IN Mortgage Broking

 Hiring someone to help you secure a loan seems a little silly at first. How hard can it be? Find the best interest rate, walk into the bank and sign across the dotted line.

Unfortunately, many people do make bad decisions when it comes to home loans. And it’s not due to lack of research. As Perth property broker Mr Mark Thomas puts it, it’s smart research that makes a difference.

“The advantage of a broker is that they have access to many loans from a variety of banks, so they have the ability to find the most suitable loan for your personal needs,” he said.

Mr Thomas has been in the mortgage broking profession for only a few years. Despite this, he has secured a loyal client-base that continues to grow steadily.

We asked him about the biggest mistakes people make when looking for a home loan.

“Although important, the interest rate is not the only feature you should be looking for in a home loan, and it'd be a mistake to only look at this when choosing a home loan,” he said.

“You need to be fully aware of the fees involved, and the loan needs to be structured in a way that works best for you, now and into the future.”

Mr Thomas believes that a good mortgage broker is defined by the after-care he or she provides. This support varies according to the client’s needs.

“Many first home buyers find the process rather daunting, so I ensure these clients are given extra support,” he said.

“I ensure that those investing in property are provided with a non-complicated loan that will help progress their property portfolio.”

If you think a mortgage broker will make your life a little easier, Mr Thomas recommends getting in touch with one several months before going forward with a purchase.

And if you’re thinking of leaving your job, wait till you are settled on your new property as a premature departure may delay your ability to finance a property.

But aside from the elements we can control, what about the impact of market conditions? Mr Thomas gave us his insights.

“It is very difficult to pinpoint where the market is heading however we are certainly seeing some very promising signs,” he said.

“I believe that the client's current and projected future is more important than the perceived market conditions, because you cannot control the market, however you can tailor a loan to accommodate the path in which the client is heading."

If you would like to speak with Mr Thomas from Sicuro Finance Group about securing a home loan, call 0413 333 118.

IN Lifestyle

Passionate foodie, storm chaser, Turkish soap star and hard hitting journalist are just some of the talents Sally Ayhan brings to her new role as Channel Nine’s weather presenter and reporter.

While some of these talents – Turkish soap star experience included – have been left in the past, the adventurous Ayhan brings a vibrancy and warmth to the Channel Nine team.

We asked Ms Ayhan what she thought of her newfound hometown.

“I love it,” said Ms Ayhan.

“I’ve got a real outdoor lifestyle so it suits me to a tee.”

As a weather presenter with years of forecasting experience, it’s not surprising that Ms Ayhan turns the conversation to weather.

“I must admit I was a little bit nervous about the weather before I came over because even though I’m a weather presenter, I’d see 35 degrees and think oh my gosh how am I going to manage that heat,” she said.

“It’s actually so much more bearable because it’s dry, beautiful fresh clear mornings, rather than the humidity of Sydney.”

When asked whether she would consider buying in Perth, Ms Ayhan does not rule out the option.

“I was thinking of buying in the Freo area at some point, but I’m not sure.”

Fremantle is a much-loved area for the reporter who also frequents Mount Lawley and Leederville.

“I love the farmers markets and I’m a big fan of community events, festivals and things like that,” she said.

“So I guess the inner hippy in me is drawn to Freo, but I’m attracted to any place with a community buzz.”

Ms Ayhan’s appreciation for vibrant, cultural hubs may go someway to explaining why she chose Bondi as the location for the Sydney restaurant she opened recently with her husband. Sefa Kitchen serves Middle Eastern fare with a modern twist.

With a new restaurant and a widely read blog called The Food Anthropologist, Ms Ayhan’s passion for food is more than the usual My Kitchen Rules’ fan, a passion she blames on her husband whom she met in Melbourne ten years ago.

“We tended to bond over food and he would teach me about cooking traditions, Turkish breakfast was a big deal for us,” she said.

“I think over the years I learned a passion by osmosis and really enjoyed the pleasures of sharing food, not just eating it.”

After finishing her studies in Turkey, Ms Ayhan became feature writer at a Turkish magazine. But thanks to limited work opportunities for people who could not speak fluent Turkish, Ms Ayhan explored less conventional work.

“I appeared in the odd soap opera and commercial in between my journalism work,” she said.

“It was a little bit intense for my liking – a lot of dramatic people, famous actors getting fantastic treatment but perhaps not quite appreciating it.”

When asked how her soap opera stint compares to Channel Nine, Ms Ayhan laughs good-naturedly.

“Channel Nine is much more exciting!” she said.

“I have a lot more freedom to create my own work and do journalism as well as presenting the weather, so it’s multi-faceted and a great role for that reason.”

As a multi-talented woman for all seasons, we couldn’t help but ask Ms Ayhan, summer or winter?

“Spring,” quips Ms Ayhan with a laugh.

“I do love my sunshine, but I also love the freshness of the morning.”

For a reporter who pleasantly refuses to fit into most boxes, it’s no surprise her answer doesn’t either.

Watch Ms Ayhan present the weather week nights on Channel Nine and check out her blog at www.thefoodanthropologist.com.

IN Property Investing

Investing in property isn’t new to Briony and Brett - the young couple have bought and sold separately twice and three times respectively.

You could say the pair is quietly confident about building their investment portfolio, an increasingly common trend among thirty-something’s.

Their most recent acquisition is a Balcatta property, just three streets from the house they sold. But keeping moving costs to a minimum wasn’t the only motivator for the sale.

“We wanted to get in a better and more comfortable financial situation,” said Brett.

As a part-time physiotherapist, Pilate’s fan, ballet dancer and mother to 17-month-old Katia, Briony is not afraid of a challenge. In fact, ‘renovator’ may soon be added to her list of achievements.

“By purchasing a cheaper property with renovation potential, we saw an opportunity to make money,” Briony explained.

“And we decided to sell to use the equity in our home to decrease the mortgage on our new home.”

Like many sellers, Briony and Brett chose to use an agent to streamline the process
“The agent made the whole process as stress free as possible,” praised Brett.

The benefits of having a great agent are not lost on Briony either.

“A good agent that you feel comfortable with is important,” she said.

“No question was ever too silly for our agent and he had a good eye for who was seriously interested and who was not.”

But not every agent is ideal. Briony described how one agent built a great rapport with her as a seller, but lacked experience and market expertise on the buyer side.

“One agent I encountered was lovely when she came to appraise, but I had previously been to a home open she was running and she was abrupt, judgemental and pushy, which put me off using her,” she said.

So what advice can these seasoned sellers give to others wanting to follow in their footsteps?

Brett encourages people to be realistic about the fees involved while Briony has sound advice on making a property appealing to potential buyers.

“An overall good first impression will capture attention,” she said.

“Decrease clutter, clean your property, make sure it’s well lit and maintain temperature at a comfortable level.”

Briony and Brett are just one of many couples in WA choosing smart investment strategies over long-term renting. And with rental prices increasing, and the median sale price on the rise, more and more West Aussies are dipping their toes in the market.

When it comes to getting premium results, choosing an agent that understands the market and knows how to effectively communicate with buyers is crucial.

If you need help selling, buying or investing, talk to Realmark.

IN Burlesque

With sultry pseudonyms like Ruby DeLure and tantalising performances that make removing a glove feel simply provocative, you might think burlesque was just for the blokes. But according to Melanie Bruyer of Perth Burlesque troupe Sugar Blue Burlesque, the reality could not be further from the truth.

“Women love burlesque because of its romantic element of illusion, not to mention the glamour and gorgeous costumes,” she said.

Ms Bruyer, AKA A’dora Derriere, is Sugar Blue’s sole business director. She is also a performer, costume designer and mentor to Western Australia’s most renowned burlesque troupe.

The troupe brings the art of tease to the Perth Fringe Festival this month with The Chronicles of Burlesque, a show which pays homage to burlesque dancers through the ages.

“Watching burlesque is particularly romantic, especially when watching the classic acts, as you can be taken into another world for a moment or two,” said Ms Derriere.

The always-controversial Dita Von Teese and infamous Betty Page are just some of the burlesque performers that inspire the show. While Sally Rand, famous for her ostrich feather fan dance, is an icon from earlier days.

According to Ms Derriere, burlesque began as a social commentary or parody. The working classes would mock the upper classes by spoofing operas, plays and other aristocratic forms of entertainment.

Eventually, burlesque became a spectacular stage show featuring wondrous costumes, props and chorus lines. It was in the 40’s and 50’s that burlesque changed.

“Burlesque became all about men’s entertainment and eventually it had to go into underground nightclubs as some states in the US outlawed it”, said Ms Derriere.

Thanks to performers like Dita Von Teese, burlesque experienced a revival in the 1990’s.

“It was a feminist revival, with a feeling of empowerment,” muses Ms Derriere.

“Any woman could be a burlesque dancer, no matter what size or shape they were, and still, a lot of the performances were based on comedy.”

The bombshell vintage glamour of the past remains a strong element of contemporary burlesque performances. But many modern performers like to add their own creative flair.

“Some take on a more ‘Neo’ approach, going as far as ‘gorelesque’ with very dark and gothic themes like vampires,” explains Ms Derriere.

“There is an audience for all styles performed today.”

So what can audiences expect from The Chronicles of Burlesque? According to Ms Derriere, the show is very beautiful, with gorgeous performers, costumes and choreography. And of course, a touch of comedy.

If that isn’t enough, Sugar Blue Burlesque also hold burlesque classes for beginners and seasoned performers. Classes give women the opportunity to express themselves with no boundaries.

“The feedback we get off a lot of women who attend our classes is that it gives them a new found confidence,” she said.

“They find it truly liberating.”

For those of us content with sitting back and enjoying the timeless glamour of burlesque, check out the The Chronicles of Burlesque at the Perth Fringe Festival.

The show runs from Wednesday 20th to Saturday 23rd February. Tickets cost $30 and are available through www.fringeworld.com.au.

IN 2013

The talk in real estate circles recently has predicted a year of strong growth for the Perth property market in 2013.

Some are tipping average house prices to rise by as much as seven per cent over the next 12 months, far outweighing potential gains in most other State capitals.

It follows a strong end to 2012, with median prices growing by 0.8 per cent, after getting off to a slow start.

While the figures bode well for another strong year, predicting what the market is likely to do can be a perilous business.

So let’s leave the number crunching aside for the moment, and focus on the basics.

For home owners, the upswing is undoubtedly good news because property prices will once again continue on an upward trajectory.

Buyers certainly won’t be in short supply either.

Population growth on the back of the mining boom shows no signs of slowing down meaning more and more people seeking property in Western Australia, and more specifically, Perth.

Combine this with record rental prices, low vacancy rates and low unemployment and conditions are ripe for a very strong year, indeed.

But what does this growth mean for those looking to enter the property market? Have they missed the boat?  The short answer is: No.

The window of opportunity is well and truly open for first homebuyers, especially with interest rates at historic lows - and tipped to fall further this year. However, you need to make your move soon.

Some analysts have forecast growth of close to 20 per cent over the next three years, meaning the median house price could rise from $470,000 at the end of last financial year to $580,000 by the same time in 2015.

With this in mind, I would encourage people thinking of buying their first home - or re-entering the property market - to take the plunge in 2013.

IN Kids Cooking

Cooking is fun for the whole family and is an activity kids can easily take part in too over the summer.


The Mirmikidis children will probably remember their time in the kitchen as some of their fondest memories. At least their dad hopes so.


Dad Athan says the up-coming holidays are a perfect time to spend some time in the kitchen with your kids, teaching them basic recipes which they’ll always be able to cook.


The father of three has been cooking for as long as he can remember. His grandfather was a chef and his mum taught him to cook when he was little, something Athan started passing onto his own three from the moment they could put on an apron.


The first dish Athan learnt was a classic spaghetti bolognaise, a perfect one to use with summer beef. He says that beef offers plenty of easy recipes for parents to try with their kids including favourites in his house like gourmet burgers, chilli con carne, nachos and a Greek dish called keftethes, which are savoury meatballs made with mince, garlic, onion and parsley.


“Keftethes are perfect for kids to be able to mix and roll into balls. It’s like playing with play dough,” says Athan. “You can eat them as a meal or have them cold as a picking dish.”


Athan’s Greek heritage means that dishes like keftethes are staples amongst all his family but cultural exploration also plays a big part of life in the Mirmikidis home. What better way to do it than with food from around the world. It’s a perfect way to teach Jasper, 9, Amelie, 7 and three-year-old Rosie about different countries.


Athan is the managing director of catering company Heyder & Shears and says it’s a Saturday morning ritual to take his children to the commercial kitchen to watch others cooking as well as going to the butcher.


“They learn about cooking, get more familiar with a kitchen and get to know other people who know how to cook. Jasper can deliver a dinner for the family. Of course his first dish was spaghetti bolognaise. I think it’s all the kids’ favourite meal.


“The older ones already appreciate a good cut of beef which we’ll serve with some kind of relish rather than tomato sauce.”


Being able to help in the kitchen can do wonders for a child’s confidence, says Athan. That sense of accomplishment and pride as well as being a little creative is great for them.


“Kids will try and mimic their parents and I think learning to cook is a fantastic habit for them to have as well as a great pleasure.


“My kids have never eaten from a fast food outlet. They know that the food from home is healthy and developing good eating habits in them is important.


“When we’re in the kitchen together the kids ask why we do something and it forces us to get back to basics too and think about what we are doing step-by-step. We see it through new eyes because of that.”


For information on Heyder & Shears Catering, visit www.heydershears.com.au

IN Rent vs Buy

 
"Rent or Buy – that is the question"


We’re hearing of reports about increased first home buyer activity  in the market again due to a shift in market conditions.


The median house price has no doubt fallen and remained relatively flat for a protracted period, providing a window of opportunity for renters wanting to move to property ownership.


Recent statistical data suggests that currently  there is little difference between monthly mortgage repayments and rental payments providing that much-needed incentive for first home buyers.


The October RP Data Buy vs Rent report found it was cheaper to pay a mortgage than it was to rent in 388 suburbs across the country, with 44 of those in Western Australia.


These statistics can be exciting news for people who’ve been renting but aspire to own their own property, and up until now haven’t been able to afford it. Initial purchase and ongoing affordability is the key issue in this consideration.


However, before you jump into a mortgage of your own there are a few important aspects to take into account.


The first, and the most important is knowing what stage of your life you’re at and what style of life you’re after.


Owning a home is both an investment and a lifestyle choice and comes with a certain amount of responsibilities. Home buyers must take into account their own personal situation and assess each and every aspect of home ownership because both renting and buying property has its perks.


For those thinking of buying for the first time remember to consider other costs such as capital gains if you are an investor plus stamp duty, finance establishment costs, statutory  outgoings plus strata title fees for apartments and villas.


There are other costs of home ownership such as upkeep and maintenance which all add to the cost of buying - as opposed to renting, where none of these costs are a direct issue.


The suggestion that buying is cheaper than renting is somewhat true but in reality not everyone wants to own a property.


Renting has its fair share of benefits and these include its limitations. Increasingly people are choosing renting as a long-term option and approaching renting with a different attitude , for example taking long-term lease periods and set rent reviews to provide security and certainty.


Not being tied down to a mortgage for say 25 years can be what makes renting so attractive because it can facilitate more flexible lifestyle choices which is what many people are after.


Putting all the data and academic debate to one side, it  is a choice between the heart and the mind, and the right choice is what suits the individual depending on their aspirations and life stage. Notwithstanding seeking the advice of an informed property professional can assist in making the right choices.