The Lighter Side: Think no-one cares?

If you think no one cares you're alive, miss a couple of house payments.

The Lighter Side: Location, Location...

The sellers told me their house was near the water. It was in the basement.

The Lighter Side: Owning a Home

The trouble with owning a home is that no matter where you sit, you're always looking at something you should be doing.

Buying property - What sequence works best?

As Buyer's Agents, we recommend the following preliminary steps when buying property. We explore this in more detail with our clients, but here's a quick summary:

Structure --> Budget --> Finance --> Assemble the team = Buy!!

Structure

Visit your accountant and work out the most tax-effective entity for your property purchase. For many people (particularly home owners), you will buy your property in your own name. However, when you're about to purchase additional properties and start building a portfolio, it's good to ask the question - "What entity should I buy this in?"

Your accountant should consider two key elements:

1. What is tax-effective for you?

2. What is your risk profile?

Budget

The word budget is probably not the sexiest word on the planet (it's up there with "diet" and "tax return"), however, it's a very necessary step. Sit down and work out how much money you're earning and spending each month, then work out how much you feel comfortable as an ongoing commitment. Remember to include all costs (building repairs, maintenance, rates, agent's fees, etc), as well as any depreciation benefit from the property. Now you're ready to ask a mortgage broker about your borrowing capacity (the bank's opinion of what you can afford).

Finance (borrowing capacity)

Why didn't we make this the first step??

Structure comes first, so we can request finance pre-approval for the entity actually buying property. There's little point in applying for finance pre-approval for an entity which isn't actually going to buy the property. You could be buying it in your own name, but you could also end up buying it under a trust entity or a Pty Ltd. The documentation needed by the finance broker could be completely different.

Assemble the team

This is important. Work out who is helping you with your property purchase and write down their contact details. Include your conveyancing solicitor, building and pest inspector and your buyer's agent (of course). This way, you're able to act fast and generate a contract quickly.

Tip: Don't forget to start communicating with your team throughout the buying process. Don't wait until you've signed a contract!

Now... you're ready to buy!!!

Yours in property!

The Lighter Side: Property Boundaries

If you want to know exactly where the property line is, just watch the neighbour cut the grass.

Using a Property Checklist

As you know, we're always talking about using a property checklist when buying property. However, there's often confusion between HAVING a checklist and USING a checklist.

At Morpheus Property, we USE a checklist which is unique to each client. This guides us when locating the best property to meet their needs. Our performance can be easily measured by how well the properties are matched against the checklist.

The Checklist

Write down the critical aspects of the property you're looking for. Start with location, then the block of land, followed by the building itself. This sequence is not by accident. It's purpose is to help you focus on what's most important - location, location, location... then the other stuff!!

Location
(e.g. close to water, transport, schools, shopping centres, growth suburbs, etc)

Land

(e.g. minimum size, shape of block, building envelope, building restrictions, easements, water flow, utilities, etc)

Building

(bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, garden, car accommodation, council approved structures, etc)

• 
  

When you have defined the elements on your checklist, give them a rating out of 10. How important are each of these to you? It is important to do this before you start looking.

Using your checklist

Now you have your checklist, you can start hunting! When you're recording your results, either record them immediately after or while you're looking at the property.

Don't stop using your checklist until you've successfully purchased your property. Score each property individually and see which ones float to the top. This process doesn't take long and it really helps you remember the attributes of each property (easily forgotten after you've inspected twenty or more properties).

Don't be afraid to revisit your checklist and change the weightings (after seeing a few properties, you might decide that it's not so important that a property have two bathrooms, so long as it has an ensuite, etc).

By the way, you'll notice the above example is focused around an owner-occupied residential property. The same principles apply to any property - commercial, land, investment properties, development projects, etc.

Please feel free to comment on this. : )

Yours in property

13th Sept is "Sustainable House Day"

This is a good chance to get some ideas for your own project!!

Sunday, 13th September

10:00am -4:00pm
Locations (become available 1 Sept, 2009)

Pop in and see good examples of energy efficient homes. Visit the http://www.sustainablehouseday.com website and stay tuned for address details, which will be available 1 September.

Environment Minister Peter Garrett today launched two new initiatives designed to boost householder efforts to save energy, water and reduce waste — the Government's new web portal LivingGreener.gov.au and Sustainable House Day 2009.

LivingGreener.gov.au includes practical information and tools on how householders can live more sustainably, save money and help the environment.

“Almost 10 per cent of Australia's greenhouse gas emissions come from households. But every Australian can make a big difference to the environment and their wallets through simple, cost-effective, everyday actions.

“Australians want to know what they can do to reduce their impact on the environment, and as the massive uptake of the new solar hot water and insulation rebates shows, households are keener than ever before to make their homes more energy and water efficient.

“LivingGreener.gov.au is an innovative and informative webpage that contains practical tips as well as information about Government programs and financial assistance to support households to improve their energy efficiency,” Minister Garrett said.

Minister Garrett said Sustainable House Day on Sunday September 13 was another great way for households to see first-hand the practical and often easy steps people can take to reduce their energy and water bills.

“Around 170 homes around the country will open their front door to the public. It's an opportunity to get first-hand advice and information from ordinary homeowners about the benefits of sustainable living.

“Architects, builders and home sustainability assessors will also be on hand at many of the homes to provide expert advice. Admission to each home is free, thanks to the Rudd Government's $100,000 sponsorship of this great event,” said Minister Garrett.

The Sustainable House Day website www.sustainablehouseday.com has a list of all open houses and the energy and water saving improvements each house has made.

Information on how you can make your own home more energy efficient is available at www.LivingGreener.gov.au

Yours in property!!

"Stick to variable interest rate to save money"

An interesting article on Fixed v Variable rates from today's Courier Mail:

IT'S too late now to fix your home loan - you should have done it six months ago in the depths of the economic gloom.

But the good news is that new research from RateCity proves that sticking to a variable rate for the next five years could save mortgagors thousands of dollars.

"Taking a fixed rate at 7.25 per cent today is like buying two car insurance policies for the same car," said Damian Smith, chief executive of RateCity.

"Fixed-rate options have factored in market expectations so if you're buying extra protection that the market is not expecting, why would you fix?" The market is expecting interest rates to rise by up to 2 percentage points gradually during the next five years.

If this occurs, the average standard variable interest rate would rise from the present 5.25 per cent to 7.25 per cent.

"Six months ago when the world was coming to an end was the time to fix," Smith said. "The economy has performed much better than anyone thought and in the past two to three weeks we've seen the average five-year fixed rate go to 7.25 per cent.

"The average of the big four banks' five-year fixed rate is 7.59 per cent, so the horse has bolted. We suggest a simple rule of thumb. If your present variable rate is within 1 percentage point of the present fixed-rate average of 7.5 per cent, then it is a pretty simple decision to fix.

"But if your variable rate is about 5.25 per cent, then that's 2.25 points away from the current average fixed rate, so it doesn't make sense to fix." more>>

If you would like free expert advice on your home loan (buying or refinancing), give us a call on 1300 911 576 and our finance broker will work out the best option for you.

Yours in property!

A little more about your Buyer's Agent - Guy Clarke

Guy is a Lawyer with a Masters Degree in Business and Graduate Diploma from the Australian Institute of Company Directors. After 12 years in the Law game, he commenced his Masters of Business in 1996. After completing his MBA and a further Graduate Diploma from the Australian Institute of Company Directors in 1997, he went on to a career in IT Management and Business Consulting.

After a further two years consulting in the franchise Industry, he decided that the next phase was to work on building and developing his own company. Guy purchased his first property in 1987 and wanting to pursue this life long passion he was determined to start Morpheus Property.

With over 25 years of experience in professional services, IT and business creation, Guy works hard at building great personal and business networks with high levels of energy and tenacity. He loves working with people and he loves working in the property industry.

Guy has a passion for sport having competed in several football codes, enjoyed cycling for many years, completed numerous triathlons, his time now is mostly spent coaching his kids sporting teams and helping them lead an active healthy lifestyle. He is also a very active supporter of the Brisbane Roar W-League.

Contact Guy:

• Mobile: 0409 055 128
• Email: guy@morpheusproperty.com.au
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/guyclarke
• Facebook: facebook.com/guy.clarke.morpheus
• Twitter: twitter.com/guyclarke
• Download Guy's v-card

A little more about your Buyer's Agents - Martyn Fleming

Martyn has a background in Accounting, IT and Project Management. Author of 7 Blunders of Buying Property, Martyn's qualifications include a Bachelor's Degree in Business (Accounting and E-Business) and a mix of post-graduate studies including Project Management, IT and Real Estate.

Martyn’s attention to detail and dogged determination to nut out even the most complex scenarios is unrivalled. His work experience is borne from a love of systems and a passion for process engineering and refinement.

Before starting Morpheus Property, Martyn spent ten years in IT project management and business analysis. Prior to this, he spent his formative years in the banking and professional services industry’s.

Martyn is also the Director of the "Catalyst Club" of the Australian Business Clubs, a networking group which meets on Tuesday mornings in Northlakes.

Martyn is involved in a wide variety of sports and is more recently involved in triathlons and cycling events.

Martyn is most passionate about training karate with his wife and two kids and competing in tournaments. He applies his natural discipline and commitment as a karate instructor to pass on valuable life lessons to his students.

Contact Martyn:

• Mobile: 0400 000 822
• Email: martyn@morpheusproperty.com.au
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/martynfleming
• Facebook: facebook.com/martynfleming
• Twitter: twitter.com/martynfleming
• Download Martyn's v-card
  

Australian Median Dwelling Value (June Quarter, 2009)

Quarterly figures courtesy of RP Data:

Sydney - $533,904
Melbourne - $446,344
Brisbane - $427,927
Adelaide - $397,488
Perth - $479,213
Darwin - $451,364
Canberra - $466,653

National - $471,818

The quarter saw an average increase of prices by 2.06%.

Attention all Business Owners!!

• Are you a business owner / operator?
• Are you on Brisbane's north-side?
• Are you looking to grow your business?

If you'd like to meet like-minded business owners, join me on a Tuesday morning for a light breakfast.

The "Catalyst Club" of the Australian Business Clubs (ABC) meet every week at Northlakes. Each meeting is designed to add value on a number of levels, including a healthy discussion of relevant business concepts and issues, exchange of word-of-mouth referrals and the assistance you need to help grow your business.

• Need directions? Follow this link.
• Need more information? Give me a call on 0400 000 822.
• Able to join us? Don't be shy! RSVP to martyn@morpheusproperty.com.au

Yours in networking!

Martyn Fleming
Director - Catalyst Club (ABC)

Property Investors Networking Group - PING's quarterly networking dinner! - Tuesday, 14 July 2009

This is PING's second dinner for the year and it's shaping up to be another fantastic night. Tuesday, 14 July 2009

They have some great guests lined up:

Marten Hilberts from U.R. Home Pty Ltd.
U. R HOME is one of Queensland’s largest providers of alternative home ownership programs and we are delighted, and grateful that Marten is taking the time to share his story with us. It is extremely rare for Marten to be a guest speaker, but at our request, he has agreed to come down from Townsville to share all of his knowledge and his story with PING attendees. …“No question will go unanswered.”

and

Randall Cameron from MyVirtualHomeRandall will be doing a presentation showing people how they can design, build and walk through their home before a brick has even been laid.


You do not want to miss what these guys have to share. There will also be some great lucky door prizes, while enjoying a fantastic three (3) course dinner and as always, great networking.


Event Details: Dinner Evening
Date: Tuesday, 14 July 2009
Doors open: 6.00pm, for a 6.30pm start
Venue: 433 on Logan Conference & Banqueting Centre

Your Investment:$89.00 - PING Member (single ticket)
$138.00 - PING Member (double ticket)

$99.00 - Non-Member (single ticket)
$178.00 - Non-Member (double ticket

RSVP: Friday, 10 July
Bookings are essential and places are limited. For catering purposes bookings and payments must be received by the RSVP deadline

Register here - http://connect.m1connect.com.au/download/forms/s/d21dfad/29343/197979/39362.html

Ticket Inclusions:
3 course dinner
2 complimentary drinks (beer, wine or soft drink)
Tea and Coffee
Lucky door prizes
Over 3 hours of actual Networking and Education

If you have any queries, email Terry on terry@pingroup.com.au


Yours in property & Community
Morpheus Property

ABC Radio's Richard Fidler's inspirational guest on his Conversation Hour last week!

Keith Murfet (a friend of mine) and I caught this harrowing story on ABC Radio last week when Richard Fidler's inspirational guest on his Conversation Hour was Alison. Alison spoke of her gruesome ordeal at the hands of two criminals in South Africa.

The link to the ABC story = www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2009/07/03/2616230.htm?site=brisbane

As it happens, her only only public Brisbane appearance will be TONIGHT, Monday 6th July 2009. I thought people may be interersted in attending and hearing her story. Bookings can be made at the following link:

http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=764

TIME - 7:30 pm
WHEN - Monday 6 July 2009
VENUE - Lingo Lin Theatre, Ormiston College, Sturgeon Street, Ormiston, 4160

Another option is to contact Neale Collier, Cleveland District State High School, 0405 412 432.

http://clevdistshs.eq.edu.au/wcmss/index.php/latest/i-have-life.html?date=2009-07-01

You can also visit her personal website - www.alison.co.za


Yours in property and community

Raising funds for Angel Flight! - Swings for Wings Date Claimer for 5th August 2009

Angel Flight co-ordinates non-emergency flights for financially and medically needy people who need to travel long distances for medical help in the City.

Angel flight pilots donate their time and planes, and Angel Flight subsidises their fuel costs. Angel Flight have conducted over 7000 flights for over 1600 patients. Ground volunteers or Earth Angels look after their city transportation at their own cost.

Corporate Golf Day fundraiser
Date: Wednesday 5 August 2009

Course: Your choice of either Ashgrove Golf Course or Victoria Park Golf Course

Time: Tee off at 12pm (arrival at 11.00am)

Competition: Ambrose – 4 ball best ball, so you don’t have to be a good player.

Price: $120 with buggy, $95 to walk.

On arrival at 11.00am, all golfers receive sandwiches, a drink voucher x 5 and a bag of goodies (offers, specials etc from sponsors). Play 18 holes over approx 4 hours, return to club house for a light meal, prize presentations and raffles.

Novelty holes will include:* Nearest to Pin - men and women
* Hit the Keg
* Betting Hole
* Hockey Stick tee off
* Longest Drive - men and women
* Pro Drive/Out drive Pro, and
* Left handed tee off

Everyone loves prizes, so there will be a prize at most holes.

Call 0402 735 311 to register your team of 4 or as an individual and we will place you into a team. Or enter online at www.swingforwings.com


Morpheus Property Supporting our community!

LAST DAY Sunday 14 June - Brisbane HOME BUYERS SHOW - Limited FREE tickets left!

HOME BUYER SHOW - last day Sunday 14th June 2009

Brisbane Exhibition Centre – Southbank
Saturday 13th June & Sunday 14th June 2009

We want you to attend the Brisbane HOME BUYER SHOW as a friend of Morpheus Property and pay only $5.00 per adult entry instead of the gate admission price of $15.00 per adult.

OR you can contact me as I have only 6 Complimentary tickets left. We can arrange to meet at the show - call me on 0409 055 128.

Feel free to pass this offer on to any family, friends, clients or colleagues you think may be interested in attending the Brisbane HOME BUYER SHOW!

Go to https://secure.tradevent.com.au/homebuyers2009/ book and buy your $5 ticket online using the promotional code – MORPHEUS

We would also love you to subscribe to our newsletter or follow our Blog. Look at the Panel on the right of this page for more information...----->>>>>>>>>

All the Morpheus Crew hope to see you there at the Home Buyer Show this weekend!

Just Four more days to the Brisbane Home Buyers Show!

Just wanted to touch base about
the upcoming Home Buyer Show
and the Morpheus Property Newsletter.

HOME BUYER SHOW
Brisbane Exhibition Centre – Southbank
Saturday 13th June & Sunday 14th June 2009

We want you to attend the Brisbane HOME BUYER SHOW as a friend of Morpheus Property and pay only $5.00 per adult entry instead of the gate admission price of $15.00 per adult.

Feel free to pass this offer on to any family, friends, clients or colleagues you think may be interested in attending the Brisbane HOME BUYER SHOW!

Ticketing Information
Avoid the queues and take advantage of the $5.00 ticket for bookings made in advance with the online MORPHEUS code. Once you have purchased your ticket, entry to all the seminars is free of charge. Seats are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis so we advise you arrive early to avoid disappointment.

Ticket Prices:
Adults
$15 for tickets purchased at the door

$5.00 for tickets purchased in advance online using the promotional code MORPHEUS (save $10 per entry)

Concessions
$12 for tickets purchased at the door

Children
Entry for children under 16 years of age is free when accompanied by an adult.

Go to https://secure.tradevent.com.au/homebuyers2009/ book and buy your ticket online using the promotional code – MORPHEUS

We would also love you to subscribe to our newsletter or follow our Blog. Look at the Panel on the right of this page for more information...----->>>>>>>>>

All the Morpheus Crew hope to see you there at the Home Buyer Show this weekend!

Your opportunity to Give Something Back

City to Longreach

1200km! 14 Mates! 13 towns! One Reason!

Charity Event for Leukaemia Foundation & AEIOU

My name is Monty Summers, I am twenty years old, a Churchie old boy (Class of 06) and currently enrolled as a student at the University of Queensland.

Half way through my senior year I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALA). Before being admitted to hospital I was running 13 times a week for the school cross country team. Going from intensive training to being asked to lie in bed for six months just wasn’t me and at every opportunity I’d hang my bag of chemo on the treadmill and run or strap the tubes to my arm and go surfing.

After all the support I received from Family, Friends and the Leukemia Foundation I want to give something back to them!

Beginning on the 14 July 2009 and concluding in Longreach on the 26 July 2009, we hope to raise vital funds and awareness for the Leukaemia Foundation and AEIOU (Children with Autism). These unique charities have been selected because throughout my struggle they were always there for me and my family. The Leukemia Foundation supplied accommodation, transport and a myriad of other forms of support, essential to keep me smiling. My doctor, Dr. James Morton MD has a very personal connection with AEIOU and I want to help him and others who grapple with the challenges of autism in children.

The money raised from City to Longreach will go to accommodating, transporting and counseling patients from the outback suffering from hematological diseases. Many of the essential treatments are only available in Brisbane Hospitals. Funds given to AEIOU will be used to develop programs and support for Queensland families with children diagnosed with autism living in rural and remote communities.

We have a variety of sponsorship and donation opportunities available on the City to Longreach website - www.citytolongreach.com.au, where you can also see the benefits of giving! If you would like to know more please contact me at montague.summers@uqconnect.edu.au.

Thank you and keep smiling!

Monty Summers
Organiser
City to Longreach

Proudly supported by Morpheus Property

LET's MEET AT THE BRISBANE HOME BUYER SHOW!

Just wanted to touch base about
the upcoming Home Buyer Show
and the Morpheus Property Newsletter.


HOME BUYER SHOW
Brisbane Exhibition Centre – Southbank
Saturday 13th June & Sunday 14th June 2009

We want you to attend the Brisbane HOME BUYER SHOW as a friend of Morpheus Property and pay only $5.00 per adult entry instead of the gate admission price of $15.00 per adult.

Feel free to pass this offer on to any family, friends, clients or colleagues you think may be interested in attending the Brisbane HOME BUYER SHOW!

Ticketing Information
Avoid the queues and take advantage of the $5.00 ticket for bookings made in advance with the online MORPHEUS code. Once you have purchased your ticket, entry to all the seminars is free of charge. Seats are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis so we advise you arrive early to avoid disappointment.

Ticket Prices:
Adults
$15 for tickets purchased at the door

$5.00 for tickets purchased in advance online using the promotional code MORPHEUS (save $10 per entry)

Concessions
$12 for tickets purchased at the door

Children
Entry for children under 16 years of age is free when accompanied by an adult.

Go to https://secure.tradevent.com.au/homebuyers2009/ book and buy your ticket online using the promotional code – MORPHEUS

We would also love you to subscribe to our newsletter or follow our Blog. Look at the Panel on the right of this page for more information...----->>>>>>>>>

I hope you find this information useful! Have a great week!

WANT A STAND AT THE UPCOMING HOMEBUYER SHOW?

AN OFFER FROM THE MANAGEMENT
of
THE HOME BUYER SHOW
&
MORPHEUS PROPERTY TO YOU!





HOME BUYER SHOW
Brisbane Exhibition Centre – Southbank
Saturday 13th June & Sunday 14th June 2009

Were you thinking about having a booth at the HOME BUYER SHOW? IF YOU HURRY IT WON’T BE TOO LATE!

Morpheus Property is supporting the upcoming Home Buyer Show at the Brisbane Exhibition Centre on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 June 2009. By participating in the Home Buyer Show your company will obtain direct contact with literally thousands of buyers in just two days. Stand packages starting from just $900 +GST.

It is also a unique opportunity to reach all those visitors who will be attending the show to secure their FHOB entitlements. The Hon. Tanya Plibersek MP Federal Minister for Housing is opening the show and presenting a seminar program that is sure to attract a large audience.

With a limited number of exhibitor stands still available, we encourage you to grasp this opportunity and take advantage of the special rate and benefits Morpheus Property negotiated on behalf of our partners and colleagues.

As a Morpheus Property Associate, when booking space you will receive a 20% discount plus a host of other promotional benefits – see details attached. You’ll have to hurry as bookings for the Brisbane Show close soon!

You don’t need a big marketing budget or lots or staff resources to participate – this walk-up package makes exhibiting easy and is incredibly cost-effective! Make sure you tell them Morpheus sent you, so that you get your discount!

If you would like a copy of the Brisbane Show Prospectus let me know and I will email it to you! To book space now or discuss the opportunity further, please contact Rebecca rebecca@eventmi.com.au or Tom tom@eventmi.com.au on 1300 889 655.



Yours in Property

info@morpheusproperty.com.au

1300 911 576