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Simply visit us at http://www.facebook.com/beautifulavalonbeach and send us a friend request and show us that you too love our beautiful peninsula!

If you have an important community notice that you would like advertised on the Avalon Beach facebook page please email the details to erin@avalonre.com.au.

Situated on the Northern Beaches of Sydney, approximately a 1 hour drive from Sydney CBD, Avalon is one of the areas most renowned coastal spots. Surrounded by water, the area has a large coast line, Avalon beach as well as the majestic and peaceful bays that Pittwater has to offer. The suburb has a rich cultural life amidst beautiful coastal surrounds and boasts extensive public parks, bays and a unique village atmosphere.

Transport

Regular buses run through Avalon & Bilgola taking passengers to either Palm Beach or all stops to the City. Sydney Buses also offer express services throughout the day and extra buses at peak times.

Local Amenities

• Minutes to Avalon Beach, Bilgola Beach, Palm Beach, Newport Beach, Whale Beach as well as sea pools and private bays.
• A vast range of cafes and restaurants, pubs, boutique fashion stores, home wares shops and supermarkets. Also close to major shopping districts including Mona Vale & Warriewood.
• Avalon cinemas and Warriewood cinemas.
• Fitness First Gym is located in Mona Vale, just a short drive.
• Marina, Sailing Club, sporting grounds, tennis courts, Golf clubs and numerous children’s play grounds are all within minutes.

We have a strong ethos of establishing relationships built on trust.  This is the very foundation for our success – and therefore yours.  Over the years, we have developed clear and defined processes to achieve outstanding sales results and excellent outcomes for our clients.  We ensure that every person involved in a sales transaction has an experience with us that is invaluable and rewarding.

There are a few key reasons why this approach works.  You are central to everything we do.  We give you forthright opinions from the outset and we operate with integrity naturally.  We are proactive and we believe our open communication with you is key.  We share our strengths across our entire team to ensure you get the best of everything we have to offer.  We have proven negotiation strategies.

We have many, many happy clients that we have helped over the past thirty years and the team here at Griffin Real Estate – Professionals have won numerous awards during this time.   We are the market leader on the upper peninsula of the northern beaches and our results are testament to this.

We are committed to constantly evolving our marketing strategies to ensure your property is presented to the market place as thoroughly and cost effectively as possible. We tailor make all of our marketing strategies to suit our client’s preferences whilst ensuring your property is targeted at the right level of the market. We look forward to discussing the different options available to you.

We have also invested wisely in our online computer systems and our up to date network of qualified buyers is continually updated and managed. This will enable us to have immediate access to correct area of the market when your choose us to manage the sale of your home.

We understand the importance of selling what is possibly your biggest asset and would love to be given the opportunity to truly work for you! Please take some time to have a look around our website; see what others have to say.  Our clients are our most respected judges and we’d like you to be our next.

What is a Tax Depreciation Schedule?
A Tax Depreciation Schedule is a professionally produced document highlighting items of plant, equipment and capital costs that may be depreciated. It incorporates the value of each depreciable item, including delivery costs, installation costs and the cost associated with bringing the plant into full operation.
Major traps people fall into:
* Not claiming depreciation because they think their property is too old.
* Claiming depreciable items as a repair (deduction).

Are only new properties depreciable?
There is a common misconception that only new properties are eligible for depreciation. This is not the case. Whilst it is true that new properties attract higher returns of depreciation, older properties can produce attractive returns also. In fact, in 99% of cases, a deduction of some tangible value is attainable.

Are repairs allowed as a deduction?
In assessing whether a repair is an allowable deduction, the ATO looks at whether the claim relates to an actual repair, or improvement. The definition of repairs is an expense incurred in restoring an income producing asset to the condition it was in when it first became income producing and hence, can be claimed in the year the remedial works were undertaken. An improvement on the other hand is not claimable as a direct deduction, however may be depreciated under the capital allowance deduction over the course of 40 years at a rate of 2.50% per annum.
Typical items considered as repairs include:
* Replacing broken windows.
* Plumbing maintenance.
* Repairs to electrical appliances.
* Expenses considered as improvements include:
* Insulating the house
* Painting Alterations and additions

What items are non-depreciable at accelerated rates?
In rental properties, there are items that are considered to be an integral part of the “setting”, and hence do not qualify for depreciation, as separate items of plant and equipment. However, they can be depreciated as part of the capital works. Some of these include:
* Built in kitchen cupboards
* Reticulation pipework
* Roller door shutters
* Clothes hoists
* Rooftop ventilators and skylights
* Door and window fittings
* Security doors and screens which are
* Garages and portable sheds permanently fixed to building
* Sinks, tubs and baths
* Floor and wall tiles
* Driveways and paths
* Wash basins and toilets
* Inground swimming pools, saunas and spas

Some of the most common items allowed to be depreciated at accelerated rates. Include the following (this list is not exhaustive):
* Window coverings, including blinds and curtains.
* Carpet and Vinyl floor coverings.
* Hot water units.
* Whitegoods, such as microwaves, washing machines, refrigerators, etc., if they are owned by the property owner.
* Electrical appliances.
* Building services, ie. mechanical, electrical, fire, hydraulics & lifts.

The other main component of depreciation includes the construction cost, or otherwise known as the capital works deduction. The construction cost includes costs associated with design fees, building approval fees and excavation costs.

All costs associated with land acquisition, demolition of existing structures, site preparation, soft landscaping, and other items already allowed for as a deduction.

Source: www.austtaxonline.com.au

Established over 35years ago, Griffin Real estate is one of the most recognised real estate agencies on the upper northern beaches.

It’s also one of the most awarded.

Our sales manager Greg Griffin was named the No.1 agent on the eastern seaboard (NSW, QLD and VIC) for the past three years, and Principal Mark Griffin was named the top selling principal in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011. And this standard of excellence runs right through our entire sales and property management team.

But our success at Griffin Real estate isn’t only measured by our results. We believe our proudest achievements are the long-standing relationships we have with many of our clients.

As one of the most established businesses in Avalon we’re always humbled by the huge amount of return clientele and referrals we continue to receive, which we consider to be the greatest testament to the quality of our work.

From one-bedroom units to luxury homes, no other agency is more experienced, more enthusiastic, or better equipped in the current market to sell your property.

We’re ready when you are.

Property investment is a proven wealth creation strategy and is a secure investment that provides the benefit of regular income as well as capital growth.

Property investment is the most common investment for several reasons;

* Security – It can be less volatile than other investments such as shares. Other investments offering similarly high levels of capital growth can often expose you to significant risk.

* Capital Growth – You will benefit from capital growth as the value of your property increases over the medium to long term. Property investors can also receive regular rental income which helps to pay for the investment.

* Tax Benefits – Property related expenses are tax deductible therefore reducing the amount of tax you need to pay. Many property investors arrange to have their tax refund paid regularly during the year, thereby increasing their cash flow and maximizing their investment property returns.

* Capital Gains Tax – Capital Gains Tax is a complicated area of Property Investment. It is recommended that you obtain specific advice regarding your own personal circumstances as each varies.

* National Rental Affordability Scheme – The government aims to encourage increased property investment. Under this Scheme, approved investors can receive regular tax free payments from the State and Commonwealth Governments for renting out properties.

If you keep your investment property for long enough, you will see how these benefits can help you and start turning any financial losses into gains. Your rent will increase and at the same time you will be gradually paying off your mortgage.

Professionals take our social responsibilities within the community very seriously. We care for our members, our clients and the wider community as they are as much a part of our lives as we are a part of theirs. Professionals across Australia have committed to the National Breast Cancer Foundation to raise $500,000 nationally per annum.Over the years we have raised much needed funds for the people at the NBCF, thanks to donations from the public, a portion of each sale from every office, and the fantastic staff that work within our organisation. Professionals will continue to build the special relationship we have with the NBCF until a cure can be found for this deadly disease.

The National Breast Cancer Foundation strives to fund the latest research into developing a cure for breast cancer. Professionals and the NBCF have formed a Diamond Partnership, with a financial fundraising commitment being pledged annually. Right across Australia fundraising continues throughout the year with charity events and auctions at both a national and local office level.

To visit the National Breast Cancer Foundation’s website, click here – www.nbcf.org.au