From the desk of the Managing Director
welcome
Strong start to the year
The return to confidence seen towards the end
of 2011 has continued into the New Year with
ACTON experiencing strong results in January
and a huge surge in sales in February.
Sales for February were 60.90 percent higher
than January and 43.43 percent higher than
February 2011. It is the highest monthly result
seen in a number of years.
The strong results were experienced across all
ACTON Regions.
These are very encouraging signs that the
market is experiencing a sustained turnaround.
To support this we are also seeing improvements
in areas of the market that have languished
over the last 12 months. ACTON South West
have seen sales increase significantly and
sales in the upper end of the market have also
improved, with a marked increase in multimillion dollar sales.
With steady interest rates so far this year and a
strong economic climate in Western Australia
we are expecting this positive trend to continue.
Auctions on the up
Auction activity also reflects the increased
confidence of buyers, with a number of
properties selling under the hammer, and one
selling within an hour of the hammer falling.
We are seeing greater attendance at auctions
and some very spirited bidding. At a recent
auction in Claremont the two bidders only saw
the property for the first time on the morning of
the auction, which reflects the change in buyer
sentiment.
Last year buyers were reluctant to bid, they
wanted to wait until the property was passed
in and then make an offer. There was always
the chance that another buyer could put in an
offer that was higher, but they were prepared
to take that risk.
Now buyers are starting to realise that other
parties may be interested in the property and
if they really want to buy it they will have to
participate in the auction. The greatest benefit
for them is that the auction is an open forum
and they can see what other buyers are willing
to offer and can make a higher offer if they
want to.
In the community
Our strong participation in community events
continues with several ACTON staff taking part
in the iiNet Team Sprint Cup for Autism West.
Held at Christ Church Grammar School the
event is a unique sprint swimming team event
based on a 6x50m relay format. It is now in its
fifth year and combined with other Autism West
activities has helped raise over $400,000 in
support of families with children who have an
Autism Spectrum Disorder.
The ACTON team was put together by David
Eyers of ACTON Dalkeith and included Emma
Proud from ACTON Dalkeith, Brad Raynor from
ACTON Fremantle, Georgina Johnston from
ACTON South, Sam Sweeting from ACTON
Mount Lawley, and Grace Boyle from Currie &
Reeves Conveyancing.
ACTON have been involved with the swim for
a few years and our team put in a great effort
and helped raise funds for this worthy cause.
Graeme Baxter
Managing Director
WWW.ACTON.COM.AU