Dawesville residents may have noticed a hive of construction activity in their area recently and been wondering what is happening. Machinery has been creating a new landscape between Dandaragan Drive and Bailey Boulevard to construct new access roads that will link through to the Dawesville Deviation.

After receiving confirmation of the completion of a sewer pump station, commissioned by the Water Corporation, in mid 2011, Florida Partnership was then able to commence the earthworks for the construction of the new roads. Approval was also granted by the City of Mandurah for the neighbourhood shopping centre precinct plans. These plans have been endorsed by the Western Australian Planning Commission.

The works required a great deal of pre-planning on behalf of Florida Partnership. Before the machinery moved in, a fauna relocation management plan was undertaken to ensure the protection of many important native species in the area. A number of vertebrates were trapped and relocated to nearby Yalgorup National Park. This task was undertaken by an experienced zoologist and veterinarian to ensure the safety and well being of the animals.

Having completed this relocation program, the commencement of the road, drainage works and services to adjacent areas was undertaken.

The new roads will come as a welcome relief to many parents of students at Ocean Road Primary School and Dawesville Catholic Primary School who have become accustomed to waiting in long traffic queues when delivering and retrieving their children from school. Until now, parents have only had one entry and exit from the highway to the schools, as required by the approved Outline Development Plan. After a drawn out approval process the road works are expected to be completed next month.

Ian Lovegrove (Florida Partnership Development Manager), Garry Gregan (Representative for Dr Kim Hames), Jason Mitchell (Site Manager) and John Perry (Director of the Florida Partnership)

The commercial sector at H&N Perry have been working in overdrive lately with a flurry of activity in both the sales and leasing departments.

The commercial department have recently been responsible for the negotiation of leases for Suites 3,4 & 5 at 8 George Street, Pinjarra. The St Vincent De Paul Society took the largest floor space of 444m2, with another suite being leased to Pinjarra Real Estate.

In the sales department, Frank Lawrence has been busy securing the sale of 284 Pinjarra Road, Mandurah. This building represented excellent value, being in a prime location and fully leased to long term tenants delivering an 8.2% return. It was snapped up very quickly, proving it's significance as an ideal investment. A medical centre in Glencoe Parade, Halls Head was also sold last week. This building, which already had Council approval was also in a high profile position and was ready for a business to walk in and commence trade.

This strong activity in Commercial investing indicates that consumer confidence has returned to the real estate market. It must also be noted that there has been stronger than usual residential sales which is a good omen for homeowners, businesses and investors alike. If you are interested in selling or leasing your premises, whether it be residential or commercial, you can trust the team at H&N Perry to give you quality professional advice. Give the office a call on 9535 1822 today and find out why we are the longest established Estate Agency in Mandurah.

H&N Perry would like to extend a warm welcome to a second St Vincent de Paul Society centre in the Peel Region. In addition to the Vinnies Mandurah Centre, a new Vinnies Centre has recently been opened in Pinjarra. Located at 8 George Street, the Vinnies Pinjarra Centre will occupy a massive area of 444m2 plus rear storage.

The St. Vincent de Paul Society has been providing aid to needy Western Australians since 1865. The Perth Conference was the second to be formed in Australia and now has over 75 conferences throughout the state. The society consists of many dedicated men and women who live out their faith in action by providing hope, comfort and dignity to disadvantaged Western Australians, trapped by their circumstances due to sickness, job loss, mental illness and family breakdown.

The Vinnies Pinjarra Centre will be open on Monday to Friday from 9.00am until 4.00pm and on Saturdays from 9.00am until 12.00 noon. They provide second hand clothing, shoes, accessories and homewears such as blankets and furniture at very reasonable prices to struggling families and individuals.

H&N Perry are honoured to have been able to assist such a worthy organisation into their new premises at 8 George Street, Pinjarra. We have many different types of business premises available on our books such as retail, commercial, industrial and showrooms. If you are seeking somewhere to open a business or relocate a business, call Brian Matthews or Joe Palandri on 9535 1822 and let us assist you with the transition.

H&N Perry's next upcoming Auction is for one of Mandurah's finest canal residences.

37 Santavea Mews, Halls Head is certainly an enviable address. Located on the Port Mandurah Canals, this classically elegant home sits on 1,645m² of land facing North over the water. The massive home has over 480m² of living and over 100m² of entertaining area, not to mention the private, floodlit tennis court right on the canal.

Some of the many features that this home includes are...

~   A huge chef's kitchen with Miele cooking applicances and Corian bench tops.

~   A theatre room with bi-fold wooden panels that open into the living room creating one very large entertainment area.

~   An entertaining alfresco area that includes a wet bar, a heated spa overlooking the canal, ceiling fans, an outside kitchen and bathroom facilities.

~   A generous master suite with a luxurious ensuite with floor to ceiling tiling.

~   Floating jetty.

~   Ducted airconditioning.

~   Undercover parking for 5 vehicles, a wine cellar and lift shaft.

The property has added investment potential with the tennis court being subdividable as a separate 600m² canal lot.

The auction will be held on Saturday 4th February 2012 at 11.00am on site. If style and class are your thing, you simply must view this luxurious property. It will be open for inspection every Sunday until Auction day between 2.00pm and 3.00pm. Come down and watch the AUCTION ACTION!

H&N Perry would like to welcome Chapters On The Terrace to 'The Plaza' on Mandurah Foreshore. Chapters On The Terrace opened their doors for business in late 2011 after completing a huge overhaul on the premises which previously housed Mandurah Terrace Restaurant.

The management of Chapters On The Terrace have done a fantastic job in transforming the 140m2 of floorspace into a lively tapas bar with modern decor, live music and a young vibe. The food and atmosphere have received some great reviews but the real winning point is it's location. Sitting prominently on the Mandurah Foreshore, customers can take advantage of the free Mandurah Foreshore Express bus service which runs all day, everyday from the train station and stops directly opposite the restaurant. Sitting back in the open faced bar, it is easy to lose track of time with great food, colourful cocktails and the sun drenched waters of Mandurah's Estuary.

H&N Perry's experienced commercial staff were responsible for negotiating the lease for these prime retail premises. Currently we have several other premises in 'The Plaza' available for lease right now. If you've been looking for a high exposure site to locate your business, call Brian Matthews or Joe Palandri on 9535 1822 and let us show you what's available. A good location is the first step to securing the future of your business.

Over the last few years, the Australian property market has seen a decline in prices across most areas. Whilst this may seem to be a reason for sitting tight, it actually provides a fantastic opportunity for you to upsize your family home now.

You may have heard people involved in the real estate industry using the term a 'Buyer's Market'. This simply means that there is a large volume of properties for sale and fewer people looking to buy, thus giving the Buyer a wider choice of homes to choose from and consequently offering a more competitive price. Price declines are making more desirable homes affordable again.

Mandurah, like other regions has also experienced a drop in property values, however there is still a lot of movement in the lower end of the market. Properties valued under $450,000 are still selling reasonably well, making upsizing more affordable than ever. For example, if your property has dropped in value by 10% and is now worth $360,000, that may seem like a loss of $40,000 - not good. However, it may also mean that the house you may have wanted but couldn't previously afford has also dropped in value by 10%. So, a house previously worth $750,000 would now be $75,000 cheaper, meaning that if you buy it now you will actually have made a $35,000 gain - very good indeed! In turn, when the property market regains buoyancy your new property will increase by a larger amount.

Low interest rates also provide an incentive to upsize your new home now. The Reserve Bank of Australia have been generous in their interest rate cuts over the last two meetings reducing the interest rate by a total of 0.5%. Many banks are offering an even lower rate by locking in your home loan. If you've been wanting to buy a larger home or one in a more desirable location, now is the time to make the switch and lock it in.

If you'd like to find out how to sell your home and upsize to a better one, give H&N Perry's experienced Sales Manager, Frank Lawrence a call on 9535 1822.

What are they?

Property cycles or market trends are terms that are used to describe sales activity in the real estate industry. Historical data shows that real estate values rise and fall in a cycle every 7-10 years. That is, from the time a property's value starts to rise, then falls, then begins to rise again.

Overall the price of anything is dictated by consumer demand, however other factors that may contribute to property value could be inflation, employment opportunities, interest rates and rental yield versus capital growth. Generally when the cost of rent starts to near the cost of purchasing a property, the value of property will rise. This is particularly evident when interest rates are low and employment opportunities are strong.

The key characteristics of a property cycle are...

- The time it takes to fall after they have reached a peak which is approximately one and a half years.

- After this time, the property market is usually overstocked and investors can take advantage of mortgagee and fire sales for the next one and a half years.

- As the housing supply dries up over the next year or two, prices tend to stabilise.

- After which market prices will begin to rise and the property cycle starts over again.

Western Australia experienced a significant boom in property prices over the middle of last decade. Since then prices have dropped significantly, however if the history of the property cycle repeats itself, it would indicate that now is a fantastic time to buy real estate. Ultimately, the most important thing to consider when entering the property market is not what time of the cycle you enter, but the length of time you are considering investing. Statistics indicate that over a long period of time (10-20 years) property investment will always be a clear winner. For more information about the price of real estate in your area, call H&N Perry's experienced Sales Manager, Frank Lawrence on 9535 1822.

The festive season is upon us again and if you are considering selling your property, now is the time to get it listed. There are many reasons that support summer as being the prime period for selling a property, particularly in 2011. With winter rains stretching out for much longer than usual, it is only now that gardens and lawns are looking their best.

A house is always more inviting when the sun is shining and lawns and gardens are thriving. Pools and alfresco areas are far more appealing during the summer months, as is living closer to the beach and waterways. The warmer months also give sellers the opportunity to invite buyers into a cool, airconditioned haven away from the heat whilst the interior of the house is at it's lightest and brightest.

However, the most advantageous reason for listing your property at this time of year is that most people have more time to look at properties. Mandurah is a popular holiday spot and there is temporary increase in the population over the summer months. With more free time on their hands, and a relaxed festive atmosphere, buyers are more likely to attend home opens and inspect properties for sale.

Many real estate agencies underestimate the potential of summer sales and close their offices over the holiday period. However, at H&N Perry we recognise that Mandurah's market is peaking at this time of year. Our office is located in the thick of the action on Mandurah Foreshore and our doors are open 7 days a week with exception of Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day. Call H&N Perry today on 9535 1822 and let us sell your house this Christmas... tis the season.

One simple word answers this question..... Experience

Meet our Sales Representatives...

Frank Lawrence   Frank has been with H&N Perry for 20 years and is a fully Licensed Real Estate Agent. With a vast knowledge of the residential and commercial property market, Frank is particularly adept at ensuring the needs of his sellers are met. Frank is also a highly talented auctioneer. It is worthy to note that Frank has been the winner of REIWA's State Championship Auctioneering Competition a record 4 times! Frank also holds a Diploma of Business Management in Real Estate. A testament to Frank's success and professionalism is the high volume of repeat business he enjoys.

Tom Moylan   Tom began his real estate career in 1969 and has since built a wealth of knowledge in many facets of the real estate industry. In addition to his successful sales career, Tom has held several National and State Management roles in the property industry and is also a past member of the Council of the Real Estate Institute of WA (REIWA). Tom is a Licensed Valuer & Agent.

Roz Cameron   Roz is one of the most experienced sales people in the Mandurah market today. Her career was founded on the Pinjarra Road Real Estate strip back in 1984. Roz prides herself on good honest 'old fashioned' service and it is this commitment to her sellers that has seen Roz sell over $100 million worth of property to date.

Cliff Newick   When it comes to negotiating a deal, Cliff's steely determination along with his polite and courteous manner often sees him secure the deal for his seller. Cliff has a vast history in Senior Management positions and is a first class all round professional.

Gabriele Negri   Gabriele has been residing in Mandurah for 16 years and in that time has built a reputation as being an honest and reliable real estate professional. His tenacious attitude and dedication to his work is an asset to the company and to his sellers.

Kim Faithful   Kim has ben engaged in the real estate industry in the Peel Region for 30 years. Kim has spent many years specialising in rural property sales in and around Mandurah along with residential sales. He is also a Licensed Real Estate Agent.

John Tapper   John brings to the team a bank of real estate experience. Having spent over 40 years as a partner, principal and licensee in the real estate industry, John is skilled at selling and developing all types of property.

H&N Perry is the longest established Real Estate Agency in the Peel Region. Our company has been established for over 60 years and in this time we have seen Mandurah develop from a small coastal fishing village into the thriving community that it is today. H&N Perry prides itself of hiring exceptional highly trained staff with local knowledge and real estate professionalism. Call today on 9535 1822 and let us help you.

Did you know that the median price of a house in Mandurah in 2002 was just $139,000. This figures seems paltry when compared to the median price just 5 years later of $400,000.! Over 2005, 2006 & 2007, prices were increasing so dramatically that many first home buyers found themselves priced out of the property market. Whilst the GFC brought many investors to their knees, it has provided some relief to first home buyers with median prices returning to a more affordable $325,000. It is now cheaper to buy an established property than to build a new one.

With rents increasing and interest rates falling, now is the time for all first home buyers to get their foor planted firmly on the property ladder. Statistics show that the median rent for Mandurah is $330 per week and rising. For not much more than you are paying in rent, you could own your own home. Just imagine, no more rent inspections... no fear of rent increases... and no having to seek permission to get a pet.

Take a look at these first home buyer bargains...

4 Wellstead Way, Coodanup................... repayments from $325 per week

Solid brick and tile 3 bedroom home just 300 metres from Mandurah Centro. Start here, put in the hard work then sit back and watch your home gain value. This would have to be one of Mandurah's cheapest homes! $215,000

7 Underdale Place, Coodanup................repayments from $390 per week

If presentation is important to you, don't pass up the opportunity to inspect this spotless 3 bedroom brick and tile home. Situated in a quiet cul-de-sac on a large 807m2 block with a huge powered workshop. This property represents outstanding value for money! $258,000

19 Luckhurst Drive, Mandurah................repayments $439 per week

Well cared for 4 bedroom brick and tile home in a highly sought after location. Located just minutes from the train station, Mandurah Centro, sports clubs, bowling club, park and Aquatic Centre. Everything is at your fingertips here. $290,000

A First Home Buyers Grant of $7000 is available to eligible applicants, so it makes sense to put your hard earned money into your own future. Don't waste time paying off somebody elses mortgage, give H&N Perry a call today on 9535 1822 and let us help you move into your first home.

*Prices are based on weekly repayments at 6.85% interest over 30 years