WEEKEND WRAP-UP - 24 MAY 2014

SOLD - 44 Hayes terrace, Mosman Park

Last weekend was quite possibly one of the wettest weekends in CY auction history, with many of our auctions beginning outside and ending inside.

But even the pouring rain and bellowing winds couldn't stop crowds of motivated buyers making it to our auctions with hopes of securing the perfect property.

Those who braved the weather were rewarded with a great show from our auctioneers, who sold three properties under the hammer, including a stunning Mosman Park residence that was purchased by a very happy couple after outbidding the previous sellers of the property who were looking to buy it back.

We also saw great success with private treaty sales.

A notable example was a property we sold in Claremont, which had previously been pulled from the market after it was unsuccessful with another agency. Using our local expertise, we identified a hot buyer in the area, and sold the property shortly after showing them through the home before it had hit the market.

The team is clearly in top form as we enter the beginning of winter, selling 11 properties in total this week – just 3 shy of our record of 14 sales in a week.

Additionally, the recent increase in auction clearance rates in Melbourne (95%) will likely provide a further boost to buyer confidence, which is great news for those thinking about selling soon.

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40 TREASURED YEARS AT NUMBER 39

For sellers Digby and Libby Knapp, it's the end of a colourful era

They say after a few years pets start to resemble their owners, so too it seems do homes take on the personalities of those who inhabit them.

Situated at the base of pine tree lined Salvado Street in beachside Cottesloe, this original grand old home on a sprawling 889 sqm corner block, is one of a dwindling number of this premier suburb's classic first world war residences to remain intact.

Very much at home among its grand proportions and soaring ceilings, this home has played centre stage to the memories and movements of the Knapps and their children since they first took up residence a year after this married in 1972.

Former radiologist Libby laughs as she recalls discovering her life long home on a break from her work at Sir Charles Gardiner Hospital one day.

Excitedly telling her husband that she had found the home they had to have, she said it was quite a contrast from their former bedsit in South Perth, which was largely unfurnished apart from a collection of books and a double bed.

"I think the lady that lived here before us couldn't believe we had bought this big house and we had absolutely no furniture," recalls Libby fondly.

"She left us a double bed and a book shelf when she left, I think she felt quite sorry for us having nothing to bring with us when we moved in."

"I just fell in love with it the moment I saw it and rang Digby at work and said 'we have to have it'!"

Known for his sense of humour and trademark grin, her well known optometrist husband, Digby, says he wouldn't dream of standing in the way when his wife had a plan and so began a journey that will end when their home goes under the hammer on Saturday May 24th.

The couple remembers fondly the Cottesloe that was when they first moved in, when it was a quiet beachside enclave of holidays homes for local farming families chasing a coastal summer getaway.

Home to children Heidi and Franz through childhood to adulthood, theirs was the sort of home that welcomed friends and family members regardless of the time of day or who was home.

"We've celebrated so many milestones here and entertained generations of family and friends, many of whom are no longer with us, year in and year out," says Libby.

So much so there's been an endless procession of friends and neighbours lining up to say goodbye to a sale that will mark the end of an era for the Knapp family.

Although Digby says he would have happily died in the family home, a need to downsize and divest themselves of at least some of their treasured belongings prompted the decision to put their home on the market and make their next move.

Despite the sadness of family and friends, the couple says they hope another young family feel as at home as they have at number 39.

39 Salvado Street, Cottesloe goes under the hammer onsite Saturday 24 May 2014. We hope to see you there!

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2014 REIWA Auctioneering Championships

Rob (left) and Phil (right) in action

We're proud to announce that both of our extremely talented auctioneers, Phil Hayes and Rob Mason, are among the top 5 state finalists for the 2014 REIWA Auctioneering Championships!

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3 ADVANTAGES TO SELLING YOUR PROPERTY IN WINTER

24 Daphne Street, North Perth

Against popular opinion, winter may be one of the best times in the year to sell your property, especially based on last year’s auction results.

According to RP Data, winter auction clearance rates across Australia’s capital cities were slightly higher in winter (67.9%) compared to other times of the year (66.6%).

Let’s take a look at 3 advantages to selling your property in winter:

• Fewer options on the market
  
  We typically see the highest volume of sales in the warmer months with market activity reducing over winter. With fewer properties on the market, there is more chance for your property to stand out and attract the right buyer.
  
  
• A warmer welcome
  
  Winter brings out a certain kind of beauty in homes. With all the lights on and rooms nicely heated, your property will feel warm and inviting which may increase buyer interest, potentially maximising the sale price.
  
  
• Motivated buyers
  
  While it is true that there may be fewer buyers in the market during the colder months, the ones that are looking tend to be more motivated as they need to purchase a home as soon as possible.
  
  

We hope you found this article useful! If you would like to stay up-to-date with all of the latest market news and view the best properties that Perth has to offer, check out our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter!

THERE'S PLENTY TO BE CONFIDENT ABOUT

The local market was noticeably quiet over the past week.

Was this just pre-budget jitters or perhaps a seasonal shift in the market?

What’s certain is that the wider trend across the country is that major housing markets, including in Sydney and Melbourne, seem to have cooled.

Although we’re entering a traditionally slower period, the right selling strategy can still produce fantastic results for sellers.

Just recently we set a new record sale price for a particular apartment complex on Canning Highway, after setting the previous record last year.

Time will tell how buyers respond to Tuesday’s federal budget announcement and its raft of spending cuts.

On a positive note for homeowners, buyers and investors, the Government didn’t put the sword to negative gearing or the capital gains tax exception on the family home, as many predicted it would.

These tax incentives seem to be off the table for the time being.

Furthermore, the conservative nature of the budget means that, in all likelihood, interest rates will remain low over the medium term – great news for mortgage holders.