Today Denise Haynes from r and r property and Lisa B talk about discrimination in real estate, (the boys clubs) how to juggle children, staff and running an office and what it’s like being in rural real estate. Denise is one of our contributing authors in the book Real Estate Agents What You Need To Know Now! I asked Denise to be a contributing author in this book as she is not only a fantastic business person, she is also an amazing real estate agent and an outstanding marketer (and mum!). Denise’s commitment to her office, her town and the residents of the area where she lives is simply remarkable. Claim your free copy of the paperback of Real Estate Agents What You Need To Know Now! click here. or buy the e-book on Amazon, click here.

R and R Property Podcast With The Real Estate Girl Denise Haynes

#19: The Boardroom Series - Denise Haynes

Firstly Denise can you tell us a little bit about your area – Regions/Councils: Our area is quite vast because we cover a number of council areas, from Port Stephens,Great Lakes & Dungog. Rural and Residential: We also work in rural and residential areas. Population: Within the town of Stroud where we have one of our offices the population is only about 700 but there is a large farmland area surrounding the town. We are the only agency with an office in Stroud, but there are numerous agencies that work within the area. Country to Coast: We are so lucky that our areas cover coastal strips through to rural so we really do get to enjoy the best of both worlds. Community: We have an amazing community that all work together and help each other out. As a business we find that our community supports us so much – it’s wonderful and we love to return that by sponsoring whatever local event or causes we can. Lots of customers make mention that they have found our community to have such a great vibe. Andrew Winter: Actually that is also something Andrew Winter from Selling Houses Australia said upon his arrival and when we featured on the Lifestyle show. He was truly amazed at the vibrant feel we had for such a rural community. We love to share the area: The team count their blessings everyday living in this area,and that’s why we love to promote it and share it with new locals whenever we can. You have an all female team and you are in a rural area.   Tell me about your experience in rural and how you are qualified to sell rural property.    Does anyone ever think you can’t do the job as well as a man?    Born & bred: I’ve grown up rural, being born and bred in this area so it comes as second nature to me but from the real estate perspective, Training: I’ve trained extensively; amongst other things I’m a licensed stock and station agent. But honestly where you learn the most is from being in the field so to speak. Experience: I started my career in Real Estate in 2004 and it was within an agency that sold rural property, from this job I acted like a sponge and soaked in all the information I possibly could. I also live on a 300 acre beef cattle farm so you learn from that too of course. Reluctance Because We’re Females? : Honestly yes we do get some buyers who initially are reluctant to deal with us regarding rural but the minute I start speaking with them they realise that I know my business. Excellent Reputation: Our vendors are well aware of our excellent reputation as rural sales agents, so they don’t hesitate. Working in Hardware: It’s similar to when I worked in my family’s hardware business – H & D Timber & Hardware in Raymond Terrace for many years. All the tradies had no hesitation in dealing with us ladies in the shop, because they knew we were knowledgable. It was the weekend warriors we had trouble with if any, but it didn’t take long to sort them out. Market Share: We are an award winning agency with a massive market share, so that doesn’t come without extensive knowledge. Sales: My rural sales over the years speak volumes! You have 2 offices now in the area,   Where are they exactly… I also want to say that I always see your new listings and sales coming through on social media – you really are going amazing. What’s your secret to success?   We have offices in Stroud and Bulahdelah Sheer hard work and determination! The support of our community who are a lovely bunch of people. Team: An amazing hardworking and passionate team who treat the business like they own it. I truly am blessed with that combination! New Team Members: I am always looking for passionate new team members to place into R & R Property whenever I can. I love seeing them thrive and create themselves a career and immense self confidence. Staff Going into their own businesses: I’ve also been blessed enough to have trained up and seen a couple of my team members gain the confidence and knowledge to go out on their own and create their own Real Estate businesses.That makes me so proud! You have become an amazing ambassador for your town like no other real estate agent I have ever seen.   What’s your inspiration?    I LOVE IT: It’s simple – I just love it! I truly never ever get sick of the beauty of the landscapes, whether they are our coastal strips or our rural rolling hills.I am a keen amateur photographer so I’m always pulling over on the side of the road to take an amazing shot that just can’t be missed! The community members are used to seeing me doing this! There she is at it again they say! My poor daughter is always like – “Muuum can we go nowwww?!?” The Crepe Myrtle Cafe: I was asked if we could supply the photography for the decorating in a local cafe with my photography. It’s like a permanent art gallery showcasing our area. Calendars: We also have our much sought after R & R Property calendars which have a different local photo for each month, all usually taken by me. We give these as gifts to our clients for Christmas each year. Social Media Photo’s: I’m in charge of all of our marketing which includes loading up all of our social media pages with beautiful lifestyle shots. Sharing the area: We really love sharing the area. We see people come from the city who are stressed out and need to escape from it. They settle in our area and then the only regret they have is that they didn’t do it sooner. It just changes their lives for the better. How can you not want to share that! You get amazing testimonials from your clients.  So amazing that someone thought that they were too good to be true didn’t they.. Can we talk briefly about that. Only because i think it’s funny.     Testimonials: Aah yes, we do get some amazing testimonials.I guess that comes from not only working really hard for people but also caring. I certainly don’t want to feel as though I have ever done the wrong thing by anybody so we always walk them through the processes and make sure we disclose absolutely everything we can about a property and ensure it’s the right decision for that customer. And whilst we don’t have a crystal ball in knowing exactly what a buyer would be prepared to pay for a property we never ever buy listings, always stating the price we think it would sell for, even if that means we miss out on the listing. Fair Trading: And yes the situation you are  referring to is where we put out a flyer with a couple of our testimonials on it and we received a letter from the Real Estate authorities to say that we were being accused of writing our own testimonials, they were just too good. Of course we were able to supply evidence that they were in fact real testimonials from real customers. You sponsor local fairs and sporting clubs – what a great way to meet people and be involved with the community.  What do you sponsor exactly and what’s involved?    Gosh there really are way too many to mention individually but we do attend our towns shows & fairs with our marquee supplying free facepainting & balloons for the littlies plus we financially sponsor the events. We sponsor our local football teams and other sporting events. We attend the Medowie markets most months and just get out and chat with our community. We recently sponsored the Seaham school fete and we sponsor the Morpeth Bulls junior rugby league teamin Port Stephens. We sponsor the local cracker night, it really is extensive. It’s about giving back to our community. We believe that the more we can assist, the stronger the community will be and the more businesses and new people to the area will come from that. You have an eye for marketing.. Do you think that’s something you were born with, or is it something you have to work on?      Creative as kid: Yes I’ve always been naturally creative, even as a little kid so I love beautiful marketing. I also find human nature fascinating, so forever trying to figure out the mystery of what works marketing wise with people and what doesn’t. Many touch points: So we use a very very wide range of marketing because I believe marketing is not a one hit wonder, it is providing many touch points. Think outside the box a lot: I love to think outside the box a lot. I’d find it very insulting if someone said we were just the same as any other agency, because I don’t think that’s true. Local photography: For example I use local photography as a marketing theme because it’s about making people aware of the life we lead here. Sure I do post on Facebook and Instagram for example our “Just Listed” and “Just sold” information but I mostly post my day to day life on the farm, in our lifestyle, at the beach etc etc. #notrafficjamshere: One photo range which is particularly popular is the #notrafficjamshere ones where I post pics of cows along our driveway, they always get a great response. Street Library: One of the other unusual marketing tools we have are our Street Libraries. So outside of each office is a little red house shaped box on a pole (somewhat like a large letterbox) that is a container for people to place the books that they have finished reading for someone else to collect and read. It’s a great talking point. I can hear people discussing it from my office and they’re fascinated by the concept. Kids especially love the idea.It works because I see the book collections changing from day to day. The Pioneer: We also have a newsletter for our area which has a local history story on the front and then real estate information on the back. We try to issue these monthly by letterbox drop but they are also printable from our website. They truly are the best marketing piece we have because I actually have people ring & complain they they never received theirs in the mail!!!! Sports Bottles: We also not only financially assist our local sports teams but we also supply them with R & R Property branded sports bottles, just as yet another touch point. Hints & Tips: We issue regular Hints & Tips about all aspects of Real Estate for Buyers & Sellers on our Facebook pages. Podcasts: We Podcast as well, all things real estate and especially tree change questions/concerns people have. Vendor tips, buyer tips, decorating & styling advice.Anything that we think people will find informative. Blog/Vlog: I create informative blogs and vlogs to educate people about our area, help them in their real estate journey. Tree Change Guide: we created a downloadable Tree Change Guide.We were receiving the same questions & concerns over & over again so we’ve put the answers all together in a booklet for our relevant clients. Radio Interviews: I currently have two radio interviews a week on two different stations where we discuss all things real estate, whether that’s the property of the week or hints & tips for buyers & sellings, plus market updates. You’ve won loads of awards!  Tell us how many awards you have won..   Gosh heaps! Agency of the Year:  we have won the agency of the year award for our Stroud area for the past 2 years running with rate my agent. Midcoast Business Award: We recently won the Midcoast Business Award for Excellence in Small Business. That was pretty massive as the Midcoast is a huge area and includes many many businesses, including large franchised agencies. We are a small independant agency. We also walked away that night as finalists in the Customer Service Category & Excellence in Professional Services Category. I was also personally awarded as a Highly Commended Business Leader which was an incredibly humbling experience. Regional Business Awards: This also led us to be Finalists in the Regional Business awards which was another amazing night and made me very proud of the team. LAST QUESTION What else can you elaborate on as far as your marketing goes..   It’s been a massive year for R & R Property. Bulahdelah Office: We opened up a second office this year, this one in Bulahdelah, due to popular demand. Since then we have also purchased one of the existing agencies there so the owner could retire. This doubled our rent roll and of course team members. Book Features: Next year I am featuring in two new book releases about Real Estate. Success Secrets: We are not finished yet though with a number of new ideas in the pipeline heading forward. I guess that has always been one of my success secrets; to never stay stagnant and to not take success for granted. You’re only as good as your last sale is one of my motto’s. You’ve always got to move with the times and try to be ahead of the pack all whilst staying grounded and empathetic to people’s needs, customers, team members and of course family. And of course there will be plenty of further training as learning new skills is essential. Thank you Denise!

#18: Lisa B Interviews Denise Haynes Marketing Expert

Award Winning Agency – Why Should You Care? If you had a life threatening heart condition would you use a specialist to give you advice and treat your illness or would you choose the cheapest alternative? I have no doubt that you would use the best in the field that you possibly could. Property is usually a person’s largest financial investment and yet they don’t always realise that they should have a specialist selling their property for them. Worse still, some GIVE the cheapest agent their business. There are also regular sites popping up that advocate that owners can “sell their own”.  Buyers love trying to deal directly with the owners as they know that they can get them down in price, thus defeating the seller’s purpose of selling privately. Some Real Estate Agents are trained in negotiation and marketing and deal with buyers and sellers every day. When you employ a real estate agency that has won multiple awards in many categories, you know that you are dealing with an office serious about their customers and their career.  Awards don't come easily as results and effort must be proven. You have to go the extra mile every time. R & R Property have won many awards, acknowledged by their customers and fellow business owners. R & R have been awarded Agency of the Year, as voted by their customers, for two years running with “Rate My Agent” for the Stroud district. They have also won the 2017 Excellence in Small Business Award for the Midcoast. They were also Finalists in Professional Services and Finalists for Customer Service.  Denise Haynes the owner of R & R Property also received “Highly Commended” as a Business Leader for 2017 as well. This is a huge achievement given that we were up against a big brand agency as well as other much larger independent agencies, and various businesses throughout the Manning Valley, Gloucester & Stroud district. Now this achievement doesn’t come easy. In the past as a small agency starting off as just one person (myself) I have worked night and day to achieve these results, thus bringing my clients the best service that I possibly can.  At R & R Property, we also invest heavily into the business to ensure that we keep up with ever changing technology & services. Our client’s properties are presented to the world with R & R’s up to the minute marketing skills and tools. Now this is important because you are competing with so many properties on the internet, you need your property to stand out amongst the crowd. These wins are such great news for you if you are considering selling your property. You need the BEST agency at the ready to sell your largest financial investment, get the BEST PRICE and move on to the next stage in your life. Seriously think about who you would rather have working on your property’s sale; an award winning real estate specialist or the cheapest agent you can find? Someone who dedicates their life to their business or someone who just does it as a hobby or considers it just a 9 to 5 job? R & R Property’s slogan is “A Passion For Property”. Denise Haynes and the R & R Property Team have offices located in both Stroud and Bulahdelah but cover a large area surrounding them, including Gloucester and Karuah. They are your Tree Change Specialists and love assisting others to make the move from city to country. The team are a combination of lifetime locals and tree changers so their vast experience and knowledge is your asset. You’ll find their free Real Estate advice on their Website, Podcasts and Facebook - “Hints and Tips”. YOU SEE OUR FOR SALE SIGNS EVERYWHERE! Stroud : 02 4994 5766 | “Bowen Chambers” 73 Cowper St, Stroud NSW 2425 Bulahdelah: 02 4997 4325 | 78 Stroud St, Bulahdelah NSW 2423 E: info@randrproperty.com.au www.randrproperty.com.au Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter: @randrproperty Award Winner for Excellence in Small Business for Midcoast 2017 “Rate My Agent” Agency of the Year award for Stroud District 2017 “Rate My Agent” Agent of the Year award for Stroud District 2016 Featured on Selling Houses Aus. with the Fastest Sale in the History of the show Licensed Real Estate Agent Licensed Stock & Station Agent Licensed Business Broker Accredited Auctioneer Author/Blogger Trained in Marketing & Graphic Arts  

#17: Award Winning Agency – Why Should You Care?

At R & R Property, through our extensive research, we know that the majority of our buyers are tree changers (clients leaving the city or highly suburban areas to move to the country) and where they are coming from. As a group, we generally know their habits, their dreams and their concerns. What we are finding though is that they have an ideal property style in their mind and we know that what we have with a little razzle dazzle could be what they’re looking for. But, they can’t see this. They can’t see past the privet lined creek bank, the farm rubbish lying around the paddock, the falling down old dairy. You – the seller, need to make it easier for them! So what we suggest to our sellers who may be receiving inspections, but their property keeps getting rejected is to look at it from a city persons point of view. Does your property appeal? Is it magazine worthy? Buyers today expect a well presented home in a certain style and a property to match. They would like to be able to envisage their stylish furniture in what could possibly be their dream lifestyle property. They are watching programs such as Escape to the Country on the Lifestyle channel. What your tree changers are reading is magazines like Hunter Lifestyle, Australian Country Style, Australian Country etc etc. Look at your property with fresh eyes: Does it fit the ideal? These magazines present beautiful images of homes where the furniture suits the home, a bit country but clean and modern. The front of the home is welcoming, tidy and stylish. Possibly a picket fence, which is painted, a gorgeous old style fancy gate, an attractive feature front door and a neat and tidy pathway leading to it. Gardens need to be relatively low maintenance but stylish and set the home off like a piece of quality jewellery makes an outfit. Do you have carefully placed attractive tables and chairs for morning coffee, afternoon bubbles, bickies and cheese? Or for that matter an alfresco dining area? Don’t forget a verandah space is another room and should be tastefully decorated accordingly. The paddocks should be slashed and park like if possible, with no rubbish or old building materials, dead tractors or cars etc lying around. If there is shedding or stables it needs to be well maintained and attractive, setting off the home and paddocks. If you have a river, creek or dam on your property, is it clear of weed such as privet? Is it easily accessible? They want to see it and be able to get to it without effort. Let them imagine them taking their little children or grandchildren down there for a paddle.  A cute little moored boat on a large dam also does wonders for eye candy appeal! The interior preferably should be freshly painted in light colours, with plenty of natural light coming into each room through either doors, windows or skylights. Under foot, usually timber floorboards or natural style flooring like bamboo or floating timber style floorboards is ideal. A minimal amount of attractive pieces of furniture, décor and artwork placed throughout. No clutter. All prospective buyers say they can see past mess and clutter – this is not the case. So make it easy and you’ll have far more chance of selling to this target group of buyers. These buyers are usually cashed up after a sale or living in an area where their current home could possibly sell within a week of hitting the market. Quick Checklist Front gate attractive Front fence freshly painted and attractive Pathways clear and neat and preferably attractive Gardens attractive but low maintenance, suit your home Front door, great pop of colour, attractive fittings Exterior paintwork in neutral colour and neat & well maintained Interior, clean, clutter free, light and airy, smells good. Shedding, useful and attractive, especially if it is stables Paddocks, slashed, rubbish free, fencing in good repair Creeks, river, dam attractive and easy access.   If you are struggling to do any of the above yourself or are not sure if your home fits this description please let the team at R & R Property know. We can provide you with free feedback, helpful hints and tips. We can also provide trade references to local builders and handyman services etc. R & R Property assist their clients with a regular Hints and Tips Service on their Facebook Page – R and R Property, and also hold regular Radio Segments with Great Lakes FM (101.5 FM) on Friday afternoons at 5.15pm and twice on Bucketts Radio Gloucester (104.1 FM) at 8am & 9am on Saturdays. The bottom line is that you are less likely to receive low offers on a home and property that is well presented and ultimately meets the dream. The old tag line of – “Move in – Nothing To Do” has been used for years for good reason. _________________________________________________________ Denise Haynes and the R & R Property Team have offices located in both Stroud and Bulahdelah but cover a large area surrounding them, including Gloucester and Karuah. They are your Tree Change Specialists and love assisting others to make the move from city to country. The team are a combination of lifetime locals and tree changers so their vast experience and knowledge is your asset. You’ll find their free Real Estate advice on their Website, Podcasts and Facebook - “Hints and Tips”. YOU SEE OUR FOR SALE SIGNS EVERYWHERE! Stroud : 02 4994 5766 | “Bowen Chambers” 73 Cowper St, Stroud NSW 2425 Bulahdelah: 02 4997 4325 | 78 Stroud St, Bulahdelah NSW 2423 E: info@randrproperty.com.au www.randrproperty.com.au Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter: @randrproperty

#16: How to Attract Tree Changers to Your Property

#15: Sustainable Living Discussion with Paul and Sarah

Something that seems to concern buyers when they are considering moving to the country is the threat of bushfire. This is understandable given the tragedies that have occurred in Australia previously. The good news is that there are ways to help prevent the damage and prepare yourself and your family should it occur. We are lucky enough to have dedicated volunteer rural fire brigades in each of our areas, who all band together to save our communities and homes when bush fire does threaten us. They are an amazing crew who risk their lives to save ours, sometimes fighting for days on end in extreme heat and danger. The community is so lucky to have them. The RFS also has an aviation unit and contracts aircraft for fighting fires from the sky. Helicopters and planes water bomb areas, extinguishing or slowing down the flames before they get near homes. Here are some tips that we have put together for you according to the Rural Fire Service (RFS): Preparing your home to be survive: Make yourself aware of whether you are in a bushfire prone area Clean your gutters regularly from sticks, leaves and debris Metal gutter guards, steel flyscreen on doors and windows are recommended Make sure you maintain any holes, gaps, missing roof tiles etc on your home to eliminate places for fire/embers to enter. Install a sprinkler system on your roof spaces and filling gutters Have quality hoses long enough to water down your entire home and shedding. Ensure gardens and surrounding trees are trimmed and maintained. Keep lawns short. Keep a separate water tank full, specifically for firefighting purposes Of course ensure you have home and contents insurance that covers loss from bushfire Keep Your Family Safe: Always have a bushfire plan that you discuss and stick to if the need arises Watch the fire/wind rating/updates regularly if there are bushfires in your area Have a survival pack which you can quickly grab and take with you if you have to evacuate. Items recommended by the RFS to take are: battery operated radio, spare batteries, first aid kit, waterproof torch, candles with waterproof matches, woollen blankets, emergency contact numbers, waterproof bag, cash, credit cards, medications, toiletry items, mobile phone & charger, pocket knife, important docs & photographs, a change of clothing for each family member plus drinking water. Ensure your pets are in a safe place if you can. Have a little safety pack for any that you can take with you ie; cage, leash, medications, food, drinking water, toy. Identify a safe community place that you can evacuate to in the event of a bushfire Keep drinking loads of water to prevent dehydration. Wear clothing that will protect you as much as possible such as denim jeans, leather boots or shoes, a wide brimmed hat, glasses or goggles, gloves, a non-synthetic mask or cloth and a cotton or wool long sleeve shirt. All in all bushfires are a part of an Australia Summer, something we all have to deal with from time to time, one way or another. Thankfully they don’t seem to occur frequently but being prepared and having a plan is the best bet you can make for survival.  I have lived in the Stroud area all of my life and yes there have been bush fires over the years but they have always been controlled by our wonderful teams of Rural Fire Brigade Women & Men Volunteers. Here is a link to download your FREE Bushfire Plan: http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/36597/GetReadyforaBushFire.pdf Check if you live in bushfire prone land: http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare/building-in-a-bush-fire-area/planning-for-bush-fire-protection/bush-fire-prone-land I have sourced information from the Rural Fire Service website for this blog: http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au Denise Haynes and the R & R Property Team have offices located in both Stroud and Bulahdelah but cover a large area surrounding them, including Gloucester and Karuah. They are your Tree Change Specialists and love assisting others to make the move from city to country. The team are a combination of lifetime locals and tree changers so their vast experience and knowledge is your asset. You’ll find their free Real Estate advice on their Website, Podcasts and Facebook - “Hints and Tips”. YOU SEE OUR FOR SALE SIGNS EVERYWHERE! Stroud : 02 4994 5766 | “Bowen Chambers” 73 Cowper St, Stroud NSW 2425 Bulahdelah: 02 4997 4325 | 78 Stroud St, Bulahdelah NSW 2423 E: info@randrproperty.com.au www.randrproperty.com.au Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter: @randrproperty

#14: Bush Fire Safety

Tenant tips Inspecting a property – Turn up on time for the inspection. Show you are reliable. Note any issues you may have or matters you would like addressed if your tenancy is accepted on the application form. Application – Complete your application in full and honestly. Give as much detail as possible and ensure you have all of your supporting documents. Be prepared – You will be required to pay a bond equivalent to four weeks rent plus two weeks rent when signing the lease if approved. Rent – Pay your rent in advance as agreed when you sign the lease. Late payments remain on your rent history and can affect your chances of securing a rental in the future. We all at times have unexpected cost and should you experience difficulty with your rent, talk to your property manager, they understand and will work with you in difficult times. Presentation of the property – Maintain the lawns and gardens regularly and keep the property clean. Routine inspections will be carried out and reports provided to the landlord on the condition of the property Smoke alarms – It is your responsibility to replace the batteries in the smoke alarms. Smoke alarms are installed for your safety if you suspect they are faulty report it to your agent immediately. Please don’t take the batteries out because they go off when you burn the toast. Light Globes – Yes these are the tenants responsibility to replace. On commencement of the tenancy all light globes should be working and it is your responsibility to ensure they are all working at the completion of your tenancy. Pets – If you have been approved for pets you will be required to have the carpets professionally cleaned and the property fumigated for fleas. Receipts will be required at the completion of your tenancy. Maintenance & repairs – Please let us know about maintenance issues or repairs required at the property. There is no need to wait to raise these during the routine inspections as its best to have these matters attend to as they arise. Respect your neighbours – Complaints from neighbours are recorded on your tenant history. Most common complaints are noise and animals. Ending the tenancy - When vacating ensure the property is in the same condition as it was at the commencement of the tenancy to ensure your bond is refunded in full. 

#13: Tenant Tips

By R & R Property - Stroud's Real Estate Specialists Established by the Australian Agricultural Company in 1826, Stroud is an incredibly picturesque rural town which is steeped in history. Many gorgeous heritage buildings and convict built structures such as the 8 underground grain silos within “Silo Hill” still remain today. Located along The Bucketts Way, inland of the beaches of Port Stephens, approximately 1 hour from the Hunter Valley and approximately 2.5 to 3 hrs from Sydney, Stroud falls within the Midcoast Council area. The residential area of Stroud is surrounded by farmland, both working farms and lifestyle properties. It is incredibly pretty, framed by rolling hills and mountains, plus a high average rainfall ensures it is almost always lush and green. Stroud has an approximate population of 1000 people, the highest percentage being made up of families in owner occupied homes. At R & R Property we regularly receive enquiries from clients wishing to rent in the area but the town does not hold enough investment properties to accommodate the demand. (Pic sourced from yourinvestmentproperty magazine) For the littlies Stroud Public School has an excellent reputation and there is also the choice of nearby Booral and Stroud Road schools as well. Pre-school and 2 x day care centres are available plus playgroups. Because the schools are small the children benefit from being able to work closely with their teachers and also form strong friendship bonds with their peers as a group. For higher school education children have the choice to commute via school bus to Dungog, Gloucester, Medowie, Bulahdelah, Raymond Terrace, Maitland and Newcastle. Stroud has a commercial hub of retail shops and services within the main street and surrounding areas including a pharmacy, a medical centre, produce store, antiques store, hand made goods, second hand furniture shops, a grocery store with newsagency service, post office, butchers, bakery, hairdressers, beauty salons, café’s, remedial massage, mechanic, tyre service, auto electrician, fuel stations, Hotel, Country Club & Golf Course, Chinese Restaurant, and a Real Estate Agency. There are also a high number and large variety of small businesses operating from homes throughout the area. We currently have one Farm gate/road side stall business operating, where fresh organic produce is sold. There are also regular Permaculture and related classes available. A cluster of boutique vineyards exist, some offer cellar door services, another holds regular muso functions, weddings, parties and markets. Yamahas number one motocross champion, Josh Green has a riding school here as well; perfect for kids and adults alike to learn new riding skills. Community spirit is strong in the country and this certainly applies to Stroud. I have always found that whenever a family or person is in crisis the community all pulls together to help them. It is truly wonderful to see and experience. I also love walking down the street when locals stop you for a chat or sing out a greeting. You certainly feel like you belong in this amazing community. There are numerous groups and activities to be enjoyed, anything from boot camp, trail riding, trail bike groups, pony club, historical society, garden club, quilting to acting & writers groups, whatever takes your fancy. We have the Stroud Raiders Football Team, The Wild Cats Soccer Team & the Cricket Club should you be a sporting enthusiast. Annual events include the Stroud Show, Stroud Rodeo & Camp Draft, International Brick & Rolling Pin Throwing Contest and the Stroud Fair. R & R Property always attend these events, have their marquee up and provide face painting for the littlies. It is a great time to catch up with our community as a whole. R & R Property are always sponsors for Stroud’s events. Our next major event coming up is the Stroud Annual Country Show in which this year we will be sponsoring the wife carrying competition and the token booth. Stroud and its surrounding localities have an amazing array of varying waterways, both fresh and salt water, therefore lending itself to be enjoyed by kayakers, boating enthusiasts, fisherman or just having plain old splashing about fun. I personally grew up in the small town of Allworth. Allworth is located just south of Stroud and is placed along the banks of the Karuah River which is salt water at that point. It has a boat ramp and jetty and we have a very popular fishing club who hold an annual flathead catching competition. I spent my childhood swimming, fishing, boating and catching mud crabs in the river, with friends and family. It’s truly an amazing and beautiful river. Stroud features public parks and BBQ areas, a free 25m public swimming pool, skate park & a beautiful showground with camping facilities. A little known fact is that Stroud has a “Common”. A 30 acre parcel of land on the fringe of the residential area to be used by the community. Locals who live in the residential area can keep their horse on the common for as little as $3 per week. Locals either work in the area in various trades and employment or commute. Stroud has a large poultry & beef industry and a handful of dairies still. We are within easy travelling distance to the RAAF base and the Newcastle Airport which provides employment. Others commute to the surrounding suburbs or to Newcastle City, Central Coast or Hunter Valley for employment, finding it an easy drive along our roads once they’re out of the city areas. As previously mentioned as well, a lot of locals are working small businesses from home. Affordability is excellent in the Stroud district with the current median house price sitting around the $325,000 mark. Our prices range from vacant ¼ acre building blocks in the vicinity of $120,000 and up into large prestige properties in the $1 Million+ range. We have some new rural/residential estates coming onto the market in the near future which will be exciting and meet the demand we currently have for small acreages. We are currently incredibly short on stock given the successful year we had last year which came through into the Christmas period. In Stroud we’ve always had the Sydney market either for weekend getaways or complete relocations but these days it has changed to mostly complete relocations. Central Coast clients have become one of our largest new player groups to the field. It seems that because Sydney is still in boom mode at the time of writing, vendors are selling up and moving to the Central Coast. In fact the Central Coast locals are calling their home town “Little Sydney” and looking to escape from the rat race by moving our way for a Tree Change. We also have quite a bit of interest from the Newcastle area and Medowie. Medowie has the RAAF Base and the Newcastle Airport not far from it; which are an approximate 45 minute drive from Stroud. This leads workers to buy in our area and make the easy commute as needed. Having the Airport at such a handy distance suits business people who possibly work from home but have to attend meetings at Head Office, or meet with clients on a regular basis. It is also popular with mine workers who fly in and fly out to Western Australia. Currently our most popular properties are the smaller acreages, between 2 to 50 acres. These are classed as hobby farms. The smaller sized parcels of land allow people to have the space they yearn for as well as keep animals, have vegetable gardens, ornamental gardens and chicken coops. These smaller sized acreage properties are not as much maintenance, especially helpful for the owners who are working away from home. Here is a handy link to our Business Directory: CLICK HERE FOR R & R Property's Stroud Business Directory Denise Haynes and the R & R Property Team have offices located in both Stroud and Bulahdelah but cover a large area surrounding them, including Gloucester and Karuah. They are your Tree Change Specialists and love assisting others to make the move from city to country. The team are a combination of lifetime locals and tree changers so their vast experience and knowledge is your asset. You’ll find their free Real Estate advice on their Website, Podcasts and Facebook - “Hints and Tips”. You can grab your FREE Tree change Guide at : www.randrproperty.com.au YOU SEE OUR SIGNS EVERYWHERE! Stroud : 02 4994 5766 | “Bowen Chambers” 73 Cowper St, Stroud NSW 2425 Bulahdelah: 02 4997 4325 | 78 Stroud St, Bulahdelah NSW 2423 E: info@randrproperty.com.au ***PLEASE NOTE: This information is meant as a guide only and clients should always undertake their own independent research.

#12: Suburb Profile on Stroud

#11: My Story Jan 2017

As the business owner of R & R Property I have been told by a high number of people that they have always dreamed of working in Real Estate, which is great. The industry does attract a glamour tag though and I find that sometimes the reality is a bit of a shock once that dream is obtained. You are dealing with what is usually the client’s largest investment they’ll make in their life and within all sorts of emotional circumstances. People can love you and hate you within the space of 10 minutes, depending on how their day or the transaction is going.  The various roles can be emotionally exhausting and may also be physically exhausting, especially if you are selling rural properties. Real Estate can also be incredibly rewarding though and we have many celebrations. We love assisting people on their Real Estate journey and especially welcoming new locals to our area. The roles within the Real Estate industry are numerous and will vary depending on what area you work in ie; city, suburbia, rural and commercial. I can say that having the experience of working within small agencies and having completed or helped out regularly in most roles within those agencies has been of great assistance. As a leader I know how each person feels in their role and what it takes to complete it and can therefore empathise with them. I’ve been there and done it. Sure, systems change over the years but the basics of the job remain. To be successful within the Real Estate industry you really have to give your absolute all. It truly is a lifestyle not just a job. If you want a 9 to 5 role with weekends off this probably isn’t the best industry for you. It is usually a roller coaster of seasonally slower and busier times, so when it is busy you have to pull out all the stops to get your many responsibilities completed. To work within the industry and be able to speak with clients about Real Estate matters you will be required to obtain at least a certificate of registration. If anyone is trying to find work within the industry I suggest you obtain this and keep it current. At the time of writing it is required that you complete 12 CPD points annually which are received through study and/or authorised seminars. Some of the main roles within the Real Estate industry are: Owner/Managing Director – usually the Principal (Licensee) as well. This is the person who is the head of the business, where all responsibility finally sits. They usually hold the license that the business is operating under. Amongst many other things they have to ensure the business is compliant in both its operation and its trust accounts. They also have to ensure that the team is trained, happy and functioning correctly, the business is making money and of course that our customers are happy. If customers aren’t happy this is the person at the end of the day they want to speak to. Sales Agents The sales agents are responsible for the listing and selling of the properties. They complete price appraisals on client’s properties, obtain new listings to sell, show buyers through properties, complete open homes and negotiate to sell the properties with buyers and vendors. They are in constant contact with their sellers and buyers with updates and follow up calls. Depending on the agency they may be responsible for their own marketing; social media, letterbox flyers etc. The time each sales inspection takes depends on what type of property it is. A residential inspection could take 15 minutes and a rural inspection can take up to 4 hours just as an example. Sales agents are also called upon regularly for presentation and styling tips when a property is about to go on the market. A Real Estate agency cannot survive without properties to sell so it is crucial for the agency to obtain new listings. This usually falls under the role of the Sales Agents within the business. An agency that is busy selling and not listing will soon find itself in trouble. Sales Assistants The sales assistant role is a large responsibility and quite varied, depending on the size of the agency. They are the behind the scenes person who is organising basically everyone. The properties that we have for sale on the internet, social media, updating our in-house data base, marketing in its many forms including organising newspaper advertising, filing, mail, banking, printing, calling clients and usually sitting at front of house (reception/front desk). Generally this role is being a personal assistant to the whole team. Property manager This is the person responsible for the agencies rent roll or our landlord’s investment properties. They have to find tenants for our landlord’s properties through a screening process of internet search and references. Once a tenant is found they have to complete a lease, an in-going report of the home which means recording how the property is presented prior to the tenant moving in. Regular inspections are completed throughout the year, repairs and maintenance have to be attended to and rent must be accepted, recorded and paid out to the landlords. Once a tenant moves out an out-going report must be completed and compared to the in-going. Make any claims on damages and repairs. The PM also has to make sure each property is compliant for safety reasons including smoke alarms and swimming pools before and during rental. There are more roles within the industry depending on the size and location of the agency but these are the basics. If you are in a large agency for example your role may be just one part of one of these roles as opposed to a small agency where you have quite a varied amount of responsibility and the roles may blend. To succeed in Real Estate you have to be prepared to study, be a sponge; soak up knowledge and always go above and beyond your duties. You also have to have goals, write them down, complete an action plan and have a vision board as a daily reminder of them. Be passionate about your job. Because of the amount of work that is involved you will only succeed if you have an absolute passion for the industry. Ultimately it can be an extremely rewarding career and offers an amazing lifestyle. R & R Property are continually growing and expanding their footprint across the Great Lakes and Port Stephens areas.  Accordingly they are always on the lookout for exceptional team members that are willing to work with absolute dedication and passion; always prepared to work above and beyond the norm and aligning with our amazing team culture. If you think you are one of those people please let us know. Denise Haynes Managing Director and Principal R & R Property 73 Cowper St, Stroud 2425 | 78 Stroud St, Bulahdelah 2423 P: 02 4994 5766  | 02 4997 4325 www.randrproperty.com.au   

#10: Positions Vacant

Here are some FREE handy tips for a great start: Prepare your property for lease. It is crucial that the property is clean at the commencement of the tenancy to ensure it must be cleaned by the tenant on vacate. The tenant is only obligated to leave the property as it was at the commencement of the tenancy. Repairs – attend to any repairs required before commencement of the tenancy. This will reduce any complaints from, or inconvenience to your new tenants. Presentation of the property. Ensure the property is presented as you expect it to be kept during the tenancy. Lawns and Gardens should be tidy and gutters cleaned. Water efficiency – Your property must be water efficient to enable the water usage charges to be passed on to your tenants. The cold water tap on the kitchen sink and bathroom vanity must have a maximum 9 litre flow and so does each shower head. This applies even if your property is on tank water as you will be required to refill the tanks or pay water usage should the property not be compliant. Smoke Alarms. Ensure smoke alarms are fitted in compliant positions , working correctly and are not out of date. We strongly recommend for a small annual charge a Smoke Alarm testing company who Service and Certify the smoke alarms for peace of mind. Blinds and curtains – always ensure blinds and curtains are safe for children. Appliances and furnishings – If possible remove all appliances and furnishings from the property. You are required to maintain and replace all furnishings and appliances left there should they require repair or replacement. The tenant would be responsible for any damage however, recovery of the cost can be difficult if the appliances and furniture are aged. Heating and cooling - Consider installing a reverse cycle air conditioner – This will add value to your property and make the property more attractive to prospective tenants. Seek advice from your accountant – Talk to your accountant about your investment and what Tax benefits are available. Landlords insurance – Take out landlord insurance for damages and loss of rent. Use an agent – Tenants are screened thoroughly through various sources to ensure the tenant is suitable for your property. At the end of the day everybody wants the tenancy to go smoothly; "So like beautiful paintwork, the prep work is an imperative starting base".  R & R Property offer a premium Property Management Service so please call us today to discuss. Or there is further information on our website and our Facebook page @randrproperty. For more assistance with Property Management call the Team at R & R Property. They have an organically grown rent roll which has been handpicked and nurtured to create happy landlords and happy tenants.   Stroud: 02 4994 5766  |  Bulahdelah 02 4997 4325 E: info@randrproperty.com.au | Web: www.randrproperty.com.au Denise Haynes - Managing Director R & R Property, Stroud and Bulahdelah

#9: Landlord Tips

Well we are drawing to a close for another year, which always gives us fresh opportunity to get it right in the New Year. Let’s make this year your time to slap that SOLD sticker on your home enabling you to start the next chapter in your life, the one that you’re yearning for. Here are 5 Effective ways to kick that goal sooner rather than later: Have a spring clean; look at your home with fresh eyes or get a friend to visit and give you their opinion. (Just don’t shoot them down for it) Too much clutter within a home is stressful and unattractive. It may also make your home look smaller than it actually is. Have a garage sale or give away any quality items to a charity group or a neighbour who you know is struggling financially. You will realise once you start what a positive impact it has on both you and your home. Clutter does start to overwhelm us eventually so do it for yourself and your buyer. Besides it gives you a head start on packing for your next move. A lick of paint in fresh neutral tones will give your home a face lift, both inside and out. Remember light colours give an impression of open, airy spaces which attracts buyers. Off whites, very light creams, and latté are great colours to use. And always paint ceilings white. The smell of paint gives the home a recently renovated & fresh smell as well, which buyers tend to like. It means they won’t have to do it themselves the minute they move in. If you can’t afford to paint maybe sugar soap the walls, sometimes this can be just as effective. Replace stained or worn carpets and soft furnishings. Carpet really isn’t that expensive in the overall scheme of things and can rejuvenate a room straight away. If you have pets living inside you may not be able to smell their presence but visitors certainly can. The same goes if you’re a smoker. The smell seeps into soft furnishings and carpets which you become accustomed to but again your visitors can smell it straight away.  If you can’t stretch the budget for new carpet & furnishings try having them steam cleaned or shampooed. Consider having a professional stylist or a friend/relative whose home is modern & stylish give you some tips and advice. The correct furniture & décor can make a massive difference to a home’s presentation. You may think that buyers can see past old fashioned furniture but 99% of the time they just can’t, even when they say they can. As an agent I’ve seen it over and over again. Think about how popular the Lifestyle Channels Foxtel show ‘Selling Houses Australia’ is. I think we’re up to season 10 - enough said!!! If your garden is unattractive or non-existent spend a weekend planting some low maintenance but structurally stylish plants in your yard. Paint the front fence, have a nice gate & mailbox. First impressions are timeless. The opposite applies here too though. If you have a large garden which really for someone who isn’t a gardener could be a challenge then you need to simplify. Chances are your non gardening buyers (who are the majority) will be intimidated by your lovely garden and not purchase thinking they just couldn’t possibly maintain it. Remember to plant according to what grows successfully in your area as well so that your garden looks healthy. The local nursery will be a wealth of knowledge for this information.  The R & R Property Team are Specialists in Selling Homes and Rural Properties. If you would like FREE tips and regular advice checkout and follow their Facebook Page @randrproperty. OR you will find them in the two office locations “Bowen Chambers” 73 Cowper St, Stroud NSW 2425 & 78 Stroud St, Bulahdelah NSW 2423. Or pick up the phone - Stroud: 02 4994 5766 | Bulahdelah: 02 4997 4325 Click through to our informative Website for extra tips and advice: www.randrproperty.com.au    

#8: 5 Effective Habits for a SOLD Sticker in 2017

Yes folks it's that crazy time of year again when we are all racing from Christmas party to Christmas shopping trip and back again. For some though there is yet another stress factor to be fitted into this equation and that’s whether to buy or sell within the Christmas and New Year Season. Sometimes for the people involved this situation just happens without them realising before it’s too late.  For example, they’ve had the excitement of selling their home and then “oh no” settlement it seems is smack bang in the middle of Xmas season. Or maybe they’ve excitedly just purchased a home and yes again the settlement sits within that time frame. Possibly they have to sell their current abode before they can complete settlement. Either way, what are the benefits of buying and selling within the Holiday Season? People are generally more motivated to get things completed at this time of year – just ask any tradie about their workload before Christmas. The odds are he or she is in high demand to complete jobs prior to Christmas because that’s the client’s deadline, when all the family are turning up. At this time of year there may be more people on the ground that require a house to move into very soon. People like to have a fresh start for a New Year which in effect gives them the motivation to get it completed sooner rather than later. Buyers also like to have their children change schools at the beginning of a new year rather than during. We tend to make New Year’s resolutions creating moves for a better lifestyle or a career change, therefore pushing them to move house. Placing your property on the market during this time when others are thinking it’s not such a great idea could be quite beneficial. For the seller, take into consideration that workers or business owners who may not otherwise have time to search the internet and inspect properties may be on leave at this time of year and therefore now have the time to do so. Buyers who are inspecting at this time of year may have their family on hand to assist them with the big decisions they need to make. There can be some difficult situations to deal with at this time of year. Most solicitors and conveyancers take leave over the Christmas break. There are some that do work through though so it’s worth checking out who they are. As mentioned previously getting tradies to complete any job at this time of year is difficult because they are usually booked out already. For the seller the home yard may be difficult to keep looking pristine due to the high temperatures and stress on lawns and gardens at this time of year. You may not wish to be bothered with home inspections whilst you have friends and family visiting. For the buyer there may not be a large selection of property on the market at this time of year. You may need to rent before buying, again to overcome not being able to find the right property to purchase. This could possibly prove difficult if there are not a lot of rentals on the market at that time. All in all no matter what time of the year it is there are always buyers on the ground. Being on the market during the Christmas period and New Year period may just give you the edge over others who have taken theirs off the market. As a buyer it may also give you the edge over others who have decided to take a break over the holiday period from seeking a new property and may also give you more buying power. If you would like assistance with buying or selling please contact the Real Estate Specialists at R & R Property. R & R Property have listed and sold an extensive amount of property for our clients and are the leading estate agency in the Mid North Coast. We deal with these matters every day and are always open to your questions and willing to assist however we can.   Contact the R & R Property Team on www.randrproperty.com.au P: 02 4994 5766 Denise Haynes and the R and R Property Team cover Stroud, Bulahdelah, Gloucester and Karuah areas. They specialise in Tree change or Sea Change properties.

#7: The Advantages | Disadvantages of Buying & Selling in the Festive Season

Announcer:          Hi and welcome to the R and R Property Podcast with The Real Estate Girl, Denise Haynes. In our podcast we talk about all things real estate in rural New South Wales. We discuss a diverse range of topics to do with real estate, whether it is about making the tree change, doing a rental, or getting to know our awesome country community. If ever you're in the area please pop by and meet our team. R and R property are an amazing all-women real estate agency working within the Stroud, Gloucester, and Bulahdelah areas. Now for our podcast. Denise:  Hi everyone and welcome to podcast number six. I'm Denise Haynes from R and R property. Today I have invited a special guest into the R and R office to chat with us. You know at R and R Property we specialise in assisting our clients in making the move from city areas to the country, what we like to call a tree change. Our guest today is Karen Hutchinson, one of the busiest ladies I know. Firstly I'd like to welcome you Karen, and thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to join us. Karen:    Thank you Denise. It's a pleasure to be here. Denise:  Karen is a local council representative from Mid-Coast Council. She also runs her own businesses and a thousand acre farm, is that correct? Karen:    Yeah. Denise:  She's a very busy lady. The reason I wanted to speak with you is because you have actually done the tree change yourself. As everyone knows I'm always advising our clients to chat with others that have already made the move just to get an experienced account of things. I know you packed up your family and moved to the country and we'd love to hear your story, Karen. Firstly, how long has it been since you made the move and where were you living before? Karen:    It's 19 years since we left the Northern Beaches in Sydney, which I thought was God's country. We've re-established that God's country is up here. Denise:  Very good. I agree with that. What were you worried about with moving to the country area? Karen:    I had my own business in Sydney and I'm a bit of a people person and I was only momentarily concerned about the move and I just thought, "Well, let's run with this." I suppose I had plan B in my mind that I could always run back to Sydney but never, never, never. Denise:  Very good. I'm very pleased to hear that, I must say. Karen is a very big advocate for Stroud, she's Stroud proud and we love her. People are often concerned about finding work in a country area. That's one of the major things that I hear all the time. Have you had trouble finding work? I know that's not true because as I said you are one of the busiest people I know, but maybe just let everyone know what it is that you do do and how you've come about that. Karen:    Okay. Eight years ago I broke my leg on our farm and while I was recuperating I designed a label to go on a jar. I didn't know what I was going to put in that jar but I thought I wasn't going to waste this nine months of being incapacitated and not come out with something positive out of it. We now run a very successful family-owned and run jam and condiment business and you'll find our products scattered between Sydney, Newcastle, America. We're very, very delighted about that.                   I think as far as employment is concerned, there's a lot of casual work up here if you're willing to have a go and I have seen so many home-based businesses evolve in this valley, is unbelievable. You would be surprised what's in a lot of people's homes with creative arts, men with mechanic businesses at home. It's just amazing. Denise:  That's true. There really is plenty of work there depending on what you want to do. The work is there to find if you want it. Just so everyone knows, too, Karen's business is called Stroud Valley Harvest and it's absolutely beautiful. We stock our settlement gift packs with Stroud Valley Harvest goodies and everyone always raves about them. She's a very busy lady and am I correct in saying you do all that out of your home kitchen? Karen:    Yes. We do. We run it, we cook it, we package it and we have fun. It's a family involvement because when you've got a few hundred jars of jam to label you call in the troops for help. Denise:  Even the grandkids get a helping hand, do they, or actually help you out, sorry? Karen:    Absolutely. Absolutely, and they help on the farm. We have an egg farm with birds that are free to range. We're now with Woolworths with our farm fresh eggs. The five grandchildren help on the farm, too. Denise:  That's great. I've seen them on Facebook digging veggie gardens and having a great time riding their motorbikes around. What are your eggs called? Karen:    Stroud Valley Harvest Eggs. Denise:  Excellent. I can recommend those, too. Another thing that people worry about is their friends and family. "Will they ever, ever come and visit us?" Maybe have a chat about friends and family. Do you still see them? Do you still go back to Sydney? Have you made friends here? Let us know what that's about. Karen:    I've got a huge friend base in this valley. I go back to Sydney for business only and I go down and I run straight back. Friends and family, we had a very big influx of visitors when we first moved up here and they were amazed that we actually had running water and electricity. The visits that we have now, are sort of spread far apart, because they thought my husband was taking me away from the city into the boondocks but they were flabbergasted when they saw the way we live up here. Denise:  That's good, that they come and visit you. Have any of the made the move themselves? Karen:    Yes, actually. We have some friends at Bulahdelah that were friends on the Northern Beaches and they've embraced the community in Bulahdelah, too. It's wonderful and you can be as busy or as relaxed as you like. It's all about choice. Denise:  That's it. It's all about quality of life isn't it? Yeah. That's great. How do you find our local community? Karen:    Our local community are just absolutely amazing. They've got the biggest hearts. If anybody's in strife there's always somebody that you can call on and it's an amazing community. Denise:  Yeah, that's true. Everyone pulls together when the time is needed, don't they? If there's any sort of drama or disaster or someone's struggling everyone pulls together and that's when you really find out what the community's like.                   Another thing that we do here quite often is about the commuting and I quite often say to people, "Look, yes you can commute to work but you are travelling along lovely country roads taking in the landscape, not stuck in gridlock." Have you actually found that to be the case as well, because I know you do a lot of travelling? You work from home but with the council you're also travelling a lot. Karen:    It's amazing. You don't realise until you look at your speedometer and go, "Wow, have I done that many kilometres?" It doesn't feel like you're doing that many. We actually live on the Bucketts Way and there is a peak hour and it starts about 5:00 a.m. in the morning and there is a stream of people that go down the Bucketts Way to commute to Newcastle. I know for a fact that there's even a few people that commute to Gosford for work. It's an easy drive. Denise:  I love to listen to podcasts just like this while I'm travelling around. It's a great time to think and reflect and to learn as well, isn't it? Okay, so how has your family adjusted to the move? Karen:    Our family, we brought our two girls up, well we brought one daughter up from Sydney and her daughter and one daughter went to uni at Bathurst the same year that we moved up here. She's finished uni and she's moved back home and we are all on the farm. We all have our own separate homes of course. Then I've had more grandchildren born into the area and they just love it. They go to the local schools and they play netball down in Raymond Terrace which is not far to go. All their sporting requirements are all fulfilled. Denise:  Yeah. That's it, they can do whatever they want really, can't they? Can be, again like us, as busy as they want to be. Karen:    Exactly. Exactly. Denise:  Okay. Do you have any tips for those considering moving to the country? Karen:    My biggest tip would be think positive, embrace it, and enjoy it. Denise:  Good advice. Karen, Dayanna your daughter is now studying again isn't she? Karen:    She's studying at Newcastle University and she's actually doing her master's now in work health and safety. Our granddaughter who is now 21, she's studying by distant education with UNE at Armidale. She's doing ag-business. Our oldest daughter who is actually running our farm now, she picks up every little biosecurity course, any course that's going through the Tocal College which is only 45-50 minutes away from here.                   Everything, as far as education is concerned, everything is at your fingertips. Denise:  Yeah. It's great. They certainly don't miss out on anything here, do they? Karen:    No, no. They don't and if your child's keen well then they will find these courses just like my children do. Denise:  Yeah, exactly. Just thinking about that we've also got an Olympian in our area as well, haven't we? Karen:    We do. Denise:  Certainly the children can do whatever they choose to do. Karen:    Yes, yeah. Look, and they can. Our oldest granddaughter is a State Age champion in rowing, in doubles. She used to train at Morpeth. She would leave the farm at 4:30 in the morning but that was her choice and she enjoyed that before going to school. Denise:  Yeah. Yeah. Just the dedication's there so they just take that opportunity. Karen:    Exactly. Denise:  Yeah. No, that's wonderful. I just wanted to check with you before we finish up. Do you have any regrets about moving to the country? Karen:    I have no regrets whatsoever. It's just been fantastic and when I see the news of the night I just think, "How lucky we are that our grandchildren are growing up in this area." They have everything at their fingertips and they just love being outside, they just love the atmosphere. They have their friends. Yeah, you've got to travel sometimes to drop little friends off and pick your grandchildren up but that's all part of country living. Denise:  Exactly. Like we said before, the commuting's very enjoyable as well isn't it? It's not a chore. Karen:    No, not at all. Not at all. Because I, just like yourself Denise, I do a lot of thinking, a lot of planning, in the car and I am fulfilling a lot of dreams I've always dreamt and that was to own my own patchwork shop which we've done. We've run retreats and patchwork lessons on the farm and hopefully in early 2017 we start the building of our café and farm gate shop on the farm. Denise:  I can't wait for that, I must say. That's going to be amazing and just another wonderful thing for our community. Thank you so much Karen for coming and chatting to us today. It's been a pleasure. Karen:    Thank you for having me, Denise. It's a pleasure to share our experience. Denise:  It is. Thank you.                   Thank you everyone. That is podcast number six. I hope you've got great value out of that and once again I'd like to thank Karen for coming in and joining us. It's been wonderful. Announcer:          If you would like to find out more about R and R Property and the Stroud, Gloucester, and Bulahdelah areas, whether buying or selling, contact us on (02) 4994 5766 or via our website at www.randrproperty.com.au. On behalf of Denise Haynes and the team, thank you for joining us and please remember to subscribe to our podcasts.

#6: Karen Hutchinson talks candidly about moving to the country

Families it seems, are so stretched & stressed with debt and commitments in life today. Given that interest rates are at an all-time low and technology is meant to be making our lives simpler and easier, it is really troubling. There is no room for error and I’m not sure where on earth it will all end. I don’t know how families can even afford to eat, given the prices they are paying for properties the size of a postage stamp in the city. And for what; to have to endure gridlock traffic, road rage, being able to hear your neighbour’s conversations, ever increasing crime rates and then there’s the pollution. The total sum of this stress is of course resulting in poor health, both in body and mind. Parents who are in these situations are considering making a move to a tree change environment to enable them to bring their families up with a grounded, back to grass roots life. Seeking for their children a good life of healthy food, fresh air and a new freedom to run and play. A move to the country will also assist children to make the connection in regard to farm to plate.  It is always an educational adventure tending to chickens, ducks, goats, cows and vegetable gardens. I still find the daily collection of freshly laid eggs totally enjoyable and mind soothing. And don’t get me started on watching a calf or foal being born and chickens hatching. Quite often the parents or grandparents in the family grew up in the country and have fond memories of this life. The pulling of the heart strings back to the country never seems to leave people, even if at first they deny its calling. This in itself tells us that it is a better life and beneficial to the body and soul. It’s like when pregnant women crave certain foods because their body requires some vitamin or mineral that is within that food. It’s always helpful of course to discuss your thoughts of a move to any new area with those who have already done it. Did they find the transition difficult? Do they have any advice for you? Everyone it seems has been talking sea change or tree change but taking the next step of course is another matter. So therefore it can be very beneficial to have the chat with others who have done it. Visit and stay overnight in country areas and mix with the locals a little. This may give you a sense of the area and the people within it. Also don’t just visit once and buy, inspect your preferred tree change property at least a couple of times. Take notes and photo’s so that you can remember certain details along the journey. So if you have been yearning for a get back to nature life, if you hate the city and you think your next abode could well be waiting for you in the country then take the next step. Denise Haynes and The R & R Property Team are Tree Change Specialists living and working within the beautiful areas of Stroud, Gloucester & Bulahdelah areas.  These tree change destinations are located around an approximate 2.5 hour to 3 hour drive from Sydney. R and R Property specialise in assisting their customers make the move to a happier and healthier life in the country. You can grab your FREE Tree change Guide at http://www.randrproperty.com.au

#5: Tree Change - Sea Change

Welcome to the R and R Property Podcast with the real estate girl Denise Haynes. In our podcast we talk about all things real estate in rural New South Wales. We discuss a diverse range of topics to do with real estate. Whether it is about making the tree change, doing a reno or getting to know our awesome country community. If ever you are in the area please pop by and meet our team. R and R Property are an amazing all women real estate agency working with in the Stroud, Gloucester and Bulahdelah areas.

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R and R Property Podcast With The Real Estate Girl Denise Ha...

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