How to get the best returnfrom your apartmentrenovations

ENDLESSSUMMER

HIGH LIFECOLL IERS INTERNATIONAL PERTH

Ensure yourguests enterwith style

SUMMER 2016

WE LCOMES TRANG ER

Can you pull the plug on a noisy neighbour?

Resort living every day

CONTENTS

03 It's a buyers market... for now

04 3 minute guide to listing for sale

08 How high should you buy?

11 Perth's best apartments now selling

16 STRATA: Dealing with noisy neighbours

18 Get the most from your renovations

19 AGENT FEATURE: Kaylie Morphew

22 COMING SOON: Ancora Apartments

06 Has your apartment roomfor a furry friend?

20 ENDLESS SUMMER: Buying Bali at home

10 SPOTLIGHT:Market Wrap

02| HIGH LIFE BY COLLIERS INTERNATIONAL

Issue 2

S U M M E R

vouchers and even complete furnishing

packages.

Best of all, the mortgage on many of these

newer apartments (which can range from

$366,000) is not much higher than paying for

rent. There’s simply never been a better time

to buy.

In this quarter’s edition of HIGH

LIFE magazine, we look at how to read the

market right now – where the growth lies, the

hot suburbs and how to transition to

apartment living. For sellers, we look at

apartment listing basics, where to renovate

and what to ignore. And for those already

living the dream we look at a potential

nightmare – how do you get the noisy

neighbour next door to turn down the

volume?

Don’t forget to like us on Facebook

(facebook.com/residentialperth) and let us

know how we can help you buy, sell, invest or

plan your new apartment.

"Right now,developersare activelycourtingbuyers."

Let’s say you work in the city, you like to eat

out and enjoy the nightlife, and you have a

steady job – congratulations. You have more

property choice right now than ever before.

Perth is an apartment buyers’ market with

more than 4,000 apartments currently under

construction across the city.

And while it might be tempting to think that

means there’s an oversupply, most of those are

in towers at least 70 to 80 per cent sold.

There are many other developments that are

still in the sales phase, though, and that’s

where a discerning would-be apartment

dweller has the upper hand.

Right now, many inner city developments are

offering deposits for just $5000, making it

easier than ever to start planning your

apartment life.

Developers are actively courting buyers,

offering them options like upgrades for

apartment finishes, exclusive

club memberships, furniture and homewares

TOP TIPS

A S K Q U E S T I O N S

HAVE A CLEAR IDEA OFWHAT YOU WANT

Smart buyers are successful buyers inthis kind of market. Do your researchor talk to people who can put themarket into context.

There's a lot of choice out there: knowwhat you are looking for, whether it isone bathroom, two bedrooms, or a one-bed plus study. This makes it easier tocompare one apartment with another.

FOR BUYERS

IT'S A BUYER'S MARKET ... FOR NOW

DANIEL CROTTYC O L L I E R S I N T E R N A T I O N A LH E A D O F R E S I D E N T I A LS A L E S & M A R K E T I N G

RUN THE NUMBERSParticularly if buying to invest, everydollar counts. Look at how much theapartment will cost to buy as well as howmuch you can expect in rent, what youwill incur in ongoing strata fees, and howmuch you need to budget to maintainyour asset over time.

Daniel shares his advice for getting thebest deal when purchasing an apartment.

Quick quiz: When choosing a real

estate agent should you: a) Go with

the cheapest agent to keep the

selling costs low? Or b) Go with the

most expensive because they must

be worth the price?

The correct answer is c: you want the

agent who is going to work hardest

to get you the best possible price in

the timeframe you have set for sale.

Choosing an agent based on fees

alone is unwise. An agent charging

high initial fees might work harder

than one charging less, but there are

no guarantees.

Some agents will incorporate

marketing costs into their fees.

Others have low fees but focus on a

quick sale even if at a lower price.

In WA, most agents charge 2-3.5%

commission on sales; more if the

marketing is included. But you can

negotiate rates and you might

consider scaling commissions, paying

them more if they achieve above a

threshold.

Speak to three or more agents about

the market, your unit and their sales

strategy before you list. Find out

what they have sold recently, and for

how much. How long did the

properties sit on market? What

discount was applied to sell?

And think about their pitch to get

you to list: If you were a buyer would

you feel comfortable with their sales

technique? Are they friendly?

Knowledgeable? Across the detail?

If not, look further afield.

3 MINUTE GUIDE TO LISTINGYOUR APARTMENT

More homes are listed in warmer months, so people

often assume summer is the best time to sell. It can be -

unless you have west-facing windows, a noisy air-

conditioner or need a marketing campaign that won't be

disrupted by Christmas and New Year. Last year it took

57 days to sell a property in June ... exactly the same

time as recorded in December 2014. This September,

the average listing time for a Perth residential property

was 67 days.

BEYONDTHE FEES

The most common method of sale in WA is

what is known as ‘private treaty’ — simply,

you set a price with your agent, then

negotiate on that price with a buyer. But

there are other, less common options for you

as well.

Auctions are big elsewhere in Australia,

though not as popular in WA. In August it

was revealed that 40% of residential

properties in NSW and 33% of Sydney units

are sold by auction, peaking above 95% in

some suburbs. In Perth, just 3% of properties

— and one per cent of units — are sold at

auction, with most of those at the upper end

WHAT ARE YOUR SALES OPTIONS?TECHNIQUE >

or with some unique qualities that might

make them attractive enough for buyers

to compete.

In December, REIWA research found that

going to auction could cut the time

residential properties were on the market,

with auctioned homes selling an average

26 days faster.

A third option is going to tender, with a set

date sale, end date sale or expressions of

interest. In these cases, you would usually

not disclose a price (though you might

provide a guide) and would-be buyers put

in a formal written offer.

SUMMER OR WINTER?MONEY > TIMING >

04| HIGH LIFE BY COLLIERS INTERNATIONAL

The market price for your property can

be affected by lots of different things —

enthusiasm in the market for your

particular unit, general buyer sentiment,

the amount of competition, the quality

of your agent, even the time of year you

list.

With an average time to sell in Perth in

excess of two months, and average

discount on a listed price on a unit of 7

per cent, getting a quick sale is often a

priority.

To ensure your property isn't sitting on

the shelf, consider the local market first,

the level of competition for similar

properties, the prices they are listed for,

as well as they price they actually

achieve.

How do you get the best price for sale?

Here are our top three tips:

1. Think about price points. People

searching online might set a maximum of

$600,000 or $750,000. Putting your

price above a $50,000 threshold might

knock out buyers just below that level,

so consider $599,000 and $749,000

instead.

2. Watch out for wildly inflated

estimates. Just as some agents will try

to get you to price your property from a

very low base to get buyers in the door,

others will tell you your apartment is

worth more than you thought. Ignore

both as one method will leave potential

buyers frustrated and disappointed and

the other could see your property

languish on the market.

3. Consider being the nicest apartment

in your range: some agents recommend

that rather than bump up to the next

bracket, you position yourself as the

nicest apartment in a lower one. That

way, your unit looks better than

anything else on the market, which helps

drive interest and, potentially, your final

sales price. Issue 27 | 234

HOW TO SET THERIGHT PRICE

STRATEGY >

FIT A PET?WILL YOUR NEW APARTMENT

Paula Jones remembers the dayshe turned the corridor of a Perthapartment complex and came face-to-face with a dog nearly as tall asshe was.So tall, in fact, it was bestdescribed as a horse.“The owner would let it out and itwould wander the corridors,” saysthe Colliers InternationalAssociate Director of ResidentialManagement.“I went back to the office and triedto describe it and we eventuallyrealised it was an Irish Wolfhound.It was absolutely huge.”While that particular pet was

tolerated by the apartment’scouncil of owners, most are not soaccommodating. Many stratacouncils have developed bylawsthat restrict animal ownership inapartments, with the ruleschanging complex to complex.Under WA’s Strata Titles Act,residents are not allowed to keepany animals once the strata councilgives them notice not to. The onlyexception is that a strata councilcannot prohibit the keeping of aguide dog by someone partially orcompletely blind.“Some councils will restrict you toone neutered dog or cat; others

have weight limits that can’t beexceeded, such as allowing a dog upto 10kg,” Ms Jones says.“But even if dogs are permitted, thebreed matters. An Old EnglishSheepdog would normally be far toobig but a small yappy dog might alsomake you very unpopular with theneighbours.” Before you move intoyour new apartment or try to rentone with a pet in tow, Ms Jonesrecommends asking just what bylaws— and the property manager — willallow.“We get a lot of requests aboutindoor rabbits and it is very commonin the UK to have them,” she says.

06 | HIGH LIFE BY COLLIERS INTERNATIONAL

ADVICE

Australia has some ofthe world's highestpet ownership levels- but what doesapartment livingmean for your furryfriend? We askproperty managerPAULA JONES forher advice.

pet is essential — as is working with other pet-loving owners to set fair rules.One Melbourne complex has just unveiledAustralia’s first high-rise dog park, followingthe lead of properties elsewhere in the worldthat offer rooftop walking tracks and ‘yappyhours’.That development has also teamed withanimal rescue shelters to connect residentswith apartment-sized pets.“Australia has some of the highest petownership in the world and as people in Perthadopt apartment living, they will want to bringtheir pets as well,” Ms Jones says.“The key is finding the right pet and the rightcomplex so residents can balance the needs oftheir neighbours with the joy that comes withhaving a pet you love."

“I wouldn’tlike to begoing in forpropertyinspectionswith atarantulawanderingaround.”

“For rental properties we tend to adviseagainst them, as rabbits like to chew onelectrical cords.”Birds don’t require much space but can beexcluded in some complexes because ofnoise. Fish would normally be fine(provided the tank is not big enough torepresent a flooding hazard) and indoorcats are often accepted without trouble.

The strangest request Ms Jones has seenfrom a potential tenant was for a pettarantula, which was politely refused.“I wouldn’t like to be going in for propertyinspections with a tarantula wanderingaround,” she said.Ms Jones says animals and apartmentscan live in harmony, but getting the right

PAULA'STOP TIPS

WEIRD REQUESTS

C H E C K T H E R U L E S

GIVE YOUR PET SOME TIME-OUT

FIND AN ALLY

Find out what the apartment bylaws sayabout animals. Even if there is nothingexcluding a particular animal, beprepared to make your case as thecouncil could choose to reject a noisy,smelly or difficult pet.

Joining a walking group, signing up forobedience classes or attending doggy daycare can allow your pet some outside timethat won't annoy the neighbours.

It is worth getting to know the other petowners in your complex so you can findout their experiences. You have a betterchance of keeping your complex pet-friendly if everyone demonstratesresponsible pet ownership.

FOR PET LOVERSBefore you smuggle your furry friend intoyour apartment, take these steps.

FEATURE

“Many buyerswant to avoidbeing close totraffic or retail.Buying higherallows them toescape thenoise.”

BUY?SHOULD YOUHIGH

HOW

When it comes to choosing your dreamapartment, does the floor really matter?

08 | HIGH LIFE BY COLLIERS INTERNATIONAL

Perth is one of the lowest density cities inthe world, with detached one-storey housesstretching across the horizon. But if altitudeis more your thing, the city’s new apartmentsmean you can now live 20, 50 or even 100mabove ground level.So if you are looking to purchase in a tower,how high should you buy?In theory, each floor up in a new residentialcomplex will cost more as developers price inthe value of additional views, natural lightand distance from noise, says ColliersInternational Sales Executive KaylieMorphew.“The rule of thumb is sometimes described asan extra $10,000 for each floor but that’s notconsistent across developments,” she says.

“You will sometimes find apartments jumpin price as you ‘break’ the view. Goingfrom a level where you are looking atother buildings to one with uninterruptedvistas can mean you are paying quite a bitmore.”A study in 2011 by the Grattan Instituteasked people in Melbourne and Sydneywhere they prefer to live – detachedhousing, semi-detached or at higher levels.In both cities, detached housing was thepreferred option, but if people had to livein apartments, living at least four storeysoff the ground was more desirable thanliving near street level.“Many buyers want to avoid being close totraffic or retail. Buying higher allows themto escape the noise,” Ms Morphew says.

Colliers International Residential Sales ExecutiveKAYLIE MORPHEW

A two-bedroomapartment mightcost $30,000more to buy on ahigher floor, butcould attract just$20-30 more aweek in rent.

“At the same time, some people like theconnection with the street, gardens and theneighbourhood, which can be difficult toachieve if you are 10 storeys up.”Part of the choice of floor comes down to thereason people are buying, she says.For investors looking to get the best possiblerental return, views should not be the firstpriority.

DO THE NUMBERS

While a two-bedroom apartment might cost$30,000 more to buy on a higher floor, itcould also attract just $20-30 more a week inrent. The interest on that extra $30,000works out to $42 a week or $25,000 over a25-year loan. The investor might recoup thedifference in capital gain when theyeventually sell, but it is a gamble.

Still, apartments with views can rentfaster, reducing the time your asset issitting empty.Owner occupiers are more likely to spendmore to get more – and that extra $42 aweek is well worth it if it means you wakeup to a river view instead the neighbour’sair-conditioning ducts.Ms Morphew says the resale price can befickle.

HIGHER RESALE CAN BE A GAMBLE

Take two established apartments recentlyfor sale in the same building on StGeorges Terrace.A one-bedroom on the 7th floor was onthe market for $465,000, which works outto about $7200 a square metre.The same size unit four floors up was$485,000, or just an extra $150 a squaremetre.Down on Adelaide Terrace, two same-sizeapartments in the same complex showed amuch bigger gap, with the higherapartment (albeit with a second car bay)costing more than $2000 more per squaremetre than its lower twin.“You need to think about whether you arebuying height for amenity or buyingheight as a future investment,” MsMorphew says.“If it is as an investment, look at theperformance of nearby buildings, whetherthere are any other developments on thecards that could reduce your views, andhow much more you might get in rental.“Your million-dollar view might be worthit to you, but many tenants are preparedto sacrifice views for a better price.”If you are buying for yourself, her adviceis to buy as high as you can afford,without sacrificing too much space. "Light is essential if you are going to feelcomfortable in your apartment," she says. "If lower floors are obscured for light orviews, it is worth trying to climb above thecompetition."

When buying anapartment in whichyou intend to live,Kaylie recommendsspending more orsacrificing some spacein order to securenatural light andviews.

TAKINGOVER THEWORLD

660JULY-SEPTEMBER

APARTMENTS SOLD OFF THEPLAN IN PERTH

APARTMENT SALES CONTINUE TO RISE IN WA. ACCORDING TO NEWFIGURES FROM URBIS, THERE ARE NOW MORE THAN 4,000APARTMENTS UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

50%

OWNEROCCUPIERSBOUGHT

MARKET WRAP10 | HIGH LIFE BY COLLIERS INTERNATIONAL

MARKET WRAP

WEST IS BEST FOR HOUSING BUYERS

INNER CITY WINSThe Inner Cityregion was the topselling location forapartmentsbetween July andSeptember, with146 apartments

sold off the plan in three months. Thisincludes the areas of Kings Park, WestPerth, East Perth and the centralbusiness district.The second strongest area was theFringe South (covering South Perth,Como, Kensington, Manning, Karawara,Salter Point, Applecross, Booragoon,Ardross, Mt Pleasant, Brentwood andWaterford) with 94 sales.There were 90 sales in the FringeNorth/West (Subiaco, Shenton Park,Jolimont, Wembley, West Leederville,Mt Hawthorn, North Perth, Inglewoodand Mt Lawley.)

SELLERS LOOK ATWHOLE PACKAGE

With competitionamong apartmentdevelopers, manyare offeringincentives to attractbuyers, including furniture packagesfrom stores such as

Eight WA suburbs have been named in Australia's Top 10markets within 10km of city centres, with East Perth,Cloverdale and Nollamara heading the list.The new figures from REA show the attention of buyers hasbeen caught by the boom in apartments in East Perth, SouthPerth, Rivervale and West Perth, as well as affordableoptions in Cloverdale and Nollamara and redevelopment ofsuburbs like Bentley and Osborne Park.The key, according to the report, is that these areas areoften more affordable than other parts of Perth — and youare only a few minutes from the city centre.East Perth (ranked second in Australia after Darwin) has theadvantage of being on the free CAT bus route, as well asideally placed for the new Perth Stadium, under constructionjust a short walk across the river. Cloverdale, at numberthree, is also close to the city, just 10km east of the CBD.Nollamara, the third WA suburb to make the list, has theadded benefit of being a 15 minute drive both to the city andthe beach, with excellent bus routes and freeway access.

Freedom Furniture, white goodsvouchers and stamp duty rebates. Theoffers are usually limited so it pays toask the project sales agent whatincentives might be available at yourpreferred project.Major developer Finbar has also takenapartment-buying incentives one stepfurther, introducing a loyalty club forpeople who own more than one of theirapartments. Offers include a 1% rebatediscount off the purchase price whenyou buy further Finbar property and a1% referral fee, for people who refer anew Finbar purchaser.Club members can also accessdiscounts for restaurants and retailersand a city-based members' lounge.

152 Fitzgerald, PerthPerth city apartments now selling1 bed from $409,000 | 2 bed from $575,000Over 70% SoldWillie Lim 0434 659 810

180@Bartram, AtwellOnly 6 Apartments Left - Yours with $5,000 deposit! Boutique complex of only 12 apartments1 bed from $299,000 | 2 bed from $399,000Willie Lim 0434 659 810

Armagh, Victoria ParkConstruction Underway, Completion April 20161 bed apartments from $390,0002 bed apartments from $475,000Kaylie Morphew 0478 876 846

Linq, NorthbridgeConstruction Underway, Completion Est. Mid-20161 bed 1 bath - sold out2 bed from $550,000 - buy now with $5,000 depositWillie Lim 0434 659 810

FOR SALEA selection of Perth's best apartments

now selling off the plan

The Essence of Luxury and Lifestyle1 bed from $465,000 | 2 bed from $680,0003 bed from $990,000Willie Lim 0434 659 810Ian Tan-Kang 0488 833 333

Arbor North, RivervaleNewly Completed Apartments1 bed apartments from $384,0002 bed apartments from $490,000Ian Tan-Kang 0488 833 333

Concerto, East PerthConstruction Underway, Completion Est. Mid-20161 bed from $445,000 | 2 bed from $610,0003 bed with river views from $855,000Ian Tan-Kang 0488 833 333

Pinnacle, South PerthStunning South Perth Apartments Now Selling!1 bed 1 bath - buy now with $10,000 deposit2 bed 2 bath - only 10 remainingKaylie Morphew 0478 876 846

Civic Heart, South Perth

Empire West, Perry LakesConstruction Underway, Completion Aug-20162 bed apartments from $670,000Secure now with only $10,000 depositLauren Lovelace 0434 659 904

Marina Edge, North CoogeeConstruction Underway, Completion Est. Mid-Late 20171 bed 1 bath from $435,000 | 2 bed from $570,0002 bed with ocean views from $665,000Lauren Lovelace 0434 659 904

1/9 The Esplanade, Mt PleasantLarge Luxury Riverfront Apartment.3 bed, 2 bath, 2 car bays. Overlooking Swan River.164m² internal living plus 56m² courtyardLauren Lovelace 0434 659 904

The Residences, RivervaleEstimated Completion mid-20171 bed apartments from $385,0002 bed apartments from $525,000Kaylie Morphew 0478 876 846

The Chelsea by PsarosConstruction Underway, Only $5,000 Deposit1 bed apartments from $429,0002 bed apartments from $545,000Greg Oldfield 0434 659 830Ashlee Arnott 0478 876 847

Edge by PsarosConstruction Underway, Completion April 20161 bed apartments from $450,0002 bed apartments from $590,000Ashlee Arnott 0478 876 847Greg Oldfield 0434 659 830

Hub by PsarosConstruction Underway, Completion Est. Mid-20162 bed 2 bath apartments from $539,000 Buy now with $5,000 depositAshlee Arnott 0478 876 847Greg Oldfield 0434 659 830

Empire East, Perry LakesNewly completed apartments.Only 6 apartments left!2 bedroom apartments from $690,000 Lauren Lovelace 0434 659 904

Podium Central, FloreatPodium Central: Now Complete3 bedroom apartments from $965,000located in the heart of the Western SuburbsLauren Lovelace 0434 659 904

West Hamptons, AlkimosComing Soon in 2016...

Kaylie Morphew 0478 876 846Greg Oldfield 0434 659 830

Ancora, FremantleComing Soon in 2016...

Kaylie Morphew 0478 876 846Ashlee Arnott 0478 876 847

9 Tully Road, East PerthComing Soon in 2016...

Willie Lim 0434 659 810

Sunago Apartments, DianellaEstimated Completion late-20171 bedroom apartments from $345,0002 bedroom apartments from $425,000Ian Tan-Kang 0488 833 333

Construction Underway, Completion Due January 2016Only 4 apartments left!1 bed 1 bath $425,000 | 2 bed, 2 bath $630,000Greg Oldfield 0434 659 830Ashlee Arnott 0478 876 847

Depot by Psaros

CAN I PULL THE PLUG ONMY NOISY NEIGHBOURS?

BY JESSICA LAW

You have to feel for the apartment owner –

his Vic Park neighbour fancied himself as a DJ

and every weekend would drink too much,

then throw open the balcony doors to share

his music tastes with the world.

According to the unhappy resident, who

recently aired his complaints online, even a

direct request to keep the noise down was

ignored.

So what can you do if you find yourself caught

in a similar situation?

Colliers International Strata Management

expert Elizna Pelser explains the drill.

The best option, she says, is to resolve any

issues in an amicable way by going directly to

the source.

“The first step is to politely ask the resident

to reduce the noise to an acceptable level,”

she says.

“It is always best to try to resolve issues with

your neighbours in a friendly fashion as it

saves potential conflict down the track.”

16 | HIGH LIFE BY COLLIERS INTERNATIONAL

But if a knock on the door and a polite word doesn’t work,

there are more serious steps residents can take.

“You can report the matter to the police,” Elizna says.

“For noise that is happening right now, you can speak to the

Police Assistance Centre on 131 444. They can take action if

they think the noise is unreasonable and can do things like

deactivate house or car alarms if they have been going off

for an extended period of time.

“If the noise has already stopped, you are better off speaking

to your Local Government Authority for advice on steps you

can take.”

Depending on your council, and the type of noise, you might

need to speak to a ranger (usually for barking or animal

noises) or an environmental health officer (for things like the

use of power tools or commercial noise).

The last option is to report the details to the complex strata

manager, Elizna says, who can help communicate with your

neighbour about the issue.

“Always include the date, time, name of resident involved,

their lot number and the nature of your complaint,” she says.

“If you have made a police report, include the details.”

While the strata manager has no rights to pull the plug on a

noisy party, Elizna says escalating the issue can ensure

formal action can be taken.

“If they are persistent offenders, report the matter to the

police and the strata manager on each occasion,” she says.

“If the resident is breaching the by-laws, the council of

owners may decide to issue a formal Breach Notice.

“If they are a tenant under a lease, their behaviour may

constitute a breach of their lease and the owner may be

entitled to take action, depending on the lease terms.”

Such action might not buy you a quiet night from your DJ

neighbour right now, but could ensure more peaceful

evenings in the future.

“If they are a tenantunder a lease, their

behaviour mayconstitute a breach of

their lease and theowner may be entitled

to take action.”

18

INVESTIGATEBEFORE YOURENOVATE

1 T H E P H O T O G R A P H Y You have about 10 seconds to capture a buyer'sattention. In an apartment, it means goodphotographs online. Good property photographersuse lighting and staging for best effect. Expect to pay $200+ for a good photographer. ROIgoal: Sell faster for more.

2T H E K I T C H E NIf your kitchen looks like it needs renovating, doit first before a buyer see it. This is particularlythe case if you are targeting owner occupiers.who won't want to live through the mess.Expect to pay $10,000 - $25,000.ROI goal: $40,000+

3 T H E B A T H R O O MFor outdated bathrooms, consider retiling floorsand professionally spraypainting wall tiles andbaths. It is not difficult to upgrade the vanity,toilet and wall fittings. Regrounting can also makea big difference if your grout is discoloured.Expect to pay $1000 - $10,000.ROI goal: $20,000+

4 T H E B A L C O N YTidy it up, touch up any paint on your side ofthe wall (remember all exteriors belong tocommon property) and update your outdoorsetting with a rug and cushions.Expect to pay under $500.ROI goal: $2000+

5 T H E H I R E F U R N I T U R EMuch like photography this is about selling alifestyle even before your buyer walksthrough the door. Ditch your mismatchingchairs and hand-me-down lamps and let adesigner work their magic. Expect to pay $1500-3000/month.ROI goal: $5000+

Should you sell your apartment as a ‘paint and prosper’ ordo some renovating before sale? The answer lies in gettingthe best return for your renovation dollar. Here are ourtop 7 places to invest when selling your nest. By Ruth Callaghan

T H E W A L L SA fresh coat of paint works wonders every time.Keep it neutral and pay someone if you havedifficult angles or corners to negotiate. Expect to pay $200-$2000.ROI goal: $4000+

T H E C A R P E TCarpet is not hugely expensive but gettingreturn on your investment depends on factorsincluding the state of the existing flooring. Ifyou have dirty, stained or worn carpets, splashout on some new neutrals in the $30-40/sqmrange (and haggle for free laying or underlay). Ifyou spend less you risk looking cheap; more andyou are overinvesting.Expect to pay $2000-$4000.ROI goal: $7000+

T H E U P S H O TInvesting some money and effort before yousell can give you a better, faster return, butbe sensible. Spending $40,000 by doingeverything on this list probably won’t turn a$500,000 apartment into a $600,000 one.But you can increase buyer interest andavoid the risk they discount your price bytackling the worst problems before listing.

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"If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll

always get what you’ve always got."

Q&A : KAYLIE MORPHEW

WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB?

YOUR TOP TIP FOR BUYERS?

YOUR FAVOURITE CAFE IN PERTH?

YOUR MOTTO?

Handing the keys over to first home buyers. It’s

such an exciting time for people and I'm glad I get

to be a part of that happiness.

After 10 years of customer relations, settlements and sales

for some of Perth's biggest developers, agent Kaylie

Morphew knows apartments.

Check everything you can think of in your

apartment before you settle so repairs can take

place before you move in. Need help? email me at

kaylie.morphew@colliers.com

Chapels on Whatley in Maylands: great food,

great staff and great entertainment.

Kick off your entertaining in style by welcoming guestswith a cheerful door mat.

When a sho r t f l i gh t and a f ewhundred do l l a r s buys eve ry Wes tAus t r a l i an a s tunn ing v i l l a i n Ba l i ,w i th a l l t he f ea tu res t hey cou ldposs ib l y want , l u xu ry i s no l onge rou t o f r each .And t ha t easy access t o r e so r t - s t y l el i v i ng and h igh -end f i n i shes hasa l so changed expec ta t i ons a t home .

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Apartment buyers who might once have chosen basedjust on location and floor space, are now increasinglylooking for a the kind of finishes and premiumamenities once limited to multimillion-dollar homes orluxury resorts.“It is a real advantage of apartment living that you canoften access a high-end gym, get a fantastic resort-likepool and deck, have an intimate private cinema – all aspart of your complex,” says Colliers International headof residential sales and marketing Daniel Crotty.“The level of facilities now on offer for newdevelopments is setting the bar much higher.”Demand from luxury-savvy buyers means developersare competing to offer the best possible options, with afocus on delivering apartment owners the samefacilities they enjoy on holiday.Finbar’s Concerto Apartments, on the former ABCstudio site in Perth, offers a private residential diningroom that can seat up to 14 private guests, forexample, with an adjoining high-end kitchen so ownerscan entertain in style.The development also offers a theatrette with cinema-style seating and a 120-inch screen that can be bookedfor private viewings.

BALI EFFECTTHE

Besides featuring an integrated shopping mall, Finbar’s Civic

Heart development in South Perth comes with a solar heated pool,

resort-style pool deck, cabana and putting green. Residents can

also access a private wine cellar, library, games room, sauna and

steam room.

Mike Enslin, managing director of Psaros – the driving force

behind boutique developments on the CBD fringe such as The

Chelsea, Hub, Edge and Depot – says internal features in

apartments also need to be at a premium for discerning buyers.

He recently told an Australian Property Institute breakfast that as

had been the case with cars, what was a luxury item one year

became essential a few years after that.

"It wasn't too long ago that Bluetooth and electric windows in cars

were optional extras and now they are standard,” he said.

“The same is true in what you offer in apartments — all our

developments have cutting-edge design and sustainability

features to make them relevant now and hold their value and in

20, 30 or 40 years’ time."

Psaros developments have a focus on sustainable living as well as

finishes, with buildings offering solar power and energy efficient

fittings to apartments and innovative options such as car sharing

and planter boxes.

But the high-end demands of buyers are also being met.

At The Chelsea, buyers can get their own, exclusive wall artdesigned to complement their interiors, while Depot buyersreceive an audio visual package that includes a smart screen TV,SONOS player bar, iPad mini, launch port wall docking station andNBN compliant smart wire package designed to future-proof thetechnology.Stone benches are standard and floors are acoustically insulatedbamboo.Daniel says that for very reasonable prices, buyers are now able toshare in high-end facilities that a few years ago were out of reachfor any but the most wealthy.“There’s no doubt that WA buyers are more conscious of luxuryliving and are looking for lifestyle as much as location,” Danielsays.“New developments are designed to bring all the best things aboutluxury living or being on holiday right into your home.”

"There’s no doubt that WAbuyers are more conscious

of luxury living and arelooking for lifestyle as much

as location."

ANCORASe l l i ng Agen t s : Ash lee Arno t t and Kay l i e MorphewDeve lope r s : SKS

C O M I N G S O O N T O F R E M A N T L E

A leading football team, fantastic cafes, and now a spot on LonelyPlanet’s Top 10 Cities list — nothing can stop Fremantle’s resurgence. The historic port city, where gold rush architecture meets funkybreweries and a laid-back bohemian lifestyle, is in high demand amongproperty owners.Units in the city have bucked the statewide trend, with values up 6.5%in 2015. It’s a sign of the demand for apartments in the area, which iswell-served by transport, surrounded by parks and quality homes, andnestled between the river and the ocean.“Fremantle is a hot spot for apartment buyers and many WesternAustralians have a strong affection for the area,” says ColliersInternational residential sales executive Ashlee Arnott. “It became the only city in Australia to make the coveted Lonely PlanetTop 10 Cities list this year, and it is an area with a fantastic culture,entertainment and lifestyle. If you drew up a list of the things thatmake a neighbourhood special, Fremantle ticks every one of thoseboxes.”Developer SKS Group is moving to capitalise on demand forFremantle, with its $120 million new Ancora development —an eight-level mixed development that will combine retail, commercial, hoteland apartments.Ancora will offer 9 three-bedroom apartments, 45 two-bedroom unitsand 17 one-bedroom units, with views over Fremantle Harbour. Theapartments have been designed by Campion Design Group and featurea focus on green, sustainable living and elegant finishes.“The apartments are designed to appeal to the people who know andlove this area, with the right mix of luxury, location andenvironmentally sound principles,” Ashlee says.“What’s great about Ancora is that it delivers the whole package –stylish accommodation in a great area with the amenities that comewith having a quality mixed-use development.” Ancora is due to launchin autumn but you can register your interest atancora.wa@colliers.com

W E I G H S I N

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