Christian Payne - Payne Pacific Real Estate

By limiting the Stamp Duty rebates to new homes the NSW State Government has missed a fantastic opportunity for NSW to really sell ourselves as "Open for Business". The NSW property market needs to welcome back investors we lost to the other States and Territories because of this governments prior decision in 2004 to introduce Vendor Duty Tax when selling your property. So why have a large part of one transaction when you could make more money with a smaller part of thousands of transactions?? Stamp Duty represents the largest barrier to conducting a property transaction, for most people paying Stamp Duty doesn't represent a good investment for them. The Stamp Duty Rebates announced by the NSW state government is on the right track reducing stamp duty, but needs to be on all properties.

As a rugby union player for 20 yrs and now a tragic arm chair critic there are two coaches that have inspired consistantly great performances from their teams. They have proved that a "great team" can beat a "team of greats". Those two coaches are Rod McQueen (Wallabies) and Wayne Bennett (Broncos). It was my absolute pleasure to hear him speak at a business conference a fortnight ago - my thanks to Tyan Motor Group who organised the event and to the St George and Sutherland Shire Leader who sponsored the event. For me, it was Wayne Bennetts standards that he insists on and lives by. To be honest with yourself and commit to these standards allows you to set a benchmark that others can strive to achieve, or fall by the wayside - quite simply it's your own choice to make a committment.

Christian Payne (Payne Pacific Real Estate) with Nick and Bianca (realestate.com.au) suprised customers Rick and Sue with a bit of extra service at our open houses with a twist today. When they came to our Open House today our customers received a complimentary realestate.com.au document folder and a bottle of Payne Pacific water each. "No other agent has given us anything at any of the other properties we've seen through today, what a great idea"! (.....think they were really thirsty......) Lots of other positive comments from other customers as well.

What a great event and what a great cause. The "Payne Pacific Pacesetters" (some of them pictured here) had 2 teams in the event. The other photo is of the fridge stacked with some of the 5000 bottles of Payne Pacific water that was handed out to the competitors. There was a real carnival atmosphere during the day and all through the night. The kids had a ball and all want to sleep over at the event next year. Some of the more hard core were spotted at the 2-5.30am shift (Ryan, Damo, Luke and myself also joined by Pat and Leanne) smashing out the laps till dawn. Special mentions to Luke and Alexis for their support and sponsorship and getting Payne Pacific Real Estate involved.

Here are a few action shots from the wharf. Too bad for Ross's Kingie and Sams Banjo Shark that it was the largest "edible" fish. Congratulations must go to Oscar for taking out the inaugural Trophy with the first fish of the tournament a 43cm Flattie. Well done Punters - great trip hope to see you all next year. Tight Lines

Oscar has opened up the account with a beauty, we ate him last night for dinner - filetted and dusted in flour then pan fried in butter and olive oil with a squeeze of lemon to finish! Mm mmm.

Congratulations REI NSW for partnering up with Deloitte Digital and to the Young Agents Chapter of REI NSW for organising last night. Last night was awesome. Each time I hear Peter Williams CEO of Deloitte Digital speak he just blows me away. Pete - thanks a lot for the enlightenment on how the cutting edge of technology is impacting on our communication. It's great to know that at the forefront of the new Web 2.0 technology we have added tools that our competitors aren't aware even exist....and that's right ....it's all free !!