The totally off-topic thread

[Mal]

If I can spot QF on one mistake, it's that they did not personalise the NGCI tags so that they only pertain to the person who deserves those tags.

Why does it matter? The hockey pucks themselves do not (allegedly) give priority handling - it's the data encoded on the RFID. Even Qantas has been busy telling people to lend them to family members etc.

 

[Mal]

I'm reading through the Property Guide in today's Courier-Mail. The usual overpriced rubbish properties in Brisbane (and it will be interesting for some of them to later look up how long they've been on the market, what they last sold for and what price changes they've had in their advertising).

Anyway, RE agents are generally shonky, but I find the following comment by one of them purely misleading:

"This site will never be flooded".

If I was going to buy that overpriced property, I would be saving that quote ...

Oh, and my other favourite:
- Seeing a new block of units being advertised as "Most with river views". Yep, I walked past that construction site last week ... and I can see that it did have very good river views... the water would have been lapping at the ground floor.

 

[Mal]

More real estate shonkiness...

Lovely article in the Courier-Mail today:
First home buyers slowly returning to Queensland property market after historical low | Courier Mail

Featuring a heat warming story about a young couple buying their first home:

Ben Markwell, 23, and Elizabeth Brier-Mills, 22, were among those to buy for the first time at the end of last year.

Mr Markwell said they decided to buy a home at Collingwood Park when they discovered it would not cost much more than renting.

He said the first home buyer's grant was a great incentive to people their age.

"I think people now in their early 20s are quite interested in property. They are interested in getting their first home," Mr Markwell said.

Hey.... This wouldn't be the same "Ben Markwell" who is a real estate agent would it?

TARINGA Real Estate Agents & Property - CENTURY 21 Westside

Ben Markwell

Property Consultant

EMAIL: [email protected]

Contact: 1300 200 100

Ben Markwell knows the perfect house means more than just bricks and mortar.

“I spent several years as a builder’s salesperson in Rockhampton,” Ben explains.

“Working with clients through the whole process helped me see their dreams come to life, from choosing blocks of land, designing what they wanted and negotiating with contractors, as I watched their houses grow from the ground up.

“Whether it is building or finding a place that ticks all the boxes, I love helping people find a house that can become their home.”

Growing up in a family passionate about property and the value of investing in it, Ben has always dreamt of a career in real estate — inspired to follow the footsteps of his father, who is a successful Rockhampton realtor.

“Dad always taught me to listen first and talk later, and that has always helped me understand exactly what clients want,” Ben explains.

“Keeping on the same page from the beginning means everyone is informed and involved throughout the process.”

Determined to stand on his own two feet, ambitious Ben moved to Brisbane to further his career through Phill Broom’s team — having literally fallen in love with the area two years ago.

“My girlfriend is from Brookfield and her family has always lived around here, so it is good to be closer to them,” he says.

“It is the kind of place that you never want to leave and it is little wonder why so many people choose to live in this beautiful area.”

Of course co-incidences happen, but when it comes to the real estate industry, I don't really believe in co-incidences...

 

[medhead]

I looked for the Qatar C17 yesterday when arriving in aDL back from SYD. But I couldn't see it. No ATA some I'm not going out to the airport today to check.

More on the Globemaster C-17, only of the remote control variety. Some people take their their hobbies pretty seriously ja wohl!

Thanks more good videos.

 

[markis10]

I looked for the Qatar C17 yesterday when arriving in aDL back from SYD. But I couldn't see it. No ATA some I'm not going out to the airport today to check.



Thanks more good videos.

It overnighted Thursday and left Friday at 11.30AM

 

[medhead]

It overnighted Thursday and left Friday at 11.30AM

Thanks. I thought it was supposed to be here 4/5. But no biggie such that I was actually going to double check the dates or anything.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

More real estate shonkiness...

Lovely article in the Courier-Mail today:
First home buyers slowly returning to Queensland property market after historical low | Courier Mail

Featuring a heat warming story about a young couple buying their first home:

Hey.... This wouldn't be the same "Ben Markwell" who is a real estate agent would it?

TARINGA Real Estate Agents & Property - CENTURY 21 Westside

Of course co-incidences happen, but when it comes to the real estate industry, I don't really believe in co-incidences...

Nice bit of detective work Mal!

My pet hates are those cringeworthy quotes they misguidedly use to try & hook in a buyer like:

"loads of olde world charm" (hasn't been updated in 40 years)
"a real charmer" (don't waste your time looking)
"neat as a pin" (so tiny you can't even swing a cat)

It never ceases to amaze me what a poor job some RE agents do with their online 'marketing' such as taking p!ss poor photos showing washing up in the dish drainer, bags of rubbish hanging off cupboard door handles, piles of dead palm fronts next to the house. I could go on but I'm sure you get the drift.

 

[Mal]

Nice bit of detective work Mal!

Also, if you check out his (open) Facebook page, Ben Markwell | Facebook he quite happily advises that he is in Real Estate and is "friends" with people with the surname of Brier-Mills (and variations of)... Hmm.

I just hate the general shonkiness of the whole industry. Why wasn't it mentioned that he is a real estate agent, and thus will benefit from any increase in sales? Or did that not fit into the wholesome image of sheep being led down to the abattoir (I've been following real estate in Brisbane closely, and am very sure it's set for a huge crash).

It never ceases to amaze me what a poor job some RE agents do with their online 'marketing' such as taking p!ss poor photos showing washing up in the dish drainer, bags of rubbish hanging off cupboard door handles, piles of dead palm fronts next to the house. I could go on but I'm sure you get the drift.

Yep. Look at realestate.com.au in the "rentals" section. It's such a frustrating exercise. Wow - city apartment. Hey, the front of the building is nice, Wow, nice gym, Cool lap pool. Now why are there no photos of the apartment itself???

 

[medhead]

"loads of olde world charm" (hasn't been updated in 40 years)
"a real charmer" (don't waste your time looking)
"neat as a pin" (so tiny you can't even swing a cat)

The favourite of SWMBO and me was "would respond well to renovation". We decided that was meant "Would respond well to a bulldozer"

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Also, if you check out his (open) Facebook page, Ben Markwell | Facebook he quite happily advises that he is in Real Estate and is "friends" with people with the surname of Brier-Mills (and variations of)... Hmm.

I just hate the general shonkiness of the whole industry. Why wasn't it mentioned that he is a real estate agent, and thus will benefit from any increase in sales? Or did that not fit into the wholesome image of sheep being led down to the abattoir (I've been following real estate in Brisbane closely, and am very sure it's set for a huge crash).

Yep. Look at realestate.com.au in the "rentals" section. It's such a frustrating exercise. Wow - city apartment. Hey, the front of the building is nice, Wow, nice gym, Cool lap pool. Now why are there no photos of the apartment itself???

Can't work out whether this scenario would fall into the TPA of "unconscionable conduct" or if it's just plain old lying by omission or as Don Chipp put it "the biggest lie you tell is the one you don't tell".

I would say that the REIQ would be very concerned right now by the state it's in & I wouldn't want to be trying to make a quid out of real estate at the moment. I would even go as far as saying they were behind the article & nabbed a relatively 'wet behind the ears' type to be the bunny saying everything's fine and dandy, otherwise why wouldn't the young punk take every opportunity to tout his business???

As they say, fishmongers don't cry stinking fish.

 

[Bundy Bear]

Also, if you check out his (open) Facebook page, Ben Markwell | Facebook he quite happily advises that he is in Real Estate and is "friends" with people with the surname of Brier-Mills (and variations of)... Hmm.

I just hate the general shonkiness of the whole industry. Why wasn't it mentioned that he is a real estate agent, and thus will benefit from any increase in sales? Or did that not fit into the wholesome image of sheep being led down to the abattoir (I've been following real estate in Brisbane closely, and am very sure it's set for a huge crash).




Yep. Look at realestate.com.au in the "rentals" section. It's such a frustrating exercise. Wow - city apartment. Hey, the front of the building is nice, Wow, nice gym, Cool lap pool. Now why are there no photos of the apartment itself???

I read the article and I wondered who's name the house was brought in as you are best to put the house in one name to get the $7000 grant each time.

That wasn't mentioned in the article.

If it was TV would have been good for media Watch.



Sent from my iPhone using AFF Mobile

 

[JohnK]

Geebung RSL is an ok place, although I do prefer Kedron-Wavell.

Didn't know about Kedron-Wavell. Will have try them out next time.

Went to Logan Diggers last night (got lost on Underwood Road again ) and while it was OK not as good as Geebung.

P.S I find it extremely funny (strange funny) that a schooner of xx_X Gold costs $3.95 and a 300mL bottle of Coke is $4.10. :shock: I am probably asking for too much but perhaps Brisbane can move into the 20th Century and provide soft drinks (worth 15c for pre-mix variety) free of charge to those playing pokies.

The trains from Geebung run pretty late into the night (every half hour up to 12amish ) - Check Translink. It isn't the safest train line in the network (based around coming from Caboolture or perhaps Sandgate and going to Ipswich/Rosewood), but apart from the usual type of shifty characters that are always on late night public transport I wouldn't be concerned. If really worried, choose a train that has the security guards (a Night Watch train) and time your departure from RSL to have minimal waiting time.

Not sure I want to catch a train at that time of the night. Everything in Geebung outside of the RSL was extremely dark and deserted at 8:00pm.

Trying to work out what the car cost me on Friday

Rental $41.27 + Petrol $14 - VS miles $20 value = Total $35.27 which is not lot to pay. The train would have been $6.26 return and a taxi would have cost a weeks salary....

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I read the article and I wondered who's name the house was brought in as you are best to put the house in one name to get the $7000 grant each time.

That wasn't mentioned in the article.

If it was TV would have been good for media Watch.

Sent from my iPhone using AFF Mobile

Media Watch covers print media also. I've seen Stuart Littlemore give curry to many a sub-editor of The Mercury & Courier Mail - I'd say most papers in fact.

When I clicked on the facebook link to Ben Markwell in Mal's post it says: "Ben Markwell likes: & lo & behold top of the list is REIQ!

Stating the obvious - bit like asking "are the Kennedy's gun shy"?

 

[Nigelinoz]

Media Watch tip-offs

 

[Mal]

Media Watch tip-offs

While doing additional Googling last night, saw that one of the "Property ezpose" websites had already discovered the same thing and had tipped off Media Watch apparently.

The article grows in shonkiness though for the following reasons:
- Most "human interest" stories state the occupation of the people mentioned. This is a glaring omission from this story.
- Ben's boss "Gerard Baden-Clay of Century 21 Westside" has made a comment in the article. Hmm, how strange is that.

So this smacks of journalistic incompetence, misleading reporting or a "cash for comment" story.

 

[Bundy Bear]

Didn't know about Kedron-Wavell. Will have try them out next time.

Went to Logan Diggers last night (got lost on Underwood Road again ) and while it was OK not as good as Geebung.

P.S I find it extremely funny (strange funny) that a schooner of xx_X Gold costs $3.95 and a 300mL bottle of Coke is $4.10. :shock: I am probably asking for too much but perhaps Brisbane can move into the 20th Century and provide soft drinks (worth 15c for pre-mix variety) free of charge to those playing pokies.

Logan must have a strange coke size; I thought they were 330mls, but why didn't they have premix coke.

While doing additional Googling last night, saw that one of the "Property ezpose" websites had already discovered the same thing and had tipped off Media Watch apparently.

The article grows in shonkiness though for the following reasons:
- Most "human interest" stories state the occupation of the people mentioned. This is a glaring omission from this story.
- Mark's boss "Gerard Baden-Clay of Century 21 Westside" has made a comment in the article. Hmm, how strange is that.

So this smacks of journalistic incompetence, misleading reporting or a "cash for comment" story.

So I guess the house/unit hunting is going slow, I guess you need to hire a car to do that, but think of the points you can do for renting one.

 

[Mal]

Logan must have a strange coke size; I thought they were 330mls, but why didn't they have premix coke.

Coke comes in many different sizes now. I think they have around 10 different sizes now retailing in Australia, and three different formats (plastic bottle, aluminium can and glass bottle).

 

[ozbeachbabe]

While doing additional Googling last night, saw that one of the "Property ezpose" websites had already discovered the same thing and had tipped off Media Watch apparently.

The article grows in shonkiness though for the following reasons:
- Most "human interest" stories state the occupation of the people mentioned. This is a glaring omission from this story.
- Mark's boss "Gerard Baden-Clay of Century 21 Westside" has made a comment in the article. Hmm, how strange is that.

So this smacks of journalistic incompetence, misleading reporting or a "cash for comment" story.

Checkout two dads' bio on the Century 21 link below it starts out with: "More than 100 years ago, Gerard Baden-Clay’s great-grandfather sparked a revolution."

"As a qualified accountant and former international corporate manager, Gerard knows that real estate often comes down to the bottom line — but being a family man has taught him the whole process is about more than just numbers." In what way I wonder, sounds like a whole lot of corporate rhetoric to me.

Wonder where & for whom was he an "international corporate manager"? I see from his profile at LinkedIn he was a international travel consultant at Flight Centre Toombul, maybe that's what he means.

TARINGA Real Estate Agents & Property - CENTURY 21 Westside

I love how people enhance, embellish or lie about their previous experience.

gerard baden-clay - Australia | LinkedIn

 

[JohnK]

Logan must have a strange coke size; I thought they were 330mls, but why didn't they have premix coke.

I could have sworn that bottle of Coke was 300mL. Oh well.

If I am going to pay $4.10 for a coke then I want a bottle (or can) not post-mix stuff.

By the way has anyone ever worked out how much post-mix 'Coke" they actually pour into a schooner glass? Most times they fill the glass with ice which does not leave much room for post-mix 'Coke'. :shock:

 

[medhead]

I read the article and I wondered who's name the house was brought in as you are best to put the house in one name to get the $7000 grant each time.

That wasn't mentioned in the article.

Admittedly my information is 8 years old, so things could have changed. But I'm pretty sure that you cannot do what you suggest. The eligibility criteria include that your spouse must not have previously owed a house. Doesn't matter if they are buyin the current house or not. When I purchase my first home the question was has your spouse previously owed a house, and it specifically said it didn't matter if they were listed on the title of the new house or not.

So given Ben is buying with his partner they shouldn't be able to get the allowance twice. Unless things have changed in the last 8 years.