Hi, it's JenJen here.

Discussion in 'Introductions' started by JenJen, 20th Jun, 2015.

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  1. JenJen

    JenJen Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    20th Jun, 2015
    Posts:
    117
    Location:
    Cairns & Townsville, North Queensland
    Hi, it's JenJen here, transitioning over from the Somersoft forum. Thanks so much to Sim for providing this forum.

    I grew up in Cairns, North Queensland. I bought my first property in the mid 1990’s. It soon became an investment property as I pursued my career objectives elsewhere.

    I spent over two decades working in education, research & analysis, policy, projects & strategic investment for the Qld and Vic government's. After years in Melbourne, I found myself yearning for a tropical lifestyle again, and thinking about retirement. A retirement calculator made me realise with shock that if I didn’t make some drastic changes, and invest heavily in my own property investment education, I would be working for the rest of my life. It wasn't long before I became 'hooked' on investing; my inspiration kept alive by Somersoft and the like-minded community of investors.

    It hasn't been an easy journey, and I have learnt and continue to learn valuable lessons along the way. Among other things, I have had investment properties flooded, trashed, abandoned, and most recently the roof blown off in Rockhampton, and the empty house squatted in. I have grappled with exorbitant insurances and body corp fees, managed a body corp from being in the red and at risk of going under to back in the black, changed a Community Management Scheme legislation from a Standard Scheme to a Small Schemes Module, and am now looking at re-subdividing a unit from a Standard Format Plan to a Building Format Plan.

    My journey so far has taken me full circle, back to my tropical roots, where I have found my niche as the founding owner of NQ Buyer's Agent in beautiful North Queensland. As a regional buyer's agent, I cover the area from Port Douglas in the Far North to Townsville and surrounds. The region is geographically equivalent to the distance from Sydney to Tamworth, has a population bigger than that of Canberra, and has approximately 500 sales agents. North Queensland brings with it a whole host of special issues, from cyclones and floods, termites, crocodiles, insurance crises, exorbitant body corp fees, youth unemployment, tourism and mining booms and busts. It is also seen as a popular international and domestic holiday destination, and becoming recognised for its tropical innovation, economic contribution, and development potential.

    I enjoy discussing all things property investment and North Queensland with like-minded forum members, and look forward to continuing the conversations here.
     
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  2. Steven Ryan

    Steven Ryan Well-Known Member

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    Nice to see you've come across too Jen.

    Has your BA biz picked up recently for you? Seems lots of interstate investors are looking up north at the moment and started doing so a good 6+ months ago.
     
  3. JenJen

    JenJen Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Cairns & Townsville, North Queensland
    Thanks very much, Steven.
    Yes, I have been steady, then flat out since about last September. North Queensland tends to ride the wave from Sydney and Melbourne. Cairns turned a corner late 2013 with the resurgence of tourism. Lots of sea changers, interstate investors and developers targeting the region. I'm also starting to see the interest flow to Townsville, which has been more subdued and with high vacancies. With Cairns buy-in prices increasing though, Townsville is now looking o.k., especially if you avoid areas of over-supply. The Northern Australia White Paper has also just been released, which should prove interesting.
    Regards,
    Jen
     
  4. Azazel

    Azazel Well-Known Member

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    Location:
    Brisbane
    Hi Jen, good to see you. Look forward to hearing more about the climate up North!
     
  5. JenJen

    JenJen Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    20th Jun, 2015
    Posts:
    117
    Location:
    Cairns & Townsville, North Queensland
    Thanks, Azazel. Great to see you on here too!
    Just a teaser...we have been sleeping with the air con on...
     
  6. Azazel

    Azazel Well-Known Member

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    Jealous! We've got a COLD snap down here at the moment. Gonna have to go for a mid-Winter trip up there for sure.
     
  7. JenJen

    JenJen Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Cairns & Townsville, North Queensland
    Are you in Bris or Sydney?
     
  8. bob shovel

    bob shovel Well-Known Member

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    Location:
    Lower Blue Mountains
    wow quite a story! well done.

    love cairns! lived up there 2009, been back a few times since then, explored all around f'n q. up the cape, chillagoe, mt surprise and brownsville!
    might have to come come up and help build the new casino!
     
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  9. JenJen

    JenJen Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    20th Jun, 2015
    Posts:
    117
    Location:
    Cairns & Townsville, North Queensland
    Thanks, Bob! Sounds like you have the tropics in your veins! I look forward to hearing more of your travels. Where are you now?
     
  10. bob shovel

    bob shovel Well-Known Member

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    Location:
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    northam, wa! you promted me to update my map!
    Our travels 2015a.jpg
     
  11. Azazel

    Azazel Well-Known Member

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    I'm in Sydney at the moment.
     
  12. Steven Ryan

    Steven Ryan Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for the insights :)

    I'm curious. Do you have clients sometimes wanting help buying in areas beyond your reach?
     

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