TwentyOne Magazine - Spring 2017

SPRING | 2017

SPRING AWAKENING

TwentyOne welcomes the season of colour

CHARLES TARBEY Bursting the property bubble talk

CHERIE BARBER Shares her secrets for a strategic facelift

SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS Three businesses who are giving back

CENTURY 21 AGENTS. SMARTER. BOLDER. FASTER.

With compliments

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

PUBLISHER Century 21 Australia Pty Ltd

LIFESTYLE

PROPERTY

HOME IDEAS

SPRING | 2017 Spring home ideas

4

Spring decorating

14

Garden spring clean up

22

The secret to a strategic facelift

32

Bursting the property bubble talk

10

How can I attract good tenants

26

Many things helping NZ market sustainability

38

Add value and increase deductions with an alfresco area

42

Investing in new vs. second hand properties

46

The business of giving back

6

Get F45 fit

12

The Bay of Islands

18

CONTRIBUTORS Charles Tarbey Geoff Barnett Cherie Barber Bradley Beer Chris Gray Carolyn Parrella Emma Blomfield Oliver Sizeland Tasia Seger and Gracia Seger Daniel Conn EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES Rebecca Pratt T +61 (02) 9025 9590 rebecca@zmmgroup.com ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Marketing Department T +61 (02) 8295 0600 askmarketing@century21.com.au ART DIRECTION/DESIGN Thomas Felgueras T +61 (02) 8295 0600 askmarketing@century21.com.au PRINTER Excel Australasia T +61 (03) 9775 1411 info@excelaustralasia.com.au DISCLAIMER We have in preparing this information used our best endeavours to ensure that the information

Bakwan jagung

20

Spotlight on Cirrus

28

50 years of Telethon

30

App review

36

The podcasts you need to hear

44

Tech essentials

40

contained therein is true and accurate, but accept no responsibility and disclaim all liability in respect of any errors, inaccuracies or misstatements contained herein. Reproduction in part or full is not permitted without the express written permission of the publisher. Century 21 Australia Pty Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of

TECH

statements made in advertising or editorial in this publication, nor the quality of services or products promoted. The publisher excludes any liability for any loss or damage sustained by readers arising from, or in conjunction with , the supply or use of information in this publication through any cause.

Opinions expressed in this magazine are of the writer or contributor and are not necessarily the opinion of Century 21 Australia and Century 21 New Zealand or its advertisers.

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HOME IDEAS

SPRING HOME IDEAS TwentyOne has found the latest pieces to update your living spaces.

MUBU HOME BASIC 2 SEATER The Basic 2 Seater from MuBu Home is simple and sophisticated, with neutral tones making this piece very versatile and a staple piece for an attractive, minimal decor. The sofa is also extremely comfortable, with the cushions being made of a 20/80 duck feather fibre insert with stamina and medium-firm foam. $2,699 AUD

WALLACE SEWELL KENTE CREWEL PILLOW COVER The Wallace Sewell Kente Crewel Pillow Cover from West Elm is bold and fun – the perfect statement piece to add a pop of colour to your lounge room. Mix and match with different textures and colours to give your space a bright spring refresh. $39 AUD

MUBU HOME LUNA ROUND DINING TABLE Gorgeous in its simplicity, the Luna Round Dining Table is the perfect piece for the modern minimalist. Ideal for smaller dining areas, the table comes with a natural raw finish. This piece was created with strength and utility in mind. Each piece is made to order, so there may be slight variations due to the uniqueness of the table.

From $1,699 AUD

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SPRING | 2017

MUBU HOME ZEUS STOOL This hand-made piece from MuBu Home is classically Scandinavian in design, but with a few unorthodox details to give it a striking new expression. Made from solid American Oak, the Zeus stool boasts versatility and can be used anywhere in the house – whether it’s your dining room, living room or even the bedroom. $179 AUD

HEX SIDE TABLE This modern piece from West Elm features a white marble top and a raw steel base. The unique hexagonal shape makes the table a great standalone piece, while also giving you the option to arrange multiple tables together to form a larger honeycomb arrangement. $259 AUD

PHOEBE CHAIR The brightly-hued Phoebe Chair from West Elm will add the perfect pop of colour to your home this spring. With its curved form and rounded back, the Phoebe Chair will let you lounge in complete comfort. $799 AUD

TO FIND OUT MORE, VISIT www.mubuhome.com.au www.westelm.com.au century21.co.nz | century21.com.au | 5

LIFESTYLE

THE BUSINESS OF GIVING BACK

Three trailblazing social enterprises share their secrets to success.

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SPRING | 2017

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ocial enterprises aren’t your average businesses. These are businesses with a mission to give back to the community, whether it’s improving access to essential resources, promoting sustainability, or improving the quality of life for disadvantaged citizens. By doing so, they are encouraging consumers to consider their choices, and enticing them to make small changes in their habits that can make a huge difference to society.

TwentyOne spoke to some of the brains behind these trailblazing companies to find out what inspired them to tackle some of the toughest problems facing our society.

THANKYOU Jarryd Burns, along with friends Daniel and Justine Flynn, were uni students when they first launched Thankyou water in 2008.

When asked what inspired him to start Thankyou, he said, “At the time, 900 million people around the world didn’t have access to safe water but in Australia we were spending $600 million on bottled water. It was these two crazy extremes that drove us to do something.”

From there Jarryd and his team at Thankyou have maintained commitment to their premise from day one – to create great products that give 100 per cent of

the profits to help end global poverty.

Jarryd believes a new consumer consciousness has contributed to Thankyou’s success. Consumers want to be a part of something that can make a difference, and social enterprises make it easy for them to do this. He says, “If you have the option of buying something that can help others and help to solve some of the world’s biggest problems, that’s as good if not better than another brand, then why wouldn’t you?”

Getting Thankyou off the ground was no easy feat. Jarryd, Daniel and Justine knew they had a great idea; they were just struggling to convince other people to see it. He says, “We experienced so many setbacks as we struggled to land a major retailer but we were determined to keep moving.”

he’s been able to meet the incredible people who have been empowered to change their lives for the better. “It’s an incredibly rewarding thing to be a part of,” he says.

Starting a social enterprise takes courage, and Jarryd’s advice is,“Don’t’ be afraid to pioneer.” He says it can be daunting to do something that others may not have done before, “But remember that just because something hasn’t been done before doesn’t mean it can’t or shouldn’t be done. As the saying goes, if you want to see something that you haven’t seen before, then you have to be willing to do something you haven’t done before.”

It was when the team finally landed a trial with Australia Post and a national deal with 7-Eleven which gave them the kick start they needed.

When asked about the most rewarding aspect of being part of Thankyou, Jarryd says, “I think it’s the impact we are able to make. It’s the heart and the ‘why’ behind every move and decision we make. For me personally, it’s the people we serve and their stories that drives me.”

Having been able to visit the projects Thankyou has funded, Jarryd says

JARRYD BURNS, Co-Founder and Commercial Director at Thankyou.

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LIFESTYLE

OZHARVEST Ronnie Khan started OzHarvest after working in event management. Being in this industry made Khan realise the sheer volume of food surplus which is wasted after these events. Starting out with just one van, Khan slowly gained the support of those around her with donations and funding, allowing the fleet of vans to grow to a fleet of 44 OzHarvest vans nationally. To date, OzHarvest has delivered over 60 million meals to those in need.

When asked about the biggest challenge OzHarvest has faced, Alicia Kerwan, OzHarvest’s New South Wales state leader, says it was mostly to do with the obstacles based around the Civil Liability Amendment (Food Donations) Act 2005. That was when Khan first started, there were barriers to people donating food. Working with pro bono lawyers, OzHarvest lobbied for change to allow for more food surplus which meets food safety standards and is suitable for consumption to be delivered to those who are in need.

The impact of OzHarvest is substantial, and easily measureable. Alicia says, “For every dollar that we receive, it allows us to provide two meals to someone else who is hungry and is need. That is such a phenomenal return on investment that really shows that when people donate to OzHarvest, the money has an incredible impact.”

This year, OzHarvest also launched the OzHarvest Market, Australia’s first food

rescue supermarket. The supermarket is stocked with produce that has either been donated or would otherwise go to waste, but is perfectly edible. The philosophy of the supermarket is to ‘take what you need, give what you can.’

Those who can’t afford to pay and are in need of food can take what they need, and Alicia says, “The OzHarvest Market has been a great opportunity for us to further illustrate the issue of food waste and how large it is, but also to engage those that are vulnerable as well as those who just want to support us in minimising food waste.”

For those wanting to start their own social enterprise, Alicia says, “There are always possibilities, and if you believe that there are obstacles in the way, it’s really about finding ways to overcome them.”

OzHarvest was faced with the enormous task of changing the law to make the organisation viable and to create the impact they were ultimately able to make.

She says, “I think it’s really important that there’s a lot of collaboration in social enterprise because of the momentum that can be had when people work together. We’re working with many other food organisations and social enterprises to ensure that we have the biggest impact possible.”

Alicia also says being innovative and finding new solutions to a problem is also extremely important. In short, “Don’t be hampered by the fact that it hasn’t done before.”

ALICIA KERWAN, New South Wales state leader for OzHarvest.

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SPRING | 2017

HOMIE HoMie is a social enterprise whose mission is to create pathways out of homelessness by providing clothing, training and job opportunities to people experiencing homelessness.

Nick Pearce is the co-founder of HoMie in Melbourne. He was one of the winners for the 2017 Victorian Young Achiever Awards in recongition for his work.

It all blossomed from a Facebook page which Nick and his co-founders, Robbie Gillies and Marcus Crook, started called ‘Homelessness in Melbourne’, which was styled similarly to the famous ‘Humans of New York’ street photography page.

‘Homelessness in Melbourne’ captured the lives of those who live on the streets, humanising the issue of homelessness to which many may turn a blind eye.

available and barbers were on standby ready to provide their services.

eventually become self-sufficient in a sustainable way.

Seeing the success of the Street Store, Nick and his friends decided they wanted to recreate that model at Federation Square and to do it better. From there, HoMie was born.

For those who see a problem in society and want to see change, Nick says, “There’s absolutely no secret to it, it really is just about having a crack.” With no business or managing experience themselves, Nick and his friends got through with hard work and dedication to the cause.

“It was about emulating that experience we had been able to create, but to do it on a more sustainable, permanent basis.

We also wanted to find a way to engage our demographic, and we decided street wear clothing was a way of engaging our mates to support our initiative,” says Nick.

“We found that the conversations we were having certainly challenged the stereotypical image of homelessness,” says Nick. The stories with the accompanying images quickly gained a following in the local community.

With pop up spaces in between, HoMie has finally morphed into its own street wear label and now finds itself with a permanent home in Brunswick Street in Fitzroy, Melbourne. The store provides brand-new clothing and retail training to those experiencing homelessness, as well as VIP Shopping Days, where people experiencing homelessness are invited to shop for free. The VIP customers receive food, coffee, haircuts and other grooming services.

With the momentum they gained from the Facebook page, Nick, Marcus and Robbie then decided to host an event in Federation Square in Melbourne called the ‘Street Store’, which provided a dignified shopping experience for those experiencing homelessness. Members of the public were encouraged to donate good quality clothing they were willing to part with. On that day, food was

This year, HoMie has launched its pathway project to provide, as the name suggests, pathways out of homelessness.

It’s a six-month traineeship which provides retail training in HoMie’s store in Fitzroy to young people who are homeless or who are at risk of homelessness. It’s all part of HoMie’s goal to empower people to learn, make social connections, and

“There’s not really a formula or a book that will tell you how to do it, it’s just been a lot of learning along the way, and it sounds romantic, but we’ve made countless mistakes that have really helped us shape our organisation, and us as people.”

NICK PEARCE, Co-Founder of HoMie in Melbourne.

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PROPERTY

BURSTING THE PROPERTY BUBBLE TALK Charles Tarbey, Chairman and Owner of Century 21 Australasia, shares the realities behind the housing market hype.

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ustralians are understandably very passionate about property considering it is one of their biggest and most valuable investments.

Signs of a cooling market appear to have generated a slightly nervous sentiment amongst some of late, as speculation about a dramatic property market downturn is becoming more fervent. Some are concerned about what changing market conditions may mean for their property’s value and their financial position.

However, I encourage Australians to take a step back and to evaluate the realities of the data behind the hype and the headlines, as things may not be as critical as many believe.

AUCTION CLEARANCE RATES Over the June quarter, CoreLogic reported that clearance rates eased slightly from 74.8 per cent over the first quarter to 71.7 per cent at the end of second quarter in 2017. A downturn of 3.1 per cent is arguably not a

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dramatic one considering winter is a characteristically quieter season for real estate.

Whilst we have been seeing less people at auctions, this does not mean the clearance rates are struggling in all markets. Clearance rates were 3.8 percentage points higher nationally in the June quarter of 2017 compared to 12 months ago, and all capital cities are performing better than they were at the same time last year according to CoreLogic.

SPRING | 2017

Australians should remember that all it takes is one interested buyer for a successful auction, and it appears the underlying demand for property is still present in most areas.

It is also important to remember that while clearance rates are a reflection of market activity, they do not give the full picture of what is happening in a marketplace. For example, whilst auction clearance rates in Perth are struggling compared to others, it is a market that may be more conducive to positive results through refined negotiation in private transactions.

STEADIER GROWTH Whilst some pundits were calling the top of the market after flat growth results earlier in the year, we are now seeing that many markets are back on track in terms of growth, albeit at a cooler pace. Across the combined capital cities we found ourselves with property value growth of 1.8 per cent in June.

In fact, some markets that have experienced massive declines over the past two years have seen increases in value, such as Perth which recorded a 1.4 per cent increase in dwelling values over June.

This steadier pace of growth is preferable in my opinion, as the past few years have seen growth in the market propelled at a faster rate than many expected, largely due to low interest rate climate.

It is interesting to see that Melbourne has now overtaken Sydney as the growth leader, with Melbourne recording a 13.7 per cent increase in dwelling values compared to a 12.2 per cent increase in Sydney over the last financial year.

RIDE THE CYCLE CoreLogic data from July reported that Sydney and Melbourne saw significantly

higher numbers of new listings coming on to the market. Listing numbers in Sydney in particular were stronger, and according to the July data, total advertised stock levels across Sydney were 13.3 per cent higher than the same time a year ago.

I believe that the prospect of a dramatic fall in property prices is unlikely and the Australian property market remains healthy and vibrant.

This may be attributed in part to vendors deciding to exit the market in anticipation of a downturn, however I encourage vendors not to act too swiftly in making a decision to sell.

If homeowners do not have a pressing need or wish to sell, they may be wise to consider riding out this cycle until the next one invariably comes along. By doing so, they may be placing themselves in a better position to capitalise on their investment and maximise its potential.

CoreLogic’s Pain & Gain report showed that the majority of the selling public has experienced respectable gains selling property, with only 9.6 per cent of all dwellings sold selling for less than their previous purchase price over the first quarter of 2017.

Whilst the marketplace is still very different from city to city, this data shows that most Australians are achieving positive results from property investments. However, Darwin might be the exception as it continues to be the capital city that has been most negatively affected by loss-making sales.

WHAT LIES AHEAD?

ABOUT CHARLES TARBEY Charles Tarbey is the Chairman and Owner of Century 21 Australasia, one of Australia’s largest and most diverse property groups. Charles has been actively involved in the property industry since 1972, and has trained and given advice to thousands of real estate agents, vendors and purchasers. He is also the author of two real estate books, Profit Driven Real Estate and Listing Rich.

Scan the qr code below or head to www.charlestarbey.com.au to get your free copy of ‘Listing Rich’.

Spring is here, which generally brings a more active period of real estate activity.

Speculation about market movements is inevitable however, despite all the bubble predictions, I believe real estate has continuously proven to be, for the most part, one of the safer investments that a person can make if it is approached with a long-term outlook.

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LIFESTYLE

GET F45 FIT TwentyOne investigates the training program transforming the nation.

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SPRING | 2017

F

45 gyms have been popping up around the country. It may seem as though the blue, red and white logo is sweeping social media, and thousands of dedicated members rave about its wealth of benefits and the transformations they have achieved.

F45 training gyms are known for their high impact 45 minute training sessions.

TwentyOne spoke to F45’s Chief Athletic Officer and former professional rugby league player, Daniel Conn, to find out more about all things F45 and fitness.

HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED WITH F45?

When F45 was just starting as a concept, with about five to six studios open, I met the CEO and Founder, Rob Deutsch.

After an initial conversation, we shook hands and said let’s see how far we can take this!

WHAT SETS F45 APART FROM OTHER GYMS? The innovation of 4,000+ exercises so no one ever does a workout twice and the people behind our studios and the communities that they build around their F45 studio. As well as the most systemised and fun functional training in the world!

WHAT IS YOUR PHILOSOPHY WHEN IT COMES TO HEALTH AND FITNESS? A healthy mind and healthy life comes from how we treat our bodies. If we look after this right, then the rest of the hurdles we face come easier.

WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO MAINTAIN MOTIVATION WHEN TRAINING? Train with friends or in a team; they will push you without you even knowing it.

Always go within your limits, you don’t have to be a hero every day you just have to do your little bit and always think...

This will feel so good when I’m done!

a common goal, no heroes, no egos and no mirrors. Just great trainers and an atmosphere that’ll support you and then get you addicted to this amazing concept for a happier and healthier you.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL TRAINING SESSION AT F45.

Loud music, lots of sweat, high five’s, laughs and the occasional dancing... then lying on the floor exhausted, quickly followed by the excitement around the next day’s workout.

WHAT FITNESS LEVELS DOES THE PROGRAM CATER FOR? Any type! First-timers, athletes, anyone!

I’ve been to Ohio where there was a grandma, her daughter and then her daughter all training together! Anything can be modified to suit the needs of the members, that’s why it’s such a great place to excel in your fitness life.

WHAT IS THE COMMUNITY AT F45 LIKE? It’s an amazing place, you meet friends for life. You meet business contacts, great trainers, people that genuinely care and want to help you and push you to live a happier healthier life.

WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU GIVE TO F45 FIRST TIMERS? We have the most non-intimidating studios in the world. Everyone’s there for

ABOUT DANIEL CONN After a 10 year career as a professional rugby league player in the NRL, Daniel Conn immersed himself into all aspects of Fitness Training. Daniel Conn has been a central Director in the development and programming of F45 Training’s daily workouts.

Daniel recently founded the F45 Academy, a “master class” workshop for F45 Trainers. In this instructional capacity, Daniel provides training and guidance in the techniques, philosophy and principles necessary for Functional Training instruction.

Daniel’s training prowess, authenticity and motivational qualities have carried him around the world and F45 Training is proud to have him as a central ambassador and bannerman.

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HOME IDEAS

SPRING DECORATING Emma Blomfield shares her tips to give your interiors new life.

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SPRING | 2017

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HOME IDEAS

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pring has sprung! There is new life growing in the garden, it’s a little easier to get out of bed each morning as the winter frosts come to an end and the general feel around town is a little bit chirpier. Bring it on!

Here are my tips for spring time redecorating that won’t break the bank.

1. REFRESH THE SMALLER ITEMS IN YOUR ROOM Easy updates to your space, like replacing some of your vases and decorative objects, are the perfect spring time change.

Perhaps try introducing one more colour to your space that works cohesively with the existing colours.

We are so easily influenced by our surroundings, so taking the time to make it nice makes a huge difference to how we feel in the space. Making things like your entry way a little more homely or jazzing up the buffet table in your dining room will add a spring to your step as you walk through these rooms (pardon the pun).

2. FRESHEN UP YOUR FLOORS We can’t easily re-carpet or put floorboards down without considerable expense, but a new rug is a much cheaper investment that can powerfully transform your room. Especially in a living room where the rug is front and centre. Opt for a natural material where you can, such as sisal or wool. You also get the opportunity to refresh your room’s colour scheme here too with such an expansive space to cover.

Stick to two to three colours for your rug to avoid it being too overbearing to look at.

about installing a pendant light over your dining table or kitchen island bench for a nice talking piece at dinner time.

3. HARDWARE UPDATES Replacing your kitchen or bathroom door knobs will bring your tired cabinetry to life in moments. These don’t need to be an expensive investment, your local hardware store will have a big range to select from. Keep the colour of your hardware consistent to avoid any clashes.

An antique brass look adds a classic touch to your room, whereas a stainless steel look brings your room into a modern era.

4. ADD LIFE TO YOUR ROOM Now that the gardens are starting to bloom, pop some fresh flowers throughout your home. No home is ever complete without adding some life to your coffee table, bedside table or console table. Experiment with some greenery from the garden too. Sometimes some palm fronds arranged strategically in a vase can be just as striking as fresh blooms.

5. LIGHT UP YOUR LIFE Refreshing your light fittings isn’t something we think to do very often but our lighting choices are a tell-tale sign for the era that you decorated in. New shades for your bedside lamps don’t cost the earth but instantly transform your bedroom.

Replacing overhead oyster lighting with something more modern and updated can do wonders for your room too. Think

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ABOUT EMMA BLOMFIELD Emma Blomfield is an interior stylist and homewares buyer.

Emma is passionate about making decorating affordable and accessible to all Australians.

Emma’s decorating services are available not only in the Sydney metro area but also rural and regional towns for people looking for a more hands on decorating approach. Emma runs regular decorating workshops around the country helping her students to become more empowered in their decorating choices. www.emmablomfield.com

It’s not too late to claim thousands

With the 2016-2017 financial year now over, property investors may assume that they have missed their opportunity to organise a tax depreciation schedule and make a depreciation claim.

Get prepared this tax time with a BMT Tax Depreciation Schedule Contact the expert team at BMT on 1300 728 726 or email info@bmtqs.com.au

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The good news is that a specialist Quantity Surveyor can prepare a schedule at any time of year. A BMT Tax Depreciation Schedule will begin from the property’s settlement date and will outline the deductions over the life of the property (forty years).

LIFESTYLE

THE BAY OF ISLANDS One of New Zealand’s national treasures.

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SPRING | 2017

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he picturesque Bay of Islands is one of the most popular and historic destinations in New Zealand.

and Mako sharks, a lot of publicity.

Before long it was a popular destination for the rich and famous wanting to catch their own large thrill.

A three-hour drive or 35 minute flight north of Auckland, the Bay of Islands encompasses 144 islands and includes the attractive townships of Paihia, Russell and Kerikeri.

Nearly a century on and a range of deep sea and big game fishing charters cater to anglers of all ages and experience. In fact, the healthy fishing grounds of the Bay of Islands remain key to engaging Kiwis and tourists alike in what is still one of New Zealand’s most popular recreational sports.

It’s also home to the place of New Zealand’s greatest national significance, Waitangi. There in 1840 the country’s founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi, was signed between Europeans and Maori.

About 700 years earlier one of the large Māori migration canoes which had journeyed from Hawaiki, sailed to the Bay of Islands where the country’s largest tribe Ngāpuhi remain.

The first European to visit the area was Captain James Cook who named the region the Bay of Islands in 1769. It was later the first area to be settled by Europeans, including whalers in the late 18th century and missionaries from the early 19th century.

Since the 1930s the Bay of Islands has been renowned internationally for its big-game fishing. This is partly a result of then popular American author Zane Grey giving the area, including its Marlin

If fishing is not your thing, there’s plenty of daily cruises or charter boats to enjoy the beauty of the area and its abundance of wildlife including penguins, dolphins, whales, and gannets.

A choice of tour operators in the region offer excellent trips by sea or air to spectacular Cape Brett and the iconic ‘Hole in the Rock’ on Piercy Island.

A passenger ferry service runs between Paihia and the very quaint Russell, while a vehicle ferry provides a link between Opua and Russell. While on land, there’s beautiful river and seaside walking tracks and the chance to see the mighty Kauri Tree in pristine subtropical rainforest.

In addition to all its wildlife, attractions and history, one little known fact about the Bay of Islands is that it has one of the bluest skies in the world.

1930s Heyday: New Zealand fisherman, Harold Slater, caught the second biggest Mako shark in the Bay of Islands for 1937.

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LIFESTYLE

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SPRING | 2017

BAKWAN JAGUNG Corn and Prawns Fritters served with Spicy Nutty Sauce.

PREP: 15 MINS COOK: 20 MINS MAKES: 20 INGREDIENTS • • • • • •

4 fresh corncobs 300 grams raw banana prawns, cleaned & peeled, tails removed 2 cups finely chopped spring onions 2 Eggs 1/2 cup of plain flour (may need to add more until right consistency) Vegetable oil for frying

SPICE PASTE INGREDIENTS • • • •

1 medium sized Spanish onions 4 garlic cloved 3 big red chillies 1 tablespoons coriander seeds, lightly toasted

SPICE NUTTY SAUCE INGREDIENTS • • • • • • • • • • •

1 cup peanuts 2 red chili 2 bird eye chili, adjust according to heat level 3 garlic cloves 2 shallots 1 tablespoon of sugar (or more to taste) 2 teaspoons of white vinegar 1 ½ cup of water (Add more or less depending on the consistency) Juice of 1 lime 2 kaffir lime leaves for garnish Salt to taste

GARNISH • •

Coriander leaves Chili, thinly sliced

METHOD To make the spice paste for the corn fritters, blitz all ingredients in a small food processor or mortar & pestle to make a smooth paste.

Using a sharp knife, slice the kernels from the cob and place them in a large bowl. Then using mortar & pestle, slightly crush the kernels.

Combine the crushed kernels, paste mixture, eggs, flours, and chopped spring onion and mix well. Season with salt and pepper and mix again. The mixture should be firm enough to hold it shape.

Heat the oil in a large frying pan. Add a spoonful of the corn mixture, gently spreading each one out with the back of the spoon to make a round shape.

Cook until golden brown. Drain excess oil using kitchen paper and serve with peanut sauce.

To make the spicy nutty sauce, fry peanuts with oil in a pan until golden and set aside. Place the remaining dry ingredients in a food processor and form a roughly smooth paste.

In a small pot, place the peanut mixture and combine with salt, sugar, water, vinegar and lime juice, kaffir lime leaves and let the sauce simmer until a thick consistency and oil starts to appear.

Remove from heat & set aside.

To serve, place fritters onto a place top with coriander leaves and sliced chilli and serve with a side of spicy nutty sauce.

ABOUT TASIA AND GRACIA Tasia and Gracia Seger, also known as the “spice queens”, certainly love their chilies. They specialise in Asian food, cooking their heritage of Indonesian cuisine. Having grown up in Indonesia, India and Australia, they like to incorporate international influences in their cooking.

Tasia and Gracia love to travel and explore different cultures, at the same time learning and being inspired to create their fusion dishes.

The Seger sisters’ cooking was put to the ultimate test during My Kitchen Rules Series 7 earning a near-perfect five course extravaganza and the title of My Kitchen Rules Champions. www.tasiaandgracia.com

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HOME IDEAS

GARDEN SPRING CLEAN-UP

How to make the most of its standout season.

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HOME IDEAS

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pring has arrived, and now is the perfect time to give your garden a good clean up. The team at Growing Rooms has picked some key jobs for you to consider for a high impact spring garden.

1. CLEAN AND OIL TIMBER DECKS Remove moss and mould with a stiff broom and a hose. To make the job easier, there are plenty of non-toxic mould removers now available that can be sprayed onto paving and decks, or you can make your own.

DIY: Prepare the wood deck treatment solution by mixing 3 quarts of water, 1 quart of oxygen bleach, and 1/4 cup of ammonia-free liquid dishwasher detergent. If you don’t have bleach, you can substitute vinegar. Vinegar acts like the bleach without the chemical composition.

Spray or pour the chemicals on the mildew infected areas. Allow the solution to sit for about 15 minutes.

Thoroughly rinse all the residue off the deck once the chemicals have finished working their magic. If you still see any mildew present, repeat until you get results. Treat the deck with an oilbased sealer, which will help keep your wooden deck in good shape for a long period of time.

2. CLEAN OUTDOOR FURNITURE Whether your outdoor furniture is made of wood or metal, it needs regular attention to avoid stains or rust. Remove mould and stains from wood using the self-made treatment solution from above or a stiff wire brush to get rid of rust and loose paint on metal furniture.

Don’t forget to oil or repaint your furniture for this nice refreshed look.

3. GET RID OF WEEDS The warm spring weather encourages weeds to germinate, so remove them while they’re small. It’s much, much harder to get rid of weeds if you let them mature, particularly if you wait until they flower and spread their seed around the garden. Mulching around young plants will not only help keep

weeds and pests away, but will also retain moisture in the soil.

9. SHOP NEW FURNITURE AND ACCESSORIES

4. CLEAN UP THE WATER FEATURES

If cleaning and repainting your furniture is no option have a look for the newest trends for your outdoor entertaining area. Stylish furniture with weather-resistant fabrics and decorative elements will bring personality to the space, simply follow a style with similar materials or colours for continuity as you would inside the home. Area rugs, solar lamps, trays and other eclectic pieces will add the extra bit of cosiness you are looking for in your garden.

Remove leaves and algae from ponds and refill with fresh water.

Overgrown aquatic and marginal plants need to be divided and re-potted every year or two just like other containerised plants. Lift baskets out and carefully remove plants before cutting clumps into smaller segments 5. TRIM AND SHAPE Trimming will help keep trees and shrubs nice and compact. Prune deciduous trees if they have outgrown their position, or if limbs are diseased and damaged. To create a pleasing shape when you are reducing the size of your trees, cut out just those branches that are too tall or wide.

6. CLEAN THE BBQ Give your BBQ a good clean and make sure everything is in working order. If it’s looking a little worse for wear, it might be time to update – the latest ranges offer many options such as warming racks, wok burners and viewing windows 7. DON’T FORGET ABOUT THE FRONT GARDEN Your front garden gives visitors their first impression of your house. Don’t forget to get rid of mould and moss here as well. Nice looking pots, planted or left empty, will add impact to the front porch.

8. REFRESH BUILT ELEMENTS It’s amazing how a new coat of paint or stain gives new life to existing structures in the garden. Repainting or staining tired looking fences, walls, sheds and pergolas will give your whole garden an instant pick-me-up. Always clean surfaces thoroughly before restaining or repainting, regardless of whether they are new or existing.

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ABOUT GROWING ROOMS Growing Rooms has evolved into one of Sydney’s leading landscape firms, with over a decade of experience within Sydney.

The company was founded by Oliver Sizeland who has worked within the landscaping industry in both London & New Zealand. Since being in Sydney, Oliver has been involved in constructing some of the city’s finest residential gardens.

Oliver started Growing Rooms Landscapes with just one simple principle in mind: “To create stunning and functional gardens tailor made to our clients’ needs”.

To find out more, visit www.growingrooms.com.au

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Award Winning Landlord Insurance From $1 * a Day

Terri Scheer is Australia’s leading landlord insurance specialist, offering protection for your rental property from risks that standard building and contents insurance may not cover.

Malicious and accidental damage by tenants Theft by tenants Fire, flood, storm and water damage

Damage by pets May be fully tax deductible

PLUS protection against loss of rental income due to: Absconding tenants Untenantable property

Tenant hardship Prevention of access

Call 1800 804 016 or visit terrischeer.com.au

Australia’s Leading Landlord Insurance Specialist *Across Australia, 82% of Terri Scheer customers paid $1 or less a day for their Landlord Insurance policy. Premium is based on all Terri Scheer Landlord Insurance policies purchased or renewed in the 24 months to 01/01/15 – 31/01/17, inclusive of taxes. Conditions and eligibility criteria apply. Consult your tax advisor in relation to tax deductibility of premium. Insurance issued by AAI Limited ABN 48 005 297 807 AFSL 230859 trading as Vero Insurance. In arranging your insurance, Terri Scheer Insurance ABN 76 070 874 798 AFSL 218585 acts under authority given to it by Vero Insurance. Read the Product Disclosure Statement before buying this insurance and consider whether it is right for you. Call 1800 804 016 for a copy.

century21.co.nz | century21.com.au | 25

PROPERTY

HOW CAN I ATTRACT GOOD TENANTS AND KEEP THEM IN MY INVESTMENT PROPERTY? Carolyn Parrella, Executive Manager of Terri Scheer Insurance, explains the answer.

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SPRING | 2017

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inding good tenants and keeping them happy is one of the best investments a landlord can make.

Tenants can make or break a landlord’s experience of owning a rental property, which makes sourcing good tenants one of the most important tasks for landlords who self-manage their own investment properties.

Ensuring tenants have a positive experience while living at your property means they may be more likely to pay their rent on time, stay in your property longer and treat it as if it were their own.

THINK ABOUT THE TYPE OF TENANT YOU WANT TO ATTRACT Keeping a good tenant happy begins before you’ve even purchased your rental property.

Properties that are close to good schools, shops and public transport are likely to be well sought after and may give you a larger pool of prospective tenants from which to choose.

MAKE A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION No one wants to live in a property that has stained carpets and marked walls so it’s important to make sure it looks its best when being viewed by prospective tenants.

A home that is poorly presented by the landlord may deter good tenants from applying to rent your property in the first instance, and be poorly cared for by the successful tenant. Presenting a clean, tidy, low maintenance and well cared for property sets the standard and will encourage tenants to keep the property in good condition.

The advertisement should include information about the property, when open inspections are scheduled and the lease application deadline.

It’s a good idea to arrange open inspections at times that would be convenient to the type of tenant you want to attract. For example, if you would like to attract young professionals, arrange the open inspection after working hours or on weekends so it is easy for people to attend.

At the open inspection, ensure you talk with as many potential tenants as possible so you can put faces to names when processing lease applications later on.

SCREEN TENANTS After the lease application deadline has closed, landlords will be required to screen potential tenants.

It’s also important to contact their previous landlord to discuss any issues that arose during their last tenancy, as well as the personal referees listed in their application.

If you are a member of a specific real estate industry association, you may have access to a tenant database to search the names of your shortlisted potential tenants to identify any recorded issues with previous leases.

ATTEND TO MAINTENANCE ISSUES PROMPTLY Once your selected tenant moved into the property, ensure make every effort to attend to maintenance issues promptly. It

has you any can

be quite frustrating for tenants if their requests for repairs go unanswered.

Responding to maintenance issues in a timely manner signals to your tenant that you care about the property and value their concern for itscondition.

This can contribute to creating a positive renting experience for your tenant.

Injury or loss resulting from a safety hazard that has not been attended to might also result in a costly legal liability claim.

PROTECT YOUR ASSET Even when finding good tenants, it’s important to not take them for granted or assume nothing will go wrong as even the best tenant can accidentally damage a property or come up against financial circumstance leaving them unable to pay rent.

Every landlord should have a tailored landlord insurance policy that covers them for both malicious and accidental damage, their legal liability and loss of rental income.

Landlords can also enhance risk management by appointing a property manager. The time and effort that property managers can save landlords, as well as the experience and knowledge they provide, can be well worth the investment for their services.

A property manager can also help to find tenants, ensure the correct paperwork is in place, assist landlords to form a professional relationship with their tenant, collect the rent, conduct property inspections and liaise with the tenant on behalf of the landlord.

GENERATE INTEREST In order to generate interest in the lease of your property, landlords may be required to place advertisements in newspapers, on various real estate websites and online noticeboards.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is intended to be of a general nature only. Terri Scheer does not accept any legal responsibility for any loss incurred as a result of reliance upon it. Insurance issued by Vero Insurance.

Read the Product Disclosure Statement before buying this insurance and consider whether it is right for you.

Contact Terri Scheer on 1800 804 016 or visit our website at www.terrischeer.com.au for a copy.

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LIFESTYLE

SPOTLIGHT ON CIRRUS A standout of Sydney’s hottest new dining precinct.

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SPRING | 2017

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irrus is a newcomer to Sydney’s harbour side dining and shopping precinct of Barangaroo. Located by the water’s edge, the restaurant has quickly attracted attention for its fresh seafood and stunning dining experience that typifies the iconic city.

The restaurant is helmed by the multiaward winning team behind Bentley Restaurant + Bar, Chef, Brent Savage and Sommelier, Nick Hildebrandt.

Brent works with local growers to find the best produce available while Nick finds small producers and rare wines for the restaurant’s list.

Nick and Brent met in the early 2000s when they worked together at Marque and Moog Wine & Food. They both shared a passion of delivering memorable and unique dining

experiences to their patrons. Wanting to open a waterside restaurant, they found the perfect opportunity in the Barangaroo space.

be lightening up the menu to suit the warmer weather, so expect more salads, raw fish dishes and fantastic spring vegetables.

The food philosophy at Cirrus is to showcase fresh, sustainably caught seafood. Cirrus combines native ingredients with Japanese flavours to create a layer of umami throughout the menu. The restaurant offers a unique dining experience by sourcing fresh seafood on Sydney harbour, only minutes from the city centre.

Diners can expect a busy, energetic restaurant experience. There’s the opportunity to dine inside or outside and the menu ranges from whole flat head served with chips, to grilled rock lobster.

The must-try on the menu is the Queensland Mud Crab with green garlic and tarragon. It’s a great interactive dish to share with friends.

The menu is constantly changing to suit the seasons. In spring, Cirrus will

Although you may be eating and drinking some of the best seafood and wine in Sydney, the restaurant itself is casual and approachable, and is a mustvisit as the weather warms.

23 Barangaroo Ave Barangaroo, NSW. 2000 (02) 9220 0111

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LIFESTYLE

50 YEARS OF TELETHON TwentyOne gets behind one of Western Australia’s biggest television events to support children in need.

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SPRING | 2017

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ince 1968, the Channel 7 Perth Telethon has become a muchanticipated annual television event in Western Australia. This year will mark a massive milestone for the event that has raised millions for children’s charities across the state, with the Telethon celebrating its 50th year of broadcasting.

The Telethon is a 26 hour nonstop broadcast consisting of live performances, entertainment, and an appeal to all West Australians to dig deep and call in their donations over the weekend to raise much needed funds for over 40 different organisations.

Since its inception, the Telethon has raised over $231 million for children’s hospitals, children’s health research and state-of-the-art medical facilities.

Century 21 has been a proud sponsor of the event since 2000 and during this time, the network has donated over a quarter of a million dollars to the cause.

For the past 17 years, Century 21 has been involved in one of the weekend’s major events – the auction of the Telethon Home. All sale proceeds from the charity home are donated towards the Telethon’s fundraising total, and Century 21 will be facilitating the sale campaign again in 2017.

supporting the ‘Perth’s Brainiest Business’ initiative. Businesses across the state are encouraged to hold quiz nights to raise funds for the Telethon, and the team with the highest score from the quiz night will compete in the Grand Final for the title of Perth’s Brainiest Business.

In the eight week lead up to the Telethon broadcast, Century 21 agents from Clarkson down to Bunbury will be managing the home’s open for inspections, buyer enquiries and selling of the home during live television.

In its 50th year, the Telethon promises its biggest program yet full of leading Australian talent and Channel 7 personalities, and Century 21 looks forward to what this milestone weekend of non-stop entertainment and enjoyment will hold for young and old alike.

Century 21 Chairman and Owner, Charles Tarbey, said, “Century 21 offices across Perth look forward to the opportunity to support the Telethon each year as they get to do what they do best – marketing and selling houses.”

“It’s a wonderful cause and event,” said Charles Tarbey.

In 2017, Century 21 is also taking their contribution a step further by

To find out more about the Telethon or to make a donation visit www.telethon7.com.

The Telethon will be broadcast over the weekend of 21 and 22 October, 2017 on Channel 7 and GWN7 across Western Australia.

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HOME IDEAS

THE SECRET TO A STRATEGIC FACELIFT Make the most of your renovations with Cherie Barber’s tricks.

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SPRING | 2017

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HOME IDEAS

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fixes for a property that simply needs a refresh and some updated fixtures and fittings.

Snatching a window of opportunity between tenancies allows you to capitalise on a quick value-add before you put the property back on the rental market. The trick is to keep your updates as straightforward as possible, and make sure you’ve lined up your materials and tradies well in advance, so you can hit the ground running the minute the property is vacated.

The owners of this plain two-bedroom investment unit in Sydney’s Kogarah were ready to sell. The block of units was built in the late 90s, so it wasn’t a particularly old building, but the apartment had few “character” architectural features to play up. In this case, rather than opt for a safe neutral colour scheme, I decided to use colour to inject some much-needed personality.

The kitchen and bathroom were basically fine, which was a big budget saving, as these can be notoriously expensive to renovate and take weeks to complete.

hen you’re updating an investment property, getting in and out as quickly as possible is just as important as the renovation itself. Time is money, so the last thing you want is weeks of foregone rental income because your timeline and budget spiralled out of control.

Here’s a couple of revamps that, with precision planning and a good team of tradies, virtually any owner could do in under a week. Your best friend is always going to be paint, as it’s the cheapest and quickest way to transform a tired interior, but there’s other effective

DOWN THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD

The owners had got as far as ripping up the carpets – at which point I stepped in. I chose “spotted gum” laminate flooring, which is perfectly adequate for

34 | century21.com.au | century21.co.nz

a low-cost renovation, and mimics the warm tones of real timber. At around $3000 laid, together with new skirtings, this swallowed the biggest chunk of the budget.

The feature walls were painted in Taubmans “Fuzzy Yellow”, with two wall-hung Kallax shelving units from IKEA softening the daffodil yellow in the living area.

The light fittings were updated throughout for around $1000 total; micro venetian blinds cost a further $250. The remainder of the budget went on small but important details: new handles for the kitchen cabinets, tile paint for the bathroom and regrouting for the kitchen tiles.

Nothing in itself was a major change, but together, they add up to a complete change in mood for the unit – for a total spend of around $5500. The property was snapped up within weeks of hitting the market.

SPRING | 2017

BEFORE

THE $1000 KITCHEN REVAMP So we all know how expensive and painstaking a kitchen renovation can be.

This facelift was done on a total budget of just under $1000 – and delivered a $9000 profit – proving what some good old-fashioned resourcefulness and elbow grease can achieve. It was done for an original 1970s home in Sydney’s northern suburbs.

While dated, the kitchen had good solid bones, was light and bright, and benefitted from a modern, open-plan layout, complete with a central island bench, so it was an excellent platform to work with.

Again, the game changer was paint.

The solid timber kitchen cabinetry was painted in a light grey. Combined with modern handles, it set the contemporary colour scheme for the rest of the makeover. All the walls, including the open-face brick arch, were given a coat of fresh paint. I used Rust-

AFTER

Oleum Countertop Transformations in a neutral “Pebbled Ivory” to resurface the mustard-coloured benchtop ($217 for the kit); Rust-Oleum Stainless Steel paint to modernise the old coppertoned rangehood; and White Knight Tile Paint to gloss over the seventies tiles. All the specialty paints cost $200 total.

The dated lino was replaced with Gerflor stick-on vinyl flooring, available from Bunnings for around $30 a square metre; total cost $300. Then it was a matter of updating the lighting (two big feature lights were scored at auction for $10 each and we painted them ourselves) and replacing the kitchen curtain with a $23 venetian blind.

I think you’ll agree the transformation is pretty startling for such a small outlay. Targeted changes like these nearly always deliver an amazing return on investment, bumping up the rental return and delivering an immediate uplift in value.

ABOUT CHERIE BARBER Cherie Barber is a public speaker, TV renovator on Network Ten’s ‘The Living Room’ and the owner of Renovating For Profit, a company that teaches everyday people how to buy and renovate properties for a profit.

To find out more, visit www.renovatingforprofit.com.au

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TECHNOLOGY

APP REVIEW TwentyOne tries out some digital boredom busters.

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SPRING | 2017

Want to fill in those in-between moments when you’re in the doctor’s waiting room or kill some time while you wait for your friend who’s running late? Here are some great boredom buster apps to make those slow days go a little bit faster.

HOW STUFF WORKS

STUMBLEUPON

This extremely popular website now has its own app. There’s new content to be explored each day in the form of articles, quizzes, podcasts and videos. There are some great conversation starters and truly fascinating details on anything from what went wrong aboard the Titanic to the science behind water slides.

This app lets you explore all the topics you like and finds you tailored content based on your interests. Select the topics that you’re interested in (and there are many – from art history, philosophy to artificial intelligence) and the app will start curating all kinds of tailored content for you. Their precision will increase with use as you hit a like or dislike button with each article, artwork, short story or video they show you. This is an app you can truly get lost in, so make sure you don’t miss your stop as you “stumble” through the pages.

Cost: FREE

COLORING BOOK FOR ME Colouring Books have become a great creative de-stresser for the young and old alike. Try your hand with this simple app aimed at helping users relax and relieve stress. With plenty of pictures and colour palettes to choose from, you can create vibrant pieces of art and share them with your friends.

COST: FREE

Cost: FREE

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PROPERTY

MANY THINGS HELPING NZ MARKET SUSTAINABILITY

By Geoff Barnett, National Manager of Century 21 New Zealand.

38 | century21.com.au | century21.co.nz

SPRING | 2017

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hanks to strong population growth, solid economic forecasts, buoyant confidence, low interest rates and a range of targeted measures that have been unleashed in recent years, I believe Kiwis have nothing to fear when it comes to real estate.

Last year some pundits were predicting doom and gloom, but overall the market continues to truck along better than even us optimists were forecasting. Yes, Auckland has levelled out and is more of a buyers’ market now. However, in saying that Auckland has merely normalised with the market now showing more realism and genuine sustainability.

Steps taken by the Reserve Bank and Inland Revenue have helped slow down the likes of investors and speculators in a measured way without stripping Kiwis’ equity from their largest assets. At the same time the Government and key councils have released more land, with the construction sector then successfully gearing up to build more houses. New Zealand is now witnessing a building boom that has not been seen for two generations.

There have been a myriad of policies, plans, and players involved that have collectively ensured the delivery of a very well managed soft landing. I think the country’s response to what could’ve been a boom and bust situation has been exemplary and has only helped with underlying confidence going forward.

Wellington has been very strong in the past couple of years, with the likes of Auckland property investors switching to the capital for much better rental yields while also enjoying strong capital gains. We’re seeing some real excitement there with many properties now consistently selling well over valuation, while Auckland is effectively catching its breath.

With the average weekly rent across the

Auckland region over $500 and interest rates still below 5 per cent, plenty of renters have been contemplating becoming buyers. For many, when they do their sums it just makes more sense if they can get a deposit together.

We’re still seeing more young Aucklanders in particular opting out of their central rentals to buy further afield.

It seems many are more willing to accept a longer commute if it gets them on the property ladder. Our offices in the likes of Manurewa in South Auckland are seeing ‘city kids’ coming out every day.

volumes, and sales prices. However, the ‘days-to-sell’ period is one measure that the entire industry agrees has extended particularly in Auckland as have the numbers passed in at auction.

While the third and fourth quarter might get a little tighter with the 23 September General Election and the likelihood of rising interest rates, New Zealand real estate will nonetheless remain relatively strong in the foreseeable future at the very least.

Another observation adding to the ongoing real estate activity is that more Kiwis are buying apartments as their first home option, while others like our ‘baby boomers’ now view apartments as a way to free up some capital and create an easier lifestyle.

It has been a long time coming but the tower cranes are back in business with a record number of multi-residential apartment developments going up in Auckland.

Nearly two decades ago New Zealand’s leaky building crisis shook significant confidence out of the apartment and town house sector and then the Global Financial Crisis saw new builds disappear from our cities skylines.

However a return of confidence and more safeguards around construction and capital gains are seeing our retail banks willing to lend on apartments.

With the likes of net migration numbers remaining high, Auckland’s future growth as Australasia’s fastest growing city is assured. This in itself gives plenty of assurance to Auckland property buyers and owners knowing that any softening will not be forever.

When comparing the middle of this year to 12 months ago, we’re still up across the group on our number of listings, sales

ABOUT GEOFF BARNETT Geoff has been involved in the real estate industry for some 10 years. Prior to this he had over 30 years’ experience in business development and business management. Geoff has welldeveloped business networks and a thorough understanding of the day to day issues business owners face in running a successful business. Geoff is also very active in the community, as he is a member of his local Lions club, and current regional manager of Camp Quality Auckland Northland. He is also a trustee of other community trusts.

century21.co.nz | century21.com.au | 39

TECHNOLOGY

TECH ESSENTIALS Check out this season’s latest products.

EPSON WORKFORCE DS-780N Epson has launched its most intelligent business scanner yet - the WorkForce DS-780N. It’s an interactive sheet-fed touchscreen model with built-in networking to make sharing documents easy, and has a host of innovative features to ensure maximum security, control and document-handling versatility.

The DS-780N is designed for high-volume scanning, with USB 3.0 compatibility, and very fast colour scanning speeds.

It makes scanning easy with innovative smart features including an industry first ‘slow mode’ for delicate documents, and double-feed detection skip to permit the scanning of items such as envelopes and documents with sticky notes attached. It also features an intuitive colour LCD touchscreen control panel that makes scanning straightforward.

RRP: $1,299 AUD

40 | century21.com.au | century21.co.nz

SPRING | 2017

LEXAR JUMPDRIVE TOUGH Lexar has launched its new Lexar® JumpDrive® Tough, a high-performance JumpDrive USB flash drive created to withstand life’s challenges, all while protecting the contents of your drive through an advanced security software.

The new USB drive boasts a rugged and durable design created to withstand tough conditions such as impact, pressure, weather, and water.

With the JumpDrive Tough, users can quickly and securely transfer photos, videos and files with speeds of up to 150MB/s read and 60 MB/s write. Available in 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB capacities.

RRP: from $39.95 AUD

FUJIFILM X100F The FUJIFILM X100F signifies the achievement of new heights in Fujifilm’s endless pursuit of perfection in photography. Perfection means creating a system that allows photographers to control, frame, and create with style, ease, and purpose. A long-anticipated iteration of the X100 series, the FUJIFILM X100F is a powerful addition to FUJIFILM X Series, offering photographers the versatility of endless creativity.

The fourth-generation release of the series, X100F, features the latest image sensor and high-speed image processing engine to deliver the highest level of image quality and mobility in the series. This is the ultimate in premium compact digital camera, equipped with the Advanced Hybrid Viewfinder of enhanced convenience.

While maintaining the elegant design that has proven to be popular, the new camera has been developed in pursuit for easy operability, reflecting requests from users of previous models. Available in black and silver models.

RRP: $1999 AUD

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PROPERTY

ADD VALUE AND INCREASE DEDUCTIONS WITH AN ALFRESCO AREA

Claim depreciation on outdoor structures and save.

42 | century21.com.au | century21.co.nz

SPRING | 2017

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ustralia is made for outdoor living, so it is little wonder that alfresco areas have become sought after additions in any property.

Creating an indoor-outdoor environment which can be enjoyed all year round not only adds value to an existing property, but it can also help to attract tenants and potentially increase the annual rental yield.

What many investors don’t realise is that by adding an alfresco or an outdoor structure of any kind, they will also impact the depreciation deductions they can claim.

Any structures added to an investment property will entitle the owner to claim additional capital works deductions, also known as building write-off, at a rate of 2.5 per cent per year.

If the owner installs any new plant and equipment items, including removable or mechanical assets, this will also entitle the owner to claim depreciation deductions for these items. The deductions an owner can claim for any new plant and equipment items will be based on the individual effective life of each item as set by the Australian Taxation Office.

Let’s take a look at a scenario in which an investor decided to add a seven metre by four metre outdoor alfresco to their existing four bedroom investment property. The structural work on the alfresco cost $15,010. The owner also chose to install plant and equipment assets totalling $9,217 in value, bringing the total cost of work done to the property to $24,227.

Below is a summary of the costs of the new additions and the first full year depreciation deductions the owner could claim.

As the table shows, the owner of this property could claim $375 in capital works in the first full financial year deductions for structural items such as the concrete slab, walls, tiles, roof and lattice screening. The owner of the property would also be entitled to claim capital works for the remaining life of the property (forty years) for new structural items.

Plant and equipment assets installed such as an outdoor ceiling fan, outdoor furniture, a freestanding BBQ, light shades and garden solar lights resulted in a $3,831 deduction in the first full financial year for the property owner. This brought the total depreciation deduction of new items installed to $4,206 for the

owner. These deductions would be in addition to any remaining depreciation deductions the owner could claim from the pre-existing property*.

It is important to note, that if the property owner was to remove any existing structures or assets during the process of adding the alfresco area, they may also be entitled to additional deductions. If any remaining depreciation deductions exist for items or assets being removed during a renovation or addition, the property owner may be entitled to claim a deduction for the full amount of the remaining depreciation for items scrapped within the financial year of their removal. *Under proposed changes to legislation, investors who exchange contracts on a second-hand residential property after 7:30pm on 9th May 2017 will no longer be able to claim depreciation on plant and equipment assets. Investors who purchase a new property will be able to continue to claim these items as they were previously.

We are currently speaking with government to further understand the intricacies relating to the proposed changes.

Property owners should always seek the advice of a specialist Quantity Surveyor when they plan to make any alterations to their rental property. If the owner has an existing depreciation schedule they will need to have it updated and if assets or structures are being removed the Quantity Surveyor should perform a site inspection before and after work commences to ascertain the remaining depreciation of items being removed and value new structures and items added to update the depreciation schedule for the owner.

Article provided by BMT Tax Depreciation.

Bradley Beer (B. Con. Mgt, AAIQS, MRICS, AVAA) is the Chief Executive Officer of BMT Tax Depreciation.

Please contact 1300 728 726 or visit www.bmtqs.com.au for an Australia-wide service.

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TECHNOLOGY

THE PODCASTS YOU NEED TO HEAR 44 | century21.com.au | century21.co.nz

SPRING | 2017

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odcasts are great companions for mundane daily tasks, and because of this, it seems their popularity is ever increasing in recent times. Liven up your morning commute with some good story telling or spend your idle moments learning some fun new facts with TwentyOne’s podcast selection.

PLANET MONEY If you want to stay up to date on all things money, no matter how obscure, then this is the podcast for you. Planet Money is part of the National Public Radio (NPR) family in the United States, and like many of NPR’s other series, boasts slick production and compelling storytelling.

From entire episodes focussing on India’s economy or spread sheets to a story about two feuding bell manufacturers, the podcast is everything money, but every bit entertaining. The best part? They’re in palatable 20 minute bite-sized segments – perfect for the morning commute.

CHAT 10, LOOKS 3 Hosted by two veteran Australian journalists, Annabel Crabb and Leigh Sales, Chat 10, Looks 3 caters to all, covering topics including food, politics and television, and ‘whatever they feel like.’ The best part about this podcast is the intimacy it brings to the listener – you feel like you’re part of a conversationwith

old friends who laugh together,interrupt each other, and finish each other’s sentences.

YOU MUST REMEMBER THIS This quirky podcast explores the secret and forgotten stories of old Hollywood. It’s a great listen for film fanatics, and the podcast itself even adopts a film-noir kind of narration. From the life of Marilyn Monroe, to Ronald Reagan’s short-lived movie career before he became the President of the United States, the podcasts covers the little-known and yet fascinating aspects ofthe darlings of Hollywood – both big and small.

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PROPERTY

INVESTING IN NEW VS. SECOND HAND PROPERTIES Weigh up which will be best for your spring investment strategy with Chris Gray’s tips.

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hould you invest in a brand new property or something secondhand? It’s a popular question among investors, and there are a variety of pros and cons associated with each avenue.

Many investors can’t go past the appeal of a brand new property requiring minimal ongoing work, despite the higher price tag. Provided they are built correctly, immaculate properties can save you the added time and work involved in lengthy renovations. In addition, new properties can provide entry into the market sooner as they are relatively quick to buy off the shelf, with plenty of developer stock up for sale throughout the year. If you purchase off-the-plan, you can also gain the value growth in the interim between your purchase and the building’s final completion. While you should never invest in a property solely for tax purposes, newer properties also provide large depreciation benefits.

General wear and tear on a new property and its fixtures and fittings can be offset against your tax, giving you more cash flow.

The major downfall with investing in a newer property is the premium price.

Developers can target emotional buyers who focus on a new property’s attractive features instead of the numbers. If you’re looking to invest in an off-theplan property or new development, see if you can do a short term rental in one of the developer’s previous buildings.

This will give you a good idea of the property’s quality, how well it will suit your lifestyle and whether it is worth the added expense. It’s also worth asking two to three different property managers how easy it would be to tenant and how it compares to other properties in the same price range.

While new properties are pristine, it can sometimes make more financial sense to invest in a second-hand property and complete some upgrades. Try to look beyond the less desirable aspects of older properties and see their potential. If done well, larger-scale refurbishments might cost $50,000 but can add $100,000 to your property’s worth. Likewise, making minimal changes, such as installing new carpet, curtains, blinds and kitchen cupboards, can also make a significant difference to a property’s overall value.

One key to remember when conducting major renovations is to spend a little bit extra to hire the best professionals available. To ensure a smooth renovation, ask your buyers agent and other investors for their recommendations of the best tradespeople to hire. It’s also worth using a project manager to look after the process for you, as they have experience managing tradespeople and can ensure work is completed on time and to a high standard.

lower purchase price by having a signed contract a few hours before someone else. Many buyers spend large amounts of time looking for a property only to have their mortgage application rejected.

Having pre-approved finance gives you the ability to move quickly and lock in a purchase when you find a good property.

Both new and second-hand properties can make excellent investments and the best option for you will depend on your particular circumstances. Regardless of whether you opt for a new or old property, focus on investing in those that are well positioned, situated in bluechip locations and within 10-20 per cent of the median area price. This will help ensure a profitable investment that continues to grow in the long-term.

TIPS FOR INVESTING IN PROPERTIES THIS SPRING 1. GET AN INDEPENDENT VALUATION

ABOUT CHRIS GRAY

For any property, new or second-hand, it’s essential to get an independent valuation to see if you’re paying the right price and how it compares to other properties in the area. For new properties especially, an independent valuation can prevent you from making an emotional purchase based on a property’s appearance.

2. DO YOUR RESEARCH View a variety of properties to gain an understanding of typical prices and ensure a considered purchase decision.

You should also consult real estate and local council websites to find out suburb growth rates, demographics, and rental yields. To obtain the full picture of a property, it’s integral to have building inspections, strata reports (for apartments) and pest inspections done.

This will prevent problems later on and give you a good idea of any works you will need to budget for.

3. HAVE FINANCE PRE-APPROVED Time is of the essence when negotiating a property sale – you can often secure a

Chris Gray is one of Australia’s leading independent property experts, hosting “Your Property Empire” on Sky News Business Channel, and previously the Financial Judge on Channel 10’s The Renovators and the Property Expert on Channel 9’s MyHome TV. Chris’s knowledge comes from being a qualified accountant, mortgage broker and buyers agent, but more importantly from having personally invested in property from the age of 22 and having semi-retired from the age of 31. He is the founder and CEO of “Your Empire”, a specialist property buyers agency which builds property portfolios for time-poor people – searching, negotiating, renovating and managing property on their behalf, providing a unique insight into market conditions and buyer and seller sentiment.

For more information or to download his latest book for Free, visit www.yourempire.com.au.

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