Real Estate News & Information
Keep yourself informed in Real Estate. Discover what agents don't tell you.

COVID-19. HOW ONE AGENT RESPONDS
Below is a statement sent by a real estate office, Hampton Peters Real Estate, in Burnie on Friday April 3, 2020, to its many ‘landlords’ and tenants.

AUCTIONS DESCEND INTO TOTAL FARCE
Even with the usual fake auction clearance rates, there was no way the industry could hide the auction disasters on the weekend.

HOW YOU CAN SELL WELL DESPITE COVID-19
Three Sydney real estate agents decided to play a round of golf last weekend. Smiles, back-slaps and hand-shakes (despite the warnings) all - around.

REAL ESTATE HOSTAGES
In life, there are few things worse than being stuck with people you don’t like – especially if these people have hurt and betrayed you.
HOME SELLER “VERY HAPPY” TO LOSE $545,000
by Neil Jenman On January 21 this year (2020), Mrs Lawson, an elderly lady sold her family home in the Sydney suburb of Peakhurst for $880,000. Her agent was a…

HOW TO FIRE BAD AGENTS
Craig is a smart fellow. But he can’t believe what’s happened while trying to sell his gorgeous home in a leafy Melbourne suburb.

BEWARE OF PROPERTY “EXPERTS”
2 Questions and 3 Golden Rules. by Neil Jenman Yesterday I saw an email that made my blood run cold. It was from a property identity. He was inviting consumers…

“BUCKET AGENTS”
James is an agent. He’s been in the game 20 years, which means he’s caught many bad habits. Although his integrity won’t allow him to charge upfront costs.

CORONAVIRUS AND PROPERTY
How to handle fear. By Neil Jenman The most famous words about fear were probably spoken by Franklin Roosevelt during his 1932 inaugural address as US president. America was then…

BOOM IN FAKE FIGURES
For those not good at maths, look at the weekend auction “results” from Canberra – the city many say is always awash with distortions.

7 DIRTY TRICKS IN REAL ESTATE
Fortunately, this trick is rare. Here’s what happens: Homeowners (usually elderly folk) who do not know the value of their home call an agent.

A BETTER WAY TO A BETTER PRICE
How not advertising can get a better result by Neil Jenman READING TIME: 3.5 mins apx Local agents said this apartment was worth “around $260,000”. When we said the owner…

IF OUR HOME IS NOT SELLING, SHOULD WE WITHDRAW IT?
When a property is not selling and the owners refuse to acknowledge that price is the major problem, some take the property off the market. They intend to re-list later…

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO SELL A HOME
Most agents say now is the best time to sell. If you’re a buyer, they say now is the time to buy. It’s always the best time for agents to…

WHAT IS A LOVE LIST – AND DO WE NEED ONE?
A Love List is a list of all that you love about your home and your area. It should include what first attracted you to your home; what you have…

SHOULD WE USEA DISCOUNT AGENT?
Rarely. Well, preferably not.But…. If forced to give a yes or no answer to this question, the answer would be NO.And here’s why…If the main way you choose an agent…

WHAT CAUSES BUYERS TO REJECT OUR HOME?
There are several reasons why buyers will reject homes – either before or after inspecting them.Here are some common reasons buyers reject homes for sale …BEFORE INSPECTING.Being unable to inspect…

ARE AGENT-FINDER SERVICES OR SITES WORTHWHILE?
No, definitely not. The internet is peppered with companies that claim to help home sellers to find the best or the cheapest agents. None of these companies have ethical or…

HOW MANY HOURS’ WORK IS INVOLVED IN THE SALE OF A HOME?
Usually less than 10 hours. Sometimes as little as four hours – if you exclude the time spent at the listing presentation. Even less for an auction sale. Consider four…

SHOULD WE MYSTERY-SHOP AGENTS – IF SO HOW AND WHEN?
There are two reasons to mystery-shop agents. The first is to help you find the best agent to sell your home. The second is to check up on your chosen…

WHAT IS MEANT BY THE TERM ‘A TYPICAL AGENT’?
A typical agent is an agent you should avoid. Most agents are typical agents. As you will see (in answer to further questions) if the only agents you can find…


WHEN SHOULD WE NEGOTIATE THE COMMISSION?
Always negotiate the commission at the point of sale NOT at the point of sign-up. You can’t possibly know how much commission an agent is worth until you see what…

HOW DO I KNOW WHAT PRICE TO ASK FOR MY HOME?
Probably the most common mistake made by home sellers is overestimating the value of their homes.