May is historically our quietest month of business on the Great Ocean Road. Reason being there are no long weekends or school holidays to encourage the visitors to town. Interestingly, on the real estate front we continue to be busy. 7 sales in 7 days in 1 of our offices is unbelievable for this time of year.

For the serious buyers, you should be down here this month. Plenty of property to choose from and less competition than the summer months. Our business is open 7 days and we welcome you enquiry via phone, email or a personal visit.

Open Houses this weekend

Saturday 8th May
11:00am – 11:30am 45 Grandview Road, Torquay
12:00pm – 12:30pm 2/45 Boston Road, Torquay
1:00pm – 1:30pm 5 New Street, Torquay
2:00pm – 2:30pm 14 Rosedale Drive, Torquay
3:00pm – 4:00pm 26 Bells Boulevard, Jan Juc

Sunday 9th May
11:00am – 11:30am 3 Port Phillip Court, Torquay
12:30pm-1:30pm 296 Grossmans Road, Torquay
2:00pm – 2:30pm 1/3 Hoylake Avenue, Jan Juc
2:00pm – 2:30pm 2/3 Hoylake Avenue, Jan Juc

Forthcoming Auctions
26 Bells Boulevard JAN JUC    Sat 22nd of May @ 1:00 pm
45 Grandview Road TORQUAY    Sat 29th of May @ 11:00 am

See you in Our Backyard.

Geoff Bennett
geoff@greatoceanroadrealestate.com.au
0458 513 860

This week Great Ocean Road Real Estate’s website was awarded the ‘Website of the week’ on the Best Practice Website. Accreditation for Best Practice Real Estate Agents is only awarded to agencies with a written Guarantee of Service and which comply with top 10% levels of performance in each of the following client focused areas:

• Customer Service
• Standards of performance, conduct and ethical behaviour
• Employer training and support
• Business Management

Every Best Practice accredited agency is independently audited in these four areas of agency practice.

More information can be found at www.bestpractice.com.au

For any real estate matters please contact me on geoff@greatoceanroadrealestate.com.au or 0458 513 860.

Kind regards,

Geoff Bennett

Steve Ryan Photography

The Geelong Ring Road is nearing completion. A small overpass at the Waurn Ponds end that connects onto the Old Geelong Road is all that is left to finish.

This is set to make a huge impact on the Surfcoast region. Dependent on your point of view locals may argue that the environmental damage and change in culture can only harm the area. And others will argue that it will provide jobs and a higher education system. The debate will go on for a long time.

But one thing is certain, the ring road is here.

The Geelong Ring Road will provide greater connectivity to some of Victoria’s most popular tourist destinations including the Great Ocean Road. If you are a regular traveler to or from Melbourne then you can eliminate 29 sets of traffic lights thereby reducing your travel time by around 10-15 minutes.

Tourism studies have an estimated 300,000 people visiting the region each year, injecting between $15 – $19 million dollars thus creating 1,400 permanent jobs per annum.

How will the ring road affect real estate?

Surf Coast Shire is expected to grow significantly, with most of this growth occurring in Surf Coast East.

The Economic and Land Use Impacts of the Geelong Ring Road (2009) is a new report that examines likely growth areas as a result of the development of the Ring Road and the duplication and upgrade of Princes Highway West. Funded by the City of Greater Geelong, G21, the Committee for Geelong and RDV, the report will inform Council and agency planning processes for services and infrastructure.

Released three weeks ago, the report shows how the Ring Road and Princes Highway Upgrade are expected to increase the region’s population, industry and employment opportunities, and how this is likely to impact on the region’s land use requirements. It also presents specific recommendations on how the region can make the most of the opportunities that these important pieces of infrastructure present.

The information provided may affect land rezoning and help target investment attraction efforts. The report will also help us understand which businesses are likely to relocate because of the infrastructure improvements. This may well result in freeing up of some large sites with redevelopment potential for more valuable uses.

Click here to view the “Economic & Land Use Impacts of the Geelong Ring Road” (2009)

www.steveryan.com.au

Considered to be a first in Australian real estate Great Ocean Road Real Estate has combined with local business Mohbe.com in giving house hunters the option of viewing their real estate properties via a mobile phone using QR Code technology.

Great Ocean Road Real Estate and its four agencies in Lorne, Apollo Bay, Aireys Inlet and Torquay will include a QR Code in their print media. This will enable browsers to scan the QR code and go directly to the advertised property. From here the house hunter can view up to 26 images including floor plans, Google Maps, auction dates, inspection times and pricing. Other features include a live click to call, sms or email the agent.

What is a QR Code?

A QR Code is 2 dimensional barcode. When scanned using a mobile phone it will reveal the information hidden behind it. In Great Ocean Road Real Estates case it will be a live web address that the browser can click on and go directly to that property.

Scenario
A couple has arrived in Torquay from Melbourne for a holiday with the view to purchasing a holiday home. They are reading the Surfcoast Times real estate lift out. They are looking at properties advertised by Great Ocean Road Real Estate and notice the QR codes. Now they can view up to 26 images and contact the agent directly.

Is my mobile phone enabled to scan a QR Code?
Firstly, the QR Code/barcode scanner may already be in your applications folder. If you own an iPhone go to “apps store” and type in either neoreader, 2Dsense or beetagg. These are free applications which you can add to your iPhone.

For all other mobiles open your browser and type in get.neoreader.com This will identify your mobile phone and prompt you to download. This is a free application.

How do I scan a code?
Open your scanner application and focus the camera on the qr code image. In an instant the application to should reveal the information embedded. From here you can click on the link and go straight to the web page.

Using an iPhone open your application and photograph the qr code image. Then press decode to reveal I alive link to the revealed web address.

58 Strathmore, Jan Juc, Vic
House For Lease – $400

Style and class sum up this unique Jan Juc residence with multiple living areas and fantastic outlooks. Modern and trendy with three bedrooms, two bathrooms and first floor powder room. Fully ducted air-conditioning, stone bench tops in gourmet kitchen inclusive dishwasher and top appliances. Beautifully appointed throughout with WIRs to master and feature flooring. Double garage with auto door, side decking and spacious first floor balcony.
12 month lease
Available now $400 pw

View Listing