Hello and welcome back to our second edition of Prime Lifestyle Magazine.

Finally spring is here and we are loving the sun and sand once again. Albany is looking green and lush after a good rainy winter. The team at Prime has not been hibernating this winter, we have been incredibly busy and are ready to sell this summer. We had a very good winter and our team is expanding. We welcome Glenda Andrew our o�ce manager and we will reveal shortly who our new sales rep is. Prime is extremely grateful to all your wonderful support. We have had the most incredible feedback from the public and our clients.

The new way of conducting real estate business starts here and we are making a di�er-ence in their lives. We are selling homes other agents could not. We love what we do but more than that we do what it takes to sell your home! Great photography, you-tube video, newspaper advertising all included for reduced selling fee!

This magazine is dedicated to promoting local business and all those involvedin working to create a community in Albany that shares and provides superior service. Please feel free to email us should you wish to share your ideas or services relating to the lifestyle in Albany.

Editor : Nicci Daniele m: 0427 802 277Assistant Editor: Robin Russell t: 9842 3377

Max Bassett entered the Real Estate Industry in August 2009 following retirement from the Banking Industry after 40 years, the last 15 years of which was as a Relationship Manager with the Commonwealth Bank Albany dealing with Corporate clients.

He has been involved in all facets of the real estate industry including Residential Sales, Commercial/Residential Leasing, Strata Management, Commercial and Business Sales. Twenty years working in the Banking and Real Estate in Albany has enabled him to build a good understanding of the local market in all areas and establish a vast network of clients and contacts.

“I enjoy working with people and have always strived to deliver professional, reliable and e�cient service in all areas to help clientsmeet their goals.”

Mobile : 0428 411 855

O�ce Number : (08) 9842 3377�

Email : max@primerealtyalbany.com.au

Adding a rug to a room can create a whole new look with minimal expense. Rugs can help protect hardwood �oors and save car-peting from being bleached by the sun. And of course, they feel nice and comfy on your toes!

Size mattersChoosing the correct size rug depends on the dimensions of the room. Make sureyou don’t cover the entire �oor space since your rug should have its own visual ‘frame’.A good rule of thumb is to keep 30 to 60 centimetres of open space between the rug and the surrounding walls.

Get the right fitThere’s a few ‘rules’ to remember when placing rugs. In the dining room, the rug should go under the table with enough width and breadth so chairs stay on the rug when people push back from the table.

In the bedroom, a rug works well when it’s placed under the lower two-thirds of the

bed. This gives a nice soft surface to bare feet on a cold winter’s morning.

Placing the front legs of a sofa on a rug while the back legs remain on �oorboards helps to make the sitting area more invit-ing. In the living room, a strong design can make the rug a focal point of the room and o�er an anchoring point or a centrepiece. Likewise, a light coloured rug can openthe room up and create a sense of space. A dark rug, however, will make a cold roomfeel warm and cosy.

The rug must work with the furnishings, complimenting or contrasting, depending on your style and taste. A long hall runner with a distinctive design can add a decora-tive touch to a house.

In rooms that get busy and messy, keep the pile short and the colours mottled for pie-ceof mind and easy cleaning; and avoid having the corner of a rug in front of a doorway, which creates a tripping hazard.

How to choose a rug

How to choose a rug

5

Moving house is often cited as one of life’s most stressful events. In the second half of 2013, our organisation handled 77 disputes about removalistand freight issues. This included gripes about missing or broken items,hidden costs and delayed deliveries.

Here are some tips to help reduce the stress; whether you’re bringing in helpor doing the hard yards yourself.

Hiring a van, truck or trailerIf you have the muscle but not the tools of the trade, you may decide to hire a van,truck or trailer for your move.To help protect yourself when hiring a vehicle:* Read rental agreements carefully. Look out for clauses that allow the hirer to keepall of the security deposit or bond money in certain circumstances.* Carefully examine the vehicle’s condition report.* Check the vehicle for existing damage, marks or scrapes not recorded on the report.* If in doubt, do not leave the hire company’s premises if you �nd any damage onthe vehicle that is not in the condition report. Make sure the company acknowledges,in writing, any damage that you �nd.* Consider taking photographs of the vehicle’s condition.* Make sure you are there when it is inspected at the endof your rental.

Take the stress out of moving house

Moving house using removalistsIf DIY is not your cup of tea, you may choose to engage a furniture removal company.Removalists o�er a range of services including packing, unpacking, storage andmoving items between locations.Before you engage a company, get several itemised quotes to ensure you get thedeal right for you.

Things to remember when using a removalist:* Ask about any additional charges – such as whether there is a call-out rate andhow will it be charged. For example, if it will cost more if the move takes longer thanexpected or if access to the property is di�cult.* If you are paying an hourly rate, ask whether this covers the time when the vanleaves and returns to the depot.* Check what insurance the removalist o�ers and what it covers.* Check your goods before and after they are moved.* Always read over the terms and conditions carefully.

To receive a 5% discount from Albany Truck and Car Hirecall on 9841 8150, or visit them at 376 Albany Highway.

There is something exciting about seeing the �rst blossoms of spring, so with that excitement in mind take a fresh look at your home and see what you can do to bring an extra touch of pizzazz to your interior. If you’re thinking of selling your place, a burst of Spring could be a big draw card for buyers.

PaintThis is the easiest and cheapest way to get a fresh and clean change to a room. Spring brings a whole new light into the home and walls can look dirty very quickly. Adding a fresh coat of paint is cheap if you provide the labour, but don’t go bold or to dramatic as it will limit your market potential.

FabricPatterns, texture and colour can add a breath of fresh air. Stunning fabrics can be made into cushions, throws, divider screens and wall hangings to give life to a dull colour scheme

MaintenanceWe all have the jobs we put o� till tomor-row. Make a list of what needs to be done to get your home into perfect con-dition as it is the little details that some-times get forgotten.

ClutterSpring cleaning always comes to mind this time of year, but never so more than when you are selling. Buyers have no emotional attachment to your collec-tions – so if it is gathering dust doesn’t add to your interior, pack it away or move it on permanently. As this is the perfect time to make decisions of what is necessary and what is taking up valu-able space

ArtworkMove around your artwork – it is easy to get used to a certain look but just by moving around your artwork and pic-tures you can create a whole new feel costing you nothing at all.

Spend where neededThe big budget areas, such as the bath-room or kitchen, need some careful planning. If the major appliances and structure is in good condition maybe all the area needs is a basic ‘freshen up’, such as re-tiling and new taps and acces-sories.

Sometimes simple changes such as these might be enough to give a new lease of life and give added value rather than being a full renovation.

Update your home for Spring

Update your home for Spring

There’s nothing like the excitement of seeing a ‘sold’ sticker on your new home,or your name on the rental property lease. But before you move into your new prop-erty, there’s a few things you’ll need to do; and sorting your utilities is arguably the most important.

1. Connect & disconnect your utilitiesThe �rst thing on your list should be to notify your suppliers you are moving to ensure you’re connected before you move, and that you’re disconnected from your current home. Moving could also be a good time to �nd a new provider.

2. Change your address & redirect mailMake sure to do this as early as possible, as you’ll no doubt be surprised at the amount of people who need to know your new address. Think schools, doctors, the bank, insurance companies – the list goes on. Write a list of everyone you need to inform of your new address and cross each one o� as you go along. Redirecting your mail may seem like common sense, but there’s always a few bills and personal letters that wing their way to your old address consider a six-month redirect service.

3. Smart packing Packing to move house is a good time to cull your old, unused bits and pieces, and your local charity shop will love you for it. Consider labeling your boxes with the room they belong in – this will make unpacking much simpler.

4. Plan ahead for kids & petsWhen moving with small children and/or pets, it’s best to not have them underfoot while you’re lugging heavy boxes. Ask friends or grandparents to watch them for the day. Make sure you update your pet’s microchip details before you move, too.

5. Make sure you’re insuredHave you moved your insurance policy to cover your new address? It’s often last on everyone’s mind when moving house. The �rst thing to do is make sure your policy covers your move. Even with experienced movers, some damage can sometimes occur.Check that your new home is covered for when you move in, and your current home still covered until you leave. It’s better to be safe than sorry, after all.

things to rememberwhen you move house5

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The Energy Rating Label was �rst introduced in 1986 in NSW and Victoria, and is now mandatory in all Australian states and territories for electrical appliances to carry the label when they are o�ered for sale the label features a star rating be-tween one and 10 stars – the greater the number of stars the higher the e�ciency.

Why are they there?The star rating allows consumers to compare the energy e�ciency of domestic appliances on a fair and equitable basis. It also provides incentive for manufactur-ers to improve the energy performance of appliances.

The star rating of an appliance is determined from the energy consumption and size of the product. These values are measured under Australian Standards which de�ne test procedures for measuring energy consumption and minimum energy performance criteria.

How do appliances gain their star rating?There are two main policy tools used to achieve reductions in energy use from these products: Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and Energy Rating Labels (ERLs). Appliances which need to follow the Minimum Energy Perfor-mance Standards (MEPS) in Australia include just about any product that requires electricity, from refrigerators and set top boxes to compact �uorescent lamps and three phase electric motors.

What are MEPSMinimum Energy Performance Standards, or MEPS, are regulations that require certain classes of appliances to perform to a minimum standard before they are allowed to be sold in Australia.Manufacturers or distributors must test these appliances to Australian standards and demonstrate that the energy they use to perform a standard task is below the allowed maximum amount. This helps to keep poorer performing appliances o� the market.

Why go to all this trouble?In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and energy demand, improving the energy e�ciency of appliances and products has signi�cant economic and environmental bene�ts for Australia.

Appliance star energy ratings explained

If you’ve ever been unlucky enough to have your house broken into you’ll know it can be a stressful event. Fortunately, knowing what to do ahead of time can make it easier to respond.

Step 1 – Call the policeIf you approach the house from the street and you notice a door ajar or something just doesn’t feel right, call your local police station immediately.As tempting as it might be try not to touch or disturb anything. You run the risk of destroying valuable evidence.

Step 2 – See to urgent repairsOne of the most annoying things about a break-in is �xing the damage to your house. Fortunately, most locksmiths and window repair companies o�er same or next day service.If you don’t own the property call your landlord and let them know what’s happened.

Step 3 – Check the house overThere are a few key items you should search for and con�rm their where-abouts:

Spare house keys – burglars often steal the spares so they can come back in a few days and clear you out. If you sus-pect the keys are missing, change the

locks.

Spare car keys – many people report their car keys stolen after a burglary, but it’s something that often goes unnoticed for many days. Double-check they’re where you left them.

Computer & passwords - if you can’t �nd your computer and you know it contains information about your bank account, change your passwords and report each item as missing. Contact your bank to cancel any missing credit cards.

Step 4 – Gather useful informationAs a proactive option make list of all your valuables and you keep all your receipts in a safe place.

Your insurer may ask for proof of owner-ship, so here are some of the elements you should pull together following a burglary:• Receipts (including digital receipts)• Product serial numbers (TV, DVD, cameras, laptops, bikes, etc.)• Valuations (jewellery, antiques, collectibles)• Credit card numbers• Photographs (property damages)

Help! I’ve been burgled: A handy crisis response checklist

There’s nothing like the excitement of seeing a ‘sold’ sticker on your new home,or your name on the rental property lease. But before you move into your new prop-erty, there’s a few things you’ll need to do; and sorting your utilities is arguably the most important.

1. Connect & disconnect your utilitiesThe �rst thing on your list should be to notify your suppliers you are moving to ensure you’re connected before you move, and that you’re disconnected from your current home. Moving could also be a good time to �nd a new provider.

2. Change your address & redirect mailMake sure to do this as early as possible, as you’ll no doubt be surprised at the amount of people who need to know your new address. Think schools, doctors, the bank, insurance companies – the list goes on. Write a list of everyone you need to inform of your new address and cross each one o� as you go along. Redirecting your mail may seem like common sense, but there’s always a few bills and personal letters that wing their way to your old address consider a six-month redirect service.

3. Smart packing Packing to move house is a good time to cull your old, unused bits and pieces, and your local charity shop will love you for it. Consider labeling your boxes with the room they belong in – this will make unpacking much simpler.

4. Plan ahead for kids & petsWhen moving with small children and/or pets, it’s best to not have them underfoot while you’re lugging heavy boxes. Ask friends or grandparents to watch them for the day. Make sure you update your pet’s microchip details before you move, too.

5. Make sure you’re insuredHave you moved your insurance policy to cover your new address? It’s often last on everyone’s mind when moving house. The �rst thing to do is make sure your policy covers your move. Even with experienced movers, some damage can sometimes occur.Check that your new home is covered for when you move in, and your current home still covered until you leave. It’s better to be safe than sorry, after all.

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Step 5 – Contact your insurance companyIt’s important to prioritise this call and let your insurer know as soon as possible that you’ve had a break-in. Your insurer can walk you through all of the documenta-tion they’ll require to assess the situation and work through the claims process.Provide as much detail as possible about what happened, making sure you include:• Your list of stolen or damaged goods• Proof of purchase or evidence of ownership• Police Report number• Names & branch of the police o�cers handling your case

Step 6 – Moving forwardA burglary can be a frightening experience, but remember, it can happen to anyone. Now is a great time to take precautions against a repeat occurrence.• Keep valuables hidden away from plain view• Engrave or microdot all items of high value• Install a deadlock on all your external doors and locks on all the windows• Store away your garden tools• Install motion sensor lights• Buy an alarm and keep it maintained• Use a password management system such as 1Password or KeePass• Ensure your house appears ‘lived in’

Better sound in the palm of your hand.

© Bose® Corporation 2014. All rights reserved. The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc., and any such use by Bose Corporation is under license.

SoundLink® Mini Bluetooth® speaker

Nicci Daniele has over 20 years marketing and sales experience. She opened and grew her marketing business “On Demand” to become one of the most successful marketing businesses in Cape Town, before selling the business and following her heart to Albany.

Her diploma in photography is a real asset to Prime Realty clients as she is renowned for her real estate photography in Western Australia. She has been commissioned to photograph properties in Perth, Albany and as far as Esperance. Her graphic design skill ensures all marketing material is professional and innovative embracing new market trends.She has the innate ability to understand the client’s needs and her empathetic nature ensures the client best interests are always paramount.

“It’s all about you, after-all selling or buying a home is an extremely stressful and emo-tional process and it should be approached in a way that you get the best result with the least angst! It has never been easier to communicate with the world. Help me to help you! I am tapping into the technology available to ensure your property is visible. Remember if it can’t be seen it can be sold!”Mobile: 0427 802 277

After celebrating success at auction or negotiating a private sale, the next mile-stone in your property-buying journey is settlement. Here’s what you need to know.

1. Understand settlementProperty settlement is an o�cial process usually conducted between your legal and �nancial representatives and those of the seller. It’s when ownership passes from the seller to you, and you pay the balance of the sale price.The seller sets the settlement date in the contract of sale and the property settle-ment period is usually 30 to 90 days.

2. Arrange your �nal inspectionYou’re entitled to inspect the property at any reasonable time during the week before settlement. Contact the agent to arrange this inspection.The seller must hand over the property in the same condition as when it was sold.

3. Organise insuranceYour lender will usually recommend you take out building and contents insur-ance e�ective from the date the seller signs the contract. This is to safeguard their interest in the property, as well as your own.

4. Check measurementsYour legal practitioner or conveyancer will send you a plan of the land so you can check all measurements and boundaries correspond with the Certi�cate of Title. You should con�rm if so, or alert them to any discrepancies.

5. Understand outgoingsAt settlement, all outgoings such as rates and other charges are adjusted be-tween you and the seller. The seller is responsible for rates up to and including the day of settlement. You are responsible from the day after settlement.You are also responsible for paying land transfer duty on the sale. It is usually paid at settlement but you have up to three months after settlement to pay.

6. Collect the keysOnce settlement is completed, you can collect the keys from the agent and take possession of the property.

6 property settlement tips

HR Settlements has been providing a friendly, e�cient settlement service to the Great Southern community since 1991. Whether you are buying or selling a house, unit, vacant land, farm or commercial property anywhere in W.A., HR Settlements would be delighted to take care of your real estate settlement needs.

47 Aberdeen Street, AlbanyTelephone: (08) 9842 1437Fax: (08) 9841 1446

Robin Russell completed a Commerce Degree majoring in Marketing and Entrepre-neurship at Curtin University and recently moved back to her home town of Albany to pursue her marketing career.

She has valuable skills in marketing, event coordination, business development, sales and customer service, gained from 16 months experience working in the professional services industry and 4 years’ experience in the customer service industry. These diverse roles developed superb communication, organisational and strategic marketing skills.

“My passion for marketing and events has grown immensely since �nishing my degree and has fuelled my desire to deliver superior service to Prime and build sound relation-ships with clients to achieve results.”

O�ce Number : (08) 9842 3377Mobile : 0404 708 257Email : robin@primerealtyalbany.com.aue

Being a parent is about nurturing, guid-ing and of course loving, but it’s also about helping to teach kids ways to cope with age-appropriate tasks so that one day they can live independent and hopefully full and satisfying lives of their own.

Asking kids to help around the house is not only a way to share the household load, it’s a golden teaching opportunity. Make it a team sportSome chores can be done together which can also provide a di�erent outlet for sharing and connecting with kids. Just like adults, eyeballing your kids while asking about their day at school can be confronting, but talking about their next science project or �ght with a friend can be somehow more easily facilitated while your kids are emptying the dishwasher or folding the laundry.

Let them goWhen you �nally get your kids on board helping to make their beds or cook dinner and you feel like jumping in to show them how you can make the per-fect hospital bed corner or cut juli-enne-style veges, resist the urge; this might put them o� next time you seek their help.

Gamify itMake it a competition. Use a points system to scale chores; making the beds might be 10 points and unloading the dishwasher could be 30 points. Kids have to reach a certain level of points to get out of being grounded. You could do the same but with points accumu-lating to win something to go some-where. Create routinesFinally, set up routines to avoid nag-ging. Encourage kids to take turns set-ting the table, folding the washing, or unloading the dishwasher, and record it on a chores chart for all to see. This helps avoid high-level negotiations at every turn, and sets the precedent that everyone contributes to the running of the household.

Getting kids to do chores: little hands make light work

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