It is Kitchen Week on The Block. Tune in for ideas on how to transform your own kitchens!
hockingstuart office news
Loving the items on this season of The Block?
Loving the items on this season of The Block? Go to The Block Shop to purchase your very own piece of The Block. Or click here to see more on the Master Suite reveal on The Block Shop Blog.
Latest Market Wrap (28 March – 3 April)
With over 1,000 auctions scheduled in Melbourne this weekend and clearance rates edging over 80 per cent, market conditions are positive from both demand and supply perspectives. In amongst the pre-Easter activity, there are a number of unique auctions taking place within the hockingstuart Network.
The Bentleigh office, recently named one of the top three offices in Real Estate Business’ Top 50 Agencies, has introduced Thursday night Auctions, enabling Buyers to jump the gun before hundreds of properties go under the hammer on the weekend. Meanwhile, six hockingstuart offices have added a quirky listing to their books – a cubby house – in the name of charity. The cubbies have been specially crafted for the annual Kids Under Cover Cubby House Challenge to raise funds for the charity’s work with homeless and at-risk youths. Our agents will be auctioning the unique homes this weekend at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show. We wish our Agents the best of luck in supporting Kids Under Cover and the valuable work they do in placing a roof over the heads of young people. For Buyers gearing up to make their more this weekend, we hope the big Auction weekend goes well for you too.
Record Price for Brighton Bathing Box
hockingstuart Brighton’s very own John Clarkson achieves another record price for one of Brighton’s amazing bathing boxes: Click here to read more:
Run Down Home Sells for an Incredible Amount!
Run down home in Albert Park sells for an incredible amount this past weekend. Click here to read more: http://bit.ly/1FQmpFb
Market Wrap – Divide Between Work and Home
Australian cities are currently experiencing a growing divide between where people live and where they work, according to recent data from The Grattan Institute. As employment growth booms in Melbourne’s inner city ring, the think tank highlighted that more Melburnians are considering a move closer to the CBD to reduce commute times. But as our population continues to grow, this is an unsustainable option. Some planning experts suggest the solution lies in improving public transport options and road infrastructure so outer suburban dwellers can balance the joys of a traditional quarter-acre home with faster access to work each day. Another proposal is to create ‘job centres’ outside of the CBD – place these hubs in and around homes so work is only a short walk or drive away. The Grattan Institute also recommends increasing property type variety in inner Melbourne, such as units, townhouses and low-rise developments, to reduce commute times and meet demand for the heart of the city. There are numerous positives to both inner and outer suburban living. As we work to address these growing pains, buyers should weigh up the pros and cons of both lifestyles and decide what they are happy to trade-off before setting out on their property hunt.
Check out our latest video – Wondering!
hockingstuart Bentleigh ranked third!!!!
hockingstuart Bentleigh ranks third in the Real Estate Business annual Top 50 Sales Offices awards! Well done Nick Renna and team Bentleigh – we are very proud of you all!!! To read more about their amazing achievement click here.
Red Investor Insider – 2nd Edition
The 2nd edition of Red Investor Insider is available to read online!!! Click on the following link to view. http://bit.ly/1CgnlCC
Market Wrap – shopping precinct facelift
Melbourne is undergoing a shopping precinct facelift with works valued at almost $2 billion slated for some of our key retail hotspots. Chadstone Shopping Centre, Preston Market, Werribee Plaza, Chapel Street, Queen Victoria Market and Eastland Shopping Centre are all set for renewal.
Major upgrades to an area provide numerous benefits including increased amenities, jobs, improved public transport and a general economic boost. This has a flow-on effect to home owners in the suburb whose properties will rise in value as a result of the added facilities.
On the flipside, with significant development comes footfall and traffic congestion – but local councils often ensure solutions are in place before signing off. Queen Victoria Market, for example, is expected to include an underground carpark, new road configuration and streamlined pedestrian and cyclist routes.
If you’re looking to invest for capital growth consider these “reinvigoration regions” as demand is projected to increase with one-stop-shop suburbs growing in popularity. Investigating upcoming enhancements to an area can help you get in before demand and competition escalates. Remember to contact or drop into your local office to receive a copy of our Red Investor Insider magazine for all the latest on Melbourne’s emerging and best performing suburbs.
hockingstuartblog 