Be happy, be innovative

The boom has left us hanging onto mediocrity. We’ve become comfortable because it’s been easy. We’ve been letting other people take the gamble and the chance. Now the GED has rudely shocked us and rocked us out of that rake-it-in coma.

People are preoccupied with the darkness and gloom but you’ll always find someone living with less light and hope. While Australia is the 18^th wealthiest economy in the world according to one website, apparently we are also the 6^th happiest country in the world.

If you’re not feeling like you’re part of the Top 10 happy places in the world, perhaps it’s because you’ve been paying too much attention to miserable advertising. Notice how quickly television and other forms of advertising have jumped on the bad times band wagon? They’ve taken up the language of a bleak economic climate and adjusted their global economic crisis vocabulary so quickly it’s hard to believe the Ikea-loving Swedes and Canadians are behind us on the happiness ladder.

The days of the spin merchant are gone however and we can’t afford to be seduced anymore. We have neither the time nor money. You just can’t “trust” blindly anymore. Find people who you know are good at what they do or come recommended by those you trust. Work with people who actually have the solutions to your problems, not just people who say they do.

Most of us are pretty clever about what we’re being told, but now more than ever it’s important to see the real message being communicated and not be manipulated by the spin.

The up-side of this down-turn is now we have the perfect chance to make a difference. To be different. To think differently. To strive to be better. To do things which have never been done before.

Whether you’re going to seriously commit to household recycling, buy a home or get involved in a business venture, it’s time for innovation and the climate is ripe for it.

In our recent In Property magazine, Perth horticulturalist Josh Byrne shared with us how planting a verge garden got him out of the back of his house and greeting his neighbourhood. By creating a nice place to be at the front of his house, he’s met the people in his street and made friends with his neighbours.

It’s a grass-roots gesture, but we need them to lift our spirits. Feeling good about yourself and the world around us is what convinces someone somewhere with a great idea to pursue it. They say it takes a village to raise a child. It’s a valuable mantra to have at the moment.

Let’s cultivate the art of being better, of giving great service and “doing good”. Unprecedented times call for unusual measures.

A fine equilibrium

After a lengthy renaissance, the Perth property market is beginning to normalise. But with around one per cent unemployment and hundreds of people arriving in Western Australia every day to service the resource boom, the outlook is still strong. The key is to keep properties turning over.

All indicators suggest Australia is driving along a road of strong economic growth. And Perth is sitting in the driver’s seat. As a result, there is always strong demand for good property

“When the property market began its strong upward swing in recent years, Perth was behind the eastern states and was playing catch up,” says Realmark Principal John Percudani. “It was undervalued so it only makes sense that it has also enjoyed a boom”.

“It probably peaked last year and over the course of the past 12 months has reached a state of equilibrium between buyers and sellers. I would say the market has normalised”

Mr Percudani believes that the market is reflecting a slight adjustment in buyer mentality, especially when it comes to “emotional” buying.

“Compared with this time last year, there are nearly 30% more properties on the market. This means buyers have plenty of stock to choose from and are not feeling the same pressure to buy in a hurry,” says Mr Percudani. “The issue of affordability is also key in the sale of property. If buyers do not see value, they are prepared to let is pass.”

This has meant that properties are sitting on the market nearly twice as long as this time last year. Mr Percudani believes sellers can avoid this outcome by reaching realistic price expectations as well as holding real estate agents accountable for the services.

“Sellers need to make sure their agents meet with them weekly and provide campaign reports. If there is no offer within 30 days, then the campaign is in crisis.”

“Sellers should not accept that it will take longer to sell their property, in fact it is imperative it sells as quickly as possible in this high volume market. The property market outlook is strong going forward, but factors such as innovative marketing are going to play an increasing role in the successful turn around of properties.