Local buyers join the Chinese treasure hunt

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Coming from a much longer tradition of living in high-density cities, apartment buyers with some kind of Chinese heritage usually opt to buy close to transport hubs, shops and restaurants.

  

 

''Fundamentally, they are savvy buyers and particularly good at buying off the plan, probably because they're better educated when it comes to real estate as they're accustomed to apartment living, and most in China and Asia are sold off the plan,'' Carfi says. 

According to Haig Conolly, the director of sales and marketing with developer Crown International, 

• buyers of some Chinese heritage like to live in developments with facilities like pubklic transport, 5-star restaurants, top-class shopping malls and employment close by (Anglo-Australians are following the same direction too!!)
• They also like small boutique apartments as long as they are well located (Looks like the saying Location! Location! Location! still very much exists and is so so so important)   
•  Primary reason : There is a certain aspirational quality that comes from whre you live and general lifestyle attributes

 

''Their criteria for buying - well located, in good transport nodes and well serviced by amenities - are excellent, and good feng shui in facing north-east makes perfect sense, too.'' 

Chinese buyers are now a significant part of the market!

Developers are ensuring that they are included as potential purchases. As it is Crown and Mirvac are launching off-the-plan buildings at home AND overseas

Australia's 25 most expensive suburbs - and their houses - See more at: http://discover.realestate.com.au/buying/news/australias-25-most-expensive-suburbs--and-their-houses

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Unsurprisingly, Sydney waterside suburbs dominate the upper crust!

Here are the Top 5, head to http://discover.realestate.com.au/buying/news/australias-25-most-expensive-suburbs--and-their-houses to check out for the other 20 most expensive suburbs and properties!!

You thought Toorak was expensive right?? So did I.... it only made it to 12th place.

So what pulls premium buyers in these areas? 

Pattern : close to the water, feature heritage homes or offer large blocks of land and less than 10km from their CBD

Did you know??? 

The top 25 suburbs and surrounds accounts for ONLY 0.5% of Australia’s population.

HOW SHOCKING!! 

(1) Point Piper, Sydney, NSW, $7, 381, 887

WOW. This is like a tropical mansion.

(2) Watson Bay, Syndey, NSW, $6, 476, 767

Simply stunning. I am jealous!

(3) Centennial Park, Syndey, NSW, $5, 217, 016

Very European. Cosy! So much history and charisma

(4) Woolwich, Sydney, NSW, $4, 621, 152

I don't know what to make of this beautiful scenery. Speechless.

(5) Peppermint Grove, Perth, WA, $4, 284, 941

Extravagant!

(12) Toorak, Melbourne, VIC, $2, 774, 578

Like a white palace!

Point Piper takes the national crown, with a median value of a cool $7.3 million. The suburb also has a very high rate of home ownership; of 148 detached houses, 57 percent are owned outright.
Peppermint Grove is the richest WA suburb, and fifth overall. The median house value there is $4,284,941 million.
- See more at: http://discover.realestate.com.au/buying/news/australias-25-most-expensive-suburbs--and-their-houses#sthash.fwhzbsVE.dpuf

 

Point Piper takes the national crown, with a median value of a cool $7.3 million. The suburb also has a very high rate of home ownership; of 148 detached houses, 57 percent are owned outright.
Peppermint Grove is the richest WA suburb, and fifth overall. The median house value there is $4,284,941 million.
- See more at: http://discover.realestate.com.au/buying/news/australias-25-most-expensive-suburbs--and-their-houses#sthash.fwhzbsVE.dpuf

Point Piper takes the national crown, with a median value of a cool $7.3 million. The suburb also has a very high rate of home ownership; of 148 detached houses, 57 percent are owned outright.
Peppermint Grove is the richest WA suburb, and fifth overall. The median house value there is $4,284,941 million.
- See more at: http://discover.realestate.com.au/buying/news/australias-25-most-expensive-suburbs--and-their-houses#sthash.fwhzbsVE.dpuf

nsurprisingly, Sydney waterside suburbs dominate the upper crust. - See more at: http://discover.realestate.com.au/buying/news/australias-25-most-expensive-suburbs--and-their-houses#sthash.fwhzbsVE.dpuf

nsurprisingly, Sydney waterside suburbs dominate the upper crust. - See more at: http://discover.realestate.com.au/buying/news/australias-25-most-expensive-suburbs--and-their-houses#sthash.fwhzbsVE.dpuf

nsurprisingly, Sydney waterside suburbs dominate the upper crust. - See more at: http://discover.realestate.com.au/buying/news/australias-25-most-expensive-suburbs--and-their-houses#sthash.fwhzbsVE.dpuf

nsurprisingly, Sydney waterside suburbs dominate the upper crust. - See more at: http://discover.realestate.com.au/buying/news/australias-25-most-expensive-suburbs--and-their-houses#sthash.fwhzbsVE.dpuf

Decorating for renters

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http://www.homelife.com.au/decorating/living+dining/decorating+for+renters,4357

Are you facing the problem of being a renter and not being able to decorate your home to make it really your home? Unlike homeowners, who can knock down walls and rip up floors to transform a space, renters can’t even put a nail in the wall without the owner‘s permission...

The solution? --------->  --------> Think inexpensive, reversible and portable

Before you start:

•  Ensure the changes you make are easily reversible 
• If you hope to have your bond returned when you move out, anything you remove or disassemble, such as curtains, light fittings or doorknobs should be carefully stored somewhere free from damp or dust, and clearly labelled. 

Note: Always consult your landlord before starting any work, and obtain permission in writing. Keep them on side by consulting them at every stage.

Colours are your new best friend:

As a general rule:

Light tones and neutrals = brighten and visually enlarge a space.
(Less overwhelming than bright colours and most likely get approval from the landlord.. and it's easier to replace when you leave! Just a lil handy tip!)

Darker tones and neutrals = feel cosier and more intimate.

Fabulous Flooring:

• Disguise a drab or stained carpet with colourful and inexpensive rugs

• Consider outlaying a little more for floating lino tiles that can be laid straight over the top of worn tiles or floorboards. No glue or nails required – you simply click-lock the tiles together.

Greeeeeeenss:

• Make a HUGE HUGE difference just by adding natural elements have a calming and softening effect on any room
• Potted herbs are always a plus for those who love to cook

Window Dressing:

• Replacing curtains with a simple roman or venetian blind. Available from homeware and specialty stores in a range of standard sizes, and might even be re-useable in your next property. Great investment!
• LET THE LIGHT IN! It's bright, it's refreshing, it's breezy – they are good for the soul and circulates the air coming into the house.
  
  

2013 The Year of the Snake. Happy Chinese New Year :)

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Today is the second last day of Chinese New Year...

JM Chase First National wishes everyone a prosperous, happy and fulfilling new year. May the year of the Snake be an exciting, healthy and successful year. Enjoy the family gatherings and yummy biscuitsthis festive season!!!

If you've never had pineapple tarts, check this blog out. step by step recipe on how to bake amazing pineapple tarts. In Hokkien, pineapple means "bring good luck".

Let's bake these little mouth-watering pineapple balls and welcome the good luck with open arms.

http://nasilemaklover.blogspot.com.au/2013/02/my-best-melt-in-mouth-pineapple-tarts.html

Are you a smart renter?

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Download your free 24 page booklet here!   ---->    http://www.liveability.com.au/rent-smart/

You don’t have to own your property to reduce your environmental impact, save money and increase your comfort at home.



Sometimes it's through the little tweaks in our actions that make the big changes.. might be done at no cost or low cost.Many actions can be done at no cost or low cost, or through small changes in your behaviour.

 Small actions  = Big changes

Inside you’ll find:

01 Tips for the whole house
02 Living Room
03 Kitchen
04 Bathroom
05 Laundry
06 Outdoor Areas
07 Reducing Waste
08 Getting Around
09 Working with your landlord and Property Investment Manager
10 Household Assistance

Start thinking outside the box, encourage other household members to participate.. It's amazing what we can all come up with. Great way to get everyone onboard and on the same page!

Note: Some changes may require permission from your landlord.

Finding the right architect

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So you have a vision of your ideal home... now what?! Hire an architect for advice and make this dream of yours come true.

Why hire one? you might ask...

They will help you:
- set a viable and realistic budget
- guide you through the town planning process
- obtain competitive quotes for the work
- manage consultants like surveyors and engineers
- monitor the budget
- administer the construction contract.
- improve the appearance
- functionality and sustainability of your built environment
- improve the efficiency of your lifestyle and deliver time and cost efficiencies.

No hassle. No fuss. No stress.

BUT!!! Finding the right architect is also very important.

To find an architect click on the link on the right, go to Search for architects by practice name, location, postcode and building type.
Browse architectural firm profiles that contain images and descriptions of projects, contact details and links to websites.

It's also important to be aware of the impact of your property on future generations and environment. You can check out the Enviornmental Design Guides at the following link covering environmental strategies for building designers.

http://www.environmentdesignguide.com.au/

Design note topics include

• designing with solar photovoltaics
• passive solar design
• water conservation
• daylighting
• urbanism
• building user perceptions and behaviours
• embodied energy and performance of materials
• designing for energy efficiency
• designing for climate change
• environmental assessment tools

LET'S MAKE THIS DREAM OF YOURS COME ALIVE :)

Bathroom inspirations

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Thinking of renovating your bathroom? Changing up the style abit for a brand new start in the year 2013? Here are some ideas to get you brainstorming..

For more ideas, check out : http://www.realestate.com.au/home-ideas/results-bathrooms-modern/list-1

GET INSPIRED!! MAKE IT YOUR OWN! Give a little touch of "you" to your bathroom.

Do you have an ensuite? Keep it neat and simple.. It's effective enough!!

Amazing how just the simple pink mat adds so much personality to this bathroom.

A more outback, country style?? yeeeeeeehaaaaa :D I love the homey feel this bathroom gives

A modern retro would you say?? Having 2 complementing colours on 2 diffrent walls with 2 different textures really does give this bathroom that modern edge. Not over the top to me. Love it!!

The wooden/marble like walls surely gives this bathroom that modern yet homey feel.