Pleasant Hill – The Full Story

Pleasant Hill – The Full Story

From 17 de-commissioned army barracks, transported to Warrnambool from Bacchus Marsh, Fletcher Jones Pleasant Hill factory started from humble beginnings, very much like its famous owner. Fletcher Jones purchased this site in 1947 for 430 pounds, a bargain, inheriting...
SHARED LIVING CONSIDERATIONS

SHARED LIVING CONSIDERATIONS

Have you ever thought about having, or being a housemate? Sharing a house can be a fantastic experience; it can be cost effective sharing rental costs as well as utilities etc as well as creating a sense of community and shared humanity. It can suit all walks of life –...
Stated asking prices

Stated asking prices

It’s simple and it’s smart Once buyers recognise a potentially suitable property, the key priority is to know if it is within their budget.  Methods like auctions, “contact agent”, “expressions of interest”, “offers above…” simply make it difficult to...
Qualifying Buyers

Qualifying Buyers

You decide to start looking for a new home. Whether it’s your first home, an upsizer, downsizer, new location, holiday house or investment to add to your portfolio… it’s always a big step. You hop on the net or check out the local paper to start your search. Once you...
Victoria’s New First Home Buyer Scheme

Victoria’s New First Home Buyer Scheme

The Victorian Homebuyer Fund may allow home buyers to receive up to a 25% equity contribution from the Victorian Government, with a just 5% deposit. Dan Andrews explains: “Most first home buyers can’t just rely on the bank of Mum and Dad for help. And if...
Take the mask off!

Take the mask off!

It’s time to take off the mask.   Unfortunately I’m not talking about our covid-enforced protective face masks. No, I want to outline some of what is being masked by the current booming market, and explain some of the perception Vs reality of public...
Your new lifestyle, slice of history, business, adventure…

Your new lifestyle, slice of history, business, adventure…

Just imagine this. A move to the country. A lovely, spacious, renovated, quirky, comfortable, stylish, character-filled place to call home. A slice of history. A business opportunity with 5 potential strings to its bow, each of which has been tested, and you can...
DIY PAINT JOB – TIPS & TRICKS

DIY PAINT JOB – TIPS & TRICKS

Here are the tricks used by the professionals Slapping some paint on a wall – easy! But achieving a meticulous finish requires some careful preparation. If you are planning on a DIY paint job, here are some tricks of the trade to help you achieve a finish that even...

WANTED AD’S WORK…

It is a very exciting time for a local family who have just secured their dream home! Carol enquired on a property a little while ago and whilst that home didn’t suit perfectly, we created a wanted ad for her which we advertised on our social media platforms, our...
Central Seaside Masterpiece

Central Seaside Masterpiece

…harmonise with the surrounding landscape… Here at Wilsons Warrnambool & District Real Estate, we are delighted to present to the marketplace one of, if not the finest, properties in town – an absolute central seaside masterpiece. The design and...
Yes – they’re real!

Yes – they’re real!

Article by Cheryl McKenna, Wilsons office manager and licensed estate agent. Many people distrust salespeople; in fact according to a quick google search, 97% of us don’t trust sales people.  The only people we trust less are politicians and car salesmen. ...
Your Holiday Home Among the Gum Trees

Your Holiday Home Among the Gum Trees

         HALLS GAP COTTAGES – FOR SALE  UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY  PRICED FROM $210,000 – $240,000    Wilsons Warrnambool & District Real Estate are excited to present to the marketplace 15 x 2 bedroom hardwood cottages for sale for the use of...
Mortlake History

Mortlake History

Article by Cheryl McKenna – Office manager and Licensed estate agent. Originally known as the township of Mount Shadwell, the town of Mortlake was originally settled over 180 years ago. Being particularly fertile ground, the area was quickly populated by...
Pack your bags…

Pack your bags…

Article by Cheryl McKenna, Office manager and licensed estate agent Moving house. The phrase strikes fear into many a heart.  Ranked as more stressful than divorce, moving house is in fact included in the top 5 stressful life events. Some of us do it once in a...
Central, Coastal, Townhouse Living

Central, Coastal, Townhouse Living

Wilsons Warrnambool & District Real Estate are excited to present to the market thirteen quality townhouses to be sold off the plan and built immediately by Mark Conlan’s @Select Homes. This development is in a prime location at 93-97 Nicholson Street, a...
Homebuilder Program

Homebuilder Program

Article by Cheryl McKenna – Office Manager, and licensed estate agent. HomeBuilder Program The HomeBuilder program is a time-limited grant program to help the residential construction market to bounce back from the Coronavirus crisis. But before we get into that...
How’s your credit?

How’s your credit?

Article by Cheryl McKenna – Office manager, licensed estate agent – and now we can add – real estate blogger! Back in my day, credit was something you needed to make a call on your mobile, or a score that my friends got at uni.  And having multiple...
Which aspect is best?

Which aspect is best?

Article by Cheryl McKenna – Office Manager, and licensed estate agent. North, south, east, west?  Which aspect is the best? In many a real estate write up you will read “boasting a northerly aspect”, but what does this mean, and why is a northerly aspect so...
What’s your number, baby?

What’s your number, baby?

Article by Cheryl McKenna – Office Manager and licensed estate agent. What’s your number baby? What’s in a number?  It depends on who you ask.  For many cultures around the world numbers can dictate many things, from who you marry, whether you are a lucky person...
Questions from a seller, or a buyer (she wasn’t sure)

Questions from a seller, or a buyer (she wasn’t sure)

Article by Cheryl McKenna – Office manager, and licensed estate agent It began with a conversation with a lady enquiring on a property that we had for sale.  All said quickly without a pause or even time to take a breath! “I’d like to have a look at the house on...
What’s your style?

What’s your style?

Article by Cheryl McKenna – Office manager and licenced estate agent. What’s your style? Do you love a classic Californian Bungalow or are you a fool for the decorative filigree of the mid to late Victorian Era?  Does walking into an Edwardian home evoke...
Advice for my sister

Advice for my sister

Article by Cheryl McKenna – office manager and licenced estate agent. The advice I gave my younger sister The conversation started with a text message “So I am inspecting that house I mentioned tomorrow at noon, and low-key freaking out about it.  Not sure what...
Should I use a mortgage broker?

Should I use a mortgage broker?

Article by Emilee Bezzina – sales agent – Wilsons Warrnambool & District Real Estate Working in real estate we often get asked if purchasers are better off with a mortgage broker or if they should directly see their bank, some may also shop around...
What is a section 32?

What is a section 32?

Welcome to our series of articles addressing answers to frequently asked questions by home buyers, in particular first home buyers. You may have heard people mention a property’s “section 32”, otherwise known as the “vendor statement”, or...
There are many markets – this is here and now

There are many markets – this is here and now

Commentary by Lucas Wilson. Scour the media any day at present and you don’t have to look far to find extremely pessimistic property market price forecasts due to the current climate and subsequent economic factors. I’m no economist, however an important...
A chunk of coal…

A chunk of coal…

Article by Lucas Wilson.          As we move further along the timeline of the crisis that is the coronavirus pandemic, and seemingly stepping gradually towards the light at the end of the tunnel, I couldn’t be more proud of our team here at Wilsons.  Our staff,...
Surprise!

Surprise!

We have a wonderful surprise to share with you: People are still buying real estate! We admittedly braced ourselves for a complete shutdown of our industry a few weeks ago, seemingly headed for an inability to inspect houses.  Our inboxes were flooded with digital...
“Play what’s in front of you…”

“Play what’s in front of you…”

Article by Lucas Wilson. “My head has obviously been spinning in recent days, as I’m sure have all of yours, with everything going on. As the footy season commences (for now!), the quote “play what’s in front of you”, is very appropriate.  It is a...
Consider this…

Consider this…

Exceptional Lifestyle and Income Earning Opportunity. This property, and all it encompasses, warranted it’s own full article – a standard real estate ad just wasn’t going to cut it!  Open up your mind and consider the possibility that this could just...
Property Management – your experts

Property Management – your experts

Are you a current or prospective tenant or property investor? Would you like to know more about renting, leasing, property investment and/or anything related to property management in Warrnambool and/or our surrounding district? We’d like to introduce you to...
Have you been out on a buck’s night?

Have you been out on a buck’s night?

The questions banks are asking. Mortgage brokers have been asking some highly intrusive questions in the wake of the banking royal commission. With banks tightening their criteria for lending to Australians, brokers have reported asking more personal questions. Pro...
$25,000 ahead!

$25,000 ahead!

Hear from Narelle and Ben about why they chose Wilsons and how they finished $25,000 ahead of what they were thinking they would, thanking Wilsons for going “above and beyond”. Thank you guys for jumping behind the iphone camera without notice! Thank you...
FHB Information Night

FHB Information Night

Are you looking to purchase your first home but not sure where to start? You’re not alone. That’s why South West Credit has teamed up with a range of experts to hold a First Home Buyer Information Session on Wednesday 7th August, 2019. The event will cover everything...
Know your purpose for investing in property

Know your purpose for investing in property

Many people assume property investors are rich and carefree. This is far from true. Most residential property investors are simply striving to create a better future for themselves and their families. They own one property – or possibly two – and rent it out in the...
Dinner’s on us!

Dinner’s on us!

We’d like to shout you dinner to the tune of $150! Valid any time with no end date, if you refer someone to us who is thinking of selling – and they list their property for sale with us, we’ll give you a $150 dinner voucher for a restaurant in the...
Is there another buyer?

Is there another buyer?

Competition increases value. Agents know it, and they use it to achieve a better price. That’s their job after all. What is harrowing as a buyer is trying to work out the legitimacy of the agents often made claim that “there is another buyer”. As a buyer, if you...
11 tips to make moving day stress-free

11 tips to make moving day stress-free

If you’re enthusiastic about moving day, you represent a minority of the population. Even if you’re upgrading from an old to new home, small to big, many days will be spent packing up your belongings and setting up in your new home. Here are some tips to ensure that...
Simplicity.

Simplicity.

Often, in Real Estate, things are made much more complicated than they need to be.  Complex sales procedures, confusing pricing strategies, restrictive inspection arrangements, secretive negotiation processes, etc, etc, etc…   From an agent’s...
Attention Investors!

Attention Investors!

Would you be interested in purchasing a residential investment property in a great country town with an outstanding (we’re talking potentially double-digit percentage) rental return? Thanks to our proven record of proactively getting results and looking after...
Knowledge, power and real estate advertising

Knowledge, power and real estate advertising

A dangerous trend has emerged in real estate advertising with privacy and price implications. Too much personal information is being revealed during marketing campaigns. Circumstances such as divorce or illness are often featured in advertisements as agents try to use...
Mortlake SOLDs

Mortlake SOLDs

A quick little drive up Mortlake’s main street recently highlights a few of the successful sales in the popular township with plenty happening at the moment.  Call us to find out more!  
Tenants’ rights strengthened

Tenants’ rights strengthened

VICTORIAN tenants will officially be able to make minor modifications to their rental homes and own pets without landlord consent after new laws passed parliament last week. The reforms — which also include the introduction of “basic standards” and limit rent rises to...
Building and Pest Inspections

Building and Pest Inspections

Is a building and pest inspection that important? Is it necessary to have a property inspected by a professional when buying and how much does it cost? For most people, buying a home or an investment property is the biggest investment they will ever make.Yet many...
The Moyne River

The Moyne River

As we have the pleasure of presenting to the marketplace for sale this fine property (read on) only 9 kilometres out of Port Fairy on 26 acres with one of its entire boundaries fronting the Moyne River, we decided to take the opportunity to share with you some...
Don’t take the bait!

Don’t take the bait!

Bait pricing hurts both sellers and buyers, and despite recent legislation changes aimed at preventing the practice, it is still rampant.  Just as AFL coaches find ways to manipulate rule changes for their own benefit, real estate agents find ways around the new...
“What a refreshing meeting”

“What a refreshing meeting”

We asked Iris a few questions about her buying experience with Wilsons, always looking for feedback to help improve our service.  We believe that what customers say about a company’s service, means a lot more than what the company says about itself. 1: “How did...
Delighted buyer AND seller!

Delighted buyer AND seller!

The favourite part of our job – when two delighted customers, seller and buyer, come together to enjoy the process of a home being transferred from one to another – both happy with the outcome, this being a sale at the highest possible price for the...
John and Lorna

John and Lorna

Again showing that our clients can win at both sides of the selling and buying equation, hear from John and Lorna as they take a break from packing up their home in readiness for their move. 
Replica Victorian Style Home

Replica Victorian Style Home

Victorian houses were built to last and highly sought after. They are described as romantic and delicate. The classic look, the shapes, the simple lines – Victorian homes have character and soul. The high ceilings, beautiful big cornices, the fireplace, the...
Tommy and Pam

Tommy and Pam

We chat with Tommy and Pam, after their successful sale in Noorat, and purchase in Terang. Once a buyer was found for their property, all efforts turned to finding their next home, including a “wanted ad” on our website  which was shared on our Facebook...
Should you take out Lenders Mortgage Insurance?

Should you take out Lenders Mortgage Insurance?

What is Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) and should you have it? Actually, that’s kind of a trick question, since it is not your choice, and it is not for your protection! Lenders’ mortgage insurance protects your lender in the unfortunate event of you...
Open house or open slather?

Open house or open slather?

Yes, the following video is simply a TV comedy skit from “The Chaser’s War on Everything”.  However, it does bring to light a legitimate concern regarding open inspections, that of security.  With only one or two agents present, and potentially...
How septic systems work

How septic systems work

Recently, while showing a buyer around a property in one of our Western district townships, I was asked a technical, yet fairly elementary, question about the workings of the septic system.  Quite frankly, I should have known the answer, but didn’t! I dutifully...
Bread and Butter

Bread and Butter

Bread and butter”, as defined online by www.thefreedictionary.com, can mean: bread and butter 1. The essential, sustaining element, as in The quality of the schools is the bread and butter of town property values. This idiom alludes to a basic food, bread spread...
The winners and losers in all markets

The winners and losers in all markets

Written by Peter O’Malley. There is a simplistic thought pattern that rising property markets are good and falling markets are bad. Supporting the point, transaction volumes historically increase in rising markets and decrease in falling markets. These...
Pea Soup Paradise

Pea Soup Paradise

On a drive through Port Fairy and along Ocean Drive and Port Fairy’s South Beach on one of the magnificent days of warm weather we have experienced in the south-west over the last 7 days, I was compelled to stop the car and stroll down across the white sand...
Lifestyle meets farming, rural tree/sea change

Lifestyle meets farming, rural tree/sea change

1545 GELLIBRAND RIVER ROAD, CHAPPLE VALE It is not very often that we have the pleasure of presenting the marketplace with such a spectacular property offering the genuine options of lifestyle and rural pursuit.  The current owner has simply enjoyed over 2 decades...
Buying a Renovator…

Buying a Renovator…

There are many reasons someone will buy a home that needs some TLC or work done to it – it allows you to put your own personal stamp on the character of the property; it is more economical or it may be a “flipper” that you can do up and sell for a profit in a short...
‘Open for Buyers’ Means an Open Agency

‘Open for Buyers’ Means an Open Agency

If you hire a real estate agent to sell your property, you have every right to expect him or her to work hard for you. You also should expect the same from the salesperson’s agency. Nobody expects anybody to work seven days a week, but just because a salesperson has...
Conveyancing Conversation

Conveyancing Conversation

Peter O’Malley sits down with Paul Denny of Paul Denny Conveyancing who shares 39 years of experience and advice for people buying and selling property.  This extremely insightful interview also highlights how the relationship between a vendor’s real...
Abolishing stamp duty for first home buyers

Abolishing stamp duty for first home buyers

About this initiative From 1 July 2017, first home buyers purchasing properties valued below $600,000 will be exempt from paying stamp duty. Further, first home purchases valued between $600,000 and $750,000 will receive a concession applied on a sliding scale. It...
Do Real Estate Agents have a conflict of interest?

Do Real Estate Agents have a conflict of interest?

A common perception I often hear is that Real Estate agents have a conflict of interest, as their customers are both buyers and sellers, with seemingly opposing objectives.  Buyers want to buy as cheap as they can, while sellers want as much money as they can get....
Don’t take our word for it!

Don’t take our word for it!

In the world of business, the noise of companies spruiking their wares, and why they are the best fit for you, can be very loud, crowded, and confusing.  It all sounds good.  And if only it were all true. But what says a heck of a lot more about a company is not what...
“Great Job!”

“Great Job!”

Peter discusses his recent successful sale, which was purchased a generation earlier through Wilson Real Estate, and now sold by the next generation of Wilsons.  This is what serving the local community for over 4 decades is all about!
Open houses: The lazy real estate tactic

Open houses: The lazy real estate tactic

Many in the real estate industry speak highly of open homes. This tactic has become so common that many sellers are under the impression that open homes are the only way to sell a property. What many people are unaware of is that open homes typically have more...
Real Estate for sale – on the quiet.

Real Estate for sale – on the quiet.

We have several properties for sale that you may not be aware of – because for one reason or another, there is little to no outward specific marketing associated with them.  You won’t find a sign out the front, nor will you see them feature on any website...
The Pricing Game

The Pricing Game

It wasn’t so long ago, when a homeowner decided to sell their property the agent would advertise it for the agreed price. The price was set by the agent in consultation with the homeowner. The advertised price was simply the price the owner wanted. It was...
Flipping houses – What you need to know

Flipping houses – What you need to know

Buy a house, renovate and sell quickly for a substantial profit – it’s not hard to see why flipping houses seems like an attractive venture. House flipping certainly isn’t a new concept, with shows such as the The Block making it appear like an easy, glamorous way to...
What is equity and how can it benefit me?

What is equity and how can it benefit me?

Simply put, home equity refers to the difference between the market value of your property and how much is still owing. Equity is the unencumbered interest an owner has in a property. For example, if your property was worth $500,000, and you still owed $400,000 on...
Why you should consider rentvesting

Why you should consider rentvesting

Eager to enter the property market but can’t afford to buy where you want to live? It might be time to consider rentvesting. With headlines in the media often touting rising living costs and housing unaffordability, it is no surprise that many young people feel like...
Home Safety Tip – Do you have a fire extinguisher?

Home Safety Tip – Do you have a fire extinguisher?

There has been much talk about ensuring that your property is adequately fitted with smoke alarms (and is law in many states), but what would you do if a fire did occur? Investing in a fire extinguisher can help protect your property in the event of a fire. Following...
Purchasing off-the-plan?

Purchasing off-the-plan?

Three things you need to know before purchasing an off-the-plan development as an investment property. Many investors gravitate towards purchasing off-the-plan developments due to the perceived benefit they offer. Off-the-plan developments are often marketed as an...
Open 7 days – Benefits in action

Open 7 days – Benefits in action

Hear from 2 delighted clients, Glen and Julie, buyer and seller of 72 Kerr Street, Mortlake. Sold within a week, with all the action happening on a Saturday afternoon and Sunday, when Wilson Real Estate are open for business, and the others are closed!
40+ Years of Wilsons

40+ Years of Wilsons

In 1976 real estate agency Mark Wilson and Associates began trading in Warrnambool. The business strategy of putting the customer’s best interests ahead of their own has assisted in the longevity and success of this family owned and operated real estate agency. 40+...
Property investing tips

Property investing tips

5 MISTAKES TO AVOID WHEN INVESTING IN PROPERTY: 1.     Not doing your research. When purchasing an investment property, it’s important to do your research about the location, local amenities, rental yields, vacancy rates and the property itself. While it may not...
Inspection Etiquette

Inspection Etiquette

Much has been written about the pros and cons of Open Inspections versus taking individual buyers through properties by way of personal inspection with the agent. Without opening up a can of worms, the salesperson in me favours personal inspection because it is a...
Is this the one for me?

Is this the one for me?

Knowing when to move on the right property. Written by Peter O’Malley. Buying a home is one of the most important and largest financial decisions that you are likely to make. Getting it right will result in years of security and happiness from your home. As...
Our latest happy buyers

Our latest happy buyers

Ashleigh Porter and Ben Martin are our latest happy purchasers – having just bought a block of land in Koroit with the assistance of Percy Eccles, we wish them all the best with their plans for the future!
5 Tips For First Home Buyers

5 Tips For First Home Buyers

Buying your first home can be daunting – both financially and emotionally. It’s likely to be one of the biggest investments you’ll make, so the team at Wilson Real Estate have compiled their top 5 tips to guide you. Start saving now House deposits can take a while to...