REIWA Views

REIWA has mixed response to budget

The Real Estate Institute of Western Australia has a mixed reaction to the state budget handed down in parliament today.While I welcome the state government’s budget initiatives on affordable housing, I'm disappointed there are no stamp duty concessions for older citizens looking to downsize their housing.This was a lost opportunity to free-up housing capacity at a time when supply is tight.Many older people live in big family houses long after their children have left, and which … Read More

Dwelling sales are the highest they've been in two years

Perth dwelling sales highest in two years

New data from the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia show that overall sales in the March quarter reached its highest level since March 2010, just after the Rudd government’s FHOG Boost ended.The latest WA data on First Home Owner Grants (FHOG) from the Office of State Revenue show that first time buyers have been a key part of this recent market recovery.The latest FHOG data on grants paid for established dwellings surged in the March quarter reaching 2,933, just short of … Read More

Good presentation adds to good price

When it comes to selling, first appearances count for a lot in real estate. Most homebuyers will decide if they are interested in a property from an online photo or drive-by viewing so it’s important to make your listing as appealing as possible.Giving your home an external facelift doesn’t have to be expensive.In most instances all that is required is simple repainting, pruning, or minor landscaping, but be prepared to spend extra money if replacements are required for worn gutters … Read More

Buying a Holiday Home

Many of the people reading this column might recently have returned from a beachside retreat, a wine region in the Southwest, a great fishing spot in the Kimberly or perhaps in a heritage town on the edge of the wheat belt. Over the summer many people will be enjoying the state’s delightful holiday spots, particularly along the coast. Places like Mandurah, Dunsborough, Denmark, Dongara, Lancelin, Cervantes, Busselton, Albany and beyond. Over the years many people have bought holiday homes in … Read More

Good fences make good neighbours

Seasonal storm damage can be a reminder about your rights and responsibilities with good fencing.Fences separating properties can stir heated passions. Often disputes about fences will come to a head when damaged, need maintenance or replacement. Or when a new home is constructed and the neighbours disagree about style, quality or need for a dividing fence.Misunderstandings can be avoided in most cases by negotiating with your neighbours before taking any action that may cause … Read More

My Klout page - showing my influence network, latest score and much more...

Do you have Klout?!

If you “have clout”, then this usually means you have influence over people. You are someone revered, or even feared, such as a strong politician might be, or high ranking business person. Be not surprised therefore that the web has a version (spelt ‘Klout’) that can measure your influence online. Indeed, it even measures it out of 100 - your ‘klout score'. I went to a presentation in San Francisco recently where the MC proudly boasted his Klout of 73.Mine is 50 by the way, in … Read More