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 Welcome to our first newsletter for 2009. I hope you all enjoyed a great Christmas and New Year holiday season. All evidence points to us being in a ‘stalled market’. This occurs when buyers feel that they are paying too much for property and vendors feel that they are selling too cheaply. There is a lot of property on the market at the moment and because the turnover of property has decreased, the market has become clogged. This in turn has had and will continue to have a significant effect to the financial ‘flow on’ in the wider local economy. Those businesses directly associated with real estate will already be suffering the effects – real estate agents, solicitors, surveyors, architects, builders and so on but they will also be felt much deeper as proeprty owners typically put a hold on maintenance or decide to tackle jobs themselves that they would otherwise have engaged a professional tradesman to undertake. Additionally, many buyers are simply being more careful with their spending choices as a response to the overall global financial situation and constant news stories and predictions of further doom and gloom. All current signs are pointing towards the current situation continuing for most of 2009. In general, real estate enquiry rates have reduced by half and buyers are being increasingly choosy and selective. The properties that are selling are those priced up to $850,000 and units under $650,000. On a more positive note, many are predicting that Australia’s coastal towns, including Byron Bay, will continue to be among the most sought after regions to buy property into the future. There is every reason to feel positive about our long term local market.
NORTHERN RIVERS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION Byron Shire off to a Flying Start In December, the Northern Rivers Community Foundation (NRCF) launched the first of a number of shire-based community support funds, designed to give local people a grass-roots way of supporting local issues, and local people in need. The Byron Shire Community Fund was officially launched at the opening of the new Yes, Optus Byron Bay store (formerly Bayside Communications) on 11 December. Owner, John Welch (who has owned the Optus store in Lismore for 16 years), contributed $7,500 to the Fund, adding to the $2,000 already donated by David Gordon of Elders Real Estate, Byron Bay. In the spirit of keeping the Fund community-based, a significant slice of its future growth looks set to come from local payroll deductions. Byron Shire Council became the first employer in the shire to offer staff the chance to contribute to the Fund through a payroll deduction scheme; with Byron Shire Mayor, Jan Barham, the first employee to sign up.
The NRCF is now working to establish similar funds in neighbouring shires, with Yes, Optus’s John Welch already pledging a further $7,500 to help get the Lismore Shire Community Fund up and running. For more information about how to set up a payroll deduction or to donate, contact the NRCF at www.nrcf.org.au, or call 02 6621 9996.
At the opening of Yes, Optus Byron Bay. From left, owner John Welch with his donation to the Byron Shire Community Fund, NRCF Director John Bennett and Byron Shire Mayor, Jan Barham.
ELDERS PROPERTY OF THE MONTH - 8 BOUGAINVILLEA DRIVE, FEDERAL
Byron Hinterland Embracing the ultimate in semi rural lifestyle and offering character filled luxury with complete privacy this magnificent property is one of our finest. The property is privately positioned along a no thru country lane and enjoys a perfect north aspect. The charming village of Federal is just minutes away and Byron Bay and surrounding towns are a pleasant 15 mins drive. Features include
Extensive tropical gardens surround the house, pavilions and pool area. An inspirational artists studio blends into the tropical surrounds and associated garden and work sheds are placed so as to not interfere with the beautiful and peaceful environment. Visitors are well catered for in a separate loft style accommodation complete with its own balcony and pleasant views over the orchards. Additional features – 230m above sea level, views to Quandong Falls and the rural hinterland, a 70m tree lined driveway, historical stone walls built by Sihk labourers, 2 by 50,000 litres water tanks plus an inground bore, orchard consisting of citrus, avocadoes, fruit trees, vegetable garden, automatic watering systems, inground lighting, additional cleared spots for a tennis court, heli pad or studios. There are many features and stunning attributes to this wonderful property. We recommend a private inspection to discover and appreciate this truly magnificent property. For further information, contact David Gordon on 02 6685 6222 or 0418 856 222 or email at david@eldersbb.com.au
THE POWER OF THE INTERNET The internet has undoubtedly been one of the most dramatic and important changes in the real estate industry over recent years. It has completely revolutionised the way that buyers search for property and allows properties to be marketed and viewed (virtually) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In Australia, the internet has been embraced at a faster rate than the mobile phone. With no geographical limits, the internet has helped to open Australian real estate to a much wider audience, both nationally and internationally. Statistics show that an ever increasing percentage of people use it to locate real estate and that it can lead to higher prices and quicker sales. Overall, 86% of buyers now commence the search for their new home online and at Elders Byron Bay we can attribute 46% of all property enquiries to our internet strategy. All properties listed with us are not only registered on our office website (eldersbb.com.au) but also on Australia’s best real estate websites as standard. In today’s competitive market place, it is not enough to just be on the internet, you need to be prominently seen on the right websites. Elders Byron Bay subscribe to both realestate.com.au and domain.com.au, the two most visited online real estate websites in Australia. THE AUSTRALIA DAY BIG PADDLE
A wide cross-section of the local surfing fraternity joined in the paddle along with a big representation from the Byron Bay Surf Club. It is expected that almost $5000 will be donated to Byron Bay Hospital, Byron Bay Surf Club and the Byron Sports Foundation.
Organisers hope that the paddle, called the Byron Bay Surfers Annual Charity Challenge, will be even bigger and better next year. PROPOSED HOLIDAY LETTING CONTROLS ON PUBLIC DISPLAY The Byron Shire proposed holiday letting planning controls will be on public exhibition from Friday February 13 until Friday March 20 at the Council’s The Council’s Director of Planning, Development and Environment Services, Ray Darney, said that the proposals were a direct response to public concerns surrounding the impact of unregulated holiday letting. “While the local Holiday Letting Organisation has addressed these complaints with management controls, there continues to be conflict within the community,” Mr Darney commented. The proposals can also be viewed online at www.byron.nsw.gov.au/publicexhibition. Submissions should be made to Council no later than 4pm, Friday March 20.
Current Listings View more Current Listings here Recent Sales STAFF PROFILE - 10 MINUTES WITH RACHEL WALSH
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What's happening around Byron Bay in February 2009 Weekly Farmers Markets Byron Bay - every Thursday Bangalow - every Saturday Organiser of the Country Energy Kite Record Attempt, Lisa Parkes, is all set to take registrations for the attempt to break the Australian or world records for the most number of kites flown simultaneously at the Brunswick Heads Kites and Bikes Festival on March 22. Local charity Our Kids, which fundraises for equipment for local hospitals to keep kids local, will be the beneficiary of this big community effort. ‘Enter as an individual, or round up your teams of ten. It’s a great chance to showcase your sporting or community group, support Our Kids, and have loads of fun at the same time,’ said Lisa. ‘To get the registration ball rolling, we are offering prizes to the first individual, and first business, sporting and community group teams of ten, and school, to sign up. As well, groups of 50 or more will be eligible to go into a draw to win a prize. The earlier you register the more time you have to make and decorate your kite.’
NEEDING A HOME LOAN? Elders Home Loans specialises in providing effective funding solutions for both residential and commercial situations. Our focus is on not only on utilising the best possible products but structuring all lending correctly to maximise tax advantages and to be user friendly. Elders Home Loans has access to over 30 different lenders, we can offer products from all of the major banks as well as having an excellent selection of non bank and non conforming lenders. Brendan Carr is the Regional Manager and Franchise owner, Brendan is a very experienced loans manager and is always happy to discuss your current and future plans. Brendan offers a free service and can be contacted on 0402 839 885 or at brendan.carr@eldershomeloans.com.au Or why not get in touch with us and we can make arrangments for Brendan to meet with you to discuss your needs at a convenient time.
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Jane Heynes, MD of JHA Recruiting, has also followed suit - offering a similar payroll deduction program to her 300 employees. She has also taken the unprecedented step of offering to match their contributions to the new Fund, dollar for dollar. 
Absolutely awesome! That was the response from the organisers of the inaugural Australia Day ‘Big Paddle’ from Wategos to Main Beach which attracted a staggering 312 entries.
Administration building in Mullumbimby. The council are encouraging the community to view the plans and make submissions. 
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Full name? - Rachel Ann Walsh. What do you do at 