Morpheus Agent plays in inaugural Charity Bowl

Morpheus Owner Guy Clarke played in the inaugural Queensland over 35 Ghosts of Gridiron Charity game on Saturday 6 August 2011.

The Chairty event raised over $8000, to be donated to the Spinal Research (Newro Foundation) and The Premier’s Disaster Relief Fund. For more details see the press release below or go to www.gridironqld.asn.au.




Yours in property
Morpheus Property

Want to take control of your super?

Investing in a Self Managed Super Fund or SMSF? This isn't fresh news off the press, but this is a worthwhile reminder for anyone:

- wanting to invest in property

- with a combined income over $80k

- with a super fund over $130k
- wanting to take control of their superannuation fund

For many people falling into this category, the idea of borrowing money to buy property in your super (getting leverage) and taking control sounds like a good idea. However, it's often difficult to know where to begin.

To help you achieve this goal, you need a team of professionals to support you. At Morpheus Property, we've assembled the team and are ready to help you take advantage of this popular wealth building strategy.

The first step is to get some good advice from competent professionals. To find out more, contact us on 1300 911 576 or send an email to enquiries@morpheusproperty.com.au

A sense of 'Fair Play'

Some people ask:

"Why Morpheus Property?"

"What sparked the concept?"
"How have real estate agents reacted to your presence?"

Good questions!!

Historically, people selling property would engage a real estate agent to sell their property. Buyers were left to their own devices under the concept "caveat emptor" or "buyer beware".

As many buyers were ill-equipped to lock horns with a seasoned negotiator, the balance of power was clearly in favour of people selling real estate. It was common for real estate agents to befriend buyers to the extent that buyers were unclear about who the real estate agents were working for.

Feeling the plight of buyers and to fix this imbalance, Martyn Fleming & Guy Clarke (the founders of Morpheus Property) sought to introduce an expert opponent to the equation. Morpheus Property was established to provide a level playing field in the real estate industry, starting in the Brisbane area. The dream - a sense of fair play in real estate transactions.

When Morpheus Property began representing people buying property, we noticed vastly different reactions from real estate agents. There was a mixture of elation, confusion, cautious civility, and many were downright rude and hostile.

These reactions were perfectly normal!!

We dared to change the very dynamics of the industry and with change comes pain and resistance. We changed how agents would interact with buyers (a significant part of their work). Some agents began to doubt their greatest skill - negotiation!

As the dust settled, we're finding that real estate agents are still cautious about dealing with Buyers Agents. However, most agents seem to appreciate the clarity in the new world order. They are more confident when the Buyers Agents are looking after everything the buyers need to attend to during a property purchase transaction, so they can focus on their vendors. For everyone (including the vendors and real estate agents), the process now runs more smoothly and with less hiccups.

Better yet, buyers are getting the representation they deserve!!

Sunshine Coast Law Association - Annual Charity Ball - 2 April 2011

Join us for dinner, live and silent auctions and great entertainment benefiting

The Queensland Premier’s Flood Appeal

DATE: Saturday 2 April 2011

TIME: 6pm

PLACE: The Maroochydore Events Centre

Comedic Performance and Guest Host
Mikey Robbins from Good News Week

Special Guest

His Honour Justice de Jersey

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Queensland

Master of Ceremonies

Sami and Todd from the Hot 91 Morning Show

Tickets $170.00 each or $1,600.00 for a table of 10

For ticket purchases, sponsorship or to donate prizes to the ball please contact the Events

Team on 5413 8953 or email peta@stolaw.com.au

Dress: Black Tie

Download your copy of the invitation (PDF):

Note: If you think you would benefit from networking with lawyers on the Sunshine Coast, feel free to join the following social marketing networking groups:

Facebook

Sunshine Coast Law Association
Link - http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_161258710595068

Sunshine Coast Barristers Chambers
Link - http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_202277496456625

Linkedin

Sunshine Coast Law Association
Link - http://www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=3835057

NRL Footy Tipping 2011 - Starts this Friday, 11 March!!

1st PRIZE = 1 training session with

footy legend, Tonie Caroll ("Tunza")

Other prizes will be announced throughout the competition!

You are invited to join my NRL 2011 Tipping Competition at http://www.oztips.com/

---

Comp Name: Morpheus Property Tipping Competition 2011

Comp #: 258226
Comp Password: morpheus

---

To join:

1) Go to http://www.oztips.com/

2) Click the 'REGISTER' button on the homepage and set-up a Login (if you don't already have one with OzTips).

3) Once you have successfully registered a Username and Password, click the 'JOIN A COMP' button.

4) Enter the Comp # and Comp Password details above.

5) That's it! Full instructions on how to Tip can be found on the website by clicking on the 'Help' link in the top header.

To learn more about Tonie's personal fitness sessions, go to www.tunzafit.com

Networking in Brisbane? Join me at Terri Cooper Networking event!

Terri Cooper Networking!

Wednesday March 30, 2011

6:45am for a 7:00am start - 8:30am finish

Would you would you like to be more successful at networking functions?

In this high-energy presentation Lindsay Adams, the National Director of the Referral Institute in Australia will help you understand your networking personality. He will show you how to take advantage of your talent and relate better to people who aren’t like you in the room. Once you understand this, it could lead to better relationships, more fun and more importantly more sales!

Join your Morpheus Property agents at the next Terri Cooper Breakfast with guess speaker, Lindsay Adams.

Lindsay is the National Director of the Referral Institute in Australia and New Zealand. He has worked with sales teams, individual entrepreneurs and business owners across Australia and New Zealand. His training methods and follow-up advice help you and your team apply life and business changing principles to word of mouth marketing for long term success and goal fulfilment.

Lindsay is a Past National President of the National Speakers Association of Australia (NSAA) and the President of the International Federation for Professional Speakers (IFFPS).

To book, go to: http://www.terricooper.com.au/brisbane-breakfast.html

Event: The Great Debate, 16th March "Property, Shares or Business" - What's best?

TO REGISTER, GO TO: http://www.wealthyfrog.com.au/event/event/detail/event/9037

Brisbane: The Great Debate 2011
The Great Debate - expanded! Property, Shares or Business- what's best to create wealth?

The age old debate by investors about whether shares or property are the better investment is just as controversial as the chicken or the egg debate! This year, we are adding the dimension of Business as an equal contender!

Our debaters are strong advocates for their side - it's sure to be an interesting evening followed by what promises to be lively discussion and question time.

TO REGISTER, GO TO: http://www.wealthyfrog.com.au/event/event/detail/event/9037

OUR DEBATERS:
Martyn Fleming, Morpheus Property - known for his passion for property!
Jeff Kumnick, RBS Morgans - a solid share man!
Bill Doyle, Altitude Communications - business = money in Bill's world!

Who should attend:
1. Share and property investors, business owners
2. Potential property or share investors or those looking to start a business
3. Property investors with equity or cash (but not enough for their next property purchase)
4. Those interested in an interactive discussion about investing in shares, property or business and the respective upsides and downsides.

We look forward to welcoming you to an interesting evening!

Contact:
Phone Enquiries: 1300 852 664
Email Enquiries: claire.grlj@wealthyfrog.com.au

When:

16 March 18:30 - 21:00

Where:

Brisbane Worker's Community Centre

Cnr Given Tce & Latrobe Tce

Paddington, Queensland

TO REGISTER, GO TO: http://www.wealthyfrog.com.au/event/event/detail/event/9037

Merry Christmas from Morpheus Property

Morpheus Property would like to wish you and your family a....

Merry Christmas

....and we hope you enjoy the New Year celebrations!

2010 saw many developments in Morpheus Property. For the last 5 years, we have focused on promoting our core 'Residential Buyers Agency' service. Most of our efforts were about helping the industry become more aware of what we do and why people would use our services. However, word is spreading and people are getting the message. This has allowed us to turn our attention to some of our other services.

At the beginning of 2010, we started to more actively promote our 'Divestment Service' and 'Commercial Buyers Agency' services and we were encouraged by the market's reaction. Although we've delivered both of these since we opened our doors, we haven't actively pushed the message until recently.

We also introduced an upgrade to our Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software package, which is streamlining our processes and improving the results we're achieving for our clients. We are in the process of developing three new websites, which will make it easier for our clients to understand what we do. Once complete, the websites will focus on four key areas:

• Morpheus Property (residential buyer's agency services)
• Morpehus Commercial (commercial buyer's agency services)
• Morpehus Development (helping anyone involved in value-add work - small to large)
• Morpheus Divestment (giving people guidance and advice with selling property)

In 2010, Morpheus Property hosted many property investment seminars and we were guest speakers for many more. We also kicked off the concept of 'Workplace Seminars' (property seminars during lunch breaks for busy professionals), which is gearing up to be one of our major activities for 2011.

Toward the end of 2010, we saw the commercial market start to wake up (after a dormant period) and we snaffled many bargains in the residential market. Although these were mostly investors, there were also a healthy number of home owners (mostly migrants or people moving due to work). In 2011, we are poised to take advantage of the buyers market and help our clients achieve some healthy capital gains in the years to come.

As we watch the year come to a close, we'd like to extend a big 'thank you' to all our professional colleagues and network referral partners, who supported us and our Morpheus clients! It's also, a good time of the year to thank our partners, friends and family for their ongoing support.

"Night at the Local" - 17th November

Affectionately called, “Night at the Local”, your Aspley Westpac Branch is opening the doors after hours and is extending a warm welcome for you to join us.

These events are an excellent opportunity for you to meet and mingle with many of the local business owners and members of the community.

---

"Investing in Property - Getting it right!"

Guest speaker is Martyn Fleming from Morpheus Property - your local Buyer’s Agency.

Morpheus Property helps people buy residential and commercial property.

This event will focus on property investment and how to really get that portfolio moving. One of the biggest challenges is ensuring investors buy property that suits their individual needs, including the right type, price, location, risk profile, capital growth and return.

Using a workbook approach, Martyn will lead you through the process to identify the class of property that best suits you. It’s an interactive session and you’re encouraged to ask any questions you may have.

---

Meet Footy Legend, Tonie "Tunza" Carroll

Following an impressive rugby league career at club, state and international levels, Tonie has made his knowledge and skills available to you through TUF or “Tunza Ultimate Fitness”. TUF offer various levels and types of training, including:

• Corporate
• Personal
• RL & RU defensive technique and elite fitness training
• RL & RU defensive structure systems

To help celebrate a “Night at the Local” with the Aspley Westpac branch, Tonie is offering one lucky winner a FREE 1 hour personal training session. To be in the draw, simply be there on the night!!

---

When 6:00pm – 7:30pm Wednesday
17 November 2010

Westpac Branch, 1347 Gympie Road, Aspley
RSVP Mel Pope on 3630 9222, 0410 446 502

or mapope@westpac.com.au

Drinks and canapés provided

Networking is encouraged, so bring your business cards

Door prizes (sourced from local businesses)

An Article on Wills and Estates from our Legal Partner, Quinn Scattini:

An Article from our Legal Partner, Quinnn Scattini:

Most people hear the word “Probate” and wonder what it means. Let’s clear up some misconceptions. “Probate” does not have anything to do with taxes. “Probate Duties” were abolished in Queensland many years ago.

Nowadays, the usual expenses associated with Probate are the court filing fee, advertising costs and legal fees. No taxes as such. There is a difference between Probate and administering an estate. Every estate must be administered,
but not every estate requires Probate.

“Administering” an estate generally means collecting the assets, paying the debts and distributing the estate in accordance with the will. To put it simply, Probate is a document issued by the Supreme Court. It contains the court’s official seal, so that it is accepted as your authority to deal with the estate.

To obtain Probate, you must prove to the court that:
• The person named in the will is deceased;
• The will is in fact the last and valid will of the deceased person; and
• You are in fact the executor named in the will.

This is proven by affidavits (sworn statements) verifying these details. If there are any conditions attached to your appointment as executor, the fulfillment of those conditions must also be proven to the court.

As stated above, it is not always necessary to obtain Probate. However, if you administer an estate in accordance with a will, and that will is later found to be not valid or not the last will of the deceased, then you will be personally liable to the true beneficiaries for the value wrongly distributed.

You will not be liable in this way if you have obtained Probate of the will. You will need to get Probate if an asset-holder (such as a bank) insists on it. They will usually do this if the estate asset they hold is very substantial (e.g. a bank account over the Probate threshold set by the particular bank – usually about $50,000).

It usually takes about 3 months to get Probate. This includes placing advertisements (you will see them in the Public Notices section of a newspaper), waiting for the 14-day public notice period to expire, preparing the necessary documents and filing them in the Supreme Court, and then waiting for the court to assess the documents and issue the Probate document.

Quinn Scattini Partner, Russell Leneham, is an Accredited Specialist in Wills & Estates. Russell and his team can assist with all your estate needs, including estate planning, estate administration, and estate disputes.

Freecall 1800 652 969
mail@quinnscattini.com.au
Liability limited by a scheme approved under professional standards legislation



Morpheus Property
The Right Property at the Right Price!

Property Seminar and Networking Opportunity

SEMINAR - Buying the right property at the right price!

Consider 6 Key Things Before Investing in Property…

Know what your options are for a well informed decision.

Remember, even if you are buying a home to live in yourself, you should do so with an investment mindset. This event is equally relevant for you and your situation.

You are invited to this must attend information seminar designed for anyone thinking of buying or investing in property.

Hear the answers to important questions, such as:
• What makes a good property investment?
• What type of investment properties are there?
• Which refinancing options are suitable for me?
• How can I utilise my equity?
• How do I start the process?

Gain invaluable investment tips from Morpheus Property –one of Brisbane’s leading property research and investment firms, specializing in sourcing high growth and superior quality residential property.

Gain invaluable information about asset protection from Quinn & Scattini – one of Brisbane’s finest legal firms who specialize in assisting their clients with every legal matter that comes up during a life time.

Seminar 1Date: 4th August 2010
Time: 6:30pm
Address: Icon Bar & Bistro, Raby Bay Harbour,Cleveland Qld 4163
Cost: $30 - ($10 from every ticket will go to Bravehearts).
Coffee and tea provided

Numbers are limited so RSVP at this link - http://clevelandseminar.eventbrite.com/
Yours in property
Morpheus Property

Let's talk about Negotiation

"When negotiating a property deal Knowledge is Power!"


Negotiation

Negotiation is an art, not a science. The art of negotiation is not win-at-all-costs. It is about negotiating a contract where the seller can feel like they are winning in the deal. Remember if the seller has taken the trouble to list their property then they are motivated to sell (some more than others).

One of the keys to property negotiation is not becoming emotional about the transaction. It is only when you are able to walk away from a deal that you truly begin to negotiate, otherwise all you are doing is haggling over the list price.

We have a list of 19 questions we ask every agent about each property, which researches the seller’s position and also acts to reduce price expectation. Some examples of these are:

1. How long has the property been on the market?
2. Why are they selling?
3. Who came up with the list price? How was that price reached?

The fatal traps of negotiation

At Morpheus Property we have experienced many different negotiation styles, techniques and situations. We would like to share some of the pitfalls of negotiation.

1. Poor or no planning - This has to be the biggest failing of many negotiators and the major reason for not achieving the best outcome. Take time to develop a plan of attack.

2. Don’t talk too much - One of the overlooked talents in negotiation is the ability to “shut-up”. If you remain calm and listen more, you will be amazed at what you will learn and achieve.

3. Negotiating verbally - A written offer shows you mean business. It will also give the sales agent better ammunition to convince the seller that this is your best offer. Always put a sunset clause on any written offer. Making the offer for a limited time will encourage the need for action.

4. Not following your gut instinct - This doesn’t mean following the first reaction that comes to your mind. However you do need to develop a gut instinct for the situation. Gather as much data and information about a property deal and then let it have time to ferment. Listen to your gut instinct but only after you have told your gut all it needs to know.

5. Take no prisoners approach - Coming in hard and fast will rarely deliver the “best deal”. Take your time and build rapport. Find out as much as you can about the seller and the property. Steady as she goes will win the day!

6. Don’t aim too LOW - Be careful what you ask for, you might just get it. Fortune favours the brave and much of negotiation is having the guts to ask for something.

Yours in property
The Morpheus Guy's

Terri Cooper Networking event - Stephen Dale Speaking

As business owners, we dedicate our lives to achieving our goals and ‘living the dream’. We read books, study texts, take courses and commit our time, effort and finance to create a thriving business. But how many of us actually achieve the success and happiness we crave?

Stephen Dale was 21 when his life went over a cliff. Literally. He fell 30 metres on to the rocky beach below and sustained shocking injuries – a dislocated and multi-fractured spine, a shattered skull, ruptured internal organs with multiple lacerations and critical blood loss.

His injuries took away his ability to read, write and speak, he was unemployable, unable to move freely and lived in the grip of constant pain. Simple acts that once were taken for granted, like dressing himself and organising breakfast were excruciatingly difficult. His life became plagued with depression, fear, panic and rage.

Despite these and many more debilitating obstacles, Steve refused to surrender. He committed himself to regaining everything that had been taken from him and living a life of purpose and fulfilment.

In his 10-year struggle to rebuild his shattered life, he learned the singular, most important action necessary to overcome any obstacle, regardless of how relentless and powerful it appeared to be.

Steve will share this powerful and practical secret that will bring clarity and direction to your quest for success. He will also present a practical path to follow, so that you can take the first step towards that elusive ‘next level’.
Steve will show you how to:

- Bring clarity and direction to your life and business
- Change your life and change your business
- Reach that higher level
- Motivate yourself when you run out of options
- Motivate others when they lose sight of their goal


The Morpheus Team will be there and we recommend that you be there too!
Yours in property.

"Bark worse than his bite"???

Some buyers are led to believe that real estate agents look after people selling and buying property, while others make their allegiances a little clearer.

Below is a scanned leaflet that was left in my letterbox. It's designed to promote a specific agent / agency. As you can see, it has a picture of a terrier and claims, "I can get TOP PRICES for homes because I'm like a dog with a bone. Once I get the scent of a purchaser, I sink my teeth in and won't let go until they pay $Top Dollar$"

Perhaps not the most sophisticated approach I've seen, particularly the parting sentence, "You won't see me pooping on your footpath or your property!". However, it does reveal the true nature of how some real estate agent feel about buyers. Real estate agents are there to meet their legislative obligation (getting the best result for the vendor) and will use various means to do this.

The only people in the market place truly representing buyers are Exclusive Buyer's Agents. The typical services of a Buyer's Agent are to:

- Research

- Find property

- Analyse them in detail

- Negotiate on your behalf

- Coordinate the purchase through to settlement

Buyer's Agents offer you their skills and experience to help you get a better result. If you'd like to learn more about how a Buyer's Agent can help you, call 1300 911 576 and avoid the agent's bite!

Buyer's or Seller's Market - Can we have it both ways?

Firstly, what does it mean to be in either a Buyer's or Seller's Market?

In short:
- If the number of Buyers are greater than the Number of Sellers = Seller's Market

- If the number of Buyers are less than the Number of Sellers = Buyer's Market

Okay, now that little theory is out the way.. back to the question: "Can we have both active at the same time?" The simple and short answer to this question is 'Yes' "Why?" Because there are different pressures on the supply and demand equation, depending on which segment of the property market we're analysing.

For example, if there's a large infrastructure project in a commercial precinct, it might increase demand for warehouse and office space in the surrounding area. A large amount of buyers may push the warehouse segment of the property market into a "Seller's market". At the same time, there may be only a few buyers interested in retail property in the same area, due to low consumer confidence and slow retail activity, indicating a Buyer's market in that area. These conditions can exist within the very same area.

Alright! Now we understand how demand and supply can the market and that a Buyer's and Seller's market can co-exist at the same time, in the same area. How can we profit from this knowledge?

Let's imagine we're about to buy a commercial property for our investment portfolio, our choice of property type (retail vs warehouse) will make a significant impact on how we approach the buying task.

When buying, it's important to scan the market using impartial data, as this will determine the strategies that will and won't work during the search, analysis and negotiation processes.

To learn more about the buying conditions in your area and selecting the right property for your property portfolio, talk to your Buyers Agent at Morpheus Property - 1300 911 576.

Fund Raising for a Cure for Cancer - Tour for Cure

RIDING TO CURE CANCER

Whilst at the last Terri Cooper networking Breakfast I met Paul Egan. He is about to do a huge bicycle ride to try to find a cure for cancer.

Many of us have had cancer touch our lives in one way or another. Some of you may have even had cancer, while others have lost family or friends to cancer.

Paul is out there trying to make a difference by riding 1400km's from Sydney to the Sunshine coast to help raise money for cancer research. I would ask that you consider helping too!

Have a look at the website http://www.mytourdecure.com.au/. I think you will be impressed by his guts and determination.

Paul is not only looking for donations. He would really appreciate your messages of support or personal stories about the way cancer has impacted your life. I will be following his ride at the Tour for Cure website http://www.mytourdecure.com.au/

Of course, the training and riding are just part of the challenge; The other is to raise sufficient funds to make a difference. You can donate by visiting the http://www.mytourdecure.com.au/. Any amount is welcome, and every donation is tax deductible.

Paying it forward
Morpheus Property

The dams of SEQ are looking healthy

Ever read a brief article making reference to dam levels in SEQ and would like to read more detail about historic trends, capacity of each dam, what they can be used for (recreation, etc)?

Check out the interactive map on the SEQWater website:

http://www.seqwater.com.au/public/dam-levels/interactive-map

You can select an individual dam and view it's vital statistics. You can also look at estimates of what the dam looks like in various states (from full to empty).

The following two diagrams are of Somerset Dam at 13% and 99%, although Somerset is currently at 103.3% and releasing into Wivenhoe Dam.

While we're having heavy rainfall, now is the time to pay attention to local flooding, water overflow, current road closures caused by flooding, how water travels through your local creeks (changes to infrastructure and local development can impact how well the creeks handle heavy rain).

Here are some pictures I took today of some of our local creeks:

a) Toombul: Air train overhead (connecting train to the Brisbane Airport). The construction in the distance is Airport Link. The conveyor belt to the left is for extracting dirt from the tunnel and looks something like a 3km roller-coaster.

b) Kedron: This is the same creek as in photo a), but the a few kilometres inland and where the Airport Link junction is at Kedron. From Kedron, the Airport Link tunnel turns right and follows the creek. This photos is looking West up the creek toward the construction work.

c) Kedron: The construction work at Kedron is channelling some of the creek's water carefully around some of the foundation work.

d) Kedron: Looking East. Local residents have witnessed waters that have crept up to the top of the banks and beyond, however, this is about as full as they usually get with heavy rain.

e) Little Cabbage Tree Creek, Aspley: Still heavy flow under Gympie Road, as we head North. However, the levels start to decline the further we travel away from the CBD. The south side of Brisbane has experienced more rain over the last week.

f) Zillmere Water Holes, Zillmere: These waters usually trickle down between the two rows of grass you can see in the middle. They're much higher now, but not interfering with anything just yet. The water is still well below the bridges.

TIP: Now is also a GREAT time to inspect a property where you're concerned about a leaking roof. This is as important for commercial as it is residential property.

If you're thinking of buying property, talk to Morpheus Property!! Call today on 1300 911 576.

You are invited to join The Morpheus Property NRL 2010 Tipping Competition

ONLY TWO & HALF WEEKS TO THE FIRST GAME! FEEL FREE TO FORWARD THIS EMAIL ON TO OTHERS! THE MORE THE MERRIER!


You are invited to join The Morpheus Property NRL 2010 Tipping Competition at http://www.OzTips.com

===================================================================
Comp Name: Morpheus Property Tipping Competition
Comp #: 205786
Comp Password: Morpheus
===================================================================

To join:

1) Go to http://www.OzTips.com

2) Click the 'REGISTER' button on the homepage and set-up a Login (if you don't already have one with OzTips).

3) Once you have successfully registered a Username and Password, click the 'JOIN A COMP' button.

4) Enter the Comp # and Comp Password details above.

5) That's it! Full instructions on how to Tip can be found on the website by clicking on the 'Help' link in the top header.

Yours in Property
Morpheus Property

GoogleMaps add "Drag and Drop" feature when looking for directions

Do you use GoogleMaps?

If 'not', then move on, there's nothing to see.

I do and if you enjoy using Google Maps as well, you might be interested to see the subtle change they've made when using the 'Destination' feature (much like using a navigation tool).

Previously, GoogleMaps attempted to create the quickest route between two points. Now, they've included a very user-friendly drag and drop tool, that allows you to alter the route quickly and easily. Once you've modified the trip, GoogleMaps quickly re-calculates your trip time for you.

Give it a go! http://maps.google.com.au/

Nothing earth-shattering, but I do like sharing these little tips as I come across them.

Yours in property!