To self-sell or not to self-sell – that is the question?

The recent article in the Sunday Times about the benefits of self-selling properties has sparked heated discussions with Perth’s real estate agencies. A minority of owners have been selling their own properties for decades, but that is not the issue. The issue is ensuring that you have not undersold your property.

Often the choice made by home owners to self-sell is driven by the idea of saving money in fees rather than selling the property at full potential, which can be done by working with an effective agent.

Soft marketing options and social media are available online for individuals who choose to self-sell their property yet selling online can not provide the skills, expertise and individually tailored approach that an agent can.

Not all agents are the same, but sellers need to appreciate the benefits that a contemporary solution-based agency can provide. Progressive agencies can offer sellers increased buyer attraction, effective engagement methods, multi-layered marketing campaigns which all ultimately increase the selling potential of the property.

Many self-sellers don’t necessarily have the time required to fully investigate the real estate market not to mention the expertise needed to make an informed decision, this misconstruction can lead to an underselling of the property.

Often when home owners choose to self-sell, problems can arise due to personal connections with the property which can put potential buyers off. Home owners are much safer working with a skilled, experienced agent who can provide an emotional-free transaction.

Selling a house shouldn’t be about saving money on agent fees, it should be about selling the property at its full value as to increase the selling price. This will ultimately save the home owner more money.

So if you want to save money when selling a house, save not by avoiding fees but by selling your property at its highest potential.

John

Realmark Wins at the Australian Business Awards

There is a positive buzz in the Realmark offices after the news that we won two Australian Business Awards (ABA) recently. This is a major achievement for Realmark, placing it in the significant company of other ABA winners including some of Australia largest and most widely respected businesses.

The two awards received were the E-Business award and the Product Excellence award. These are both areas which we have strived to excel in and it is encouraging and very pleasing to know that we are not only on track, but providing leading edge solutions for our clients’ advantage.

As a company, Realmark has invested a great deal in marketing tools for online media to ensure we have a presence in this realm and in a way that is in tune with todays consumers’ needs. This allows us to engage with clients in a meaningful and valuable manner.

In addition to this, the Realmark blog and Facebook page enables consumers to have a direct exchange with us and assist with their property queries; our development of customised micro sites for all property listings plus the individual web presentation provided to sellers and lessors, known internally as Q sites (questions answered) together with our weekly on line client reports, have all proven to be highly appreciated innovations by our clients. This is additional to our realmark.com.au website presence.

As more people are looking to seek a fresh alternative to the traditional real estate agencies, Realmark is currently in a great position to connect with todays consumers and by using our choice of strategic selling solutions we can deliver them excellent results. The product excellence award was for one of these solutions, Set Date Sale, which Realmark has customised to suit WA market conditions. It has consistently delivered outstanding success for our sellers by comparison to other sales approaches; notwithstanding the varying market conditions.

These awards motivate all at Realmark to keep embracing new and exciting directions that can advantage our clients. The future will bring a changing face to real estate and I am confident that Realmark is on the right path to continue as a company which delivers outstanding results throughout the changing property cycle.

IN The Air

By Ara Jansen


More and more West Australians are embracing kiteboarding and it’s proving to be an exciting sport suitable for young and older men and women.


If there’s one thing that Perth is known for it’s the wind. You can almost set your watch to the Fremantle Doctor and the breezes.


Darren Marshall is one guy who never complains that the wind is up because it’s perfect for one of the favourite things in his life – kiteboarding.


“People hate the wind in Perth unless they have a good use for it,” says Darren. “Once they take up kiteboarding, they become wind fanatics.”


If you’ve seen people off the coast skimming across the waves seemingly attached to a kite but definitely not hang gliding, then you’ve seen a kiteboarder or a kitesurfer. And the sight of them is becoming more and more common.

Darren, like many others, was a surfer before he became a kiteboarder. When he discovered it, he liked the fact that the winds were more regular and predictable than the waves.

The 42-year-old Sydneysider followed the wind to Perth in 2004 and since then has been one of its biggest promoters and supporters. Darren’s company teaches kiteboarding, runs a kiteboarding store in Scarborough and somewhere in between family commitments also manages to catch the wind and waves at least a few times a week.

Between November and January are the best times to get out on the water and pretty much be guaranteed ideal conditions – a stiff 18 – 25 knot breeze. Darren’s favourite spots include kiteboarding at Cottesloe, Scarborough, Safety Bay, Lancelin, Carnarvon, Geraldton, Augusta and Margaret River.

In recent years, developments in technology have meant that kiteboarding is no longer just a sport for big strapping blokes. In fact, women are taking it up in large numbers because it builds strength and has a high fun factor.

“It used to be a very bloke-oriented sport, attracting 25 – 35 year old single males. Now we have people in their 60s, teens and many more women. The biggest growth area is with women. Instead of just sitting on the beach and watching, they’re doing it too.

“It’s not like surfing, which is very solitary. Kiteboarding is the sort of sport where you rely on a bit of assistance and it brings people together. The business throws family days too so that also helps build the community.”

What’s attractive to newcomers and is driving up participation rates is that you don’t have to wait 10 years to become good or even just competent.
“The kites have become very light and easy to control and you can have little muscle and no fitness and really enjoy it at a high level straight away. With a few lessons, in a couple of weeks you can be riding and jumping.”

Always keen for a new challenge, Darren has also started teaching people to stand up paddle (SUP). He says it’s also something which takes no time to learn. If you can stand, walk and use a broom, then you’re mostly set.


www.australiankiteboarding.com.au

Realmark Wins Two Australian Business Awards

Realmark has enjoyed success once again after winning two Australian Business Awards.

Our team took out the award for E-Business and Product Excellence and was nominated alongside some of Australia’s biggest and most well-known companies.

These awards recognise the innovative and strategic direction that Realmark has taken to offer a superior service.

This is a huge success for Realmark and reflects on the dedication of the entire Realmark team. It is also great encouragement that we are having a positive impact on the property market.

Being recognised at this level confirms that we are on the right path and providing service solutions that really connect with today's real estate consumer.

Perth real estate.

John