Pittwater Life June 2017 Issue

News
Vendors on a Shores thing
new local real estate agency
A has been launched by some
familiar faces, with a name and
fresh logo reflecting the area it
will serve – between the shores
of the ocean and Pittwater.
Shores, created by agent
Stephanie Hammond and business
manager Sienna Berney,
will provide a real estate service
tailor-made and specifically
suited to our beachside villages
of Avalon, Newport and Bilgola.
“Our area has always been a
haven for artistic, creative, freethinking,
interesting people
and I wanted to offer the same
enthusiasm and slightly off-beat
approach to what is perceived
as a slightly dull and leaden
business,” Stephanie said.
“We understand buying or
selling a house is one of the biggest
decisions people will make.
“For buyers it’s a huge commitment
both financially and
emotionally, because it represents
their life, their ambitions,
their futures.
“For vendors, it’s often a difficult
decision to sell what has
often been their family home...
they are deeply invested in it.
“For both sides, we want to
do all we can to guarantee they
make the right decision.”
Stephanie took the plunge
to launch Shores after her
five-year franchise agreement
with real estate agency Century
21 – the world’s largest group –
expired in May.
“The old-fashioned franchise
system doesn’t offer anything
Stephanie Hammond with Sienna Berney (third from right) and team.
anymore,” Stephanie explained.
“Buyers and sellers don’t want
an expensive, one-size-fits-all
approach... Sydney’s a city of
villages, we want to offer a service
custom-designed for our
little beachside villages.”
Stephanie said the outlook for
local real estate was positive.
“As the digital age continues
to change our lives, making
it possible to work globally
but live locally, the modern
reality is suburbs like Avalon,
Bilgola and Newport are ideally
positioned for modern families
looking for a great lifestyle,
while conducting worthwhile
working lives,” she said.
“After several years of strong
growth throughout Sydney, affordability
remains a real issue.
“Our area has not, so far,
seen prices distorted by foreign
investment or by a huge surge
in apartment buildings.
“However, with the recent
government decision to offer
easier access to the city with
high-frequency bus services,
we also anticipate that the
explosive growth in prices
closer to the city, has and will
continue to encourage buyers
to seek value – and head up to
our area,” she said.
Covering all aspects of
residential real estate; property
management for investors and
property sales, Stephanie and
her team have been encouraged
by two major awards: rated
No.1 agency for Avalon and
Bilgola in 2017 by independent
assessor Rate My Agent, and
having conducted the most
sales in Newport in 2017.
“We believe each vendor and
property has their own specific
needs and requires a unique
approach… everyone has a
story and everyone deserves a
bespoke solution,” she said.
– Lisa Offord
7THINGS
THIS MONTH
Tricky teenager? Adolescent
psychologist Michael Hawton
has drawn on 30 years’
experience to compile Engaging
Adolescents – a practical guide
to help you steer your teenager
through challenging times with
confidence. Meet Michael on
Thurs 8 from 6pm at Avalon Rec
Centre. Tickets $15, bookings
essential on 9973 1244.
Buy a snag for the hospital.
Grab a sausage sanga at Bunnings
Narrabeen on Sat 10 and
help raise funds to support Mona
Vale Hospital Auxilliary. BBQ will
be fired up from 8am-3pm.
World Oceans Day event.
Rob Stokes MP, Palm Beach
SLSC, The Save Our Marine Life
partnership and Jason Falinski
MP invite you to celebrate World
Oceans Day on Monday 5 (it's
technically Thursday but they
are getting in early) with special
guest speaker ocean explorer
Valerie Taylor. At the Pacific Club
Palm Beach at 6pm. Free; bookings
essential 8484 0300.
Whale count. The northern
whale migration has begun and
scientists need your help counting
giants of the deep for the
ORRCA Whale Census on Sun
25. Experts will be on hand at
Bilgola Headland from 1-2.30pm
to help guide you. Bookings
essential on 1300 000 232.
Have a ball. Secure tickets
to the annual Christmas in July
Charity Ball and make a positive
difference in the fight against
cancer by raising money for
research and community-based
programs; @ Miramare Gardens,
Terrey Hills on Fri July 28. More
info fightonthebeaches.com.
New men’s book club.
Beachside Bookshop in Avalon
is launching a Blokes Book Club,
which will be held on the first
Monday night of the month from
7-8pm. With a focus on Australian
writers, the club kicks off July 3
with crime writer Candice Fox’s
Crimson Lake. More info in store
or info@beachsidebookshop.com
Travel View Travel Club.
Head to RMYC Newport on Mon
5 from 10.30am. All welcome;
RSVP Eliza 9999 6933.
18 JUNE 2017
Celebrating 25 Years