The Shire rebranding discussion came about as a result of Councillor Kristy McBain requesting a report regarding rebranding of the Bega Valley Shire to the Sapphire Coast Council, including financial data and the effectiveness of rebranding in line with the upcoming communications strategy  at a Council meeting on January 16th. This discussion has kept coming back for over 30 years, with the Imlay Shire originally suggesting it pre amalgamation in 1980 and then again it was recommended to the council in 2003 by the Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism (as it was then known). At that time Cr Bill Taylor rejected the idea and as current Mayor he continues to reject the idea, based on the prominence of the Bega Cheese branding worldwide.

Property owners wanting to sell property in the Shire may consider that a rebranding of the shire could have positive consequences, particularly those in the major tourism areas such as Merimbula, Eden, Tura Beach and Bermagui. Prospective buyers from interstate may be more attracted to purchasing a property in the Sapphire Coast Council rather that the Bega Valley Shire, with the vision of sapphire blue waters, coastal lifestyle and all it promises sea changers, emoted by the new brand.

Bruce Leaver, chair of Sapphire Coast Tourism suggested that market research would need to be undertaken to ascertain which brand would work best, he felt that regular exposure to the Shire’s name may be limited as two thirds of our domestic market comes from interstate and that any research should test the recognition factor in the name Bega. Whilst Cr McBain told Liz McCormick “I think there is an emotional value attached to the name change which can’t be measured. We are trying to attract businesses; we are trying to attract industry and we are trying to attract professionals and trying to attract bigger airlines.  From my point of view, Sapphire Coast is far more emotive than Bega Valley”.

Cr McBain wants to gauge community sentiment on her proposal “I would like to know what do the residents identify with – do they identify with the Bega Valley, do they identify with the Sapphire Coast; do they want to change the name or do they not want to change.”  She will gauge it through council’s social media, via Facebook, the council’s website and through the print media. So if you have an opinion on the best name for this shire, now is the time to let it be known.

Bathroom – it makes sense to use quality materials and fittings in this smallest but most essential room of the house.  To achieve a modern appearance use tiles, marble and stone, there is a large selection available of these wonderful options so you can get the exact look you want. When it comes to fittings like basins, select sturdy materials like ceramic and stone. Your design should incorporate good ventilation and lighting, which will make all the difference to the finish of your bathroom.

Workspaces – For a statement and talking point place a beautifully designed yet practical desk in the study, bedroom or living space. This classic piece of furniture can be made of wood, which looks better as it ages or a glass and metal desk will stay on trend.  The floor to ceiling bookcase, another classic decorating tool, makes a showpiece on an otherwise empty wall. Solid timber is best as it withstands the weight of books, cheaper designs tend to warp and bend. Favourite photos, objects and ornaments add interest to your favourite book collection.

One visual star – a basic rule of decorating is one room, one visual star. So, take one main element, perhaps it may be the wallpaper that is identified as the star, then all other items within that space should be complementary to the wallpaper. The colours you introduce should be ones from the wallpaper and softer in tone to avoid clashing. You could use a piece of furniture as the star or a painting. Once you identify your star design the other elements of the room around it.

Accessories – The current trend is for accessories and lots of them. Add a new rug, lamp, mirrors, vases, bowls, cushions, a new pot or tea lights that work together in a coordinated design plan; this can make a huge difference to a space with minimal effort.

Colour trends –grey is the latest neutral colour trend. Beige is fading away with black and white colour themes being currently very popular. Bold colours are coming in, particularly in wallpaper, furnishings, cushions and rugs.

A much needed boost to surgical capacity in the Bega Valley will be provided by the additional operating theatres and a dedicated procedure room and mental health services will be increased providing additional inpatient services.
The project is expected to generate about 1500 jobs during the construction phase, directly and indirectly, with more employment opportunities after the hospital opens in the clinical, non-clinical and support services workforce.  The establishment of the new hospital and the extended medical services will make Bega more sought after; with the current very competitive property prices now is the time to seriously consider purchasing property in Bega.

Putting a realistic price on your property is one of the most effective selling strategies.  An experienced, local agent with good market knowledge will advise you on the best price for your property. Fisk & Nagle Bega is the local specialist in real estate and will give you sound advice on your property’s current market value.

You may have the best property on the market, well presented and priced right, but if you don’t market it properly no-one will know about it. The most effective marketing for real estate properties sales these days is online.  You need an agent who has a website that ranks highly on Google searches and your property should also be marketed on the major real estate portals such as realestate.com.au and domain.com.au. Fisk & Nagle’s website ranks near the top of the page for Bega and they list all their clients’ properties on all the major real estate portals.

Choosing the right Real Estate Agency will make a big difference to the length of time your property sits on the market.  If your Agency knows the area, is a member of an industry body, follows a system, has top level online marketing and is experienced and knowledgeable then you are on a winning combination. Fisk & Nagle Bega ticks all these boxes and will delight in helping you sell your property.  Call the Fisk & Nagle Bega Sales Team on 026492 5155 to discuss your property and a free appraisal.

PerhapsTeresa Natoli, of Ray White Surry Hills, may have got it right when she said “I think people want to get their stuff sorted before the end of the year”, Matt Lahood,the director of sales for McGrath Estate Agents,appears to agree, saying the big jump in sold prior to auction transactions was reflective of the time of the year.”From a buyer perspective, it allows a purchaser to get set before Christmas and in some cases even move in”.

A sale pre-Christmas can benefit both the vendor and purchaser, it can be beneficial to have your property sale settled with the chance to relax and enjoy your holiday in peace.With Christmas activities taking centre stage it is easier for the new purchaser to have the transaction done and dusted prior, providing the opportunity to settle in during the holidays.

Vendors will often be more open to offers at this time as they are ready to settle. Banks are busy pre-Christmas and timing becomes tight, so Purchasers should always make their first offer their best offer and it is advisable to seek finance prior to making an offer.

Now is a good time to purchase an investment property with interest rates once again lowered. The town of Bega in New South Wales currently presents a favourable opportunity to purchase houses at very competitive prices whilst there is also a steady demand for rental property. This could be the opportunity you have been looking for.

Bega is famous for Bega Cheese but is also a thriving country centre with high schools, primary schools, pre-schools and sporting facilities and many young families as well as an ageing population. Big W have recently built a shopping mall in the middle of town, andplans for a larger hospital have been approved, this is expected to be completedby 2016.

When considering the purchase of an investment property you need to assess the probable income and expenditure. On the expenses side take into account council rates and repairs and maintenance but keep in mind that expenses are tax deductible. The location of the property, size, its age and general presentation will influence the amount of rent you can expect and good promotion will affect occupation rates. Fisk & Nagle offer a professional property management service and will promote and manage your investment property for you. For a thorough analysis of the expected income and expenditure on the property see a qualified Accountant.

If you prefer the older style of house, there are many charming cottages reasonably priced for sale and if you prefer a more modern style, there are 3 and 4 bedroom executive style homes for sale in the new estate on the edge of town facing the new hospital site. To find out more call the Fisk & Nagle Bega Sales Team on 026492 5155.

Bega is fortunate enough to have a warm summer, so make the most of the sunlight by optimising the light in darker rooms, keeping the garden neat and tidy, and let natural lush growth do the summer marketing for you. If an inspection is scheduled for a particularly hot day, make sure air conditioning or natural air flow is used to cool down a stuffy house before the purchasers arrive. A bunch of fresh summer flowers never goes astray!!

Finally, remember that any buyer that is making inspections over Christmas time is serious. These people have given up their holidays and family time to look at your property, so chances are they are serious about buying. Take the time to make sure your presentation is immaculate, and it will be time well spent.

Saturday night is bass night at the Bega Country Club with a trio of three Canberra DJs coming down to show their stuff on Saturday night. This is just one of many entertainment events on in the Bega Valley this weekend. Most of the clubs in Bega and Merimbula support local musical acts, and there are opportunities for local amateur talents to strut their stuff at open-mic events throughout the shire.

For anyone looking for something a little more low-key, get out to North Bega and have a look at the Historical Machinery Club’s display of old farm machinery, trucks and cars. Admission is $2, and there is food and drink available. It’s a great opportunity to have a peek at the history of farming in the Bega Valley.

So whether you’re a young first home buyer planning on continuing your life in Bega, or a retiree looking to slow things down a bit, there is still plenty to do in Bega!

• You should receive, from your agent, a copy of the New Tenant Checklist from Fair Trading, a copy of your lease, a bond lodgement form, two copies of a condition report for your new home, and a set of keys.
• Before you sign anything, read your lease. Make sure you understand the conditions associated with the lease, that the rental amounts are clear and accurate, and that the term of the lease is correct. If you have any questions, ask you property manager. This can include the discussion and provision of special conditions such as carpet cleaning as a condition for having pets.
• Check that any promised repairs have been completed or have an undertaking that they will be done.
• Be prepared for upfront costs including ONLY two weeks rent in advance, and NO MORE THAN 4 weeks rent as a rental bond.

After you move in, there are are other things you can do to make sure your tenancy period is hassle-free:

• Fill out your condition report with as much detail and accuracy as possible. This can also involve taking photographs to record the condition of the property when you move in. Your property manager will have done the same, and any discrepancies will be noted on both copies.
• You should receive a letter from Fair Trading to advise that they have received your rental bond.
• Comply with the terms of your lease and consider conditions such as respecting the peace and security of neighbours, and not having pets or other people reside in the premises without the consent of the owner.
• If the property has a pool or garden, make sure there are clear arrangements in place for what the landlord expects you to do regarding maintenance.

If there are situations that arise that give you cause for concern, or if you have reason to terminate the lease early, speak to your property manager as soon as possible. Many situations can be resolved with honesty and co-operation, so maintaining a good working relationship with your property manager is a great way to keep things going smoothly.

Most of all, enjoy your new home. If you put the same care and consideration into a rental property as you would your own, then everything should be fine.

When thinking about purchasing a new investment property or listing your own as a rental home, there are several things to consider including the number of bedrooms, yard size and security, car parking availability, heating, and of course location. All of these factors will affect the rental return for your property and help to attract tenants.

If you need any information on renting in Bega, or buying investment property in Bega, feel free to call the friendly team at Fisk and Nagle in Bega. Together, we can help you secure your future in Bega property investment.