Step back in time - Hawkesbury history

The Hawkesbury region was one of the first colonial settlements with landholders arriving in 1789. By 1794 the farming and agricultural aspect of the Hawkesbury was underway with settlers being allocated 30 acre lots in order to feed the colony. To this day the area is known as one of the richest food basins in NSW.

The town of Windsor is well known for it's historic buildings - The Macquarie Arms Hotel (1815), St Matthews Catholic Church (1840), Windsor Court House (1822) , St Matthews Anglican Church (1817) and Thompson Square are all monuments to the regions past. There are many original homes, many from the 1840's, which are lovingly lived in to this day.
The Hawkesbury Regional Gallery and Library, located in Windsor,  is a great source of information for those interested in the history of the region.

In the neighbouring towns of Pitt Town, Kurrajong, Richmond, Ebenezer, Wilberforce and Rouse Hill there are plenty of examples of historic homes and buildings to delight any enthusiast.

The Hawkesbury Historical Society is a treasure trove of information and regularly runs information nights and re-enactment days. Tel 02 723007 for more information.

iRIS Property 02 45677254      www.irisproperty.com.au

Happy days at iRIS Property

It's been a busy day at iRIS Property. Plenty of enquiries, some fantastic new listings - watch out for upcoming newsletters to be the first to hear of these great homes on offer - and one of the most enjoyable parts of our job ... settlements !

We are heading out this afternoon to deliver keys and champagne to our excited purchasers. It's fantastic to have been able to help people secure a home, increase their wealth and security and to watch them start out on a new leg of their journey. We wish them all well and hope that they enjoy their new homes.

Another great aspect of today is knowing that our vendors, who have been caught up in the often challenging task of having a home on the market, can now bank their cheques and get moving on finding their next home, hopefully after having a well earned rest for a little while.

We thank you for trusting us to help you with these life changing transactions and look forward to working with you again soon.

iRIS Property   www.irisproperty.com.au
tel 02 45677254

Celebrating the launch of our new website !!!!

New iRIS Property Website ! We are very happy to announce the arrival of our latest website upgrade to provide an easier and more pleasant browsing experience. Just launched about an hour ago, we have added great new functionality and feature items such as mapping, clients can now access directions to a property directly from their smartphone or tablet, we have new improved image carousels,- improved ,easier and more comprehensive search functions, plus -social media share functions , and lots more detail improvements and changes ! Naturally we have retained the sleek and refined general look that we get so much great feedback about ! Jump on the new site and have a look- www.irisproperty.com.au

Tips for getting it right in property investment.

     Get your finances in order.

Before you even begin to look at investment opportunities it is important to determine how much you are able to borrow, how much it's going to cost and if you can afford it. This may seem like basic information but it's important to get your ducks in a row so you know what is in your price range and you don't waste time looking at properties you simply cant afford.

This process usually starts by speaking to a mortgage broker. Not only are they typically best placed to suggest how much debt you have access to, they can often also secure you the best terms for your finance and structure the debt in a way which saves you money in the long run and optimises your tax breaks.

       Get us involved from the start.

Real estate agents 'live and breathe' property - building and maintaining a relationship with an expert agent can often be of more benefit to you than you first thought. We have been doing this for a long time and we want you to take advantage of our expertise.

Once we know what you're looking for we can act on that information and let you know about great properties as they arise. This process often sees investors snap up investments efficiently and at competitive prices.

       Get while the getting's good

Just like any sort of investment, property investors try to secure assets while markets are down in order to make great returns as markets recover.

We have plenty of well priced, good quality properties available and investors are currently in a good position to secure relatively cheap finance with more interest rate cuts likely. 

These factors combined with Australia's strong economic situation and "ready to lend" banks provide for fantastic opportunities for financial growth and security.

       Location, Location, Location

While a landlord can renovate a house to make it more attractive to tenants, the house itself can never be moved  - making the 'location, location, location' adage as true today as it ever was.

Proximity to schools, transport  and shopping centers are all key factors to consider when chosing your investment property.  

Call us today to see how we can help you create a secure and strong financial future.

iRIS Property - www.irisproperty.com.au

Tel : 02 45677254

What's your idea of a great family home ??

There are lots of factors to consider when looking for the perfect family home.

How many bedrooms do you need? Is there plenty of sun and light ? Do you need an entertaining area? Want a great garden for kids to play in ? Room for guests or extended family ?

We have just the property that ticks all the boxes .

This beautiful home in Bowen Mountain has been stylishly renovated and is on a huge double block in Bowen Mountain. It has four bedrooms with a large landscaped garden. Perfect for kids.
The kitchen is lovely and welcoming and this home also hits the spot with aircon and a slow combustion fire, gorgeous bathrooms, music studio/gym, separate indoor and outdoor entertaining areas.

There is nothing left for you to do except move in and enjoy.

Interested ?  Give us a call - iRIS Property 02 45677254
Here's the link to this property on our website  http://www.irisproperty.com.au/properties/detail/3014

Straight talking

Do you value honesty ?  Would you rather someone tell you what you need to know or what you want to hear ?

At iRIS Property we take honesty seriously. There will never be any shortage of real estate agents willing to tell you what you want to hear in order to get your business. That's why we are different.

When it comes to making astute financial decisions you need to know the facts. We pride ourselves on our straight talking including giving you an accurate assessment of your property. We are proud of our ability to accurately gauge the market value of your investments and of our proven track record in getting the numbers right.

It's human nature to always hope for more. It's also difficult sometimes to hear the truth - especially when this means potentially hearing that your property may be worth less than you think or have been told.

We all know the story of getting a few agents to provide market appraisals and being amazed by the widely varying differences in values. This happens for a couple of reasons :

* Some less than honest operators are simply trying to garner your business when they know the price they have set is not achievable.
* Some simply don't have the knowlege base or skills to accurately assess your property.

When you are told that your property is worth a lot more than is realistically achievable we call this the 'feel good price". Even though it makes you happy in the short term the long term outlook isn't great. At over inflated prices you can expect your property to take longer to sell and to lose the advantage of those first few crucial weeks of interest when your property is new to the market. In the end you will almost certainly sell at the more realistic price we originally gave you.

If you want the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth call us.

Putting the real back in real estate.

iRIS Property - for accuracy and integrity.


www.irisproperty.com.au

Tel : 02 45677254

First home buyers savings accounts.

Buying your first home is a big step. Want some help getting a deposit together ?

Did you know that most banks, credit unions and financial institutions have accounts designed to help you save. These first home owners savings accounts offer generous incentives and are a great way to grow your savings.

There are many benefits which you can make the most of including :

* The government makes a 17% contribution on the first $5500 you deposit each year, this means an extra $935 for you.

* Any interest you earn is tax free.

Some of the conditions of these accounts are :

* You need to save a minimum of $1000 per year for 4 years before you can withdraw the money.

* The maximum amount you can deposit in these accounts is $85000.

*The money must be used for the purchase of a home. If you don't use it for real estate the deposit is added to your superannuation.

For more information see the Australian Taxation Office website :
http://www.ato.gov.au/individuals/content.aspx?menuid=0&doc=/content/00250962.htm&page=1&H1


Call us for help in purchasing your first home. iRIS Property  02 45677254 www.irisproperty.com.au

Looking at lots of properties ???

Searching for the perfect property ??? We all wish for that beautiful home to appear quickly and for some this happens but for the most part we need to be diligent and look at lots of homes before we find the right one.

When you have spent a few weekends looking at lots of different properties it's easy to lose track of things and this is where it can come in handy to have a checklist. Check out this useful home buyers checklist - 

http://advice.realestateview.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Open-For-Inspection-Checklist.pdf

This simple tool can help you compare properties and serve as a way to narrow down the homes which may be suitable for you. 

Need help finding your next home ? Call iRIS Property 02 45677254

www.irisproperty.com.au

Looking to rent ? Follow our handy guide to a stress free tenancy

We have all heard reports about how competitive the rental market is at the moment. Sydney rental prices are through the roof and there are plenty of horror stories of people searching for months for a suitable property.

Fortunately for you things are great in the Hawkesbury. Quality of life and cost of living is significantly more affordable and commuting to work is part of everyday life for many people west of the city. So if you're sick of standing in line every weekend to put in your bid on a tiny apartment in the city for $500 a week why not come and have a look at what the Hawkesbury area has to offer.....

Here are some tips to help you find and secure a rental property. By following these tips you can make looking for a home easier and simpler.

* Do some research ! Have a look at available properties in the area you want to live and see what you get for your money. In this way you will have a realistic idea of pricing and the type of property you can afford.

* Consider what you need and want. Look at things like transport, entertainment, shops, proximity to family and friends and the ability to have pets.

* Talk to us about what is available in your area and price range. If we know you are looking for a property we can let you know when homes become available.

* Have all the information you need in order to complete your rental application form eg identification, references, proof of employment.

* Know your rights and responsibilities as a tenant. Follow this link to the Dept of Fair Trading for advice on renting a home....

http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/Tenants_and_home_owners/Renting_a_home.html

iRIS Property
Tel : 02 45677254
www.irisproperty.com.au

iRIS Property - Who are we ????

iRIS Property was founded in 2007 by Martin Schoeddert and his wife and business partner, Jeanette.
Canadian born Martin studied a Bachelor of Commerce before embarking on a career in real estate in 1988.

Martin specialises in rural and residential properties and has extensive knowledge of the Hawkesbury and surrounding areas. He is always happy to provide advice and assistance.

Martin and Jeanette founded iRIS Property with the aim of providing fantastic service and getting great results for their clients and have achieved that goal. Many of their clients are people who have bought or sold with them in the past who wouldn't think of dealing with any other agent.

Steven Body of Kurrajong Heights " Martin has helped us with all of our property transactions - if you want someone who will answer your questions honestly, give you reliable information you need to make good choices and get results then iRIS is it "

"We understand what a responsibility it is to look after people's largest assets " Martin Schoeddert - "We aim to help you maximise sales results and returns on your investments"

iRIS Property also provides property management services so can help you find the perfect investment property and then take care of the tenancy details for you.

Martin says that developing open and professional relationships with his clients is what he loves most about his job. Add to that his passion for sharing knowledge and helping people achieve their financial goals and you have the perfect agent.

Contact iRIS Property - 02 45677254   info@irisproperty.com.au   www.irisproperty.com.au

What is the 'Cooling Off' period ????

Cooling Off refers to a period of time, usually about five days, after you have exchanged contracts in which the buyer has the opportunity to get pest and building reports done, ensure financing is in order and generally get ready for the purchase and decide if they wish to definitely proceed with the sale.

During this period the purchaser is able to get out of the contract for any reason but it is important to note that if the sale does not proceed a fee of 0.25% of the purchase price ($250 for every $100K) is paid by the purchaser to the vendor.

During the Cooling Off Period the vendor is bound to the sale of the property and cannot sell to anyone else even if a higher offer is made.

It is possible to waive the Cooling Off Period by the purchaser providing the vendor with a Section 66W Certificate. The buyer will need to engage a solicitor or conveyancer to execute this.

The advantages of a Cooling Off Period for the purchaser include securing the purchase and ensuring that the vendor cannot sell to anyone else in this time. It also usually expedites the process of the sale and means less stress and uncertainty for the buyer.

For the vendor a Cooling Off Period provides an expression of genuine interest and provision of some compensation even if the sale does not go ahead (0.25% fee). It also indicates that the purchaser is motivated to go ahead with the sale and has made a financial and psychological investment in the property. It also ensures that the purchaser does their searches, pest and building reports and arranges their finance in a timely manner meaning less wasted time if the property needs to go back on the market.


www.irisproperty.com.au  
info@irisproperty.com.au
Tel : 02 45677254

Tax tips for property investors

The end of the financial year looms near and it's time to start thinking about getting the most out of your investment property. 
There are many things you may be able to claim so get those receipts organised and check out some of the ways you can minimise tax this year. 


You may be able to claim  :


• Advertising for a tenant
• Body Corporate fees
• Council rates
• Depreciation on plant and equipment
• Interest on a loan to purchase the property
• Insurance
• Land tax
• Property agents’ fees
• Repairs and maintenance (fully deductible)
• Capital works deductions/special building write-off
• Stationery, postage and telephone
• Travel expenses
• Water rates


Speak to your tax agent or accountant for more information. 

The basics of auctions

When to consider selling by auction

* Sale by auction is often the best way to go for unique and unusual properties.

* It is a great method of marketing generating a competitive interest around your property.

* This form of sale allows the selling price to be dictated by the market rather than by setting a cap or figure for sale which is useful when there are few comparable properties in your area.

*It's helpful for people who want a good chance of selling their home on a given day for at least the minimum price you have determined with your agent.

How it works

Once you have decided to go to auction we can guide you through the whole process.
The process of  marketing your property is similar to other sale types in that we will contact potential buyers, devise an advertising campaign and arrange open homes for people to inspect your property.

The date for auction is set and advertised and the minimum sale price (reserve) is determined near the end of the marketing campaign. You are always protected by the reserve price.

On auction day Martin and your auctioneer will guide you through the process. The relevant documentation is displayed for potential purchasers and the ground rules for the auction are set eg, acceptable bid increments.

The auctioneer will ask for a starting bid and once the reserve is met the property is said to be 'on the market' and the highest bidder on the day is the purchaser. If the reserve is not met during the auction we still have the opportunity to sell under auction conditions until midnight of that same day.

The purchaser is required to pay a 10% deposit on the fall of the hammerand sign the contract.   Settlement generally occurs 42 days later or as negotiated between the parties.

For more information about auctions or selling your property call us at iRIS Property 02 45677254.

Building wealth

Property investment is a fantastic way to build wealth whether you're looking at long or short term goals. We can help you to find the right property to meet your criteria. Some types of investments can be difficult to understand if you don't have a degree in economics - let's look at some great reasons to get into the investment market.

So why should you think about property for investment ?

* Solid, proven capital growth
* The safety of bricks and mortar
* Regular rental income to support you or your loan
* Tax incentives such as negative gearing- almost un-heard of anywhere else in the world !
* The ability to increase the value of your asset through improvements such as painting, renovations, landscaping - often a small investment of cash or time can significantly increase the value of your property and the income you receive from it.

If you are ready to build a more secure financial future and are looking for investment opportunities call us  today.

A simple buyers guide

1. Speak with a mortgage broker/bank/financial institution to determine the most appropriate loan type for you and to gauge your borrowing capacity.

2. Make a short list of the suburbs or areas you are interested in and do some basic research about average price houses for these areas and to assess services such as shops, schools and transport- we can help you with this.

3. Get to know your agent - we like to know about you too - the better we understand your needs such as family size, transport and schooling requirements the better we are able to find the right property for you and your family.

4. When you find a property that you are interested in it's time to bring in solicitors and arrange pest and building inspections. This gives you the information you need to make an informed decision about the offer you would like to make to the vendor.

5. When your offer has been accepted it is time to sign the contract for sale and pay your 10% deposit which is held in trust until the sale is finalised.

6. At this point the solicitors, conveyancers or agent arranges exchange of the signed contracts and settlement usually takes place 6 weeks later.

At iRIS Property we have years of experience in helping people find the home they want. Call us today to see how we can help you.

Tips for a fuss free house move

You have found the perfect home and it's time to move. Follow our handy checklist to minimise the stress.

1. Decide if you are going to engage a removalist service or do it yourself.

Removalist - negotiate price, inclusions and book at least 3 weeks in advance of moving date.

DIY - arrange to hire moving van if necessary and start to gather boxes and packing materials.

2. Arrange disconnection and new connection of services such as power, internet, telephone. Change property details on insurance policies.

3. Start packing any items you won't be using and organise a system of labelling to avoid double handling on the day and to ensure access should you need something in the meantime.

4. Make a moving home checklist ( there are lots of websites with easy to follow examples ) make an inventory of your belongings and make sure to keep things you will need for your first night in your new home separate. Consider packing a couple of changes of clothes, some sheets and towels, toiletries and toys for kids.

5. Make sure all boxes are clearly labelled and necessary items are easily accessible.

Good luck, and have fun. Generally - if everyone in the household packs two boxes each per day , everything will be easily sorted by the time moving day comes around - it's that simple and stress free !!