Congratulations to one of our valued landlords Gerald for winning a jam-packed hamper filled with goodies for the whole family valued at over $200.00!

We’re giving 15 of them away every week for 6 weeks! THAT’S NINETY HAMPERS!!!

Note to website administrator, if you want to add more posts to Community Trends, simply add new posts to the ‘community trends’ category.

Sand Sculpting ‘Toytopia’ Opens Boxing Day

After four spectacular seasons of sand sculptures on the Waterfront, Frankston is definitely the home of sand sculpting in Australia. And this summer’s event is shaping up to be the biggest and best yet!

From 26 December, Frankston Waterfront will again be transformed as 3,500 tonnes of sand is carved into spectacular sculptures. This year, Sand Sculpting Australia’s team of talented International and Australian sculptors will bring to ‘life’ in meticulous detail the magical world of ‘Toytopia’. You will enter a wondrous land where favourite childhood playthings from years gone by mix with those from today. You can see spinning tops, a Jack-in-a-box, cuddly teddy bears, tin soldiers, building blocks, race cars, a rocking horse, dolls of every shape and size, and all the other toys that give joy to the young and the young at heart. Integrated with the sculptures will be children’s activities including Sand Sculpting Workshops, Sand Art, Sand Bottles, Sand Diggers and our “NEW” Giant Sand Pit.

Plus, on weekends and school holidays, there will be Roving Entertainers from Cirque Mystique, face painting and, for the first time, Speed Carving will be showcased. Check the daily update for a

timetable of activities either at the ticket box or on the website: www.sandstormevents.com.au

Tickets can be purchased on the day of your visit at the event or at the Frankston Visitor Information Centre. ‘Early Bird’ tickets are available at a discounted rate of 10 per cent off regular prices from the

Frankston Visitor Information Centre for four weeks from 14 November to 18 December. These tickets can be used on any day of the event.

Sand Sculpting Australia details:

Location:

Frankston Waterfront, Nepean Highway,

Frankston

(Melway Ref: 100A B8)

Dates:

Open every day from Monday, 26 December 2011

to Thursday, 26 April 2012.

Please note that this event is family oriented and

child friendly, therefore it is a smoke free venue

and alcohol is not permitted. Likewise, dogs are

not permitted within the exhibition (guide dogs,

hearing guide dogs and guide dogs in training

excepted). Wheelchair access is provided.

For further information, phone 1300 322 842 or

visit www.visitfrankston.com

We will give you the benefit of our experience and the most accurate information on property prices in your area. We offer you our professional service and will maintain contact with you throughout the process because we know that you will be anxious to hear how things are progressing. We know what its like to sell your most valuable asset and we have years of experience to help you through the process and make it as stress-free as possible.

“Real People in Real Estate”

You will find our highly skilled and experienced agents are friendly and easy to work with and you will get the real facts about property in your area.

Austin Professionals Real Estate agents are committed to a code of conduct that seeks to service all clients with the highest standards of ethics and integrity.

To assist giving their clients the best of service and widest possible exposure, Austins have joined forces with the “Professionals Real Estate Group”. With over 350 offices throughout Australia and New Zealand, you can be assured of the highest level of service and attention to detail, along with the most innovative & up to date marketing methods.

The director, Paul Matthews is a Fully Licensed & Accredited Real Estate Agent and has many years of local real estate knowledge since growing up in the area.

He heads up a modern and professional office located on Nepean Highway, providing great exposure for all clientele.

Austin Professionals Real Estate is staffed by experienced professionals who will assist you in providing the best possible results for all your property needs, whether buying, selling or leasing.

To join the ever growing list of satisfied clients, please contact the friendly team at Austin Professionals Real Estate.

And remember……………………..WE GET RESULTS!!

Professionals take our social responsibilities within the community very seriously. We care for our members, our clients and the wider community as they are as much a part of our lives as we are a part of theirs. Professionals across Australia have committed to the National Breast Cancer Foundation to raise $500,000 nationally per annum.Over the years we have raised much needed funds for the people at the NBCF, thanks to donations from the public, a portion of each sale from every office, and the fantastic staff that work within our organisation. Professionals will continue to build the special relationship we have with the NBCF until a cure can be found for this deadly disease.

The National Breast Cancer Foundation strives to fund the latest research into developing a cure for breast cancer. Professionals and the NBCF have formed a Diamond Partnership, with a financial fundraising commitment being pledged annually. Right across Australia fundraising continues throughout the year with charity events and auctions at both a national and local office level.

To visit the National Breast Cancer Foundation’s website, click here – www.nbcf.org.au

1. Choose a local Real Estate Agent. Professionals are independently owned real estate businesses, with Agents who know their local areas and know the people who make up the community. When you choose to work with Professionals, you benefit from all the advantages offered by a fully networked real estate group, and receive the individual attention and responsibility provided by a privately owned, local business. Should you choose not to work with Professionals, ensure that you have done your research on your Agent.
2. We’ll help you choose the best way to sell your home. To successfully sell a home it’s important to have a sound knowledge of the local real estate market. We’ll help you decide on a realistic value for your home, based on actual market activity in your area and we’ll guide you through the preparation for presentation to the market. We’ll work with you to plan the best mix of marketing activity to attract buyers to your home. Signs, Internet, office displays, press or maybe a catalogue all help to sell your home.
3. We’ll help you customise your own marketing plan. You’ll be shown marketing plans from which we’ll help you customise one to suit the property and your budget. It’s also your choice how to sell your home. We’ll discuss with you the best method the suits you and the property – For Sale or Auction. It’s our job to make the sale of your home a rewarding experience.

Contact your local Professionals Agent for your free Pathway to Selling booklet or download your free copy today.

Investment in property is one of the most stable forms of growing your wealth. Whilst markets change, and prices of property rise and fall, the cycle always continues. The key is to buy when the market is down, and sell when the market is up – this will almost always guarantee a return on your investment. If you would like to grow or start an investment portfolio, talk to your local Professionals Agent to find out more about what options there are for investing in property.

As an investment property owner, you want to know that your property or properties are being managed by a team of professional, ethical and caring people. This is what Professionals strives to achieve for all of their investment property owners (Landlords). Professionals can offer you a personalised service, from purchase through to finding a quality tenant who will treat your property as their home. We pride ourselves on quality of service.

Property management is an industry that undergoes legislative changes constantly, so it is important that you can be assured your investments are being managed by people who are informed and follow the right procedures to get the maximum return for you. By choosing Professionals, you are choosing a Property Management team that is fully trained in all aspects of property management and who understand the obligation of landlords and tenants.

We have outlined a few key points for you to consider when choosing a managing agency for your investment property/properties.

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Selecting the right property manager

Selecting the right property manager is one of the most fundamental decisions you’ll make and can make a difference not only to your overall returns, but also the enjoyment of your investment.

Over the last few years, property management has undergone a significant transformation, from simply a rent collection service, to a dynamic investment management and service system. This changing scene has brought about the need to appropriately manage new legislation and the consequences to ensure fairness for both owners and tenants alike. This includes, in some regions, the Strata Titles Act, Residential Tenancies Act and deregulation of fees charged.

It is important to realise that together with the legislation comes a greater onus on owners and agents to follow the requirements of these laws.

Now more than ever, it is prudent to ensure that your property is professionally managed by entrusting it to a manager who is trained, experienced and equipped to meet these ever changing needs.

Property managers work within a licensed Real Estate Agency. It is therefore the agency owner who is ultimately responsible for the property, so it is essential you choose a reputable name you trust when selecting the business for management of your property. It’s a big decision that creates a medium to long term working relationship and you need to feel comfortable with the company you’re dealing with. Rest assured, when you choose Professionals, you will be joining thousands of happy Australasian property investors and owners who have put their faith and confidence in us to professionally manage their property.

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Our property management services

Once you have entrusted a Professionals agent to manage your property, you will be exclusively authorising that agency to act on your behalf. We will then appoint experienced property managers, who will be responsible for the day to day management of your property and tenancy.

Your property manager/s will act as guardian/s of your property and will provide a range of ‘personalised’ services that all include:

• Professionally screening and selecting tenants
• Providing a detailed explanation of the owners/tenants rights and obligations
• Receiving rents and issue receipts
• Arranging for repairs and maintenance to the property
• Paying of accounts such as water services and council rates
• Processing any insurance claims that may arise
• Exercising the owners/tenants rights to terminate leases and tenancies
• Reletting the property at the end of each tenancy in the event of a vacancy
• Preparing and checking the property’s inventory
• Doing all such lawful things as may be directed by the owner in writing from time to time
• Professionally and accurately reporting on the condition of the property at the inception, during and end of each tenancy
• Such authority is given for a period of time and thereafter until 30 days written notice is given to terminate the management by either party.

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Finding a tenant for your property

When you buy an investment property, or rent your home, it’s important to secure long term tenancies where possible to maximise the investment returns. As your selected agent, we will use all our experience, knowledge and data resources to find you a suitable tenant in the shortest possible time, who will treat your property as well.

A good quality, long term tenancy proposition is far more attractive, than constant turnover in tenants.

OPEN HOMES – With the increasing demand for rental properties, your property manager may suggest opening the property at an agreed time to ensure a sufficient pool of candidates view and apply for the property at one sitting.

ADVERTISING – Your agent is constantly monitoring the best medium for advertising your property, for the purpose of attracting a suitable tenant and ensuring the best result for your dollar.

To ensure that your property is leased to the best possible tenant, your property manager will select the most appropriate medium to promote the vacancy, which may include website advertising, print media and office rental lists.

Your property may be advertised in all or some of the following:

• Rental search websites
• “For Rent” classified sections of newspapers
• “For Rent” signboards
• Office window displays
• Brochures distributed from the agency
• Email newsletters distributed to the agents mailing list
• Professionals inter-office referral system
• An accurate account for the advertising costs is submitted at the commencement of each new tenancy, as these costs are tax deductible.

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Your responsibilities as the owner

Owning an investment property is one of the most popular methods throughout Australasia for acquiring wealth.

However, you’ll need to be aware of the sorts of responsibilities that you will have as an owner. The most obvious responsibilities are:

• To provide the premises in a reasonable state of cleanliness and repair having regard for the age, character and prospective life of the property.
• To comply with all requirements in respect of health, building and safety laws in so far as they apply to the premises.
• If you are the handy type, you may wish to carry out some repairs and maintenance yourself to the required standards.
• The owner is responsible for ensuring that the property is kept in good condition. Some expenditure incurred for repairs (not of a capital nature) can be an allowable tax deduction against rental income.

How to set a fair rental price

Setting a rental price is one of the most critical decisions you will make as the owner of the property. Your Professionals property manager is best qualified to assist you with determining a fair market rental value for your property.

The condition of the property must be considered when assessing rent. Location of the property is also relevant, as is the length of term offered.

Some owners make the mistake of setting the rent too high and consequently not attracting a tenant. This will waste your advertising dollar, along with the loss of potential rent whilst trying to secure a suitable tenant willing to pay the higher rate.

We hope you’ve found value in the information provided. Please note that this information is intended as a guide only. Professionals companies, members, directors, offices and employees do not give warranty as to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of any information provided on this website and shall not be liable for any loss or damage suffered as a result of anyone relying on information provided. Professionals recommend you seek independent advice from your own real estate, financial, taxation, and legal advisors before entering into financial or other transactions.

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