It’s time for optimism

LIFE can be relentless.

The alarm at 6.30am, the chill as I climb out of bed. My nine-year-old already up, cuddling with our dog, his hoodie on and bare legs sticking out the bottom. My older twins: the reliable one is dressed to perfection, already has his tie on and hair done. The other yawns as he trips down the stairs. Has he slept all night with his pajama top on backwards? How can twins be so different? This is my day. Every day. All year round. Get up. Get kids breakfast and ready for school. Make lunches. Pack bags. Make sure they eat. Then out the door. I read a quote recently: if you want to teach your teenagers about contraception, make them get kids ready for school daily! I drop them off, head to work, and it’s on. Relentless.

I’m a business owner. The buck stops with me. I haven’t had a lunch break in 20 years. I go flat knacker until 5pm, then I head home to either take kids to sport, at which I am coach of both football and basketball, or help with reading, homework, all while making dinner. It’s 9.30pm before they’re all in bed and the lights are out. And I am buggered. Tomorrow, it will start all over again. And the next day. And the day after that. But I love it. Wouldn’t have it any other way. I love the laughter, the cuddles, the love between us. And at work, I love it. All things property is my jam. I haven’t looked at a clock on the wall since I found my obsession.

Where am I going with this? There’s been a lot of negativity floating around lately. It’s time we stopped whining about life and started choosing optimism. And if you live in the Geelong region, you have more reason than most to feel optimistic. The CBA recently released the regional migration index, a study using their customer data to show how Australians are relocating. CBA has the lion’s share of Australian banking customers, so its data is a great snapshot of our population. The index shows Geelong is the fastest growing region in the country. Yes, the whole damn country, and it has accelerated in recent months. For property investors, this is crucial data. Geelong will now attract investment that will provide the funds to grow businesses, property prices and the value of your family home.

The federal election is over, and the negative impact on the community was ridiculous. But it’s now behind us. The RBA has just announced another rate cut of 0.25 per cent, to bring our cash rate to 3.85 per cent. That’s a saving of $100 a month for the average mortgage borrower. I think we can expect at least one more rate cut this year, and with every cut life gets a bit easier. In recent weeks, Geelong’s property market has started to show green shoots. More listings, a lot more sales and a lot more action across the board.

I have recently talked about one marquee property with a $3 million plus price tag in Purrumbete Avenue, Manifold Heights. A beautiful home and a great example of a quality property. This unfortunately was put to market only to have the election called and the campaign undermined by the foreboding uncertainty that followed. I am happy to report that it has since sold, and above the $3 million price tag. A great example of the confidence change. In the estates, land is selling again, increasing by a staggering 75 per cent in the past three weeks, with builders also reporting an increase in enquiries for new builds.

But while we urban dwellers are getting more optimistic, take a moment to remember our farmers, who are still fighting a very severe and distressing drought. That said, I do think that even the farming landscape, as desperate as it has been for some time, can see some light. Beef and lamb prices are rising, and the long-range weather prediction looks like this drought might break in June. Unfortunately, these changes may be too late for many farmers who are on the brink but I’m hopeful that their plight is now becoming known, and communities are starting to rally behind them and putting pressure on those in power who can and should ease their burden.

As relentless as life is, let’s keep optimistic and trust that the passage of time will bring us the answers and the opportunities.

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