The Goss
BUY YOUR KING A NEW CASTLE THIS FATHERS DAY...
Forget boring socks & slippers this Fathers Day...what the King of your castle truly wants is a place where he can hang the plasma, a room where he can hide away from the kids when they re driving him mad & a home where he can treat his wife like a Queen.
We ve got castle s starting from as little as $260 000.
More? Call 8978 6888.
Too shy to call? Surf our site www.thenovakagency.com
HAPPY FATHERS DAY DADS!!!
LIVE NEAR THE FOREST & U MIGHT JUST FIND MORE THAN AN AFFORDABLE HOME!!!
Forestville...meaning towns in the forest, is considered to be part of the forest district! It?s 15 k s North-East of the city, has tons of affordable homes, 2 primary schools, Garigal National Park on its East and West sides & is home to the much loved Tony Abbott, who lives in this burb with his wife and 3 lovely daughters. Who d want to live in The Lodge or Kirribilli House when you can live here?
A Forestville record house price of $2,127,000 was set last week with the sale of a new residence in Milham Crescent but the majority of houses sell for between $700,000 and $1 million.
Last weekend, Forestville house inspections were attended by plenty of people, including young families.
Although the suburb was bristling with potential purchasers, all was quiet at the Abbott residence, where blinds were drawn and a stack of empty lever arch files and pizza boxes were piled atop rubbish bins next to the garage.
People live here because?
Forestville has plenty of affordable family homes, two primary schools and Garigal National Park on its east and west sides...
Price range -
Houses from $600,000 to about $2.1 million.
Best addresses - Milham Crescent; Lady Davidson Circuit.
The prospects -
The head of research at Australian Property Monitors, Yvonne Chan, says... The median price in Forestville has risen more than 15 per cent in the past year to $855,000. The average number of days on market is 60, compared with 70 days for the broader region. A high auction clearance rate of 73 per cent indicates strong demand, so prices may rise over time.
Where else you might try?
Killarney Heights
A more prestigious suburb with a median price of $1,017,000, 19 per cent higher than Forestville.
Frenchs Forest
Just north of Forestville but closer to Dee Why Beach and Warringah Mall shopping centre at Brookvale; a similar median house price at $843,000.
Want to check out properties in these areas? Go to www.thenovakagency.com
THANK GOD IT S ALMOST OVER! ABBOTT VS. GILLARD
Dye your hair red & slip on your speedo s cause it s election time people.
Thank god the day is almost here as one more election ad, debate or promise might just have sent us all mad.
Just in case you could possibly forget Saturday 21 August is the day you must vote & of course buy a snag off the barbie at your local voting arena...probably the most exciting part of election day!
GOOD LUCK FELLOW AUSSIES.
& THE LIST GOES ON...
FINALISTS REAL ESTATE AGENCY 2010 MANLY DAILY BUSINESS ACHIEVER AWARDS
FINALISTS REAL ESTATE INSTITUTE OF NSW 2010 AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE BEST WEBSITE
Thank you, thank you, thank you. It?s so nice to know that we are acknowledged for all the hard work we do. In our 9 years of existence we have been recognised with truck loads of awards, far too many to list here.
Without your support, our agency wouldnt be where we are today & for that we thank you.
If you re a little curious as to why we win so many awards have a little sneaky around our site! Better still, pop in & have a real coffee on us!
See you really soon!!!
HELP RAISE FUNDS FOR MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY!
The Novak Agency is assisting to raise money for Muscular Dystrophy.
Muscular dystrophy (MD) is a genetic disorder that weakens the muscles that help the body move. People with MD have incorrect or missing information in their genes, which prevents them from making the proteins they need for healthy muscles.
MD weakens muscles over time, so children, teens, and dults who have the disease can gradually lose the ability to do the things most people take for granted, like walking or sitting up. Someone with MD might start having muscle problems as a baby or their symptoms might start later. Some people even develop MD as adults.
If you'd like to help, pop into our office and purchase a $5 raffle ticket.
The raffle will be drawn by Johanna Griggs on Friday 27th August at our local Dee Why RSL Club.
1st prize is a Motor Scooter SYM VS150 valued at $3800
2nd prize is 1 weeks cabin accommodation staying at Big 4 Tweed Heads valued at $1000, an $85 gift voucher at Tropical Fruit World and 2 adult passes to Australia Zoo valued at $60
3rd prize is a Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb for 2 adults valued at $396
Buy a ticket and you will help to save a life!
THE NOVAK AGENCY WELCOMES ITS NEWEST NEIGHBOUR TO DEE WHY
No it s not the Grand Central or even the Grand Plaza, it s our very own Dee Why Grand and it s now OPEN.
It s just one of the many new developments popping up in the new look burb of Dee Why.
You ll find everything you need at the Dee Why Grand this weekend, unless of course it s a home your looking for.
Pop across the road to check out what s hot for sale at the Novak Agency or call us on 8978 6888 or 1300 4 NOVAK - 24/7 we never sleep.
VOTE 1 FOR DEE WHY
Enter 2010.
D.Y, you have never looked so good!.
Dazzling beaches, fab eateries, fancy fashion & sexy developments popping up everywhere, D.Y is looking mighty fine!
DY Real Estate is going through the roof with property prices increasing by as much as 15% p.a.
Don t feel u have to swap your Billabongs for the Louis Vuitton s just yet. Dee Why s still the relaxed burb it always was just with a splash of glam added.
In the past couple of years alone Dee Why has welcomed the stunning (ooooh we love it!) Dee Why Market in Oaks Avenue which possesses some of the best food on the Northern Beaches....yummy Pizza & Pasta, sensational coffee, incredible delicacies, fresh butcher & the crispest fruit & veg. - this is by far the place to be seen & shop!
Loads of luxury, state of the art apartments are going up encouraging a slightly more mature, asset rich demographic. On the other end of the scale it appears that Dee Why is now made up of a young, trendy population with 40% between the ages of 20-39 years of age. The majority of these young inhabitants seem to enjoy a rather sizeable income and many own their own property within the area.
This is a real family suburb with the benefit of having a surf beach right at the front door. Recently undergoing a make over, Dee Why beach has a fabulous playground for the kids & a boardwalk & grassed area combine to make the perfect spot for a Sunday picnic.
Hungry? Not in Dee Why you won t be with some 46 restaurants, cafes and bars, many overlooking the beach where you can grab anything from Pizza to Indian spices, there is certainly something for everyone!
A ton of sporting clubs including rugby clubs, golf clubs and of course surf clubs might just be the spot to work off those extra kg s.
A sensational mix of shops, including trendy boutiques and availability to your everyday items, makes Dee Why a highly desirable place to grab a dress, get your hair done, pick up some milk & bread & jump in to the gym.
The latest addition to Dee Why due to open on the 22th July 2010 is Dee Why Grand offering over 30 specialty stores. You can even live & work there with residential & commercial premises also on offer! We can t wait for it to open.
Dee Why s central location means that you can hop a bus and be in the CBD within a half an hour or catch a ferry from Manly Beach, just moments away & end up anywhere!
Just walking the streets of Dee Why you d be blind not to notice just how multi cultural Dee Why is. The fabulous mixture of races and religions introduces a wonderful flavour to Dee Why where many nationalities live together in a peaceful, safe & harmonious environment.
Located in a picture perfect position, it s irreplaceable position means many residential streets are a mere hop, skip and a jump to the world famous Dee Why Beach, Manly Beach & beyond.
Last but not least Dee Why is home to The Novak Agency!
We re happy to take full credit as to the REAL reason why Dee Why is the cool and trendy hub it is today...and maybe even share the platform with the many developers that saw the potential in this little piece of paradise we call Dee Why....
WINNERS R GRINNERS - THE NOVAK AGENCY WINS BEST REAL ESTATE AGENCY - 2010 NORTHERN BEACHES BUSINESS AWARDS.
Just as Hollywood has it s Oscars, T.V has its Emmys & Broadway has its Tonys...so too the Northern Beaches has it s awards - The 2010 Northern Beaches Business Awards. We are tickled (to say the least) that WE WON REAL ESTATE AGENCY OF THE YEAR!!!
We know why, do you?
WHAT ARE WE DOING THAT SETS US APART FROM THE REST?
To give real service you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity.
We are not your average real estate agency! We are different to all the others with everything that we do. You may have noticed this from surfing our site?
At The Novak Agency, we think outside the square. Our marketing, our signboards, our copy, our design, our website, our headquarters & our staff are paramount & unique in every way.
We make a point of finding the very best people to employ, all very good looking too!
Marketing...clearly stands out, looks sensational, is fresh, unique & entertaining
Advertising...we get the best spots including the back page of The Manly Daily every single week
Signboards...not your average sign board. We do ours differently to all the other agents. These sit 5ft x 2.5ft and seriously standout
24 hour live support...serviced by an actual person. You can call us 24/7, we never sleep! We d never let a potential sale slip through the cracks.
SMS interactive marketing campaigns
Social Media...you name it, we re on it!
Email newsletter...Highly effective & highly entertaining. A fantastic marketing tool with over 5000 interactive subscribers weekly!
Sunday open houses...yes, we do Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday opens. We said we never sleep.
Buyer follow up...A day wouldn t go past where prospective purchasers on our database would not comment that we are the most pro active agent on the Northern Beaches with follow ups!
Weekly written seller update... superior reporting, keeping you in the loop.
E-contracts...Ever wanted a contract for a property? We have them available 24/7 on our website. So easy.
Letterbox drops...some may say they re old fashioned, fact is they work!
Novak Headquarters...5 star customer service. Glamorous, chic, seriously visual and extremely friendly. Also, the best coffee in town!
More? Call 1300 4 NOVAK or 8978 6888. Too shy to call? Surf our site www.thenovakagency.com
If youre kicking yourself that you missed out on voting for us for the Northern Beaches Business Awards, its ok!... you have the opportunity to vote for us for The Manly Daily 2010 Business Achiever Awards!! Its really easy and you could win a fabulous prize just for voting.... wowwwwwwwwww.
1. Go to www.businessachieverawards.com.au
2. Click on Vote for a Business
3. Register & select The Manly Daily on the left hand side of the screen, you?ll find THE NOVAK AGENCY in the Real Estate category.
Confuscious say Good fortune comes to those who vote for us!
A HUGE THANK YOU TO YOU FOR BELIEVING IN US!!!
9 YEARS YOUNG... & WE JUST KEEP GETTING BETTER WITH AGE.
Happy birthday to us!
Grab the bubbly, crack open a coldie & pump up the music cause it s time to paaaaaarty...Celebrate good times come on. The Novak Agency turns 9.
So, what have we been doing the past 9 years we hear u ask?
Listing, selling & managing possibly the most amount of property of the Northern Beaches, setting ourselves apart from everyone else...have u seen our branding?, winning truck loads of awards, decorating our seriously sexy, ultra chic office, working 24/7 & never sleeping, perfecting our award winning website & having a bunch of fun along the way...woo hoooooooo. May the next 9 years be as successful & fun as the last...hip, hip hoorayyyyyyyyyy.
Thank you to YOU for your support, encouragement & loyalty over the past 9 years, we feel very loved & honored to be a part of such a wonderful community.
DON T LIKE UR PM? WE VE GOT THE BEST IN THE BUSINESS. GOOD ONES R HARD 2 FIND!
Making promises they never keep & not having ur best interests @ heart?
..Sound like ur PM?
No, we re not referring 2 Rudd or even Gillard, we re referring to UR Property Manager.
R they @ your beck & call 24 hours/7 days a week?
Do they return your calls & do what they say when they say?
Is your property in bad shape? R u?
Give The Novak Agency a go...
We don t manage the most amount of rental properties on the Northern Beaches out of sheer luck!
Call us 8978 6888 or 1300 4 NOVAK - 24/7 - we never sleep.
HUGE GROWTH DOWN UNDER (The Novak Agency Reports)! AUSSIE MARKET TOPS 4TH IN THE WORLD.
And, so we should feel chuffed...in a punch the air & shout yesssssss kind of way!
Thrashing Europe, the U.S of A & Dubai in the property market stakes, is our little land from down under, which is the 4th fastest growing property market in the world. That s a 20% price jump in the past year.
But China overtook Hong Kong as the world s hottest housing market with a 68 per cent annual price rise, according to a survey of 47 countries by the international estate agent Knight Frank.
'The top four positions in our rankings are all occupied by Asia-Pacific locations, whilst Europe dominates the bottom half of the table,' said Liam Bailey, the head of residential research.
As house price declines slowed in most depressed markets, 25 of the countries registered rises.
Most of the countries where home prices fell were in Europe. Prices rose 8.8 per cent in Britain and 2.3 per cent in the US. But Dubai, which had been the best performer, became the worst, falling 8 per cent.
Asian investors, attracted by a weak British pound and rising rents, were strong in London.
The report says that while housing markets are polarised, each quarter provided new evidence of recovery: ''It remains to be seen if this is another period of sustained growth or the middle peak in a double-dip recession. ''With interest rates now rising, the government withdrawing stimulus and the supply response picking up - albeit modestly - we expect house price growth to slow over the next six to nine months," said the Australia research director, Matt Whitby.
But Knight Frank said 4.8 per cent of Australia s growth was in the March quarter, which the agency believes might have overstated growth.
Go Aussie, aussie, aussie....oi, oi, oi.
KEEP UR TENANT, TRASH UR AGENT....TRY US 4 FREE.
Damn agent, why haven t they called me back, they never answer their phone....sound familiar? Had enough? We hear youuuuuuuuuuu.
If you re a landlord, it s possible you may love your tenant more than your current agent. If that s the case we re proposing that we ll cover ANY costs in relation to swapping your current agent & assigning The Novak Agency as your new BAF (Best Agent Forever).
Don t have a tenant? Sshhhhh it s ok, we ll find u one and if we can t within 1 week, you re letting fee s on us....
How? Call 1300 4 NOVAK or 8978 6888.
Too shy to call? Surf us www.thenovakagency.com
We know, we know....thank us later!
MARK NOVAK II - REIGNING NORTHERN BEACHES REAL ESTATE!!!
We re reigning, we re scoring
We re really far from boring
We NEVER go to bed (cause we never sleep!)
To help you get a roof over your head
Enjoy your sleep in on Monday morning!
Happy bday Queen Elizabeth II (even though youre actual bday is April 21)...we don t mind, we re always happy to celebrate!
A day off all in the name of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth IIs official birthday.
Why do we celebrate QE2s birthday in June? Given that her real D.O.B often falls so close to Easter and Anzac Day, we have picked up the legal custom of celebrating it in June from the Brits.
On Queens Birthday Monday, the day is only officially commemorated in the form of the release of the Queens Honours list. Otherwise, there isn t a reason for the holiday to exist beyond the fact that we remain a distant outpost of a feudal monarchy which now has less and less relevance to our lives!!!
As for The Novak Agency well we re available the entire Queens bday long w/end.
Just call 1300 4 NOVAK or 8978 6888.
Too shy to call? Surf our site www.thenovakagency.com
SOME GET A LITTLE .... WE GET ALOT!!!
Being the shy, unassuming bunch that we are here at The Novak Agency, we re not normally the kind to shout out from the roof tops (bahahahaha?) however we just can t contain ourselves any longer. We have SUCH an impressive list of awards & accolades that we felt we simply must boast.
Apart from recently being nominated as FINALISTS for the 2010 Northern Beaches Local Business Awards for an Outstanding Real Estate Agency, check out the rest of our load:
FINALISTS - TRUE LOCAL BUSINESS AWARDS, 2009
FINALISTS - MANLY DAILY BUSINESS AWARDS, 2009
FINALISTS - REINSW AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE LARGE RESIDENTIAL AGENCY, 2009
WINNER - REINSW AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE, WEBSITE, 2009
FINALISTS - RIA NATIONAL AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE, 2009
FINALISTS - REINSW AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE, LARGE RESIDENTIAL AGENCY, 2008
FINALISTS - REINSW AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE, PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, 2008
FINALISTS - TRUE LOCAL BUSINESS AWARDS, MANLY DAILY, REAL ESTATE, 2008
More? www.thenovakagency.com
MAYBE IT’S UR 1ST TIME, MAYBE UR EXPERIENCED....EITHER WAY DON’T B SCARED!
Maybe ur buying, maybe ur selling, maybe ur investing! Whatever...you don’t want to miss this.
Listen, learn & rub shoulders at the Westpac Home Buyers seminar where some of the Northern Beaches finest (including our very own Mr Mark Novak) will walk you through buying, selling or investing.
The seminar is completely & utterly 100% free, no obligations, scouts honour!!!.
Here’s the low down...
When: TUE. 1 JUNE
Where: WESTPAC D.Y, 884 Pittwater Rd Dee Why
Time: 6.30 to 8pm
How: TXT HELP to 04 000 111 22. Include ur name.
Why: Why not!
See you there with bells on...
DON’T DO IT TO SLEEPY FRESWATER! GREAT ARTICLE, MUST READ...
Relax, don t do it to sleepy Freshwater, say locals about $60m plan
PAUL TATNELL May 21, 2010
Freshwater folk like to think they re in Sydney s go-slow zone when it comes to pace of life.
But they fear their seaside village character will be wiped out by a $60 million development.
The locals are happy to be known for having the beach where the nation s first wave was surfed, back in 1914.
Until recently, the village s biggest crisis lasted nearly 85 years after the town was renamed Harbord in 1923 to honour Cecilia Harbord, the late wife of NSW governor Lord Carrington.
Only the surf club kept the name Freshwater, and many locals continued to object to the new name until it was changed back after 85 years of lobbying.
Now a new battle is on the horizon.
Three local families with a long history in the area, all of whom own sizable land pockets in the town s tiny commercial district, have joined forces to apply for a 15,000-square-metre development, featuring commercial space and residential units.
Freshwater Village Developments, the company listed as applying for the development application, has asked Warringah Council for permission to build five residential apartment complexes, some five storeys high, 10 townhouses and 22 retail spaces with two levels of underground car parking for 337 cars.
At least four houses and all existing commercial buildings will be bulldozed.
Friends of Freshwater member Peter Harley said there was "genuine concern" among locals over the scale of the development.
He said while he and many others understood why the owners wanted to "cash in on their land", many feared the "social fabric" and seaside feel of the village were under threat.
"We are particularly concerned, as a community, about how this will affect the particular fabric of this town, the seaside feel we have with a casual, very relaxed feel about it," he said.
"We are worried about the plaza and mall which could detract from the relaxed feeling we have here and we are keen to preserve the great things that come with a village."
Mr Harley said the community understood the developers’ desire to "upgrade" parts of the town’s commercial hub but had "serious concerns" about the development s impacts, including traffic congestion.
A director of Freshwater Village Developments, Alec Algini, declined to comment.
Warringah mayor Michael Regan said his biggest concern was the eventual tenant of the 3000 square metres of commercial space that would become available, saying the town did not need "a Woolworths or a Coles".
It is understood neither outlet is interested in the site.
"Freshwater has been under-developed and that s what a lot of people like about it and, unless these three owners got together, then things probably wouldn t have changed," he said.
"Some people are worried about the changes but I have had others who have said they are looking forward to it and want it modernised as long as (the development) isn t 10 storeys tall."
Manly MP Mike Baird said he was open to the development as long as it met community expectations.
"I think you could say the community is open-minded to an upgrade, but not happy with a regrade that involves high density buildings," he said.
Mr Harley said he believed that, if the development got the nod, it would end up costing the developers nearly $100 million by the time other acquisitions of nearby property were considered.
He believes the small town would struggle to make the operation viable.
"You come here to live and visit because it has a relaxed feel and that s what people love about it," he said.
Cr Regan said a working group would meet the developers on Monday.
WHAT S UR PROPERTY DOING? WE VE GOT UR NORTHERN BEACHES FIGURES!
We ve seen them grow, we ve seen them shrink...we all watch them even if we don t have to.
Everyone loves a good figure, so we ve taken the liberty of putting together the hottest figures for your eyes only - we re talking about property figures of course! What were you thinking?. We ve outlined some really interesting facts about our well endowed Northern Beaches and just how superbly it s been preforming:
- In the past 6 months, the average amount of days a unit in Dee Why has sat on the market for is 21 days. Phenomenal huh? You don t have to be a rocket scientist to work out that there is a huge demand for buyers out there wishing to purchase a unit in the Northern Beaches districts!
- Early last year the average days on market for a unit in Dee Why was 65 days!!!
- The median price of a house in Cromer is now $831 000.
- The average unit in Dee Why has gone up on average by as much as 11.9% in the past 12 months.
- If you live in Narraweena, you re laughing all the way to the bank! The average price for a house in Narraweena in the past 6 months is $795k with Narraweena up 13.5% pa.
- If you own an averaged priced home in Narraweena you ve made $105k in the past 12 months!!!
- The Novak Agency (yes, that s us) just sold an original little semi in Manly for $1.4 mill.
Shazammmm! When we look at capital growth over 25yrs on the Northern Beaches its pointing towards some pretty brilliant capital growth figures in the near future.
We have not seen such solid growth since 2003.
Considering property prices historically have doubled on average every 8-9yrs - good times are here again!
Still want more? Check out our graph. Just click on the link.
Want to get even more facts? Call 1300 4 NOVAK or 8978 6888 (24/7 - we never sleep), we re full of useful info!
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THE NOVAK AGENCY WELCOMES HOOKERS TO THE STRIP!!!
5th Ave. New York represents fashion, The Champs Elysees is famous for it s fabulous cafes & shopping, the strip @ Kings Cross is well known for it s um...@#$%^, while the Vegas strip is renowned for it s gambling & nightlife. Now it seems that Pittwater Road Dee Why is notorious for it s Real Estate Agencies! Some old, some new, some big & others small...come and walk the strip and see for yourselves why The Novak Agency is different to all the rest. Too lazy to walk? Then call us on 8978 6888 or 1300 4 NOVAK. Too shy to call? Then surf our website www.thenovakagency.com We are available 24/7 - we?ll leave the sleeping part for the others!
IF YOU REALLY, REALLY LOVE UR MUM......YOU D BUY HER ONE OF THESE!
Toilet seat cover...so 70s, fluffy slippers...she ll loathe them, box of choccies...does she REALLY need them?, brunch with the fam...the kids will drive her mad!, a home where she can cook family dinners and maybe even babysit the kids...now you re talking!!!
@ THE NOVAK AGENCY WE HAVE MOTHER?S DAY GIFTS IDEAS STARTING FROM AS LOW AS $350K...enquire within.
HAPPY M DAY!!! xxx
WE LL FIGHT FOR YOU JUST AS THEY DID!
Anzac Day, 25 April, Lest We Forget! Probably our most important national occasion, Anzac Day marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces (ANZACS) during the First World War.
While we ll never be able to replace the incredible work these men & women did, we ll certainly aim to fight for you to get you the very best price with the same passion & drive as what they did.
Go on give us a go! Call us 24/7 - we never sleep. 1300 4 NOVAK or 8978 6888.
WHY SHOULD U PAY, WHEN WE LL PAY (4 UR MARKETING EXPENSES!)
Some of us had to forgo The Bahamas for Dubbo and the hand me downs instead of a spree at The Mall....
It s ok, we hear you! Times have been a little tough so being the caring, compassionate, considerate, empathetic (not to forget, extremely good look!) crew that we are, we have decided to cover your marketing & advertising costs when you sell through us.
Leaves you with more cash to throw around on your new pad or maybe on a Liberace style chandelier or on that 60 inch plasma you ve always dreamed of!
"So", you might ask "what exactly does this ?deal? include"?...
You ll get:
1. A Novak Agency FOR SALE signboard
2. A guaranteed back page ad template on The Manly Daily s Saturday Real Estate section.
3. Huge internet exposure over 4 websites
4. Sharp two pic advertising
5. Open houses Sat & Sun (We Never Sleep)
6. Access to our database...we have hundreds or purchasers
Only condition that applies is that you call us. No strings attached, scouts honour!
Call 1300 4 NOVAK (that s 8978 6888 for all you people with IPhones, Nokia s & Blackberry s) 24/7 ? we never sleep.
YOUR DESIGNER REAL ESTATE AGENT!!! (without the designer price tag!)
Chanel, Gucci, Fendi, YSL, Ralph Lauren, Dior...The Novak Agency. Are you feeling it? Classy with an edge of sexiness, unquestionable quality, exceedingly appealing & first class all the way. That s us!.
Our ads - they look hot! They re clear, informative, fresh & stand out. We get squillions of comments a week on just how fabulous our advertising looks, not to mention our window, well...that speaks for itself really! Having a point of difference is golden.
Our guaranteed back page Manly Daily spot - ours! all ours! Position, position, position. Need we say more?
Our H.Q - we don t look the same as all the others because we re not! If you re not sure which Real Estate office we are...we re the stunning all glass office with the chandeliers and weekly crazy sign on the window. Primly located at 651 Pittwater Rd in the hub of Dee Why.
Our signboards - they don t just stand out cause they re all over town (although that helps!), the lime green and black design is uber chic and stands out like Lara Bingle at a cricket game!
Our team - not only are they extremely good looking, they are without a doubt the finest team hands down. Experienced, dedicated, loyal and seriously great people...they never sleep!
Our attitude - we do what we love and our enthusiastic, fun, devoted, knowledgable, unstoppable attitude is reflective of this.
Our service - unbeatable. We re available 24/7 - we never sleep, what does that tell you?
Our results - breaking records not hearts every second of every day.
NO PRICE TAG ATTACHED - why pay when we pay? We ll cover your marketing & advertising...leaves you with more money to spend on your new home. Sounds fair?
Give us a whirl, you ll never look back.
LONDON, PARIS, MILAN, NEW YORK ... DEE WHY!
HAVE AN EGGCELLENT EASTER LONG WEEK-END!!!
Fuhkwuhtjit faailohk, Joyeuses Pques, Hrists ansti, Chag pascha sameach, Buona Pasqua, Hristos vaskrse...Happy Eater to all!
Easter...a time for catching up with the fam., ending the 40 day fast, painting eggs, reflecting on & respecting our traditions and eating until we make ourselves sick! So, you thought you d sneak in another egg while no one was watching. Then comes Tuesday. The day after the Easter long week-end...you jump on those dreaded scales and almost pass out. What? 5 kgs heavier, this cannot be true!
In keeping with our tradition of always looking after you, we ve put together a weight loss recipe which may just help you to get started.
Lasagne with spinach (yum!)
(Serves 4)
What you need?
450 package whole wheat lasagne noodles (6 noodles)
3/4 tsp salt
1 small onion, chopped finely
Three quarters cup sherry
1 medium bunch spinach (330g)
2 cups low-fat cottage cheese (1 percent fat),
blended in mixer until creamy
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1 egg white
1 tbs whole wheat flour
1 ? cup skim milk (zero fat)
pepper
What to do?
1 tbs chopped parsley Prepare lasagne noodles as label directs: drain. Chop onion; remove tough stems from spinach; rinse. Saute onion in sherry until soft. Add spinach and 1 teaspoon salt; cook over high heat until spinach wilts; set aside. In bowl mix cottage cheese with mixer or blender; add nutmeg, 1 teaspoon salt and egg white; set aside. In a saucepan, mix flour with milk and 1 teaspoon salt and cook stirring constantly, until sauce boils and thickens slightly. Remove pan from heat. Arrange in a non-stick baking dish sprayed with olive oil spray, one-third of lasagne noodles, overlapping to fit. Spread half of cottage cheese mixture over noodles.
Drain off any liquid from spinach and spoon half over the cheese. Top with one-third of sauce. Repeat layering. Top with remaining noodles then remaining sauce. Bake lasagne covered in a preheated 190C/175F oven for 30-40 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Remove from oven; let stand 10 minutes and cut. Sprinkle with chopped parsley.
Eat. Enjoy. No guilt.
And, you thought we only sold houses? HAPPY EASTER Y ALL!!!
DON T GET CAUGHT WITH EGG ON YOUR FACE!
It s on the news, it s in the papers...Sydney property prices are set to double.
Fancy being a millionaire? Half of Sydney are tipped to be just that provided you re in the property market that is! If you re not, then you d better get in quick while property is still reasonably affordable.
Figures prepared exclusively for The Sunday Telegraph by Australian Property Monitors (APM)show Sydney?s median property price is on target to reach $1.2 million, averaging 7.6 per cent growth per annum.
High end areas including Palm Beach are predicted to cost more than $8 million. Apartments will make solid gains across most suburbs.
Aussie Homes Loans boss was quoted as saying "Young people should try to buy now while it s still reasonably affordable. They shouldn t over-commit themselves and will need to hold on to the property long term."
Then it s all about sitting back and enjoying your golden egg, after all Easter is on the way.
Keeping in our usual style of never sleeping, you ll be tickled pink to know that we re available and at your service the entire Easter Long Week-end! No sleeping for us, we ll leave that for the other guys.
BEST BUY NOW OR YOU’LL FIND YOURSELF IN A BINGLE!
Ok so we may not be cricketers or swimwear models however many of us do share some similarities with our newly ?no weds? in the sense that we don?t want to be homeless!
Data everywhere is predicting Sydney property prices are tipped to increase by as much as 10%, with the creme de la cr?me of the housing market likely to rise by 10-15%. REBAA president Byron Rose said that after a busy end to 2009, investors continued to show keen interest into 2010, with more buyers around than properties.
We expect the current high levels of buyer activity to continue for the first half of the year,?? he said in a statement outlining the association?s market predictions. ??But we?re also ready for buyers to pull back from the market once the reality of rate rises hit home and as affordability in some states continues to decline.??
The REBAA’s NSW spokesman Rich Harvey said key areas of interest for property investors in Sydney include the northern beaches, inner west, eastern suburbs and select parts of the North Shore.
Mr Harvey said with the unemployment rate declining, subdued inflation, rising migration and population rates, demand for housing was rising.
Sydney, in particular, will see solid capital growth because of our spectacular beaches, clean environment, beautiful harbour and wide range of housing styles, he added.
It’s also great news all round for ritzy home owners with Australia’s most expensive homes likely to rise in price by 10-15 per cent this year, as wealthy locals and overseas buyers hunt for prestigious addresses in a resilient economy, according to researcher RP Data.
The rebounding share market and increased business confidence is underpinning demand for capital city waterfront and other top-end homes, while prestige holiday homes are yet to catch up, senior researcher Cameron Kusher told The Australian.
"You can’t underestimate how important the share market is for top-end buyers," he said.
"When they lose half the value of their shares -- as they did in 2008 -- it’s no surprise the top end of the market is hit."
On Tuesday, a 1950s beach-front house at Sydney’s affluent Whale Beach sold to a local buyer for $7.375 million just after auction. It is described in its brochure as "liveable".
Agent Raine and Horne Palm Beach principal Glenn Lee, who sold the property, said the top end of Sydney’s northern beaches market -- houses worth more than $5m -- had begun to bounce back late last year.
"We sold $56m of property in the last six weeks (of last year)," Mr Lee said. He said prestige home prices in the area had fallen about 20 per cent during the global financial crisis, but had rebounded by about 10 per cent.
The chief executive of real estate agency Raine & Horne, Angus Raine, said last year had been a disaster for the prestige market. However, most sectors of the market were heading towards a boom.
RP Data found NSW and WA luxury sales were the strongest in the last quarter of last year compared with the same period in 2008. In NSW, 45 homes sold for more than $5m each compared with 40 the year before, while in WA 13 $5m plus sales were struck, compared with one in 2008.
Don’t be like Lara Bingle and flush the opportunity away! Get into the market now and rrrrrrrreap the rewards...quick...what are you waiting for?
DEE WHY DONT DROWNNNN - THE $6.5 MILLION ANSWER TO FLOODING!!!
A very interesting story appeared in The Manly Daily regarding Councils plans to stop Dee Why from drowning in a 1 in 100 year flood. Worth a read! Click on the PDF below.
You need Acrobat Reader to view this document. Click here for a free download.
ALL ABOARD THE INTEREST RATE RIDE...
Sweaty palms, sick to the stomach, fearful & worried... then the adrenaline takes over and excitement sets in...much like a roller coaster ride.
Interest rates the bane of our lives! Seems each and every month we?re sitting tight holding our breaths...."will they, won?t they???". Much like that upside down loop on the roller coaster...this interest rate thing may not be quite as bad as what you may have first thought.
Yes! It?s true our ?friends? at the RBA slogged us with our very first interest rate rise for 2010 where the big boys followed by lifting their rates by 25 basis points. It also seems that we might be in for another few surprises before the years out. However it?s not all bad news!
Interest rate rises is the RBA?s way of telling us all that things are starting to look up.
Mr Stevens, the head ’honcho’ at the RBA commented that "the economy had performed better than expected in 2009 after a mild downturn a year ago". He continued on to say "there are some signs that the process of business sector de-leveraging is moderating, with the pace of decline in business credit lessening and indications that lenders are starting to become more willing to lend to some borrowers.
"Investment in the resources sector is very strong."
While interest rates are on the steady incline it should be noted that rates are still relatively low.The RBA obviously want to get interest rates back to a more ’normal’ type level.
The property market is holding up nice and strong and while the hike in interest rates may have shut many potential first home buyers out of the market it should be highlighted that rates are still well below those of two years ago!
We suggest you jump aboard, you?ll kick yourself for not getting into the property market now. The market is hot and it?s going to get even hotter. Buckle up...we?re in for one hell of a ride....woohoooooooooooo.
DON?T DO IT ALONE! CO OWN A HOME.
Some of us prefer to do it alone, many of us have never even thought of inviting another person in on the action...co owning a property is fast becoming a viable option for many as property prices increasingly slip out of reach.
WITH the dream of owning our own home dwindling, one solution is co-ownership.
"Co-ownership is increasingly popular with de facto couples, friends and family looking to help each other meet stricter property lending criteria" and cope with the higher property prices, says Mortgage Choice senior corporate affairs manager Kristy Sheppard.
What is co ownership? It?s when two or more people get together and share the ownership of a property.
In a first homebuyer survey compiled by Mortgage Choice last year, 72 per cent of respondents planning to purchase before 2012 said they would not be buying alone.
"Co-ownership makes property ownership more affordable," Ms Sheppard says.
"It is a strategy that enables potential buyers to pool their money for a deposit and utilise their borrowing power to get a loan. Co-owners can split the cost of the property and all the associated expenses, so that repayments are noticeably less than what you?d pay if you were buying solo."
Jamie Olsen considered buying a house on his own. But less than a month ago, he decided to go down the co-ownership path with his best friend.
On his own, Mr Olsen says, he would not have been able to spend as much for a property or afford the $1 million pad in Sydney?s trendy suburb of Potts Point that he is now contemplating with his friend.
To take the emotion out of the business agreement, he says, they have also put in place a co-ownership arrangement spelling out "the rules of engagement" should circumstances change.
Jeremy Levitt, a director of PodProperty, which arranges co-ownership agreements, says economic uncertainty has made co-ownership more attractive "as parties can effectively share their mortgage risk".
PodProperty estimates the number of people it has assisted with their co-ownership plans grew 51 per cent year on year to January 1, a jump Mr Levitt largely attributes to the effects of the global financial crisis and people wanting to spread their mortgage risk.
People aged 25-30 see co-ownership as a way of getting into the market years before they could if they were purchasing alone, he says.
Those looking at co-ownership need to organise three things, Mr Levitt says: group finance, conveyancing and a co-ownership agreement.
But he emphasises the first stop should be a co-ownership agreement.
Such an agreement sets out the things people need to do before exchanging contracts and "ensures everyone knows what their rights and obligations will be once they have purchased the property; [it] is signed prior to purchasing the property".
The main benefit of co-ownership is it cuts the costs - such as stamp duty and monthly expenses - of buying a house for an individual. It also allows buyers to borrow more and therefore afford bigger and better houses, and it gives people greater capacity to meet their loan repayments.
But there is a flipside to co-ownership. If a person in the group can?t afford to meet a repayment or defaults, the remaining members are responsible for making those repayments.
Another risk is your partner may want to pull out of the agreement before you do, which could force you to sell your share of the property.
Ms Sheppard cautions people to treat co-ownership as a business partnership. "They need to meet regularly to discuss the situation, to see how each party is going with repayments, to see if there are any changes they need to make," she says.
Steps towards property co-ownership:
1.Arrange a co-ownership agreement.
2.Speak to a mortgage broker about group loans and finance requirements.
3.Find property, negotiate price and obtain a contract of sale.
4.Find conveyancer and send them your contract of sale for review.
5.Obtain building and pest inspection report.
6.If you are happy with the property, sign and exchange contracts.
It goes without saying that The Novak Agency has a huge list of brilliant properties for sale. Call 1300 4 NOVAK (8978 6888)- 24/7 - we never sleep.
EVERY DAY’S A GAY DAY @ THE NOVAK AGENCY
You may ask why are we always so happy? We have been dazzling all things real estate week in, week out!!!
2009 certainly was a tough year for real estate and while many predicted that 2010 was going to be the year when real estate was tipped to head in a downwards spiral, it seems to be quite the opposite.
Record prices, phones ringing off the hook, more new listings than ever before and sales literally walking out the door has certainly kept us all very happy & very busy.
The Northern Beaches has been tipped by A Current Affair and The Sun Herald to be a very lucrative area in which to invest.
Our very own Mark Novak commented in Sunday’s Sun Herald Property Guide that "we had a very ordinary first half in 2009 and a dazzling second half of the year".
Mark continues "what we saw is that properties up to $500 000 were the first to do well in the third quarter and then we saw a flow-on effect for properties priced $500 000 to $950 000 and now this year that’s kicking on to properties at $1 million and over.
Over the past year The Novak Agency has been receiving non stop comments on the branding of the agency...the look, the feel and the outside of the square approach to all things real estate. Nothing makes us happier than to hear these fabulous comments. Thank you!
Darlings...as many of us don our feathers, leathers & lace this Mardi Gra week-end may we say that we truly are the kings & queens of real estate. Float on through to one of our open homes this week-end and see for yourself why!
RENTERS SAY BUY BUY!!!
Rents set to soar + whispers of rate rises + extension of stamp duty cut + strong market = renters waving bye bye to renting and hello to buying.
With demand for rental properties set to soar this year, it’d be a very smart idea for investors and renters to get in now ahead of an expected price rises.
Property investors are gearing up for a bonza of a year as big rent increases and strong capital gains are expected to offer double-whammy returns during 2010.
Demand for rental properties, from both investors and tenants, is expected to surge during the next few months as people attempt to lock in properties before prices rise even further.
Latest research from Resi Mortgage Corporation has found the number of people intending to become property investors has almost doubled during the past year.
Strong price growth for exisiting housing, particularly in established suburbs, has led many would-be investors to act sooner rather than later, Resi consumer advocate Lisa Montgomery says.
Anticipated rent increases, because of high demand from renters, is also encouraging people to act promptly so they can take advantage of the expected higher returns.
"It certainly is good times ahead for landlords,’’ Ms Montgomery says.
"People are noticing that yields are high and property has returned to being the ’new black’ to invest in. Confidence is out there.’’
Research company Australian Property Monitors has forecast rent increases of up to 11 per cent in 2010 after little or no growth during most of 2009.
"An improving employment outlook means, overall, renters will be more willing and able to afford rental increases,’’ APM economist Matthew Bell says.
Ongoing housing shortages are expected to worsen as first-home owners opt out of buying and remain as renters.
Immigration continues to increase and more people are turning to bricks and mortar as an investment after being stung by the share market.
"On the supply side of things, there simply aren’t enough new properties being built for investment purposes to meet this increased demand,’’ Mr Bell says.
However, he says many rent rises will also be needed to recoup extra costs such as higher interest rates and land tax, not just additional profits for landlords.
Property investment specialist Jock Bing from Portfolio Management Services says the demand for rental accommodation is expected to worsen during the next couple of months as the academic year gets under way.
"Some rental returns had a slight hiccup early in 2009,’’ Mr Bing says.
"However, with the general short supply, rents have firmed again but not excessively and there is still more room to move.
"The supply and demand gap is only expected to widen further during 2010.’
The government has also extended the 50% stamp duty cut for newly constructed dwellings worth up to $600,000.
Taking all of these factors into account, it’s really no wonder renters are now looking to become "first homies"...
Our very own Mark Novak of The Novak Agency says "Now is definately an opportune time to buy and we have some fabulous properties for sale. Homes up to $600 000 just walk straight out the door"... "It’s wise to contact us, pop your name down on a database or join our fortnightly newsletter so you can be the very first to know about anything hot that comes on".
Just click the link below to be added to our sensational newsletter, you won’t be sorry.
WE BREAK RECORDS NOT HEARTS!!!
Flowers, choccies, candlelit dinners, fluffy slippers, bubble bath, scattered rose petals...and a whopper of a price for your property! Sounds like the perfect Valentine?s Day really doesn?t it?
No breaking hearts at The Novak Agency, just a constant stream of record breaking prices for properties around the hood.<> Thought we?d tantalise you with some recent sales:
$472 000 – 2 BD Apt – 5@30 Charles St Freshwater SOLD
$450 000 – 1 BD Apt – 1@11 Ronald Ave Freshwater SOLD
$876 550 – 4 BD House - 57 Alfred St Narraweena SOLD
$1.68 - 5 BD House - 11 Lentara Ave Bayview SOLD
Want more?
Call 1300 4 NOVAK 8978 6888)...we never sleep!
GET RICH QUICK. BUY A PROPERTY!
It was on the tv, it was on the radio. You must have had your head in the sand if you didn’t hear it.
Property prices are set to go up by an average of $100 000 in the next 12 months!!!
Sensational news if you’re already a property owner.
A Current Affair rated those suburbs tipped to go through the roof over the next 12 months, of which the Northern Beaches made up a huge chunk of that list.
One of Sydney’s leading radio stations also reported something simular where they went as far as saying that "our children may soon have to get used to growing up in apartments, as Sydney house prices are set to soar".
While all the stars are certainly aligning for property owners, what about those of you who aren’t quite there yet?
Our very own Mark Novak of The Novak Agency states that "there are still some really great buys out there and that first homies should jump onto the band wagon before the interest rates start to rise further"...he continues "the Northern Beaches is still brilliantly priced however you need to jump when you see the right property, as they simply do not last".
It comes as no surprise that property prices are set to go through the roof as there is a definate cycle in the property market and all markers point towards the fact that before Christmas we’ll see a huge increase in Sydney property prices.
Property owners start rubbing your little hands together. The time has come to make some money...next problem - what to spend it on!
GOT OBESSIVE COMPULSIVE HOUSE HUNTING DISORDER? NEED HELP? CALL 1300 4 NOVAK.
Yes! You know we’re referring to you. Gone are the days of sipping latte’s with friends or lazing around reading the Herald on the beach?
Are week-ends now all about logging onto the net at 6am and rushing out in your PJ’s to grab the very first copy of the Manly Daily to check out any new properties for the week?!
OBSESSIVE house hunting is taking over buyers’ lives as they inspect 52 homes - six times as many as their parents’ generation - before finally making a decision.
Property experts said home buyers were often wasting too much time looking online for properties, often overwhelmed by choice.
Two decades ago a buyer took three to six weeks and viewed eight to 20 properties before making a decision, Starr Partners CEO John McCormack said yesterday.
But prospective buyers were now looking at an average 50 to 60 homes over six to 12 months!!!
"If the market is moving, it is costing them more. Buyers are doing themselves a massive disservice. You can only see so much on the web," Mr McCormack said.
"On the computer they are removed from reality. The buyer needs to look at the area they want to buy and go see all the stock in their price range. Until you physically look at it you don’t know."
Consumer behaviour expert Dr Chris Hodkinson said market research by realestate.com.au revealed 87 per cent of homebuyers were driven to look at numerous properties because they feared missing their dream home.
Of 1200 surveyed, 92 per cent of property seekers spend up to 25 hours a month researching potential homes online and more than 80 per cent visit up to four properties a week!
"It is one of the biggest financial investment decisions many people ever have to make," Dr Hodkinson said.
"Fear of missing out can cause excessive worry with some unable to make a decision and others spending all leisure time frantically searching."
Allow us at The Novak Agency to swelter in our suits as we pace the sidewalks in search of your perfect home. It’s our job! Just call us, e-mail us, skype us, twitter us, visit us and hand in your wish list of exactly what you are looking for. We’ll find it for you! That’s our job.
Get your week-ends back....manicures, pedicures, yum cha, lazy days at the beach, we’ve got it covered.
Call 1300 4 NOVAK (8978 6888) - we never sleep!
HAPPY AUSSIE DAY - NOVAK! NOVAK! NOVAK! OI...OI...OI
Let’s face it how many countries in the world can you get around in not much more than a pair of stubbies and thongs? Got to love being an aussie....schrimps on the barbie, lamingtons, holdens,meat pies, VB’s, violet crumbles, vegemite & of course the slang. It’s got to be the only country in the world where we speak English yet no one else can understand us.
So, what makes an Aussie, Aussie? Outlined below is a little insight into how us Aussies tick...
The shorter the nickname, the more we like you. (If any word can be shortened, it will!)
It’s considered far better to be "down on your luck" than "up yourself."
The alpha male in any group is he who takes the barbecue tongs from the hands of the host and blithely begins turning the snags. (Sausages)
On picnics, the Esky (ice-box/cold storage container) is always too small, creating a food versus grog (alcohol) battle that can only ever be resolved by leaving the salad at home.
The phrase "we’ve got a great lifestyle" means everyone in the family loves a drink.
A flash sports car driven by a middle-aged man does not incite envy - as in America - but hilarity.
Whether it’s the opening of Parliament, or the launch of a new art gallery, there is no Australian event that cannot be improved by a sausage-sizzle and onion rings.
There is no food that cannot be improved by the application of tomato sauce (ketchup).
A thong is not a piece of scanty swimwear, as in the ’good ole US of A, but a fine example of footwear. A group of good-lookin’ Aussie sheilas wearing black rubber thongs may not be as exciting as you had hoped!!
And, finally, don’t let the tourist books fool you. No one says "cobber," and no Aussie would ever ’throw another shrimp on the barbie’. We only eat prawns!
So, as you raise your meat pies and chug down on your VB let me be the one to tell you what Australia Day is all about. It’s not the celebration of who can drink the most coldies in a day. It’s actually the anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet of 11 convict ships from Great Britain, and the raising of the Union Jack at Sydney Cove by its commander Captain Arthur Phillip, in 1788.
G’day to all and guys try and be a little more Australia this Aussie Day than driving in your German car to an Irish pub for a Belgian beer, then traveling home, grabbing an Indian curry or a Turkish kebab on the way to sit on your Swedish furniture and watch American shows on a Japanese TV. Oi, oi, oi!!!
WE’RE RICH DARLING!!! NORTHERN BEACHES PROPERTY GOES BONKERS.
Crack the Bollinger, order the Beluga caviar, book the QE2...seems that our very own Northern Beaches had the strongest rises in land values in the year to last June.
Sydney Morning Herald reported that both the inner west and upper north shore (Northern Beaches) are Sydney’s best-performing residential property markets with surging land values outpacing the traditionally top-ranking eastern and lower northern suburbs last year.
But land values in the central business district fell at the sharpest rate since the slump of the early 1990s, with little expectation of a quick rebound.
The latest land valuation data, to be sent to property owners from next week, reveals a tale of two cities as the legion of lawyers, bankers and accountants in the east and lower north shore was hit by the global financial crisis.
So there you have it darlings...seems that 2010 is going to be an absolutely fabulous year for property on the Northern Beaches...certainly reason to celebrate, ching ching.
If you’re looking for a sensational agency to buy or sell with, then it goes without saying that you need not look any further. The Novak Agency, truly the Northern Beaches most glamorous (& highly awarded) agency, is who you should call. We’re the ones that never sleep...
NEVER A BAD HAIR DAY...CAUSE WE NEVER SLEEP!
We’re sure that there’s many people at this time of year that would agree they also never sleep...late night parties, wild new year celebrations or running on adrenaline...well it is a crazy time of year!
Fact is, we never sleep - 24 hour around the clock telephone service. No silly answering machines, you will speak to an actual person, one of us! Sunday open houses...how many agents that you know do Saturday and Sunday opens together with a mid week open?
Yes. We are and have been open the entire Christmas & New Year period. No holidays for us...we’ll leave that for the other agents!
Want to sell? Call us, we’ll come and see you at 6am, 10pm or even midnight any day of the week. Need a place to rent or buy? Easy. We’re available whenever you are.
Want to know how to contact us? Just click below. Simple.
Happy 2010 and we look forward to turning your New Years resolution into a reality!
HAPPY NY DY!
Many of us may look back on 2009 as a year we couldn’t wait to end. The year had barely even began and we were all exhausted: the stock market was all over the place (mostly down). Cars weren’t selling. People weren’t spending. The change many people hoped for in the new year didn’t materialize as a dramatic sunrise. It crept in in welcome and unwelcome ways.
We simply could not let ’09 pass us by without taking a sneak peek at the year that was. A conglomeration of world wide events, ’09 certainly was a colourful year where many of us lost our pants, literally eh em Tiger Woods, and some even their voices...yes! we’re talking about you Britney Spears.
There were rate cuts and hikes, somewhat of a recession and a bummer of a year for prestige home owners who saw 40% of the value of their home tumble !
We welcomed the 44th US President and farewelled one of the best entertainers this world will ever see Mr Michael Jackson. The death of the 50-year-old entertainer and self-styled "King of Pop" stunned the world.
We choked on red dust on a day when we all thought we’d been invaded by aliens and gasped at the voice of a rather unusual Scottish charity worker when she sang her way into our homes.
In a grim year that saw the global financial crisis dominate headlines and affect rich and poor alike across the world, one of 2009’s most haunting tales turned out to be that of a young Austrian woman who was forced to endure 24 years of being imprisoned by her father Josef Fritzl in a cramped stinking cellar where she was repeatedly raped and forced to raise his children.
Moving forward, a new decade, a new year, a new beginning for many of us. 2010 has all the right ingredients for being nothing short of a brilliant year. Property prices are on the rise, the stock market has stabilised and housing is still very affordable with interest rates still at an all time low.
May 2010 be a perfect 10/10 for you and your family! From us to you Happy New Year and may your troubles last as long as your new year resolutions.
PS. While many of the other agents are sleeping over the New Year break, we are open, every day except for New Years Day! We never sleep.
AND THE WINNER IS...........SYDNEY!
Remember those famous words that were screamed across our tv screens back in late 1999? Yep, well it seems that Sydney siders are still the winners and that Sydney town may be shaping up to be the next "land of opportunity" for astute property investors.
Although Sydney is relatively limited in terms of usable land for housing development she still remained the most preferred destination for 146,000 migrants last year (out of 290,000 across Australia) and The Sydney Metropolitan Strategy indicates that Sydney needs to house an extra 1.1 million people in the next 25 years.
Colliers International Residential Research Director, Jon Rivera, says that "while chronically low levels of affordability have pushed many people out of the Sydney market, they have actually propelled investors back into the market". He explains, "If fewer people are able to afford buying real estate, it means more people remain in the rental market. This is one of the reasons why rental properties are experiencing such fierce competition".
Director of Metropole Buyers Agency Sydney, Pino Tedesco, says "the current economic environment has seen a further stall in the supply of housing".
'It's unlikely that we will see an influx of new construction in the near future".''The upside of the decrease in new dwelling approvals is that more demand is placed on the existing supply, and will therefore buoy the Sydney market for years to come".
Residex Chief Executive Officer, John Edwards (no! not the physic), says "over the next decade investors are set to benefit from these conditions".
"Demand will be high given the shortages particularly in Sydney. It is our view that this city will see the highest rental increases".
But wait, there’s more.....We got our hands on the Residex Top 100 Suburb Predictions Report. Manly came in 16th position for capital growth for houses!!! 10% per annum over 8 years is amazing when you consider Manly has averaged 8.41% p.a. over the last 10 years!!! Nice one Manly.
Want to know more?
Call 1300 4 Novak or 02 8978 6888.....24/7, we never sleep!
Let us jingle your bells this Christmas......ho ho ho!
NEVER A SILENT NIGHT AT THE NOVAK AGENCY, CAUSE WE NEVER SLEEP!
While almost all of the other agents around town are sleeping over the Christmas/New Year period, The Novak Agency will be open (for the eighth consecutive year) every single day over the silly season, except for the public holidays!
Many agents shut down shop for 2 or even 3 weeks at the end of the year.....not us!
We will be showing properties, appraising homes, answering your calls, selling, renting, chatting, visiting, eating and maybe even having a little Eggnog (the virgin one of course, we’re working!).
Call us, visit us, surf us, Twitter us, Youtube us, Blog us, honk at us.....we’ll be here – we told you we never sleep!
WE KNOW WHAT YOUR HOME’S WORTH! DO YOU?
It’s possible that you’re worth more than you think you are! Yep. The market is moving and shaking again and property prices are heading North.
Most of us have no idea what our properties (well, some of us own more than 1) are worth and it’s quite probable that you’re sitting on some equity. Equity in property is a lovely thing...
So, what exactly is equity? Equity is the difference between what your home is worth and how much you owe on it.
For example, if your home is worth $300,000 and you owe $100,000, you have $200,000 in equity. Over time, as you reduce the amount you owe on your home or the value of your home grows, your equity increases. It’s that simple.
Equity gives you the freedom of upgrading your home maybe to something larger using the equity in your home as a deposit, renovate your home (using the equity in your property)or even downgrading your home and pocketing the cash.
It’s also amazing how many properties we see on the rental market that are undervalued, some by as much as $150 a week! Is this one of your properties?
It’s possible you could be richer than you think! Let us deliver you some good news...call us for a completely free (yes! some things in life are for free), no obligation (ooooooh that’s such a cheesy phrase), appraisal on your property.
Call us, visit us, surf us, Facebook us, Twitter us, Youtube us - 24/7 – we never sleep. We leave that for the other agents to do.....ho ho hoooooooooooooooooooo.
MEET SANTA’S LITTLE HELPERS
Dashing through Dee Why In a black convertible coupe Through the town we go Selling all the way. Bells on front of car Making Dee Why bright What fun it is to ride and sing A Novak song tonight.
Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way, Oh what fun it is to ride In a Black convertible coupe, O!!!
This is the Christmas Cheer you’ll hear from Santa’s little helpers located at his Northern Beaches workshop - The Novak Agency, Dee Why.
Allow us to introduce these little helpers!
MARK NOVAK
ELIZABETH HALL
ANTONIOS KANIS
ANGELO GOUTZIOS
SIMON FELDMAN
AMANDA DELGATY
VANESSA DOLDO
VANESSA BALL
GAIL CAUCHI
BRETT SIMMS
KIERA HAY
BRANKA STANKOVIC
LISA NOVAK
RACHAEL BEADMAN
KRISTLE COOPER
MEG SWANBERG
MAX RADMANOVICH
DANIELLE PORTER
LINCOLN GUTHERSON
JACK TSAO
WAYNE HUGHES
Want to know more about santas’s little helpers? Click below. Ho ho hooooooooooooooooooo.....
X-MAS PRESENTS STARTING FROM $300 000 SOLD HERE!!!
One thing is for certain! One of us this Christmas is bound to get a pair of undies, socks or singlets, none of which will give you any type of return!
If you’re looking for a great gift idea that’ll give you a 20 per cent return in just three years, then Sydney’s property market is the way to go, according to a recent forecast on house prices.
Insurance giant QBE’s lenders mortgage insurance division, QBE LMI, has released its Housing Outlook report, predicting solid growth for Australia’s capital cities from June 2009 through to June 2012.
The report, researched by BIS Shrapnel, suggests Sydney house prices will be one of the best performers over the period, rising 21 per cent.
Only Adelaide is predicted to post faster growth, at 23 per cent.
“The outlook for the housing market is also positive for those who have recently entered the market, particularly first home buyers,” said Ian Graham, chief executive of QBE LMI.
“Low interest rates, solid growth in rents and housing shortages will create favourable conditions for a strong recovery in residential property prices in the second half of 2010, through to 2012.”
To date, house price falls in the prestige sector have encouraged upgraders into the market, while investors are expected to make a return on the back of strong rental returns.
According to the report, all capital cities will enjoy double-digit price growth, thanks to improved affordability and the ongoing shortage of new housing.
“Despite a 0.25 per cent rate rise in the first week of October, housing interest rates are expected to remain at a stimulatory level for some time, with the low interest rate environment remaining supportive of the first home buyer,” Mr Graham said.
“Demand from first home buyers is expected to continue, notwithstanding the expiration of the first home owner grant boost scheme in December 2009.”
RP Data national research director, Tim Lawless, agrees there will be considerable upward pressure on property prices, thanks to a much shallower downturn in Australia than experienced elsewhere in the world, in turn leading to lower unemployment rates and a more stable banking sector capable of issuing new loans.
He said although interest rates have started to rise, they are likely to remain well below the historical average over the last two decades of 8.8 per cent.
“The fact that interest rates are about to rise can be construed as a strong testament to the health of the domestic economy,” Mr Lawless said.
“There are a variety of other factors that will assist in propelling Australian property values upwards, such as the disconnect between demand and supply, which is likely to be one of the primary drivers of housing prices over the coming years.”
Make Santa’s job an easy one this Christmas and be sure the house you buy has a chimney or he won’t be at all happy!
PS. Don’t forget the carrots and beer!
WHY DEE WHY?
Gone are the days where most of us used to walk around Dee Why in our boardies and thongs. Seems these days many more of us are swanning around in our best designer clothes in what is now the new uber chic Dee Why!
Dee Why has done a huge about face in the past 5 years where it once was somewhat of an untidy borderline daggy kind of neighbourhood to what it is being transformed into now.
So, why the change?
In the past 5 years Dee Why has come ahead in leaps and bounds and it seems it is now the "in" place to live.
You’d have to be living in a bubble to not notice that Dee Why is located in an irreplaceable position, with many residential streets being just a hop, skip and a jump to the world famous Dee Why Beach, Manly Beach & beyond.
Loads of luxury, state of the art apartments are going up in the area which is encouraging a slightly more mature, asset rich demographic. On the other end of the scale it appears that Dee Why is now made up of a young, trendy population with 40% between the ages of 20-39 years of age. The majority of these young inhabitants seem to enjoy a rather sizeable income and many own their own property within the area. This is a real family suburb with the benefit of having a surf beach right at the front door.
One would never go hungry in Dee Why with some 46 restaurants, cafes and bars many overlooking the beach where you can grab anything from Pizza to Indian spices, there is something for everyone! With all the new developing going on in Dee Why there has been a huge increase in the number of eateries with one trendier than the next. Been to Dee Why Market Place yet???
There is a ton of sporting clubs including rugby clubs, golf clubs and of course surf clubs together with some incredible child care facilities many of them brand spanking new.
A sensational mix of shops, 280 shops to be specific, including trendy boutiques and availability to your everyday items makes Dee Why a highly desirable place to grab a dress, get your hair done or jump in to the gym.
It’s seriously central location means that you can hop on a bus and be in the CBD within a half an hour or catch a ferry from Manly Beach, just moments away.
Just walking through the streets you’d be blind to not notice just how mutli cultural Dee Why is. The fabulous mixture of races and religions introduces a wonderful flavour to Dee Why where many nationalities live together in a peaceful, safe & harmonious environment.
Of course last but not least...Dee Why is home to The Novak Agency! We’d like to think that we set the benchmark for Dee Why now being as cool and trendy as what it is....however I think we’ll have to bow down to the many developers that saw the potential in this little piece of paradise....
LANDLORDS LET’S PARTY!!!!!!!
Yep! Looks as though the planets are finally aligning for all you investors out there with rental returns looking mighty fine. C’mon it’s your turn to celebrate!
Our mates at AUSTRALIAN PROPERTY MONITORS recently reported that gross rental returns had either remained steady or slightly increased.
Now, normally one would have thought that our heavily reduced variable interest rates might have released the pressure on rents. Well, apparently not so.
As it turns out, rental vacancy rates are still extremely low. Particularly in Sydney. The September "Rental Vacancy Report" by the REAL ESTATE INSTITUTE OF NSW asserts that Sydney has a rental vacancy rate of just 1.3%. In fact, for the vast majority of NSW (including regional centres) the rate sits below 2%!!!
Here’s the good news - it seems that property investors will not need to drop rents to attract tenants in this environment.
Recently published population projections by the NSW GOVERNMENT show that NSW will grow by 372,600 people in 5 years. That is a touch over 1,433 people per week.
The NSW Govt. also estimates that 187,300 dwellings will need to be built during this period - 720 new dwellings every week! Compare this to the number of building commencements last financial year of 457 per week (Source: ABS) and you will no doubt see a problem looming. An estimated shortfall of 263 new dwellings every week (13,600 per annum).
Another reason for property investors to party will be the end of the first home buyers grant "Boost" on the 31st of December this year.
Whilst this boost enabled more people to get into their own home for the first time, it also scared off many investors. It seems many prospective investors will be waiting until the first home buyers’ have completed their feeding frenzy. That day approaches.
The good news for investors is that median rental yields have been building over the last five years. Every capital city in Australia now exceeds 4% p.a. and the housing shortage should support this position.
Go on investors...let your hair down, throw on your dancing shoes and strike a pose....it’s your turn now to have some fun!
BACK A WINNER...CALL 1300 4 NOVAK.
Frocks, frills, feathers and fascinators will be donned next Tuesday for the so called race that stops the nation - The Melbourne cup race.
This is the time of year when we all become gamblers of a sort and pretty much everyone becomes either a bookie or an expert on racing tips, each with 'the tip' that is the sure winner.
This week we've dug deep to compile some info on cup day to see what it truly is all about and where the Melbourne Cup Day came from. We figured there surely had to more to Melbourne Cup than fancy hats, bright frocks and copious amounts of champas.
Melbourne Cup Day is Australia's most famous Tuesday.
It's a day when the nation stops whatever it's doing to listen to the race. Even those who don't usually bet, try their luck with a small wager or entry into a 'sweep' - a lottery in which each ticket-holder is matched with a randomly drawn horse.
Since 1877, Cup Day has been a public holiday for Melbourne, and crowds have flocked to the track. The party atmosphere often means that champagne and canapés, huge hats and racetrack fashions overshadow the business of horse racing.
The Melbourne Cup has long been known as an urban fashion parade. The race track was one of the few places in colonial Australia where high society and the lower classes came together socially. The first Australian race meet, held in 1810, established the culture of the Melbourne Cup and was organised in Sydney by Governor Macquarie as part of a plan to improve the cultural life of Sydney.
The first Melbourne Cup was run in 1861 at Flemington Race Course and was won by Archer, a horse from Nowra, New South Wales, beating the local favourite, Mormon. The prize was a gold watch and £170. Dismissed by the bookies, Archer took a lot of money away from Melbourne, 'refuelling interstate rivalry' and adding to the excitement of the Cup.
In the late 1880s and 1890s, Carbine dominated the racing scene, and carried the greatest winning weight ever in a Melbourne Cup. For over a century, only two horses had won the Melbourne Cup twice: Archer (1861, 1862) and Peter Pan (1932, 1934). However, Makybe Diva won three Melbourne Cups between 2003 and 2005.
Phar Lap is perhaps Australia's most famous racehorse, combining stamina and speed. Phar Lap's big heart now resides at the National Museum of Australia. Phar Lap's heart was remarkable for its size, weighing about 6.2 kg, compared with a normal horse's heart at 3.2 kg.
Good luck for cup day and if you really want to back a winner and see a fabulous return for your money then our best tip is to call us.
HOUSE PRICES SET TO GO BANANAS!!!
Yep! Just in case you haven’t noticed, house prices are hotting up.
The price of your home is rising, and it’s going to keep rising - by at least 5 per cent a year - for the next five years.
That’s a forecast from ANZ Bank economist Paul Braddick, who this time 12 months ago did the bravest thing an economist can do: he broke with the pack.
As head of property research at ANZ, Braddick went around the country giving a presentation with a sensational slide show, called ’’The Mother of all Housing Booms’’, where he argued house prices could only go up.
This, I might remind you, was during the depths of the Global Financial Crisis (G.F.C - so 2009!) when his peers at NAB, Commonwealth Bank and Macquarie - not to mention some very vocal academics in universities - were pronouncing doom for house prices.
One commentator - Steve Keen, an associate professor at the University of Western Sydney - said house prices would drop 40 per cent and then went so far as to sell his Sydney residence to show the world he was not just trying to make the headlines.
Braddick, meanwhile, motored on, getting more ridicule than headlines. He told all who would listen that prices had ’’upward pressure’’ because - very simply - there were more people than dwellings.
It is now clear that Braddick was also facing opposing views ’’upstairs’’ at his own bank.
’’We were getting it from all angles,’’ he explains, ’’but I kept looking at the figures and they spoke for themselves - we did not have enough houses coming on stream; supply was not going to match demand."
It is now clear that Braddick and his few followers - mostly real estate agents desperate to hear his positive view - were right and the doomsayers were wrong.
Here are the facts. Australian average house prices have risen 7.7 per cent in the year to date. (In Melbourne the figure rises to 11 per cent.)
In the statement from the RBA that accompanied the 0.25 percentage point rate rise, our central bankers drily opined: "Housing credit growth has been solid and house prices have risen appreciably over the last six months.’’
Freed from the rigours of ’’central bank speak’’, governor Glenn Stevens might have said: "Believe it or not, banks have been giving loans to home buyers and, blow me over with a feather, house prices have defied global trends and gone up …’’
Braddick, who can speak both central bank speak and English, is not surprised: "We had two key reasons for our position - we believed that Australia was completely different to America where there was this historic housing slump, and, crucially, we believed - and still believe - there is a housing shortage."
The first point now seems achingly obvious: we never had cheap housing loans, we never had loans where the borrower had no responsibility. We did not deserve a US-style slump. The number of people not paying their mortgages in the US at its worst reached 15 per cent - 10 times higher than our comparative figure.
But it’s the second point that matters - and it’s on this issue Braddick and a growing number of commentators are basing renewed optimism for house prices.
Braddick has always maintained that the lack of new home building in our bigger cities would ensure rents and house prices stay high.
Considering the size of our population, about 6500 more houses should be built each month.
And even if you assume the economic model behind this estimate is flawed - maybe the two-decade-long trend of fewer people per home has turned - it has not turned that much. If Braddick is even half right, we have 60,000 houses across the country that must be built in the next five years.
The problem now looming is that a lot of the home builders are fully occupied extending or rebuilding your local school as part of the Rudd stimulus package.
House prices ARE going back up again - it’s not good news for everyone, but as an alternative to a G.F.C, I wouldn’t swap it.<> Check out our fabulous homes for sale on our site...you’d be mad if you didn’t!
FINALISTS 4 REINSW LARGE AGENCY OF THE YEAR + FINALISTS MANLY DAILY BUSINESS ACHIEVER AWARDS!!!
No. It’s not luck or good fortune nor is it just our ’turn’...we see it as recognition for fact that ’we never sleep’, the fact that we work 7 days a week, the fact that we do 3 open homes a week (incl. Saturday and YES even Sunday!) and the fact that we ARE different to any other agency out there (seen our window?).
The Novak Agency was one of only four agencies across New South Wales to be awarded as a finalist for the Real Estate Institute of NSW’s Awards for Excellence.
As if that accomplishment alone wasn’t enough, we have also been voted by the general public as finalists for The Manly Daily Business Achiever Awards.
We are proud to be recognised for the outstanding services that we offer. Much hard work and complete devotion goes into all that we do, from our faultless customer service, where we offer around the clock assistance (we never sleep), to our sensational staff who are all hand picked and clearly the finest in the industry. Our extensive marketing is both highly visual and entertaining, in fact last year we took out Website of the Year. Our marketing is distinct and unlike any other agency.
Come in and see for yourself why we are so highly awarded and nominated. We’re the glamorous looking office on Pittwater Road that doesn’t look like a Real Estate Agency.
Come in for a coffee (a real one of course!),and a chat and allow us to knock your socks off!
In the meantime, browse our award winning website.
WISH US LUCK 4 SATURDAY...WILL WE WIN AGENCY OF THE YEAR?
Saturday night.....do do do do do do do.....Saturday night.....do do do do do do do do......!!!!
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...Real Estate’s night of nights is this coming Saturday night when the whos who of the industry will frock up, hob nob and celebrate each others achievements.
We are up for Large Residential Agency of the Year. Yep! One of only four finalists. This in itself is a massive achievement and to be completely honest we are thrilled to have come this far. Taking out the big title would certainly be the cherry on top.
We would like to wish all finalists the very best of luck for Saturday Night and we will keep our fingers and toes very tightly crossed until we hear the words "....and the winner for Real Estate Agency of the Year goes to ??????????????"....
THE NOVAK AGENCY DELIVERS YOU THE FACTS ABOUT LABOUR DAY!
Labour Day. We love it. It’s a long week-end. A holiday. A drinking day. An excuse to sleep in, go to the beach or paint the house!
So, what is it?
For me, I’ve had 38 labour days (+2 if you factor in my actual days of giving birth to our 2 kids!) and never actually known what a single one of them was for.
I’ve decided it’s time to let the state know exactly why we are so blessed each and every year with yet another day off work...so, here’s the run down.
Labour Day is a public holiday celebrating the achievement of the 8 hour day in the late 1850s. The Stonemasons who believed in eight hours labour, eight hours recreation and eight hours rest, spearheaded the movement: - After a long battle, the unions eventually achieved their aim and held parades to celebrate their victory.
Around Australia the movement pushed for the attainment of this ideal and other trades were invited to participate in the celebrations.
The first parade was held in Melbourne on 21 April 1856. Before this time, workers were required to work 10 to 12 hour days, six days a week.
The five day, 40 hour week was achieved almost a century later in 1948. Today the Labour Day march is a celebration of organised labour’s achievements on behalf of the worker.
Australian states celebrate Labour Day on different days.
A shorter working day is definitely something to celebrate - Happy Labour Day!
LEASE A LUXURY LIFESTYLE!
Let’s face it we all dream of living in the 5 bedroom, 5 bathroom beachfront home with the infinity edge pool however the wage we earn in barely enough to pay the rent let alone the $2 million dollar mortgage.
Dreammmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.......imagine throwing the fishing rod out of your bed to catch the Sunday lunch or checking the surf conditions from your lounge as you flick through the sports channel? For the majority of us, this has only ever been a dream with the tastes of Point Piper with the budget of Penrith!
You may however not need to wait for the Monday night lotto numbers to come up. Your beachfront estate may be a pay cheque away thanks to the global economic crises.
Many multi-million-dollar homes around Sydney are sitting empty, despite their extensive list of extras, such as pools, gyms, wine cellars and entertainment systems.
These properties would normally rent for $2000 + a week and are typically leased to high flying executives and their families seconded to Australia for work.
The financial downturn has meant fewer high-end tenants, which means property managers are slashing rents by up to 30 per cent in some of the city’s most expensive suburbs.
Some agents are even allowing groups of single professionals to move into waterfront mansions – normally frowned upon in this market – just to get the property occupied. One proviso is that they need to be very well paid and come with good references.
It’s a marked contrast to the lower end of the market, where tenants often have had to outbid each other to secure a lease.
It is not uncommon for high-end homes to sit vacant for months with some owners feeling the pressure of not being able to find a high-paying tenant and happy to negotiate the price.
You probably won’t find a lot of bargains advertised although if you surf properties listed from $2000 to $3000 a week, landlords may very well consider any reasonable offer. Let’s face it, it’s better to have a tenant at a negotiated price than none at all.
Steve Martin, president of the Real Estate Institute of NSW believes there are two different markets in Sydney – the vast majority who lease out of need, and the five per cent who do so in search of a lifestyle. He says renting is a good way to “feel the water” in a certain area before committing to a mortgage.
High end luxury rentals will not remain low for long however with many business people from the Northern Hemisphere moving over....
So, why not spoil yourself for the Summer. Live like a Diva, walk around your beach house in the nude while singing your favourite Christmas carols and still have a few extra bucks to buy the wife that tennis bracelet she’s always dreamed of!
BUSY LITTLE BEES AT THE NOVAK AGENCY
It seems that the whole world has come out of hibernation these past few weeks.
We have listed some 15 properties and sold loads more over the past week and a half.
The Novak Agency is in full swing with loads in store for Spring including the unveiling of our "secret weapon"....stay tuned for this one!
As the weather heats up so to is the property market with clearance rates thriving, up by 32% from this time last year.
It’s not just the birds and the bees that’ll be busy this Summer - looks as though we’re in for a bonza of season!!!
Click below to see what fabulous properties we have in store.
Also, be kept in the loop with our Novak email newsletter...so informative, so entertaining, so have to be part of it! E-mail agoutzios@thenovakagency.com and we’ll keep you informed.
PROPERTY INVESTORS - YOU’RE IN THE MONEY!!!
It’s possibly the nation’s best kept secret. Just recently I’ve seen an ad or two on the tellie advising us about the governments stamp duty rebate for NSW Property Investors.
Here’s the drill - people buying newly constructed homes valued up to $600 000 will get a 50% stamp duty cut in a massive stimulus boost to the state’s housing sector. Yep! 50% off.
These changes came into effect 1 July 2009 and should run for at least 6 months with a review on December 31 2009!
There is certainly some movement out there with a baton change between first-home buyers and investors in Sydney’s residential market place certainly starting to take place, but not with the timeliness the State Government had budgeted for.
First-home buyers continue to dominate the market, with new figures showing just 221 investors took up a 50 per cent reduction in state stamp duty in the first six weeks of the scheme.
The figures do show an increase on the 167 investors who bought in the first five weeks of the rebate.
New houses and units worth $94 million have been purchased by investors at a cost of $1.6 million to state revenue.
The Government set aside $64 million to fund the six-month scheme.
First-home buyers seeking to take advantage of the handouts continue to purchase at a rate of about 1750 a week, compared with 36 investors a week.
Meriton, reports that investor inquiry has picked up considerably in recent months at its Victoria Square, Zetland, development.
This is due to the strong market fundamentals investors crave - low vacancy, rising rents, excellent yields and a lack of supply,’’ the sales and marketing manager, James Sialepis, said. "The percentage of investors purchasing our apartments has risen from 10 per cent earlier this year to 40 per cent in recent months.’’
Analysts say a return to the market by nervous investors will be crucial to supporting house prices as the current surge of interest from first-home buyers is expected to peter out.
Many property investors have been anticipating a fall in prices when the government support for first-home buyers is partially reduced next month.
’’The main reason that investors have been on the sideline was that they were concerned about the price side,’’ an economist at Westpac, Matthew Hassan, said. ’’Having a good yield is all very well, but to make the proposition stack up you’ve got to have capital gain.’’
But other signs of life in the property investment market are emerging.
A Westpac survey of consumer sentiment last month showed a big jump in house price expectations among people aged between 35 and 55 - the age of most property investors.
Our advice - getting cracking!
Take advantage of the government’s stamp duty rebate. There are some fabulous bargains out there!
Jump onto our website to see what brilliant investment properties we have available. Click below.
Want more info on the stamp duty rebate for property investors? Just click below.
DUBAI OR DEE WHY - THE NOVAK AGENCY REPORTS WHAT’S HAPPENING IN OUR HOOD!
This photo is actually Dubai, not Dee Why. Some similarities?
You’d have to be living in a bubble to not realise the immense amount of construction happening in Dee Why right now.
Looking down over Dee Why you could almost be excused for thinking your in down town Dubai with cranes, massive craters in the ground and labourers everywhere you turn!
The truth is all the noise, mess and detours that we are encountering is well overdue and will serve to raise property prices for all whom reside in this beach side burb!
The Northern Beaches suburb of Dee Why was somewhat stuck in a time warp from the 1970’s. The fabulous new shopping centres, residential apartments, boutique shops,chic eateries and gourmet shopping villages will place Dee Why on the map as the new "in" place to live.
So what is actually happening around Dee Why?
The Novak Agency has put together a list of what’s behind the large construction walls,the mess and noise:
DEE WHY HOTEL DEVELOPMENT (Otherwise known by the locals as the "Jet Club")
- Sydney architectural firm, Marchese + Partners, have commenced works on a $100 million redevelopment of the Dee Why Hotel on Pittwater Road, one of the biggest developments to be proposed for the Warringah municipality.
- The approval was achieved in the relatively short time frame of 11 months and follows a previous DA that was refused by Council in October 2003.
- The client was congratulated by the General Manager of Warringah Council for “going back to the drawing board,” and selecting Marchese + Partners to design the revised project.
- The project will include a mix of 235 residential units, 2488 square metres of commercial space, a new hotel, 4100 square metre supermarket and accompanying retail, 1400 square metre bottle shop, and 721 car spaces.
- The entire redevelopment will cover 10, 557 square metres of floor space arranged over 6 buildings of various heights, with a landscaped podium for residents’ use.
“We have put a lot of hard work into balancing the needs of future residents, shoppers, and the public whilst creating a development that achieved all the client’s expectations,” says Steve Zappia from Marchese + Partners Architects. “ The complex brief, together with development controls, made it a real challenge to achieve the required floor space on the site, but we managed to accomplish both this and also create a strong urban design that will contribute to the locality in a positive way.”
- Under a recent metropolitan strategy, Dee Why has been identified as a key commercial area, with 17,300 new dwellings planned over the next 25 years to accommodate a 75% increase in the local workforce. Marchese + Partners looks forward to playing an integral role in the continued growth of the area.
THE "EXPLOSION" OF THE DEE WHY TOWN CENTRE
- Dee Why Town Centre will be COMPLETELY transformed from an older style local shopping centre to a modern regional centre.
- One of the buildings to be constructed will be double that of any other building in the Dee Why area!!! "Dee Why is a shambles and something desperately needs to be done about the Town Centre,” said Warringah Council Administrator Dick Persson.
- The new State Government Metropolitan Strategy changes the nature of Dee Why and the amendments to the LEP will allow the area to realise this vision of ‘a major shopping and business centre serving the immediate subregional residential population’.
- The Multiplex proposal and Council’s proposal for the Howard/Oaks Avenue carpark site include large open spaces, a mix of residential, retail and commercial uses with substantial streetscape improvements and underground parking.
- There are a number of features of the Town Centre proposals that offer community benefit:
- The creation of a 2,250 sq/m north facing public plaza
- The generation of capital to allow the provision of a new and expanded library along with a new community centre and facilities for the community services currently operating out of houses in Howard Avenue
- The doubling of the size of Walter Gors Park
- Large increase in the number of public parking spaces
- Bus layover on Pittwater Road
- New traffic arrangements to improve unacceptable delays
THE DEE WHY MARKET
- Situated at 27-33 Oaks Ave, Dee Why, (adjoining Woolworths) The Dee Why Market is the latest "in" place to shop!
- If you like a stunning pizza, delicious pasta or a killer coffee then this is by far the place you need to be!
- A selection of gourmet food stores include a butcher, european deli and the Wild Oats Fruit Shop. A must to try is Hit Cafes coffee, I am addicted!!!
Check out Dee Why Market - http://www.deewhymarket.com.au
KINGSWAY @ DEE WHY
- "Ravello" a 3 story + loft, 13 metres high development with approx. 100 residential units is the Kingsway development in Dee Why.
- Due for completion February 2010.
We wish all of our developers the best of luck and cannot wait until our "little Dubai" in down town Dee Why is unveiled for us all to enjoy!
ALL ABOARD A NOVEL IDEA @ THE NOVAK AGENCY....ALL IN THE NAME OF CHARITY.
PRINTED IN THE MANLY DAILY 24/8/09
OOH, Aaah, my hearties, Jim lad! Dee Why business owners Mark and Lisa Novak are wicked pirates in a new Australian book that has just been released and which also helps an animal charity.
They bid at an auction last year to have their names used as the lead characters in a new Tony Park book called Ivory. Mark is a a modern-day pirate in the book and Lisa is a wench who gets shot.
The couple, who own The Novak Agency in Dee Why, have always liked to support charities and they were keen to help the African rhino."Mark is a very adventurous person so I think that fits his real life character perfectly,” said Lisa who is interested in reading the novel about modern day piracy in Africa. “I believe I get shot so I hope I get resurrected or make it in the book.
“It’s such a unique experience. It’s not like winning a holiday or being the highest bidder for a charity.
“This is actually something we can pass down to our children as well. I think in a sense that makes it even more exciting - to be able to say their parents or grandparents were characters in a book.”
Mr Park writes thrillers set in Africa and tries to weave modern day issues into his novels. In Ivory, modern-day pirate Alex Tremain and his band of ex-military men (including Mark Novak) are looking for one last big heist to fulfil Alex’s dream to go legit and open a hotel off the coast of Mozambique.
“Piracy is on the increase off the coast of Africa and is in the news every second day. As with my other books, I wanted to weave some current affairs into the plot of my latest novel,” Mr Park said.
Mr Park will speak about his book at Belrose library today at 4pm and again at the SAVE Foundation ball and dinner on Saturday, September 5 at the Hunters Hill Sailing Club. Tickets are $90 a head for a two course meal and South African beer and wine. More details:
http://www.savefoundation.org.au
- Kathryn Welling (The Manly Daily)
IF YOU LOVE US, VOTE FOR US! THE NOVAK AGENCY SET TO BE FINALISTS (FINGERS CROSSED) FOR THE MANLY DAILY AWARDS...
It’s on again!
The Manly Daily 2009 Business Achiever Awards.
The Novak Agency have entered into the Real Estate Category.
Here’s the drill.
If you love us (or even just like us) we need your vote. Every single vote counts. The more votes, the more chance we, The Novak Agency have of becoming finalists and then the ULTIMATE...winning.
So, how to vote? It’s simple. Just click on the link below.
Every entry goes into the running to win an indulgent escape to the newly renovated Crowne Plaza Terrigal!!
WE NEED YOUR VOTE.
Thanks guys in advance (we’re blushing)...and we love you too!
THE NOVAK AGENCY HELPS YOU TO FREE UP YOUR CLUTTER 4 FREE
Our friends at Rent a Space self storage have a fab deal for clients of The Novak Agency. Check this out!
They’ll give you one months FREE storage (for the storage unit in Brookvale) and even the use of a truck to move out all that clutter. You must provide 2 helpers.
What a brilliant way to de clutter your home and prepare it for the market.
Want to know more? Click BELOW. This offer is only valid until 31/8/09 so HURRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY.
LOOKING FOR AN OLD FASHIONED REAL ESTATE AGENT? DON’T CALL 1300 4 NOVAK (8978 6888)!!!
So exactly what is it about The Novak Agency that has made us the most popular real estate agency on the Northern Beaches of Sydney?
Could it be the highly visual, highly entertaining marketing that clearly sets The Novak Agency apart from all of it’s competitors? Let’s face it - buying or selling ones home is possibly one of the most nerve wracking experiences one will encounter. It is also one of THE most exciting experiences as well...so why not have some fun with it?!
The Novak Agencies clever use of copy, images, unique marketing, advertising (including the only agency to have the guaranteed back page of The Manly Daily) and signboards are certainly a talking point. It not only captures the audience however also entertains and informs in a way that no other agency has managed to do so.
For any of the millions of cars or passers by that have caught a glimpse of The Novak Agency headquarters, it’s obvious that the offices look far from that of a real estate agency (just visit our website www.thenovakagency.com)!
The agencies motto of ’a step ahead’ is certainly portrayed in their chic, glamorous headquarters ideally positioned right in the hub of Dee Why on Pittwater Road. A stunning chandelier, glass walls, plasma tvs and the sophisticated decor make you feel more as though you’re entering into a 5 star hotel than a real estate office...and so the experience starts........
Looking past the glitz and glamour of the offices, the team that drive the agency are equally as glamorous and all are only the very best in the industry. The team is overly dedicated and live and breathe what they do best! All staff are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, that’s right - we never sleep!!!
Open homes are conducted 3 times a week including a Saturday AND a Sunday open. Makes sense really considering most people are available to inspect a property on a Sunday when generally no one works.
Why not put us to the test? Come and see why we have won so many awards and why we are a finalist for this years 2009 Real Estate Institute of NSW’s (REINSW) Awards for Excellence for a Large Residential Agency.
Call us on 1300 4 NOVAK or 02 8978 6888 24/7 - we never sleep.
Or, if you’re too shy to call jump onto our award winning website www.thenovakagency.com
If you’re up for some fun follow Mark Novak on Twitter www.twitter.com/MarkNovakTNA
Or, if you love great coffee or just want to have a sticky beak at our HQ, come on in...651 Pittwater Rd Dee Why (parking at the rear).
Mark Novak will also be guest speaker at The Westpac First Home Buyers Information Evening. Come and meet Mark, The Novak Agency team, a local Solicitor (for all your legal matters) & our friends at Westpac on Wed. 25 August at 6.30pm.
Click below for details...
R U A FIRST HOME BUYER VIRGIN???
Scared? Inexperienced? Don’t know where to start? Is it your very first time??? Our very own Mark Novak will be a key guest speaker at The Westpac Bank in Dee Why for their First Home Buyer Information Night. Together with a local Solicitor, and of course our friends at Westpac the information evening will cover every query and concern you’ve ever had relating to buying your first home!
. The entire Novak Sales crew will also be on hand to answer any question you could possibly think of. They are not only exceptionally smart and well versed when it comes to real estate, they are all also extremely good looking too!!!
The evening is FREE, yes FREE!!! There is absolutely no obligation. You do however need to RSVP for catering purposes.
This is a fantastic opportunity to come along, ask a million questions, gather copious amounts of information, clear up any grey areas and speak to professionals with years of experience.
WHEN: TUESDAY 15 SEPTEMBER 2009
WHERE: WESTPAC, DEE WHY – 844 PITTWATER ROAD, DEE WHY
TIME: 6.30PM – 7.30PM
RSVP (REQUIRED FOR CATERING): KATHY WILLIS (WESTPAC) 02 9981 5000
Mark Novak will be on hand to walk you through the stages of buying your first property. If you do not own a property, now is the opportune time to buy! Take advantage of the government’s “golden handshake” and come along to what will be a fantastic evening. See you there and before we do, click on the link below to see the fabulous first home buyer properties The Novak Agency has available right now!
10 WAYS TO SEXY UP YOUR HOME $$$
Just as us girls apply the lippie and do the hair before we got out, your home deserves the same treatment when preparing to put it on the market.
This week The Novak Agency gives you 10 very important tips to "pamper" your home and prepare it for market:
1. Give the entrance a make over - You never get a second chance to make a good first impression! An entrance or hallway is the very first thing people lay eyes on when they walk into your home, make sure it impresses!
2. Impress with paint - A coat of paint can work magic on any room. Bright white will immediately give the sense of space and light while a darker, more sultry colour such as a brown or even a bronze will create a fabulous ambiance. A lick of paint is generally quite inexpensive especially if you’re prepared to do the work yourself.
3. Refresh the flooring - give your carpet or floorboards a birthday by either steam cleaning the carpet and/or re sanding and varnishing the floorboards. They’ll come up a treat! If you decide to rip up old carpet and find old dirty floorboards underneath, mix up a solution of boiled linseed oil, turpentine and white vinegar in equal parts and test a patch with a lint-free cloth to clean and feed the timber.
If the wood looks good, you may have unearthed a gem.
Should you decide to replace old carpet with new, The Little Doer’s will come to you with a van stacked full of samples and will even quote you on the spot...they’re very competitive too!
4. A quickie on the kitchen - A fab way to quickly upgrade your kitchen is to replace old handles with new. Large hardware stores have a huge variety of handles and knobs some which are very inexpensive.
5. Splash out on a splash back - These don’t always have to expensive glass splash backs even though these look great. Try re tiling just one wall with some glass,silver or bronze mosiacs or even just a nice coloured tile. This will lift the whole feel of the kitchen.
6. Cosy it up with cushions, candles, throws & soft furnishings - cushions and any type of soft furnishing such as throws and rugs make a massive difference to a room. They add coziness, colour and create atmosphere. Freedom has a great range of cushions to enhance every room. A throw is not only fabulous to snuggle up to on a cold winters night it’s also a great disguise for a haggered looking lounge or chair. Add a lamp or two and/ or a few mirrors. They give the illusion of space and will open up a dark, narrow area while lamps give a warm, inviting light. Candles add warmth and a soft, glowing light...light scented candles and little tea lights to create an unforgettable atmosphere, just be careful where you leave them!
7. Wash the windows - it’s incredible what a huge difference clean windows make to a home. Try using one part white vinegar to 2 parts hot water, works a treat...Your home will sparkle!
8. Give the bathroom a birthday - ok, so you may not have the budget to replace the entire bathroom so why not look at just getting a new shower screen, shower curtain or tap ware. These days you can even re coat the bath and sink for a quick, inexpensive fix. If the budget still doesn’t allow for this ... then why not look at buying some nice new fresh hand towels and mat. A bottle of bleach works like magic in a bathroom too! Smells great and your bathroom will be clean as a whistle.
9. Groom the garden - Presuming you have one....get out the garden gloves and get stuck into the weeds. Your local nursery is a great place to head to pick up some soil, plants and pots. White pebbles and even bark work wonders in a garden that might look a little old and drab. If it’s a balcony or courtyard that you have...white or black pots with succulents surrounded with white pebbles will certainly give a nice, modern lift and add some greenery at the same time.
10. Groom with a broom, every room - Nobody likes mess. Grab the broom, grab the bin and start chucking and sweeping every corner of your home. De clutter everything, open windows, curtains, blinds and doors and let the rays of the sun illuminate and transform your home. Use nice smelling disinfectants and room deodorises especially in bathrooms! Who doesn’t love a clean home?
Once last tip....soft music and the smell of coffee....it’ll win over anyone!
THE NOVAK AGENCY ONE OF FOUR FINALISTS FOR A LARGE RESIDENTIAL AGENCY 2009!!!
Roll out the red carpet and start chilling that champa’s cause there is certainly lot’s to celebrate.
Last week The Novak Agency was notified that we are finalists for the Real Estate Institute of NSW’s (REINSW) Awards for Excellence 2009 for Residential Agency - Large. This is the 2nd year running that we have been nominated for this award!
Considering we have only entered these awards twice and have become finalists both times, that must be saying something about The Novak Agency!
Literally hundreds of agencies (some of them large national brands!) enter into these awards and it is a real honour that an independent agency such as ours is recognised for it’s achievements.
The Novak Agency is always thinking outside the square and is certainly not your average "orthodox" real estate agency. The consumer without a doubt always comes first and the marketing is highly informative, highly visual and highly entertaining...just check out our infamous, very visual shop window on Pittwater Road!
We hear you asking what are we doing to be continually recognised for our achievments?
1. We never sleep. We are available for you 24/7.
2. 3 open for inspections a week including Sunday open houses.
3. Our stunning, chic and highly visible headquarters. Yes! We are that fabulous looking office on Pittwater Rd Dee Why (the real estate office that doesn’t look like one)that has millions of cars passing by each year!
4. Our staff are absolutely, 100%, second to none...and all very good looking (ha)! They all know their stuff and have been in the industry for a long, long time. The Novak Agency team all have a passion for real estate, love their jobs and are all local "Northern Beachies"
5. The Novak Agency marketing is very different to that of any other agency. It’s fresh, highly visual, entertaining and looks fantastic. We like to do things differently.
6. All advertising is included! Yes you heard it...we do not charge for our marketing. Why should you pay, when we will?! Gives you more money to spend on your new home!
7. We treat you like real people...the way we would want to be treated. No hard selling, just warmth and love. No, seriously...we are here to help you and guide you with your sale and/or purchase in an honest, informative, professional manner. Purchasing, selling or renting your home should be an exciting experience, it’s our job to ensure that it is!
8. We make the best coffee in town. Come in, have a chat and a peek at the office...(if for nothing else it’ll give you some great tips on designing your next home!). We’d love to meet you!
The big gala REINSW dinner is in October where we find our if we win the 2009 Large Residential Agency of the year. Truth is, we are just so thrilled to be nominated as Finalists and the fact that The Novak Agency was chosen out of hundreds of other agencies is just mind blowing!
So for now onto the next big project.....finding something to wear! ahhhhhhhhhhhhh.
THE NOVAK AGENCY DOES IT AGAIN>>>2009 FINALISTS FOR A LARGE RESIDENTIAL AGENCY, REINSW AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE...YAHOOOO!
Hot off the press, The Novak Agency has just been announced as finalists for the REINSW 2009 Awards for Excellence for a Large Residential Agency. This is the second year and considering that we have only entered these awards twice, this is a remarkable effort. Must say something for our agency. Why not call us 8978 6888 (24/7 - mwe never sleep!) or better still drop in for a real coffee and see for yourself...
DEE WHY HOME PRICES ON THE RISE!
Click on the PDF attachment to see just how well Dee Why properties have been performing...
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MARK NOVAK UNCUT
So you’re all very familiar with The Novak Agency as a brand however what we have come to realise is that many of you do not actually know the face behind the brand.
Mark Novak is the founder of The Novak Agency who at the ripe age of 23 created what is now one of Sydney finest real estate agencies.
Mark recognised that in a massive industry such as real estate, his fellow colleagues all seemed to be sowing the same seeds, walking the same walk and talking the same talk. To this end Mark decided to focus The Novak Agency on going against the grain and concentrated on offering clients products and services that were ‘a step ahead’ of his competitors.
Mark intentionally went out of his way to identify the voids within the industry that traditionally are accepted by real estate agents and their customers.
To be a step ahead, Mark ensures that The Novak Agency continually trials and implements more proficient, more technologically advanced and more entertaining ways to improve the products and services of the agency.
The priority of always being a step ahead was chosen with a non chivalrous approach.
Mark Novak wanted to offer the community a silver service approach to real estate while at the same time educate and entertain the general public with what should be a pleasurable and exciting experience, not a stressful or unforgettable one.
What to know more about Mark?
Follow Mark’s every move on www.twitter.com/MarkNovakTNA
Sure to be highly informative and entertaining... Here’s some other interesting facts you might like to know about Mark WHAT I DO AT NOVAKS: Apart from many fabulous facets such as listing, selling and managing peoples homes building life long relationships and an amazing brand are Marks focuses. BEST WORLDLY EXPERIENCE: Meeting my wife WORST HABIT: Having no fear, and walking around the house with my business socks hanging half off my feet (really frustrates my wife) TALENT (S): I still don’t know, can not play any sports, can not play any instrument, can not draw, not any good at writing, don’t like reading books, was very naughty at school......hmmmm running a real estate business?
“LOGIC WILL GET YOU FROM A TO B -
IMAGINATION WILL TAKE YOU EVERYWHERE.” Albert Einstein
The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways , but narrower viewpoints.
We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time.
We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but ess wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.
We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life. We’ve added years to life not life to years.
We’ve been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor.
We conquered outer space but not inner space. We’ve done larger things, but not better things.
We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We’ve conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We’ve learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes.
Keep Albert Einstein fresh in your minds when buying or selling a property. Chances are logic will limit your potential to create your dreams.
Utilising your imagination will enable you to transform that backyard into a blissful balinese resort or turn that hideous old bathroom into a haven for relaxation complete with a luxury spa...using your imagination will help you to think outside the square and open your mind to opportunities that you never believed existed!!!
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IT’S OUR BIRTHDAY - 8 YEARS OF ROCK SOLID SUCCESS!!!
WOW! It’s hard to believe it’s been 8 years since The Novak Agency was conceived.
What merely started out as a dream "my dream" has now transformed into one of the Northern Beaches largest and most well respected real estate agencies.
Upon leaving school like most kids I had absolutely no idea what my calling in life was. My Dad had worked in real estate his entire life so it was always in my blood and as I had never really succeeded at school (sssh don’t tell my Mum that!), I thought that perhaps I’d give selling houses a try, how hard could it be after all?
I stumbled across my very first job after "talking up" my previous real estate experiences before moving onto a well known firm in Harbord on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. It was here that I learnt the many tricks of the trade and realised that late nights out with friends and working in the real estate industry did not mix well.
My life which had then consisted of 2 days of work and 5 days of partying had swiftly taken a turn and I soon found myself working 6 days a week and copious amounts of late nights. Strangely enough I was loving it! The thrill and deep satisfaction that came with helping people put a smile on their faces was priceless and later on to be my life long ambition.
After working in the industry for only 2 years I had soon purchased my very first investment property.
An opportunity to buy into part of the Company’s rent roll where I was working had also arisen and within time I was to become the major share holder of the rent roll.
At the young age of 25 when most of my friends were still looking for careers, I decided to take a huge gamble and open my own independent agency in Dee Why known as The Novak Agency.
I recognised that there was a huge niche in the market, especially amongst the Northern Beaches market, for an upmarket, upbeat agency offering a highly professional service that made the buying, selling and renting process a fun and exciting one. These were to be the main ingrediants that went into culminating The Novak Agency.
Now looking back, it’s mind blowing to think that what was the old ’Shephards Pie Shop and Neffie’s Kebabs is now the very chic Novak Agency HQ, unlike any other real estate office.
In the past 8 years, we have won a multitude of awards including website of the year last year, we have one of the largest rent rolls on the Northern Beaches and continue to achieve results for our clients that well exceed their expectations.
Staff now approach me and The Novak Agency has become a highly respected household name on the Northern Beaches and throughout Sydney.
Without The Novak Agency team and my family this dream would never have come to fruition.
Moving into our 9th year of trade we have many more exciting plans which will take The Novak Agency to whole new level.
We invite you to come and see why we are so highly awarded and respected and hope we can be part of forming your dream in the same way so many have aided in forming mine.
SUPER DOOPER SUNDAY AUCTIONS - DEE WHY & NARRAWEENA - SOLD!!!
Last Sunday saw massive turn outs of people at both auctions held by The Novak Agency. The first property to go under the hammer was a fabulous property in Alfred Street, Narraweena which saw the price soar $80 000 above reserve. Second on the list was a fabulous property set on a mammoth block in Lynwood Avenue in Dee Why. Crowds of people, both onlookers and bidders flooded the Lynwood Avenue home which was also sold under the hammer. This Saturday, The Novak Agency has a rare gem going under the hammer. A beach side home in Oaks Avenue Dee Why. The auction will be held at 3pm and we expect a huge turn out of people.
FIXED RATE FEVER!!! - The Novak Agency shows you all the right moves.
It’s almost like a Poker game or choosing which horse to back! Everyones punting these days with the big question of fixed of flexible???
The massive rush in homeowners seeking to lock in their mortgage rates, makes the David Jones mid year sale look rather grim in comparison!
Before you take the plunge, here’s a question you need to ask yourself! Are you a betting person? Fixing interest rates is basically gambling with your bank - there must be one winner and one loser.
Casinos arrange games to ensure the house wins. You may beat the house short term… but we all know long term that gamblers lose. It’s much the same way with fixing rates, according to research. Figures released a year ago by the mortgage industry concluded that a person was better off on a variable rate 83% of the time and that in 27 years of recorded figures you would have paid less interest with a variable product than with a fixed; in the majority of instances.
Simply put… when you are offered a fixed rate from a bank they are inviting you to sit in on their equivalent of a casinos betting table and statistically speaking you have only a 17% chance of a win!
The advantage however of fixing your interest rates is in the certainty it offers. If the thought of your variable rate loan increasing keeps you awake at night maybe you should fix. Remember that your new risk will be that you have an 83% chance of paying for your new found peace of mind.
Last Friday the cheapest three-year fixed rate on offer was 5.35% from Satisfac Credit Union. While the lowest variable rate of the major banks remained at 5.74%, their three-year fixed rates have shot out as high as 6.69 per cent.
It does seem however that loads more people are opting for the safer bet of fixing rates.
Before you take the punt we at The Novak Agency suggest you gather all your facts and work out how big a bet you’d like to place. Keeping it flexible is almost certainly the cheaper option, however if you find that this option may cause many a sleepless night then perhaps you should look at fixing your rate or even doing a split loan where you can have part of your loan fixed and part of it flexible.
For more info The Novak Agency recommends checking out www.xinc.net.au
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STAMP DUTY SURPRISE 4 SECOND HOME BUYERS!!!
Seems it’s not only first home buyers that are getting to have their cake and eat it too!
If you’re a SECOND HOME BUYER or an investor, have we got some good news for you!
It seems in an effort to pump up the housing construction sector, the New South Wales government will be offering a massive discount to those people buying NEWLY CONSTRUCTED homes worth under $600,000, that 50% less stamp duty, a saving of up to $11,245!!! The deal will be axed on December 31.
This golden government giveaway, is fabulous news for those of us who are "experienced" home buyers and may already own or already purchased our first property. This deal is NOT available to first home buyers as they already pay no stamp duty on properties under $500,000.
NSW treasurer, Mr Eric Roozendaal described the measure as a "kickstart for the housing construction industry that will support employment in every part of the state".
Now, if you’re looking for the ideal second home or investment under $600 000 and wish to take advantage of the 50% discount on stamp duty, you MUST visit The Novak Agency’s website. Just click on the link below.
Why not join the rest of the world and follow The Novak Agency on Twitter. Just click on the link below.
FIRST HOME BUYERS GONE WILD!!!
It seems that the "in" place for 25-35 year olds to be seen these days is at open houses!
The first home buyers market has swelled to the highest level on record, data out today shows.
"There was a lull in the market for a short period of around 4 weeks and it's gone absolutely crazy again", reports Mark Novak of The Novak Agency in Dee Why.
First home buyers now make up 28 per cent of all dwellings financed, which is the largest proportion recorded since the Australian Bureau of Statistics began collecting the data in 1991.
The number of housing loan approvals rose by 0.9 per cent in April, the seventh monthly rise in a row. The figure was still below market expectations of a 1.5 per cent increase.
"Our stock levels are now nice and high again and we have found that certain properties have been sold prior to even hitting the market. Some properties we could have sold ten times over, there has been such enormous interest in them", says Mark Novak.
Westpac senior economist Andrew Hanlan said the deadline was encouraging first home buyers to rush to the market.
"Where other investors have more time to make their decision, the nature of the (first home grant) deadline means they have to bring forward those decisions," he said.
Mr Hanlan said there was a "dramatic improvement" in housing affordability, with variable mortgage rates still at their lowest since 1968.
Now here's some juicy "goss". If you are in the market for your first home and have not yet purchased one, you really need to get a move along.
Interest rates are somewhat unpredictable and there does not seem to be enough first home buyer properties to keep up with the demand.
Join the first home buyer party!!!
The Novak Agency, Dee Why has stacks of brilliant first home buyer properties in very affordable locations such as Collaroy, Dee Why, Manly and Freshwater.
Click below for a full list of properties for sale.
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WHAT RECESSION? THE NOVAK AGENCY TALKS ABOUT WHERE THE RECESSION WENT...
Could it be that Australia is the wonder from downunder after having out-performed all other industrialised nations in the quarter by a hefty margin.
The Aussie economy expanded by 0.4 per cent in the March quarter after contracting by a revised 0.6 per cent in the December quarter.
While this may not spark dancing in the streets, it clearly is fabulous news that Australia has officially side stepped the recession.
Every other major developed economy went into reverse in a big way in the first three months of the year but Australia actually grew. Much of the credit for Australia’s resilience must be given to the swift actions of the Reserve Bank and the Government in stimulating our economy. And the weaker Aussie dollar played a key role in boosting the competitiveness of our exports.
If the near-death experience of the economy has taught us anything it is not to count your chickens before they hatch. Forecasts for economic growth and unemployment are just that – forecasts. Forecasts inevitably miss their mark and that’s why businesses and consumers should spend more time looking at their balance sheets than worrying about what may happen.
One thing is clear, Australia was very good at talking itself into a recession. Our economic conditions were nowhere near as bad as other parts of the globe, but somehow we all thought they were as bad. If Australians focus on the opportunities that lie ahead then the rebound should be much quicker and stronger.
Aussie, aussie, aussie....oi oi oi!!!
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ALLOW THE NOVAK AGENCY TO HELP YOU BUY YOUR CASTLE THIS QUEENS LONG WEEK-END!!!
So maybe you don’t have 320 million pounds tucked away in your bank account like Queen Elizabeth however that shouldn’t deter you from purchasing your Northern Beaches ’castle’.
With all fingers pointing upwards, it appears that the property market will be inflating in the not so distant future.
The lowest interest rates in almost 50 years, combined with an extension of the beefed-up First Home Owner Grant, have provided ripe conditions for young buyers.
But analysts say investors will flood the market after the grant is halved on September 30. Prices, already inflated at the bottom end of the market, will rise further.
Australian Property Monitors economist Matthew Bell said market conditions were ideal and there was no better time to buy.
"Now is a good time for first-home buyers,’’ he said.
"You’re not going to get interest rates this low for a long time and they will probably still be around for another year."
The Novak Agency has a massive range of properties for sale in and around Dee Why, Manly, Collaroy, and Freshwater many of which are ideal first home buyer properties. For a full list of properties for sale, click on the link below.
The Novak Agency are opened both Saturday & Sunday of the Queens Birthday long week-end.
Visit the website for open times or view the back page of The Manly Daily. Call 1300 4 NOVAK or 89786888 24/7 - we never sleep!
Follow The Novak Agency on Twitter...www.twitter.com/thenovakagency
THE MOMENT IS NOW!...to buy that property!!!
As reported by domain.com.au , all the indications are that property prices are set to rise soon, so now is a good time to buy or fix your loan.
It’s often said that when it comes to buying residential property, it’s time in the market, not timing the market, that counts most.
In the broad sense, this is true. With costs like stamp duty and agent’s fees, it’s too expensive to trade in and out of property very often. What’s more, a typical property cycle takes at least seven years to complete its circle, so selling prematurely could mean missing out on substantial capital growth.
If you’re buying a property specifically for investment, however, timing your entry into the market can make financial sense. As an investor, your ideal aim is to buy the best quality asset, with the highest rental income, at the lowest interest rate possible. The higher your income and the lower your expenses, the greater your cashflow will be. And the greater your cashflow, the better your opportunity to put the extra funds towards paying down debt and shoring up your equity position.
The current point in the property market cycle is a prime example of this principle. After rising rapidly in 2006 and 2007, rents stabilised during 2008. According to Australian Property Monitors, the median rent for Melbourne houses increased marginally in the 12 months to March 2009, from $340 to $350 per week. The median weekly rent for units and apartments fared slightly better, rising from $300 to $320.
It’s reasonable to presume that rents have reached their peak in the current cycle. Would-be first home buyers make up a substantial proportion of tenants, and there are signs that many of them are beginning to move from the rental market to the home-buyer market.
In my observations of market activity, auctions of apartments in inner suburban areas such as Toorak, Richmond and Elwood are attracting as many as 200 people. Most of the bidders are first home buyers. The more bidders, the stronger the competition – resulting in clearance rates of around 70 to 80 per cent in many cases.
Large auction turnouts and high clearance rates are a strong indication that property market values will soon begin to climb at the lower end of the market. This anecdotal evidence is backed up by recent statistics. Preliminary results from RP Data show that the median price for all Melbourne dwellings rose by 1.9 per cent in the three months to February this year. This compares with a modest fall of 1.75 per cent during the previous 12 months. Because investors generally operate in the same price bracket as first home buyers, it makes sense to buy before competition takes hold and prices gather momentum.
At the same time as rents are stabilising and property prices are beginning to move, interest rates appear to be bottoming out. After a series of deep cuts to the official cash rate in late 2008 and early 2009, the Reserve Bank’s most recent cut (last month) was a more modest 0.25 per cent. It’s possible the bank may keep the current rate on hold until the effects of previous rate cuts and the government’s economic stimulus initiatives become clear.
Just as significantly, the nation’s larger retail banks have begun increasing their fixed home loan rates. In setting fixed rates, retail banks make an educated bet about the future direction of the Reserve Bank’s cash rate. Higher fixed rates indicate that lenders believe the economy will turn the corner in the short to medium term, the Reserve Bank’s rate cuts may soon cease, and the cash rate will begin rising once again.
What all this means for property investors is pretty clear. It’s worth considering fixing all or part of your loan before the variable rate begins to climb once more.
If you’re an existing investor with good tenants, it’s sensible to sign them up on a long lease to lock in your current rental income before first home buyers leave the rental market enmasse and rents begin to soften.
If you intend to invest, the remainder of 2009 is a good time to buy.
In summary
* For investors, timing market entry makes financial sense.
* The best time to buy is when rents are peaking and interest rates are bottoming out.
* The lower end of the market is showing early signs of recovery.
* The remainder of 2009 represents ideal buying conditions for investors.
The Novak Agency has sensational properties for sale…. Click below to go through to their properties for sale...
BUY YOUR PIECE OF NORTHERN BEACHES PIE - HOME CONSTRUCTION & LAND SALES @ RECORD HIGHS
Seems we’re returning to the good old days with vacant blocks of land being snapped up now more than ever and it seems that more home buyers are looking to build their dream home than buy an existing dwelling.
In just the past seven months, loans to build new homes have risen by 42 per cent to record highs.
For those looking to live in, rather than invest in, new dwellings, lending demand is up across the board. It’s not just loans to buy existing homes that are being taken up but more loans are being taken out for renovations.
And loans to buy vacant blocks of land are at record highs.
While investors are dragging their heels, it won’t be too long before they get the message that the housing market is gaining momentum.
First home buyers now have another six months to embrace the generous grants from the government. If recent enthusiasm to buy and build is any guide, the home construction sector will be at the forefront of the economic recovery.
The sharp rise in dwelling construction is clearly good news. The rental market has been super-tight for a number of years but finally supply is catching up to the latest demand.
You would think that living in a country that has so much land it would be a piece of pie to snap up your little slither of paradise however not so in many areas of the Northern Beaches.
Vacant blocks of land are rather hard to come by however pockets of land can still be found in Warriewood, Mona Vale and Beacon Hill.
These generally sell very fast so leaving your details with The Novak Agency is definately the best way to go! Also keep an eye out on the website as this is constantly updated...
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ARE YOU LIVING IN A BUBBLE? THE NOVAK AGENCY TALKS ABOUT ’THE’ BUDGET
Hmmmmmmm....something very exciting must be on tv on a Tuesday as sooooo many people seemed to have "missed" watching the budget!
For those of our lovely friends who seem to be living in a bubble, last Tuesday night saw the announcement of the 2009 budget with some very important facts for first home buyers!
Surprisingly it was uncovered at many of our open homes over the week-end that most keen lookers had no idea that the first home buyer grant had been extended!!!
So, here we go! Your good friends at The Novak Agency are here to give you the heads up on what the budget means for you if you are a first homie...
The grant varies from state to state however here in NSW the grant has increased for First-home owners entering contracts between July 1 and September 30. You will continue to receive the boost of $7000 if you’re buying an established home and $14,000 for those wishing to buy a new home. The boost will halve for those of you entering into new contracts from October 1 until December 31, with those buying established homes receiving $3500 while those buying new homes will receive $7000!!!
Now that we’ve loaded you with this vital information it’s important that we emphasise the urgency to purchase your first property!
Let’s face it....there are literally thousands of scouters out there and you’re all looking for the same thing. Supply simply cannot keep up with demand right now so if it’s a brilliant buy you’re after at a brilliant price we suggest you get snapping! Alternatively it may take you some time to find your perfect home, leave yourself ample time to look around. In addition, it does take time to arrange finance so don’t be leaving all your paperwork until the eleventh hour.
Now...we have some of the most desirable first home buyer properties on the market. If you can see yourself living in Freshwater, Collaroy, Dee Why, Manly and beyond then you need to call us!
Click below for a full list of The Novak Agencies properties for sale...or call us 1300 4 NOVAK or 8978 6888 24/7 - we never sleep!
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FIRST HOME BUYER BOOST GETS A BOOST!!!
As reported in the news.com.au story FIRST-home buyers rushing to sign contracts before July can relax with news the first-home owner’s boost will be extended in full for three months. After September, those entering the market will be eligible for half the boost until the end of the year.
First-home owners entering contracts between July 1 and September 30 will continue to receive the boost of $7000 if they are buying established homes and $14,000 to buy new homes.
Combined with the First Home Owners Scheme grant, this means first-time buyers will get a total of $14,000 when they buy established homes and $21,000 for new homes.
The boost will halve for those entering into new contracts from October 1 until December 31, with those buying established homes receiving $3500 while those buying new homes will receive $7000.
This means the former will get a total of $10,500 and the latter will receive $14,000 when combined with the $7000 first-home owner’s grant.
The highly anticipated move, which will help stimulate housing activity and construction, will cost the Government $539 million over three years.
So far, the first-home owner’s boost has helped 59,000 Australians buy their first home.
Kate Gorst, 23, has been caught up in the crush of first-home buyers for months and is relieved some of the immediate pressure will now be taken off.
“When people were talking about the rental crisis it made us realise you might as well buy and now we’ve been going through a rush to buy,” she said.
Ms Gorst is living with her parents at St Marys but is keen to take advantage of the boost before the year is up and buy an existing home around the $400,000 mark.
But she is worried the continuation of the boost will further inflate the price of homes in the Hills District of NSW, where she has been looking.
“People are boosting their prices and there are a million people everywhere you go,” she said.
“We have now started to branch out to the St Clair area, near Penrith, so we can buy a place and renovate instead.”
The Novak Agency has your first home buyer property! Now the race is on…hurry! Check out our stock...CLICK BELOW
THE NOVAK AGENCY SETS THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON BUYING, EXCHANGING & SETTLING BEFORE JUNE 30!
So much confusion, so many fallacies, so many wrong answers!
The Novak Agency is here to set the record straight on purchasing a property before the First Home Buyer Grant ’officially’ ends on June 30.
We have put together a little list of the most commonly asked questions that we are certain will clear up all sorts of topics on buying and selling prior to June 30:
1. DO I NEED TO HAVE SETTLED OR JUST EXCHANGED ON A PROPERTY BEFORE JUNE 30 IN ORDER TO STILL GET THE GRANT?
The great news is you only need to have EXCHANGED on the property, not settled!!!!
2. IF I WANT TO BUY A BRAND NEW PROPERTY, DOES IT NEED TO BE BUILT BY 30 JUNE IN ORDER FOR ME TO STILL BE ABLE TO GET THE GRANT?
NO! However the construction of the property must be due to commence within 6 months of signing the contract and must be completed within 18 months from that commencement.
3. WHEN DO I NEED TO START REPAYING MY LOAN ON A NEW/OFF THE PLAN PROPERTY?
The great news is....not until you settle. No repayments are necessary until the property settles!
4. ARE THERE ANY OTHER FIRST HOME BUYER FINANCIAL SUPPLEMENTS?
YES! There are some other financial supplements that many people may not know of such as the NSW New Home Buyers Supplement and also heavily reduced and even completely exempt Stamp Duty concessions! For further info go to http://www.firsthome.gov.au/ then select your state.
5. IS NOW STILL A GOOD TIME TO PUT MY PROPERTY ON THE MARKET?
YES! There are still loads of buyers scouting around frantically wishing to make a purchase. REMEMBER the EXCHANGE needs to take place by June 30 not the SETTLEMENT.
6. WHAT ABOUT STAMP DUTY?
Stamp duty is exempt on properties up to $500 000 i.e YOU PAY NO STAMP DUTY AT ALL Stamp duty comes into effect on properties with a value of $500 000 or more however MASSIVE stamp duty concessions apply i.e on a property priced $510 000 the stamp duty usually would be $18 440 however with the new government grant YOU ONLY PAY $2249....that is a saving of $16191.00.
Want to know more? Call The Novak Agency on 1300 4 NOVAK OR 8978 6888. We’re here to help 24/7 - we never sleep!
We also have some fantastic first home owner properties all around the Northern Beaches of Sydney....Dee Why, Collaroy, Freshwater, Queenscliff! Check them out, they WILL NOT last....
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THE RACE IS ON - 57 DAYS TO GO!
Ready, set, go!
If you’re reading this chances are you’re a first home buyer who hasn’t yet purchased your first home! Right?
Well, you have 57 days to buy that home! Why rent when you could be paying the same, if not less, and own your home!
Our lovely PM is literally handing you money on a platter to purchase your first home and with interest rates at an all time low, it is THE absolute best time to buy your very own home.
For those looking to buy an already existing property, you’ll be given $14000.00 and for a brand new property you’ll get a whopping $21 000.00.
To make things ridiculously clear we have written a very clear & simple list of facts for the first home buyer...
1. You must be an Australian Citizen or Resident and have never previously owned a property
2. The grant varies from state to state however here in NSW the grant has increased (until 30 June 2009) to $14000 for existing residences (not newly built) and $21 000 for an unlived in or brand new residence
3. The Government gives you the first home buyers grant in the form of cash to add to your deposit and this is usually paid for at the time of settlement
4. If you wish to apply for the grant go to www.osr.nsw.gov.au and fill in the application form
5. Stamp duty is exempt on properties up to $500 000 i.e YOU PAY NO STAMP DUTY AT ALL
6. Stamp duty comes into effect on properties with a value of $500 000 or more however MASSIVE stamp duty concessions apply i.e on a property priced $510 000 the stamp duty usually would be $18 440 however with the new government grant YOU ONLY PAY $2249....that is a saving of $16191.00
7. For more info on stamp duty and for an idiots guide to discounts applying to stamp duty go to www.mortgageworldaustralia.com.au/Assets/firsthmplusNSW.pdf. We have loads of fantastic first home buyer properties. Like the rest of Sydney, take advantage of the governments golden handshake
Check out The Novak Agency ad on the back page of The Manly Daily, surf our site for all of our latest properties or call us on 1300 4 NOVAK (or 8978 6888) to tell us exactly what you want, we’ll find it for you. We work 24/7....we never sleep!
MOTHERS DAY GIFTS SOLD HERE!
PRICES START FROM $300 000.
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THERE IS LIFE AFTER JUNE 30! THE NOVAK AGENCY TALKS ABOUT PROPERTY POST 30 JUNE...
The sad fact is that all good things must come to end and irrespective of whether Mr Rudd chooses to extend the first home buyers grant past June 30 or not, the truth is the bubble will have to burst eventually!
So, while many of us our placing bets on whether or not the grant will come to a grinding halt come 30 June, many people are interested to know exactly what will happen to the market when the "party" ends.
There is no doubt that the first home buyers grant has served it’s purpose and has made the lower end of the property market very um hyperactive so to speak. The question on everyones lips is....can the property market stand tall without the government grant propping it up?
In times such as these when the world is in the brink of a recession, there is still a heck of alot of people out there with cash under their mattresses.
With the crash of the stock market many investors pulled their money out of shares and are re investing it into the property market which is by far a very solid, fabulous long term investment.
It is these investors that will keep the property market bopping along at a steady pace!
Media reports show that blue chip areas such as pockets of the Eastern Suburbs, Northern Beaches and the lower North Shore are all remaining rock solid, particularly at the lower end of the market. Additionally, the grant may come to an end come June 30 however let’s not forget that interest rates are still ridiculously low - take advantage of a property purchase based on that fact alone!
Hey, 3 years ago if someone told you they would loan you money for purchasing a property at 5%, who wouldn’t have jumped at the opportunity!!!
The Novak Agencies tip - DON’T PANIC! If you can, take advantage of the grant....there’s only 69 days to go until it officially ends. You can buy some fantastic properties at great prices!
Right now...the market is insane. There are literally thousands of first homie scouters out there wanting to grab a piece of the pie and rightly so...there are some fabulous purchases on hand.
The Novak Agency has some incredible first home buyer properties located in Dee Why, Collaroy and Freshwater. Check them out or call us on 1300 4 NOVAK or 8978 6888 - 24/7, we never sleep!
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THE NOVAK AGENCY FINALISTS FOR NATIONAL REAL ESTATE AWARDS
Well we were kind of chuffed that we made it this far!
As first timers entering into the REIA (Real Estate Industry of Australia) National Awards for Excellence, we were naturally feeling a little special making it through to the national finals for the Communications Awards.
Having taken out the state award, we were grinning from ear to ear when we were asked to submit for the national awards!
We didn’t take out the award this year however look out for 2010! We must say though we felt pretty pleased with ourselves making it as far as we did!
Thank you REIA, we felt priviledged to be sitting amongst some of the best in the industry and what a fabulous night! See you next year.
Read The Manly Daily article published 20/4/09
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SUPERSIZE ME! THERE’S NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO UPSIZE YOUR PROPERTY...
SUPER SIZE!!!.....Famous words for those of us who are fortunate enough to dine at McDonalds. These words were also made famous by independant film maker Morgan Spurlock who made millions of dollars with his film "Supersize me" where he limits himself to only eating McDonalds over a 30 day period and had to supersize his meal each and every time he was asked.
For those that have had the pleasure of dining at McDonalds, we know that there is great value in supersizing or upsizing our meal(apart from the extra kg’s we add to our waistlines). Generally we’ll only have to part with a dollar or so for the pleasure!
Surprisingly enough this exercise rings true right here, right now with the Sydney property market.
As crazy as it sounds now has never been a better time to supersize your home especially on the Northern Beaches. Let’s look at it this way. The lower end of the property market, say up to the $500 000 mark is on the move right. For those of you sitting on property in this price bracket, you’re laughing. Lower end home owners.....it’s a great time for you to sell up, cash up and supersize your home especially for those of you living in Dee Why, Collaroy, Freshwater and the surrounding suburbs. Upgrading from the lower price bracket to the medium price bracket is very achievable right now as the middle price bracket has remained stagnant and therefore the jump from say a $500 000 unit to a $750 000 townhouse is now VERY feasible.
Surprisingly the same tune rings true for those supersizing your homes from the middle range price bracket to the high end range of living. Luxury housing in Sydney has actually dropped over the past six months making it therefore much more attainable for the medium level home owners to upgrade their homes with a relatively small (if any) jump in mortgage repayments.
Another fabulous reason to supersize your home right now is to of course to take full advantage of the 60 year all time low interest rates now sitting around 5%.
The market will certainly not stay this way forever. Now is an opportune time to take advantage of a fantastic market and utilise the opportunity to supersize your standard of living today and live in that home you always dreamed of.
We have your home.
Call us on 1300 4 NOVAK or 8978 6888.
24/7.
We never sleep.
THE NOVAK AGENCY - YOUR "SUPERSIZE ME" SPECIALISTS LOCATED ON THE NORTHERN BEACHES OF SYDNEY. To check out The Novak Agency blog. Click below. To follow The Novak Agency on Twitter. Click below.
THE NOVAK AGENCIES ALL TIME SALES RECORD SMASHED LAST MONTH! SALES UP BY 30%!
There’s no doubt the whole recession thing is real. Revenue is down. Unemployment is up. We’re circling the drain, definitely, we’re not arguing with anybody about that. It’s the worst black hole since all those black and white pictures were taken during the depths of the century just past.
However it’s got to be one of the weirdest recession/depressions on record. We spent our Easter week-end spontaneously jumping into the car to take the kids away for a few days. Restaurants were overflowing, shops had people queuing on the footpaths and most accommodation had No Vacancy signs flashing in bright red neon lights.
As for The Novak Agency...well we have just recorded our biggest Month for sales ever in our seven year history. March saw our sales figures up by 30%!
Really sensational results considering we are in the midst of a "recession".
"While many real estate agencies are closing down or consolidating around us, we are powering ahead at a rapid pace. Listings are in abundance, the sales team is stronger than ever and The Novak Agencies stage is set and ready to perform" says Mark Novak. He continues, "the government grant is definately assisting the real estate industry however we are selling properties in all price brackets. Sales have literally gone crazy and we are thrilled to have recorded our biggest EVER month for Sales, up by 30%. We are listening to what our buyers and sellers want and we believe we have a brilliant recipe for listing and selling peoples homes, the proof is in the pudding".
In a recent report Dee Why, Collaroy, Queenscliff & Manly all showed very positive signs of improvement, with an average increase in property values of approximately 6% to 9%.
Now is a great time to buying or selling. Want some advice? Need someone to talk to?
Call us. 1300 4 NOVAK or 8978 6888. 24/7. We never sleep.
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INTEREST RATES GET THE CHOP THANKS TO THE RBA!
The Novak Agency is happy to report that The Reserve Bank (RBA) has cut interest rates by 0.25 of a percent (25 basis points) taking the official cash rate to a historic low of 3.00%. We are also happy to report that CBA has headed the big four banks in slashing it’s interest rate by 10 basis points! You rock CBA….every little bit helps. Buying a home has never been more affordable! Check out what we have on offer. We do have some sensationals buys….snap, snap!
Check out our hot properties at www.thenovakagency.com
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BIGGEST LIFT IN HOME PRICES IN 18 MONTHS!
Credit growth poised to recover Home prices; Private sector credit • Australian home prices rose by 1.1 per cent in February, the biggest gain in 16 months. Dwelling prices were up 1.1 per cent for the first two months of 2009. Melbourne and Sydney led the gains.
• Private sector credit (loans outstanding) was flat in February with the annual growth rate falling to a 15-year low of 5.4 per cent. But money supply (M3) was up 14.7 per cent on a year ago.
• Credit responds with a lag to interest rate changes and new lending. New lending over December and January was the strongest in 18 months, so credit will lift in the second half of 2009.
What does it all mean?
• Australian and US housing markets are like chalk and cheese. Australian dwelling prices are rebounding after very modest falls in 2008 while US house prices are continuing to fall at annual rates of 20-25 per cent.
• Australia is experiencing an undersupply of housing with new demand boosted by low interest rates and the first home owners grant. Prices are more likely to rise, not fall, in coming months, putting paid to the more gloomy predictions for the Australian market. The greatest worry is that prices rebound too strongly with demand outstripping supply, especially in Melbourne and Sydney.
• While its important to track the changes in credit, it needs to be remembered that it’s one of the last indicators to change in an economic cycle. First, interest rates are cut, then new lending begins to recover, and finally credit, or loans outstanding, moves higher. Over December and January new lending was the strongest in 18 months, pointing the way higher for credit in the second half of 2009.
• Money is growing at a near 15 per cent annual rate but the global gloom has caused consumers and businesses to focus on cutting debt rather than take up new loans. The exception is the housing market where the combination of low interest rates and the first home owners grant have substantially boosted lending.
• The hard part at present for banks is to keep up with the demand for new home loans, with widespread delays reported in processing applications. The credit data is portraying a dour situation for lending when beneath the surface that is far from the case.
What do the figures show?
• The RP Data-Rismark Hedonic Property Value Index indicates that Australian dwelling prices rose by 1.1 per cent in February and were up by 1.1 per cent in the first two months of the year. House prices rose by 1.0 per cent in February with units up 1.7 per cent.
• Melbourne dwelling prices rose by 3.0 per cent in February while Sydney prices were up by 1.8 per cent and Darwin prices rose 0.5 per cent. Prices eased in other capital cities.
• Australian house prices were down 4.1 per cent in the year to February with units down 0.4 per cent.
The rental yield on houses stood at 4.73 per cent in the February quarter with yields on units at 5.35 per cent.
• Private sector credit was flat in February after rising by 0.6 per cent in January. The annual growth rate slowed from 6.1 per cent to a 15-year low of 5.4 per cent. The annual growth rate is expected to bottom around 5 per cent over the next few months. M3 grew by 1.5 per cent in February and by 14.7 per cent over the year.
• Housing credit rose by 0.6 per cent in February with the annual growth rate slowing from 7.4 per cent to a 26-year low of 7.1 per cent. Owner-occupier housing was up 1.0 per cent in February with the annual growth rate up from 8.4 per cent to 8.6 per cent. Investor housing fell by 0.2 per cent in February with the annual growth rate at a record (17-year) low of 4.0 per cent.
• Personal credit fell by 0.8 per cent in February, the fifth consecutive decline. Personal credit fell by 6.0 per cent over the year to February, the slowest growth in 17 years.
• Business credit fell by 0.6 per cent in February after rising 0.7 per cent in January. The annual growth rate eased from 6.9 per cent to a six-year low of 5.5 per cent.
What is the importance of the economic data?
• The RP Data-Rismark Hedonic Property Value Index is a monthly measure of dwelling prices. RP Data covers 124 million property data records covering 98 per cent of all homes. The RP Data-Rismark index will act as the basis for ASX’s proposed residential property derivatives market.
• Private sector credit figures are released by the Reserve Bank on the last working day of the month. Credit is separated into three categories – housing, other personal and business. Private sector credit is effectively the amount of loans outstanding in the economy. If growth in lending is strong then it suggests that credit from financial institutions is freely available, underlying demand for assets such as cars and houses is firm and that the price of credit (interest rates) is attractive.
What are the implications for interest rates and investors?
• More lending is occurring in response to lower interest rates, especially for housing. In fact the strength of housing lending may be creating some problems. Demand for homes is soaring in some areas, pushing prices higher and weakening housing affordability.
• The Reserve Bank liaison programme will play a central role in next week’s interest rate decision. If the Reserve Bank hears more stories about the strength of home buying demand it will be even more likely to stay on the interest rate sidelines for another month. The Reserve Bank will only cut rates next week if it believes that the domestic economy needs further insulation from the global gloom.
Source Craig James, Chief Equities Economist, CommSec Visit our Blog - click below Follow us on Twitter - click below
FASTEST SELLING SUBURB FOR HOUSES TOPPED BY COLLAROY PLATEAU!!!
Sydney and Melbourne are defying a slow market with both units and houses taking about 30 days on the market to sell. In Sydney, the top five fastest selling suburbs for houses, topped by Collaroy Plateau at 20 days, are more expensive than the median value of $556,887. The fastest selling units, on the other hand, are characterized by all being within 20 km of the CBD. The top of that list was Mortdale, at 21 days. In other parts of the country, it was clear some owners would rather delay selling their property than sell quickly and cut their losses. In Brisbane, for example, the average time it takes to sell a unit has doubled. The time it takes to sell a house there has also slowed significantly. Brisbane and Adelaide showed a substantial increase in time on the market for houses and units, while Darwin and Perth remained unchanged but relatively high. In Brisbane, the average time on the market for a unit in November 2007 was 20 days, compared to 43 days at the same time in 2008. Houses went from 24 to 37 days. RP Data Senior Research Analyst Cameron Kusher pointed out it was also interesting that Darwin and Adelaide had the longest times to sell property based on the latest figures, but also were the only two to record positive value growth through 2008. “This is likely representative of the fact vendors are holding out for a better sales price,” Kusher said. Got something to say? Click below to go to our Blog or to Twitter us!
HOLD THAT HOME LOAN...UNEMPLOYED GETS A HELPING HAND FROM THE BIG BANKS!
The "big four" (that’s Novak slang for the big four banks have come to arrangement to throw a lifeline to those struggling to pay their mortgages. These unprecedented move is aimed at preventing those struggling families from losing their homes. Commonwealth, NAB, Westpac and ANZ banks will actually place a freeze on mortgage payments in certain cases undergoing financial hardships. The government has recognised that the greatest fear for those who have or will loose their jobs is how they will pay the mortgage. This being said Mr Rudd set out to ask the Treasurer some time ago to negotiate an "assistance package" with the big four banks. Mr Rudd says the move will provide for a better handling of borrowers in hardship through job loss. He says banks will postpone mortgage payments for up to 12 months, with interest to be capitalised into the loan. The banks are also considering extending the period of mortgage contracts and reducing payment amounts. Banks also indicated that on other loans, including car loans, where appropriate, they would consider interest-only repayment options. In another lifeline, the banks will also consider waiving fees in hardship cases. "Of course, these options won’t be appropriate in every case, and banks will make assessments based on the borrower’s ability to meet new contractual obligations," he says. "But the Government’s purpose in its negotiations with the banks has been clear - to ask the banks to provide maximum flexibility for borrowers suffering temporary hardship. through enforced unemployment for the 12 months ahead. "I’d like to thank the banks for the goodwill they have demonstrated in this area." The Government was not able to explain when these measures would be put into effect and exactly who would be affected. We’ll keep you posted on any further movements. Got something to say? Click below to go to our blog or to follow us on Twitter!
CAN YOU FEEL THE REAL ESTATE MARKET RISING ON THE NORTHERN BEACHES?
The long-awaited return of Sydney investors appears to have finally arrived, as shown by the rising number of available rental properties in some parts of the city.
The latest data from the Real Estate Institute of NSW (REINSW) revealed that the percentage of available properties in Sydney suburbs 25km or more from the CBD has jumped significantly.
"At last, it seems we are seeing some return to the market by investors, at least in the key population belt of Sydney," said REINSW Steve Martin.
"We have recorded the highest number of sales for the month of March ever!, Says Mark Novak Director of The Novak Agency in Dee Why, Northern Beaches of Sydney. He reports "stronger than any month in our seven year history. We certainly can thank this first home buyers grant and the positiveness it has created in the market place, in all price ranges".
Martin pointed out the percentage of available properties 25km or more from the CBD has jumped to its highest level since August 2007, up 0.3% to 1.7%. This is more than double that recorded in May 2008 when available properties in outer Sydney hit their lowest level for some years at 0.8%.
"There’s now a clear trend occurring which points to a return of investors to the market, at least in certain areas. I think we’re now starting to see the effect of the low interest rate environment with investors following the lead of the first homebuyers," said Martin.
Despite the increased number of rental stocks available, the overall vacancy rates in Sydney remained unchanged at 1.4%. Middle ring suburbs tightened slightly to 1.3% from 1.5% in December 2008. The vacancy rate in Wollongong has also fallen to 2.4% from 3%, while Newcastle and Gosford recorded an increase in available rental properties in the same period.
THE GREAT AUSSIE NIGHTMARE, ARE WE SAFE ON THE NORTHERN BEACHES?
What was once the great Australian dream is now a living nightmare for more than 30 000 Australians as homes all over Sydney are being repossessed or foreclosed. To make the nightmare even worst experts are predicting that over half a million Australians will have plunged into severe mortgage stress by the end of the year.
Who’s mostly at risk? It’s seems our first home buyer’s are the ones who’ll go under first with at least one third of first home buyer housing predicted to be repossessed or foreclosed on!
These predictions certainly do not come from any crystal ball. They are based on the climbing unemployment rate which is now 5.2 per cent - hitting 7.5 per cent by the end of the year.
Unemployment in the Northern Beaches is actually up by 1.1% and we at The Novak Agency are finding that our clients selling their "dream homes" are generally at the higher end of the scale. Many are struggling with mortgage repayments due to job insecurity or are wishing to cash up for uncertain times ahead. Alternatively at the lower end of the market many people are selling purely because they can take advantage of a fantastic market where they are achieving brilliant results for their Dee Why, Freshwater, Queenscliff (or the like) apartment.
Home owners should seek financial assistance early on in the game if they fear trouble brewing.
We at The Novak Agency can help point you in the right direction should you require financial assistance. Additionally you may like to know what your home on the Northern Beaches is worth.
Call us 1300 4 NOVAK 24/7 - WE NEVER SLEEP!
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WELL? WHAT ARE WAITING FOR? LIST THAT NORTHERN BEACHES APARTMENT.
Just wanted to give y’all a heads up! This week we have had a number of apartments primarily in the Dee Why, Collaroy and Freshwater areas that have sold even before hitting the market! Yes, they have all achieved fabulous results. Happy customers all around. Let’s get your apartment on before June 30. Call us on 1300 4 NOVAK 24/7 - we never sleep!
THE NOVAK AGENCY DEE WHY GETS A TAD
On Friday, thanks to the help of our friend Mr Mike Andrew (real estate’s on line Marketing guru)our repertoire of words and knowledge of Social Media is now all the more greater.
If the words re tweet, blog, blogosphere, tagging and podcast have you scratching your heads, don’t worry, Friday saw us in the same boat!
So, what is Social Media or SM as us "sleek geeks" call it? In a nutshell SM is getting a message across in as few words as possible, in as little time as possible, to as many people as possible. How is this achieved? Well there are soooooo many SM mediums out in Cyberworld right now. I’m expecting that you have at least heard of Facebook, U Tube, My Space, Twitter or a Blog? These are all SM networks which enable us to have an open platform for uncensored conversation between millions of people worldwide without borders.
Sounds fun doesn’t it?
We feel the time has come to take The Novak Agency into the next dimension and so we’ve made it our mission to become a "sleek geek". What’s quite funny is that we have spent the past 30ish years of our lives trying to be anything but however have succumb to the fact that being a geek is actually more sexy than well.... geeky!
Yes! We at The Novak Agency now do have our own Blog, a place where we write the happenings of anything that’s real estate related (or not!), and YOU have the opportunity to make comment on our posted Blogs for the world to see. We also have joined up with Twitter, a quick means of communicating, Twitter enables its users to send and read other users updates known as tweets.
I’d like to invite you all to please check out our Novak Agency Blog and also our Novak Agency Twitter! Click on our Blog button on this page...this is an ideal way for us to keep you up to date with the happenings of the world of real estate not just in the Northern Beaches area however worldwide!
It’s very sexy to be a "sleek geek"....
IS THE HONEYMOON OVER FOR FIRST HOME BUYERS?
While meeting with our friend Mike Andrew on Friday (he’s the real estate on line marketing guru!)he dropped the bomb that first home buyers will have to show proof of 3% savings on the purchase price of the property they are purchasing. These savings need to be shown over a 3 month period. This is a pre-requisite to be able to apply for a home loan!.
Here’s what Mike Andrew’s blog reported on Friday:
"From Monday, headed by the Commonwealth bank, banks will not recognise the the $14,000 for an existing home and the $21,000 for a new home government grants as proof of saving. The banks will now require first home buyers to have saved 3% of the purchase price over 3 months leading up to the application. This move has been brought about by the overwhelming number of home loan applications banks have received over the past few months".
Hmmmmmmmmm...could the honeymoon be over? In any case the first home buyers grant ends on 30 June 2009.
We suggest you hurry.
Want to live in Dee Why, Freshwater, Collaroy, Harbord, Manly or anywhere on the Northern Beaches?
We have your new home! Call us 1300 4 NOVAK - we never sleep!
ANTONIOS.....ANTONIOS.....ANTONIOS.....ANTONIOS.....NOVAKS WELCOMES YOU!
A big, huge, warm welcome to our latest member of the Novak family is Antonios Kanis. Antonios comes with YEARS of solid real estate experience having worked at LJ Hooker, Harbord and prior to that Harbord Real Estate, Antonios has a talent and passion for real estate. We are chuffed (well over the moon excited actually) that he has joined our already brilliant team and wish to formally welcome him to Team Novak. Antonios - greek for flourish and flourish he will! Got a property? Need it sold? Call 1300 4 NOVAK. We never sleep.
GET REAL OR GROW OLD!
This is the YOUNG MAN who waited for the price of REAL ESTATE to come down! It ain’t going to happen, well not in the Northern Beaches. Don’t believe us? The attached graph speaks for itself, just click on the link for a peek. Still not convinced, call us 24/7. 1300 4 NOVAK. We love to talk and we never sleep.
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WE ARE FAMILY!!!
"We are family....da da da da da.....I’ve got all my sisters with me". Each week, I find myself writing about industry related topics and often find it’s rather easy to get carried away with the day to day real estate world stuff, where I seem to purely write about property related goss. Behind the scenes, there are people, very special people, that make OUR real estate world churn. These people, like family, have adopted The Novak Agency into their lives and dedicate their souls to ensure that we, THE NOVAK AGENCY, are the very best we can be 110% of the time. Please raise your glasses as we toast our fabulous staff and thank them from the bottom of our hearts for the incredible work they do 7 days a week....24 hours a day. Here’s to you guys....Amanda Delgaty, Amie Delgaty, Angelo Goutzios, Barbara Pierce, Biljana Novakov, Elizabeth Hall, Erin Bannister,Nikki York, Millie Novakov, Michelle King, Gail Gauchi, Kiera Hay, Jack Tsao, Ken Redfern,Vanessa Doldo & Vanessa Ball.
DY’S A HIT WITH FIRST HOMIES!!!
We feel we can take a portion of the credit for why Dee Why has been such a popular suburb for first home buyers purely based on the fact that our HQ is situated in the area...we can’t take alllllllllll the credit however! It’s safe to say that the great Australian dream of home ownership is back on the agenda as plunging interest rates make buying property more affordable than renting. This is clearly the case in our very own Dee Why where the suburb has been ranked as the 17th most popular suburb in Sydney amongst first home buyers!!!! Why so? Dee Why is still a very affordable suburb, is right on public transport and is a stones throw away to a hoard of beaches, chic eateries and sassy shopping. Tenants are quickly becoming landlords opting for a loan rather than a lease and are taking full advantage of Kevin ’07’s golden handshake. You’ll have to be quick if you want to join the other estimated 3000 first home buyers who have purchased their piece of paradise in the Dee Why area as fabulous apartments ranging from $300 000 - $450 000 are in abundance however are being snapped up within a week of hitting the market! Yes! We have your first home. Call us 1300 4 NOVAK or 8978 6888....we never sleep.
WE’RE IN FOR A GAY WEEK!!!
There might be lots of leather and lace, feathers & whistles about town in preparation for this week-ends Mardi Gras however the most exciting event about town will clearly be our open homes. The week-end just gone by recorded massive numbers of perspective buyers yet again and we have reached an all time high with the amount of market appraisals we are currently doing. Certainly something to celebrate!!! I’d like to leave you with some very interesting facts which if for nothing else will confirm that purchasing property is still a rock solid investment... If you had purchased $1000 worth of Nortel stock one year ago, it would now be worth $49
• If you had purchased a few pieces of Enron, you’d have $16.50 left of the original $1000
• For the suckers who dropped $1,000 on Delta Air Lines stock, they’re sitting pretty with $49 as well
• For those who bought $1,000 worth of WorldCom, they’re left with less than a measly $5
The great news from all of this is if you had purchased $1,000 worth of wine at this time last year, drank every last drop and turned in the bottles for the recycling refund, you’d surely have come out a winner with a whopping $214 to your name! We still believe buying property is your best bet and you’re liver will love you for it! Happy Mardi Gras friends!!!
NOVAK STARS @ WESTPAC FIRST HOME BUYERS TALK
90 eager first homies attended the Westpac First Home Buyers Talk that was held at Westpac Dee Why on Wednesday night. Of course our very own Mr Mark Novak was one of the guest speakers on the night. Mark spoke about the benefits of purchasing real estate especially within the Dee Why area. He also went onto talk about real estate as a rock solid investment and how now is a fantastic time to be buying your first home. Did you miss this event? Don’t panic, we will be holding our very own seminar on buying your first home VERY soon....stayed tuned for further details!!!
READY, SET.....BUY!!!
Let’s face it....who doesn’t read The Manly Daily especially on a Saturday? We understand that there may be some exceptions so we have taken the liberty of posting our article which appeared last Saturday in The Manly Daily. There has been a buyer frenzy of late and anyone who’s looking for their first home would know that it’s sheer chaos out there! We have had to put on 3 staff per open just to keep up with the enormous numbers that have been coming through many open houses. So, if you’ve been wondering why Wollies has been so quiet it’s because they’re all at our open houses...if you can’t beat ’em join ’em...come along this Saturday! For anyone who missed the article, it has been attached for your reading pleasure.
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ARE YOU A FIRST TIMER? Then come along to the Westpac free first home buyers seminar!!!
Scared? Inexperienced? Don’t know where to start? The Westpac Bank in Dee Why is hosting an information evening specifically for first home buyers. On hand will be our very own Mr Mark Novak of The Novak Agency, a local Solicitor, and of course our friends at Westpac, all who’ll be discussing every query and concern you’ve ever had relating to buying your first home! The evening is FREE, yes FREE. There is absolutely no obligation. This is a fantastic opportunity to come along, ask a million questions, gather copious amounts of information, clear up any grey areas and speak to professionals with years of experience
WHEN: WEDNESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2009
WHERE: WESTPAC, DEE WHY – 844 PITTWATER ROAD, DEE WHY
TIME: 6.30PM – 7.30PM
RSVP (REQUIRED FOR CATERING): KATHY WILLIS (WESTPAC) 02 9981 5000
Mark Novak will be on hand to walk you through the stages of buying your first property. If you do not own a property, now is the opportune time to buy! Take advantage of the government’s “golden handshake” and come along to what will be a fantastic evening. See you there and before we do, click on the link below to see the fabulous first home buyer properties we have available right now!
FIRST HOME BUYER GRANT! THE ROCK SOLID FACTS...
Holy Moly Guacamole! The week-ends have just been chaos with eager first home buyers out on the hunt! For weeks now record numbers have been recorded and sales have gone through the roof with first home buyer properties literally walking out the door...some not even making into onto the market! We have found that there has been an enormous amount of confusion about the grant including who is eligible and alot of misunderstandings relating to stamp duty. We’re here to make it clear & simple!
1. You must be an Australian Citizen or Resident and have never previously owned a property,
2. The grant varies from state to state however here in NSW the grant has increased (until 30 June 2009) to $14000 for existing residences (not newly built) and $21 000 for an unlived in or brand new residence,
3. The Government gives you the first home buyers grant in the form of cash to add to your deposit and this is usually paid for at the time of settlement.
4. If you wish to apply for the grant go to www.osr.nsw.gov.au and fill in the application form,
5. Stamp duty is exempt on properties up to $500 000 i.e YOU PAY NO STAMP DUTY AT ALL
6. Stamp duty comes into effect on properties with a value of $500 000 or more however MASSIVE stamp duty concessions apply i.e on a property priced $510 000 the stamp duty usually would be $18 440 however with the new government grant YOU ONLY PAY $2249....that is a saving of $16191.00
7. For more info on stamp duty and for an idiots guide to discounts applying to stamp duty go to
www.mortgageworldaustralia.com.au/Assets/firsthmplusNSW.pdf. We have loads of fantastic first home buyer properties. Like the rest of Sydney, take advantage of the governments golden handshake. Check out our ad on the back page of The Manly Daily, surf our site for all of our latest properties or call us on 1300 4 NOVAK (or 8978 6888) to tell us exactly what you want, we’ll find it for you. We work 24/7....we never sleep!
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY! DON’T GET A ROOM, GET A HOUSE...CALL 1300 4 NOVAK
Why ponder over chocolates or roses, Hilton or Hyatt this V Day...we have THE PERFECT Valentines gift that will hands down make you the best valentine ever......A NEW HOME! We’ll even throw in the choccies and champas for free! Yeah, we’re just romantics at heart. Call 1300 4 NOVAK...we never sleep Love is in the air....da da da da da....love is in the air... oh ohhhhhhh oh ohhhhhhhh oh ohhhhhhhhhhhh.
NORTHERN BEACHES PROPERTY - A THUMPER - WARRINGAH vs MANLY vs PITTWATER GRAPHS
LOOK what prices have done in the last 25 odd years! Median sales prices for housing & units in the Northern beaches. Data for all localities - simply - side by side.
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DIG DEEP FOR BUSHFIRE VICTIMS!!!
While many of us were busy working or hitting the beach over the week-end, hell in all it’s fury had visited the good people of Victoria with the worst bush fires ever recorded. The heat waved seemed to spare many of us lucky people living anywhere near the NSW and Victorian coast as temperatures soared to an incredible 46.5 degrees celcius in outback Victoria over the week end. Fatalities from the Victorian bush fires have now reached triple figures and with fire fighters still battling fires this morning that number is expected to rise. Hundreds and hundreds of people have lost their homes and we are urging all Australians to please help in any way they can. Our hearts go out to all the victims, families of victims and to the incredible fire fighters and copious amounts of volunteers as they try and deal with this devastation. The Red Cross are one of many charities accepting donations where people can donate as little as $5.00. This can be done on line with a credit card if you choose. Go to www.redcross.org.au to help or click on the link below.
WHAT A GREAT DAY...THANKS RBA!
You made our day today RBA with your official rate cut of 1% bringing the current RBA rate to just 3.25%, the lowest since 1964. Is your lender naughty or nice? The rate cut is clearly good news for borrowers however the big question mark remains as to whether the banks will pass on this rate cut or part thereof. Many banks are already in the naughty corner for not passing on the last four full rate cuts. Stayed tuned to this page for which banks have been naughty and which have been nice!
HERE’ S A THOUSAND BUCKS....TAKE IT!
Are you a mortgage holder? If so you could be close to $1000 a month better off as the RBA meets to discuss what could be the most aggressive interest rate drop in decades! What is said to be the biggest drop in the cost of living for almost a decade has sparked talk of a possible full percentage rate drop in the coming month... What does it mean for you? A full percentage point interest rate cut this week would slice another $260 a month from repayments on a $400,000 loan ($200 from a 0.75 percentage point cut). Added to the $800 a month saving from last year’s 3 percentage points cumulative interest rate cuts, this would bring the monthly saving to about $1000 a month. Look at this way...a $1000 could buy you a new hood ornament on your Rolls Royce, a nice dinner at The Ivy hotel in the city, 10 latest release PS3 games for the kids, a heap of dinners at the local RSL club or even 100 $10 scratchies!!! Maybe we should just try save the $1000 instead.
HOW LOW CAN THEY GO!!!
Rate cuts seem to be the major topic of discussion for ’09 and it almost seems as though the banks are playing the limbo when it comes to who’s rates will be the lowest in the coming year. It’s inevitable that rates will go down it’s just a matter of how low will they go! Great news for home buyers and basically anyone with a variable rate with the lowest discounted variable rate to come in at around 4.7% (if my predictions are right!). In saying this somewhere in the low 5s is probably more likely, given that the non-bank lenders are not providing much competition any more, allowing the majors to pretty much do as they please. The following figures will give you a fair idea of what ANZ, CBA, St.George and Westpac are thinking at the moment. These forecasts will no doubt change with every RBA announcement so it will be interesting to look back at the end of 2009 to see who got it right. I for one hope it is Westpac. See why below. I emphasise that these are their predictions for the cash rate - not their own rate. CBA NOW - 4.25% DEC ’09 - 3.25%, ANZ NOW - 4.25% DEC ’09 - 3.75%, ST GEORGE NOW - 4.25% DEC ’09 - 3.75%, WESTPAC NOW - 4.25% DEC ’09 - 2.75%. Looks like we’re in for another fascinating year! Information courtesy of Karen Forbes, Smartline Mortgage Brokers
PROPERTY SALES GONE BANANAS...
The flood gates have opened on properties up to $500, 000. The first home buyers hand out has certainly heated up the lower end of the market with ridiculous numbers filtering through all of our opens. Never before have we seen so many people coming through these properties. Most are cashed up, finance approved and ready to buy. We cannot keep up with the demand. Vendors are over the moon as they are getting higher than anticipated prices with fast sales and quick settlements. Have you got a property that needs selling? We want it! We’ll sell it...take advantage of this crazy market, you’d be mad not to. Call us on 1300 4 NOVAK or 8978 6888...we’ll come to you and do an obligation free (guaranteed to be very entertaining at the least) appraisal. Call us 24/7...we never sleep
YOU THINK TIMES ARE TOUGH????
At a time when people are having trouble holding onto their houses, their jobs and their sanity, and when people are endlessly battered by bad news, it’s safe to say that generally people are having a hard time. However if you think you’re doing it tough perhaps spare a thought for these people (and animals)! Mr Packer...Perhaps it’ll be ’Maccas’ and Yellowglen for a while with the loss of half of his estimated fortune. For anyone out there who’s got a stash of cash under the mattress, his luxury yacht is up for sale! Times must be really tough as he’s had to push back the delivery of his $60 million private Boeing jet and is also yet to finalise construction on their backyard pool and leisure facility. Meet Timothy Minnick...he’s recently been divorced TWICE, had his house foreclosed, mobile home burned down, dog killed, business went into bankruptcy and his brother died of a heart attack, all in one month! The month got rapidly worse when he himself was shot dead in a nightclub shooting last month. A rare goat was found dead in a Canadian zoo from hanging itself after becoming entangled in a rope and then falling on a log. And finally....the real life Barbie herself, Paris Hilton. She lost her camera filled with hundreds of personal photos taken during her Australian visit....is there anything worse in this world? I guess Paris and cameras just do not mix. Finally a passing quote..."The man who smiles when things go wrong has thought of someone to blame it on" From us to you, have a great week!
BUYERS BUYERS EVERYWHERE!
Bottles of bubbly are popping all over the place....! Exchanges, contracts, settlements, frantic opens. Last week-end alone we recorded over 280 people through our open houses. The market has gone mad with an abundance of buyers EVERYWHERE! There is a definate increase in the property market with firm home buyers storming into the market and taking advantage of the generous government grant. Mark Novak comments "It’s been a long time since we have seen such positive numbers through our open houses. Some properties were seeing groups of 30-40 coming through. Aggressive rate cuts and the first home buyers grant definately make property a very appealing investment. This is a brilliant start to ’09". He continues to say "we have enormous numbers of genuine buyers who are cashed up and ready to purchase. Some properties have not even been remaining on the market for a week and both the buyer and vendor are thrilled with the results". If you are looking to buy or sell, we want to hear about it. Call us on 1300 4 NOVAK or 8978 6888...we never sleep!
NEVER MAKE PREDICTIONS, ESPECIALLY ABOUT THE FUTURE...
Even if I had a pack of tarot cards it’s unlikely I’d be able to predict what many are predicting will be a roller coaster of a year for finance and property. However, there are some fairly consistent messages for 2009. 1. Most capital cities will continue to have a housing shortage that will maintain rent and price levels. At the very least, this phenomenon should moderate any price falls. 2. Immigration (particularly skilled) is going to remain high and is a shot in the arm for our economy. 3. The mining sector will have a significant downturn which will contribute to higher unemployment levels in the resource states where housing prices will be impacted. It is interesting to note that the mining sector directly employs only 3% of the Australian work-force. 4. High interest rates, a dramatic drop in the stock market and a healthy dose of media negativity damaged the retail sector in 2008 but low interest rates and the government stimulus package should counter this downturn (as evidence by the Christmas spending spree). 5. The lower Australian dollar will see our exports become more competitive on world markets and our imports become significantly more expensive. 6. The reduction in the cost of oil to less than $50 per barrel is a critical turn of events. It seems to be widely accepted that the 2008 spike in the cost per barrel to over $150 was the incendiary device that saw the credit crisis explode. 7. Asset prices around the western world have been propped up by high levels of relatively cheap debt. When availability of debt went down, the cost naturally went up. In Australia, the cost of home loan debt has now reduced to lower levels than we have seen for 10 years and the availability (at this stage) has only been restricted slightly, to more credit worthy borrowers. If I may I would like to make one prediction about 2009...Low interest rates!!! Give Australians cheap money and they will buy what they loooooooooooove.....and that is PROPERTY.
FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE?
It’s really quite funny, everyone these days seems to have a crystal ball and is an authority on the state of the financial crisis....the truth is the state of the market truly depends on what you intend to do in the market. Question...Is the market getting better or is it getting worse? Answer...Are you buying or are you selling? If you are a buyer then it’s fairly safe to say the market is looking quite good for you, especially if you’re a ’first homey’. If you’re selling, well maybe your not quite getting a million dollars over your asking price. Realistically speaking though you may be selling at a slightly less price than what you’d hoped for however you’ll also be buying for slightly less as well, provided you’re buying and selling in the same market...personally, you’d be mad not to! If you’re an investor....well the news may not be so rosy. You may be losing money or losing money. Your best bet would possibly be just to sit tight and wait for the ride to be over. Some things however are for certain. The sun will rise 365 days in a year, the tax man will have his hand out and Angelina Jolie will definately have more kids. Here’s our advise...enjoy the year ahead, cherish every moment and never look back only forward.
BYE BYE...AS WE CLOSE THE GATE ON ’08
Wall Street had a meltdown, Obama was elected as President, Oil hit $100 a barrel and a transgender male gave birth to a baby! This was 2008! OJ Simpon being convicted of armed robbery looked like chopped liver in comparison to ’08 at The Novak Agency. We’d like to share some Novak highlights of the year that was... The year got off to a tricky start with the RBA raising interest rates in early 08 which was set to slow down the property market, we powered along at full speed recording outstanding sales and rentals results. Always proud of our achievements we decided it was time for the world to know, so we entered into the Real Estate Industry Awards for Excellence 2008 into three categories..Sales, Rentals & Independant Website. Who would have thought that we would make it into the finals for all 3 categories? It was not only our egos that were expanding when in August we were tempted with taking over the "old kebab shop" which adjoined our existing premises. A renovation that should have taken 3 months, took a record 3 weeks. Our newly renovated headquarters set the benchmark for agencies across Sydney. August was a busy month...new HQ’s, more awards, more accolades...we became finalists for The Manly Daily True Business Awards and had a nice hefty article published in The Manly Daily. Spring had certainly sprung in September when Mark Novak showcased his sleek new hairdo, interest rates were chopped and Manly thrashed the Storms in the Grand Final. The stock market took a serious nose dive causing the world of finance to spiral out of control and in addition sending the property market on large roller coaster ride. The RBA continued to slash interest rates and Mr Rudd even threw in some big bucks for first home buyers to pump up the property market. We recorded huge numbers at our opens which was a clear indication that the property market was remaining quite solid. We will forever remember November as a month for celebration as we took out the REI Award for Excellence for Best Independant Website (yahoooooo!), became NATIONAL finalists for the REI Awards to be held down in Melbourne and launched our commercial division...oh and it was my birthday! Just when we thought things would be slowing down and we could take a breather.....ahhhhhhhhhh, December has been a busy, crazy, hectic month. When many of the agents are busy sleeping and taking 3 weeks holidays we’ve been here working....selling, renting, listing... All in all 2008 has been a bonza of a year. We’d like to end by thanking the team, who are far more than employees of The Novak Agency. They are the backbone of this business and they work tirelessly to ensure that we uphold The Novak Agency name, a brand that is well recognised and reputed amongst the community. As we close the gate on ’08, we would like to wish you and your families a blissful 2009, filled with all the things that dreams are made of. Ching ching to 2009!
MERRY CHRISTMAS...TRA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA!!!
From us to you, we wish you a fabulous Christmas...eat up, enjoy and be merry...we’d like to leave you with a parting note...ho ho ho!!! Twas the month after Christmas and all through the house Nothing would fit me, not even a blouse. The cookies I’d nibbled, the eggnog I’d taste. All the holiday parties had gone to my waist. When I got on the scales there arose such a number! When I walked to the store (less a walk than a lumber). I’d remember the marvelous meals I’d prepared; The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rared, The wine and the rum balls, the bread and the cheese And the way I’d never said, "No thank you, please." As I dressed myself in my husband’s old shirt And prepared once again to do battle with dirt -- I said to myself, as I only can "You can’t spend a winter disguised as a man!" So--away with the last of the sour cream dip, Get rid of the fruitcake, every cracker and chip Every last bit of food that I like must be banished Till all the additional ounces have vanished. I won’t have a cookie--not even a lick. I’ll want only to chew on a long celery stick. I won’t have hot biscuits, or corn bread, or pie, I’ll munch on a carrot and quietly cry. I’m hungry, I’m lonesome, and life is a bore -- But isn’t that what January is for? Unable to giggle, no longer a riot. Happy New Year to all and to all a good diet!
SANTAS LITTLE HELPERS -SO-SO-BUSY
Yep, all of us at the novak Agency pumping out the work before Christmas. So busy we took a video of some of the crew at WORK FOR YOU. Starring our Barbara Pierce, Darren Delgaty, Erin Bannister, Mark Novak aaaaaaaand Darren Delgaty. Video coming soon.........
WHAT A BLOG!!!
Ohhhhhhhhhhh yeah....ok, now there's no stopping us. We officially have our own blog now! Now we can talk about whatever we like, whenever we like and you'll have the opportunity to tell us what you think!!! Click on the link below we we can keep you posted with the world of real estate and the world of Novak all at the click of your finger!
FOR IT IS IN GIVING THAT WE RECEIVE!!!
We’re all so wound up in our Christmas shopping lists and planning end of year parties that it’s rare that we stop and think of those who won’t be able to make it to a Christmas party or a hot turkey dinner as they are too sick or too fragile to make it out of bed! Last week was a real eye opener for Mark (Novak) and myself (YES...I AM THE ’GOSSIP’ WRITER AND ALSO MARK’S WIFE!), as we had to admit our little one into the Sydney Childrens Hospital with acute Gastrointeritis...It’s not until you enter that "world" that you realise nothing else in your life matters. Sick little children everywhere, some coming home for Christmas and others not! Thankfully our little daughter is fine now however other parents won’t be as lucky as us... We have decided that this year we’ll be donating a whole bunch of gifts up to the Childrens Hospital for those little kids that won’t get to enjoy the day as we all will!!! If you would like to make a donation or wish to help out in anyway....PLEASE click on the link below... Let’s try and put the MERRY back into Christmas for some of these gorgeous children!
HAPPY NEW YEAR...HERE’S TO THE YEAR 1960?
Plasma tv’s, Blue Ray Dvds, self park cars, internet, robots, computers....yes, we’re in the year 2008 or are we??? Official interest rates could fall to the lowest level since early 1960 by Easter next year, helped by a massive pre-Christmas rate cut by the central bank. Debt futures markets currently expect the overnight cash interest rate, which is targeted by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) in its monetary policy decisions, to fall to 2.75% by April 2009, from 5.25% at present. In January 1960, the cash rate was 2.89%, according to the monthly average of official daily data published by the RBA. And if the commercial banks opt to pass on the reduction in full to their standard variable mortgage rates, monthly home loan repayments could be slashed by 23% by Easter. Want to know....click on the link below:
BUSY LITTLE BUNNIES!!!
Sorry, did someone say recession? Our Saturday opens recorded huge numbers of potential buyers, some looking to snap a bargain, some wishing to take advantage of Mr Rudds nice little first home buyers bonus and others actively looking to buy and sell around the Christmas period. "These numbers are very reassuring", Mark Novak our director says...."this is showing a definite improvement in the property market as we head into 2009”.... Even better news perhaps is that we’re open during the Christmas/New Year period...why should we rest, we’ll leave that for the other agents!
WE’RE RICH DAAAAAAAAAAARLING!!!
Book that holiday not to the Central Coast, fly first class to Monaco. Don’t grab a cab, book a driver. Eat lobster not bbq chicken for dinner...things aren’t so bad....you’ve got more money in your back pocket than you think! Below are some financial facts that will have you jumping up and down shouting...."I’m rich, I’m rich"...
1. If you are an average variable rate mortgage holder with a loan of $300,000, you now have $500 more in your pocket at the end of the month compared to 3 months ago.
2. If you are an average driver who fills up a 60 litre tank of petrol every week, you are now around $100 per month better off.
3. If you have a term deposit, you are now lucky to lock in for a 5.5% return.
4. If you prefer investing in the stock market then you are braver that I given it has dropped over 30% since the beginning of the year.
5. If you invest in a Sydney residential unit you are now looking at a median gross rent return of 5.7% according to RP Data. That’s $438 per week in rent for a $400,000 unit.
6. If you fix the interest rate on your mortgage for 2 years, one of our panel lenders is now offering 5.99%.
7. If you are looking to buy a property in NSW you should be aware that we have a shortfall of 50,000 dwellings (according to the Housing Industry Association numbers).
8. If you are wondering why the roads seem busier lately, 60,000 people arrived in NSW last year from OS and interstate. Another 60,000 will arrive this year.
9. If you are a first home buyer looking to purchase a home for less than $500K, you not only pay $0 in transfer stamp duty but the Govt’s will now throw between $14,000 and $24,000 as a tax free grant.
10. If you are taking out a mortgage for the purpose of buying residential property, the abolition of mortgage stamp duty in NSW this year has saved you around $1,100 if you borrow $300,000.
The only trouble is....you’re family will want a private island for Christmas not a pair of socks!!!
A CRISIS IN CONFIDENCE...
Very weak consumer and business sentiment data provide downside risks to the already cautious outlook for the Australian economy presented in the SMP. Thus, it has become clear that the RBA is now fighting a crisis of confidence -- as much as a credit crisis -- and will need to continue to CUT RATES AGGRESSIVELY. And, the argument for further aggressive rate cuts strengthened on the back of slightly softer wages data for Q3.
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WE CELEBRATED IN STYLE!!!
Oh what a night! The Manly Daily True Local Awards were celebrated in style on Friday night at the Miramare Function Centre. The Novak Agency were one of four finalists out of 130 agencies who submitted in the real estate category.....what a huge accomplishment! Well done to Cunninghams who took out the award. As a first year entrant, we were so honored to be selected as a finalist and will keep our fingers crossed for ’09. In preparation for next year we have commenced a marketing campaign which includes erecting bill boards with our boss’s portrait on it...we hope you like the new look NOVAK! (oh come on we’re just having some fun!!!). Go NOVAK 09.
HOME BUYERS SHOWING SIGNS OF LIFE!!!
Home buyer enquiry has jumped particularly in low priced markets, in response to the October rate cut, the promise of more rate cuts to come, and the enhanced First Home Owners Grant. Builders, real estate agents and financiers are now waiting to see to what degree the increased enquiry converts into new sales, new mortgages and new construction. The September quarter was weak; national house prices dropped 1.8% -the biggest three month drop since the ABS started the series –and the HIA’snew house sales index fell 10%. The Australian Financial Review, Page 53, 4
NOVAK GOES NATIONAL!!!
Who would have thought that what was a sheer dream 6 years ago has now turned in an award spangled reality!!! The Novak Agency has been selected to represent the state in the Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) 2009 National Awards for Excellence. What an honour. What a priveledge. Accolades such as this do not come without hard work and total dedication at a team level. Thank you Novak staff for never looking down and forever looking up. We invite those of you who have never had a taste of our services to please give us a try. The awards speak for themselves....you be the judge! Call us 1300 4 NOVAK or 89786888, 24/7, we never sleep! Or pop in for a coffee (a real one of course) and see what all the fuss is about. See you soon.
RESERVE BANK...A SURE BET!!!
Celebrations were had all round today especially for those of us with a mortgage! The bubbly was certainly flowing and a feast was had by all at The Novak Agency in celebration of the cup. A double ching ching was had as Bart’s horse came in first and the RBA trimmed three-quarters of a percentage point - or 75 basis points - off its key cash rate, reducing it to 5.25%, the lowest level since December 2003. For a typical 25-year, $250,000 home loan, today’s cut if passed on in full by lenders will save the borrower $112.63 a month in payments or some $33,791 over the life of the loan. The move, announced after today’s monthly board meeting by the RBA, exceeded economists’ predictions of a 50 basis-points cut. Want to know more....click here
BACK A WINNER 4 MEL. CUP...CALL 1300 4 NOVAK!!!
Dust off your fascinator and frock up in this seasons swankiest cocktail attire for what looks to be the raciest Melbourne Cup day ever! Where there is a celebration to be had The Novak Agency always wants to be a part of it....let’s face what’s not to celebrate? We won the Real Estate Institute of NSW 2008 Award for Excellence for our website a couple of weeks ago, our new headquarters look hot, interest rates are down, Santa will be here in a heart beat and the property market is bustling. Happy betting tomorrow, back a winner and when you do call us, we have that property that you’ve always dreamt of living in. Even if you don’t win, call us anyway, we’d love to hear from you! We are here at your service, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.....we never sleep, ever.
NOVAK GOES COMMERCIAL!!!
Look out.....here we comeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Yes, we’ve seen it, have you? Commercial real estate is so unsexy! Don’t fret...we are here to spice things up a little. There is a massive niche in the market where commercial real estate marketing in concerned. Take a look at how a $2million commercial site is being marketed compared to a $2m house. You be the judge! The Novak Agency has been waiting for an ideal opportunity to break into the commercial sector and enhance the look, feel & service that is truly lacking out there in commercial real estate world. Enter Ken Redfern. Ken has over 30 years experience in selling residential, commercial & industrial real estate. His array of experience includes being a panelled bank valuer, a developers consultant and ridiculous amounts of knowledge in all areas of renting and selling commercial/industrial real estate. Combine Ken’s unprecedented experience together with The Novak Agency’s leading edge marketing, service & product and.... we have a winning combintion. Try us. We win awards....find out why!
NOVAK STARS IN MANLY DAILY YET AGAIN!
Oh yes....it’s hard being in the spotlight all the time! We do love it though. I think the whole world knows by now that we won the Real Estate Institute of NSW 2008 Award for Excellence for our website!!!
WE WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You should feel privileged! You are currently viewing our award winning website! That’s right. On Saturday night The Novak Agency were the proud recipients of the REINSW’s 2008 Award for Excellence for BEST INDEPENDENT WEBSITE!!! What a massive achievement, what a night, what a crew, what an honour.....and what a hangover! We will continue to impress you with our award winning website and look forward to adding a few more awards to keep this little baby warm. NICE WORK TEAM NOVAK!!!!
FIRST HOME BUYERS BONANZZA!!!
Christmas has certainly come early for Australian first home buyers with the first home buyers grant doubled to $14,000 for existing homes and trebled it to $21,000 for new homes!!! You’d have to be mad not be desperately searching for bargain home or investment at the moment! To put it simply $21 000 is a full 5% deposit on a $420 000 property!!!! What are you waiting for????? For more details click below:
ALL EYES ON THE BANKS...
After Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) cut official interest rate by smashing 100 basis points to 6.00%, everybody’s eyes are on banks - how much of the rate cut will be passed on to consumers? What to know more? Click on the link below...
YOUR PROPERTY AFTER THE STOCK MARKET CRASHHHHHHHHHH
The fall out from the stock market crashes around the world will affect everyone in the short term, and in lots of different ways, but the common question I’m geting asked is, "What happens to the property markets now?" To help answer this question it is worth learning lessons from the past. In particular from the stock market crash of 1987 when a similar fall occurred on the stock market. At that time prices crashed 23% but all on the one day. At the time of writing this article, Australian stock values have dropped 24%, but they have done this over almost 3 months. It is interesting to note that Australia’s biggest property boom occurred in the late 80’s following the stock market crash of 1987. In fact every time there has been a stock market crash in the last 50 years, Australian residential properties increased in value, but there was always a lag before this happened. Want to know more? Click here...
WE LOVE YOU RESERVE BANK xxx
RBA cuts rates by 100bps! The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) yesterday slashed the official cash rate by 100bps to 6.0%. The further escalation of the credit crisis, recent weakness in some commodity prices including oil, and a large deterioration in the outlook for global growth all justified an aggressive interest rate response. Many central banks have attempted to make a distinction between their liquidity support operations, which are designed to address the credit problems, and interest rate policy which is directed at targeting growth and inflation. But it is increasingly clear that the liquidity support operations haven’t succeeded in halting the credit crisis and it is also apparent that the credit problems are increasingly spilling over into the real economy. The last time the RBA shifted rates by 100bps was in 1994 - and so this decision clearly indicates how concerned the RBA is about the deterioration in the outlook that occurred in September. The RBA states that "an unusually large movement in the cash rate was appropriate in order to bring about a significant reduction in costs to borrowers. The Board does not, however, regard that movement as establishing a pattern for future decisions." This is the RBA telling us that we shouldn’t expect another 100bps cut any time soon. But cutting rates to 6% merely gets the RBA back towards a neutral rate. Given the deterioration in the outlook, it’s a good idea for policymakers to take their foot off the brake -- and that is effectively what the RBA has done here. The next question is whether the RBA should put the foot on the accelerator, and there are certainly good arguments for that. Another 50bps easing before the end seems likely. And an ultimate destination for the cash rate around 4.5% by mid 2009 seems now to be the base case. A key question for mortgage holders is the extent to which the retail banks pass on the cut in the official cash rate. We would expect most borrowing rates to fall by around 70-75bps. For the RBA, however, this isn’t such an important issue. If the RBA needs to cut the official cash rate more aggressively in order to achieve the desired mortgage and business lending rates, then so be it. Indeed, this is likely to have been one of the arguments for going particularly aggressively. The A$ fell sharply (by US 2 cents) immediately on the back of the announcement, but than regained part of the lost ground as markets were reminded that this the RBA shoring up the growth outlook. Indeed, the weaker A$ is also one of the mechanisms which Australia copes with weaker global growth as it supports exporters. The quick and decisive action of the RBA -- together with action by the Federal government to bring forward large infrastructure projects -- underlines that Australian policymakers have plenty of ammunition to fire and support the economy, and that they are not afraid to use it. This should certainly support Australian growth which is supportive of equity markets. However, it is worth reiterating that the RBA is cutting rates aggressively because the outlook is so dire. Global recessions don’t happen frequently. And so, while Australia is relatively well positioned, it will nevertheless be a difficult 12 months ahead.
MANLY YOU’RE SOOOOOO MAAAAANNNNNLY
Even more exciting than a day at The Novak Agency was watching The Storms get thrashed by Manly in last Sundays massive Grand Final. What a game! Well done boys....we honestly don’t think you would have done it if The Novak Agency wasn’t cheering you on. Our Novak Agency "blow up" mascot collapsed with exhaustion after the game.
NOVAK IS SOOOO MANLY!
We HAVE to say that, he’s our boss! We did however want to wish our beloved Manly Sea Eagles a massive amount of luck for the big Grand Finale this week-end! We know you’ll do it, we’re right behind you.
NOVAK AGENCY FINALISTS FOR YET ANOTHER AWARD
YES!!! We have done it again....this time we are finalists for The Manly Daily 2008 True Local Business Awards. Finally, we are being recognised for the brilliant work that we do. As finalists we will be attending yet another awards ceremony (my oh my....what to wear???) in November to see who wins. Fingers crossed!
If you haven’t yet had The Novak Agency Midas Touch then simply call us 1300 4 NOVAK or 8978 6888.... we’re the agency who are finalists for oh sooooooooooooooo many awards.
CHOP THOSE INTEREST RATES - CHOP,CHOP,CHOP
Australia’s banks are well-capitalised and well-regulated and do not have the same problems as the US faces. Therefore we are not going to see the massive collapse on the scale seen this week by Lehman Brothers and the fire-sale of Merrill Lynch to the Bank of America.But how quickly times have changed! With the worsening financial situation in the USA and the Aussie market looking on nervously, waiting to see which of the big Aussie banks will feel the flow-on effects, financial markets are now predicting another rate cut by the RBA when its board meets on October 7. I’m convinced another cut in interest rates is likely if the big banks independently increase their rates.
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NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO BUY!
With the "state" of the stock market it’s no surprise investors are losing confidence in the share market, many choosing to move their investment funds to the property sector. A LIVENEWS story out today published the following information: A stream of investment funds will be redirected from the stock market to the property sector, pushing up prices in the Sydney market, according to residential property research and investment firm Braxton Chase. A shortage of houses and land in the Sydney market will drive up rents, increasing yields and in turn encourage investors to enter for the first time in four years, Braxton Chase chief executive Andrew Donnelly said. "The stars for residential property investors in Sydney are finally aligning for the first time since the market peak in 2003," Mr Donnelly said. "After waiting for the property cycle to bottom, residential investors are poised to re-enter the Sydney market en masse." Mr Donnelly said a further hike in interest rates would encourage, rather than deter, investors, because it would increase yields. More potential owner-occupiers would be unable to buy and would be funnelled into the rental market, further pushing up the cost of rental property, he argued. But the prospects for NSW property were at odds with the broader national market, according to research by Wizard Home Loans. The Wizard research found a 12 per cent drop in the number of people planning to buy an investment property nationally in the June quarter versus the March quarter. However, the research uncovered data supporting the Braxton Chase argument about rising yields. According to Wizard, the number of people planning to buy their first home in NSW was virtually static - up from 217,000 to 221,000. That was at odds with most other states, with a 91 per cent increase in Queensland, 52 per cent in Victoria and 59 per cent in Western Australia, suggesting NSW first homeowners are waiting for prices to drop before wading into the market. Wizard Home Loans founder Mark Bouris said aspiring homeowners had to be cautious about buying. "If prices continue to escalate, it may be a savvy move for potential owners to investigate more affordable strategies to buy their first property, such as co-ownership, to secure a foothold," Mr Bouris said.
We have a fabulous range of properties for sale. Be sure to browse our website and we’re sure you’ll find something that you just "have to have". If not, we’ll make sure we find it for you. That’s a promise....
SPRING HAS SPRUNG!!!
Spring is well and truly in the air. The smell of flowers and the beach, longer, warmer days, summer fruits ahhhhhh.....yes the warmer weather is enticing us all to crawl out of our Winter burrows. We recorded great numbers at all of our opens on Saturday! A terrific indication that it’s going to be a busy Summer for The Novak Agency and Real Estate in general... From us to you...we wish you a very happy Spring...ching ching!
BOUNCE BACK!!!
Consumer sentiment continued to improve in September (up 7.0%) after bouncing off 16 year lows in August. The improvement is a result of the RBA changing tack on interest rates, with commercial banks passing on the 25bps rate cut to mortgage-holders.
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FREE COFFEE & PAPER!!!
Commencing this Wednesday 10 September The Novak Agency will be broadcasting via the NEW Domain North each week for the next 9 weeks!!! Be sure to grab your FREE copy from our reception and we’ll even offer you a fresh coffee, a real one....while you relax on our lovely white leather lounge, lit up by our crystal chandelier...watch a bit of tv on anyone of our plasmas or you might prefer to listen to the soft music that plays throughout the office.....ohhhhhhhhhhhhh.....candles, black velvet chairs,smell of coffee and friendly...ever so friendly staff! Domain North Houses & Domain North Apartments reaches literally hundreds of thousands of readers each week!
INTERST RATES ARE MOVING, SO SHOULD YOU! CALL 1300 4 NOVAK
Under our central projection, we expect the RBA to cut rates by 125 pts over the next 12 months and bring rates down to 6.00% by mid-2009. While at this stage it is difficult to determine how much of this will be passed on to mortgage rates, we have assumed that this will cut the standard variable mortgage rate to 8.00%.
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VOTING CLOSED.......DRUM ROLL.................
Voting for the 2008 True Local Business Awards has now closed. We would like to extend a huge hug and kiss to all those people who voted for us......mwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa. Fingers crossed for next week when we find out if we make it through to the next round.
NOVAKS STAR IN MANLY DAILY
Our efforts were certainly showcased in Saturday’s edition (16 August 2008) of The Manly Daily. It’s been a busy time for us at The Novak Agency, firstly being nominated in three categories for the Real Estate Institute of NSW Awards for Excellence followed by the unveiling of our stunning newly renovated offices and the icing on the cake......a fabulous half page article detailing all of the above. It was highlighted in Saturday’s article that our agency is the only (independent)agency to be nominated in three categories and we were also given a huge thumbs up on our new look offices. We invite you to come in, enjoy a ’real’ coffee and see what all the fuss is about!
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A TOUCH OF GLAMOUR HITS DY!!!
Hotter than the Olympic Torch is our new state of the art headquarters. The unveiling of the our newly expanded offices took place last week and could possibly be mistaken for a modeling agency rather than a real estate agency with our glamorous chandelier, flat screen tvs, stylish furniture and soft tunes... It’s a must see when your next in Dee Why. Even if your not looking at selling, buying or renting please just drop in for a coffee ( a real one of course) and a peak.
IF YOU LOVE US.......VOTE FOR US!!!
PLEASE VOTE FOR US!!! For the past 14 years, Cumberland Courier Newspapers have proudly celebrated the achievements of local business through award recognition. This year The Novak Agency has entered into these awards known as the 2008 True Local Business Awards and WE NEED YOUR VOTES!!! Please support The Novak Agency by nominating for us on line. Simply click on the following link http://truelocalbusinessawards.truelocal.com.au/manly_daily.html and then click on the right hand side where it says VOTE HERE. By voting you will not only be supporting our fabulous agency, you will also go into the draw for an indulgent week-end for two at the Crowne Plaza, Terrigal. We would also like to extend an invitation to you to come in and see our glamorous newly renovated headquarters complete with plasma tvs and a magnificent chandelier which showcases our chic new offices. For further details on voting please e-mail lnovak@thenovakagency.com or call 0488 99 8888. Thanks for your support!
NEW LOOK NOVAK
For those of you who have driven past our office of late, you will have noticed the WE R EXPANDING sign right across our windows. The old Kebab shop has now (almost) been transformed into our swish, newly expanded headquarters that will surely be the most stylish, state of the art real estate office in the Southern Hemisphere. Keep your eyes peeled for the unveiling on the 08/08/08 which will be bigger than the opening ceremony at the Beijing Olympics.
NOVAKS - FINALISTS FOR REAL ESTATE AWARDS!!!
We recently put forward submissions in 3 categories for the Real Estate Institute of NSW, Awards for Excellence for 2008. The categories we submitted for were: - Website-Independent Category - Residential Agency-Large - Residential Property Management. On the 1st July we were advised that we made it through to the finals in all 3 categories!!!!!!!!!!! Yahoooooooooooooooooooooooooooo. Winners will be notified on the 18th October at a gala black tie dinner. We’ll keep you posted. What an honour to be made finalists..... well done The Novak Agency!!!!!!!!!
The Novak Agency keeps up to date with latest property and finance news from around the country.
REST assured when you are with The Novak Agency
Last week was a special week for our Elizabeth Hall, when a professional Massage Therapist came into the office. The combination of calming music and a therapeutic massage had our "Lizzy" in relaxation heaven.
Boom or Bust - where are we now?
You will never guess the the full report. Our opinion put your seatbelt on and get ready for an uphill ride. Soon....12-24 months maybe.
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The Tide Has Turned!
What’s different now is that the events of the early sixties and nineties affected Sydney’s housing market less than Melbourne’s where there were several years of negative growth each time. Yet this time around, Sydney’s housing market is languishing while Melbourne continues to grow. What has caused the tide to turn?
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Property slump, what property slump?
When the first display apartment in the peninsula’s biggest development opened yesterday there was a queue around the block to get in and 54 groups...
Green Light for BIG changes in Dee Why
18 Storeys(78 m) in Dee Why, Now That is a story. Dee Why Town Center...Dee Why Town Center...Dee Why Town Center... What everyone is talking about. Our opinion, bring it on. Bring more life back into Dee Why. Call us on 1300 4 NOVAK for the full rundown on how it will affect your Real Estate in Dee Why.
- www.deewhytowncentre.com.au/index.php?main=27
- www.warringah.nsw.gov.au/plan_dev/dee_why_masterplan.aspx
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WE’RE EXPANDING!!!
Maybe it’s due to eating too many chocolate doughnuts on a Monday morning however The Novak Agency is EXPANDING! We are proud to announce we have just finalised negotiations on "the kebab shop" next door to our existing premises. The two shops will be transformed into one chic, state of the art office, allowing for an increase in staff and facilities ensuring that we always remain "a step ahead".
The renovations will cause absolutely no disruption to our valued customers. Stay tuned and be sure to come in and visit what will surely be the most glamorous, state of the art real estate office on the Northern Beaches!
REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY AWARDS
Nominated in three different categories, The Novak Agency handed in their submissions for The Real Estate Industry of NSW, Awards for Excellence in the following categories: Independant Website, Residential Sales & Property Management. Fingers crossed we make it into the finals! We’ll wait in anticipation.....
Talk it up!!!
Our current economic outlook, in the absence of a credit crisis ‘event’, also supports the contention that aggregate house prices are more likely to continue to rise, albeit at a more moderate pace
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House prices are set to stabilise
RP data has estimated that in the three months to February, house prices increased 1.9%. But house prices in March are likely to have eased and as such we estimate that house prices increased by 1.1% in Q1, which means that the yearly rate should moderate slightly to 12.2%.
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Mini Rental Market Update
April Vacancy Rate Survey results - The latest Vacancy Rate Survey results show that rental demand has eased ever so slightly, however there is little cause for celebration as vacancy rates continue to hover at critical levels throughout much of NSW. The vacancy rates in inner and middle Sydney lifted slightly in April to 1.2% and 0.9% respectively (up from 0.9% and 0.7% in March). However, the news for outer Sydney was not so good, with vacancies dropping to 1% (from 1.4%). Some regional areas also experienced better results in April. The vacancy rate in Albury rose to 3% (from 2.7%) and the Central Coast increased to 2.7% (from 1.8%). The South Coast recorded the most substantial improvement, with vacancies rising to 4% (from 2.6%).
Coffee Break - Novak Style!!!
On a nice sunny day, there’s no better way, than to enjoy a nice cappuccino whilst basking in the rays - especially with a couple of work colleagues & a very lovely young lady...
EXCITING NEW PHASE - DEE WHY
The revised plans for the Multiplex Vumbaca joint venture sites follow 18 months of detailed consultation between the joint venture, Council, the local community and urban design experts. This was preceded by a joint venture-driven community consultation process in June and July 2006 when initial plans were first presented to the public...
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Super Dooper OR Party Pooper ???
The key question for investors is not whether the RBA raises interest rates; that now appears likely. Rather, it is why the RBA feels compelled to raise rates in February when the US Fed is busily slashing interest rates, global growth forecasts are being revised down and financial markets remain volatile.
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Inflation Hotspots!
In the last few years, very strong inflation in Perth and Brisbane has been partly offset by more modest price gains in Melbourne and Sydney. In effect, these States have acted as a safety valve for overall inflation...
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Inflation catches fire!
It is worth noting that Australian financial conditions have already tightened over the last month, both as a result of the domestic banks raising interest rates and the sharp falls in equity markets. Given this, we still think there is a case for policymakers to delay tightening policy until financial markets stabilise and we have better visibility about the outlook.
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The Stock Market Falters & Housing Takes Off
We were confident the worst was over and the year would indeed provide growth. So we recommended investment and set our public predictions into positive territory, close to the long term averages. As it has turned out it was a fantastic year for house price growth. Even the two interest rate rises failed to dint performance.
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My plan to save Dee Why
Architect Ross de la Motte on an inspection tour of the Dee Why town centre yesterday, talks about the development plans for the area...
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Merry Novak Christmas...
Happy are the three elves who prepared the BBQ on our big cruise away...Mark Novak, Tulo Sila and Darren Delgaty...
Much fun was had by all on our 3 day venture away to Wisemens Ferry, with many enjoyable hours of kicking back & reveling in the lush surrounds of the Hawkesbury River - plus indulging in a drink or two??? We have a story for every member of the team, just ask!!!
Australia has gone through it’s housing slowdown...
The profile of Australian house prices has followed a remarkably different pattern to that of other countries. The slowdown in the Australian housing market – with the exception of Western Australia – occurred during 2004–05. During the last couple of years, house prices in South Australia, Melbourne and Brisbane have regained considerable momentum. Even in NSW, conditions look stronger than they have in recent years...
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Rents continue to accelerate...
Interestingly, median apartment prices (i.e. apartments or units) are currently higher in Perth and Melbourne than in Sydney. Prices for these apartments increased fastest in Darwin, Brisbane and Melbourne.
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Billions for metro lines in asset sale
Parramatta Road, Victoria Road, Anzac Parade and the Northern Beaches have a serious shortage of fast transport links and there have been long-term proposals to give them all a European-style metro subway system - on which trains are shorter, stations closer and services much more frequent.
Lights up Dee Why!
Here at The Novak Agency, we won 3rd prize in the 2007 Christmas Lighting Competition that was held at the Master Builders Club in Dee Why...
Way to go Team Novak!!!
Love your work!!!
Environmental Plan for Dee Why Town Centre...
On 14 December 2004 Council adopted the Government Architect’s Dee Why Master Plan as the preferred approach to facilitating future growth in the Dee Why town centre and resolved to prepare draft Local Environmental Plans (LEP) to ensure the desired outcomes of the adopted masterplan were realised...
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The Top End!!!
The number of absolute top end sales in the market continued to climb during the ‘post boom’ period (between 2004 and late 2006) when most markets around Australia slowed. Over the last year alone the ‘ultra premium’ segment (those sales where the house or unit price was at least $4 million) increased in depth by 13 per cent to reach 570 sales.
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Things continue to look good for households...
Strength in household disposable income is the main reason why household consumption remains incredibly robust in Australia, even in the face of higher interest rates. This has been supported by healthy wages growth, strong employment and increased fiscal stimulus, in turn, creating positive implications for the outlook for retail spending.
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Election 2007 - on the home straight
The Melbourne Cup has been and gone, and the Reserve Bank has lifted interest rates by 25 basis points to take the official cash rate to 6.75 per cent. This signals a change in the tempo and focus of campaigning and launches us into the serious end of the 2007 Election campaign...
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Dee Why’s last chance...
The article stating Dee Why’s possible future developments, which appeared in the Manly Daily on Friday 9 November 2007...
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It’s all going up...
The Australian economy has gained considerable momentum in 2007 and despite being hit by a 25bps increase in interest rates in August, the data released this week continued to suggest that the economy remains upbeat... Whilst the RBA raised interest rates by another 25bps this week, we do not think this will be enough to slow the economy and thereby reduce the upward pressure on inflation...
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Sydney the Sleeping GIANT - will Sydney wake in 2008!!!
Housing-related expenses – rents, utilities, and property rates – accounted for over half of the overall increase in the CPI adding 0.37ppt to the 0.7% increase in the quarter. Rents alone are rising at an annualized rate of 6.2% and if the housing market continues to get tighter, this should put further upward pressure on rents.
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The 30 year history of rents!
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