News

Anyone else struggling a little? It feels like we’re all limping to cross the finish line in the unexpected endurance event that has been 2020.  The thing is, this year has proved beyond doubt that property never stops, so whilst I know all in the Morton team are keenly looking forward to the festive season, we are equally ready to dig in and keep going because there is still work to do. Yes, there is a universal feeling of exhaustion after what has been a long and challenging year, but I can assure you that nobody is complaining as we find... Read More»

I feel like we have spent much of the year worrying and wondering. The unknown combined with the uncertainty has left us all feeling unsteady for the majority of the last twelve months, and yet there now feels like there is something new coming into frame which is a little more positive and a little more welcoming. The funny thing is that after a year of doom and gloom with very desperate and very real economic trauma the year seems to be ending on a high note.  I love that conversations and media coverage has turned from ‘how will we survive’... Read More»

December is a month heavy with expectations of holidays, presents and parties and even in the new COVID world, I think most have high hopes for what the next few weeks will deliver. So, whilst I don’t want to sound like Scrooge, I do caution that we should be careful what we wish for. To be very honest my caution is one that I repeat regularly throughout the year, not just at Christmas.  And my caution is valid for both buyers and vendors. They should be mindful of expecting too much. It’s relevant to issue the caution now not only in the... Read More»

It’s hard to believe the year is almost over. I know we’re not there yet, and given the year we have had it is probably dangerous to think it is safe to call it just yet, but I think it’s important not to let the year end without taking stock of what we have learned, even as we have endured.  This is what I’ve come up with so far… I’m sure there is much we will all have learnt as individuals, families, communities and countries, but I’m going to stick to how 2020 has impacted and influenced the residential property market,... Read More»

While it’s hard not to be a little sceptical I do remain ever hopeful that announcements will become actions in terms of the news out of the NSW Budget this week on proposed reforms to Stamp Duty.  I’d like to think now is the time… It’s a big deal.  Stamp duty represents big money so the implications of any change will be significant which is actually the reason why I’m not yet prepared to dance with delight at the announcement. The thing is the devil is always in the detail and over all my years in real estate I’ve learnt that when... Read More»

I don’t think I’m on my own when I say that it seems the only story in the world right now, whether you care about the outcome or not, is the US election.  We are witnessing extraordinary events, but I recognise you might think I’m drawing a long bow when I say there are key elements of the US election that are a metaphor for the Sydney property market.  Bear with me while I explain…. I know it seems a stretch but when you think about it the US election result is all about the numbers. And so, it is in... Read More»

You might recall that last week I wrote about how, like the weather, different areas across Sydney can experience different market forces at the same time.  This week it might therefore seem a little contradictory to say that the way to achieve property success varies very little irrespective of those differing markets. And in a week focussed so intently on ‘winning’ across so many different scenarios I have clear thoughts on how to do it. Perhaps I should start by providing a dash of credibility to my position by revealing that earlier this week the Morton Sales Team were again awarded... Read More»

The residential property market is a bit like the weather.  To paraphrase Dorothea Mackellar, we can experience droughts and flooding rains in market demand and supply but equally, just like the weather, the residential market can be unpredictable and variable so it is important to be ready and be warned. I’m pretty sure that people across Sydney check the status of residential property reports as often as they do the weather.  It’s natural to wonder if there are clouds of market doom on the horizon or if you can plan for the weekend to deliver sunshine and record-breaking sales. But as residents... Read More»

There is a question that every single real estate agent fields every single day of their life, both in and out of the work environment. The question of value.  Everyone is interested in the value of their property, their neighbour’s property, the property they want to buy or simply property in general.  I get it. I’m interested in value too, but in an interview last week I discussed value of a different kind. I was asked about the value of an agent in a world where information is so accessible. Technology has changed the way the world works, and the world... Read More»

I have three teenage daughters, so I’ve become very aware of the increasing appeal of the concept of ‘vintage’. My girls are very environmentally (and fashion!) conscious, so the appeal and value of second-hand items is high across their community.  Interestingly, in the wake of some high-profile examples of new developments revealing building issues we have seen a similar increase in the appeal of older (dare I say ‘vintage’?) apartments. But it is important to recognise there are significant differences in the new and second-hand markets. The reason I’m raising this is because our team are seeing a bit of a... Read More»