HASKINS BLOG

I hadnt intended to blog quite this often but today's West did my head in.  I wont go near the front page real estate doom and gloom, but  further in two stories stopped me in my tracks, how can someone go from $150k a year for what appears to be six years and end up with nothing.  Is it just me or did the world stop at some stage and let me off?  Surely I cant be the only one who thought the economy could not possibly sustain that sort of boom and those earnings forever.  What would possess you not to put some money away for a rainy day especially when you have kids and please dont tell me he thought it would go on forever, surely nobody is that silly.  And then we move onto Jane Rutter taking on Brookland Valley Estate over the use of some sheet music and whilst I can understand the whole issue of copyright, maybe just maybe, the wine is popular because people like it, not because it has her sheet music on it.  Hands up those of you who associate Brookland Valley Estate wines with Jane Rutter???? I've left the whole Roberts dirty laundry alone, that's just embarassing and as for Warren Mead I never thought fish and chips were ever worth more than $15.00.  Enjoy your weekend. Valeriex

After my earlier rant, you'll be pleased to know that there is one banker, Vanessa at ING, who deserves high praise for her actions today in ensuring our First Home Buyers did settle today and did not incur penalties.  Thanks Vanessa, you are a gem and we will be sending for your DNA any day to start the cloning process.

Every day this week we have been battling with Bankers and Brokers and the incompetence and outright lies are unbelievable.  It's about time these professionals did their job properly and stopped fibbing actually I'm being nice, stopped lying and started admitting when they have stuffed up and instead of blaming others they should get on with fixing up the mess they have created.  Don't tell me about policy or missing documents or the big banks dont like brokers, I'm not really interested when the fault is yours but you dont want to accept it.  Dont get me wrong a lot of brokers and bankers do a terrific job and you know who you are and Carol and I are now devising a way to clone you, so we can remove the errant ones completely from the face of the earth.  Hmmm guess by now you have figured out how peeved I am about this, a feeling you will share if your client had to run around and get an overdraft arranged to cover the $14k grant and a $17k duty liability all because their banker hadnt lodged the FHOG application on time.  Or the banker that claimed the bank (yep that one) doesnt do bank to bank internet transfers and further told me that a Bank cheque was cleared funds and even if it wasnt why didnt I just use other money in my Trust Account to cover the balance of purchase price - I'm still having palpitations over that comment. Or the First Home Buyer who has now drained his account of savings to cover the Grant amount and is on tender hooks as I type this, waiting to confirm that FHOG has been approved so I can stamp his documents as he has no other monies left to pay his duty liability of $13k.  If it doesnt settle today they are on penalties in addition to interest on the loan they had to draw down in order to settle today and they have no money left to buy food!!  I think I'll change from the Font to the Rant as it may take some time to get passed these events, every day brings me a new pillock that I have to deal with and it's getting a tad frustrating and dont get me started on those in my own profession, had enough of those too!! aaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrgggggggghhhhhhhhhhh.....................................The Rant.

OK I'm on another rant and again because of a comment by a Banker who when advised Settlement would be delayed if the FHOG approval was not received today, simply replied "They have three days grace".  So what!!!!!!!!!!  The Buyer's want to move in, the Sellers want their money and they want this to happen on the 23rd, they dont want to use their three days grace, they want to settle.  It is not essential to use the three days grace and if everyone did what they should when they should there would be no need to use the three days grace.  When we start using the three business days as an standard settlement extension or to allow for others incompetence or failure, you have to wonder at the point of having a settlement date at all. The Rant.

Now we hear (though I'm sure it's been said before) that we are heading for a "dire housing shortage" which it appears cannot be fixed readily as our construction costs are too high.  News like this could stimulate the real estate market however we dont want to return to the price wars of the boom where prices spiralled upwards out of control at ridiculous rates.  So what's the solution?  Is it possible to provide affordable housing to all?  Who's to blame for the shortage? The Government? The developers? The builders? Let's stop the blame game isnt it time that Govt got together with all parties to create a solution that would stimulate the economy, provide jobs and housing at prices that not only provide a return for investors but are affordable.  Your thoughts please.......................Valeriex

They tell me on the radio that Melbourne property is booming - really?  In addition to ads for great investments in Melbourne we are also seeing a rise of ads for property in New Zealand - great inducements given no stamp duty or Land Tax in NZ  If things are so good in Melbourne or New Zealand why are they advt in WA? Surely if the investments were that good the Melburnians and Kiwi's would be buying them.  For me I'll leave my money in our own great State where there are lots of good buys providing you are cashed up or secure in your job. If you've invested in NZ or Interstate, share your experiences, good bad or just downright ugly................................Valerie

I'm sure by now you would have heard or read (page 4 of today's West) that as from the 1st July 2009 there will be a change to the First Home Owners Grant (FHOG) in that it will only be available to First Home Buyers who purchase a property of up to $750,000.00. In my view this change is long over due, had there been a cap on the price of the property being purchased from the beginning of this scheme it may have been possible for the Govt to increase the amount of the Grant before the you know what happened. Likewise if the Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia (also see today's West) are successful in convincing the Federal Govt to keep the Boost Grants in place for longer, a restriction on purchase price would certainly assist such a push.  First Home Buyers who may not qualify for the Grant after the 1st July 2009 need to be advised of this change and reminded that the time for taking advantage of the Boost Grant is fast running out.  Share your thoughts...............................Valerie

I know this has nothing to do with real estate but thought you might like a little light relief.  Today like every other day I drove past the Subiaco Primary School where the cross walk has been personned by two police officers for the last couple of weeks. Today the officers were in full regalia, you know the belt that contains everything including possibly a pepper spray and baton.  Both were armed with guns, one strapped to the upper thigh.  Honestly I've seen the parents that drop off at that school and a nicer group of people you couldnt wish to meet, the only dangerous thing about them is the way they park and then move their urban assault vehicles into the road so why then do our police officers feel the need to arm themselves to the back teeth to assist the littlies cross the street when in the past a lolly pop person with a flag and a smile was all the security they needed?

I'm perplexed - I have a high profile, great web presence, write useful articles on a variety of subjects in a variety of mediums, I deliver papers at conferences, provide advice to all and sundry and am constantly going the extra mile, why is it then that you are not all beating a path to my door to use our superior conveyancing services? My quotes are always commensurate with the level of service we provide and whilst we know we are not the cheapest we are the best and we provide value for money.  We are exceptionally fortunate to have a very loyal and extensive client base who are more than happy to sing our praises and do so often!! I believe in doing things the right way and not the easy way, I compete on service and knowledge not on price but it just doesnt seem to be enough.  As with any business we need to continually increase our client base but what more can I do to secure new clients?  Any ideas?

Just to start the ball rolling, would all you bankers and brokers please explain to me why the word "escalate" is being used to convince me that a loan is being dealt with urgently?  The word means (according to the Penguin English Dictionary) "to increase, or cause to increase in amount, scope, intensity or seriousness".  The loan hasnt increased in amount, scope or intensity and I'd like to think that all of my client's loans are treated seriously from the beginning.  Prior to the banking profession kidnapping the word some 2 years ago it was only ever used in the context of a war, mind you if you tell me the loan has been escalated and nothing happens, I might just start a war!!  Over to you.............................  Valerie AKA The Font