http:// 2013-05-17T02:10:55Z 2013-05-17T02:10:55Z hasty-decisions-costing-first-home-buyers-up-to-89-000

Rockingham, WA, May 17, 2013 - In the past year, Baldivis has become known as a haven for first home buyers. The combination of pent-up demand, a recovering WA economy, low interest rates, and reasonably-priced housing in Baldivis has combined to produce a market that is conducive to young buyers seeking their first homes.However, many first home buyers are paying as much as $89,000 extra over the life of their home loans, because they are not doing their due diligence. Buyers who struggle to save for a down payment find themselves putting down minimum deposits as low as 3% on their homes. According to industry estimates, as many as 33% of first home buyers are making minimum deposits on their homes.When a buyer makes a deposit below 20%, lenders not only add a host of upfront fees, but also charge more interest for their loans. Using average industry numbers, if two buyers purchase homes for $320,000, and one deposits $80,000 while the other deposits only $40,000, the borrower who made the smaller of the two deposits ends up paying a total of $89,935.75 more over the lifetime of their loan than the buyer who made the larger deposit.According to a recent blog post, The Mortgage Gallery Rockingham says that buyers should be wary of these costs, and recommends four strategies for first home buyers to lessen their debt burden by eliminating a portion of the upfront costs.Their first recommendation is to do due diligence on their respective state's grants for first home buyers. In WA, each first home buyer gets a one time grant totalling $7,000. These grants vary from state to state, with the N. T. offering a $25,000 grant for all homes except established homes in urban areas.For many first home buyers, it makes sense to find a guarantor. This is usually a relative who has enough equity in their house to put it up as collateral. This can eliminate a lot of the upfront costs that lenders add in to accounts with less than sterling credit and insufficient deposits.It is also important for first home buyers to make sure that their credit reports are clean and their credit ratings are as high as possible. When a loan doesn't fit a lender's ideal recommendations, they add a lot of upfront costs. For example, when buying a $400,000 house in NSW, with a deposit of $40,000, an extra $25,337 would be tacked on to the cost of the loan.According to Justin Smith, Principal of The Mortgage Gallery Rockingham, it is extremely important for anyone seeking a first home loan to do their due diligence. According to Smith, “In today's climate, especially for a first home buyer, it is important to shop around and find the best terms for your loan.”Smith continued, “The easiest way to shop around is to hire an experienced mortgage broker and let them shop around for you. Experienced mortgage brokers know which lenders are more friendly to which situations, and have access to many lenders from their desktops. Instead of driving around to a bunch of banks and loan companies, all you have to do is have your broker find the best deal for you.”Smith concluded, “Always hire a professional mortgage broker. You will save time, effort, and money.”The Mortgage Gallery Rockingham brokers home loans in Baldivis, Rockingham, Kwinana, and surrounding areas. For more information, call (08) 9527 1800 or visit their website: http://www.themortgagegalleryrockingham.com.au/

2013-05-14T01:03:00Z nearly-half-of-australia-s-finance-professionals-hunting-for-new-job-survey

Media Release Nearly half of Australia’s finance industry hunting for a new employer - survey Australia, 14/05/2013 - Almost most half (46%) of Australia’s finance professionals intend to move to a new employer in 2013 according to a recent survey conducted by eFinancialCareers the leading global career site network for professionals working in the investment banking, asset management and securities industries. The eFinancialCareers Employment Survey* found the intended movement of Australian finance professionals resulted from a continued lack of career progression in their current firm (54%), perceived higher pay at other employers (38%) and frustration with a lack of recognition for their accomplishments (33%). These factors motivating employees to leave their current firm were also cited as the main reasons in the 2012 eFinancialCareers Employment Survey. The desire to change employers amongst Australian finance workers (46%) compared favourably to finance centres Singapore (64%) and Hong Kong (74%) respectively for 2013. “The slowdown in hiring activity has led to less people movement between financial services companies. For finance professionals this means there has been less opportunity to take advantage of internal openings created by staff turnover, and the large scale layoffs experienced at the end of last year are also likely to have stalled the potential for some individuals to progress within their organisations. While many companies are mindful of the risk associated with losing top talent, outward pressures can’t always be overcome. In this situation we tend to see more candidates looking externally for a chance to advance their careers despite the challenging hiring environment,” said George McFerran, Managing Director APAC at eFinancialCareers. Not just about the moneyWhen asked what factors, apart from compensation, would be critical in their decision to move to a new employer, a supportive culture and good working environment came top, followed by a defined career progression. The survey also found that two thirds of Australia-based finance professionals (65%) were keen to keep their flexible working arrangements if they were to move to a new employer. Ends * The eFinancialCareers 2013 Employment Survey was conducted in April 2013. The survey polled a total of 512 employed bankers and finance professionals in Hong Kong, 572 in Australia, and 1,262 in Singapore. The survey explored current issues and trends in employee retention in key finance hubs, in the region’s finance sector. About eFinancialCareers: eFinancialCareers, a Dice Holdings, Inc. service, is the leading global career site network for professionals working in the investment banking, asset management and securities industries. The website provides financial services professionals with job opportunities, job market news and analysis, salary surveys and career advice. Recruiters and employers can post jobs targeting specific sectors within the financial services industry, both buy-side and sell-side, and can search the resume database for highly qualified and specialized professionals. eFinancialCareers has a network of co-branded career sites with industry-leading trade publications and offers local websites in 19 markets and five languages primarily across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and financial centers of the Middle East. Please visit www.eFinancialCareers.com.au for more information. For media enquiries and more information, contact Cape Public Relations Pty Ltd:Ph +61 2 8218 2190 Emeere Roberts: emeere@capepublicrelations.com M: 0432 746 564

2013-04-18T08:25:31Z data-indicates-that-high-end-residential-property-is-due-for-a-better-2013

Rockingham, WA, April 18, 2013 - Currently, real estate market statistics are moving in a pattern similar to the beginning of the housing market recovery at the end of 2008. After property had bottomed out in the Global Financial Crisis (GFC), it was the more affordable properties that showed the first movement, followed by movement in the premium property market. According to current data, home values in the capital cities have started to rise in the recent months, even as prices are still slightly lower than the same time last year. According to new information published by RP Data, home prices across all three major sectors are beginning to exhibit the same market patterns, with the affordable end, the middle 60%, and the premium end nearly intersecting as one line when the information is shown on a graph. From September 2011 to September 2012, both the affordable end and the top end areas in the capital cities and suburbs reported a decline of -1.7%, while the middle 60% reported a fall of -0.3%. In the most volatile capital city markets, those with the most severe drops are the most affordable areas around Brisbane, down -13.2% from their pre-GFC peak, and the premium areas in the Brisbane market, which are down -10.8%. Melbourne’s top end property is down -10.4%. In the capital cities, the average home value has fallen by 6.1% from the onset of the GFC to September 2012. The largest decreases in value were in Melbourne, at -8.3%, and Perth with -6.8%, while the least change was in Canberra at -3.2%, and Adelaide and Darwin, both at -3.3%.  From the post-GFC to market peak to the current trough, home values have fallen -7.4% individual cities with the largest declines have been Darwin, with -19.7%, and Hobart, with -14.6%. Those capital cities least affected were Sydney, at -5.0%, and Canberra, with -5.3%.  However, capital city housing prices are currently on the rise. They bottomed out in May 2012, but rose 2.1% by October 2012. Justin Smith, Principal of The Mortgage Gallery Rockingham, is encouraged by the statistics: “It’s been quite an interesting journey the last few years. Before the Global Financial Crisis, most investors acted as though one could count on real estate prices to rise every day with the sun. If there’s one thing the last few years have taught us, it’s that even real estate is subject to market peaks, valleys, and troughs.” Smith continued, “Many in the housing, property, and mortgage industries are surprised that prices haven’t recovered to peak level yet. In the Perth area and in Western Australia, if the past and other economic factors are any indication, prices should recover fully to peak prices. The mining boom has brought a lot of jobs and a lot of money into Western Australia and most builders are expecting a labour shortfall by the end of the year. Demand for houses is rising and it is only a matter of time before supply dwindles and prices once again rise to former levels.” Smith concluded, “It certainly appears that prices are about to rise on all levels. For anyone who is thinking about buying a new home or upgrading their current one, it might be a good time to act.” The Mortgage Gallery Rockingham are the premier mortgage brokers in the Baldivis, Kwinana, and Rockingham areas. For more information about a home loan, call 08 9527 1800 or visit their website: http://www.themortgagegalleryrockingham.com.au/

2013-04-08T05:02:00Z australian-decline-in-finance-jobs

Australian decline in finance jobs opportunities eFinancialCareers Quarterly Finance Jobs Barometer Media Release SYDNEY, 08 April 2013 - Australia’s financial services job opportunities declined 34% in the first quarter of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. It was the largest decline experienced across the leading global financial centres according to the quarterly Jobs Barometer from eFinancialCareers, the leading career site for professionals working in investment banking, asset management and the securities industries.Australia was not alone with significant declines in finance opportunities also prevalent across the region with Singapore and Hong Kong registering decreases of 13% and 24% respectively. The UK also experienced a significant reduction (-27%) for the period. eFinancialCareers Managing Director Asia-Pacific, George McFerran, said: “the decline of job opportunities in Australian financial services is reflective of a shift in organisation priorities, there is currently a definite focus on retrenchment. We are also perhaps starting to see the results of the offshoring programmes that many banks have been utilising.However, despite the overall decline the new environment of regulation and capital adequacy requirements are driving strong growth in the areas of compliance and legal, risk management and retail banking.”APAC Top performers - Despite an overall decline for the period recruiting in key areas is occurring. The year-on-year job posting figures (Q1 2013 – Q1 2012) show growth across APAC in:• Compliance/Legal (+54%) – banks have been steadily hiring (and are likely to continue) for compliance positions since the onset of the Global Financial Compliance. New compliance roles have been created on the back of new regulatory requirements including Basel III. “It is anticipated this will remain a solid employment area as it is an essential function, with a need to replace departing staff,” said Mr McFerran.• Risk management (+29%) – as banks expand their Asian presence managing operational, credit and market risk will remain a crucial process, increasing demand for risk talent.• Retail banking (+25%) – unlike investment banking in the region which has been hit by falling deal-flows and fee income, the comparative stability of revenue in retail banking will keep recruitment healthy. This is partially driven by the shifting focus of Australian domestic banks to develop new products and increasingly use their branch network as a sales channel. APAC Bottom Performers - Derivatives (-58%), Trading (-53%) and Equities (-43%) - continued market volatility and budgetary pressures imposed by cost -conscious investment banks are combining to subdue front-office recruiting in Asia, especially in equities, trading, and derivatives. Positions in these fields are typically well paid and banks need to submit a cast-iron business case to head office to get the extra headcount expense approved. Firms prefer to make do with current resources and are keeping trading teams at current levels unless there is a prolonged global economic recovery. 2013 Outlook - “While 2013 is unlikely to be a bumper year for recruitment in Australian financial services, a gentle and sustainable recovery in job opportunities compared with last year is expected,” said Mr McFerran.“We anticipate the job market will be more buoyant in insurance, and retail, corporate and transaction banking, where revenue will be more stable and banks will continue to expand to meet client needs. In investment banks deal flows in M&A and capital markets will need to consistently improve to justify more hiring in the second half of this year.”***ENDS*** The eFinancialCareers Quarterly Job Barometer tracks APAC positions advertised on eFinancialCareers in sectors where there is a minimum level of 150 advertised jobs a month for three consecutive months. Sectors qualifying for the APAC Job Barometer for the three months ended 31 March 2013 were Risk Management, Compliance / Legal, Retail Banking, Information Technology, Accounting & Finance, Private Banking / Wealth Management, Operations, Quantitative Analytics, Capital Markets, Corporate Banking, Credit, Investment Banking / M & A, Commodities, Insurance, Information Services, Asset Management, Consultancy, Equities, Sales & Marketing, FX & Money Markets, Trading, Debt / Fixed Income, Derivatives.About eFinancialCareers eFinancialCareers, a Dice Holdings, Inc. service, is the leading global career site network for professionals working in the investment banking, asset management and securities industries. The website provides financial services professionals with job opportunities, job market news and analysis, salary surveys and career advice. Recruiters and employers can post jobs targeting specific sectors within the financial services industry, both buy-side and sell-side, and can search the resume database for highly qualified and specialized professionals. eFinancialCareers has a network of co-branded career sites with industry-leading trade publications and offers local websites in 19 markets and five languages primarily across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and financial centres of the Middle East. Please visit www.eFinancialCareers.com.au for more information.For further information please contact: Cape Public Relations +61 2 8218 2190 Luke Roberts luke@capepublicrelations.com M: 0422 855 930 Sara Crow sara@capepublicrelations.com M: 0413 682 377

2013-04-04T01:26:57Z active-retail-investors-looking-offshore-for-growth-opportunities

4 April 2013; A survey by equity research company Skaffold has found active share investors believe offshore markets, particularly the US, will outperform the ASX over the coming 12 months.  And while more than half definitely want to increase their investment into international stocks, an inability to research individual stocks and a lack of knowledge about other markets is holding them back.Launched by a group of stock selection specialists including Roger Montgomery, Russell Muldoon and Chris Batchelor, Skaffold is a time-saving online stock research application. Since 2011 the application has covered every ASX listed stock, but has now been expanded to include another 2000 companies listed on nine of the major global exchanges. Skaffold General Manager, Chris Batchelor, said demand for access to quality research on global shares was on the increase.  But that stock research needed to be cost-effective and easy to use if it was to serve its purpose.“When designing Skaffold, we wanted to ensure it was easy to use for investors of every level, that’s why we have built it with gaming design and technology in mind.    Since our launch last year, we have witnessed strong demand from investors who are making stock selection decisions for themselves or their clients.  This includes SMSF investors, financial advisers, private as well as institutional investors,” he said.  “The investors we have talked with recently believe that international markets will present the best investment opportunity in the coming 12 months, so we believe our new Global product will see strong uptake levels. ”  Skaffold asked more than 100 active investors of their views and intentions with international investment markets.   The survey found that 50.4% are looking to increase their investments in international shares. 43.4% were undecided, signaling that this figure could rise.  The research also found that 45.6% believe global markets will offer the best growth opportunities over the next 12 months, compared to just 9% who believe that the ASX will outperform. And over two thirds – or 68.1% – believe the US market will offer the best international opportunity.In terms of the most attractive features of international markets, 63.2% rated ‘All of the above’ naming access to; a great range of stocks (18.9%), the US (8.5%), other asset classes including technology (5.7%) and emerging markets (3.8%), as the key attractors of offshore markets.In terms of their hesitations, the most commonly cited reason was the inability to access research on individual stocks (20.9%). Other factors included lack of knowledge, currency risk and the absence of franking credits.“With Skaffold Global, active investors can now access key financial data and forecast information on global giants Apple, Google, General Electric, Chevron, Procter & Gamble, Singapore Airlines and even Facebook if they so wish.”“We think also that the well documented growth of self-managed super funds (SMSF), will increase demand for access to an affordable, easy to use tools to help investors identify stocks that fit their investment profile.”More than 50% of those surveyed already hold global stocks either as direct equities (25%) or via a managed fund (28.7%).  Almost 45% of those with exposure hold the equities in their SMSF and 31% hold the shares in their personal name.The nine global exchanges available in Skaffold Global are: New York Stock Exchange (NYSE); NASDAQ Stock Market (NASDAQ); Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEx); Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX); Singapore Stock Exchange (SIN); London Stock Exchange (LSE); Swiss Exchange (SIX); European NYSE Euronext (EUR) and Deutsche Bourse.Media contact:Christine TollFinancial Media ConnectionsMob 0414 621163Email christine@finmc.com.auAbout SkaffoldSkaffold was launched in November 2011. The founders include fund manager Roger Montgomery, portfolio manager Russell Muldoon, general manager Chris Batchelor CFA and marketer Vanessa Gilbert. While searching for a way to solve a common investing problem, they began to explore ways to revolutionise investment research and save time. Their aim was to create a unique application that could be used and understood by everybody. 

Taking their ideas to a leading European digital design agency, Skaffold was developed with gaming design and technology in mind. Skaffold is now taking those ideas further right here in Sydney with a development team who work on delivering the latest ideas to all our members. 

On 1 December 2012 Skaffold Global was released, expanding investment opportunities to the world’s largest and most popular stocks. 

Skaffold is literally named after the construction term scaffolding, representing the support investors seek in constructing a solid share portfolio. The Skaffold Team is based in Pyrmont, Sydney Australia.

2013-04-02T01:12:21Z new-name-for-2013-release-of-quickbooks-software

Reckon, a leading Australian software developer, has today announced the 2013 release of QuickBooks accounting software under a new name, Reckon Accounts. The 2013 Reckon Accounts business range has been launched in retail stores this week and is being sent directly to customers throughout Australia.The hundreds of thousands of businesses which rely on Reckon’s business software will not be affected by the name change. Only the product names are changing says Pete Sanders, GM Business Division (Reckon Accounts).“We’ve changed the name of our QuickBooks products to the Reckon Accounts business range and that is all. Under the new name we’ll continue to expand the product functionality and support users as we always have,” says Sanders.“The Reckon Accounts business range, including desktop and hosted products, is one of the most sophisticated financial management tools available for businesses today, and this won’t change. The products form an integral part of our company’s future.”As well as introducing the new names, the latest Reckon Accounts business range includes a number of compliance updates and new features. Changes have been made to the program to assist users managing new requirements for Employment Termination Payments (ETP) and new reporting requirements for the Building and Construction industry.The 2013 release of the Reckon Accounts business range is Windows 8 compatible and Enterprise 2013 now includes the Reckon Financial Statement Designer, previously only available in the hosted version.The newly released Reckon Accounts business range includes: ·          EasyStart 2013 (previously QuickBooks EasyStart) ·          Accounting 2013 (previously QuickBooks Accounting) ·          Plus 2013 (previously QuickBooks Plus) ·          Pro 2013 (previously QuickBooks Pro) ·          Premier 2013 (previously QuickBooks Premier) ·          Enterprise 2013 (previously QuickBooks Enterprise) ·          Hosted (updated mid-April) This name change forms part of Reckon’s plans to unify their extensive product suite under the single Reckon brand which Sanders says will make it easier to identify Reckon products and services. In November 2012, Quicken personal finance products were similarly renamed the Reckon Accounts personal range.Unifying products and services under the Reckon brand is only part of the company’s broader plans for the year ahead. Reckon is forging ahead with their cloud development plans and a new cloud solution, Reckon One, will be unveiled at a series of roadshow events being held in May 2013.“We’re very excited about introducing Reckon One during our roadshow events in May. Accounting professionals, business owners, as well as their suppliers and clients are all invited to our events in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane where we’ll showcase what we’ve been working on,” says Sanders. Find out more about the Reckon Accounts business range > Find out more about the Reckon Roadshow > 

2013-03-20T05:33:00Z world-leaders-in-business-technology-to-expose-their-secrets-at-melbourne-ecommerce-event

MEDIA RELEASE: ​World Leaders in Business Technology to Expose their Secrets at Melbourne eCommerce EventWednesday 20 March 2013 - Online shopping has seen a huge surge over the past few years, with Australians expected to spend $16 billion via the Internet in 2013. However, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers, we are just at the edge of the wave, with online spending tipped to reach a massive $30 billion in 2016. In order to capitalise on the eCommerce opportunity, retailers need to go beyond the basics of an easy-to-navigate website, unique products and outstanding customer service to delivering an omni-channel experience.Today’s increasingly tech-savvy consumers expect to be offered a range of channels and touchpoints that are seamlessly integrated to deliver a consistent and congruent buying experience, regardless of whether it is delivered online, in-store, on a mobile device, tablet or anywhere else.The eCommerce Conference will feature more than 60 expert speakers across the conference and exhibition, including 25 international legends of the industry willing to share the secrets of their success. The event will bring together Victoria’s largest gathering of eCommerce suppliers, with many fascinating case studies of companies that are leading the way in leveraging the digital revolution to grow their business and access new markets. The line-up includes such notables as:• Peter Cobb, Co-Founder of eBags.com – one of the USA’s largest online retailers• Pinny Gniwisch, Founder, Ice.com• Ish Patel, Group Omni-Channel Director, Aurora Fashionsand many more. The three day event will equip organisations with the knowledge and connections to either establish a successful eCommerce site or to take their online business to the next level. #endsFor more information on contacting speakers for interviews or hi-res images please contact Shuba Paheerathan on 0438 606 424 or shuba@qantumvalues.com or Caroline New on 0411 889 456 on caroline@quantumvalues.comVisit the eCommerce Conference & Expo Melbourne website at www.ecomexpomelbourne.com.au

2013-03-13T04:35:00Z australian-visa-restrictions-and-the-need-to-tread-lightly-on-financial-services

Australian visa restrictions and the need to tread lightly on financial servicesMEDIA COMMENT13 March 2013The Australian Federal Government’s proposed tightening of 457 visas could harm the nation’s financial services sector if it proceeds as it relies heavily on the flow of talent across Asia and the innovation that international workers bring to the Australian economy.Confusion abounds with the Federal Government arguing for tighter restrictions, whilst the NSW Government is urging for greater flexibility to attract more international talent into financial services - NSW’s biggest employment sector.The facts are Australia’s strict visa rules are already keeping highly skilled financial services professionals out of the country at a time when Australia needs more foreign talent to manage the increasingly global international funds management sector, for example.“Australia has the fourth largest fund management industry in the world and international expertise is vital to the growth and success of the industry” said eFinancialCareers Managing Director Asia Pacific, George McFerran.” “There is no doubt the current visa situation as it stands is restricting talent to Australia from Asia, Europe and the US, making Sydney and other capital centres less competitive. Any further restrictions would be a retrograde step, harming individual firms and the international reputation of the industry,” said Mr McFerran. “It needs to be recognised financial services is an international career and by further restricting visa classes for skilled migration, we’re hampering the flow of talent from Asia-pacific to Australia. This will make Sydney less competitive as a finance destination” added Mr McFerran. “In addition the move to tighten foreign worker employment opportunities in Australia may accelerate the shift of certain functions overseas” Mr McFerran said. Australian employers are concerned that the proposed new measures will limit their ability to select top talent from a global pool of candidates. “Restricting access to highly skilled foreign professionals, and the innovation they bring, could also prove a challenge. It will need to be managed to avoid harming productivity at the same time that the Government is trying to increase it” Mr McFerran said.“It’s odd because the Asian Century Whitepaper the Federal Government released recently was all about opening up trade and labour flow across Asia-pacific. Yet the current moves to tighten skilled migrant visas goes against this. We would urge the Government to tread lightly when it comes to financial services” said Mr McFerran.**ENDS**About eFinancialCareerseFinancialCareers, a Dice Holdings, Inc. service, is the leading global career site network for professionals working in the investment banking, asset management and securities industries. The website provides financial services professionals with job opportunities, job market news and analysis, salary surveys and career advice. Recruiters and employers can post jobs targeting specific sectors within the financial services industry, both buy-side and sell-side, and can search the resume database for highly qualified and specialized professionals. eFinancialCareers has a network of co-branded career sites with industry-leading trade publications and offers local websites in 19 markets and five languages primarily across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and financial centers of the Middle East. www.eFinancialCareers.comFor further information: Cape Public Relations +61 2 8218 2190 Luke Roberts luke@capepublicrelations.com M: 0422 855 930

2013-03-12T06:10:43Z less-than-one-stage-left-for-sale-at-natures-walk

Stage five is the final stage of Natures Walk Estate in Erskine. The boutique estate, mere minutes away from the centre of Mandurah, is the latest in a string of successful real estate communities developed and marketed by 4Land Property Group.The management of 4Land Property Group attributes the popularity of Natures Walk Estate to a number of factors. First, the median price for a house in Perth rose by 2.1% during the last three months of 2012. Consequently, the median price for a house in the Perth area is close to $500,000. In contrast, a basic house and land package at Natures Walk in Mandurah starts at $320,572. This represents a savings of close to $180,000.In addition, the Mandurah area is very attractive to buyers for a number of reasons. Besides the lower median house price, Mandurah is a great place for boaters, and its amenities are a near-perfect combination of big city convenience and resort town ambience.Mature property buyers looking to downsize have purchased a majority of the properties sold so far. According to the 2011 census, approximately 27.1% of Mandurah residents are 60 years of age or older. Indeed, more than 90% of the homes in Natures Walk have been purchased by retirees and downsizers. The Mandurah property provides retirees the security of a lifestyle development with the independence of property ownership.Natures Walk is located on the corner of Willoughbridge Crescent and Oakleigh Drive in Erskine, Mandurah. The property is in a secluded area, but affords quick and easy access to virtually every major attraction in the Mandurah area.Natures Walk is adjacent to the Len Howard Reserve, right beside Peel Inlet, mere minutes from the centre of Mandurah, and less than 20 minutes from the beach. Those who wish to visit Perth on occasion will be happy to know that Natures Walk is also minutes away from the railway line to Perth.According to Dave Gillon, those who hesitate may indeed miss out on securing a home at Natures Walk: “We have been pleasantly surprised by the demand and the sheer amount of traffic that we have seen since we began selling property in this development. We have seen a lot of retirees and downsizers purchase in the Estate as they have been very happy with the prices and the quality of the homes. Those who have visited the display home have typically been very pleasantly surprised, commenting that the home looks is a lot bigger inside than it appears to be from the outside.”Gillon continued: “Mandurah is a great area for boaters, fishermen, and anyone who enjoys the beach. It is also a great place for retirees, as Mandurah has a wealth of amenities and things to do. There are seven golf courses around the region, and there are plenty of shows at the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre. Dolphin Quay is a great place to enjoy fresh wine and seafood, and a ride on the ferris wheel at King Carnival provides a breathtaking view of Mandurah.”Gillon concluded: “Nature lovers will enjoy walking through the treetops at the Forest Heritage Centre, or the “living fossils” in Yalgorup National Park. All-in-all, we can’t think of a more fun place to retire or downsize.”4Land Property Group has developed five successful communities in the Perth area. The Mandurah property, Natures Walk, is selling extremely fast. For more information call Dave Gillon at 0412 597 733, or visit their website http://www.natureswalk.com.au/.

2013-03-12T02:30:22Z austmine-2013-conference-reinforces-need-for-safe-workwear

On 20th to 23rd May 2013, Perth will host the Austmine 2013 International Conference and Exhibition. The event will be co-produced by Mining IQ and Austmine, and will attract a virtual who’s who of the mining industry. Top executives from every major mining company are scheduled to attend. The theme will be “Australian Technology: Inspiring Global Mining Innovation.”So far, presentations are scheduled to address a range of topics. Presently scheduled topics include the following: Western Australia as a mining hub, the future of mining technology, the globalisation of the mining supply chain, using automation to improve performance, improving operations in spite of the tightening economy, ensuring the safety of your workforce, and breakout sessions which will focus on emerging markets, such as Southern Africa, Russia, Brazil, and Mongolia.Confirmed speakers include: the Managing Director of Rio Tinto Australia, David Peever; Head of Innovation for Rio Tinto, John McGagh; VP of Mine Optimisation, Group Resource and Business Optimisation for BHP Billiton, Gavin Yeates; VP and Group Head of Organisational Effectiveness for Goldfields SA, Dr Shane Hodgson; Business Development Manager for Russell Mineral Equipment, Brett Morgan; Chairman of the Board of Geological Survey of Finland, Tom Niemi; CEO of the Minerals Council of Australia, Mitchell Hooke; and Chris Hinde of IntierraRMG.Australia, especially Western Australia, is a hub for some of the world’s most advanced mining practices. Since mines are now deeper, and it takes more work to produce minerals, it is paramount that the mining industry continues to embrace technological advances. Austmine 2013 provides an opportunity for mining executives to meet and keep abreast of developments in the industry.One of the most important factors in keeping a mine safe and efficient is the use of appropriate clothing and uniforms for those working in and around the mines. Corporate workwear for the mining industry must be perfect to promote safety and efficiency. Mining uniforms must provide visibility, while allowing employees to maximise their efficiency. In addition, their clothing cannot be too loose, because clothing that sticks out away from the body can easily become caught in machinery.In other words, mining uniforms must fit within a much smaller tolerance than clothing in more casual industries. In addition, mining uniforms must be durable, and they will ideally provide the first layer of protection from the elements or from any debris.According to Jarrod Wojtowicz, Director of JP Promotions, properly fitted mining uniforms can have a huge impact on a company’s bottom line: “In mining, as in many other industries, the stakes are high and the margin for error is low when it comes to safety in the workplace. The presence or absence of well-fitting, well-conceived workwear can make the difference between a slipshod, accident-prone workplace, and a workplace which is safe and well-organised.”Wojtowicz continued, “We carry a full line of workwear, not only for the mining industry, but for many other industries. Our uniforms can be customised with a company logo, by embroidery or screen printing. Our mining industry uniforms are sharp but rugged, and are designed for maximum safety and maximum production.”Wojtowicz concluded: “If you want your employees to look sharp, your workplace to be safe, and your production to be high, our mining uniforms can give you the edge you need.”JP Promotions provides corporate gifts, promotional products, corporate clothing, and workwear in Perth and across Australia.For more information about their extensive product line, please call 08 9248 6300, or visit their website: http://jppromotions.com.au/.

2013-03-11T09:38:20Z according-to-reia-report-western-australia-homes-are-their-most-affordable-since-2010

The Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) just released its housing affordability report for the December quarter of 2012. According to the report, it now takes 22% of the average income in Western Australia to make a home loan payment; this is a decrease of 1.4%, and is the lowest since the December quarter of 2010.According to the report, Western Australia first home buyer loans increased 8.9% in the December quarter of 2012, which is a rise of 35.6% over the December quarter of 2011. According to the REIA, Western Australia also had the largest rise in the size of the average loan to first home buyers across Australia.According to a spokesman from the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia (REIWA), WA currently has the highest wages and salaries in Australia. Since WA charges no stamp duty for first home buyers if their homes are less than $500,000, first home buyer activity was high and represented of the real estate market in WA.According to an REIWA spokesman, demand is being met through house and land packages costing around $300,000, which is very affordable when compared to the median price in the WA market. However, the median purchase price for those buying their first homes in metro Perth is approximately $430,000. This indicates plenty of people are still willing to pay more money for more amenities and a better location.According to REIWA, Ellenbrook, the Swan Valley and Baldivis, which is east of Rockingham, are the fastest growing suburbs in the Perth area. The median purchase price in metro Perth for January 2013 was $430,000, compared to $415,000 in January 2012, for an increase of $15,000. In the suburbs, the January 2013 median purchase price was $350,000, compared to $315,000 in January 2012, for an increase of $35,000.According to Justin Smith, Principal of The Mortgage Gallery Rockingham, the statistics are in line with what he has seen in his busy Rockingham home loan office: “The numbers in this report are pretty much what we expected to see. We are seeing a lot of movement, a very busy market, and gradual rise in prices. This is indicative of a strong recovery for the WA Real Estate market.”Smith continued, “Although the prices are rising, wages are also rising, thus making housing as affordable as it has been in two years. We believe the market is in a ‘sweet spot’ right now; people are making plenty of money but housing prices haven’t quite risen back to their pre-crisis levels. It is patently obvious to all who have followed Real Estate for the last 20 or 30 years that a market like this will soon cause the prices to rise.”Smith added: “Within two years, we could see not only a full recovery of the housing market but historically high prices. While we cannot guarantee that prices will, indeed, rise, we can state to a fair degree of certainty that it is a very good time for anyone who are waiting to either buy their first home or upgrade their current one to make a move now, before the market changes.”Smith concluded, “It’s definitely worth serious consideration.”The Mortgage Gallery Rockingham is a firm of mortgage brokers in the Rockingham, Kwinana and Cockburn areas.For more information, call them at (08) 9527 1800, or visit their website:http://www.themortgagegalleryrockingham.com.au/

2013-02-05T02:38:53Z reckon-lifts-performance-to-post-strong-end-year-result

Sydney, 5 February 2013: Reckon Limited (RKN) has announced a 7% increase in company revenue for the year ended 31 December 2012 citing a stronger performance in the second half of the year.Reckon has also posted growth across each of its divisions resulting in an overall 6% increase in net profit after tax (NPAT) of $1.1 million, as well as a 9% lift in earnings before tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) compared with 2011. Reckon Group CEO Clive Rabie has highlighted new customer acquisition and a strong direct sales performance as key to the positive end year result.“We are pleased to finish the year on a strong note with a better performance in the second half in all our businesses. Notably, our hosted and enterprise products have performed strongly again, benefitting from our growing direct sales team,” said Clive Rabie, Group CEO Reckon Limited.“Our APS business also performed well lifting revenue by 8% compared to 2011 as a result of continued new customer acquisition.”Reckon has also flagged plans to launch a new cloud accounting solution in 2013 designed to build on its strong desktop and hosted offerings.“As the only supplier to our market offering desktop, hosted and soon to be released cloud solutions, Reckon is in a unique position. The release of a new cloud accounting solution, as well as the delivery of our Virtual Cabinet document management technology to our markets and expanding the release of the APS Private Cloud solution, will significantly widen opportunities for our group this year,” says Rabie.Reckon has announced an 11% increase in earnings per share (EPS) for the year ending 31 December, 2012, to 13.4 cents per share.Find out more at www.reckon.com.au

2013-01-30T07:02:00Z simcorp-spotlights-top-technology-resolutions-for-the-buy-side-to-keep-in-2013

SimCorp <http://www.simcorp.com/Home.aspx> , a leading provider of investment management solutions <http://www.simcorp.com/Solutions/SimCorp-Dimension> and services for the global financial services industry, today announced a collection of technology resolutions that buy-side firms should keep in 2013. The list focuses on technology improvements that drive portfolio value, provide competitive advantage and allow asset managers to comply with the current onslaught of regulatory reforms. SimCorp’s technology resolutions for buy-side firms include: 1. Pay greater attention to operational excellence in the back-office - Asset managers should take the time to understand if outdated back-office systems are impeding investment performance. 2. Invest in an "IBOR <http://www.simcorp.com/Knowledge/Journal-of-Applied-IT-and-Investment-Management/The-data-management-challenge/The-investment-book-of-record> " (Investment Book of Record) - A solid IBOR delivers a single source of truth for both front- and back-office users that provides a holistic view into assets and exposures. 3. Evaluate multi-asset class systems that accelerate time-to-market for new securities - Firms should look to automate front-to-back office workflows on a single platform to accelerate time to market for even the most exotic instruments. 4. Leverage funding for regulatory reforms for enterprise "make-overs" - If the buy-side looks at regulation in piecemeal, asset managers are missing the chance to unleash compliance dollars to improve enterprise architecture. With reforms like Dodd-Frank, EMIR and Solvency II come opportunities to make changes that drive investment performance. 5. Realise that portfolio accounting matters - Many buy-side firms are closer to insolvency than they realise. Those that evaluate and transform their accounting systems are the ones who will stay ahead of the competition because they will understand with great detail, ‘what they own’, ‘what it is worth’ and ‘their total exposure’. 6. Understand the implications of data management for client reporting - A focus on centralised position-keeping for improved data quality and greater data accessibility will be a key competitive differentiator. David Kubersky, Managing Director for SimCorp North America explains, “A proactive approach in using technology to drive innovation and growth will well-position buy-side firms for 2013 and beyond. Those that take a ‘wait and see’ technology stance risk finding themselves ‘watch and implode’ as market dynamics out-run the outdated portfolio management systems in place.” About SimCorp Since 1971, SimCorp has been providing investment and portfolio management solutions and services to the world’s leading investment managers, asset managers, fund managers, fund administrators, pension funds, insurance funds and wealth managers. SimCorp’s world-class software provides global financial organisations with the tools they need to mitigate risk, reduce cost and enable growth. SimCorp is a global company, regionally covering all of Europe, North America and Asia Pacific. Listed on the NASDAQ OMX Copenhagen, SimCorp is dedicated to supporting the global investment management industry, its clients and its investors. For more information about SimCorp’s products, please visit www.simcorp.com/product

2013-01-24T07:38:35Z home-and-land-packages-often-cost-less-than-paying-rent-in-perth

A recent report from RP Data broke the news that it is cheaper to purchase than to rent in 494 Australian suburbs. The report computed costs by comparing the weekly cost of a combined interest and principal loan with a variable mortgage rate of 5.65% to the weekly costs of rent in cities across Australia.From Sydney, where the payment on a median priced house costs $351 less than paying $4,008/month for rent, or Carlton, outside of Melbourne, where it costs $305 less a month to buy a house costing $249,866 than to pay $1603/month, home ownership is now the best value for living space in 494 markets.It doesn’t matter whether the house is in a country town or a major city; with the current combination of low interest rates and high rents, buying a house and land package is the best value it has been in this century. Perth itself is one of the cities where it is cheaper to buy than rent, as are Brisbane, and locations such as Cairns, Townsville, and Ipswich.When the last RP data came out, a mere two months before the 20th December report, only 388 suburbs fell in the “cheaper to buy than to rent” category. The current number of 494 represents an increase of over 27%.Tim Lawless, the director for national research at RP Data, credits lower house prices combined with higher rents for part of the current balance, but the decrease in mortgage rates appears to have been a tipping point for the market. According to Lawless, housing is now 5.5% lower in capital cities and their suburbs, while discounted variable mortgage rates have fallen 150 basis points since 2011.Lawless has no doubt that now is a great time to buy a house: “For many consumers, (a house) may not cost them that much more to own than rent.  For many buyers, now may be a good time to either re-enter the market or buy their first home.”Western Australia has 48 suburbs where it is cheaper to buy than rent. Across Australia, Queensland has the most with 185, followed by 122 in NSW, 58 in South Australia, 28 in Victoria, and 18 in the Northern Territory.According to Dave Gillon, Sales Manager for 4Land Property Group, their company almost always has many house and land packages that cost less to buy than it does to rent: “This is a great development for the housing market, and it presents an unprecedented opportunity for renters to “step up” into home ownership, but we already had a lot of house and land packages where it is cheaper to buy a house and land package than it is to rent a home.”Gillon continued, “We specialise in very affordable house and land packages that provide great value for the money. We have combined designs that don’t waste a millimetre of space, quality workmanship, intrinsic beauty, great locations and great prices to offer comfortable homes at very low prices. Most people who tour our Estates and display homes in Perth are stunned at the total package of comfort, quality, and a lot more space than they imagined, especially when they see what their repayments are going to be.”Gillon concluded, “It is a great time to buy a home. When you rent, you don’t receive anything else for your money. When you buy, you build a future.”4Land Property Group provides affordable and quality house and land packages to the Perth area.Visit their website for more information: http://www.4land.com.au/ or call them at (08) 9301 4445 to talk to one of their representatives.

2013-01-24T01:09:33Z reckon-puts-emphasis-on-growing-expert-partner-network-in-2013

Reckon has announced changes to their software partner program as the company moves to widen their network of experts across Australia. A more compelling offer, alongside a reduced annual fee, is expected to attract more accountants, bookkeepers and business consultants to the Reckon Accredited Partner program this year.Making the Accredited Partner program more accessible, and introducing new products in the year ahead, will help more professionals gain access to modern tools and specialist software knowledge to better assist the large portion of Australia’s two million-plus small businesses that have no accounting software in place, according to Reckon’s Group General Manager – Marketing, Gerald Chait.“The affordability and accessibility of accounting software are compelling reasons for small businesses to move from spreadsheets or paper record keeping methods that are time-consuming and have limited performance reporting capability. Reckon Accredited Partners provide expert advice to small businesses on accounting software implementation, as well as ongoing software support,” says Chait.“We’ll also be working closely with our Reckon Accredited Partner network this year to ensure our tools and programs help them build their businesses, which will in turn benefit others. Our existing online solutions already make it possible for partners to assist businesses anytime and from anywhere; we’ll improve upon this later in the year with the release of a new modern cloud solution, unlike anything else available.”There are currently over 350 Reckon Accredited Partners in Australia who work with thousands of Australian small businesses. Accountants, bookkeepers, and business consultants are invited to express their interest in joining the program which provides direct leads for desktop, hosted and cloud software enquiries, as well as ongoing commission on product sales, advanced training, and marketing support.The Reckon Accredited Partner program annual fee is now $495. Program details, as well as the application form, are available on the Reckon website. Businesses looking to speak to a Reckon Accredited Partner about their software needs can find a partner by visiting the Find an AP webpage.