Real Estate News & Information
Keep yourself informed in Real Estate. Discover what agents don't tell you.
What is the Jenman symbol?
It is an ancient Moorish symbol which is supposed to bring good luck and ward off the evil eye. In about 1880, Robert Ormond Maugham (one of the founders of…
Ethics in Investing
“Anyone who says money doesn't cause happiness is either a liar or a loser,” yelled the guru. His audience laughed as one. It was ten minutes since he bounded onto…
Ethics in Real Estate
In 1943, a 69 year old writer, W Somerset Maugham, published an essay on Virtue. He said most people accept the importance of the virtues of integrity and self-sacrifice, but…
Ethical Concerns for Australian and New Zealand Real Estate
Real estate consumers are losing millions of dollars due to the lack of ethics in real estate. It is a national disgrace in both Australia & New Zealand. And it…
Sell Your Property and Pay Zero Commission
Consumers are conditioned to believe that buying or selling real estate is difficult. For years we have been told we need agents.
Danger For First-Home Buyers
In our drunken desire for possessions it is easy to forget the debt hangover that follows. Within a few months, the glamour of the purchase is replaced by the grind…
Gazumping – Be Aware
With most home sales, there are three groups of people - sellers, buyers and agents. The sellers want the highest price, the buyers want the lowest price and the agents…
Seven Rules for Buying at Auction
If you don't know the tricks used at auctions, you are certain to get hurt. Most auction agents have no regard for your feelings. They want a sale and they…
How Real Estate Thiefs Get Away with More Than Bank Robbers
A bank robber who robbed a bank of almost a quarter of a million dollars has been banned from entering any bank premises for five years.
Cold August Night
On a cold August night, back in 2005, I made a big mistake. I made a promise to a journalist by the name of Paul Barry that a woman by…
The Gough Response
There are few sights more ridiculous in the business world than businessmen attempting to defend the indefensible.
Homesellers – Don’t Pay Anything Until Your Home is Happily Sold!
Here's a three word message for sellers - Don't Pay Anything! At least not until your property is sold and you are satisfied. And don't pay money for advertising.
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.
