ISSUE 1 | March 2015

Your quarterly collection of Market News, Advice and Tips.

A MESSAGE FROMRochelle RobertsProperty ManagementCo-ordinator

Welcome to the Peter Blackshaw Manuka Property Management Insider, the first edition of our quarterly E-zine. We aim to keep you abreast of current rental trends, and to provide you with tips and tools to assist in maximising your return.

In this edition we have a snapshot of the current rental market, an interesting article on investor trends throughout Australia, and information about some exciting new developments that our agency is involved with.

We intend to bring you something new each quarter, so if there is a topic that you’re particularly interested in, please don’t hesitate to let me know – I’ll do my best to incorporate this into our publications.

From the entire team at PBM PM, thank you for taking the time to read our E-zine. I hope to have the opportunity to speak with you soon.

ContentsMarket Update 3

What’s Trending 4

Exciting New Developments 5

Agent Profile/Team Events 6

Feature Sales Property• 72/12 David Street, Turner

• Price: $369,000+

• Nice and sunny

• Looks out onto David Street, cutting out traffic noise from Northbourne Avenue

• Close to the City

• Approx 69m2 of living space

• Modern throughout with quality kitchen appliances, floor coverings and window treatments

• Two balconies

• 1/30 Farrer Street, Braddon

• Price: $670 per week

• Single level three bedroom townhouse

• Great blend of functional internal and external living and entertaining spaces

• Formal and informal living areas

• Comfortable, practical and functional living

• Complemented by neat front and rear, low maintenance gardens

Feature Rental Property

Market UpdateThe rental market in Canberra is slowly starting to show signs of increasing and improving after being a challenging market over the past 12 months.

The summer period has provided an increase in the number of attendees at exhibitions, a reduction in average days on market and an increase in the average rental price achieved on your properties. We are hoping we will be able to hold and continue this throughout 2015.

We are finding that well-presented and realistically priced houses are still renting well throughout Canberra, but units are still struggling a little. Tenants seem to be selecting the new apartments in new developments as opposed to the older apartments, and with the volume of new apartments having been released continuing to increase, this is also pushing the rental prices of units down. The Kingston Foreshore is still shaping up to be a desirable location for tenants to reside in, with the lifestyle options that the precinct provides, each development release seems to be snapped up pretty quickly.

Overall, we are very happy with the commencement of 2015 and are looking forward to keeping you updated as the year progresses.

28 Properties Available

96 Properties Rented Dec ‘14 to Feb ‘15

36 Average Days On Market

746 Exhibitions Conducted Dec ‘14 to Feb ‘15

1908 Enquiry Rate Dec ‘14 to Feb ‘15

1.5% Average Vacancy Rate Dec ‘14 to Feb ‘15

Rochelle RobertsProperty Management

Co-ordinator

Investor frenzy fires up

New data has confirmed investors in the Australian property market are increasing rapidly, with finance commitments for investor housing reaching a record high of $12.6 billion.

Australian Bureau of Statistics December 2014 housing and lending finance data released last week showed finance commitments for investor housing increased six per cent from November 2014.

Corelogic RP Data said, simultaneously, the value of investor housing finance commitments was 18.8 per cent higher in December 2014 than in December 2013.

Corelogic RP Data research analyst Cameron Kusher said to put the rise in investor activity into perspective, in December 2012 investors committed to $7.6 billion compared to $12.6 billion currently.

Mr Kusher said this was a rise of 66 per cent over the two years and is the largest rise over a two-year period since December 2003.

Looking at the value of housing finance commitments by state, all states recorded a greater value of commitments in December 2014 than they did in December 2013.

Year on year, the increases were recorded at 34.1 per cent in New South Wales and 30.3 per cent in Victoria.

The Australian Capital Territory recorded a 43 per cent increase over the year.

Queensland recorded an 8.6 per cent rise, while South Australia recorded a 14.1 per cent increase.

A 4.5 per cent increase was recorded in Western Australia, an 8.3 per cent rise in Tasmania, and 10.6 per cent in the Northern Territory.

Mr Kusher said that investment is largely focused within New South Wales and to a lesser degree Victoria.

“These results provide a proxy for the capital cities in these states (Sydney and Melbourne),” he said.

“These two capital cities have recorded the greatest increases in home values over the past year and have also recorded the lowest rental yields.”

Source: RPM Online, Monday 24 February 2015

Increase in finance commitments for investor housing between Dec 2013and Dec 2014:

NSW 34.1%Vic 30.3%ACT 43%Qld 8.6%SA 14.1%WA 4.5%Tas 8.3%NT 10.6%

Exciting New Developments

AMAYA - GriffithAn elegant development in one of Canberra’s oldest and most exclusive suburbs, Amaya symbolises modern luxury and exclusivity. Set over 7 individual buildings, each rising only 2 to 3 storeys, Amaya’s modern design principles perfectly complement the traditional values of its historic Griffith location.

A range of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments and luxurious penthouses provide unmatched levels of accessibility and flexibility, with wide corridors and doorways, large rooms, functional kitchens and bathrooms, and spacious fully enclosed garages.

The Peninsula - Kingston ForeshoreSoon to be released, The Peninsula, a boutique

development of approximately 70 quality apartments

with tranquil views to the lake and the Jerrabomberra

Wetlands.

Designed to appeal to live-in owners and those

looking for an quality investment property, this

outstanding development is the latest offering from

multi award winning Canberra developer Madison.

For more information about these exciting

new developments please contact Albert Stavaruk

on 0418 628 641, or email

astavaruk@peterblackshaw.com.au

Albert StavarukSales Consultant

Above: Artist impression of Amaya courtyard

Below: Location of The Peninsula at Kingston Foreshore

The Peninsula

Agent Profile:Lyn McLennanBusiness Development Manager

What was your first job?I did a hairdressing apprenticeship. This is where I learnt about work ethic and customer service. It was also great for a bit of gossip.

What are your hobbies outside of Real Estate?We are a very sporting family. I played for NSW hockey and softball at school, my husband played indoor hockey for Australia, my eldest son played cricket for ACT Comets and U19 Australian cricket squad, my other son plays hockey for ACT, my daughter plays school netball.

What is the one thing you cannot live without?Sorry can’t limit it to one, my credit card and my Friday after work glass of wine, my lipstick.

Who has been the most inspirational person in your life?My dad, he left school at 14 to help with the family farm. Today at 76, he still works and is a successful businessman.

What is your life motto?I was always taught, if you’re going to do something, do it properly.

What do you enjoy most being in real estate?This job constantly tests me and pushes me outside my comfort zone.

What do you enjoy the most about working in property management?I’ve built some great business relationships and achieved some great results both personally and professionally.

What is your best real estate result?Securing a premium 5 year lease at $1500 per week with annual $50 increases. I enjoyed negotiating a great outcome for our owner.

In one word, how would you describe yourself?Perfectionist.

AFL, NRL or football?AFL. Last year I entered a tipping competition with my family and friends and won. Beating my husband (who is a mad Richmond supporter) was hugely satisfying.

Peter Blackshaw Manuka Property Management 27 Bougainville Street Manuka ACT 26036295 3866 | rentals@peterblackshaw.com.au | www.peterblackshaw.com.au

Team Events

Top: The Peter Blackshaw Manuka Property Management Team (and some of their four legged friends) getting ready to participate in the 2014 Santa Fun Run

Above: The team at a recent corporate event