Ten Common Mistakes To Avoid When Selling Your Home

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Selling your home isn’t something that you do every day-unless you’re a real estate agent. Over the years I’ve honed my skills in learning what works when it comes to selling your home, as well as what doesn’t.

Fortunately, other people have made these mistakes so that you don’t have to!

1. Ignoring an estate agent’s style tips

We all develop personal connections to our homes, but sometimes those connections mean that it’s hard to see our home through the eyes of a potential buyer. An experienced agent should know how to present your home in a way that will maximise your home’s selling potential.

2. Underestimating the importance of street appeal

First impressions matter, and potential buyers driving past or inspecting your home will take notice of your property’s exterior. In my experience, people buy in the first five seconds and justify throughout the inspection. Make a good impression from the outset and keep up to date with the mowing and weeding!

3 Under-investing in marketing

A targeted, wide-ranging marketing campaign designed to reach as much as possible of your buying audience is essential. Buyers fall into different groups and demographics, and a high quality marketing campaign will reach out effectively to all of these.

4. Not being switched on about going online

In our office, it’s where about 90% of our buyer enquiry comes from. The more you invest here the better. Only a small percentage of buyers look beyond the first page of property search results!

5. Being afraid to commit to a sale price

Committing to a sale price isn’t an easy task, but it’s one that should be a much easier decision when you consider that almost half of all potential buyers will pass over properties with no listed price. Why? It seems too hard, or worse, they fear it will be out of their range. Take the plunge and name a figure.

6. Holding out for a better price

Though it can be tempting to wait for a better offer, the property market doesn’t play by the rules of Who Dares Wins, so think twice before rejecting that initial offer. In my experience, often the first offer is the highest we’ll receive, and almost every record price we achieve comes from an offer made within the first thirty days.

7. Taking offers personally

A low offer on your property is not a reflection on you, or even on your home. Instead, they’re representative of a willingness to commit to opening negotiations. I always encourage vendors to see a low offer as a starting point rather than a final figure.

8. Opting for appointment-only viewings

Although there is the odd exception, for the most part opening your home for inspection is essential to ensure it’s seen by as many potential buyers as possible. We get around 10 times the buyer traffic if it’s open for inspection as opposed to by appointment viewings.

9. Cutting costs when choosing a real estate agent

If you think the best agent is expensive, try hiring the second best & see how much that costs you!

10. Failing to keep up with property maintenance

It’s almost always cheaper to do it yourself than to let the buyer use it as leverage for a price reduction.

I recently sold a home in Aspley where the building and pest report identified multiple maintenance issues at an estimated repair cost of $15k! As expected, the buyer tired for a $15k price reduction. I intervened & re-quoted with a local trusted trade and they seller got the job done for $3k. Fortunately, I managed to salvage the deal without a price reduction. However this could have been avoided or worse the deal could have fallen through.

So call that plumper you’ve been avoiding! For real estate Aspley, contact Justin Watt of Watt Realty today.

The Best Retaining Walls in Mackay

If you need retaining walls , be sure to use Mackay Fencing’s The Block Blokes. These retaining walls are sure to last you a long time. The soil it contains will not erode and it will not break down. It ensures that you have more control over the land that you build on, and ensures the safety of the people who live and go near it.

First of all, the company’s services are fast! You would not believe it. Other companies might take a long time to construct retaining walls, making a lot of noise and raising so much dust that you might not want to be near there, much less live there, while it is being built. The Block Blokes can build your retaining walls in a fraction of the time, letting you do more.

The construction materials are all made locally. There will be no extra costs because of shipping and transport because all of the things the company will use are available nearby. This reduces the cost substantially – shipping and transport can get really expensive depending on the weight, fragility, and other factors of the cargo.

Speaking of costs, Mackay Fencing will save you a lot compared to other companies. Not only will they save you so much time, they will save you half of the money – or more! You could spend the money you saved on other developments for your property – to make it look good, to give it more facilities and protection, et cetera. The type of retaining walls that Mackay Fencing’s The Block Blokes uses is the cantilever style, which uses a lot fewer materials than the gravity wall.

The people at Mackay Fencing care a lot for your aesthetic tastes. Your property deserves to look the best it can, after all. Mackay Fencing’s the Block Blokes have a variety of designs that you can choose from so that your new retaining walls will not look plain, drab, or God forbid, dirty. Among their designs is wood texture, if you want the walls to contain a garden; blocks, for that friendly, clean look; lined slate, for a no-nonsense secure impression, and more. You could have them leave it as a clean, flat, blank wall so that you could paint your artworks on it yourself if you so wished. Their walls look good and clean – only the best for their customers.

If you are worried about your retaining walls getting destroyed by nasty little creatures, then you have nothing to fear. Mackay Fencing can guarantee that your walls are fully protected against termites and pests. Rats and other vermin are going to crack their teeth on your new retaining walls if they try to gnaw on it. You won’t soon be seeing holes or cracks in your restraining walls if you use Mackay Fencing’s The Block Blokes.

In case you’re still in doubt of their abilities, look them up in the yellow pages. Mackay Fencing is the only one in the yellow pages listed as Master Builders. And they are. Their customers are completely satisfied with their work, and they have been working for sixteen years already – a sign of assured quality. Mackay Fencing follows no standard but their own, for they set the standard other fencing and retaining wall companies.

Mackay Fencing’s The Block Blokes are meant to withstand the test of time. The construction is very solid. The type of wall used is the cantilever style, which uses an anchor to the ground and not to the soil it retains, making it more reliably sturdy. It would take a very strong force to knock a hole in one of their retaining walls, and much more to destroy it. You could take a car and run into one of their retaining walls and the wall wouldn’t be damaged! Mackay Fencing’s The Block Blokes make more than just solid and sturdy retaining walls – they make walls that will last.

You won’t be able to find any other company whose retaining walls are like Mackay Fencing’s The Block Blokes – at least, not without giving out much more money and inconveniencing yourself with the noise and the construction dust and debris. There is no better company for your retaining walls than Mackay Fencing’s. Mackay Fencing’s The Block Blokes are unique. Visit http://www.mackayfencing.com.au/the-block-blokes-retaining-walls-mackay-and-qld-regions

Plantar Fasciitis Treatment Options

Plantar fasciitis is extremely common affecting around 10% of the adult population at some time in life. Commonly plantar fasciitis is associated with heel spurs however on x-ray only 50% of patients with plantar fasciitis have evidence of calcification through the heel (DiMarcangelo, 1997).

Commonly plantar fasciitis symptoms start as an awareness or ache in the morning. Relief treatment can be quite simple at this time however if it is left, these symptoms will often slowly progress to pain that significantly impacts quality of life.

When targeting plantar fasciitis symptoms your practitioner will guide you through the best strategy or combination of strategies to help relieve and control your individual pain. At Body Leadership Australia we recommend a multimodal approach utilising a number of different treatment options.

Soft Tissue Release
Tightness of the muscles surrounding the foot have been found to pull hard enough on the bones that they alter the natural shape of the foot and ankle often leading to plantar fasciitis pain. Accordingly, release techniques and stretching of the lower limb muscles can have an effect on decreasing symptoms associated with plantar fasciitis.

Stretching
Strategic stretching of the calf muscles and Achilles tendon or on the plantar fascia itself can decrease pain associated with plantar fasciitis. You should get a program tailored to your individual needs.

Orthotics
Orthotics can help to relieve the effects of plantar fasciitis. Changing the weight load through the foot can allow the inflammatory response to settle by supporting the foot appropriately.

Night Splints (Strassburg Sock)
The use of a night splint can reduce recovery time compared to the same protocol utilising standing stretches through the calf.

Cortisone
Cortisone was always a last resort due to potential complications and pain post injection. Now with ultrasound guidance outcomes have improved and we see them used more effectively. Cortisone options can be discussed with your health care professional.

Surgery
A number of studies found 75% to 95% of patients had long term improvement as measured by various criteria. Up to 27% of patients still had significant pain, up to 20% had some activity restriction, and up to 12% had moderate pain that impaired function (Brown et al., 1999; Davies et al., 1999; Fishco et al., 2000). Surgical options are always a last resort.

Once your pain is treated and controlled it is important to understand your individual factors that predispose you to plantar fasciitis which can be explained by your physiotherapist. You can then be taught a home program to release tension, particularly through the calf as well as the foot to nip problems in the bud. This can also be optimised using home exercises to improve strength for better control of your biomechanics long term.

If you, your friend or family member suffer from plantar fasciitis please do not hesitate to contact one of our friendly Brisbane sports physiotherapists on 07 3847 8040. Our Brisbane sports physios can also provide treatment from our Brisbane Sports Physiotherapy practice.

Communication: a fundamental ingredient in a successful relationship

It’s a well-known fact that communication is a key ingredient in a successful marriage. Without effective communication, a couple is unable to discuss important issues and resolve their disagreements. This can often lead to feelings of detachment, anger or resentment in the long term. Although I refer to communication in relationships these tips are equally important in any important relationship in your life.

Communication can be tough, especially if it is with someone you have been in a relationship with for a long time. After a while, couples get comfortable with each other and, as a result, the level of communication tends to decrease. Assuming your partner already knows something or not taking the time to communicate with them can lead to a relationship breakdown over time.

Comfort should not equal less communication. There are many issues that may arise if you don’t keep yourself open and make an effort to communicate with your partner. Follow these simple tips to keep the communication lines open between you and your partner.

1. Never Assume
It’s important not to assume something unless you’ve communicated directly with your partner about it. This could be anything from a roster of household chores, to making assumptions about the way your partner thinks or feels about a particular issue. If you’re unsure, ask your partner and avoid arguments or misunderstandings.

2. Say what you mean
If you have something to say, say it. But make sure you’re clear with your communication and that you’re actually getting the right message across. There’s nothing more confusing (and frustrating) than receiving conflicting messages from your partner. In some cases, it may even help to write your thoughts and feelings on a piece of paper. By writing it down you are able to construct your thoughts in a clear and concise way and ensure you’re getting all the important bits of information across.

3. Don’t be afraid of a disagreement
If you disagree with something your partner has said or done, you should let them know in a calm and reasonable manner. Don’t avoid these conversations for fear of a disagreement. While a disagreement may be difficult to deal with in the short term, an open dialogue about such issues will do wonders for your relationship in the long run. By staying quiet about issues that are important to you, you will only become resentful and angry.

4. Communicate the good, not just the bad
Communication in relationships is not just important when there is an issue to address. If you have something good to say about your partner, say it loud and often. By communicating feelings of love and appreciation with your partner you will nurture the love and trust in your relationship.

5. Make time to communicate
With work and kids and extra curriculum activities it’s easy to see how some couples can’t find the time to communicate with each other. It’s very important you set aside some time on a regular basis to reconnect and communicate with your partner. This may be every day or simply on a weekly basis. Make sure you shut off all electronics and remove yourself from distractions to really focus on what each other has to say.

AusPsychology offers professional counselling services to people having communication difficulties. Their experienced counsellors can help you improve your communication skills and work towards better relationships with your partner or significant others. If you would like to talk to someone about relationship counselling , contact AusPsychology today.

Norths Leagues Mackay Is A Great Place For Food, Gaming and Live Entertainment!

Since 1994 Northern Suburbs League Club has been Mackay’s friendliest and most affordable location for great food, fun gaming, excellent company and weekly live entertainment. With membership available for only $5 for adults and $2.75 for pensioners it offers excellent value for money whether you are eating, enjoying the pokies or listening to one of the clubs regular live bands.

There is an excellent range of gaming options so if you enjoy pokie machines, poker with your mates, or trying your luck at Kino you can do it all at the Northern Suburbs League Club. Saturday and Friday nights at the club feature regular popular live local bands and entertainers along with great food and drink specials. For those members who may not have access to transport getting to the club isn’t a problem. A courtesy bus for members is run almost all days subject to conditions.

Discover more about why over 3,500 people have already joined Northern Suburbs League Club below.

Eating Options at North Suburbs League Club

People might join Northern Suburbs League Club for the company and to support their club but many stay for the food. The food at Northern Suburbs League Club is delicious, includes generous serving sizes and won’t break the bank. Special meal deals are run each month which include additional extras that provide even better value.

Popular regular special meals include Thursdays special steak dinner for only $14.95, Fish Friday for lunch and breakfast, the Club’s Cavery Sunday meal which includes a free glass of wine, beer or your favorite soft drink and Saturdays Vegas meal deal which includes dinner and a free $5 pokie money. Kino lovers won’t want to miss the free $1 quick pick that is provided with every steak meal purchased on Tuesday steak night. The club also runs happy hour from 4pm – 6pm weekdays with great prices on drinks.

Gaming at Norths Mackay features a great range of gaming options including pokies, keno, bingo, raffles and poker. The clubs popular pokie machines are available for use by the members any day of the week. In July the Club is running its highly popular meal deal vouchers. For every $75 payout on the pokie’s member receive a free meal deal voucher which is redeemable for lunch or dinner on Wednesday and Saturday. Saturday afternoon also features the clubs meat tray raffle from 12 – 2pm.

Other regular gaming options include; Friday morning Bingo from 9.30 am – 11.30 am, Spin the Wheel is on Wednesday night from 7pm – 8pm. For members who have missed on their TAB winners, there is the lucky loser draw on Saturday from 1pm – 3pm and a mega multi raffle on Friday evening. For members who favour poker there is the opportunity to take part in the Tuesdays 888 poker league which runs from 7.30pm onwards. Finally Sunday features the Red Hot triple reward points for those members who enjoy trying their luck on the clubs pokie machines.

Weekly Entertainment at Northern Suburbs League Club

Gaming, food and good company are not the only attractions available at Northern Suburbs League club. No evening out is complete without some good live music at the Club features acts each week. Live music usually available on either Saturday or Friday evening at the club. With popular favourites like Al’s Rock & Roll, Cameron Cusak and Warren Kearney Northern Suburbs League Club is a great place to kick back, enjoy a drink and listen to some great tunes.

Special Birthday Draw

Finally when you join the Northern Suburbs League Club at reception be sure to ask about the special birthday offer. Every member of Northern Suburbs League Club is entered into a special $1,000 prize draw during their birthday month. The draw takes place on the last Thursday of each month. All members are also eligible for one free birthday meal as a way of saying thanks for being supporting the Northern Suburbs League Club.

Finding out more about Northern Suburbs League Club

If you want to find out more about the Northern Suburbs Club or have questions about membership you can contact the club manager Wayne Percy by telephone or complete the email form which can be found on the clubs website. Alternatively visit reception at the club and they can answer any questions you may have or provide you with membership forms.