All I Want For Christmas
Is a new home!!! Now before you say bah humbug, Christmas decorations have been in the shops since August so it’s not too early to have this conversation. In fact, if you want to set up your Christmas tree at a different address, you’d better get to it. Times ticking and it’s getting to the last days for a purchase and transaction to happen that will allow you to move in before Christmas.
Let’s look at what’s needed…..
FIRST - find the house of your dreams. Easy right? We have so many properties to choose from starting at $85,000 right up to $1,270 000 and every price point in between. As wonderful as it is buying a home that is completely finished, there’s something about buying a renovator at Christmas when you’ve usually got time off work and long summer days to get stuck into it. Come and talk to the HH Team. Let us know what you’re looking for. Just because you can’t see it on t...
When is it the “Right” Time to Move?
We’ve all had the feeling of outstaying our welcome. Maybe at a sleepover or a weekend visit with friends. Staying with family over Christmas can be interesting or even as a young adult and getting the not so subtle hint that it’s time to find your own place to live.
Sometimes you can even feel like this in your own home. Home owners and renters alike know the feeling of “I think it’s time to move on”. There may not be a tangible reason; just an inkling that maybe something better, newer, bigger, smaller, easier or even harder (think renovation) could be around the corner or across the state.
So how do you know if you really need to move? Well let’s think about the obvious.
Have you run out of room? Could this problem be fixed by having a good clean up and a garage sale? Do you love your neighbourhood? Is it worth extending?
Is the house too big? When the kids have grown up and moved out and the bedrooms are empt...
The Selling Experience
We all know it’s an emotional journey when selling your home. No one expects you to be cool, calm and collected the whole time, but you do want to enjoy the process. Here are some tips to make the selling process a little easier.
Change Your Perspective
Try to flip your mind set about your property. It’s helpful to think of yourself as a home “seller ” not a home “owner”. This can allow you to be more objective about your home. Although it takes practice and is a lot harder for some than others, it can really help transition your emotional attachment to the home.
Trust Your Agent
The right agent will be able to guide you through the process with open communication and earned trust. Try to take the objective and healthy long-term approach. Hopefully you are not being forced to sell, so you need to be sure you have decided that the time is right. Getting into ‘sale mode&r...
Transformed - Best in Class
It's been a very busy year for our popular Sales Agent Ali Suter. As well as listing and selling Armidale properties, she's been busy transforming herself into a Top 10 Elite Sales Agent. We are very proud of her hard work and the resulting Top 10 placing. This is an extract from Elite Agent magazine...
Transform 2018 has been described as the ‘tough mudder’ of real estate training challenges: over the past 30 days our participants have attended live classes, completed a challenge per day, and worked with the best in the business on improving their careers.
Participating this year there were more than 20 industry coaches and trainers, delivering more than 30 webinars and live sessions and exclusive video content for the participants to immerse themselves in to truly change their careers over the challenge month. Agents at various levels of experience participated in the challenge, from novice auctioneers to experienced agents. Challenge points were...
A Good First Impression
They say it takes just 7 seconds for people to form an opinion about someone. I think it can take even less time to form an opinion about a property!
It’s so easy to dismiss a property based purely on street appeal (or lack of). But, there is a reason to give every property a second glance and chance and that is personal taste.
Every property owner has their own style and taste and most of the time it’s represented in paint, plants and fabrics. So, it’s easy to change and often won’t be too costly.
How many times have you watched a property show on TV and been amazed by the transformation, only to realise at the end all they did was plant a garden, paint the walls and rip up the carpet? Yes, it adds to the overall cost but when this has already been factored into the selling price, you can often find a property that’s fits into the “worst house – best street” category.
Come and talk to the HH team abo...
Women - Leading the Way
Women are winning the battle of the sexes in the property domain as financial challenges like the gender pay gap and taking time off work to have kids push them to find alternative or additional income streams.
This is the finding of Westpac’s latest Home Ownership Report, which reveals Aussie women are now significantly more likely than men to be planning some sort of real estate action in the next five years.
This included buying a home (28 per cent of women versus 20 per cent of men), buying an investment (16 per cent, 13 per cent), selling a property (17 per cent, 14 per cent) and renovating (29 per cent, 27 per cent), according to the survey of more than 1000 Australians.
Female first home buyers were twice as likely to consider buying an investment property in the short-term. Women’s attitudes towards home ownership have also seen a major shift in the past year, with 43 per cent of female first home buyers strongly believ...
Leading the Way in 2018
Hutchinson and Harlow Real Estate wins 2018 Agency of the Year and Peter Georkas wins 2018 Agent of the Year in the RateMyAgent 2018 Real Estate Awards
Hutchinson and Harlow Real Estate has won the Agency of the Year in the RateMyAgent 2018 Agent of the Year Awards. The awards, which are the largest real estate awards in Australia, recognise those agents and agencies that have ranked the highest based on customer reviews and feedback.
The office is also proud to announce Peter Georkas as the winner of Agent of the Year 2018.
“I’m ecstatic to be named the top agent in the Armidale market,” said Peter. “This award recognises the hard work of my team and the dedication we have to the local property market. We’re thrilled so many of our customers appreciate our work and have rated us using the RateMyAgent site. To be voted number one by your customers is a real testament to the se...
Your First Auction? Make It A Success!
We have a fantastic property coming up for Public Auction next month in Barney Street, so I thought I would run through a few tips about buying a property at Auction.
While attending your first auction as a potential buyer can be a little overwhelming, its also a chance to control what you want to pay for a property. But you need to do your homework before the day! There’s a lot of money riding on the result and you don’t want to be caught in an uncomfortable position because you’re not sure of the rules and procedures that govern auction day.
Here are the important things you need to be across.
Know the Rules
As a potential bidder and buyer at an auction, it’s critical that you’re well versed on the rules.
The Auctioneer will always read the terms under which the auction will be conducted, prior to taking bids, but trying to remember all of them the first time you hear them can be diffi...
Calling All Millennials!
The millennial generation; an educated, tech-savvy group, that typically knows what they want.
In 2017 we found that many twenty-somethings decided they wanted to buy their first home. Now, there’s apps galore on just about everything out there, but swiping right isn’t going to get you into your first home – though it might help you find a date.
If you’ve been thinking about getting into the home owner market, read on.
1. Are You Ready To Commit?
I’m sure you’ve heard this more than once; buying a home may be the largest purchase you’ll ever make in your entire life. The point? You’ve got to know you’re ready for that type of commitment. Mille...
Beat the Heat
It wouldn’t be summer in Armidale without a period of feeling like you are living in the seventh circle of hell, but when the thermometer hits the high 30’s, it doesn’t mean you should swelter in fear of a huge air conditioning bill. It’s time to learn some tricks that will help reduce the heat in home.
- Shut the Curtains – Close the Windows.
Keeping blinds curtains drawn and closing the windows, might seem counter-intuitive, but studies have shown covering your windows to block sunlight can have a big impact on how hot things get inside. When the temperature drops in the evening, open them back up for the cooler breezes overnight.
- Think Naturally
Summer is the time for natural fibres, such as cotton, linen and bamboo. These fabrics absorb sweat, breathe easily and will keep you cooler. Swapping out your bedding with some crisp new sheets and treat yourself to some fresh cotton pj...
Happy New Year - 2018
OK it’s January – the month for resolutions. If your New Year Resolution is to buy a property, here are some things you could do to help you succeed. 2017 was a fantastic year for property in Armidale and 2018 promises to be another competitive year for purchasing. If you want to get in on the action, you’ll need to be on top of your game.
- Identify your goal and write down!
A New Year’s resolution needs to be very specific if you want to achieve anything. You need a specific goal like “Buy a three-bedroom house near this school before Easter” or “Buy an investment property with a lease in place before the end of June”. Adding a sense of urgency to your goal will motivate you to keep on top of what you need to do to make a successful purchase.
- Be ready to act and share your goal.
Procrastination is the enemy of success. The key...
35 years – What An Achievement!
As we come to the end of 2017, HH Real Estate are celebrating 35 years as a successful small business in a regional city. This article was published by Focus Magazine - December edition and I thought I would share it with our readers here.
The business was established in October 1982 by John Harlow and Peter Hutchinson. They purchased an existing Insurance Brokerage business and established a new company known as Hutchinson and Harlow. For a period of two years they were restrained from conducting any real estate business and concentrated on insurance sales. After two years, Peter Hutchinson returned to selling real estate, but it was a further three years before property management department was created.
Peter Georkas joined to the firm of Hutchinson and Harlow Real Estate on 5th January 1998 with a bang; selling a home on his first day! He was already an established, award-winning agent after working at Ray White Armidale since 1991 and he brought an enth...
The Minimalist Makeover
I’ve been reading a lot of books lately professing the advantages of a minimalist lifestyle. Some ideas I get and I even agree with, but some ideas are way too extreme, even for me. I like my books and my cushions and my art work and my candles! But it has made me look at my own home with fresh eyes, which is exactly what you need to do when you’re selling.
The space we live in has a big impact on how we feel and how we interact with others. It also has a big impact on our selling price and how quickly a property can sell. The endless stream of TV programs such as The Block, Grand Designs Australia, Love It or List It, Selling Houses Australia, The Living Room etc all promise that a great home will mean a great life and the show hosts continually inspire us with their amazing (and sometimes not so amazing) room makeovers.
The trouble most of us face is deciding where to start and working out what can be achieved within a time frame and budg...
What Should I Look For In An Agent?
The team at Hutchinson & Harlow Real Estate – Armidale’s ONLY Sales Specialists have all the answers to your real estate questions. When it comes to choosing a real estate agent, trust plays an important role in the relationship between you. Most successful sales are negotiated in an environment of trust. Never underestimate the importance of trust in any negotiating situation. After all the vendor is employing the agent and the agent must act in the best interests of the vendor.
Let’s answer some typical questions:
1. If you can’t sell my property, what will it cost me?
The HH team are upfront with the costs involved and you are given a written undertaking confirming what has been agreed. Our comprehensive listing kit is a well written and easy to understand booklet setting out costs relating to your sale. We also provide an informative guide to listing and marketing op...
Are Mission Statements Still Relevant?
I recently read an article about Mission / Vision Statements and whether they’re still relevant to modern business. The article discussed whether your company’s mission, vision and values influence how you actually do your work every day? It got me thinking that I haven’t read my company statement lately and when I did read it, I was pleased to see it’s still very relevant to the way we “do” business.
It’s easy to dismiss the real value of mission statements. After all, most companies have one, and they all say the right things about management’s concern for customers and employees etc. But in the daily grind to meet business targets and respond to competitors within our industry, it’s easy to get bogged down and forget to check in with what we do best.
I’ve included the HH Real Estate statement below. It was written about 18 years ago when Peter first came into the company. When we became a part of this ...
Food - Shelter - Clothing
The traditional list of basic needs is food, shelter and clothing, but when did these three “needs” become an extension of ourselves? We are now defined by our choices. At any time, on any day, you can turn on the TV or open a magazine and find a show or article that is specifically about food – what should you be eating, clothing – what should you be wearing or housing - designing and/or decorating.
I have to admit I am slightly obsessed with the British TV show Grand Designs and all of its offshoots. Kevin McCloud is one of my favourite celebrities. I have all the DVDs, I subscribe to the monthly magazine and will stop whatever I’m doing to watch any repeats if they come on TV.
There are so many reasons I love this show. The main reason is I get to live vicariously through other people whilst they create their home. I experience their highs and lows, sympathise their disappointments, budget blow-outs and failures and celebrate...
Working in a Team Office
You may have noticed that I seem to go on all the time about the “HH Team”! We take team photos, we list and sell our properties as a team and the entire team is rewarded financially when the sales come through. But what does working in a team really mean?
Everyone in our team has their particular strengths; it’s what defines us. Our team strengths are diverse and include having an amazing eye for detail and writing great advertising script. It is having an almost photographic memory for names and places and it is also being able to stay positive when everything is falling apart.
We work in an industry dictated by both emotion and fact. We see the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. We see people at their greatest and people at their worst. We all have an ability to work independently and quite often do but the satisfaction realised for everyone when we join forces is outstanding.
For me, working in a team environment means that even...
Living in a Rental Property Being Sold
First things first – don’t panic!
Just because the owner is putting the property on the market, it doesn’t mean you’ll be forced to find a new place to live in. The reality is that many owners buy rental properties as an investment and, like any investor, if there is an opportune moment to sell, they will want to take it.
So what do you need to know?
- Agent arranges a pre-listing inspection of the property with the Tenant in anticipation of the listing.
- Property gets listed by Agent. Landlord / Selling Agent notify the Tenant (in writing) giving the Tenant the required 14 days notice before any marketing commences.
- Agent and Tenant agree on inspection times allowing for the required 48 hours notice. (Agreements should be documented and signed by both parties).
- Tenant is required to prepare the property for photography removing any items they do not wish to have photographed and put on the internet...
It's Time To Sell
In a competitive market, the way you present your home for sale can make all the difference. A well-presented home will stand out from the rest and increase the probability of a quick sale.
When you’ve lived in the same home for several years, you won’t immediately notice things that other people do. It helps to take a fresh look and pretend that you're the prospective buyer coming to inspect. Of course, you don’t want to spend truckloads of money getting things ready but there are simple things you can do to maximize your chances of a quick sale at the best possible price.
Take some photos for yourself – often what stands out in a photo is not what you see. Have a trusted friend or family member to come to your home and look at it as a buyer would. Ask them for an honest opinion (don’t get offended!) about first impressions, smells, furniture etc.
Browse lifestyle magazines for ideas on dressing your home to look its be...
The Devil is in the Detail
You can fall in love with a property very quickly. You can even fall in love over the internet looking at your new house on a real estate site whilst lying in bed before you even turn up for an open house inspection. However, to make a good decision you need to consider everything about the property you are looking to buy.
Go and inspect the property on several occasions formally and informally at different times of the day, including on a weekend, and on a week night. Think about parking, noise, aircraft, neighbours, trees, dogs, floods and any planned council developments and building projects. Look for anything that is going to need to be repaired as you'll need to budget for that. If you let your love for a property cloud your analysis, you might not see what others see and that is going to cost you.
Formal Property Inspections
The property looks sound and solid so do you still need an expensive building inspection? The answer is
Buying a Home in Winter
I have written about SELLING your home in the colder months, but what if you are looking to BUY your dream home? Well, winter may provide some hidden benefits for you also.
The cooler months often see less homes for sale but this also means that there could be less buyers (meaning less competition for you) and more motivated vendors. Some buyers may be hibernating through the winter season, and some vendors may have missed out on a sale during the final summer selling season, which offers a big opportunity for those keen to get the home of their dreams.
One of the benefits of buying a home in the cooler months is you are generally seeing the property at its most unflattering time and when the garden is usually bare. This means homes that provide good natural light and are well insulated and heated properly tend to stand out. It also allows the buyer the opportunity to see any potential views from the home while the trees are bare.
The importance of a prope...
Selling in the Colder Months
Selling your home in Armidale during the colder months means making sure you highlight your homes warmth factor. Our freezing, zero temperature nights mean gorgeous clear, blue sky days.
If you have a wood fire, get the chimney cleaned to ensure its burning at its hottest and make sure the fire itself is clean – trust me buyers are going to be looking at it. Invest in a really nice wood basket and keep the area spotless.
Wash everything to do with windows – curtains, blinds, outside screens and the window panes. It’s important to allow as much light into your home as possible during winter months.
Dress your home for winter with rugs, blankets and cushions. It’s the equivalent of putting on a warm jumper for your home and it doesn’t have to be expensive. Many of the larger discount stores have great decorating items for not outlay.
Trim back any dead wood in the garden and prune all the summer plants ready for spring. ...