Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Brisbane Home Loan

Buying property in Brisbane, think of your home loan as an investment.

Since the GFC and low property value growth in Brisbane the decision to take a home loan should not be taken lightly. Infact the home you purchase and mortgage you use will impact your financial situation and living conditions for the rest of your life. This means property research and loan selection are the most important part of buying property

A few tips

10 Steps Involved in Purchasing Property

The process of purchasing property may seem overwhelming, but it needn’t be that way. Professionals take care of the paperwork, so the hardest part for you is finding the property. By understanding the steps involved and reading our Property Investment Tips, you will feel more confident and it will ease the panic so often associated with the purchasing process.

1. Apply for Pre-Approval of a Loan, consider using a mortgage broker to compare a lot of loans.

2. Find the Property

Be sure to read Property Investment Tips for more information on finding property and making sure it’s a good deal.

Look, don’t leap! Do as much research as you can before making an offer.

Obtain a Free Real Estate Report to see what similar properties have sold for in the area. This information can save you from offering an above-market price for the property

Remember: The Real Estate Agent works for the Seller and not for you. They may act like they are on your side, but they’re not. So, never solely rely on what the selling agent tells you. It’s their job to get as much as they can for the Seller.

3. Find an Experienced Solicitor or Conveyancer

Before signing any Offer/Contract, have your solicitor/conveyancer review it to make sure it is acceptable.

4. The Real Estate Agent will draw up an Offer for you. Once the Seller accepts/signs your Offer, the Offer then becomes a Contract.

Send a copy of the Offer/Contract to your Solicitor/Conveyancer BEFORE signing it.

5. Once the Seller accepts/signs your offer, have the Real Estate Agent fax a copy your bank or Mortgage Broker.

6. Arrange for Building and Pest Inspections

You should have inspections performed by independent qualified professionals who have insurance.

7. Arrange for Insurance

It is your responsibility to insure the property as soon as the Offer becomes a Contract (e.g., if it burns down whilst under contract, it is your loss).

Contact your current Home and Contents Insurance Provider or contact Allianz Insurance, 1300 360 574, for a quote. Please quote Reference Number 1-H7YS to the Allianz Consultant and they will offer you up to 90 days free* Home & Contents Insurance during your settlement period when purchasing, or up to 10%* off an Allianz Home Insurance Policy when refinancing.

8. Advise your Solicitor/Conveyancer when your home loan has been Unconditionally Approved by the Bank/Financial Institution.

This normally takes two weeks from the original application date as the Banks usually need to send a Valuer to the property and receive a valuation report before Unconditionally Approving a loan.

9. Contact your Solicitor/Conveyancer to find out:

The time and date that has been set for your settlement.

The amount of money you will need to give them to complete the settlement on your property.

Where the keys for the property will be after settlement.

10. Move In

Enjoy your new home

Zar Pty Ltd

1800 180 927

Ann Street

Brisbane QLD 4000

Mark Lewis

Home Loan Consultant

P – 1800 180 927

M – 0405 780 870

F – 07 3056 0246

E – mlewis@zar.com.au

W – www.zar.com.au



Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Sheltie Shetland Sheepdog

Sheltie Shetland Sheepdog


The roots of one of the most popular working dogs, the Sheltie Shetland Sheepdog, really started out in the Shetland Islands. To be specific, the breed arose as a result of mixing the Scandinavian herding dogs with the Scottish working collie. Those inclined to show the breed later on involved some crosses with show collies. On the islands, sheep were welcome to roam all over the open country, but fencing kept the animals off the croft. This was the environment into which the Sheltie Shetland Sheepdog was introduced, and he was busy being a watch dog, companion, keeping livestock away from cultivated areas and or simply rounding them up. While the modern Sheltie is more of a show dog and companion, some continue their working tradition in the UK and in the US. Breeders nowadays aim to include among their programs' goals the intelligence, willingness and inner drive that has come to be identified with the Sheltie's unique attitude and disposition.

Interested in looking for a Sheltie Shetland Sheepdog with the built-in herding instinct? The instinct to herd is actually inherited, and not learned. But on the other hand, even if the instinct is confirmed even up to the parents of the dog, there must also be the willingness to work with the handler. In selecting a puppy, the hint of a herding instinct can be gleaned by observing the puppy's interest in pursuing moving objects (such as balls, other animals) and whether he has an outgoing personality. Audacity and self-confidence are plus-points, while aggressiveness or shyness may be detrimental in the long-run.


If you wish to have your Sheltie Shetland Sheepdog evaluated for the possibility of a herding instinct, the dog ideally needs to be between six months to one year of age. An organized instinct testing expert might be a phone call away. But you may also need to check first with an experienced trainer to get your dog used to the exposures.


Sheep is most appropriate for testing since they flock the most. Cattle might prove unpredictable for a young Sheltie dog, and ducks do not flock as well. Working with an older dog, or who has had extensive obedience training, might be like going against the grain since they dog may be focused on the owner, requiring much effort to get the dog to transfer his interest and focus on to the stock. What does the evaluator look for? He or she will look for the dog's interest in the stock, and how the dog works the animals and makes them change direction. One last bonus tip here is that the evaluator would appreciate seeing the dog counterbalancing him or her by staying on the opposite side of the stock.