AGING PARENTS, ARE YOU MAKING ENOUGH TIME FOR THEM?

 This is a topic that has been weighing heavily on my mind lately. 

I talk to seniors every single day and there is one theme that comes up over and over again.

They are lonely.

Not because they do not have family.

Not because their children do not love them.

But because life gets busy.

Children grow up, get married, build careers, raise families, pay mortgages, run around after grandchildren, and before they know it, weeks or even months have passed without spending quality time with Mum or Dad.

The overwhelming feeling I get from many seniors is that they no longer feel useful. They feel as though they have become a burden to their children.

Nothing could be further from the truth, but sadly that is how many of them feel.

What breaks my heart is that most of them do not want much.

They are not asking for money.

They are not asking for grand gestures.

They simply want to hear from their children.

Even a ten minute phone call can make their entire day.

Many of the seniors I speak with are dealing with challenges they never mention to their families.

They struggle to open a jar because arthritis has taken away the strength in their hands.

They cannot move around as easily as they once could.

Simple tasks that most of us take for granted have become difficult.

Yet when I ask if they have mentioned it to their children, the answer is often the same.

"No, they're busy."

They do not want to bother anyone.

Imagine that.

The very people who spent decades putting their children first now feel guilty for asking for a little help.

Then there are those who have lost the love of their life.

A husband or wife they may have spent fifty or sixty years with.

The grief can be overwhelming.

Many fall into a deep depression, but again they keep it hidden.

They put on a brave face.

They tell their family they are fine.

Meanwhile they are going home to an empty house filled with memories and loneliness.

And once again, they stay silent because they do not want to burden their children.

The reality is that aging comes for all of us.

None of us can escape it.

One day many of us will find ourselves in exactly the same position, hoping the phone rings, hoping someone drops by for a cup of tea, hoping our children make a little time for us.

Our parents spent years raising us, supporting us, driving us around, helping us through life's challenges, and putting our needs before their own.

When they reach their 80s and beyond, they need us more than ever.

Not necessarily for money.

Not necessarily for physical help.

They need our attention.

They need our time.

They need to know they still matter.

If you're fortunate enough to still have your parents, pick up the phone today.

Visit them.

Take them for a coffee.

Sit and listen to their stories.

One day you will wish you could hear those stories again.

The only thing I truly believe I would struggle to recover from would be losing one of my children before me.

As for losing our parents, sadly it is part of life's journey.

But before that day comes, let's make sure they know how much they are loved and appreciated.

A ten minute phone call could mean the world to someone who spent a lifetime giving you theirs.

MAKE YOUR OWN DECISIONS & GIVE IT A REAL GO!!

SELLING MOSMAN PARK & THE WESTERN SUBURBS!!

KEEPING IT REAL IS OUR MOTTO!!

TRAVEL REALLY DOES OPEN YOUR EYES

When you travel overseas and see buildings, churches, castles, and streets that date back to the 1700s and even earlier, it really makes you realise just how young Australia is as a nation.

During June and July, we travelled to Singapore and then flew the 13 hours to Amsterdam.

To be honest, Singapore was rainy, humid, and grey. Amsterdam welcomed us with more grey skies, rain, and cold weather. Unfortunately, that weather seemed determined to follow us for most of our journey around Scandinavia.

We cruised through Scandinavia on a magnificent 14 floor ship, interestingly there is no Floor 13. The vessel carried approximately 2,800 passengers and was supported by around 1,700 staff.

I have to say, Celebrity Cruises were absolutely sensational.

The food was simply next level.

There was an incredible smorgasbord available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Thank goodness we had booked dinner each evening in the main restaurant at 8.15 pm, which was all included, otherwise I am convinced I would have returned home carrying an extra 10 kilos!

Everything about the experience was impressive.

The staff were exceptional, professional, friendly, and always willing to help. Nothing seemed too much trouble.

The quality and variety of the food would make even the fussiest eater stop and think about what they were going to choose. Every meal felt like an occasion.

What amazed me most was the sheer number of people onboard. With nearly 2,800 passengers, I expected it to feel crowded and chaotic.

It was anything but.

Celebrity have mastered the art of moving people around without you ever really noticing. There was always somewhere to sit, somewhere to eat, somewhere to relax, and somehow it never felt as though thousands of people were sharing the same space.

The ports were fascinating, the history was incredible, and seeing countries that have existed for centuries certainly puts Australia's relatively young history into perspective.

As much as I loved seeing the world, there is always something special about coming home.

The more countries I visit, the more I appreciate what we have here.

We truly live in one of the best countries in the world.

MAKE YOUR OWN DECISIONS AND GIVE IT A REAL GO!!

SELLING MOSMAN PARK & THE WESTERN SUBURBS!!

KEEPING IT REAL IS OUR MOTTO!! 

VIVIAN'S CONSULTING COMING SOON

Over the years I have watched people, particularly women, go through what is often the most traumatic time of their lives, divorce.

I went through one myself, but I was one of the lucky ones. It was civil, respectful, and we managed to work things out without destroying each other in the process.

Sadly, that is not always the case.

What amazes me is the amount of anger and resentment that can develop between two people who once loved each other. More often than not, the battle centres around money and real estate. The real tragedy is when children become caught in the crossfire.

Why put your children through the wringer as well?

When parents are fighting, children are often the ones who suffer most. They become confused, stressed, anxious, and sometimes act out because they simply do not know how to cope. Before long, an already difficult situation becomes a completely dysfunctional family environment.

The truth is that I am a planner and a negotiator. I have a knack for helping people see reason and find common ground before the situation turns into an expensive and emotionally draining war.

In the last three months alone, I have helped four families reach an agreement and move forward, all within a matter of weeks.

Let me be absolutely clear, I am not a lawyer.

Once an agreement has been reached, I always recommend both parties seek independent legal advice, have the documentation properly drafted, and formally signed off. My role is to help people find a pathway forward before the legal costs spiral out of control.

I have seen families spend hundreds of thousands of dollars fighting through lawyers. In my opinion, much of that money should have been divided between the two parties instead of being swallowed up by endless disputes.

Whether you are the major breadwinner, male or female, there can be a strong temptation to hide assets, avoid disclosure, or try to hold onto everything. Equally damaging is using children as leverage by keeping them from the other parent.

Please stop and think about the bigger picture.

The children did not ask for any of this you were the ones that brought them into this world you should be protecting them at all costs.

Every decision you make today will impact their future.

I am also passionate about helping our older generation make informed decisions about their future. Should they stay in their home? Should they downsize? Should they sell?

I want to be completely transparent. I do not take advantage of elderly people. Quite the opposite.

Some of the greatest lessons I have learned in life have come from listening to older Australians. Their life experience is invaluable. I listen, I learn, and I pass that knowledge on to help others make better decisions.

I genuinely care about people.

When I believe in someone, I will go above and beyond to help them. I am passionate about protecting people, finding solutions, and helping families navigate difficult situations with dignity and respect.

If you think I may be able to help you, please reach out.

Gill Vivian
📧 gill@viviansrealestate.com.au

Sometimes all it takes is a calm voice, a practical plan, and someone who genuinely wants the best outcome for everyone involved.

MAKE YOUR OWN DECISIONS AND GIVE IT A REAL GO!!

SELLING MOSMAN PARK & THE WESTERN SUBURBS!!

KEEPING IT REAL IS OUR MOTTO!!

ARE YOU LETTING INDECISION COST YOU?

Rising interest rates, wars across the globe, the enormous debt governments continue to rack up, capital gains tax concerns, super funds facing restrictions on borrowing to buy property, a severe shortage of homes, builders going bust, constant debate around negative gearing, it's no wonder many people are sitting on the fence.

Every day I speak to buyers and sellers who are adopting a "wait and see" approach.

They're waiting for interest rates to fall.

They're waiting for more properties to come onto the market.

They're waiting for governments to make up their minds.

They're waiting for economic certainty.

They're waiting for the perfect time.

The problem is, there is no such thing as the perfect time.

Over my many years in real estate, one thing has remained constant. Life keeps moving forward whether we are ready or not. People get married, families grow, children leave home, jobs change, and circumstances evolve.

Those who spend too much time waiting for all the stars to align often discover that the opportunity they wanted has already passed them by.

Yes, there are challenges in the market.

Yes, there is uncertainty.

But there always has been.

The biggest risk is often doing nothing at all.

If you're thinking about buying or selling, get the facts, seek good advice, understand your position, then make an informed decision based on your own circumstances, not the latest headline or the fear of what might happen tomorrow.

Sometimes sitting on the fence feels safe.

In reality, it can be the most expensive seat in the house.

MAKE YOUR OWN DECISIONS AND GIVE IT A REAL GO!!

SELLING MOSMAN PARK & THE WESTERN SUBURBS!!

KEEPING IT REAL IS OUR MOTTO!!

AML Has Arrived – And Now We're Doing the Government's Job

As of 1 July 2026, those of us in real estate have officially become part-time investigators for the Government's Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regime.

To be honest, I'm not happy about it.

For nearly 28 years in real estate, I've met thousands of buyers and sellers. In August, I'll celebrate my 28th year in the industry, and I can honestly put my hand on my heart and say I've never knowingly dealt with a dodgy client.

Yet now, every seller and buyer who walks through our door is going to be subjected to a level of scrutiny that many honest Australians will find intrusive and frustrating.

Don't get me wrong, I understand why AML laws exist.

Criminals have been known to use property transactions to clean dirty money. They buy property, hold it for a period, sell it, and suddenly illicit funds appear legitimate. Nobody wants that happening, and nobody supports criminal activity.

But here's the question: at what point does fighting crime become an invasion of privacy for ordinary people?

The Government has decided that real estate agencies must collect more information, ask more personal questions, verify identities, investigate sources of funds, maintain extensive records, and monitor transactions.

And who pays for it?

Not the Government.

Small businesses do.

We have to purchase new compliance software, implement new systems, undertake training, appoint compliance officers, monitor every transaction, and absorb the ongoing costs of compliance.

No financial assistance.

No subsidies.

No compensation.

Just another cost added to the growing list of expenses small businesses are expected to carry.

Well done, Government.

The outcome is simple.

If you're buying or selling property today, expect more questions.

Expect more paperwork.

Expect requests for identification.

Expect to explain where your deposit funds came from.

Expect delays while information is checked and verified.

And if you're an honest person, which the overwhelming majority of people are, you may find yourself wondering why you're being treated like a suspect before you've done anything wrong.

What happened to common sense?

What happened to experience and intuition?

Instead of allowing professionals to use their judgement, we're increasingly being told to follow a checklist, tick boxes, and collect information simply because the regulations require it.

The reality is that we don't have a choice. It's now the law, and we must comply.

But complying with the law doesn't mean we have to love it.

As a real estate professional, I'll continue doing what I've always done, helping people buy and sell property, treating them with respect and giving them honest advice.

Just don't be surprised when we're forced to ask questions we never needed to ask before.

The good old days of simply dealing with people as people are rapidly disappearing.

So, when you're buying or selling property, remember it's not your local agent making life more complicated.

We're just the ones being required to enforce the rules.

MAKE YOUR OWN DECISIONS AND GIVE IT A REAL GO!!

SELLING MOSMAN PARK & THE WESTERN SUBURBS!!

KEEPING IT REAL IS OUR MOTTO!! 

R-CODE OVERHAUL

 Proposed major reforms to Western Australia’s residential design codes would mean an additional 50,000 homeowners could subdivide their land and sell their backyards, or demolish and redevelop, helping to boost block values and increase density.

Land blocks of 700 square metres zoned R20 and below would be able to be subdivided, a massive decrease from the 900 square metres currently required.

he R20 density code generally applies to the most common suburban residential properties across the Perth metropolitan region, but the local government areas expected to be the most impacted by the changes include Joondalup, Stirling, Wanneroo, Canning and Cockburn.

Housing and Planning and Lands Minister John Carey announced the proposed changes at a Planning Institute of Australia WA breakfast at the Anzac Club in the CBD on Thursday morning.

The government is also looking at reducing single-home approvals from 60 to 30 days, reducing duplication to make the R-codes easier to navigate, and cutting red tape so more simple residential projects, such as renovations, patios and carports, no longer need planning approval.

The review is being guided by an expert advisory group comprising representatives from the local planning, local government, architecture and property development sectors, with further stakeholder engagement to continue.

Carey (WA Housing Minister John Carey) who predicted it would be the most significant change to R-Codes in decades, said the draft changes were anticipated to be released for public consultation later this year, with implementation expected from mid-2027.

The state government has also released a "health check" of it's plan for the Perth and Peel region hitting 3.5 million people by 2050. (probably be dead by then I won't get to see it).

Perth's annual urban infill rate has been below the 47% target, the document showed, but the most recent data revealed an increase from 34% in 2023 to 39% in 2024.

The changes that they are proposing are among the most significant reforms to the $-Codes since they were brought in three decades ago and build o previous changes to the medium density codes and our broader nation-leading planning reforms.

The proposed changes enable tens of thousands of existing properties to be subdivided that couldn't previously, providing more opportunities for housing in the existing suburbs.

These changes will make it easier for a range of simple residential projects, like single homes, extensions and patios, to get off the ground by ensuring they are not caught up in unnecessary red tape.

“This package is also about enabling more medium and high-density housing, including by changing car parking requirements and allowing greater building height in these areas.”

The Urban Development Institute of Australia WA has also welcomed the announcement, labelling it an important step toward increasing housing supply, housing choice and affordability across Perth.

Chief executive Tanya Steinbeck said there was a particular need to reduce unnecessary complexity, improve certainty and unlock additional housing opportunities within established suburbs.

“At a time when WA continues to face significant housing pressures, reforms that help deliver more homes, faster, should be welcomed,” she said.

Steinbeck said the government’s “health check” of its 3.5 million plan showed Perth remained below its long-term infill housing target, but that the proposed changes would hopefully get plans back on track.

“Reforms that support apartments, ancillary dwellings, townhouses and other medium-density housing forms will also be increasingly important as Perth continues to grow,” she said.

Property Council WA executive director Nicola Brischetto said the key to improving housing affordability and choice was to make it easier to “deliver apartments in the areas where people want to live”.

“While government can’t control every cost, it can remove barriers that make housing more expensive to build. This announcement does that,” she said.

“Perth is building fewer apartments and units today than it was in the 1980s. That’s simply not sustainable for a city suffering through a housing crisis.”

But while industry has so far been supportive of the proposed changes, the WA Greens have hit out at the reforms, labelling them as “uninspiring and lazy”.

The Greens’ planning spokesperson Brad Pettitt said that “this kind of infill results in the worst kind of density”.

“Density that is too low to create walkable transit-oriented neighbourhoods but takes up too much space to preserve tree canopy,” he said.

“What you end up with is suburbs that were once leafy becoming treeless, hot and car-dependent, making them even less livable than they are today.”

Shadow Minister for Planning and Lands Neil Thomson has said he broadly supported the proposed reforms, but questioned why it took the government so long.

“The government announced this tranche of reforms more than a year ago, yet we’re now being told the detail won’t be released until later this year and implementation isn’t expected until the middle of 2027,” he said.

“Western Australians cannot afford another year of delay while the housing crisis continues.”

The absolute incompetence of this Government never ceases to amaze me - we have a lot of money waiting to be spent and yet this damn Government has done very little to help the homeless.  I see them increasing weekly as they give away their rentals on the streets, pitching tenants where they are not allowed to. Australia wake up - we need to have small homes for these people to go. Why are they always relying on the INVESTOR to make the homes available. Well guess with all the incentives being taken away they will keep going for the commercial property.

I have to say I don't believe that the Government has ever tried.  God help us all.

MAKE YOUR OWN DECISIONS AND GIVE IT A REAL GO!!

SELLING MOSMAN PARK & THE WESTERN SUBURBS!!!

Just remember, people, there is no wrong or right time to buy.

PROPERTY INVESTORS

Property investors are feeling a little uneasy right now because of the up and coming Federal Budget announcement to be on May 12 with the speculation continuing to build around potential changes to:

• Capital Gains Tax
• Negative Gearing
• Broader property investment taxation

Let's be perfectly clear, nothing has been formally announced or confirmed at this stage.

But for real estate, perception often moves markets before the policy does.

With investors already under pressure and now they are considering what's going to happen in the future with all these possible changes, they are reassessing their portfolios due to:

• Rising interest rates
• Cost of living pressures
• Significant equity growth since purchasing between 2020 and 2025
• Tenancy law reforms in many states are shifting further towards protecting the tenants
• They are concerned about the future of taxation and regulations 

Investors are definitely quietly asking themselves whether property is still the right vehicle for them. (really good questions to be honest as it can vary a lot depending on what stage you are in in your life)

We cannot give financial advice but we can make you aware of what's happening, give you an equity check.

Don't leave it too late however, as your property will hit the market with lots of others that have decided to bail out on property. (Government will have no one to blame but themselves). This will mean a lot less rentals will be available, which means a rental hike in the future.

Take away investors and you are certainly going to light a fire you might not be able to put out, you can tell this Government is not pro property.

It's going to be a shemozzle for sure and the mass exodus will come. You can trust this government to make a complete f...k up of it.

So what investor are you:

• Stay the course
• Fence sit and wait for clarity
• Sell in isolation and go early

We do know we are still light on for properties but every week there are more coming on and it will have a lot to do with the investors. 

Give us a call for an equity check on your property but let's see if you should sell or not that's the $100 dollar questions isn't it. 

MAKE YOUR OWN DECISIONS AND GIVE IT A REAL GO!!!

SELLING MOSMAN PARK & THE WESTERN SUBURBS!!!

KEEPING IT REAL IS OUR MOTTO!!!