Real Estate FROM COAST TO COUNTRY
AG E NT O F TH E WE E K
OUR AGENT of the Week is Matt Armstrong, a sales consultant at Elders Tweed Valley who has had an incredible life. Matt has called the Tweed Valley home for 23 years. A passionate advocate for sustainable living and a genuine humanitarian, he brings to real estate a rare combination of deep local knowledge, extensive property experience and a lifelong commitment to helping people. We caught up with Matt for a chat. WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE YOU WENT INTO REAL ESTATE?
I spent 10 years working with Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) as a logistician in Sierra Leone, Afghanistan, Kenya, Uganda and Sri Lanka where I met my wife. In 1994 I worked for the BBC in South Africa as a sound recorder during the South African elections on the standby sound crew. There was no more exciting place to be in the world at that time. My sound was broadcast live at the inauguration of Nelson Mandela.
Open Homes Saturday, August 15 Tate Brownlee
• 6/146 Kennedy Drive, Tweed Heads West, 9–9.30am
• 1/27 Clarke Street, Cudgen,9–9.30am • 5/8 Marian Street, Tweed Heads, 9–9.30am • 90 McAllisters Road, Bilambil Heights,9–9.30am • 19 Banora Boulevard, Banora Point,10–10.30am • 2 Azalea Court, Banora Point, 10–10.30am • 6 Boyle Avenue, Banora Point, 10–10.30am • 4 Liriope Street, Casuarina,10–10.30am • 2/6 Eastlakes, Tweed Heads South,10.30–11am • 2/14 Trition Street, Tweed Heads South, 11–11.30am
• 158/2 Falcon Way, Tweed Heads South,11–
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO GO INTO REAL ESTATE?
My father worked in real estate and on properties for over 50 years; he only retired last year at 79 years of age. We both enjoy understanding people’s stories and share a love of the land. It’s a great privilege to have people’s trust and to manage the responsibility of what is most times their greatest asset. I once worked on a feature film in North Queensland. One night the director, who had been drinking, asked, “Do you know what the secret to life is Matt?” At 17 years of age, I was busting to know such things and responded, “Nope.” He laughed and said, just turn your dreams into reality. Simple I suppose. My job as a real estate professional enables me to do this for others, I’ve since discovered. This gives me great pleasure. WHAT PROPERTY TYPES DO YOU HAVE THE MOST EXPERTISE AND INTEREST IN?
I’ve worked with Elders in Murwillumbah for the past 23 years, primarily with farms, lifestyle properties and residential throughout the region. 11.30am
• 33 Liriope St, Casuarina,11–11.30am • 38 Curtawilla Street, Banora Point, 11–11.30am • 22 Australia Drive, Terranora, 12-12.30pm • 37 The Hermitage, Tweed Heads South,1212.30pm
• 16 Bosun Boulevard, Banora Point,12-12.30pm • 14 Valleyview Place, Terranora, 12-12.30pm • 370 Terranora Road, Terranora,1-1.30pm • 26 Champagne Drive, Tweed Heads, 1–1.30pm • 43 Henry Lawson Drive, Terranora, 1–1.30pm • 1/23 Lochlomond Drive, Banora Point, 2–2.30pm • 17 Townsend Cres, Terranora, 2-2.30pm • 4 Hibiscus Parade, Banora Point, 2–2.30pm • 4 Minerva Court, Banora Point, 3– 3.30pm
DJ Stringer
• 36 Peninsula Dr, Bilambil Heights, 9–9.30am • 2/38 Garrick St, Coolangatta, 10–10.30am • 7/17 Murphys Rd, Kingscliff, 10–10.30am
To us it’s More than property, it’s home! Shop 2 /41-45 Murwillumbah Street, Murwillumbah Phone: (02) 6672 2499
I’ve had less experience with industrial and commercial properties. My passion is with the land, and its connection with people. I thoroughly enjoy good design through architecture, gardens, and the aspect of a property, which I often equate with the liveability of a given lifestyle.
tremendous climate, the 2032 Olympic Games at our doorstep and some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. For people looking to transition here, this region will always remain a desirable location.
WHO ARE YOU SEEING BUYING PROPERTIES AT THE MOMENT AND WHERE ARE THEY MOSTLY COMING FROM?
For sellers, I feel it’s important to sell out of a market and to buy in the same market without waiting. Some make the decision to travel for a period or rent. Often the market has moved on by the time they wish to secure a home again which can be difficult should prices rise.
Buyers are mostly coming in from Brisbane and the Gold Coast as these markets have been less affected than most other parts of Australia. I have had a couple of inquiries recently from the southern states. WHAT’S THE BIGGEST CHANGE YOU HAVE SEEN ACROSS THE MARKET IN RECENT TIMES?
Mostly the market used to have a level of predictability about what was around the corner. With current instabilities overseas, the confidence to make a move has diminished a little, but I remain positive as we are doing deals and the phone is ringing. I believe so much in this region despite all. We have a • 9/198 Kennedy Dr, Tweed Heads West,
10–10.30am • 4/16 Dutton St, Coolangatta, 10.45–11.15am • 6/2 Ducat St, Tweed Heads, 11–11.30am • 1/10 Mugga Way, Tweed Heads, 11–11.30am • 33/5 Island Dr, Tweed Heads, 12–12.30pm • 1 & 2/8 Triton St, Tweed Heads Sth, 12–12.30pm • 3 Compass Way, Tweed Heads, 12–12.30pm
Schmith Estate Agents
• 34 Hungerford Lane Kingscliff, 10–10.30am • 4/339 Golden Four Drive Tugun, 10.30–11am • 58 Currumbin chase, Currumbin, 11.30–12pm • 19 Stanley street, tweed heads, 1–1.30pm
Raine & Horne Jet
• 3 Tyalgum Road, Byangum, 9–9.30am • 837 Nobbys Creek Road, Nobbys Creek, 9.30–10.30am
• 149 River Street, Sth Murwillumbah, 10–10.30am
WHAT IS YOUR BEST ADVICE FOR SELLERS?
HOW DO PEOPLE GET A FOOT IN THE PROPERTY DOOR?
My father would suggest “Fortune favours the brave!” There are still opportunities out there. It’s often a case of rolling your sleeves up and putting your head down for a while. We will continue to see growth in our region due to our proximity to the coast and the extraordinarily abundant lifestyle on offer surrounded by magnificent countryside and warm-hearted people. Where else would you want to live? • 24 Taylor Drive, Pottsville, 10–11am • 7/1 Castle Field Dve, Murwillumbah, 11–11.30am • 46 Brisban Street, Murwillumbah, 11–11.30am • 88 Rous River Way, Murwillumbah,12–12.30pm • 2981 Kyogle Road, Kunghur, 12–2.30pm • 34 Chevell Place, Smiths Creek, 1–1.30pm • 1243 Kyogle Road, Uki, 2–2.30pm
First National Murwillumbah
• 25 - 27 Irving Street, Tumbulgum 9–9:30am • 30 Colonial Drive, Condong 9:45–10:15am • 30 Riverbend Way, Murwillumbah 10–10:30am • 28 Riveroak Drive, Murwillumbah 10:45–11:15am • 86 Kings Gully Road, Dunbible 11:15–11:45am • 498 Tweed Valley Way, South Murwillumbah 11:30–12:00pm
• 25 Thomas St, Bray Park 12–12:30pm • 2 Maria Court, Condong 12:15–12:45pm • 12 Minnows Road, Fernvale 12–12:30pm
96443 Raine & Horne JET 10x6col
By Jo Kennett