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Aug 12, 2023
The difference between styling and staging your home to sell
When it comes to selling a home, presentation is everything. Making a positive first and lasting impression is crucial to attracting wide range of potential buyers. Two key techniques commonly used to enhance a property's appeal are styling and staging. While these terms are often used interchangeably, they refer to distinct approaches that can make a significant difference in the selling process. In this video, we delve into the disparity between styling and staging a home, exploring their unique purposes, techniques, and benefits, and offer some successful tips on how to successfully style and stage your home to sell. [siteloft_youtube video_id="pHhXn4DRM8I" autoplay="1" suggestions="1"] If you're ready to discover the secrets to being ready to sell your home, download our free insider secrets to being ready to sell checklist. YES, DOWNLOAD MY CHECKLIST Styling Styling a home involves the process of optimizing its aesthetic appeal through tasteful design choices. The primary goal of styling is to create a visually pleasing atmosphere that aligns with current design trends and appeals to a broad range of potential buyers. It focuses on accentuating the home's positive features and minimizing any drawbacks. A professional stylist or interior designer can be employed to revamp the home's appearance, making it more inviting and appealing to buyers. Key Techniques of Styling Decluttering and organizing: Create a clean and tidy look by removing any personal items, excess furniture, and clutter to allow potential buyers to envision themselves living in the space. Neutral colour palette: Using a neutral colour palette, such as whites, greys, and beige, creates a clean and timeless look. Neutral colours tend to have a broad appeal and provide a blank canvas that allows buyers to visualize their own style and preferences in the space. Maximize natural light by having the curtains and blinds open to let in as much natural light as possible. Natural light creates a warm and inviting atmosphere, making your home feel brighter and more spacious. Ensure all light fixtures are in working order. Furniture arrangement: Arrange furniture in a way that maximizes the flow and functionality of each room. Create open pathways, remove unnecessary pieces, and aim for a balanced layout. Strategic placement of furniture can create a sense of spaciousness, and highlight features. Staging Staging a home takes the process of presentation a step further by creating a cohesive story and emotional connection for potential buyers. It aims to evoke positive feelings and create an aspirational lifestyle that buyers can envision themselves enjoying in the space. Staging often involves hiring a professional stager who specializes in creating a visually appealing and emotionally compelling environment. Key Techniques of Staging: Creating a theme or concept: Creating a theme or concept can resonate with target buyers. It could be a contemporary, rustic, or coastal style. The staging elements, such as furniture, décor, and accessories, are carefully selected to bring the chosen theme to life. Enhancing focal points: By highlighting features such as views or fireplaces with appropriate furniture and décor, staging aims to capture buyers' attention and leave a lasting impression. Adding finishing touches: Fresh flowers, artwork, and decorative accents create a warm and inviting atmosphere. These details help potential buyers visualize themselves living in the space and create an emotional connection with the property. Add Warmth and Ambiance: Incorporate elements that create a cosy and welcoming atmosphere. Cushions, throws, or area rugs will add warmth and texture. Consider adding fresh flowers, scented candles, or subtle room fragrances to enhance the sensory experience for potential buyers. Benefits of Styling and Staging Increased buyer interest: Both styling and staging can significantly increase the number of potential buyers interested in the property. A well-styled or staged home stands out in listing photos and during open houses, attracting more attention and generating higher levels of interest. Quicker sale and higher offers: By presenting the home in its best light, both styling and staging can lead to a quicker sale and potentially higher offers. When buyers can envision themselves living in the space, they are more likely to make an emotional connection and be willing to pay a premium price. Professional expertise: Styling and staging professionals possess the knowledge and experience to create a visually appealing and marketable home. They have a keen eye for design and understand current market trends. If you're ready to discover the secrets to being ready to sell your home, download our free insider secrets to being ready to sell checklist. YES, DOWNLOAD MY CHECKLIST It is wise to pay special attention to key areas that often have a significant impact on buyers, such as the living room, kitchen, and master bedroom. These areas should be especially clean, organized, and visually appealing. Highlight their features and create focal points using tasteful accessories or artwork. If you feel overwhelmed or unsure about styling or staging your home, consider enlisting the help of a professional. They have the expertise and knowledge to showcase your property's best features, can offer design tips, optimize the layout, and create an appealing aesthetic that resonates with buyers. Once your home is staged, remember to maintain it throughout the selling process. Keep up with cleaning, decluttering, and repairs to ensure your home continues to impress potential buyers at every showing. If you feel you could benefit from our experience with buying and selling, we’d love to hear from you. Simply reach out. We hope that has helped you today. If you have any questions, or you know of anyone who may benefit from our real estate services, we’d love to chat. Our number is 0426 264 771. We look forward to talking to you soon.
Jun 30, 2023
18 best health and fitness businesses in Fairy Meadow
Fairy Meadow has become a hub for health and fitness, from activewear businesses to supplement stores and, of course, gyms and personal trainers. It’s also become known for catering to different types of sporting interests, whether you’re into running, bodybuilding or martial arts. With its flat locale and proximity to the beach, Fairy Meadow was already a great spot to take a leisurely stroll or work up sweat. Discover what other health and fitness businesses and organisations there are. Lokamo Lokamo is a boutique activewear store, with everything from compression tights and light-weight running shorts, to insulated drink bottles and summer slides. The business also has specialty pop up stores servicing gyms and events throughout the Illawarra and offers an online shopping experience. It sources and handpicks the best activewear collections that are tested and tried by fitness and lifestyle experts. Base Health and Fitness Offering a range of classes for all fitness and experience levels, Base members are supported by a highly qualified coach assisting with technique. Head coach and Base owner Taylor offers online coaching for those that live too far away. Open gym is available for those who wish to do their thing, at their own pace. North Wollongong Park Run Park Run starts at Elliotts Road in Fairy Meadow, adjacent to Fairy Meadow Surf Club. It is a free, fun, and friendly weekly 5km community event held on Saturdays from 8am. Participants can walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate - choose your own pace. Anytime Fitness Part of the Anytime Fitness group, the Fairy Meadow location believes in inclusivity. It welcomes people no matter the body type, fitness level, ability, gender or background. You will be supported by expert personal trainers and all the equipment needed to push yourself harder. Zion Fitness The mission of Zion Fitness is to help “create positive, long term and lasting changes to both your health and your life”. This is achieved through qualified and compassionate staff and the most up to date facilities. The business has been operating since 2019 and is located in close proximity to the train station and bus stops. Pilates Haus A pilates and yoga sanctuary, Pilates Haus is a tranquil space to relax and unwind. You can enjoy a range of classes including Pilates Reformer, Dynamic Reformer, HIIP, Jump, Mums & Bubs, Reformer Stretch + Strengthen, yoga classes and private sessions. Studio owner Rayna Gillott has been teaching yoga and pilates throughout the Illawarra for more than 15 years. Circus Monoxide Wollongong’s circus hub, Circus Monoxide, is an inclusive and ever evolving centre for high flying, stilt walking, spinning and tumbling entertainers of all ages. Led by world renowned trainers, it offers classes six days per week and performance opportunities during, and at the end of, each term. Carlson Hizon Fitness Over the past 10 years, Carlson Hizon Fitness has delivered a huge variety of classes and specialty training to help you improve its community’s health, wellbeing and overall fitness. CHF offers personal and small group training, classes and outdoor bootcamps, infrared sauna and massage therapy, and interactive workshops and seminars. It also has a cafe and aromatherapist on site. Pash Movement Pilates A little different to other pilates providers, Pash Movement Pilates key focus is on the breath, pelvic floor engagement and the correct execution of the movement itself. The studio offers Balanced Body Rialto Reformers, which are set higher off the floor for ease, and Balanced Body Tower + Mat Conversion, to provide a pilates trapeze experience. The two pieces of equipment are a must-try for enthusiasts and a delight for anyone wishing to explore pilates for the first time. Pat 4 Pilates Fitness Aimed at achieving total body conditioning, Pat 4 Pilates Fitness includes low impact and safe pilates, yoga and fitness exercises. Owner Pat is a certified pilates, yoga and fitness instructor and has more than 20 years of experience working in the local area. Starting as a personal trainer, her passion for functional and fascial fitness, pilates and yoga led to her creating her unique classes. Savvy Fitness Providing outdoor group fitness and personal training, Savvy Fitness has more than 70 classes each week, including run-specific classes, indoor cycling, boxing, resistance & HIIT classes, yoga and pilates. It recently merged with Amplified Health, a well-respected provider of allied health and clinical therapies. This means it’s now able to offer a wide range of health and wellness services to its members. SMAI In 1985, the SMAI founders began producing martial arts uniforms and punching bags from their home garage in Wollongong, Now, the internationally acclaimed brand crafts sports and martial arts supplies that are used and trusted around the world, serving a wider athletic market. From global fitness franchises, military setups, new gyms, to athletes at every level, it offers 3000 products. The Yard Gym A boutique strength and conditioning space, The Yard Gym caters to all fitness levels and age groups. It offers a world-class training facility with programs tailored to better physical and mental wellbeing. With more than 40 group training sessions on offer, it focuses on strength, power, strength endurance, conditioning and cardio. Crossfit Wollongong Aimed at changing its members’ lives and developing meaningful relationships with them, Crossfit Wollongong adjusts its approach for each individual. It offers CrossFit, Kids Program, Sweat, and Partner Workouts, while its recovery services include a sauna, massage and body scans. Qualified coaches will conduct the InBody Body Composition Assessment to give meaningful and in depth feedback about your results. UniActive 24/7 Innovation Campus Located at the University of Wollongong’s Innovation Campus, UniActive is open to the wider Wollongong community, not just university staff and students. It offers quality gym facilities and fitness services. Its group timetable includes FMT Athletic, Yoga, Pilates, Over 55 Fitness, Cardio Box and FMT Strength. Its equipment includes the Evolt 360 Body Composition Analyser, which provides a full detailed report on what your body is made up of. Fitness 4 All An NDIS registered provider with extensive experience in supporting people with disabilities, Fitness 4 All provides the opportunity to get fit and healthy. Participants can exercise in groups or with a qualified personal trainer alone in the fully equipped gym. There is access to specialist exercise physiologists, fitness tests and comprehensive health reports, along with dietary advice and healthy eating plans. Nutrition Warehouse Located around Australia, Nutrition Warehouse in Fairy Meadow provides customers with access to the most sought after sports, bodybuilding and general health supplements from Australia and America. It includes protein powders, pre-workouts, fat burners, vitamins and sports nutrition. Staff are highly trained in sports and general health nutrition, with some of the Nutrition Warehouse team consisting of past and present Australian and World Champion athletes. Body Revival Personal Fitness Solutions Focused on improving quality of life, longevity and overall well-being, Body Revival offers personal training that motivates and educates its clients. There is no screaming, no “boot camp style training” and no focus on the scales. Instead, it’s about looking and feeling great, inside and out. Services include personal training, exercise options for pre and post weight-loss surgery, rehab training, and small group training. Which do you think are the best health and fitness businesses in Fairy Meadow? Or are there some new ones you’re now looking forward to learning more about? To learn more about the local area and buying, selling or leasing a property, contact Joanne on (02) 4285 7400. Are you or a loved one moving into aged care? Register for our free short course and learn how to right size your home when moving into aged care.
May 26, 2023
10 best cafes in Fairy Meadow
Fairy Meadow cafes are abuzz each day as locals and those working in the area grab their daily cup of coffee or treat. But have you ever wondered what the top options for a good cup of coffee or a slice of cake are in the area? Here are the 10 best cafes in Fairy Meadow. Whether you’re moving to the 2519 area or are a long-serving local, here are some of the cafes and coffee shops you may not be aware of hidden through the streets of Fairy Meadow. Xavier’s Place Location: Shop 4/19-21 Princes Hwy, Fairy Meadow If you’re a fan of the White Horse Coffee brand, which was voted among Sydney’s Best Specialty Coffee, then Xavier’s is your place. Having been open for five years, the cafe features an all-day menu. Items include a veggie plate, mango and prawn salad, beef burger, eggs benny, and Portuguese chicken burger. However, you can also expect plenty of sweet treats, with cakes, tarts and slices. Xavier’s Place also specialises in a variety of platters, such as wraps, all fruit, cheese and biscuits, sandwiches, and sweet treats with fruit. Two Doors Up Cafe and Bar Location: Shop 1/31 Princes Why, Fairy Meadow Opened in Fairy Meadow in 2014 under a different name, its name today originated from the original owners telling customers they were moving to bigger and better premises “two doors up”. Operating as a fully licensed cafe and bar, it’s a place for locals and visitors to chill out on a Friday afternoon after work with a few specialty beers, cocktails and wines. Live music is a staple of the venue and events like trivia nights have become popular. However, Two Doors Up Cafe and Bar also has a great breakfast and lunch menu, focusing on fresh food made with the freshest Australian ingredients. And if a beer or meal isn’t what you’re after, then Two Doors Up is also a great location to grab a quality coffee. Zweefers Cakes Location: 43 Princes Highway, Fairy Meadow Locally owned patisserie Zweefers Cakes has been trading for more than 25 years, enjoying a reputation of providing the finest quality cakes, pastries, pies and savouries. When new owners took over the bakery in 2017, they kept the original recipes that made it so popular to begin with. All products at Zweefers are baked on the premises using high quality ingredients by pastry chefs. Not only providing you with a cuppa and sweet or savoury products within Fairy Meadow, Zweefers has also been supplying cafes and restaurants across the Illawarra and South Coast for many years. The venue is great for a morning tea treat, grab and go lunch, or afternoon tea dessert. Pasticceria Massimo Papa Location: 130 Princes Hwy, Fairy Meadow You don’t need to hop on a plane to experience a taste of Italy, with Pasticceria Massimo Papa baking authentic Italian sweets and savoury items. Home to its famous Baked Ricotta Cheesecake, visitors are able to immerse themselves in the culture of Italian cuisine through the hot foods and variety of cakes on offer. Owner Massimo started his first full time job in the baking industry at age 12, where he learned what it takes to become a pastry chef. The Fairy Meadow business was opened in 2014, and includes unique creations such as favourites like the Limoncello cake. Crazy Horse Coffee Co Location: 2/98 Princes Hwy, Fairy Meadow One of Fairy Meadow’s newer cafes having opened in 2021, this establishment offers delicious food, coffee and gifts. Locals are familiar with its metal art pieces, including the “crazy horse” made by Little Wing Orlando, which was aptly named “iron maiden”. The cafe stocks interesting Australian sodas, pickles, relishes and jams to buy as gifts, along with serving up its house blend coffee Reuben Hills and delicious cakes and pastries. Its online store also sells t-shirts and sweaters with the Crazy Horse Coffee Co branding. Evil Eye Cafe Location: 3 Vereker Street, Fairy Meadow Opened in 2020, the Evil Eye Cafe serves up food, desserts and drinks inspired from the best regions of the Mediterranean. It features one-of-a-kind decor amid a vibrant atmosphere, and has a variety of spaces available, including larger areas for bigger parties. This means it can cater to a diverse range of needs, whether you’re looking to celebrate a special occasion, host a corporate event, or simply enjoy a night out with friends. Evil Eye Cafe can offer high teas, host your birthday celebration, provide catering and has even been known to deliver coffee cup readings after customers finish their Turkish coffee. RUH Espresso Bar Location: 6/78-80 Princes Hwy, Fairy Meadow Formerly The Broken Drum, the recently opened RUH Espresso Bar is serving up good coffee, a breakfast menu, pastries and cakes. With another location also in Wollongong Central, the new Fairy Meadow location has had a bit of a makeover but is still brewing Campos coffee for the locals and visitors. When you walk into the premises, expect to see a clever and creative mural on the wall, the smell of quality baked goods and your usual favourite brew. Wild Bean Cafe Location: Northgate Ctr, 224/224 Princes Hwy, Fairy Meadow Looking for a quick cuppa while on the road, then the Wild Bean Cafe is located in the BP service station, just off Mount Ousley Rd. Using its own Wild Bean Cafe Barista Blend of 100 per cent Rainforest Alliance certified coffee beans, it also serves up freshly baked goods and other food options. You can skip the line and order through the BPme app for pick up. Triangle Cafe Location: 118-126 Princes Hwy, Fairy Meadow Located outside the Coles supermarket, the Triangle Cafe serves breakfasts, home cooked food for lunch and cream teas, cakes and beverages six days a week. You’ll notice the specials board for lunches changing to suit whatever home cooked foods are being prepared, along with the regular Fish ‘n’ Chip day on a Friday. The cafe also serves a range of sandwiches, baguettes and panini's, along with fresh coffee to go. Or order a decaf tea, decaf coffee or one of the varieties of speciality teas. It has a little space out the back of the cafe where dog walkers can sit and dine, or for those who just prefer to sit outdoors. McDonalds McCafe Location: 1 Princes Highway, Fairy Meadow Whether you want to drive through and get a coffee on the go or prefer to sit in the cafe area, McDonald’s McCafes serve up their McCafe blend of coffees to customers. The McDonald's restaurant in Fairy Meadow operates 24 hours a day, allowing you to even get a bite to eat or something to drink in the wee hours of the morning. Or you might opt for the delivery service to have food or drinks delivered to your door. Its McCafe section serves up a variety of coffees and teas, along with toasties, banana breads, raisin toast and muffins. What’s your favourite of the 10 best cafes in Fairy Meadow? Do you have a regular or do you like to try a variety? To learn more about the local area and buying, selling or leasing a property, contact Joanne on (02) 4285 7400. Are you or a loved one moving into aged care? Register for our free short course and learn how to right size your home when moving into aged care.
May 12, 2023
Managing conflict with siblings when selling the family home
Selling the family home can be an emotional time, more so with siblings involved. Disagreements over the pricing the home to sell, timing, renovating to add value, or distribution of funds can intensify into disagreements, making it difficult to navigate the process smoothly. Sibling disputes often explode after a parent dies, and it’s time to allocate the assets of an estate, including selling the inherited family home, with siblings selling it. In this video, we explore some tips and strategies for managing conflict with siblings when selling a house. [siteloft_youtube video_id="a8LcuJxpfiM" autoplay="1" suggestions="1"] If you're ready to discover the secrets to being ready to sell your home, download our free insider secrets to being ready to sell checklist. YES, DOWNLOAD MY CHECKLIST Communicate clearly and civilly Clear and respectful communication is key to managing conflict with siblings when selling the family home. It's important to actively listen, express your own anxieties and viewpoints, and try to understand your siblings' points of view. Avoid aggressive or critical language, and work together to finding common ground and shared goals. Pursue professional negotiation and mediation, if necessary If the conflict becomes too problematic to manage, seeking professional negotiation services can be an effective way to work through disputes and find solutions that work for everyone. Mediators can help facilitate productive discussions, identify areas of agreement and disagreement, and develop creative solutions that meet everyone's needs. Have everything in writing When dealing with siblings, it is important to have everything in writing to avoid misunderstandings or arguments in the future. This includes agreements about the sale price, timing, and distribution of proceeds, along with any other important decisions. Having a written agreement can help ensure that everyone is one is in agreeance and can help prevent disputes in the future. Focus on shared goals and values Remember that, despite disagreements, you and your siblings probably share important goals and values when it comes to selling the family home. For example, you may all want to ensure that the home is sold for a fair price, the process is handled competently and successfully, and that everyone's requirements and trepidations are taken into account. Focusing on the shared goals and values can help guide conversations and avoid conflict. Take a break if necessary If conflict becomes too extreme or overwhelming, take a break and step back for a little while. This can help everyone regroup and refocus on finding common ground and moving forward. It's important to communicate openly and honestly about the need for a break and to make a plan for returning to the process when everyone is ready. If you're ready to discover the secrets to being ready to sell your home, download our free insider secrets to being ready to sell checklist. YES, DOWNLOAD MY CHECKLIST In conclusion, managing conflict with siblings when selling the family home can be challenging, but it's essential to have clear communication, respect, and a focus on shared goals and values. Seeking professional mediation, getting everything in writing, and taking a break, if necessary, can be effective strategies for preventing and managing conflict. By working together and prioritizing open and respectful communication, families can successfully navigate the process of selling the family home and move forward with their individual and collective objectives. These tips should help to minimise your fear when selling. If you feel you could benefit from our experience with buying and selling, or our property management services, we’d love to hear from you. Simply reach out. We hope that has helped you today. If you have any questions, or you know of anyone who may benefit from our real estate services, we’d love to chat. Our number is 0426 264 771. We look forward to talking to you soon.
Apr 14, 2023
Real estate agents revamping ethics index and standards
The Governance Institute of Australia produces a comprehensive study and nationwide survey to reveal the most and least ethical occupations, organisations and sectors. It also checks the nation’s temperature on current ethical dilemmas and difficult questions. The 2022 Ethics Index report has seen the ethic index score drop overall, with real estate agent’s bad reputations ranking low again. Regrettably, a lot of people dislike real estate agents. They have either had bad experiences, know someone who has, or have seen negative media reports. While real estate agents tend to have a bad rap and constantly attract negative headlines, quite often the hardworking, honest, and caring agents who strive to do the right thing by not only their clients, but communities as well, are overlooked. Many real estate agents are working to rewrite the ethics index and overturn the negativity that the industry seems to attract. Watch the video, with Joanne Danckwardt of One Agency JD Property Agents, to remind yourself about some of the amazing work that a great percentage of real estate agents do, going above and beyond. [siteloft_youtube video_id="utKAHWpDbAo" autoplay="1" suggestions="1"] If you're ready to discover the secrets to being ready to sell your home, download our free insider secrets to being ready to sell checklist. YES, DOWNLOAD MY CHECKLIST With specialized knowledge and access to information and a connection to various services, good real estate agents have the potential to impact their communities in a very positive way. Being a respectful real estate agent means they have their finger on the pulse of the neighbourhoods where they sell. Some exception community service stories by real estate agents include: Saving a tenant’s life In Lismore, PRD Northern Rivers Principal Rob Horder, had his own battles to fight as flood waters gushed through his office, let along saving a tenant’s life. Taking a phone call from a community nurse, he learnt one of his tenants was unable to make his dialysis appointment due to floods. Rob put his own agenda aside, went around to pick the tenant up. He was put into a helicopter and taken to hospital for the lifesaving appointment all within half an hour of the tenant losing his life. What an awesome agent! Pink tractor fundraising In 2015, Mudgee real estate agent and auctioneer, Hugh Bateman, embarked on a pink tractor trek to raise funds for the McGrath Foundation Breast Cancer Care. Starting on October 9th for a little over three weeks, Hugh navigated his way around NSW, visiting other agencies and holding auctions and fundraising events. His goal was to raise $250,000 for the McGrath Foundation to assist with funding specialist Breast Care Nurses, but Hugh managed to surpass that goal, raising $382,000. A fantastic result for a worthy cause. Act of kindness With rental affordability being at the forefront of current economic times, Gold Coast Property Manager, Jamie Wernert, wondered how she could personally help one of her elderly tenants. When the landlord indicated they could no longer sustain the below market rent and Denis would have to move, Ms Wernert wanted to do something to help Denis, who lived on a tight pension. Establishing a GoFundMe page, she was able to raise over $47,000 for her pensioner tenant to find a new home along with reach out to other property managers to help find Denis a new home. The funds helped Denis to find a new rental and pay for his moving costs. A beautiful property manger who really does care for her tenants! The list of these amazing deeds of real estate agents goes on and on… But in their day-to-day workings for selling real estate and managing investment properties, real estate agents do a long list of regular everyday activities to ensure they provide exception service and get the best results. Some of the acts include: Tidy, clean and freshen before an open home or newly leased property – both inside and out, including cleaning of the pool. Accept calls at every hour of the day and night, 7 days a week, to get deals done. Work 14-hour + days to ensure their sellers find that perfect one-in-a-million buyer. Play with children and keep them entertained while parents look around a house. Manage the emotional stress when helping sellers and buyers in their home selling and buying journey. Support local sporting teams, schools, communities, and businesses. If you're ready to discover the secrets to being ready to sell your home, download our free insider secrets to being ready to sell checklist. YES, DOWNLOAD MY CHECKLIST We hope this article provides some balance for the next time you hear bad press about real estate and real estate agents. There are many good agents out there that help to counteract the negative reputation that the industry holds. If you feel you could benefit from our experience with buying and selling, or our property management services, we’d love to hear from you. Simply reach out. We hope that has helped you today. If you have any questions, or you know of anyone who may benefit from our real estate services, we’d love to chat. Our number is 0426 264 771. We look forward to talking to you soon.
Mar 31, 2023
Local business: Allure Beauty and Nails
Allure Beauty and Nails managing director Mara Foard was at a bit of a crossroads in life when the Fairy Meadow beauty salon presented itself as an option. After working from home part time for many years, the timing to take over the eight-year-old Fairy Meadow beauty and nail salon couldn’t have come at a better time. When she stepped into the salon, Mara felt like she'd come home. Here’s her story… What’s the history of the business? When did it start? The salon itself has been here (in Fairy Meadow) for many years. The lady before me had owned it for about eight years. I've been in beauty for 20 years. I was working from home part time, so I could be home with the kids. And then how did the salon come about? It was a universal interruption, really. I was at a bit of a crossroads as to where I was heading next. I was feeling sad and miserable, sitting on my couch and going through Facebook. Literally, the advert from a business broker came up for the salon. If I had been in a good place, I probably would have gone, ‘Oh, cute’ and I would have just carried on. But because I was at that crossroads, I kind of went ‘Oh, this is what I could be doing’. The next morning I rang up and came down, and I met with the broker and the owner, and she was gorgeous. She was everything I was, but a lot younger (laughs) - the way she spoke about her clients was the way I felt about my clients, the services that she liked were the services that I liked… I loved the feel. I felt like I had come home. What sort of services do you offer now and has that grown over the years? When I first started the services I offered were very basic. What I was doing was facials, waxing, tinting and pedicures. But since then, I’ve now got LED with my facials, I've now got a laser machine for hair removal and for face rejuvenation or skin rejuvenation. We've got lots of different products. We've got eyelash serums, a little natural perfume line. I'm still not a big salon. I like my clients to feel like they can literally come in and not feel like they're being judged. It’s low key and homely. I want clients to be able to leave here feeling better than when they walked in. What do you like about operating in Fairy Meadow? I like the community. When I first walked in here, I must have been here for a couple of hours, and I had a lady open the door and say to me, “welcome to the community”. Everything is here. Everything that you could possibly need. And if I need to duck out, I can go out and get back here in time for the next client. What are your plans for the future of the business? There are lots of plans, but whether they come to pass is another thing. It depends on where this new world takes us. One, I’d love to get more staff in. Two, I'd love to pull this place apart. It's really small, so I’d love to renovate it. Learn more about Allure Beauty and Nails. To learn more about buying, selling or leasing a property in Fairy Meadow and surrounds, contact Joanne on (02) 4285 7400. Are you or a loved one moving into aged care? Register for our free short course and learn how to right size your home when moving into aged care.
Mar 17, 2023
Benefits of renewing a lease agreement
As a property investor, lease renewals seem to come around quickly, regardless if a six- or twelve-month lease was signed. At the end of a lease, tenants and landlords can choose to sign on for another fixed-term period or continue on a periodic lease agreement (month-to-month). In this video, Joanne Danckwardt helps to explain the difference between the two and what the benefits are of renewing a lease agreement. [siteloft_youtube video_id="ysUQUsWncqg" autoplay="1" suggestions="1"] If you're ready to discover how you can rent out your property with confidence, download our free Step By Step Checklist to Renting Your Property with Confidence. YES, DOWNLOAD MY CHECKLIST What’s the difference between fixed term and periodic lease agreements? When a landlord and tenant are both agree with a new lease arrangement, a new lease will be signed by all parties for another fixed-term period, usually for 6 or 12 months. Should the tenant wish to vacate a fixed term agreement, penalties will be incurred. If no new fixed-term lease is signed and the tenant is not vacating the property, the lease will automatically move to a periodic lease agreement, also known as month-to-month. The rules, rights and obligations outlined in the original lease agreement still apply. Should the tenant wish to vacate and is in a periodic agreement, 21 days’ notice in writing must be given. What are the benefits of renewing your tenant’s lease? Renewing a tenancy agreement comes with a range of advantages for both the landlord and tenant, and outweigh the minimal costs incurred in renewing the lease. These include: Keeping a good tenant If the property has a reliable tenant and the routine inspections show the tenant is caring for the property and paying the rent on time, it’s well worth signing a new lease renewal. A tenant left on a periodic tenancy agreement may feel that their living situation is unstable and start looking for a new rental property that offers more stability. Minimising costs Each time a tenant vacates a property, the property investor incurs costs associated with finding a new tenant, including advertising the property, letting fees, and potential lost rent whilst the property is vacant. Reduced vacancy A lease renewal can reduce a landlord’s vacancy. One week’s vacancy is equal to a 2% loss per annum. Certainty Establishing a new lease agreement with an existing tenant means the property will continue to be tenants and the rental income will not be impacted, in fact, a rental increase may be written into the new lease agreement. A new agreement generally provides for stability. Control While it is possible to find tenants at any time of year, there are periods that are more challenging and could leave the property vacant for longer. A fixed-term agreement gives the landlord some control, as the end of the agreement will always fall at the same time. Tenant stability A tenant will benefit from a lease renewal with increased stability, allowing them to personalise the home, and encouraging a high-quality tenant to continue to care and respect for the property. Reduced damage Having less tenants move in and out of the property reduces potential damage caused to the property that can occur during the moving process. Know your options Before you deciding to offer the tenant a rental lease renewal, it is essential the legal requirements are understood. While a rental lease renewal has many positives, depending on the landlord circumstances, moving into a week-by-week agreement may be more beneficial. For example, if the property investor is considering selling the property, the flexibility of a month-to-month tenancy arrangement may be a better option, and is worth discussing with your real estate agent. It is worth noting that the landlord and the tenant can always renew the lease at a later date, if both parties agree to it. This means that if, when the initial agreement expires, both parties are unable to commit to a longer-term agreement, the lease can expire, and a lease renewal agreement established when circumstances allow it. If you are a property investor and are wondering whether to offer your tenant(s) a lease renewal, we recommend speaking to your property manager. A good property manager will be able to advise on the current leasing environment and market, and the tenant’s plans, and take into consideration your future investment goals, including short- and long-term plans. They should also be able to provide a recommendation for any adjustment to the rent. How to renew a lease agreement For both tenants and landlords, the first step in renewing a lease is to contact the property manager and advise of the intent to renew. Once the new lease agreement has been created, all parties should read it carefully prior to signing, to ensure all obligations and rights are understood, in case of any changes since the previous agreement. Handling a lease renewal is just one of the many services a reliable property manager offers to make life easier for a rental property owner. If you're ready to discover how you can rent out your property with confidence, download our free Step By Step Checklist to Renting Your Property with Confidence. YES, DOWNLOAD MY CHECKLIST If you’re not a One Agency JD Property Agents client, but would like a second opinion on whether to renew your lease agreement – or more information on our property management service – contact us on 4285 7400 or jdpropertypm@oneagency.com.au. We are always happy to answer questions and offer advice, or offer a free rental property appraisal. We hope these tips have been helpful. If you feel you could benefit from our experience with property management, we’d love to hear from you. Simply reach out. We hope that has helped you today. If you have any questions, we’d love to talk to you. Our number is 0426 264 771 or 0455 147 755. We look forward to talking to you soon.
Mar 3, 2023
Local business: Ruby Oak Floristry
Ruby Oak Floristry owners Adele and Christine started the business focused on wedding floristry, before the cancellation and postponement of weddings due to COVID prompted them to pivot into a local flower delivery business. The demand for fresh and modern floral arrangements was so high, the pair needed to look for a premises, opening up in Fairy Meadow soon after. These shifts in the business resulted in the Fairy Meadow florist being awarded the Local Business Award for ‘Best Florist in the Illawarra’ in late 2022. Adele shares their story… What’s the story behind how the business started and your partnership? Ruby Oak started in late 2019 as a wedding floristry business. Things were chugging along nicely until COVID hit in 2020, meaning all weddings and events were either cancelled or postponed, leaving us in a position of needing to pivot our business structure to suit the ever changing environment we were living through. In 2020 and 2021 we saw a huge demand for local flower delivery and people wanting to support small local businesses as best they could through a difficult time. Our business evolved from wedding floristry to flower delivery from our home studio. We grew to really love this side of floristry and have invested lots of time into creating a flower delivery business that is fresh, modern and exciting using premium flowers (the type you’d see used for weddings) as our point of difference. An opportunity came up to lease a small shop space on the Princes Highway, Fairy Meadow, and we took on the exciting challenge of transforming an old Chinese takeaway kitchen into a blooming flower shop bursting with colour and life. In late 2022 we were honoured to take home the Local Business Award for ‘Best Florist in the Illawarra’. We were so pleasantly surprised by this amazing achievement and have the community to thank. We are so proud of what we have created and invite everyone to come and see the space for themselves. What’s your background and has that involved floristry? We trained in floristry at Pearsons in Sydney in 2019, which cemented a love for flower arranging and, generally, all aspects of floristry. Where did your passion stem from? I’ve always loved working with people and customer service, yet knew I wanted to do something creative. By no means is being in the floral industry easy. It’s a lot of physical work and long hours. But being surrounded by beautiful flowers every day, and being able to use my creativity, floristry was the perfect career change. What do you like about working in Fairy Meadow? Fairy Meadow is a beautiful place to live and work. We are in a great, central location and find there is such a nice sense of community with a mixed demographic of young families and older generations who have lived in the area for 30-40 years. Every day we meet really wonderful people with interesting stories. We are always here for a chat. Fairy Meadow is continually changing and becoming a hub for interesting and exciting businesses and places to dine. The warm welcome from the Fairy Meadow community over the past year has been so wonderful. We love that we can bring a fresh, modern style of floristry to this bustling community. Where do you source your products from and how did that develop for you? We source all of our fresh flowers from the Sydney Flower Market. We visit these markets every two days (Monday, Wednesday and Friday), to pick up the freshest and best florals for our customers. Over time, we have developed relationships with growers, allowing us to source the very best florals available. Often, the flower types we are pre-ordering don’t even make it to the market floor before they’re snapped up by us and other florists. What are the most popular items you sell? Does that change throughout the seasons? We have an expansive variety of fresh flower bouquets, dried flowers, giftware, candles and homewares. However, our most popular products are definitely our ‘Pop of Colour’ and ‘Blush Garden’ bouquets. We’ve tried to make it easy for people to shop for flowers from the comfort of their home, with professional photos of our wide range of bouquet styles on offer and same day delivery, Illawarra-wide. What sort of occasions do people tend to purchase flowers for? Has that changed over time? We send flowers across the Illawarra every day for a variety of occasions, most commonly birthdays, anniversaries and sympathy. However, people are still celebrating milestones via flower delivery for newborn babies, graduations, thank yous and many other reasons. Flowers really are such a great way to show your appreciation and/or love to anyone in your life. Learn more about Ruby Oak. To learn more about buying, selling or leasing a property in Fairy Meadow and surrounds, contact Joanne on (02) 4285 7400. Have you reached a point where you or a loved one is moving into aged care? Register for our free short course and learn how to right size your home when moving into aged care.