Advisor ContributionWe’ve all dreamt about the day we can finally retire from the workforce. However, have you ever stopped to think about what it would really be like? What you would do every day? How you would structure your time? As financial advisers, we spend so much of our time educating and planning the financial aspects of our clients’ lives but have you ever stopped and considered the mental and psychological aspects? Retirement’s emotional aspects are not as frequently mentioned as its financial aspects. Financial Advisor, Christina Tran discusses the difficulties associated with retirement and what you can do to avoid a negative experience.How can retirement be stressful?Many of us spend years picturing our ideal retirement— travelling the world, spending time with family and friends, pursuing hobbies such as painting, gardening, cooking, playing golf, or fishing or simply enjoying the freedom to relax and take things easy for a change. But while we tend to give lots of thought to planning for the financial aspects of retirement, we often overlook the psychological impact of retiring from work.Initially, escaping the daily grind and a long commute, workplace politics, or a difficult boss, for example, can seem like a huge relief. However, many new retirees find that after a few months the novelty of being on “permanent vacation” starts to wear off. You may miss the sense of identity, meaning, and purpose that came with your job, the structure it gave your days or the social aspect of having co-workers. Instead of feeling free, relaxed, and fulfilled, you feel bored, aimless, and isolated. You may grieve the loss of your old life, feel stressed about how you’re going to fill your days, or worried about the challenges of spending 24/7 with your partner. Some new retirees even experience mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.The transition to retirement can be broken down into 5 stages:Stage 1: Pre-retirement – 5-10 years before you retire when many people shift their focus from levelling up their careers to focusing on financial planning for their retirementStage 2: The honeymoon phase – Once you have finally retired, there may be feelings of excitement and relief from being free from the stressors of the working worldStage 3: Disenchantment – The emotional high and excitement may begin to wear off and many people may begin to feel lonely, bored or purposelessStage 4: Re-orientation – This is when you start to redefine your purpose and establish who you are without your job. This is the time to find hobbies that ignite your spark, pursue a passion, volunteer, look after grandchildren or try new activitiesStage 5: Stability – The final stage of retirement is when you feel content and positive about your newfound life. You may feel settled in a new routine and spend time doing things that make you feel fulfilled with a new sense of purpose and identityThe truth is that no matter how much you’ve been looking forward to it, retiring from work is a major life change that can bring stress as well as benefits. There are steps you can take to cope with the common challenges of retirement.The challenges of retirementWhatever your circumstances, ending your working life changes things—some for the better, others in unexpected or even difficult ways. If your job was physically draining, unfulfilling, or left you feeling burned out, for example, retiring can feel like a burden has been lifted. But if you enjoyed your work, found it gratifying, and built your social life around your career, retirement can present challenges. Things can be especially tough if you were forced to retire before you felt ready or have health issues that limit what you’re now able to do.These are some of the most common challenges new retirees face:Struggling to ‘switch off’ from work mode and relaxFeeling anxious about having more time on your hands but less money to spendFinding it difficult to fill the extra hours with meaningful activityLosing your identity – who are you as an individual now that you are no longer a teacher, doctor, electrician, engineer etc (many of us define ourselves by what we do for a living)Feeling isolated without the social interaction of being around your co-workersExperiencing a decline in how useful, important or self-confident you feelAdjusting your routine or maintaining your independence now that you’re at home with your partner during the dayFeeling anxious and worried about financial uncertainty (can I afford to eat at a nice restaurant, will I eventually run out of money?)Whatever your challenges may be, these are some tips to help you ease the transition, reduce stress and anxiety and find new meaning and purpose in life:Expect to go through stages of emotions – understand and accept that it will take time to adjust – it is important to allow yourself to experience a wide range of emotions and find healthy ways to deal with them (yoga, exercise, reading, socialising etc)Structure your days – while your days don’t need to be rigid, having a set wake-up time and routine can help you feel more normal now that you are no longer in the work-grindSet small goals – think about what goals you might want to achieve in the first month, six months or year that you’ve been retired and write them down. Do you want to lose weight, travel overseas, or finish 5 books? The sky’s the limit – setting goals gives you a sense of purpose and something to strive towards and keeps you moving forwardGrow your friendships – Now that you are no longer socialising through work, there is a significant risk of becoming isolated during retirement. Schedule regular catch-ups with different friends or join a local community group with like-mind individuals who share similar hobbies or interestsConsider a casual job – who says retirement means leaving the workforce forever? Consider a less-stressful casual job that you enjoy or find meaningful. Research shows this has many benefits, not just financial but mentally and physically as wellCreate a new budget – retirement is a good time to reconsider your spending now that your priorities have changed. Maybe you cut back on spending so much on clothes but spend more on memberships or entertainmentSchedule volunteering days – many retirees find volunteering for charitable causes not only boosts their psychological well-being but can also improve their cardiovascular health and lower the risk of hypertension. Getting out and doing things for your community keeps you engaged and driven as opposed to staying at home thinking and worrying about things you can’t controlGive yourself the flexibility to figure it out – give yourself time to experiment and figure it out. You may not have all the answers right away and that’s ok. The joy of retirement is that you’ll have plenty of opportunities to experiment and design the type of day and the kind of life you want to liveWhether you’re already retired and struggling with the change, planning to make the transition soon, or facing a forced or early retirement, there are healthy ways to adjust to this new chapter in your life and ensure your retirement is both happy and rewarding. No matter your own personal challenges, you can trust that the advisers at Catapult Wealth will be with you every step of the way.Contact UsP: (08) 8172 9111F: (08) 8333 1932E: [email protected]: 39 Charles Street, Norwood SA 5067

Advisor ContributionStepparenting is tricky. It can feel like parenting with one hand tied behind your back, or trying to live with people who operate based on different values. I've navigated significant challenge within my family, and I speak to many stepmums struggling with situations that range from delicate, tense, baffling, to downright stressful. With the added complexity of a blended family history - featuring the loss of the first family - navigating children's challenging behaviours can feature an added layer of difficulty due to complexity and different co-parenting perspectives. I offer a few thoughts here that I've learnt from my 8+ years of stepmotherhood. They are by no means a silver bullet, but I hope they provide insight lenses through which to consider and support your family dynamic. SAFETY AND CONNECTION Challenging behaviour is a big issue of concern in many blended families. Figuring out what is really going on within a child's world, beneath the challenging behaviour, requires an environment of trust, safety and connection. A book that provides helpful lenses to explore this is Brain Body Parenting by Mona Delahooke. A poignant question to ponder as offered by trauma expert Gabor Mate, is - how did you really experience your childhood? Did you feel safe, seen and soothed?  Upon reflection, many adults realise they had not received adequate emotional nurturing in their childhood, and from that place, it can be incredibly difficult to provide connected parenting to our children, especially in challenging situations. Without sufficient self-awareness and regulation, it's easy for parents to react to emotional triggers and make our children the problem, bringing shame and blame in our communication, rather than sturdy leadership and support. I encourage women to see motherhood and stepmotherhood as a portal to healing and growth, an opportunity to meet the parts of ourselves that need more nurture, in order to mature into adults who can better meet the emotional needs of our children. Seeking support for the healing journey has been life changing for me and has increased my capacity to live a more authentic and connected life. In the journey, I have examined my perfectionism, recovered my emotional range, learnt to develop more self-compassion, emotional intelligence and flexibility. Don’t be afraid to seek support! Your children and stepchildren are important, and so are you. You deserve unconditional love, support and acceptance – and it is a profound journey to learn to reparent ourselves in that way.  OPENNESS AND CURIOSITY Blended dynamics are sometimes sensitive and thorny. Stepmums often find themselves in primary caregiver roles yet without the established bond and authority to effectively correct problematic behaviour.              It is ideal for all coparents to be able to work together in the best interests of the child, but in many situations, this is difficult to achieve. The rift can be huge, and is what led to divorce in the first place. This means that addressing challenging behaviour in your home often requires creative problem solving. I’m not suggesting this is easy, just that it is an ongoing exploration to be navigated gently and with self compassion. Keep in mind as well, that if this is your first experience of parenting, every new developmental phase your stepchild goes through is something everyone is navigating for the very first time. It is helpful to maintain the curious posture of a student, an explorer. Questions I ask myself when responding to challenges include: What is my outcome here? What actions will achieve my outcome, and when is the right timing? What is my stepchild really needing in order to come on board? Where are they struggling? Will my communication trigger more shame, or inspire and equip them to do better? There are many scenarios where parents find their child struggling to work with expectations, “firm boundaries” and consequences. This can be especially true for kids with neurodivergence or who have been through significant trauma. We have found Dr Ross Greene’s work (and “The B Team” Facebook group) incredibly helpful in this regard. His method, Collaborative and Proactive Solutions (CPS) is a non- punitive, skill building communication model based on empathy, collaboration, listening and respect. It provides helpful lenses to view challenging behaviour. The theme is, kids do well when they can, and that if we can correctly identify the unsolved problems and lagging skills they are struggling with, we are better equipped to help. Dr Greene’s Plan B approach to problem solving helps us to approach our child’s struggles with openness and curiosity. FACING INTO CHALLENGE Many parents and stepparents are doing their best to support their children amidst challenging realities. Sometimes it can be difficult to stay regulated due to demanding occupations, the mental load, state of our nervous and sensory system, competing priorities, and our own childhood. To stepparents who are in the trenches and feeling the difficulty of the task, take heart - love is never wasted. Any investment we make in raising the next generation is helping to create our shared future.Jasmine Yow is a stepmum coach living in Goolwa, SA. She supports childless stepmums navigating the transition into biological motherhood. She helps them unravel their complex feelings and develop their capacity to create a more cohesive family culture amidst the complexities of blended life. Her kids are 13, 5 and 3. Stepmum CoachHelping Stepmums and Mums Thrivewww.facebook.com/groups/stepmum.to.mumInstagram: @jasmineyow [email protected] | 0430 043 215 

Advisor ContributionLabor’s third Budget was widely expected to focus on cost of living. This was delivered in the form of energy bill relief for all households, along with Stage three tax cuts that had already been legislated.Social security proposals included freezing deeming rates at their current levels for a further 12 months, increases to Commonwealth Rent Assistance, and more flexibility for Carer Payment recipients.Super was largely left unchanged although the Treasurer announced plans for eligible parents to receive 12 per cent super on of their government-funded Paid Parental Leave. For small businesses, the government announced it would extend the $20,000 small business instant asset write-off by 12 months until 30 June 2025.Cost of living measuresEnergy Bill Relief Fund – extension and expansionFrom 1 July 2024The Government has announced it will provide a non-means tested $300 energy bill rebate to all Australian households to offset energy bills in the 2024-25 year. The rebate will provide cost of living relief and will be automatically applied to a household’s electricity bills in quarterly instalments. It’s expected that more than ten million households will receive this energy bill rebate.The Government also announced a $325 rebate for eligible small businesses. Please refer to energy bill relief for small business section for details.SuperannuationPaying super on Government-funded Paid Parental LeaveFrom 1 July 2025In recognition of the important contribution that parents make, the Government has announced that, subject to the passage of legislation, it will pay super on the Government funded Paid Parental Leave for babies born or adopted on or after 1 July 2025.Eligible parents will receive an additional 12% of their Government-funded Paid Parental Leave as a contribution to their superannuation fund.Payday superFrom 1 July 2026As part of the Government’s workplace relations agenda, funding was provided to boost workplace productivity including supporting workplaces to implement policy changes such as the introduction of payday superannuation.Payday superannuation was previously announced in the 2023-24 Federal Budget, requiring employers to pay their employees’ SG entitlements at the same time as their salary and wages. Currently, employers are required to pay their employees’ superannuation guarantee contributions on a quarterly basis.The Government released a consultation paper on 9 October 2023 providing industry and stakeholders an opportunity to provide input on implementing payday superannuation as well as a redesigned compliance framework to encourage employers to pay their super as close as possible to payday.Personal taxationStage 3 tax cutsFrom 1 July 2024The already legislated Stage 3 tax cuts make changes to personal income tax rates and thresholds from the 2024/25 financial year, resulting in tax savings for all taxpayers.The Stage 3 tax cuts will make the following changes from 2024/25:• reduce the 19% tax rate to 16%• reduce the 32.5% tax rate to 30%• increase the 37% tax rate threshold from $120,000 to $135,000• increase the 45% tax rate threshold from $180,000 to $190,000Increasing the Medicare levy low-income thresholdsFrom 1 July 2023The Government has increased the Medicare levy low-income thresholds for singles, families, and seniors and pensioners from 1 July 2023 to provide cost-of-living relief. The increase to the thresholds ensures that low income individuals continue to be exempt from paying the Medicare levy or pay a reduced levy rate.Strengthening the foreign resident capital gains tax regimeFrom 1 July 2025The Government has announced it intends to strengthen the foreign resident capital gains tax (CGT) regime to ensure foreign residents pay their fair share of tax in Australia.The amendments will apply to CGT events commencing on or after 1 July 2025 to:• clarify and broaden the types of assets that foreign residents are subject to CGT on• amend the point-in-time principal asset test to a 365-day testing period• require foreign residents disposing of shares and other membership interests exceeding $20 million in value to notify the ATO, prior to the transaction being executed.The Government stated these measures will ensure that Australia can tax foreign residents on direct and indirect sales of assets with a close economic connection to Australian land, more in line with the tax treatment that already applies to Australian residents.The new ATO notification process will improve oversight and compliance with the foreign resident CGT withholding rules, where a vendor self-assesses their sale is not taxable real property.These reforms will also improve certainty for foreign investors by aligning Australia’s tax law for foreign resident capital gains more closely with OECD standards and international best practice.The Government will consult on the implementation details of the measure.Business taxationSmall Business Support – $20,000 instant asset write-offExtended to 30 June 2025The Government has announced it will continue to improve cash flow and reduce compliance costs for small businesses by extending the $20,000 small business instant asset write-off by a further 12 months until 30 June 2025.This measure was previously announced as part of the 2023-24 Federal Budget in relation to the 2023-24 income year. The Treasury Laws Amendment (Support for Small Business and Charities and Other Measures) Bill 2023 containing this measure for the 2023–24 income year is currently before Parliament and is yet to become law.Under these rules, small businesses with aggregated annual turnover of less than $10 million will continue to be able to immediately deduct the full cost of eligible assets costing less than $20,000 that are first used or installed ready for use between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2025. The Government also confirmed the $20,000 asset threshold will continue to apply on a per asset basis, allowing small businesses to instantly write off multiple assets.Further, assets valued at $20,000 or more (which cannot be immediately deducted) can continue to be placed into the small business simplified depreciation pool and depreciated at 15 per cent in the first income year and 30 per cent each income year thereafter.In addition, the Government confirmed the provisions that prevent small businesses from re-entering the simplified depreciation regime for five years if they opt-out will continue to be suspended until 30 June 2025.Energy bill relief for small businessesFrom 1 July 2024The Government announced it will provide direct energy bill relief for small businesses. The Energy Bill Relief Fund will provide energy rebates to approximately one million businesses on small customer electricity plans to help cover their electricity bills. The government will provide additional energy bill relief of $325 to eligible small business in 2024-25.The Government says the rebates will automatically be applied to electricity bills and will be rolled out in quarterly instalments.Social securityDeeming rates from 1 July 2024From 1 July 2024The Government announced it will freeze the social security deeming rates at their current levels for a further 12 months until 30 June 2025.The deeming rates have been frozen at 0.25% and 2.25%, to help pensioners ‘keep more in their pockets’ during the cost of living increases caused by COVID. The deeming rate freeze was due to end on 30 June 2024.The Government said freezing deeming rates for a further 12 months was to support Age Pensioners and other income support recipients who rely on income from deemed financial investments, as well as their payment, to manage cost of living pressures.Increasing the maximum rates of Commonwealth Rent AssistanceFrom 20 September 2024The Government has announced it will increase the maximum rate of Commonwealth Rent Assistance by 10 per cent from 20 September 2024 to help address rental affordability challenges for recipients.This builds on the 15% increase in September 2023 and will take maximum rates over 40% higher than in May 2022 – a combined result of indexation and the actions of Government.Higher Rate of JobSeeker Payment – Partial Capacity to WorkFrom 20 September 2024The Government has announced that from 20 September 2024, it will extend eligibility for the existing higher rate of JobSeeker Payment to single recipients with a partial capacity to work of between zero and 14 hours per week.Increased flexibility for Carer Payment recipientsFrom 20 March 2025The Government has announced funding to support Carer Payment recipients through increased flexibility to undertake work, study and volunteering activities.CFS | Adviser use only 9From 20 March 2025, the existing 25 hour per week participation limit for Carer Payment recipients will be amended to 100 hours over four weeks. The participation limit will no longer capture study, volunteering activities and travel time and will only apply to employment.The Government has also announced that Carer Payment recipients who exceed the participation limit or their allowable temporary cessation of care days, will have their payments suspended for up to six months instead of cancelled. Recipients will also be able to use single temporary cessation of care days where they exceed the participation limit, rather than the current seven day minimum.Services Australia – additional resourcingFrom 1 July 2023The Government has announced it will provide additional funding to improve the way Services Australia delivers services to the Australian community. This includes funding for additional frontline staff:• to help stabilise Services Australia claims backlogs and service standards• to enhance safety and security at Services Australia centres• to continue emergency response capability and• to improve the cyber security environment.This measure also includes funding to sustain and enhance the myGov platform and ensure the continued development of its capability.Aged careImproving Aged Care Support1 July 2025The Government has announced it will defer the commencement of the new Aged Care Act to 1 July 2025.In addition, the Government has announced it will provide funding over five years from 2023–24 to deliver a range of key aged care reforms and to continue to implement the recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. These measures are proposed to include:• the release of 24,100 additional home care packages in 2024–25• changes to increase the regulatory capability of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission and to implement a new aged care regulatory framework from 1 July 2025• additional funding to attract and retain aged care workers and improve the outcomes for people receiving aged care services through existing aged care workforce programs• investment to reduce wait times for the My Aged Care Contact Centre due to increased demand and service complexity• money to extend the Home Care Workforce Support Program for an additional three years to facilitate the growth of the care and support workforce in thin markets.OtherReducing indexation of student debtFrom 1 June 2023In response to the Australian Universities Accord, the Government will cap the HELP indexation rate to be the lower of either the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or the Wage Price Index (WPI) with effect from 1 June 2023.The Government will backdate this relief to all HELP, VET Student Loan, Australian Apprenticeship Support Loan and other student support loan accounts that existed on 1 June last year.This will benefit all Australians with a HELP debt, fixing the issue of last year’s spike in the CPI indexation rate of 7.1 per cent and preventing growth in debt from outpacing wages in the future.The 2023 indexation rate based on WPI would only have been 3.2 per cent.An individual with an average HELP debt of $26,500 will see around $1,200 wiped from their outstanding HELP loans this year, pending the passage of legislation.Securing cheaper medicinesFrom 1 July 2024As part of a range of measures aimed at reducing the cost of medicines, the Government has announced a one-year freeze on the maximum Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) patient co-payment for everyone with a Medicare card and a five-year freeze for pensioners and other concession cardholders.This change means that no pensioner or concession card holder will pay more than $7.70 (plus any applicable manufacturer premiums) for up to five years.Measures expected to be covered but no announcements made in this BudgetNo announcement to allow legacy complying income stream products to be commutedIn the 2021/22 Federal Budget, the previous government proposed a two-year window to commute and roll the capital supporting certain complying income streams (including reserves) back into a super account in accumulation phase, allowing the member to then decide whether to commence an account-based pension, take a lump sum benefit, or retain the balance in the accumulation account.CFS | Adviser use only 11The measure was proposed to affect:• market-linked income streams (otherwise known as Term Allocated Pensions),• complying life expectancy income streams, and• complying lifetime income streams (excluding APRA-regulated fund lifetime defined benefit pensions) that were originally commenced prior to 20 September 2007.The measure is still not legislated and there was no further announcement tonight in this budget.No further announcements about Division 296 taxThe Treasury Laws Amendment (Better Targeted Superannuation Concessions and Other Measures) Bill 2023 containing the Division 296 tax measures is still before House of Representatives. The proposed method to calculate earnings and its effect of taxing unrealised capital gains have been controversial. However, a recent Senate committee report has recommended it be passed unchanged.The Government has made no further announcement about Division 296 tax in tonight’s budget.No announcement on relaxing residency requirements for small super fundsThe former Government announced plans in the May 2021 Federal Budget to relax the residency requirements for SMSFs by extending the central management and control test (safe harbour rule for temporary absences) from 2 to 5 years and removing the active member test.The Government made no further announcements regarding this measure.No announcement to modernise individual tax residency rulesThe former Government announced in the May 2021 Federal Budget that it intended to replace the individual tax residency rules with a new, modernised framework based on the Board of Taxation’s recommendation. The new framework will be easier to understand and apply in practice. It is designed to deliver greater certainty and lower compliance costs for globally mobile individuals and their employers.The Government released a consultation paper on modernising individual tax residence in July 2023. The consultation process was finalised in September 2023; however, the Government made no further announcement about this measure in tonight’s Budget.Tony CattDIRECTOR - Catapult WealthWith over two decades of experience in the finance industry, Tony has seen many changes in the markets. Tony has a background in accounting, research, stockbroking and financial planning which allows him to provide a broad range of advice to his clients on different stages of their life. Tony has significant experience in lecturing and seminars, providing help to Regional Skill Training (RST), the Australian Shareholders Association (ASA), regional TAFE and the ASX investor hours for over a decade.After marrying into a farming family, Tony decided to provide more help to family businesses in South Australia. Succession planning, retirement planning, education of the next generation and protection of wealth are major issues that have been identified.Tony is ideally skilled to help families and as a specialist Self-Managed Super Fund adviser, Tony has the ability to transition clients into retirement with cost effective, tailored retirement solutions.Keep it simple is our main approach and we ensure that you understand every facet of how your money is invested.QUALIFICATIONS INCLUDE:Bachelor of Commerce (Adelaide University)Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance (Kaplan)Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning (Kaplan)Fellow of FINSIAContact UsP: (08) 8172 9111F: (08) 8333 1932E: [email protected]McLaren Vale233 Main RoadMcLaren Vale SA 5171

Interesting Facts that most Agents do not talk about, and vendors and Purchasers do not know. 1 If you are buying from an agent and the agent tells you that you have to sell with them to enable a contract to go through is just not true, in fact it is a conflict of interest for that agent to sell a purchasers property under the Act Section 24F. They can if the agent gets a Warning Notice for Purchasers, Form R6 signed which tells you it is a conflict of interest and that you understand this and under the act and you must sign the warning notice. This means that you do not have to sell with the agent selling the other property in fact it is considered an offence under the act.2 A contract is an agreement between Vendors and Purchasers on Price, Conditions and Timeframes. It locks in the vendor/s only, as vendors they do not have cooling off rights. The purchaser is not locked into the contract until they are served the Form 1 with all the information about the property through searches and a vendor statement. Cooling off finishes two clear business days after the Form 1 is served to the purchaser. Cooling off does not start from signing of the contract.3 Deposits on a contract are negotiable. They should normally be 10% but all deposit amounts can be negotiated with the vendors as part of the contract. It is the agent’s job to facilitate this.4 Under quoting is a common tactic used by agents to get lots of interest on the property to try to achieve the highest price. The issue will be when we the market slows down. In all Sales Agency Agreements, there is a single figure vendor price that should always be the price a vendor is prepared to accept. Telling vendors to put this figure lower to get activity at the beginning of a campaign is dishonest. An agent should verify their Agents Price with realistic comparative sales. Vendor Price is your price not the agents to manipulate the market.5 I have advised this before, but it is a good time to remind everyone. You as the vendor determine the length of an agency it can be from 1 day to 90 days maximum. If you have an agent, tell you they have a buyer, welcome them but give them a limited time agency, ie. Two weeks to get you a contract that is acceptable to you. Be aware competition on your property drives your price higher. A single offer prior to going to the full market may not achieve this. Any questions give me a call at anytime. Roger SmithOver 17 Years as an AgentExtensive knowledge of the Fleurieu PennisulaAvid GolferHusband to Deb, Father to Amy 10 & Charlie 9Monster Car Enthusiastic 

Welcome to our latest update, where we dive into the vibrant world of real estate on the stunning Fleurieu Peninsula. Amidst the challenges of the past year, the property market here has not only weathered the storm but thrived, reflecting the enduring appeal of this picturesque coastal region. It seems that South Australians are still returning back to their roots, drawn by the allure of the Fleurieu Peninsula. Whether it's for retirement bliss or the newfound flexibility of working remotely, professionals and families alike are rediscovering the joys of coastal living. The influx of returning locals, alongside a wave of younger families investing in holiday homes, has reshaped the demographic landscape, injecting fresh energy into the community. One of the defining features of the Fleurieu property market is its fast pace. Desirable properties fly off the shelves, with low stock levels driving competition among eager buyers. While fixer-uppers may take a bit longer to find their match, the overall trend is clear – if you spot your dream home, you better act fast! Like anywhere else, fluctuations in interest rates have left their mark on the market. However, the prevailing sentiment suggests stability or even potential rate reductions on the horizon, keeping the wheels of the property market turning and inquiries flowing. For those looking to dip their toes into the property market waters, seasoned advice is worth its weight in gold. Listening to the wisdom of experienced agents is key, as they help navigate the ebbs and flows of the market. While off-market sales might seem like a shortcut, they often come at the expense of maximizing your property's value – a conversation worth having with your trusted advisor. As the Fleurieu Peninsula continues to grow and evolve, so too does its infrastructure. From new shops to medical centres, the landscape is changing to meet the needs of residents old and new. With growth projections on the rise, it's clear that larger infrastructure changes are on the horizon, shaping the future of the region. For sellers, now is a prime time to make your move, with demand high and competition being strong. Meanwhile, buyers can find their slice of paradise with the help of Elders' expert sales staff stationed across the Fleurieu Peninsula. Whether you're eyeing Victor Harbor, Willunga, Strathalbyn, Normanville, or beyond, Elders Fleurieu, Hills, and Vales are here to make your property dreams a reality. In conclusion, the Fleurieu Peninsula property market is a bustling hub of activity, fuelled by a potent mix of demand, limited supply, and boundless natural beauty. Whether you're in the market to buy or sell, seizing the moment with expert guidance ensures a smooth journey in this exciting real estate landscape.Roger SmithOver 17 Years as an AgentExtensive knowledge of the Fleurieu PennisulaAvid GolferHusband to Deb, Father to Amy 10 & Charlie 9Monster Car Enthusiastic 

In reference to the REISA produced Panorama insight into the September Quarter South Australian Property Market Update the following figures are presented. Interesting figures for the State House Market moved by 2.4% up for the quarter and 12month change 11.11% up. The figures for Victor Harbor House Market moved by 8.81% up for the quarter and 12month change 15.88% up. Have interest rate rises impact the market in the area? I would say yes, in the urgency to purchase side, it has slowed slightly. Volume of properties have increased slightly but sales are keeping up with the number of properties listed. Pre release sales, “off market” are being advertised as a way to sell by some agents but I still believe properties need to go to market to achieve the best price as we are still in a market that is showing solid growth. Rental properties are still in high demand so investors are still buying properties in our lower price ranges. We are seeing an increase in activity through the holiday home market as the temperatures start to rise. Middleton, Goolwa Beach, Hindmarsh Island Port Elliot and all the Victor Suburbs hvae had an increase in numbers to open inspection for lifestyle and holiday homes. In in all, I believe we will have a great summer and the market is staying strong which is good for all our home owners. Roger SmithOver 17 Years as an AgentExtensive knowledge of the Fleurieu PennisulaAvid GolferHusband to Deb, Father to Amy 10 & Charlie 9Monster Car Enthusiastic 

Over the past 20 years selling in the area, I have seen many methods of sale that have been successful and unsuccessful at certain times. Auctions on the Fleurieu don’t have a high clearance rate and have only been successful for high end properties, some rural properties and perceived bargains, Mortgagee sales for example. Expressions of Interest/Tender is fine for larger farm/rural properties and some commercial properties. This method is used more as a tool to gauge the market when the market indications are broad. Private Treaty/Fixed Price/ Price Range. These methods have been used a lot over the past 20 years for normal properties on the Fleurieu. It is where the vendor indicates, through the agent what their price expectations are. Purchasers make an offer, and that offer is negotiated between the parties. The range can never be larger than 10% on residential properties. “Best Offer By” Since COVID this method has been used by a lot of agents as the market was moving at a pace where the vendors and agents did not know how high offers would go. Low stock, high demand moved the property market on the Fleurieu at a pace not seen before. Time on market shrank to only days or at the most a couple of weeks. As a result of the above activity purchasers became a focus for some agents and a large number of properties started selling off market. Is this “Good” or “Bad”. Circumstances will dictate this. An agent’s job is always to represent the Vendor/Vendors. We are not contract to service by purchasers unless we are operating as a buyer’s agent. With this in mind, the vendors needs and requirements should always be our focus to ensure we achieve the best result we can for the vendors. An example where an “off market” sale being a good thing is as follow:If the vendor has inherited a property. They are still in grief and just want the property sold with a little fuss as possible. If the agent appointed is requested to present the property to their database and achieve a good price acceptable to the vendor without going to market, then this would be an opportunity to sell “off market”. Of course, there are other reasons why an agent could sell a property off market, but it should always be at the request of the vendor/vendors. In a strong selling market, as we have at present on the Fleurieu, I would suggest always taking properties to the market. Why? When stock is low, and demand is high you will always get competing interest in the property. How much interest and at what level can only be determined by the market itself. Agents facilitate this process on behalf of the vendor to achieve the best result for the client, the Vendor/Vendors. Competition drives the market, not going to the market misses this opportunity to see what the best price achievable would be. This is what agents get paid for. Commission is paid to agents for achieving the best price possible that is acceptable to the vendors. Sometimes a quick off market sale may be exactly what the vendors want however, the majority of the time a vendors should request the property is presented to the market and expect agents to achieve the best possible price for the property. As stated above this can only be achieved by taking the house to the market. You employ and agent for their skills, market knowledge and negotiation skills and using the tools available to them through “best practice” industry standards. In my opinion “Off Market” sales are risky and may save a few dollars on marketing but could possibly miss the best possible price for your home. Give me a call anytime to discuss my comments above.Roger SmithOver 17 Years as an AgentExtensive knowledge of the Fleurieu PennisulaAvid GolferHusband to Deb, Father to Amy 10 & Charlie 9Monster Car Enthusiastic 

National property prices increased 2.3% over the first six months of 2023, signalling a shift in the housing market and reversing the declines experienced in the prior six months. Despite the better- than-expected price growth, home prices declined 0.1% over the financial year.National property prices increased by 34.9% from the start of the pandemic in March 2020 to their recent peak in March 2022, one of the fastest periods of price growth on-record. Since March 2022 when national property prices reached a peak, they have fallen by 1.9%, with the falls occurring between April and December 2022 and a rebound in prices since.Adelaide and Perth, along with regional WA, are the only regions in which home prices are currently at their peak. At the same time, home prices are furthest from their peak in Hobart (-7.2%), Canberra (-5.5%) and Melbourne (-5.2%).Projected growth for Adelaide in 2024 is between 3 – 6%Annual change in dwelling price in regional SA from June 22 to June 23 is 8.9% the highest in the countryAll data above from Corelogic Property ReportWhat does this mean for the Fleurieu region.. No genuine drop in prices. Stock levels are still low, demand is still high, so growth in the market is still strong. Time on market is between 30-45 days for properties priced correctly. Trust your agents data, evidence is important in an appraisal. The market will always dictate the price, agents can give a an accurate guide but listen to the market feedback. Our region is still in very high demand. Choose an agent you trust.Roger SmithOver 17 Years as an AgentExtensive knowledge of the Fleurieu PennisulaAvid GolferHusband to Deb, Father to Amy 10 & Charlie 9Monster Car Enthusiastic 

ABC Australia stated on 19/07/2023: Australia is on the brink of ending RBA rate hikes and an economic first: beating inflation without a recession.The “Goldilocks” outcome – not too hot or too cold, but just right – would be keeping in work most of the Australians who got into work when unemployment fell and getting on top of inflation. If we can manage that, we will have done future Australians an enormous service.Things get easier when unemployment is low. We get more likely to become more productive, because we’re less resistant to change when unemployment is less of a threat. We get in a better position to help the budget, by taking less in benefits and paying more in tax. And we become more like each other – lessening inequality.It is looking as if the Reserve Bank has the opportunity to cement low unemployment while controlling inflation. Holding off (and perhaps abandoning) future rate raises will keep it in reach. A Chief Economist for a national Real Estate brand states “that significant movements in prices are taking place across Australia. They note that prices have already risen by 3.5 percent since the beginning of this year. If this rate of growth continues, house prices are projected to reach their peak levels from 2022 within the next two months. It is worth noting that cities like Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth, and Darwin, which experienced minimal price declines last year, have already returned to peak pricing.While Adelaide demonstrates resilience in the face of economic uncertainties, some sellers are hesitant to enter the market due to concerns about potential interest rate hikes affecting their chances of a successful sale. However, it is important to recognise that these concerns are unfounded.In reality, there has been a surge in attendance at open homes, with a record number of potential buyers, and multiple offers are being received.The current market conditions undeniably favour sellers, making it an optimal time to sell your property. With low stock levels and high buyer demand, the market is classified as a "Sellers Market." It is advisable not to miss out on this advantageous timing. Waiting until Spring would result in increased competition as more properties flood the market. What does this mean for the Fleurieu. Great time to sell still but don’t wait for spring as more properties will come on the market. Results are still excellent with no sign or a reduction in prices or activity. Low stock levels mean more competitive action and strong prices. The news it not as bleak from an economical pont of view as first thought. Things are looking better. Go “Goldilocks Australia”Roger SmithOver 17 Years as an AgentExtensive knowledge of the Fleurieu PennisulaAvid GolferHusband to Deb, Father to Amy 10 & Charlie 9Monster Car Enthusiastic 

What is the process that needs to be followed to purchase a property through an agent?Firstly find a property that you wish to purchase – a good start!! Ask the agent what the process being used for the sale and the process for making offers on a specific property. This should be clear in the marketing of the property. There are four ways of selling real estate in South Australia. 1. Bid and buy at auction under auction conditions • This requires you or your proxy to bid on the day. • You have to register to bid at auction. • If you are the highest bidder at the fall of the hammer, you are the successful purchaser and will need to pay a 10% deposit unless a variation to deposit is agreed prior to auction. • Settlement on the agreed date unless a variation is approved prior to auction. 2. Private Treaty - Negotiation • This is normal way to sell with a single price or price range. • No more than a 10% range can be used and no words like “offers around” or “offers above” etc are allowed to be used. • All offers for a property can be submitted (any value and conditions) and should always be presented to vendors. • Vendors do not have to except any offer submitted without declaring a reason. • Vendors have a right to accept an offer, reject an offer or counteroffer. This process is a “treat’ process and can be in negotiation until an acceptable price is reached and the conditions of sale are agreed to by all parties. • A best and final offer process can be used to the sell a property which requires purchasers to submit their “best and final” offer when requested. • If multiple offers from different parties are presented for a property then a request for all parties to present their single best and final offer should occur. This should however, be only requested once from all parties and not turned into a “Dutch” auction. 3. Expressions of Interest • This method is used to register buyers interest in a property with indications of the price and conditions they would be prepared to present to the vendors. • There should always be a closing date and one of the above processes should be used as method of finalising the sale announced. 4. For sale by Open or Closed Tender • In this method of sale the first decision that has to be made is if it as an open or closed tender process. • An open tender is where tenders are submitted through the agent in an open tender format on or before a closing date. • A closed tender is where tenders are submitted through a secure tender box or a secure platform on or before a specific date. • The vendors are then asked to select their preferred tender and the successful party is advised. • A vendor does not have to accept any offer through this process should they wish not too. Should you ever have any questions with regards to the above contact your agent, Business SA or give us a call and we will try to assist.Roger SmithOver 17 Years as an AgentExtensive knowledge of the Fleurieu PennisulaAvid GolferHusband to Deb, Father to Amy 10 & Charlie 9Monster Car Enthusiastic 

Market UpdateAs autumn colour enchants our neighbourhoods, latest data continues to point to favourable local real estate market conditions. Regional SA and NT continued to perform well in the past quarter with a 2.4% and 0.5% increase in home values respectively. Some of our offices have noticed slightly decreased buyer enquiry, however sales volumes and days on market have remained steady in the past month throughout SA and NT. Analysts are predicting interest rates are either at the peak at 3.85% or have one more 0.25% rate increase to go before starting to drop at the end of 2023. This should bring increased confidence into the sector and points to stable second half yearly results. Agents Legal Responsibilities What should you look for in a Real Estate Agent, working out who is best to sell your property? Legally agents are required to be registered, to be registered they must have completed a minimum of a Cert IV in Real Estate Sales or a Diploma in Real Estate. All agents are required to give you a Form R1 which is a legislated form giving a guide to what is required by a Real Estate Company when signing up your property for sale. Agents can only sign your residential property up for a maximum of 90 days and then have to renew your agency if they wish to carry on selling your property. They should always do this on a Sales Agency Agreement. You can sign up an agency for 1 day, or any number of days you choose up to a maximum of 90 days. So if an agent says they have a buyer for your property you could give them a 7 day agency so they can introduce that buyer and any others they might have. If you want to buy a house and your offer is subject to the sale of your home, You do not have to sign a sales agency with that agent to sell your house. In fact the act discourages you to do this unless the agent gets you to sign a Form R6 which states they get you to declare that the agent has made you aware of the conflict of interest under the act and you waive your rights. All of regulations that where brought in under the new act in 2004 after the Rau Review into Real Estate practices ensured agents became accountable for their actions and practices, which I believe was a good thing. All the details with regards to the Form R1 to Form R7 are available on the CBS website. All real Estate Agents are now accountable and should act with integrity, honesty and work with the requirements of SA Real estate Regulations and Acts. If you ever want to talk about your rights under the act give me a call on 0407261685 for a chat.Roger SmithOver 17 Years as an AgentExtensive knowledge of the Fleurieu PennisulaAvid GolferHusband to Deb, Father to Amy 10 & Charlie 9Monster Car Enthusiastic

Market Update April What a difference a couple of months can make. The interest rate rises and the obvious impact on the financial situation of many Australians has caused our market to slow down a bit. The major impact seems to be on the numbers of people enquiring on properties. If they are priced right, we get lots of strong enquiry, but if it’s to high it just sits. Talk to your agent to get an accurate figure for the market to get excited about the property. Interesting data has come out of Core Logic with regards to regional SA regarding the March Housing Chart. Most people love talking about the real estate market and knowledge is power. It’s important to not just know what is happening in SA but also around the country. Some key take-outs for you to discuss with your agent: -             Over the past 12months no market in Australia has performed better than Regional SA, with an increase to property prices of 13.2%-             Whilst growth has slowed, Regional SA property prices still increased over the past three months by 1.6%.-             Overall, the Adelaide market decreased by 1.4% in the past 3 months. Affordable housing (representing the lowest 25% of housing), increased modestly over the last 3 months by 0.6%.-             Sales volumes have decreased by 7.4% over the past 12 months in Regional SA.-             There are 20.5% less listings on the market in Regional SA compared to this time last year.-             On Average, rents have increased in Regional SA by 7.5% in the past 12 months (12.2% in Adelaide).-             Rental yields are much stronger in Regional SA (5.2%) compared to Adelaide (4%)-             Over the past 12 months, SA was the best performing State in the Australian property market. I believe this data is reflective of what the current market is doing. We had our Monday morning catch up and the difference in activity across the Fleurieu is interesting: Normanville, Carrickalinga and Yankalilla – Still very busy at all price ranges. Rural living ridiculously busy. Willunga and Mount Compass – Residential and Rural Living properties are very busy but still dependant on price. Strathalbyn, Meadows, Macclesfield all feel like they could become the new Mount Barker.Rural living properties between Strathalbyn and Goolwa are really popular. Victor Harbor and surrounds, totally dependent on getting price right. Coastal properties still in high demand with multiple offers. Rural living still very strong. Standard residential going really well if the price is right. “Best Offers” with a genuine market Price Guide are working well. Contact the Elders Fleurieu, Hills & Vales team for an update in your area at any time.Roger SmithOver 17 Years as an AgentExtensive knowledge of the Fleurieu PennisulaAvid GolferHusband to Deb, Father to Amy 10 & Charlie 9Monster Car Enthusiastic 

The electrical retail industry in Australia has gone through a significant period of change over the last few years. The covid pandemic became the catalyst for many Australians adjusting, not necessarily by choice, how and where they spend their quality time. Families were choosing to make purchases for their homes rather than saving for the next big holiday, which started to feel more unattainable than ever. Technology has played a major part in assisting this shift in consumer behaviour. For example, 4K Televisions that can show cinema quality content are now more affordable than ever. Soundbars with Dolby Atmos technology can emulate true surround sound in the home. The abundance of streaming services, such as Netflix, Prime Video and Disney Plus, now allows Australians to have access to an unprecedented amount of content, all available at the touch of a button. While the worst of covid seems to be firmly behind us, many of the lifestyle adjustments it catalysed have stuck, with access and affordability being integral to the change.Advancements in technology are already occurring throughout the electrical retail industry. Dishwashers can detect the level of soilage on dishes and will automatically adjust the detergent dosage and water temperature to ensure the best cleaning. Fridges can use an array of sensors to carefully manage temperature, airflow, and humidity which extends the life of fresh food far beyond what was previously possible. Air conditioners can work as air purifiers to minimise allergies and can detect human presence to optimise their usage accordingly. Robotic vacuum cleaners can clean and mop your entire house while avoiding obstacles and emptying themselves when done. Brands are constantly striving for improvements in energy efficiency, resulting in the latest models almost always being more efficient, and therefore cheaper, to run than preceding models.Many innovations are designed to enhance people’s quality of life, which is particularly pertinent given our ageing demographic. Services such as Google Home allows consumers to control lights and appliances remotely from a mobile device. Google Assistant, Siri and Alexa allow users to use voice commands to make phone calls, access news and media, and search everyday information without ever needing to touch a button. These services actively learn from usage and are able to customise their responses over time to suit the user. Most importantly, all these innovations are designed to be simple and straightforward to use, so people of all walks of life can benefit from them.In the future we expect to see further technological evolution in the electrical retail industry. Expect to see fridges which can catalogue the contents so that you can be alerted of products due to expire, and your next weeks shopping list is collated automatically. Expect cooking appliances which will optimise cooking conditions and learn your preferences to ensure your food is cooked perfectly every time. Expect the appliances of the future to be feature-rich, efficient, and able to make life easier than ever before. Bronte EllendonStore Manager – Betta Home Living McLaren Vale15+ Years in retailLover of travel and live musicAvid gym enthusiast

The Property market on the Fleurieu experienced a major growth period during the Covid pandemic. This was due to the location being perfect for those wanting “out” of all the major cities around Australia.South Australians have a strong tendency to want to come home close to retirement, Covid increased this desire with the ability to work from home being a major factor. Holiday homes have become permanent homes, and part time occupancy is also common. The number of professional couples that have relocated to the area is huge. A number have their main residence here but a smaller unit or property in Adelaide or another major city. This is a definite change in demographic. Those looking to return to our coastal lifestyle, space and being close to Adelaide lifted the demand enormously.Stock levels were high pre Covid, but demand reduced the stock levels dramatically. Also the number of people leaving the region was at its lowest. Standard economics of supply and demand created a major increase in property values across the whole of the market. (Between 25 and 60%)This demand has not decreased with the government’s fiscal policy and the Reserve Banks interest rate rises.We are still seeing good numbers at properties and the average time on market has gone from over 90 days pre Covid to around 30 days at the markets peak.Prices have stabilised in recent months but demand is still high, so all properties are still competitive.All vendors looking to go to the market should always listen to their agent. The market will always determine value you just have to listen to it. Off market sales are generally detrimental to the vendors best price but that’s another conversation.All of these changes have also changed the local business market place with large companies now looking to invest in the area from a business and infrastructure point of view. Job numbers have increased, local business is seeing a boom that should no longer be seasonally impacted due to the large increase in permanent residency. Yes, it is a great time to sell, but it is also a competitive time to buy, contact myself or any of the Elders sale staff on the Fleurieu to discuss the current state of the market. We have specialists across the Fleurieu in Victor Harbor, Willunga, Strathalbyn and Normanville. Call Elders Fleurieu, Hills & Vales for all your property enquiries.Roger SmithOver 17 Years as an AgentExtensive knowledge of the Fleurieu PennisulaAvid GolferHusband to Deb, Father to Amy 10 & Charlie 9Monster Car Enthusiastic