Mknewssummer2016

NEWS SUMMER 2016

CELEBRATING OVER 25 YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE DIAMOND VALLEY The outlook for buying, selling and investing

SUMMER

MARKET REPORT

W

e a r e c om i n g to t h e e n d of an o th e r f a n t a st ic ye ar i n th e Melb o ur n e pr ope r t y marke t.

Desp ite pr e di c t ion s th a t 20 1 6 wou ld s e e t h e m a r ket s l ow d own with m or e m ode r a t e re s u l ts, pr ices h ave c on t in ue d to s o ar.

Accor d i n g t o RE IV C EO G e o ff White “ t h e m a r ke t is d e l i ve ri n g ever ythi n g h om e se ll e rs n e e d : so lid p r ic e g r ow t h , hi g h clear anc e r a t e s a n d s tro n g b u ye r dem and.”

In the Se pt e m be r qu arte r,

WELCOME TO THE SUMMER EDITION OF THE MORRISON KLEEMAN PROPERTY REPORT.

Me l b o u rne’s m ed i an hou se p ri c e i n creased another 3.2% to $74 0 ,000. S i m i l arl y, i n the N o rth e rn su b u rb s we have seen fu rth e r grow th. If we l ook b ack ove r th e l ast year, som e stand o u t s u b urb s i ncl u d e El tham , wh e re the m ed i an hou se p ri ce h a s i n creased an i m p ressi ve 1 2 .3 % ove r the l ast year to re ach a m ed i an of $ 850,000 i n th e l a s t qu arter. M ontm orency h a s i n creased 11.9%, and G re e n s b orou g h a stag g eri ng 1 2 .2% to achi eve a record m ed i an

hou se p ri ce of $ 722,500. I n D oreen, there has b een a media n hou se p ri ce i ncrease of a ma s s ive 8.2% i n the l ast q u arte r a lone.

A l ong w i th i ncreasi ng media n hou se p ri ces, there has a ls o been a b oom i n au cti on result s. T he cl earance rate across Melbourne record ed at the end of S ep tem b er was 78%, the highes t i n 7 years. G reensb orough was the hi g hest achi ever in S ep tem b er w i th a 100% c lea ra nc e rate. A t M orri son K l eema n, a s of 7th N ovem b er, al l p ropert ies put

In 2016 there has b een an u nd ersu p p l y of p rop erty for sal e, and l i sti ng s have not rea ched the p eaks that we’ve seen i n p revi ou s yea rs.

H owever i t i s exp ected that next year t his w i l l chang e. A ccord i ng to the D om ai n group, “Au stral i a i s exp ected to b e oversu p plied in 2017 after years of record b u i l d i ng i n ma ny ci ti es.”

Exp erts al so p red i ct that next year t he p rop erty m arket w i l l m od erate, aft er t he new l eg i sl ati on ai m ed at m aki ng t he s a le of p rop erty m ore transp arent. The Es t a t e A g ents A ct now req u i res al l ag ent s to p rovi d e an i nform ati on sheet wit h com p arab l e sal es, a 10% sel l i ng ra nge, and the m ed i an p ri ce for the ar ea . T he sel l i ng rang e m u st al so b e revis ed if t he ag ent recei ves an offer i n w ri t ing t ha t is hi g her than the adverti sed p ric e.

If you ’re thi nki ng ab ou t a m ove in 2017, now i s the ti m e to tal k t o one of ou r exp eri enced sal es ag e nt s. We offer exp ert advi ce and are more t ha n hap p y to assi st w i th any of your loc a l real estate need s.

R eg ard s and H ap p y H ol i day s, Peter K l eem an

t o au ction i n 2 01 6 h ave ach i eve d a 96% c le a r a n c e r a t e.

Not o nl y is it a g r e a t ti me to p u t you r p r ope r t y up for a u c ti o n , b u t t ho se se l lin g t h r ough th e p ri va te sale m e t h od w ill be p l e as e d to know tha t t h e ave r a g e n u mb e r of d ays on m a r ke t h a s d ro p p e d t o a r ecor d low 32 days - 4 days lowe r t h a n t h e s ame ti me per iod l a st ye a r. D ia m o n d C re e k , Mo ntmor e n c y, Lowe r P l e n ty, an d Gr eensb or oug h pr op e rti e s al l had an ave r a ge of le s s th a n 3 0 days on m a r ke t .

T h e l ow and stab l e i nterest rates i n 2 0 1 6 have al l owed b u yers to h ave m ore conf i d ence i n th e p ro p erty m arket. Thi s has re s u l te d i n hi g h b u yer d em and , p a rti c u l arl y i n the N orthern s u b u rb s w here we have seen re c o rd nu m b ers throu g h op en h o me s a nd m u l ti p l e offers/ b i d s o n th e maj ori ty of p rop erti es for s a l e. “ Everythi ng i s al i g ned for s e l l e rs, w ho are b enef i tti ng from s tro n g b u yer conf i d ence and re c o rd l ow i nterest rates,” R EIV C EO G e off Whi te sai d .

NOTABLE LOCALS

PEOPLE AND PLACES OF NOTE IN THE DIAMOND VALLEY

KATE MILDENHALL

F

rom humble beginnings of scribbling poetry in a notepad and writing short stories as a young adolescent, Kate Mildenhall has achieved her dream of becoming a published writer.

“The idea of being a writer was totally inconceivable to me,” Kate said. However, as of August 1st 2016 when her debut novel Skylarking was published by Black Inc., she realised that her dream had come true.

Kate grew up in the local area, attended Eltham High School, and now lives in Hurstbridge with her husband and children. The mother of two explored her career as a teacher, before recently returning to writing - and what a successful transition it has been! Just two years ago, Kate started the manuscript for Skylarking and today it is available to purchase at all good bookstores and online, as well as locally in the wonderful Eltham Bookshop.

Inspired by true events, Skylarking is a story about friendship, love, and loss. Kate had the idea for the story when she was camping at Jervis Bay in 2014. “I noticed a grave next to our campsite,” she said.

“The grave belonged to a young woman, Harriet Parker, who had lived in the area at the Cape St George lighthouse, during the 1880s. Exploring further, I found out that she had been best friends with a girl named Kate, who was the daughter of the Head Lighthouse Keeper, and that the girls had been involved in a terrible event in a hut near the lighthouse in 1887.” The story Skylarking is Kate’s fictional version of the friendship between the two girls leading up to that terrible event.

Described as a ‘a brave, beautiful and richly textured book’ by novelist Lucy Treloar, Skylarking is a must read. And, for those who are already fans of the book you will be pleased to know that there is something else on its way. “Yes, I’ve started work on my next novel, which will be something a little bit different to Skylarking!” Kate said.

She also has aspirations to combine her love for teaching with her love for writing by running workshops, visiting schools, and talking to students through the ‘Booked Out’ Agency in 2017.

SOURCE REFERENCE: HEATH WARWICK

THE WEIDLICH FOODSTORE

T

SOURCEREFERENCE:THEWEIDLICHFOODSTORE

he Weidlich Foodstore located at 55 Weidlich Road in leafy Eltham North is a transformed version of the old local corner shop. Owners Al and Tash have recreated the magic of the old corner store with this fresh new café that caters to all. Open from 5am6pm Monday-Sunday, the café serves a delicious breakfast menu, as well as smoothies, gourmet coffee from the Yarra Valley, and their specialty – a warming tumeric latte. The industrial themed interior is home to a centred 8.5 metre long table that is crafted from a single piece of 300 year old Oregon.

With rustic décor, the space is roomy and warm. Not forgetting its roots, the store still sells the everyday essentials, so you can pop in to grab those items forgotten on the weekly shop! Notably, the front of The Weidlich Foodstore is a unique display of art that is hard to miss.

MICKYS FITNESS

M

ickys Fitness is the gym that has it all! In 2016 the family run exercise facility has doubled in size, with a brand new location as well as an exciting new local coffee spot

and health food bar!

Kate and Micky White both have a passion for fitness and health, and met while training in professional boxing. The couple opened Mickys Fitness in Research in 2011, however after less than five years they outgrew their original space and jumped at the opportunity to expand and split their facility across two separate locations. The original gym is home to exercise machines and weights, as well as personal training. The new gym, which opened in June 2016, is the host for group fitness classes.

Linked by the Aquaduct walking track, the two gyms are just 400m apart at 5/1637 Main Road and 2/7 Candlebark Court in Research.

And if this wasn’t exciting enough, in September, Mickys Fitness was thrilled to announce the opening of their fresh new café, Health Bar Melbourne. “Our aim was to create a one stop shop. We’ve taken a holistic approach where you can get quality fitness at an affordable price and also

SOURCE REFERENCE: SIMON FRITH

have access to niche health food and fantastic coffee,” Kate said.

The café serves a range of healthy premade delicious treats, breakfast eats, and take home delights. Kate and Micky were constantly searching for quality health and organic food in the area which was the inspiration for the health bar. “We spent a lot of time researching the products we use. We buy-in everything locally, almost all of our stock is made and produced in Victoria,“ Kate said.

Open to both gym members and the public, the café is a fantastic place with a fresh atmosphere where family and friends can enjoy good company while eating healthy food and drinking delicious coffee. The café is also bike friendly

SOURCE REFERENCE: SIMON FRITH

SOURCE REFERENCE: SIMON FRITH

for those riding by!

SOURCE REFERENCE: SIMON FRITH

WHAT’S ON IN

THE DIAMOND VALLEY

A SELECTION OF THE MANY WONDERFUL EVENTS RUNNING IN THE LOCAL AREA OVER THE COMING WEEKS.

SOURCE REFERENCE: FUNFIELDS

FUNFIELDS

G

et ready for endless fun in the sun this year at Funfields in Whittlesea.

Open from September through to April, this exciting and entertaining theme park is the perfect destination for your summer fun! This year, visitors are spoilt for choice with several new rides and attractions to enjoy, including the Dragon’s Fury Virtual Reality Experience on the classic pirate ship ride. There is something for everyone at Funfields, enjoyed by small kids, big kids and those adults still young at heart.

The park boasts a number of rides and plenty of water slides, and your entry ticket allows you to stay and play all day, with unlimited rides and attractions (excludes Dragon’s Fury Virtual Reality Experience).

So, for your family fun day out, head to Funfields where everyday is fun day!

SOURCE REFERENCE: FUNFIELDS

ADDRESS 2365 PLENTY ROAD WHITTLESEA DATE & TIME HEAD TO WWW.FUNFIELDS.COM.AU FOR DETAILS

ADDRESS ELTHAM TOWN SQUARE TIME THURSDAY 15TH DECEMBER 4PM – 9PM COST FREE

ELTHAM TWILIGHT CHRISTMAS MARKET

W

ith Christmas around the corner, Eltham Town Square will be holding an inaugural Christmas themed twilight market in preparation for the festive season. Come together with the community for an evening of fun where the atmosphere will be relaxed with an abundance of holiday spirit. Supporting local small businesses, this is your chance to purchase unique gifts from a range of quality crafters, artisans and small businesses. There will free activities and face painting for the kids from 4.30pm to 6.30pm, and from 6.00pm the Eltham Baptist Church Choir will be singing Christmas Carols. Enjoy something to eat while watching the live entertainment and listening to yuletide music.

There will be plenty to enjoy for all!

SOURCE REFERENCE: FUNFIELDS

SOURCE REFERENCE:SHUTTERSTOCK

SOURCE REFERENCE: FUNFIELDS

ELTHAM JAZZ FESTIVAL

I

t’s that time of year again where jazz fills Eltham Town, and local families and friends flood the streets to soak up the lively atmosphere. The 2017 Eltham Jazz Festival stretches across the weekend of the 25th and 26th of February. This year promises an array of sumptuous food and wine, as well as family friendly activities and of course, exceptional musical performances. The line up this year is set to be as impressive as always!

So once again, put on your dancing shoes and get set for a fun weekend of jazz.

SOURCE REFERENCE:ELTHAM JAZZ FESTIVAL

ADDRESS ELTHAM TOWN CENTRE DATE SATURDAY 25TH & SUNDAY 26TH FEBRUARY COST FREE

OUR

RECENT SALES A SELECTION OF SOLD PROPERTIES

198 Main Road Lower Plenty $1,050,000

80 John Street Eltham $1,000,000

42 Midland Road Doreen $565,000

29 Lavendar Park Road Eltham North $900,000

96 Henry Street Greensborough $760,000

60 Daisy Hill Road Doreen $1,325,000

159 Old Eltham Road Lower Plenty $1,305,000

1A McFarlane Street Montmorency $940,000

12 Stirling Court Eltham North $865,000

577 Yan Yean Road Yarrambat $1,375,000

140 Hildebrand Road Cottles Bridge $1,055,000

172 Ryans Road Eltham North $930,000

7 Theodore Court Plenty $1,020,000

1 Mollison Drive Doreen $740,000

10 Chantelle Rise St Helena $925,000

6 Woodfull Road Lower Plenty - undisclosed

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU GO ON

HOLIDAYS

If you’re heading out of town, here are a few simple steps to ensure your home is safe and secure while you enjoy a relaxing time away.

• Cancel usual deliveries such as newspapers and magazines. You may also want the post office to hold your mail if you are leaving town for an extended period of time • Lock up and ensure that spare key is taken out from under the door mat and placed in a more secure place • Avoid the dark and look as if you’re home. Setting a few lights, lamps or even the TV on a timer can give the appearance to the casual observer that somebody is home • Pay your bills in advance so you don’t come home to any nasty surprises • Make sure that your pets are looked after. There are a range of great local kennels, or simply ask a neighbour to come by and feed your beloved animal while you are gone

MORRISON KLEEMAN’S NEW DOREEN OFFICE 3/101 Hazel Glen Drive DOREEN VIC 3754 Phone 9717 8780 Fax 9717 8816

The team at Morrison Kleeman is excited to announce the opening of our new Doreen office. After 5 years we have out grown our original space and we have now doubled in size. Featuring state of the art interiors in a modern and spacious working environment, we are thrilled about our newest Morrison Kleeman development.

We now have a full time mortgage broker on hand and have increased our property management team in Doreen. We would like to thank the community for their support and we are looking forward to assisting with your real estate needs. Come in to our new office to enjoy a coffee and have a chat with our experienced team.

MEET

THE TEAM What are your hobbies outside of work?

Not easy to do but I love getting away camping and fishing. I also love getting along to sporting events - mainly AFL. My nine year old son is obsessed with sports and would happily go to anything.

What are three things that attract buyers to Doreen?

Value for money, the many parks and waterways and a great community spirit.

What do you love about working at Morrison Kleeman?

For me it was obvious from my first meeting with the management at Morrison Kleeman they would be a progressive and supportive company. The high standards of professionalism and more importantly the ethical mantra of “selling for tomorrow, not for today” is the key to return clients and strong referrals from happy customers. Of course, working in a modern, refurbished and spacious office less than a kilometer from home is also very convenient.

JON MICHAEL

SALES CONSULTANT 0438 988 096 jmichael@morrisonkleeman.com.au

In your opinion, where can you get the best coffee in Eltham?

I buy my daily coffee from Ferguson Plarre, the staff in there are so friendly and the coffee is always delicious.

What do you enjoy about property management?

I enjoy that my job is never the same. I am meeting new people on a daily basis and helping them achieve their goals. My position is both challenging and rewarding at the same time. I get to help landlords look after their investment and help tenants find a suitable property to live in.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family. I am often out and about in the community taking my daughter to various activities.

TANYA EIKEN

PROPERTY MANAGER 9431 2444 teiken@morrisonkleeman.com.au

What got you into real estate?

I always had a love for looking at properties when I was young. I would love walking through Hedges Avenue or Sovereign Island on the Gold Coast looking at the mansions. I also loved admiring some of the biggest apartments in the world in Monaco. So, when the opportunity came up at a great agency like Morrison Kleeman it was a no brainer.

MALCOLM PERKINS

SALES CONSULTANT 0457 514 651 mperkins@morrisonkleeman.com.au

You’re quite passionate about health and exercise, what do you do to keep fit?

It all starts with what you put into your body. As Graham Morrison would say, “your body is a temple Mal.” I try to drink 2-3L of water a day and eat quite healthy, then with 5-6 nights of exercise at the gym a week I find a good balance. It also boosts your energy levels.

Editorial by : Ellee Pitman Cover image : Shutterstock Town Square, 20 Commercial Place ELTHAM VIC 3095 Phone 9431 2444 Fax 9431 2650 2/86 Grimshaw Street GREENSBOROUGH VIC 3088 Phone 9435 7666 Fax 9435 7677 3/101 Hazel Glen Drive DOREEN VIC 3754 Phone 9717 8780 Fax 9717 8816

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