Secrets to The Block success

They were apartment number one, the first to auction their property and now the twins from Adelaide have continued their winning streak by taking out Channel 9’s The Block Sky High.
Alisa and Lysandra were the big winners in last night’s auction show when their ground floor luxury apartment sold for $1.435 million, $295,000 over the reserve. This meant they were awarded an extra $100,000, bringing their prize money to a huge $395,000.
However, all five couples were winners on the night, signalling more confidence in the prestige property market according to the twins' real estate agent Anton Wongtrakum, managing director of Dingle Partners.
“The prestige market is one of the areas we work in most,” he told Real Estate Business.
“And over the last year, I have seen a lot more confidence return to the market and this project just highlights that.”
Mr Wongtrakum worked weekly with Alisa and Lysandra throughout the competition to ensure their property was customised to a prestige market.
“In this luxury market, people are fairly precise with what they are after, so we worked very closely with the girls to give them advice to make sure the property would appeal to the right audience,” he said.
“They brought us on very early and then we would meet weekly to make sure the apartment was heading in the right direction.
“The apartment was custom built for what we believed to be the prestige market, and from the results at the weekend, the advice paid off.”
In just a few short months, the five couples took a run-down apartment complex on Park Street in south Melbourne and renovated it, transforming it into luxury apartments. Each couple had to renovate eight bathrooms and four bedrooms.
In second place was the youngest couple on the block, Maddie and Jarrod. Their level four apartments sold for $1.601 million, $291,000 over the reserve price.
Western Australian couple Matt and Kim were $250,000 over their reserve, going under the hammer last but still selling their level two apartment for $1.455 million.
Crowd favourites George and Bec came in fourth, selling their property for $1.507 million, $242,000 over the reserve price.
Meanwhile, the penthouse apartment sold for $1.605 million, earning Brisbane parents Trixie and Johno a cool $205,000.
According to RP Data, the average sale price of a south Melbourne house is $900,000 and $520,000 for a unit.
Gerald Betts, director and auctioneer at RT Edgar Albert Part who represented fourth-placed George and Bec, said last night’s auction results were not a surprise as they were always destined to do well.
“Good properties will always sell, no matter what market you’ve got,” he told Real Estate Business.
“But you get worldwide marketing with a television show like The Block, where other luxury properties couldn’t possible get such attention.”
According to Mr Betts, George and Bec’s apartment was designed with neutral tones and thus appealed to a larger audience. However, he admits they would have preferred to have been second in the auction order.
“The first auction sets the price for the day,” he explained.
“While the second auction still has great buyer interest, we would have preferred to be second.”

Source: Stacey Moseley - Real Estate Business

Sydney continues record streak

Sydney has again recorded auction clearance rates that have not been seen since mid-2009, according to RP Data.
RP Data recorded a preliminary clearance rate for the city of 79.1 per cent, up from 77.4 per cent last week, and an increase in auctions from 378 to 410 this week.
Similarly, Australian Property Monitors (APM) recorded a strong rate of 81.1 per cent, which followed on from last week’s result of 81 per cent.
Senior economist for APM Dr Andrew Wilson said the Sydney market was continuing to strengthen towards record levels with its year-high weekend auction clearance rate.
“Buyer momentum in the Sydney auction market is currently almost irresistible, with the market at levels not experienced at this time of the year since the house price boom of 2002, 11 years ago,” he said “Listing numbers this weekend were also similar to last weekend, with 306 properties auctioned compared to 268 over the same weekend last year.”
In Melbourne, the auction clearance rate fell from 67.3 per cent last week to 62.8 per cent, with 486 auctions held across the city this weekend.
APM recorded an auction clearance rate of 69 per cent for Melbourne across 426 auctions.
Dr Wilson said it was another solid result for the city, which would continue to see strong house price growth.
“The Melbourne market has been characterised as remarkably consistent this year, not only in regard to clearance rates but also with the mix of sales between buyer types, regions and price ranges," he said.
“Higher auction listings reflect increased confidence from Melbourne sellers, as clearance rates continue to track at the highest levels recorded for over three years.”
RP Data recorded a slight fall in the auction clearance rate across the capital cities with a result of 65.4 per cent this week, down from last week’s 67.7 per cent. However, auction volumes increased compared to last week, rising from 984 to 1,131.
Both auction clearance rates and volumes remained high compared to last year, when the capital city auction clearance rate was recorded at 52.1 per cent across 880 auctions.
According to APM, over the weekend the most expensive and most affordable properties were in Brisbane with a value of $5.2 million and $195,000 respectively.

Source: Real Estate Business Bulletin

Commentary by Harold Hanson AM regarding the establishment of the Wollongong City Art Gallery

"During the period 1969 to 1979 I was an Alderman on Wollongong City Council and in 1974 also Chairman of the Council Finance Committee.

I had been interested in art, especially paintings, since my schooldays and the opportunity was then available to do something really constructive and worthwhile by establishing an Art Gallery in Wollongong. There was no Art Gallery in the City or the Region and it was firmly on my priority list as a prime objective after being elected to Council.

Wollongong had the perception of being an industrial city, with the steelworks and its smokestacks as a backdrop, the coalmines and strong Union reputation.

To my mind that did not mean that the community and particularly the children did not deserve to have access to a cultural facility such as an Art Gallery and be encouraged to become involved in art and music.

Many of the migrants who settled in the Illawarra from a broad spread of other countries had a strong interest in art and music and their talents were becoming more and more evident locally.

A strong supporter of the Gallery was John Richardson the active and energetic Editor of the influential Illawarra Mercury. I had established a strong friendship and respect for John and we talked together often. He was determined to put the resources of the paper behind supporting a vision and future for the City. He was as committed as I was to support the establishment of an Art Gallery.

The first step of course was to raise the necessary not-insignificant funding, not only to acquire a Gallery site and building, but also to make sure that there was adequate Federal, State and local support for the on-going running costs, including acquisitions.

A small informal steering committee was formed consisting of myself as Chairman, John  Richardson, Max Syer, the General Manager of the Illawarra County Council, Coralie Barr, an artist in her own right and a very efficient Secretary to the committee, and Nadia Crittenden, an experienced journalist with the Mercury.

The Committee decided to inaugurate fund-raising by preparing and contacting a list of prospective donors particularly from the large commercial industries in the area to first gauge the extent of interest

The Art Collection in 1974 was minimal, mainly comprising local works, although there were some good paintings from the Annual Art Prize. There was nothing however which could be said to be an icon.

All of this changed in 1975. I happened to be at a Public Meeting at the (old) Town Hall when I met up with Father Michael Bach, the Administrator of St. Francis Xavier’s  Roman Catholic Cathedral, and a person for whom I, and others in the City across the board, had a great deal of respect. He said that he wanted to introduce me to a gentleman who wished to donate some paintings to the City. I had been approached by people previously on this sort of basis and generally the paintings had been either by themselves or of doubtful quality. I was then introduced by Father Bach to Bob Sredersas, a lovely, very modest gentleman, who explained that he lived on his own at Cringila, right next to the Steelworks, and he had collected some paintings which he wanted to donate to the “children of Wollongong”. Bob always spoke so quietly in his broken english that one had to listen very closely. His house was not suitable to preserve paintings properly and he was worried about having them stolen – in fact his house had already been broken into and some pieces taken.

I was very interested in what he said, his general description of the paintings, so was anxious to follow up as soon as possible. It was arranged that I would go round to the Cathedral Presbytery the following day where the paintings were stored to have a look at them. Father Bach with Mr. Sredersas took me upstairs to a storeroom which turned out to be a veritable treasure chest.
 

There was a large collection of paintings by most prized Australian artists – Lindsay, Cossington-Smith, Buckmaster, Heysen, Fullwood, Ashton and the list went on. A wonderful collection which would propel Wollongong into the position of having one of the best Regional Galleries in Australia.

Bob very quietly, in his usual very modest way, told Fr. Bach and myself how he came to acquire the paintings and what he wanted to do with them.

He told us that he had arrived in Australia from Northern Europe. He was very reticent about his upbringing but Lithuania did get a mention. He was single, worked as a crane-driver at the Steelworks, just down the road from his house at Cringila, wasn’t interested in sport, horse-racing, or going down to the pub, and his life-style requirements were simple. He spent very little on himself.

Some years before he had acquired an Encyclopaedia of Australian painters.

He was so interested in what he read that he decided as his hobby to go up on the train to Sydney during his time off, to the auctions at Sothebys and Lawsons and check out any paintings coming up for sale.  He personally had no knowledge of Australian painters except from what he read in his book.

What he did do after finding out how the painting auction system worked was to bid for any paintings reasonable priced where the painter involved was mentioned in his book.

He said that he didn’t need to know anything himself about the quality or the subject-matter of the painters or paintings provided that they were listed creditably in the Encyclopaedia.

And so his collection started.

At that time during the 1950s and 1960s Australian painters were not highly regarded and most paintings in that category could be obtained for very few pounds.

 Bob wanted to show his gratitude to Wollongong for giving him a home, by donating his collection to the City to be available to be seen by the children. He knew that he was getting older and he wanted to make sure that the gift was in the care of the City before he died.

He also wanted to be sure that they, or at least a rotating selection of them, would be put on permanent display so that the children of his adopted City would be able to see them whenever the Gallery was open.

His collection and magnificent donation – worth a very substantial amount of money indeed – was the catalyst on which the Art Gallery and its collection were built.

With his consent the fund-raising Committee was able to publicise the donation and use it as a platform to launch a much larger fund-raising project.

The Mercury gave Bob Sredersas and the collection a tremendous amount of publicity in support of the Gallery project.

Publicity was not limited to local cover - the national media was equally interested in the quality of the paintings and the modest and shy migrant donor.

I remember that the Woman’s Weekly gave the event front cover.

The fund-raising committee was given a tremendous boost by the donation and the list of contributors began to grow.

Wollongong City Council was prepared to throw its support behind the Project and on March 1^st. 1977 City Council approved calling tenders for the establishment of the City Art Gallery in the old Paddy’s Market Building standing on the corner of Keira and Burelli Streets. The building was owned by the Illawarra County Council which was prepared to negotiate with Wollongong city Council to transfer ownership.

The story was not quite finished with the Council resolution.

I was told one day that the County Council had decided to sell the Keira Street property to the City Council for about $200 thousand. I immediately rang Max Syer, the County Council Manager, and a strong supporter of the Art Gallery project and arranged to go over straightaway to talk with him and Ald Tobin the Chairman. Ald. Tobin confirmed the proposed sale. I said “Rubbish, they (the County Council) will give it to us. He said that County Council could not do that under the relevant Act of Parliament as the County Council was a commercial entity and must deal commercially.

I said “We will get the Act changed”.

I rang the Premier’s Department and arranged to send a letter from Wollongong city Council setting out the facts and requesting a meeting with the Premier. I was well aware that the Premier was a strong supporter of Galleries, and it must be said, aware that at that time Wollongong did not have a great deal in the way of cultural outlets.

A meeting was arranged quite quickly with Premier Wran – within three weeks - and I drove up to his office in Macquarie Street in company with the Town Clerk.

When we walked into his office, he said immediately “I am aware of why you are here. I am in agreement with what you are proposing. The Government will change the Act to allow the donation of the property to proceed. In addition we will donate $50 thousand to the Fund-raising Appeal plus there will be another $50 thousand if you can match it dollar for dollar.

Not too long after that the funds had been raised, stimulated by Bob’s unexpected magnificent gift, and work started on the Paddy’s Market Building to renovate and equip it as Wollongong’s first Art Gallery.

In order to acknowledge the substantial moneys donated by local companies and private citizens a plaque with a list of names was placed near the door of the new Gallery. It was moved to the old Council Chambers to where the Gallery was transferred after Council built its new office block. Unfortunately the plaque, an important part of Wollongong’s history and self-help progress, appears to have been taken down and now cannot be located.

A room in the newer Gallery was named the Sredersas Room to commemorate Bob’s name where his paintings were intended to be put on permanent display as he had asked “for the children of the City”.

And so the Art Gallery came into being, in large part thanks to Bob Sredersas, a modest new-comer to the City from the far side of the world, thankful for how he had been welcomed in his new country and who wanted, in his own special way, to express his appreciation."

Harold Hanson AM

A Personal Message

I’ve always held a strong belief in community service. Being actively involved in Wollongong Apex, Wollongong Hospital Children’s Ward Appeal and the Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal (amongst others) over the years, I’ve seen how donated dollars assist those a little less fortunate.

And a Southern Estates Team is riding in the Sydney to the Gong Bike Ride on Sunday 4^th November.

Now...there’s certainly an element of challenge here. Ninety kilometres in unknown weather conditions (we’re all hoping for a kindly tailwind!) amongst 10,000 bike riders?

Some of you may be aware, I did it last year...and now I’m turning up again. This time with work mates and friends alongside.

There is something very special about the Sydney to the Gong Bike Ride.

This day attracts people from all over Australia. They come together as a community and ride for the cause, challenge and achievement.

This day specifically supports MS.

Multiple Sclerosis is a disease of the central nervous system affecting more young adult Australians than any other neurological condition. Your donation will go directly towards providing a wide range of services and support to people living with MS.

Please take a moment to view my online fundraising web page and help us reach our goal. It"s quick and easy. You can donate securely online using your credit card by clicking on the link below: http://register.gongride.org.au/2012-Sydney-to-Gong-Bike-Ride/tedhanson/e

We have been incredibly fortunate to have a number of corporate sponsors for our team.

The Good Guys at Warrawong

Tony di Milia Flooring

Rocar Electrics

Permian Record Storage

True Blue Chemicals

Thanks guys!

 

Ted Hanson

True Friends

I was reminded of true and deep friendship recently. A long term friend - Graham turned 60 a few weeks back and we flew to Melbourne to help him celebrate with his wife and 2 other close friends. Saw a show on Friday night preceded by a fantastic Chinese meal in the heart of Melbourne. Drove to Healesville on Saturday morning. Fabulous dinner, watched Black Caviar win at Ascot (just) and spent the rest of the weekend chatting and enjoying each others company.

Now...we've all known each other for 20 years and conversations are always easy with everything from Buddhist philosophies through to Collingwood's great form. World problems are solved, and a few first class wines imbibed.

And Graham and I wandered into Healesville at lunchtime on Monday for a coffee while the womenfolk shopped (oh...the pain of stereotype!) and I realized we'd all seen lots of challenges...and good times. The Black Saturday fires nearly took our friend's lives, and came within a whisker of destroying their home. Marriage break downs. Financial issues. Serious health scares. Wonderful holidays together. Children, (and not). Deaths. Job losses. Jobs gained.

I didn't mention for a long time we all lived in different states.

There is one thing in common. We are there to support each other no matter what...

We see each other perhaps 2 or 3 times each year. A snapshot on life, we move on and look forward to the next great get together.

True friendship.

Congratulations Jason and Chantelle & a conflict of sorts

Jason Capelo and his now wife, Chantelle had their nuptials on the Gold Coast over the weekend. Eighteen months in the planning and apart from a few nerves for the bride and groom, it was a very agreeable day. Julie and I tacked on a few extra days either side, and flying home I had time to reflect on the short trip away.

Kirra Beach was pumping yesterday and it was wonderfully energizing watching a bunch of black wetsuited surfers ride 4m waves far off the beach. I was quietly transported back to my twenties when in a fit of 'you only live oncesies' a few mates and I braved similar swells to ride one wave after sitting terrified out the back for 45 minutes. Set after set tested by underwater breathing with a few brave attempts to ride a soggy monster thrown in.

Then...the right wave came along.

It felt like that wave caught me and I was atop a watery cliff looking down to a painful wipeout. But my legs worked, the board bolted down the face and whatever fear I had was replaced with utter exhilaration.

I'm sure the wave lasted a lot less time than I recall, however I rode along the best part of Greenmount Beach, from 100m off Greenmount Point and even dropped onto my belly on the board to take the wash all the way to the beach. I didn't know what a Bucket List was way back then but I know now...and one item has been ticked off.

Wow!

A few hours earlier I was reminded how smart phones have invaded our conversations.

I flatten my iPhone battery every day...so I guess I'm not in a position to preach.

But...I was sitting reading a paper on my own at a coffee shop and looked up to see everyone seated around me with a smart phone to their ear or typing away, regardless of whom they were with.

Sad really...

Owning a business can be a little like the conflict I felt yesterday. Omni-present technology is all around us...and it enabled me to keep in contact with my team whilst away (and sell three properties!).

That day in my twenties had a few important components too.

A Goal (to get out the back and ride the wave of my life)
Fear (of spectacular failure)
And the exhilaration of accomplishment

What about your bucket list? What are you going to do today to keep balance in your life? What are your goals?

Ted Hanson (out and about!)

Congratulations Harold - Happy 80th!

Harold Hanson is a man who is sharp and perceptive, and a man whose intellect has not lessened with age.
He was the founding partner of a Wollongong legal firm that still bears his name, and his CV is nothing short of impressive....
Harold has been an Independent Alderman of Wollongong City Council, a Chairman of Tourism Wollongong, a Board Member of Tourism NSW, a Director of the Illawarra Mutual Building Society, The Foundatin Chairman of the Wollongong City Art Gallery, and a Chairman of the University of Wollongong Foundation, not to mention his voluntary involvement in many community organisations. In today's society, it is refreshing that a man who has left such an indelible mark on Wollongong clearly holds charity and public service in such high regard. It is hard to imagine many other people, ageless or not, who could have contributed as much to the community as Harold Hanson. A distinguished gentleman, a remarkable  career...Congratulations Harold and enjoy your day!