The reimagined program is now available through more than 8,000 real estate agents in four markets across Texas, as well as Atlanta, Denver and Phoenix.
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Historically, cities have been the center for commerce and the arts. They used to be vibrant places that attracted young people. But what about now? And is marketing real estate in the city tough?
As an agent, one of the most important things you can do is understand and identify your target audience so you know exactly how to market to them. Here are five main groups every agent should be paying attention to.
Branding and marketing become surprisingly simple and effective when you know your core values, your inherent strengths and your personal brand archetype. Think of these things as points on your personal GPS that will help you discover exactly where you are and how to get to where you want to go.
Real estate professionals have been at it for six months now, balancing the stress of working from home with a host of other distractions. To avoid being pulled into a state of exhaustion and burnout, here are four tips to keep in mind.
An engaging YouTube channel can play a big role in building your brand and elevating you as a recognized thought leader in the industry. If you’re new to the platform, here are three basics to help you hit the ground running.
Establishing yourself as a thought leader doesn’t have to involve spending big bucks on a PR firm. Instead, learn from one company’s experience deploying a series of strategic in-house public relations efforts that have been more than worth the sweat equity.
The last thing agents want is to work with prospects for weeks before realizing it was a complete waste of time. This can be avoided, however, by having the proper prescreening process in place for vetting clients. Here are a few tips.
Melbourne’s construction and property industry have had mixed news from the state’s treasurer. Picture: David Caird
Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas has announced a full waiver to the vacant residential land tax for 2020.
He has also raised hopes a property and construction industry stimulus package could be announced before the state budget and private real estate inspections could recommence sooner than currently outlined in the state government’s road map to recovery.
However, he said the government might have less need for office space in Melbourne’s CBD after COVID-19, in what is more concerning news for the city’s post-virus recovery.
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Speaking at an online Property Council of Australia event today, Mr Pallas noted many properties “would never have been empty if not for coronavirus” as he waived the tax, which covers 1 per cent of the capital improved value of inner and middle-ring Melbourne homes left vacant for six months.
The government is also waiving 25 per cent of this year’s congestion levy.
Treasurer Tim Pallas has announced a property tax concession. Picture: NCA NewsWire/David Crosling
Asked when property industry stimulus he flagged in June would be announced, the Treasurer said the government remained “very much focused on the vitality and health of the construction industry” and expected to release word at or before the state budget.
“We will be having something more to say about what we can do to support the industry, but now is not the appropriate time,” Mr Pallas said.
The budget is expected to be released in late October or November.
Mr Pallas also said the state’s road map was not “set in granite” and there may be scope for real estate inspections and display suites to recommence sooner than initially outlined.
“I was watching the chief health officer the other day and he made the point that what we will seek to do is populate our projections with hard data,” Mr Pallas said.
“As we get a greater degree of certainty we can start to assess if the road map settings are as we would like them … there will be a capacity to adjust at the margins.”
This would depend on proof that Melbourne was moving towards its COVID-19 case number targets, as well as the advice of the public health office, he said.
But in a move that has concerned property industry members, Mr Pallas noted working from home arrangements would be a factor when deciding plans for CBD office leases due to expire in 2023.
“We will see for some time a lesser requirement for office spaces right across the CBD, and I think you will find that in the commercial and in the government sector,” Mr Pallas said.
Property Council of Australia Victorian executive director Cressida Wall welcomed the government’s tax relief announcements, but said “there is still more to do” and urged the state to maintain its full presence in the CBD.
“If anything, the government should consider its lease holdings as an economic stimulus lever,” Ms Wall said.
“Now is not the time for government reduction in lease holdings in the CBD.”
Property Council Victorian executive director Cressida Wall has welcomed the tax relief. Picture: David Crosling
Property investment firm Charter Hall’s Simon Stockfeld said while many commercial office leases were being evaluated at present, the government’s addition to the list made sense but was for now a matter of “watching this space”.
“We would be surprised if the requirement for government as an occupant in the CBD changed materially,” Mr Stockfeld said.
A stimulus plan proposed by the Property Council including tax breaks and grants could generate an estimated $24.4b in economic activity.
“We will continue to work with the government to bring forward additional economic stimulus measures as soon as possible,” Ms Wall said.
“The state government has listened to our industry’s feedback along the way. We are working closely with the government and are hopeful property inspections can safely return ahead of the timeline currently proposed.”
A property industry survey by the Property Council found 30 per cent of respondents see a need for industry stimulus packages to include stamp duty concessions for investors buying off the plan. Just under a quarter called for downsizer and first-home buyer grants, one in five are hoping to see a build-to-rent package announced and a similar number are seeking relief for commercial landlords.
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The post COVID-19: Treasurer Tim Pallas hints at real estate lifeline appeared first on realestate.com.au.
Elmhurst House by Rebecca Naughtin. Photo: Daniel Fuge
This single-fronted Edwardian home in Kew — one in a row of similar-looking houses — has a classic storybook charm that allows it to blend into the streetscape with unassuming style.
But first impressions aren’t always what they seem.
A glimpse of two charcoal grey gables peeking from the back is a hint this home is full of surprises.
Architect Rebecca Naughtin, who owners Mark and Suzette Dawson engaged to renovate the property, said the gables on the newly built second storey made people curious.
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Elmhurst House by Rebecca Naughtin. Photo: Daniel Fuge
Elmhurst House by Rebecca Naughtin. Photo: Daniel Fuge
Elmhurst House by Rebecca Naughtin. Photo: Daniel Fuge
“There is nothing that gets me more excited than seeing those two little gables at the back when I am standing out front. It just makes me want to see more,” Ms Naughtin said.
The gables on the first floor sit atop two new bedrooms and an ensuite. Another gabled ceiling forms part of the ground-floor extension, which includes an open-plan living and dining zone overlooked by the kitchen.
Mr Dawson felt the angled ceilings gave the home a “quiet confidence” by accentuating the sense of space.
“It has also stopped the rooms from feeling too boxlike,” he added.
Elmhurst House by Rebecca Naughtin. Photo: Daniel Fuge
Remote access
When the Dawsons bought the house in 1994, it was rundown but had plenty of period appeal and eye-catching features. These included original skirting boards, architraves, leadlight windows and beautiful old fireplaces, which they chose to keep and restore.
What they did get rid of was a poky kitchen tacked on the rear.
“We wanted to retain the architectural integrity and show the history of the house, but didn’t want the place to feel like a museum,” Mr Dawson said.
They did a mini makeover to help modernise the home before renting the property out while they lived and worked overseas for 20 years.
Before returning to Australia, the couple decided to renovate on a bigger scale so the house had more connection with the outdoors, and to create spaces that reflected how they liked to spend time at home.
“We are both retired now and our needs have changed quite a bit,” Mr Dawson said.
While overseas, they started researching renovating ideas through Houzz, an online renovation and design ideas platform that connects people with home experts. This was how they met Ms Naughtin.
After a series of video conferences, phone calls and emails, they nutted out a renovation plan together.
Elmhurst House by Rebecca Naughtin. Photo: Daniel Fuge
New benchmark
The kitchen was particularly important for Ms Dawson, who loved to cook. But given it was in a south-facing part of the home, creative ways to bring in extra natural light needed to be considered.
Large sliding stacker doors now connect the kitchen and living room to an outdoor entertaining area and garden. A long skylight near the island bench also means the pair rarely need to switch on a light during the day.
“It has really transformed the space,” Ms Dawson said.
The kitchen’s tailored storage and big island bench also get her tick of approval.
“I fell in love with the look of the textured benchtop, but was a little worried it may not be that practical when I was cooking,” Ms Dawson explained.
After taking a sample of the bench surface home, she discovered it was easy to clean and work on. Together with the custom timber shelving unit at the front, it has turned the bench into a real feature of the space.
Elmhurst House by Rebecca Naughtin. Photo: Daniel Fuge
Bathing beauties
The ground-floor bathroom was designed around one of the home’s old fireplaces, and is a perfect example of how old and new have been successfully mixed.
“Having the fireplace there really warms the space up visually,” Ms Naughtin said. “It is a bit of artwork in a way and a beautiful backdrop to the freestanding bath.”
An oversized dual shower with access to a very private balcony is a highlight of the ensuite upstairs. The balcony is also attached to the main bedroom and is another clever design aspect that allows additional natural light to stream inside.
Elmhurst House by Rebecca Naughtin. Photo: Daniel Fuge
Talking points
Part of Mr Dawson’s wish list, apart from the study off the front entry, was a wine room. Adjoining the dining space, it features a fully glazed wall and LED lighting.
“The lighting really brings the room to life and even though the fireplace isn’t in use, it adds to the look and feel,” Mr Dawson said.
A recessed handrail next to the staircase is one of Ms Naughtin’s favourite design features. Having it set into the wall has made a tight stairwell feel more open.
“We also recessed some LED strip lighting which makes the staircase easier to navigate at night and look amazing,” she said.
“It’s features like this that give the home longevity and a level of interest that ensures it stands out.”
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Elmhurst House by Rebecca Naughtin. Photo: Daniel Fuge
The post Elmhurst House, Kew: Storybook charm goes up a gable appeared first on realestate.com.au.