IN Motoring

Indulge your inner car lover with a European trip which is all about driving, racing and a touch of glamour.

When Paul Blank started telling people about his holidays to Europe visiting car factories and going to the Monaco Grand Prix, they demanded he share his motoring passion and knowledge with them.

So he did just that and set up a guided trip to highlight some of the best motoring action available in Italy and France.

Based in Perth, Paul has been a motoring enthusiast since he was a kid and a motoring journalist and well-known classic car rally organiser as an adult.

He was also the first person in Australia to run car events exclusively for women, which now happen twice annually.

“There are a lot of women getting interested in driving in motor sport and having a go,” says Paul. “Many of the events don’t require special gear as they are one car at a time in a race against the clock.”

He’s visited the Monaco Grand Prix many times. Friends and associates were entranced by his stories and convinced him to share his passion and enthusiasm by being their trip guide.

Paul took his first group in 2005 and they have become an annual event with a maximum number of 16 participants.

The trip starts with Italy’s Mille Miglia, the world’s most famous road race which began in 1927. It attracts more than 360 cars which have to be the same models as those which competed in the early years. Celebrities and famous racing drivers are known to be part of the event.

You’ll also visit the supercar homeland – the Galleria Ferrari and Lamborghini’s factory and museum.

What’s cool about the trip too is the chance to drive your own convertible sports car – like a BMW, Mercedes-Benz or Audi – rather than sitting in a tour bus being shuttled from place to place.

Paul provides a comprehensive and custom-created roadbook packed with directions and tips for sightseeing on the way, local road rules and etiquette plus personally-tested great places to eat.

Other highlights include going to Cannes, Monaco and the Grand Prix, Lake Como and an exclusive, can’t buy lunch with motoring expert and veteran F1 commentator Bob Constanduros.

It’s also not just a trip for the boys either. Paul says there are usually an equal number of women on the trip, not all of whom are car enthusiasts. He says the buzz and beauty of the places visited create an entertaining trip for all ages.

“The trip takes two-and-a-half-weeks and the driving is leisurely. All the cars have satellite navigation and people love having everything organised. They just have to worry about being somewhere by the end of the day.”

The Ultimate Grand Prix Experience costs $8,600 per person double or twin share and doesn’t include airfares and Grand Prix tickets. The next trip is May 2011.

For more information, check out
www.classicrally.com.au

Realmark scoops REIWA awards

At last night’s Real Estate Institute of Western Australia Awards, Realmark took out four of the evening’s honours. We were announced as the winners of the below categories:

• Large Residential Agency of the Year for the second consecutive year
• Commercial Agency of the Year for the first time
• Communications Award for the fourth time
• Innovation Award for the third time

My wife Anita and I attended the ceremony and accepted the awards. It was a very proud moment for us and our entire team. We strive to bring a new, effective approach to what we do and being recognised by our peers for our efforts is an amazing feeling. Realmark wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for a hard working team of people, we share this moment with all of our employees and thank them for their efforts over this last twelve months. The next step is the Real Estate Institute of Australia national awards, fingers crossed we pick up our first ever national award.

The first to move usually wins

Anyone who is working in, or active in the property market would know what I am talking about when I speak of the current sense of uncertainty surrounding the market.

I wouldn’t say things are dire out there but people, whether they are sellers, buyers, investors, landlords or tenants, are uncertain and when people are uncertain, they tend to stop and put off making decisions. Therefore the market is in somewhat of a holding pattern.

This type of market is just part of life in the property market and it will change at some point, nothing is forever in this industry. Therefore pull your head out of the immediate, be able to look ahead and if you are positioned correctly I recommend you be the first to move. Don’t decide to move when everyone else is, that is when the opportunities are diminished. Real benefits come from acting when everyone else is scared.

Something to think about no matter who you are or what your intentions are in the property market.

IN Selling

There’s more to selling your house than just spring cleaning according to a local real estate agent who reveals the best way to get top dollar.

When you go for a new job it stands to reason you want to look your best at the interview. Well, it applies to your home too. If you’re thinking of selling, it’s the next owner you want to impress.

Smells of coffee brewing and biscuits in the oven have now become outmoded ways to snag a buyer...read the full article at realmark.com.au

Marketing matters to YOU

We were very excited to again be recognised at the Australian Business Awards, taking out the Marketing Excellence category for the second consecutive year.

Marketing is something that is very close to my heart and to be honest, when you are selling a home, it needs to be close to your heart too. It is a major point of ‘make or break'...read the full article at realmark.com.au