Gunnedah.

From an era where the vast Piallaway Station was owned and run by the New Zealand and Australia Land Co, through its sub-division as soldier settlement blocks, the Brady family has watched and played a part in the changing face of agriculture on the Liverpool Plains.

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Indicators strong for property market recovery in 2012

February 14, 2012 Leave a comment

Indications that a property market recovery is likely in 2012 are strong, although it will be a slow and gradual process, with first home buyers beginning to stir, but not fully confident to part with their hard earned savings, and investors having already capitalised on prime market conditions.

According to First National Real Estate Gunnedah principal, Lesley, this is the picture based on expectations of interest rates, market movements and local area member knowledge, underpinned by improving consumer sentiment as detailed in First National Real Estate’s 2012 Property Market Outlook released this week.

“Home prices bottoming out, falling interest rates and improving affordability are all working together and may prove the stimulus the market has been waiting for to get it moving again,” Lesley said.

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