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Feb 24, 2021
Discover the Eyre Peninsula. Our Top 5 'Must See'.
As summer draws to a close, we're lucky that the good weather is still yet to come here on the Eyre Peninsula with March and April renowned as our best weather months. With consistent mid twenties temperature, little rain and and less crowds, it really is the time to discover the unique sights we have to offer and feel as though we have it all to ourselves. Below we've put together our Top 5 places for you to discover on the Eyre Peninsula over the next couple of months. We hope you enjoy, and get to discover these beauties and of course, if you're in Port Lincoln, be sure to call into our office and say hi to our friendly staff and allow us to assist you with any real estate queries you may have! Have you followed us on Instagram yet? Stay updated with all new listings, exclusive to Instagram properties & plenty of tips and tricks. 5) GREENLY BEACH Known by locals as one of the most beautiful beaches along the Eyre Peninsula with an edless crystal clear beach, rock pools for the kids to explore, camping spots and little crowds, it really is the perfect place to spend the day. 4) MURPHY'S HAYSTACK Located only a few hours from Port Lincoln in Calca, these unique rock formations stand mysteriously amongst the flat land and are said to date back millions of years. It's an incredible sight to stop for a photo break on your trip around the Eyre Peninsula. 3) TALIA ROCK POOLS Located just around the corner from the famous Talia Cave and only 20KM from Venus Bay, these uniquely shaped rock pools are one of a kind with the trio sitting right on the waters edge, some deep enough to swim and others shallow with crystal clear water to discover our local marine life. 2) PORT LINCOLN NATIONAL PARK Fortunately right on our door stop, Port Lincoln National Park is everything you travel to the Eyre Peninsula to see. Year round, crystal clear beaches, wildlife and quiet coves. It makes for the perfect weekend away with camping spots for you to take it all in right from your sleeping bag. Be sure to visit Parks SA Website or the Visitor Centre in Port Lincoln for information on National Park fees, but one well worth it. 1) BOSTON ISLAND Open to the public for the first time in 30 years, Boston Island is the beautiful island you see from the foreshore in Port Lincoln. Our local adventure tour operator, Adventure Bay Charters, offers the 20 minute ferry ride along with tours for you to explore the islands history by foot (or mountain bike!) and even offer a sunset tour. Be one of the first to explore this amazing piece of history and contact Adventure Bay Charters today to organise your tour! *Boston island is currently undergoing redevelopment and will be closed until further notice - until then, why not take their Seafood Bay Cruise where you can still take in the stunning scenery of Boston Island whilst exploring our Seafood industry and enjoying delicious local seafood straight from the source! https://adventurebaycharters.com.au/marine-adventure-tours/seafood-bay-cruise/
Dec 30, 2020
4 Ways to Use Your Summer Break to Prepare Your Home for Sale
For those of you fortunate enough to get some time off over the summer, it can be the ideal time to do some much-needed work on your home to prepare it for sale. Any improvements you do, whether aesthetically or structurally will add value to the final sale price and potentially make it that much more appealing to buyers who are spending their summer house hunting. Here’s 4 ways you can use your time wisely to work on your home improvements: Gardening – with the sun out and the days much longer than the winter months it is the perfect time to get out your gardening gloves, pruning shears or shovel. Filling your garden with easy-to-maintain plant varieties and clearing spaces that have been overgrown will add massive appeal. Be sure to work on the front of the property first and then venture out into the back yard. Choose water tolerant plants and grasses and be sure to make access to water outlets easy and obvious. Painting – while the family are all about and out of routine, it might be a great time to move a few people out of their rooms and give the walls a freshen up with a lick of paint. Choose neutral colours that allow potential buyers the space to imagine their own tastes and furniture in the space. Any colour that is too dominating can be a put off for viewers. Clear out the shed – Sheds can often be the space you just don’t get to when you are preparing your home for sale. Sheds are always high on the priority list of most house hunters and a well-presented shed can showcase the space, condition and functionality effectively. Photographs – not seen as a home improvement directly but getting a professional photographer in to take photos to show off the very best assets your home has to offer goes a long way in preparing for a sale. Professional photographs always attract more interest than amateur images. A professional photographer will also help you to arrange the rooms in. your home in the best way to capture the perfect shots for those looking to buy. This could mean decluttering spaces or hiring furniture. A great idea to do when you have a little more time and flexibility with the weather. Once you have these jobs ticked off your list, you will feel much more relaxed when you decide to head to the beach. Happy New Year everyone!
Dec 9, 2020
South Australia Becoming A Hot Spot For Interstate Buyers
Those of us who live here understand just how much South Australia has to offer, and in particular the Eyre Peninsula. With its beautiful coastlines, natural sanctuaries and much less densely populated areas it appears from recent data that interstate buyers are also seeing the attraction of calling our state ‘home’. Information given to us from Domain.com.au shows that 13.3% of enquiry over the last 3 months has come from interstate (QLD/VIC/NSW). Despite this, new listings have been declining showing a big gap in the market for anyone wanting to sell their property for a good return. An undersaturated market makes it the perfect time to list and expect a faster turn-around and higher sell-price. For the Eyre Peninsula, total property views have increased by 25% in recent months. We are seeing an increase in buyers looking to settle here on the Eyre Peninsula. Despite the unsettled year we have experienced, the number of sales has increased compared to last year. We have seen an increase in activity both online and at our open inspections. This means there is only one thing for you to do; give us a call. If you’re a buyer get in ahead of the competition and if you would like to sell, we can talk to you about the strategies we are using to get the best possible price.
Oct 16, 2020
Looking To Buy A New Home? Why Not Consider Building?
It’s the age-old debate – is it better to buy a home or build your own? There are pros and cons to both options really… and it does come down to your unique needs and requirements. The ‘better’ option depends on your priorities. Buying and established home is a faster process and often comes with an established garden of sorts. Once the initial house-hunting is done and your deposit is paid, you can usually expect to be moving in within a month or two. Buying is usually a fast and relatively simple process. Though convenience is offered through buying and established home, there are many benefits to buying land and building… Creative control over the design A major draw card of a new home is that you get to choose your location (usually) and have full control of the design of the home you build allowing you to have all the features you like and need for your lifestyle. Lower initial on-going costs and maintenance When you buy land and build you essentially know what you are getting yourself into. Up-keep on an older home could cost you more in the long run as compared to the initial investment of a new home. A new home is likely to be built with modern technology, higher energy efficiency and have warranties to cover you for a few years, thus saving you maintenance costs after moving in. Significant buyer incentives First HomeBuilder Grant from the Australian Government. The HomeBuilder Grant of $25,000 is available to eligible owner-occupiers (including first home buyers) who build a new home, substantially renovate an existing home, or buy an off the plan/new home, where the contract is signed between 4 June 2020 and 31 December 2020 inclusive. See more HERE. There is also a first homeowner’s grant for new builds valued at $15,000. That’s a combined grant of $40,000 on offer. There are also less fees in regard to stamp duty on the purchase of the land. Less competition to buy land There is a lot of competition in the marketplace at the moment for established homes. Land however is less aggressive. We currently have 43 different blocks of land for sale in the lower Eyre Peninsula and fewer people looking to build than to buy. Many people are turned off by the stress and cost of building. This gives you the advantage of choosing a stunning location at a good price with plenty of variety in location. See all our residential land listings here. Get in touch with our sales team to today to discuss your real estate needs.
Sep 17, 2020
When Is The Best Season To Sell Your House?
Everyone knows that Spring is the best season to sell a house, right? The main reason behind this myth is that after the cold and wretchedness of winter, there is a bigger pool of home purchasers getting all over town to search for properties. This implies more rivalry for properties, which drives costs up. On head of that, gardens put their best self forward, there's more sunshine and it's commonly a great time showcase your home in great light. There’s nothing like a warm sunny day for a home open after all! Sure – there is some truth behind this. But one thing to remember if you are holding out for the sunnier season, you won't be the only homeowner looking to sell with a similar thought. On the off chance that there's nothing especially unique about your home, it could become mixed up in an oversupplied real estate market. Autumn is usually the next best season according to real estate mythology. Truth be told, properties will sell at any time of the year if they are marketed right and well-prepared for inspections. We thought it might be helpful expand your thinking on this a little starting with the different factors you need to consider before selling your home: What the market is doing. Supply and demand will have the greatest effect on whether it's a buyer’s or seller’s market. The key question to ask is – is the market oversupplied or undersupplied? Your own need to sell. Can you wait until Spring to list, or is your home ready to go? Logistically moving to a new house in busy times of the year could put extra pressure on your family, plus if you need to find alternative accommodation in the interim when you first move out, certain seasons will have higher costs associated. The area of your property. Beach front homes are way more attractive in the Summer, while a rural property may look best in the middle of winter when crops are at their best. Spring Upside - Winter's finished, the weather is heating up and gardens are in bloom. Spring is a period of optimism and expectation, when individuals are prepared to get outside more regularly and begin scanning for that ideal property. The long winter tends to trigger a desire for change. Downside – Everyone else who is ready to sell is probably thinking the same and so the market will be overrun with properties potentially similar to yours, reducing your chance of good exposure and good return. Summer Upside – depending on where your property is, Summer could be a great time to sell. There are traditionally more tourists in the area with family events and school holidays. The warmth and the jovial time that summer brings encourages people to move to the area. Beach or waterfront properties are great for this period. Very few people list during this time which opens up the opportunity for your property to shine through. Downside – The lead up to Christmas and New Year’s celebrations often fills up schedules which can mean less people are in the mood for house-hunting. Autumn Upside – Summer celebrations are done; people are back at work and have moved on to activating their dreams or plans to move into a new place. There is more time for looking around and weather here on the Eyre Peninsula is still beautifully warm giving your home the best chance to shine in the autumn sun. Easter holidays and plenty of long weekends in this period could be attractive for people looking to manage their move around work commitments. Downside – People are ‘settled in’ for the year, especially those with families and may not be interested in moving at that time. Winter Upside – More people are indoors and settled into spending time researching online. With little outdoors to be done, it’s the perfect time to expose your property to those who are unsettled and stuck indoors. The market is quieter during this time giving your home more chance to stand out. There is quite a bit of movement from people who have sold in Autumn too and are looking for a new home to move into. Downside – people are less motivated to attend opens and get out and about on a house hunt. With shorter days and less sunshine homes can look a little lack-lustre during this time. Good lighting and heating within the home when you do have inspections is encouraged during this season. Before you choose to list your home, have a chat to our local real estate sales team who can walk you through the current opportunities to sell. You can get an appraisal sorted and be ready for whichever season you decide to jump into.
Aug 27, 2020
Important Things To Consider When Becoming A Landlord
Renting out your home is a big decision and one that needs to be well considered. Though with the right support it can deliver a good return on your property investment. Renting can also be a great option if you are waiting for land prices to increase or may give you time while you consider whether you really want to sell at all. Having a property management team who understands your expectations and can give you the right support will be the difference between a good rental experience or not. Not only that, choosing the right property manager can play a vital role in the rental process of an investment property. A good property manager will seek to maximise weekly rental income and source high quality tenants who are more likely to really take care of your asset. The common question we get asked is “how long will my property stay on the market before you find a suitable tenant?” The answer is dependent upon the number of competing properties on the market at the same time similar to yours, the rental price, and the quality of photos / videos you provide us with at the time of listing. Every agency will have slightly different standards and commitments and it is important to find out what is going to suit you and your situation the best. Our standard services include: - A complete asset management approach to ensure the return on each property they manage is maximised - We screen potential tenants for suitability - Organize all paperwork required - Submit bond monies to the relevant government authority - Conduct regular inspections - Ensure rent is paid on time and have fast follow-up for rent in arrears - Liaise with landlords to organise routine maintenance when required - We provide an app for effective communication with landlords regarding inspections and maintenance reports Some additional services we can provide are - Paying your outgoing expenses on your behalf - Organise professional photography for your property - Additional marketing of your property - Providing administration services to maintain your tenancy Asking plenty of questions during your selection process is essential to ensuring you find the right fit. After all, your property manager should be a great communicator and more than willing to support you on your journey.
Jul 31, 2020
On Trend: Changes To Home Buyers Priority Lists
With the recent pandemic still lingering in the air we thought it might be good to think through some of the top features that home-hunters have on their shopping lists. COVID-19 has transformed the importance of home. It has changed the way we work, live and play. And most of these changes are here to stay. According to ING’s Future Focus: Homeownership report, a quarter of Australians now see their home as a “complete lifestyle hub,” for socialising, working, exercising, learning and playing. Here’s some ideas to consider for ‘stand-out features’ when preparing your home for sale: Home Office Space – we have stepped well past the little desk in the corner of the living room. Many people are now looking for homes with an additional room that is designed as the perfect space for working from home. If you don’t have the extra room per-say, looks for ways to transfer some of your living spaces into a nook for working that is both comfortable, well-lit and relatively separate from the main activities of home and family life. Go Green – House plants as décor are on trend, but this also support healthier lifestyles (think air quality indoors) and makes the space feel more homely. Gardens that have veggie patches, or herb pots set up can also be a great sell-point with more families moving towards their own sustainability. Work Out options – another big trend is people now working out more from home, with Youtube videos, apps on their phone or just setting up home gyms. Think about how you can set up a space that lends itself to physical activities or storage areas for thinks like weights, yoga mats, balance balls etc. Technology rules the roost – there is no doubt that even before COVID-19 ‘smart homes’ were on the way to becoming priorities for people looking for new homes. Make sure you can provide a buyer with details on how good the internet is from your property, set up hubs for connectivity and chargers (think power points with HDMI jacks), and connectivity set up for TV’s to easily plug into. Renovations that help improve the overall appeal of your home do not need to be expensive. Most of these can be cosmetic changes for home opens and your photo shoot to help inspire a buyer to imagine how they could adapt the space as their own lifestyle hub. If you would like to talk through how you can improve your home for sale to get the best price and would like a property appraisal, get in touch with our friendly sales team today.
Jul 10, 2020
Sell Now On The EP, Or Wait Until Spring?
While unprecedented times have provoked several questions around the real estate market, one of the most common questions still asked is, “when is the best time to sell?” Traditionally, spring has been the preferred option. But we are here to advise you, the time is NOW for South Australia and our region, the EP. 2020 has thrown some curve balls and ‘typical’ is no longer the norm. So, it is time to think outside the box and beat the spring race to sell. We have come out of lockdown and the current market has less competition for your property meaning it will stand out in the marketplace. When we study statistics of our region from realestate.com the list/sell ratio in the same period in 2019 was at 63%, whereas it is up over 84% for this year. People are viewing each property with greater interest and intention (50% more on average) and we are seeing a stronger percentage of sales of those homes that have been listed. We have also found during these times our definition of the word ‘home’ has changed somewhat. With travel restricted, access to gyms and eating out put on hold and uncertainty of what next year may bring, our ‘homes’ have become gyms, restaurants and more! So perhaps it is no real surprise that travel money is being used to up-grade and invest in our homes. People are considering what they want in a home and are actively willing to invest in how they want to live every day. Here at Port Lincoln Real Estate, we are experiencing inquiries from numerous potential buyers who are expressing there are currently insufficient listings to choose from on the EP. We don’t promote rash decisions and each seller still needs to conduct their own research and consider their own circumstances. However, if you are ready to take that next step we are here and ready to assist you each step of the way. The first step is to book your FREE APPRAISAL with us, your local trusted real estate professionals to discuss the current climate and assist you with making an informed decision around the sale of your home. Make Port Lincoln Real Estate your first port of call. Get in touch with us here