Source: OnePNGMany expatriates move to Papua New Guinea (PNG) with only a vague idea that it is someplace north of Australia. That’s about it. Nevermind where Port Moresby is. It is only natural then, to ask people that have worked in PNG and ask google about the country.Most of what you come across will range from tourist type reviews to notorious stories of holds up and theft. It is wise to be cautious and follow your embassy, high commission and employer's security advise but you should not let that scare you into not accepting the offer to move to PNG. The majority of expats that move here are pleasantly surprised at the amazingly unique experiences that they've had.A little about Pom CityMost of PNG’s non-national residents are posted to work in the National Capital District (NCD) the capital of PNG. Port Moresby is the ONLY district in the nation’s capital, to locals it is known simply as Pom City. It’s a city that has seen a rapid growth in short span of time. Less than five years ago there was a clear demarcation of state and customary land boundaries; of business districts, industrial areas and residential areas. The city has grown so much that these boundaries are blurred and thousands are now living in what used to be the outskirts of Pom city. Several high impact projects like the Liquified Natural Gas (PNG-LNG) project, the 2015 Pacific Games and the APEC meetings which PNG is hosting this year have been catalysts of this rapid growth in infrastructure.Suburbs in Pom CityExcluding subdivisions of suburbs (eg. Hohola 1 - 4), the nation’s capital has 28 suburbs: Downtown/Port Moresby, Kone, Badili, Koki, Taurama, Gabutu, 2 mile, 3 mile, Korobosea, Manu, Boroko, East Boroko, 4 mile, 5 mile, Gordons, Gordons 5, Hohola (1- 4), Tokarara, 6 mile, 7 mile, 8 mile, 9 mile, Gerehu (1 - 7), Waigani, Ensisi Valley, Waigani Heights, Erima, Morata. Many local and international developers and financial institutions have invested in building residential properties over the last 10 years creating a significant increase in availability of residential properties at the same time a drop in rental prices - a welcome situation currently being experienced in the city.Recommended apartments and suburbsThere are a variety of properties available from condominiums to townhouses, detached houses to apartments in all these suburbs. There are certain suburbs that are preferred by the expat community because of the higher security rating, the surrounding community and proximity to general conveniences and social hubs. If your organization has not already taken care of your accommodation - here are four suburbs and six apartment buildings that we recommend based on the surrounding environment and community, security and proximity to amenities and certain landmarks or features.The transition to a new environment can be made more enjoyable if there is less for you to organize while acclimatizing, unpacking and familiarizing yourself with a new country. This is why an apartment within a secure, fully serviced compound is the easiest option for a new comer. The following apartments offer a variety of features including pool areas, entertainment areas, gyms and access to maintenance services from professional electricians, carpenters, plumbers, gardeners, pest control providers and waste removers.Airways ResidencesLocated at 7 mile along Jacksons Parade, Airways is a great place to go home and simply forget the hustle and bustle of your work world. Within this secure and tastefully landscaped environment, is a park with a playground, a pool, a gym, tennis courts, 5 world class restaurants, a massage and beauty parlour, Westpac Bank with an ATM, a pharmacy and a well-stocked convenience store. The beautiful thing is that you have everything you need and more within walking distance. Click here for more information.Chesterfield ApartmentsChesterfield Apartments are located on Chester Street downtown. They boast breathtaking views of Walter Bay’s sparkling turquoise waters, a lush tropical pool and outdoor spa and a barbeque area equipped with a bar. These apartments are five minutes drive from the CBD. Click Here for more information.Era Matana ApartmentsOne of the newest properties to be built in the city, Era Matana is another amazing place to set up in a new country. It is within a 5 minute drive from the town CBD and has truly breathtaking views of both Fairfax Harbour and Walter Bay and some of this you can take in while you are working out! The aesthetics are out of this world and would definitely lessen the stress of moving countries. Click Here for more information.Sol Wara ApartmentsThe Sol Wara Apartments are located on the waterfront of Konedobu. The apartments are located in one of the most convenient corners of Pom City with the Yacht Club practically next door and the two largest supermarkets less than five minutes drive away. You are afforded a view of Fairfax Harbour and because of its location just off the Poreporena Freeway this makes working and school drop offs in other suburbs less of a hassle. For more information click here.Ela Vista ApartmentsEla Vista Apartments can offer the perfect sea breeze and relaxing view of Walter Bay. Tropical plants arranged thoughtfully along terraces, ample parking space, a gym with a view and all this located on peaceful Chester Street. If swimming is your thing Ela Vista's lap pool offers a swim with a awe inspiring view. Click Here for more information.Windward ApartmentsThe Windward Apartments provide quick access to the Poreporena Freeway if you need to get to other suburbs, the beachfront and the CBD. Windward also boasts a gym, tennis courts, a barbaque area and is practically next door with a less than 5 minute drive from the newly constructed APEC Haus. Click Here for more information. TownDowntown Port Moresby or simply Town is the most preferred suburb because of its captivating view of the resplendent sea overlooking both Fairfax Harbour and Walter Bay, the whispering sea breeze and the proximity to Pom’s prime social clubs (Yacht Club and the Aviat Club), all within a 10 minute driving radius. In minutes you can get from the social clubs to the Crowne Plaza and Grand Papua Hotels. In the same amount of time you can get to the shopping centres, Waterfront Boroko Foodworld and Stop N shop Harbour city. A five minute walk up the street, will bring you to ANZ, Westpac, BSP and Kina Bank branches.Rentals within this area begin at K1,800 per week (appx AUD$600), there are many apartments and duplexes in fully serviced gated communities to choose from. Click Here to see more property available for rent in Town.BorokoBoroko is one of the two most sought after suburbs to live in according to respondents in the 2018 PNG Real Estate Survey. Boroko used to be one of the busiest commercial hubs in the late 80s and had many shopping centres who’ve since left leaving a number of vacant spaces. Boroko is a largely residential area with more than 10 schools, the three international high schools are located at East Boroko a suburb of its own now but which used to be a part of Boroko.  Boroko Market offers a great variety of fresh, organic local produce at cheap prices but it’s best to go with a local guide the first couple of times you go. The is across the road from the National Football Stadium, Rita Flynn Netball Courts, the Cricket grounds, the country’s central sports arena is located within Boroko.Rentals within this area begin at K700 per week (appx AUD$240). Click Here to see more property available for rent in Boroko.WaiganiThe second most livable suburb is Waigani or as locals know it Wagga. Waigani is known as the seat of the government as it hosts almost all government institutions. The National Parliament, National Museum, Port Moresby National Arts Theatre, National Library, the National Archives building and the Supreme Court of PNG are all in Waigani. Port Moresby’s only golf course is located in this suburb just 10 minutes drive from the Sir John Guise Stadium and the country’s only mega mall, Vision City. PNG’s 2 movie cinemas are also located in this suburb. The UN Building which will host all UN agencies and the World Bank will be also within this suburb once construction is complete. Three are the Stop N Shop chain of shops (Waigani North and Waigani Central), Jack’s, the Stanley Hotel and Suites, Holiday Inn, Laguna Hotel, Dream Inn Hotel and BSP and ANZ banks are all within in a 20 minute drive of each other taking traffic into consideration. There are a number of gated communities like Islander Village, Lamana and Savannah Heights which would take you 10 minutes drive to get to any of these establishments. For a variety of activities and also the convenience of a short travel Waigani is a great location to rent. Gordon’s 5, a suburb which has the Solomon Islands, British and Australian High Commissions; Indonesian, Japanese, Chinese and Korean Embassies all within a five minute walk of each other - shares a boundary with Waigani. Rentals within this area begin at K650per week (appx AUD$240). Click Here to see more property available for rent in Waigani.GordonsThe Gordons suburb is the industrial hub of the capital city. It has the most businesses and warehouses but it also features a vast residential area with many standalone houses. Gordons is the closest to Jackson’s International Airport out of the four suburbs featured. Boroko Foodworld and RH two of the largest shopping centres are located within Gordons. For many expatriates this suburb is attractive because of its ease of its location in the city - easy to get to offices in good time and if you want a weekend escape outside of town to explore the rugged mountains or the white sandy beaches of Central Province then this is an ideal location to search.Rentals in this area begin at K600 per week (appx AUD$204). Click Here to see more property available for rent in Gordons. For more information you can Subscribe to our Newsletter to receive news and updates about new developments, land titles news, insurance information, real estate & housing demand trends and other information for developers or home buyers.

Traveling to another country is always an unsettling experience regardless of what you do, the distance you’ve traveled or whether your new country has a similar culture to your origins or not. This process has been made slightly easier by the internet but accessing reliable and current information is still a chore and information obtained locally is more trustworthy and relevant. Moving to Papua New Guinea or PNG, would be a daunting process, especially if one is moving from a more economically developed country. This tiny Pacific island country is one hundred and sixty kilometers north of Australia, has a population of over 7 million, over 800 languages and a reputation for being ‘The Land of the Unexpected’; but it has an exotic allure combining the best of urban entertainment whilst allowing for various off-the-beaten track type of holiday adventures.PNG, being located in the heart of the tropics, provides a wide range of outdoor activities and you can be guaranteed that the weather will be perfect not matter your chosen activity. Another great advantage is the countless locations to choose from to go diving, snorkeling, swimming, trekking, kayaking, fishing, birdwatching etc. The statutory body that is responsible for coordinating and regulating all tourism activities is the Tourism Promotion Authority.Entry RequirementsFor your benefit it’s best to know your specific visa requirements prior to you making your journey, you can contact the nearest PNG Mission in your vicinity. As with any location it is better to familiarize yourself using a long time resident or a local tour guide that speaks the lingua franca ‘Tok Pisin’ fluently.SecurityPapua New Guineans are generally friendly and fun loving people. As with any other major centre in the world, there might  be unscrupulous opportunists so it is wise take precautions by paying attention to your surroundings, avoiding secluded places, organizing your travels to daytime and ensure that your valuables including passports and other travel documents are in a secure place. It is advisable to seek the local contact of your high commision or embassy and keep it on hand.  PNG’s national security will be heightened until the end of November this year (2018) to cater for the Australia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) which is being hosted in Port Moresby.CommunicationThere are four mobile service providers in PNG, Digicel has the best reach throughout the country, Bmobile Vodafone and Telikom networks may not be accessible in rural locations. All plans are compatible to international call rates. A new sim card will cost you K20, equivalent to about AUD$8.20 and the call plans range from daily plans for K3 (AUD$1.22) to monthly plans for K100 (AUD$40.99).AirportsJackson’s International Airport, also known as Port Moresby Airport, is the main hub for the nations two major commercial airlines; Air Niugini the national flag carrier and PNG Air. There are three other international airports; Gurney Airport in Milne Bay Province, Kagamuga Airport in the Western Highlands Province and Nadzab Airport in Morobe Province, provide links to coastal, highlands and in-land getaways respectively. The National Airports Corporation is the body that regulates all air services in PNG. Road travel is geographically challenging because of the rugged terrain carved out by many river systems throughout the country, many journeys are interrupted if a river floods a road or bridge.National Capital District and Central ProvinceOur focus is the National Capital District (NCD), the capital of Papua New Guinea and Central Province. NCD is built upon what used to be traditional land of the people of Central Province. NCD is commonly referred to as ‘Mosbi’ by locals even though Port Moresby is a suburb within NCD. According to projections from the 2011 PNG National Census, NCD and Central Province should have a total population of about eight hundred thousand. NCD and Central offer the best combination of urban nightlife entertainment and outdoor tropical adventures. NCD is where the majority of the nations hotels, motels, restaurants and the foreign missions are located.ShoppingNCD consists of eight suburbs which have their own shopping centres but if you prefer having the convenience of doing your grocery shopping, while grabbing a bite to eat,  and also watching a movie and perhaps having beauty treatment done in one stop; you have the choice of Vision City, Stop N Shop Waigani and Waterfront Foodworld. For locally grown organic food every Sunday between 6am to 10am The Pacific Adventist University grounds host a fresh food and produce market that offer secure parking and attractive prices. If you are planning a weekend outside of Port Moresby, there are also larger trade stores located in the main districts within the Central Province for your convenience.Pictured: Vision City Mall | Source: Looppng.com AccommodationFor short term stay there are literally hundreds of lodges, motels and hotels to choose from that offer a variety of services including airport shuttles, city tours and restaurants. Costs can vary from less than K100 per night for the budget traveller to over K1000 for the travelling executive.For a longer term stay the Airways Residences offer secure, beautifully landscaped grounds that have a convenience store, a bank, a pool, several restaurants, a gym, a massage parlour and generally everything you need in one compound.For longer term accomodation, there are over 3,000 properties and 78 real estate agencies that you can contact by visiting PNG's leading online property portal; Hausples.com.pg. Dining outThere are many places which offer a combination of a great scenic and gastronomic experiences. The following offer sea views: The Ela Beach Hotel, The Yacht Club, The Naked Fish on the Pier and The Edge. Outside of Port Moresby you have Loloata Island Resort and Sunset Lodge. If you prefer having a river and majestic mountains as your backdrop Cafe 630, Koitaki Country Club and the Kokoda Trail Motel are ideal locations. There is also a wide variety of Asian cuisine, including Fusion, Seoul Haus, Daikoku, Imperial, Golden Bowl and Fu Gui. Social ClubsNetworking and getting to know other expatriates in the country can be made easier by going to your nearest social club which include the Aviat Club, Car Club and the Yacht Club. During the weekends there is always a craft market happening where you can purchse examples of the art and culture of Papua New guinea. There are many expatriate clubs that gather frequently in the city - it is really a matter of linking up with those that share similar interests.Pictured: Royal Papua Yacht Club | Source: Royal Papua Yacht Club Business Site Places to VisitDepending on what tickles your fancy there are places that offer a great view, historical and cultural insights and resplendent traditional works of art like The National Museum, The PNG National Parliament House and the Port Moresby Nature Park.Pictured: Variarata National Park | Source: PNG Journeys (Twitter)If it’s a more family oriented leisure activity you are after there is the Port Moresby Adventure Park, The Variarata National Park pictured below has a walking track and many groups conduct their survival and team building camps in this area. The Crystal Rapids offer a refreshingly cool river with barbeque facilities available. There is also Sirinumu Dam - the dam that supplies water to the whole city, if you simply want to escape the city and let the kids run loose.There are many more places to eat, socialize, swim, snorkel, shop and be entertained that NCD and Central Province have to offer. Be adventurous and take a little time out and you will make some amazing memories in PNG.

The increasing demand for more housing has led to the growth of kit home companies in Papua New Guinea.Affordability and timeframes are high on the checklist of a lot of aspiring property owners, and kit homes enable them to tick those boxes. About a dozen companies sell kit homes in PNG with one delivering its product out of Lae and the rest based in Port Moresby, which has the country’s largest property market. The new developments include the Red Sea Housing and Duran Farm projects, adjacent the Baruni and Gerehu-Nine Mile arterial roads in the National Capital District.Land AccessibilityThe opening up of uninhabited land on the fringes of Port Moresby augurs well for the future of the NCD property market. The Gerehu-Nine Mile road has been selected as part of plans by the National Government to free land for affordable housing. Housing Minister John Kaupa, in January this year, reportedly said the National Government had long-term plans to make available land next to the 8-kilometer four-lane road for property development.AffordabilityThe products offered by kit home companies are distinct in design and the materials supplied. For example, local steel makers Atlas Steel PNG and Steel Industries both offer steel frame building kits, but differ in the type of materials supplied, floor plan and price. Bulolo-based PNG Forest Products, which sells timber kit homes under its Niu Homes brand, can ship to any part of the country or abroad.Another company Rhodes PNG Limited, which originally started in design, compliance and project management in 2011, now include kit homes in their diverse range of building products. It can give a quote for construction (to be undertaken by its own workers), after it is shown the building site.David Mackenzie, Rhodes PNG Business Development Manager, said their 1-4-bedroom high-set and low-set houses are affordable and give Papua New Guinean families options in terms of budget and quality.“There is a big problem with housing here in PNG in terms of cost. There is a lot of poor quality housing in the market, with people paying top dollar and getting poor quality products down the track.”“Rhodes PNG uses innovative technologies to ensure affordability without compromising quality.  Our houses are built to Australian standards and come with a 50-year design life.”The building is flexible, so that a high-set house can be modified later to utilise the space underneath as a carport or additional living area. Utilities liaisonOthers such as Stratostream Ltd sell the kit homes, move the materials to the location within the NCD and Central Province, and assemble them in 3 months – the initial cost covering labor, materials, electrical/plumbing/flooring works, joinery, painting, furnishing and power and water utilities.“There are so many inclusions in our kit homes package like NCDC Physical Planning Building Board approval – we will process that. Even services like Eda Ranu and PNG Power, we will also process that,” said Kenneth Lebut, the Stratostream Marketing Manager.Big marketThe sluggish economic conditions in PNG has not had a direct impact on kit home companies. Both Stratostream and Rhodes PNG have indicated that they received public inquiries on their products in the first two months of 2018, despite a slow start by other businesses in the private sector.Kit homes lie at the core of affordable housing and is enabling property owners realize their dreams. Talking to Hausples last month about the real estate market predictions, The Professionals Managing Director Agi Doko said there is still a big market for properties between the K320,000–350,000 price range.“I just don’t think we have sufficient products for a lot of Papua New Guineans within that price bracket and it could be a case of whether there’s sufficient land available,” she said.

Papua New Guinea OverviewHere is all you need to know about Papua New Guinea, the country specs, key features and the latest real estate prospects and trends.Papua New Guinea (PNG) occupies the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and shares international borders with Australia, Indonesia, Solomon Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia. It is an attractive investment destination and has immense potential in tourism, thanks to its flora and fauna and cultural and linguistic diversity.  It comprises 20 provinces, the autonomous region of Bougainville and Port Moresby, the National Capital District (NCD).Location and Economy of PNGPapua New Guinea (PNG) occupies the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and shares international borders with Australia, Indonesia, Solomon Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia. PNG is 160km north of Australia and includes over 600 islands and 5,000 km of coastline across 463,000 sq km.  The country comprises 22 provinces, the autonomous region of Bougainville and Port Moresby, and the National Capital District (NCD).PNG is endowed with natural resources and is home to one of the world’s largest tropical rainforests. The country has significant gold, silver, copper, nickel, cobalt, crude oil, natural gas and other mineral deposits. Forestry, mining, petroleum, agriculture and livestock, tourism and hospitality, fisheries, and manufacturing are the major economic drivers in PNG.PNG History and CultureArchaeological evidence suggests that the Island of New Guinea was first settled over 50,000 years ago by humans who likely arrived in two different migration groups at different times.  The first European contact occurred in the 16th century when Portuguese and Spanish explorers chanced upon the main island. Jorge de Menezes, a Portuguese explorer, called it “Papua” when he visited in 1526 – 1527. Spaniard Ynigo Ortiz de Retez called the island “New Guinea” in 1545 as he thought its inhabitants resembled indigenous populations on the African Guinea coast. The island’s southern area was colonised by the British in 1884 and was known as British New Guinea. In 1905, the territory was transferred to the Australian Commonwealth and renamed the Territory of Papua.The northern region, along with parts of the Highlands and Islands regions, was Germany’s territory and known as German New Guinea. Australian military forces captured these areas during World War 1 and administered the region afterwards. When PNG became independent in 1975, the names Papua and New Guinea became amalgamated, hence the name Papua New Guinea.The current estimated population of PNG is ~8.94 million with foreign nationals making up 1% of the total population. The majority of the population live in rural areas, with up to 25% of people residing in urban centres.PNG is reputedly the most ethnically diverse country in the world, with over 850 languages. Geographic regions broadly categorise Papua New Guineans: New Guineans (from the Momase area on the north mainland), Papuans (from the south), Highlanders and Islanders. Port Moresby, the capital of PNG, is situated within a natural harbour on the southwest coast of the mainland. The capital is culturally diverse, and the estimated population of Port Moresby is 400,000 residents.Climate of Papua New GuineaPapua New Guinea is within the tropics, with a typical daytime temperature in the lowlands between 30 - 32 °C and dropping to 23 - 24 °C at night. Although the seasons are influenced by the trade winds (dry season between May and November) and northwesterly monsoons (wet season between December and March), the coastal areas are typically hot and humid all year round, and rain is common.Port Moresby tends to be drier than the rest of the country, receiving an average rainfall of 1020mm a year due partly to its sheltered location. By comparison, Madang gets an average of 3500mm of rain a year. The Highlands region is refreshingly cooler, with temperatures between 20 - 29 °C during the day, dropping to below 15 °C at night. Frost and snow are not uncommon in high altitude areas.Languages in PNGOfficial languages of PNG include English, Tok Pisin (also known as Pidgin English), PNG Sign language and Motu. English is widely spoken and used in the courts, by the government and the education system. English is typically spoken when conducting business, and translators are rarely required.Indigenous languages and local dialects number 850+.Currency, Credit Cards and GST in PNGThe PNG Kina is the currency of Papua New Guinea. One Kina (K) is constituted by 100 Toea (t) - pronounced “toy-ya”.Banknotes are denominated in K100, K50, K20, K10, K5 and K2. Coins in circulation are K1, 50t, 20t, 10t and 5t.All transactions in PNG are subject to 10% goods and services tax (GST). The GST component of a good or service is usually included in the published prices. Most shops, restaurants, and major hotels accept Amex, Diners, Mastercard and Visa credit cards.There are three banks in PNG: Bank South Pacific (BSP), Kina Bank and Westpac Bank. They all issue debit cards on request, as well as standard bank cards which can be used on EFTPOS in most major stores, but can’t be used for online transactions. Be warned, the queues at the bank can be quite long and tiresome, so setting up internet banking at the time of opening the account is wise.Cost of Living in Papua New GuineaPapua New Guinea is an expensive country to live in, from housing to food and lifestyle costs. Rental prices have been compared to Manhattan or Sydney, and there are several reasons for this. The land tenure system favours traditional (customary) land ownership, and only a small proportion of land in PNG is state-owned (~3% by some estimates). Therefore, there is a shortage of land that is available for development, making land prices high. Secondly, many properties have essential services supplied that would not be typically required overseas, such as security, backup electricity and backup water. Secure, quality rental accommodation starts at K1,500 per week for a very affordable home and up to K6,500 for a luxury apartment. Many goods in PNG are imported, and as such, most products include the cost of freight and duty, which are higher than overseas markets. The following table compares commonly purchased groceries against common currencies. PGKAUDUSDGBPEURPHPExchange Rate Aug 2021 (Approx)10.390.290.210.2414.37Properties (per month)      3-Bed Mid Range Apartment 13,000.005,070.003,770.002,730.003,120.00186,810.003-Bed Luxury apartment 21,666.678,450.006,283.334,550.005,200.00311,350.00       Groceries      Coffee 225gm15.005.854.353.153.60215.55Milk 1l6.002.341.741.261.4486.22Cola 500ml3.501.371.020.740.8450.30Bottle water 500ml3.001.170.870.630.7243.11Sliced White Bread5.502.151.601.161.3279.04Rice 500gm3.001.170.870.630.7243.11Cheese (imported)18.007.025.223.784.32258.66Head of Lettuce (local)12.004.683.482.522.88172.44       Eating Out      Meal for 2 at a mid-range restaurant140.0054.6040.6029.4033.602,011.80Meal for 2 at a high-end restaurant250.0097.5072.5052.5060.003,592.50Local Beer12.004.683.482.522.88172.44Imported Beer15.005.854.353.153.60215.55Bottle of Wine60.0023.4017.4012.6014.40862.20Bottle of Spirits180.0070.2052.2037.8043.202,586.60       Education      From3,000.001,170.00870.00630.00720.0043,110.00To56,000.0021,840.0016,240.0011,760.0013,440.00804,720.00       Social Clubs per annum      From1,900.00741.00551.00399.00456.0027,303.00To4,300.001,677.001,247.00903.001,032.0061,791.00

Just recently, University of Sydney’s Senior Lecturer in Political Economy Dr. Tim Anderson gave his presentation on the “Framework for Assessing Compensation for The Wrongful Loss of Customary Land.” One of the things he argued was that there was a lack of concrete processes in determining the financial value of land in the country. However, it may not just be a lack of process that’s serving as a roadblock. It may also be the lack of laws that protect the rights of landowners – especially for customary land.So, what are the implications that may arise from this? What actions can be done to resolve this gap? Experts in the field weigh in. Setting the backdropWhile Dr. Anderson says that land is not a commodity in the country, Act Now Programme Manager Efrey Dademo mentions that there are commodities that can be derived from customary land. In a conference last 22nd of May 2017, she explains, “The wellbeing and livelihood of our people is directly linked and central to our customary land and the economic value that it possesses.”Dademo continues, “Our people’s resilience to the financial and food crisis in the world is because of the fact that they still have their land in their aid at this time on which they are planting cash crops and food to consume and sell, fuel for cooking, building materials for housing and other livelihood necessities.”This is something that Dr. Anderson agrees with as well. He said in his presentation that Customary land can be a source of greater economic returns. Identifying the problemDr. Anderson states that the reason why the greater economic returns are not being received is because the government trades these land for special agricultural business leases. He mentions that a little over 5 million hectares have already been leased out to corporations. In turn, customary landowners are dispossessed of their properties.Dr. Anderson adds that “In 2013, the government was made aware through a Commission of Inquiry (COI 2013) that these leases were unlawful for failure to follow proper process under the Land Act and, in particular, for their failure to ensure the free prior and informed consent of customary landowners.” Addressing the DilemmaThe problem with the current setup of Papua New Guinea is not that there is a lack of law for customary land. The problem is that there is an absence of law to address customary land issues, thereby leaving customary landowners defenseless. This is according to a recentarticle from The National.This lack of provision for already existing laws at the moment to be used to do the opposite of what it was intended to do. Communal Land Law Foundation principal adviser Mali Voi states, “Currently, our legal system is using the English common laws that do not capture the interest of our traditional or customary land issues.”Voi adds that this allows preference to foreigners rather than the country’s people. He explains, “The current laws are used to dispossess us as we’ve been dominated by foreigners and we are basically helping the foreigners rather than helping our own people.”Dademo echoes this and says that the government was “persuaded by outside interests  with the focus to promote unrestrained economic growth and export earnings in the false hope that this should improve lives of the majority of the people.”This has been an ongoing issue for years now, but there are those in the government itself who are also trying to change the current situation by proposing amendments to the current law regarding land. Now, whether this tension dissipates or not is only a question of how these efforts to change the system will make a difference to the current government’s decision.

Saving is the first step to building wealth and obtaining true financial freedom. But how do you start saving when you have little money left to save?One of the key mistakes that we do is wait for “spare money or extra bucks” to appear in our fortnightly income, so we can save. For most, that day never comes, and building a savings remains an unchecked task on the list of financial “To Dos.” This month, we give you 5 Simple tips to help you SAVE, even on a limited Budget. 1. Identify a goalDefine your purpose for saving, whether it’s buying a car or saving up equity for your first home, planning for a baby, or simply earning the financial independence to live the life you want. Start by making a plan; know how much you earn, what you spend on and how much you can put aside to save. Setting your goal in stone will keep your “eye on the prize” when other temptations to spend arise. 2. Keep it out of sightStart by paying yourself first and putting a portion of your pay (even if it’s small) directly into a savings account before you are able to use it.Payroll Deductions: Arrange this with your employer facilitate payroll deductions, before your pay hits the Account.Standing Orders: You can put a Standing Order on your Transaction Account, so there is an automated deduction from your account to your nominated Savings Account. 3. Get paid for savingOpening a savings account has become simple and affordable to manage. There are various options to save. Look at a savings account that is able to lock away your money, earn interest but also has the flexibility to allow you access to your funds in case of emergencies. It is better to be paying yourself and earning an interest than repaying a debt. 4. Contribute as often as you canSaving regularly is key to building your savings balance, but finding small opportunities to save will also help you to gain momentum and keep savings climbing. Review your fortnightly expenses, and see if you can cut back on a few expenses like socialising and sharing a few drinks with friends or spending money on betelnuts and cigarettes.Do the math: We spend K5 per day on betelnuts and K5 per day on cigarettes, maybe more. In one year, you will have spent K10 x 365 days = K3,650.It is better to cut back every now and then. Take the proceeds of your eliminated expenses, and put them right into savings. 5. Open a BSP Plus Saver AccountBSP’s Plus Saver Account is an optional account that can be opened easily if you have a BSP Kundu Account. The Account can be linked to Mobile and Internet Banking. You can view your Balance and Account Statements any time. It does not have a Bank Card linked to the Account, which means that you cannot access your funds via an ATM or an EFTPoS. But of course, if there’s an emergency and you need extra funds from your Plus Saver Account, you can use Mobile Banking to transfer funds from your Plus Saver to your Kundu Account to use.Funds can also be transferred via Mobile and Internet Banking from your main transaction Account to your Plus Saver for Free. A tiered interest plan is paid to your savings balance. This simply means, the more you save, the more interest is paid. Want to know more? Inquire HERE directly to BSP! Or Read more about this product HERE

As many of you are getting ready for the Christmas break, the Hausples.com.pg team in collaboration with Cayman Properties is releasing the second part of the guide manual about purchasing property in Queensland in the fastest, easiest and most secure way. If you have missed the first part of the guide, catch up by reading it HERE!The Main Steps in the Purchase ProcessStep 1: There is an initial deposit to hold the property: An initial deposit of $5,000 is required to reserve the property. In other words, it will be take it off the market temporarily while you review the contract for sale. This is for a period of two weeks (14 days). If you choose to not go through with the purchase or you fail to fulfill the necessary steps, the deposit will be refunded and no sale will happen.Step 2: There is a legal review of the contract: It must be reviewed by your Australian solicitor. They must then provide professional advice.Step 3: The full deposit is due at signing: The full deposit is typically 10% of the total purchase price. (Financing will require a 20% deposit in total. This 10% will count towards it.)Step 4: Getting finance and FIRB approval: If you are still trying to get financing approved, in order to protect yourself, you can make the contract “Subject to finance approval.” This typically gives you 14 days from the date you signed the contract to get financing in place. If financing falls through, you can terminate the contract. Remember, in order to get a loan in Australia, you will need approval from the Foreign Investment Review Board. Thus, those two details go hand-in-hand.SettlementThe amount of time it takes to get to settlement varies. Existing residential property is typically settled 30 – 60 days after the contract is signed. Pre-construction (“Off the plan”) residential property typically takes around 12 months to be completed. The balance of the purchase price is due at the time of settlement. This is typically 14 days after construction is finished. New homes with separate land and house contracts have separate settlement dates for each contract. The contract for the land is typically settled 30 – 60 days after the contract is signed. Meanwhile, the payments for the house contract are typically done as 5 draw down installments during construction.Insurance and Other ExpensesOf course, the loan payments are not the entire cost involved in owning a property. You should be aware of some of the following typical local expenses: Council rates and water levies are due bi-annually. Utilities, such as gas and electricity, are due quarterly. For apartments, there are quarterly Body Corporate Levies. For homes, there is insurance, due annually.Please note that tenants are responsible for their own utilities and for insurance on the contents of the property. Those are not the landlord’s responsibility. However, Body Corporate Levies include coverage of building insurance. The landlord is responsible for covering common areas plus the walls, floors, and ceilings of the apartment. You are responsible for insurance coverage starting the day you sign the contract.If you have bought a new house, the builder will provide insurance during the construction. Once the construction is completed and you take possession, you responsible for insurance to cover replacement value and the contents of the home.Furnished versus Unfurnished PropertyIn Australia, residential property is typically sold unfurnished. However, “unfurnished” means different things in different countries. So, to be clear, it is standard for unfurnished properties to include a cooktop, an oven, an extraction fan, a dishwasher, an air conditioner, and letterbox. It may also include fencing and landscaping.In Australia, rentals units are also typically unfurnished. However, this is not always the case. Apartments that offer short-term leases must be furnished. Additionally, it is a good idea to furnish residential property that is located close to a business district. In such cases, the additional upfront cost of furnishing the unit can be well worth it. Furnished units near business districts typically charge an extra $20- $50 per bedroom for a weekly rental. Over time, this extra money really adds up and can more than cover the initial costs involved in furnishing the unit.Time to Invest is now. Why?You have just 3 weeks until the Australian Government is bringing in new Foreign investment laws will charge all Foreign investors A $5,000 approval fee!This legislation will come into effect on 1 December 2015 which is just 3 weeks away. Click here for further details. With this new fee your purchase costs on a $400,000 home will increase from approximately 5% currently to 6.25%.So if you are intending to purchase property this year why pay more than you have to?Let us help you with FINANCE, LEGAL SERVICES, and BUILDING. We make it so easy for you to invest when based overseas.We have just listed new 4 bedroom home in Smithfield Cairns area suitable for a Foreign Investors with beautiful high raked ceilings and plenty of light and breeze.Click Here to See Australian Properties and Inquire Now!Want to meet the expert Angela Vinnicombe in PNG directly? Book an appointment HERE NOW!

The satisfaction of owning a home is truly priceless because your own home is a place to raise your family, and importantly, it can be passed down to provide security for your children.Many Papua New Guineans do have a dream to own a home, but are often reluctant and put it off until later, due to many reasons, including high house prices, interest rates and repayment terms.Well there is good news, the BSP First Home Ownership Scheme (FHOS) has a much longer loan term and a concessional interest rate. About the First Home Ownership SchemeThe FHOS is a joint initiative between the Government of PNG and BSP, and provides access to all Papua New Guineans to flexible and affordable financial arrangements to enable them to own their own home.The FHOS offers a loan up to K400,000 which means customers will not have to pay for stamp duty. Equity is at 10% and repayment up to 40 years at an interest rate of 4% per annum.And we have a happy FHOS customer, David Jonah, who recently moved into his new home with his family, and he is thankful that he took that step to seek help and advice from BSP.“It was a wise decision to visit my branch and enquire, as I given valuable information which resulted in me deciding to purchase my new house” said Mr Jonah.You can have a house and call it your own. Take that first step HERE. It is open to all Papua New Guineans, whether you are working in the private or public sector, as long as you have the income capacity, including housing allowance, that ensures you afford loan repayments.Now the FHOS is tailored for first home buyers for self-dwelling. If you are interested it is important to note that you must not have not owned or part owned a house under state lease. Your spouse or defacto partner does not own or part own a property under a State Lease. And also you must not have applied for any other housing loan via another scheme.Under the FHOS, these are some criteria:•   Buy land under a state lease for the construction of a new house;•   Build a new house on a state land; and•   Buy both house and land under a state lease; or•   Buy a house which is less than 12 months old that is on a state land.•   Buy land under a state lease for the construction of a new house;•   Build a new house on a state land; and•   Buy both house and land under a state lease; or•   Buy a house which is less than 12 months old that is on a state land.Want to renovate or buy your second home?BSP also offers other Home Loan Products for other customers who may want to purchase another home, want to renovate or extend.The BSP Home Loan product is the best option to take. Unlike the FHOS, this product gives you the freedom to work out your equity and apply for an amount over K400, 000 +. The Interest rate is fixed and repayment terms vary in this instance.Set a Goal and start saving for your House.Everyone can be able to own a house. Make a commitment to start saving up for a house.photo credit: skerah.comIf you are interested, please visit your nearest branch or email [email protected], [email protected] or CLICK HERE to send an inquire.

Learning from customers’ tastes and providing services that best suit their needs is a way towards enhancing the success of a business organisation. This is exactly what all locally owned real estate developer should be doing by offering the most preferred residential property types.For example, Our Real Estate Ltd has been developing and marketing excellent residential houses to cater for the different market needs. The company has advanced well in the real estate industry in developing high quality residential homes including executive duplexes and split level executive houses to offer to the market.It has recently diverted its attention to building more of low and high set standard-alone houses that most of their clients are asking for. Manager for Our Real Estate Ltd., Stanley Naime, revealed that apart from developing and marketing executive duplexes, the company will develop stand-alone houses to differentiate between duplex and the stand-alone houses.“This is because when many of our clients come for inspections, they ask if we have any stand-alone house.”“We learned that the demand for stand-alone houses is very high in the city. To cater for the demand, we will be developing 10-15 stand-alone houses on our project site in the next phase of our property development listings. We have 300 allotments to develop. We are trying to acquire enough land and expand our company into developing more residential as well as commercial properties for lease at very affordable prices,” Mr Naime said.The company had already constructed 12 units in a gated compound at Rainbow Heights in Gerehu. Of those properties, ten units had already been occupied by corporate clients while two units are still awaiting clients to move in. All the units are well designed and maintenance-free unlike other kit homes that require regular maintenance.The internal features of the units are well-designed and come with furnished brown and white goods, tiled ceramic floors, nice air-conditions, spacious kitchen and laundry areas to meet every client needs. The units are not for sale. They are all on rent. The upper units are renting at K1500 per week while the lower units are leasing at K 1200 to K1300 each week depending on the quality of the units.“Market prices depend on the sizes and qualities of the units we have. Our units are of very high quality and they are ideal for corporate clients as our main target market. However, we do not necessarily restrict our properties only to corporate clients. Any client with sound budgets and reputable behavior can occupy the units,” Mr Naime said.Note: Images are for display only.

If you are interested in making an investment in Australia but do not know all the requirements or just need specific information on what are the steps to guarantee a successful outcome, then read our guide to purchasing property in Queensland!The Four Most Common Reasons Why Foreigners Buy Real Property in QueenslandMost foreigners who consider purchasing real property in Australia do so for one of the following reasons:Education: Australia’s education system is a magnet for some foreigners. For families looking to send their children to school or to a University in Australia, it often makes more financial sense to buy property near the school in question than to pay boarding fees.Permanent residency: An application for permanent residency in Australia typically takes years to process. Many things are considered in deciding whether or not to grant residency. Property ownership can positively impact the application, in part because it helps establish financial viability of the applicant. For those who can afford it and want to skew the odds in their favor, buying real property is an obvious choice.Low cost properties and good financial returns: Compared to many other locations, Australia’s property prices are low. When combined with generally low vacancy rates, the result for investors is consistent and strong returns, typically 5 – 6%. Adding to the appeal, some loan instruments include variable finance rates below 5%.Need for a part-time residence: Some people do not live full time in Australia, but do visit it very regularly. Owning a part-time residence can be a sensible alternative to hotels for people who routinely engage in business or social activities locally.The Three Main Types of Foreign Investment PropertiesResidential Apartments: Typically, an investor purchases a single apartment in a complex. For some investors, the appeal is that there is usually on-site staff to deal with the day-to-day details of caring for the property and renting it out. Such apartments may be rented out furnished or unfurnished. Furnished apartments charge a premium compared to unfurnished units.Detached Single-Family Houses: This can be an appealing option for an investor because you will only have to pay stamp duty on the value of the land you purchased with the house, rather than on the full value of the house plus the land. On a property with an overall value of $400,000, this constitutes a savings of around $8,000.Commercial Property: This includes things like office space, retail shops and warehouses. One reason this appeals to some investors is that leases are typically three or five years. Another reason that such properties can have appeal is that some of them do not require approval from the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB).The Foreign Investment Review Board Defines Legal Eligibility and Limitations for Foreign InvestorsForeign investors are subject to restrictions on the type and amount of existing or previously-occupied property that they can purchase. However, investment in new property is generally not subject to the same kinds of restrictions. Additionally, you will need a solicitor to file your application with the Australian Government. In most cases, the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) must pre-approve the intended purchase. For additional information, please see their website:http://www.firb.gov.au/content/real_estate/real_estate.aspCommon Requirements of Australian LendersProvided they meet certain criteria, it is possible for foreign investors to get local financing through an Australian financial institution. Typical lending criteria may include:The loan amount will be for no more than 80% of the property value.The investor must have secured approval from the Foreign Investment Review Board prior to loan approval.The loan cannot be longer than 30 years.The lender will first confirm your income. Some typical documents required for confirmation include tax returns, employment contract, and a letter from your employer.Professional Advisors and Legal ExpensesLocal law requires you to use a Queensland-based Solicitor or Conveyancing Officer. You can expect there to be legal expenses on the order of AU$1500 for each property.If you plan to rent out the property, you will need an Australian Tax File Number. You will also need to file an annual income tax return in Australia. A local tax advisor can help you file your taxes properly and track tax deductible expenses, such as purchasing costs, loan interest, insurance costs and management fees.The Stamp DutyThe Queensland State Government applies a transaction tax on all property acquisitions under its jurisdiction. This tax is called the Stamp Duty. Owner-occupiers effectively pay a lower rate than investors (landlords, who rent the property out). Here are some examples for comparison purposes only:On a new home with a total value of $400,000, the investor Stamp Duty would be $12,425, but the owner-occupier Stamp Duty would only be $5,250.In a case where the Stamp Duty is only due on the land value and its value is $180,000, the investor Stamp duty would be $4,725, but the owner-occupier Stamp Duty would only be $1,800.Additional information on the stamp duty is available from the Queensland Office of State Revenue official website at www.osr.qld.gov.au. The website has tools that will allow you to calculate the duty by entering the purchase price.The Capital Gains TaxAt time of sale, investment properties are subject to a Capital Gains Tax on any increase in value the property has seen during the time it was owned. However, the sale of one’s primary place of residence is exempt from the Capital Gains Tax. To get an idea of how much this tax is likely to be, you can visit the Australian Tax Office official website at www.ato.gov.au or consult a registered Taxation Advisor.Read more about Australian upcoming laws for foreign investors and check out Australian Properties for sale or express your interest to obtain assistance in purchasing a property in Australia!

Are you thinking of selling a home in PNG? If you’re considering putting your home on the market then you need to do one important thing first – PREPARE your home for the real estate market. In case you’re baffled on how to go about doing this, Hausples has got you covered with our guide to preparing your home for its potential sale. As any Papua New Guinean knows, Home sales in PNG are fairly stable at the moment with the market coming down from the boom times experienced at the height of the PNG LNG project. In addition, banks and financial institutions are being more stringent in ensuring that applicants fit their lending criteria with regard to one’s affordability which is utting further pressure on the market. Despite this, any homeowner can’t still achieve an excellent sale price for his or her home with a little planning and some investment in time and marketing dollars. The first step in achieving you desired price when selling a home in PNG is to source the expertise of a properly qualified real estate agent rather than relying on your own wits and whims. Hausples caught up with Strickland Real Estate’s Gayle Nast to get tips on fixing up a home before going head on with the inevitable sale. As a real estate professional that’s been in the game for 21 years, Nast explains that it’s imperative to involve realtors as they are objective and this is particularly so when it comes to real estate in the major cities of Port Moresby and Lae. “It is wise to use the services of a professional real estate agent to conduct the negotiations for price, settlement, what stays with the property [assets] and any other aspect.  The real estate agent is non-emotive and impartial whereas some vendors [sellers] and purchasers can become very heated and emotional during the negotiation and selling stage.  By engaging a professional real estate agent, you can prevent the stress of negotiations and sometimes end up with a very positive result…” Having worked in both the real estate markets of Port Moresby and Sydney (Australia), Nast is well-versed in ensuring that the vendor makes a successful sale. First decide when is the best time to sell your home Nast stated that the vendor’s inclination to sell their home hangs on the absence of any financial pressure. Therefore, the nonexistence of financial pressure plus the vendor’s willingness to sell is equivalent to the best time for the vendor to make a sale. Moreover, PNG vendors have a lead in being able to sell their home at any time without being influenced by climatic changes.“Typically, Australian and New Zealand Real Estate markets focus on the spring period. However, this focus isn’t applicable here in PNG, mainly due to the fantastic climate,” explained Nast. Second hire a respectable solicitor or lawyer To ensure that there are no legal pitfalls after the property is sold, it is absolutely critical to hire a qualified legal adviser and this is particular important in Papua New Guinean given the majority of land is subject to state leases. According to Nast, there are often technical legal issues involved with selling PNG property and so it is paramount to obtain advice about the aspects of legal documents associated with the sale and settlement of a property. She added that the use of a solicitor would ensure that all paperwork and titles pertaining to the sale of the property would be accessible to the vendor. Nast recommended that a number of essentials be cross-checked against the paperwork such as the following:Check out, compare and interview several real estate agentsCompare their marketing strategy, recent sales and negotiation skillsAsk for referrals from previous or current clientsAsk for their professional opinion as to what the property would sell forFinally ask what their commission is for the successful sale of the property Third, know the target market for your home In addition, vendors should also determine who the target market is for their particular property so that they market to that audience appropriately. As stated by Nast, the target market is determined by the property being offered for sale. Therefore, buyers can range from first-home buyers to second and third-time home buyers. And when it comes to buyers, it’s all about leaving them with a lasting first impression where they are captivated with your property. So ultimately, the vendor’s goal is to make certain that their property’s presentation is impeccable.“Presentation makes the property welcoming, neat and tidy…tidy up outside, especially any pet mess, rubbish [and] ensure that the steps leading to the home are safe and secure,” stated Nast.In all, keeping in mind all the above points is key to making your very own successful sale. Whether you own a timber or clad house, pylon or stilt style, selling your home can and should deliver to you a good return. Copyright Hausples.com.pg, article by Pauline Mago-King

As a PNG homeowner, it’s your duty to make your home a reflection of you. Whether you’re an artsy sort of a person or someone who likes subtlety when it comes to decorating, there’s no reason why you can’t make your home be YOUR home. The idea of decorating or refurbishing a home tends to give people the impression that it’s a hefty exercise. However, if done right it’s bound to be a lot less costly. In this Hausples.com.pg guide we give you some tips on you to spruce up you home without spending all your Kina. The first tip – plan, plan, plan. Planning involves mapping out how you want to decorate; how long it’s going to take; what type of theme you’d like to incorporate into your PNG home; and most importantly how much you’re willing to spend and whether it’s in line with your budget. From your budget, you should have a fair idea of how much you want to spend. With your budget sorted out, you have two approaches to take; you either brainstorm simple Do-It-Yourself (DIY) projects or go for the long road by carrying out a complete renovation of your home.For those who love a challenge of DIY projects then you’ll be pleased to know that spicing up your home is as easy as ABC. You can start off by searching the Internet, particularly websites like Pinterest that give 101 ideas on decorating. Otherwise, the old magazines you have lying around the house could also be a perfect source of inspiration.From the balcony to the bedroom, there’s so many things one can do transform their home’s image. The front door entrance is a great place to make a bold statement. With the help of a hammer/drill and nails, you could hang an intricate cane placemat or carving. Or if you think your furniture is looking a bit drab then instead of purchasing a new set, save money by re-upholstering with your own favourite choice of colours. You could also treat your wooden furniture like cabinets, tables and chairs to a fresh coat of varnish or paint.For décor, there are a multitude of items one can use for interior decoration. In a country like Papua New Guinea (PNG) that spins on the axis of culture, one can use various cultural artifacts for décor. Be it beautifully woven bilums or striking clay pots, artifacts are a great way of investing in your home’s “look”. Renovating on a budget… it is possible! If you already have arrays of décor and have tried your hand at DIY projects and still want to do something more extreme like renovating then that’s fine too. It is essential to decide where exactly you’d like to renovate. After doing so, the next most important factor to keep in mind before venturing onto the path of renovation is once again, BUDGET. If you’re on a mission to save a lot of Kina, it’s wise to get quotations from all the shops you’re planning to purchase from. The quotations allow you to compare prices and determine where you’re likely to save a Kina or two.In Port Moresby, people have a range of hardware stores to look at if they’re considering a home makeover. Yet what most people are looking for when shopping for building supplies is to get not only quality but also cheap materials.For instance, if you’re thinking of giving your bathroom a fresh look with some new tiling then it’d be best to check out a shop like City Pacific Hardware. Unlike other hardware stores, City Pacific Hardware is the perfect option for the grassroots. Word of mouth has proven that this hardware store is the ideal place to scope out refurbishing supplies. It’s been running for four years and seen a great influx of Port Moresby residents.Whether they’re in the process of building their first homes or simply renovating, Port Moresby residents have turned to this hardware store for their needs, supply-wise. Supply and Distribution Manager of City Pacific Hardware, Crisanto Solis stated that since the store’s establishment, it has seen a large number of people coming in to purchase construction materials.“What makes our shop different is that it is a one-stop shop with cheap prices. The products we sell are not only affordable but of good quality.”Also, NasFund members can hold onto their hats as this hardware shop accepts Nasfund cheques. The convenience and affordability provided by shops like City Pacific Hardware are two elements to consider when giving a home a fix up.For those with looking for a one-stop-shop, the Hardware Haus chain of stores operates out of a number of locations  throughout PNG including Port Moresby, Lae, Goroka, Mt Hagen, Madang, Wewak, Kavieng and Kokopo. Hardware Haus carry a very diverse range of hardware and home furnishing to complete almost any job PNG home related task.Whether you’re decorating or renovating your home, dressing up a home doesn’t have to be an expensive task. If you’ve taken the liberty of doing your homework then you’re likely to save a lot more Kina and ultimately end up with a refreshing home.City Pacific Hardware is located at Erima just next door to Erima Big Rooster.Business Hours: Monday – Sunday 7:30 – 16:30Copyright Hausples.com.pg, article by Pauline Mago-King

Owning a family home is a dream for many Papua New Guineans. Due to recent rapid developments in Port Moresby and the influx of people, accommodation is a real issue, sparked particularly by the massive PNG LNG Project. The Real Estate market is faced with an economic imbalance where demand for affordable housing is not met by supply. In recent years a few have turned their homes into rental spaces, but even renting a room or a house is still very expensive. As such, the Papua New Guinea working population have typically found that owning a home remains a dream. But thanks to some new developments close to Town, achieving the dream of owning a great home is one big step closer. Paul Barker stated in his article on pngblogs.com that the main constraint upon affordable housing has been inadequate supply of land with secure title, either for commercial developers, institutions or individual households. Barker added that it’s not actually a land shortage, but land has been poorly administered, with inadequate and uncoordinated urban planning and rigid customary land laws.Accommodation is not a problem for people with senior positions in public and private sectors but it is for the middle income earners. Barker stated that recent years have seen wealth distribution in PNG increasingly distorted, with the elite able to thrive on appreciating property assets, or secure relatively affordable property overseas, whilst the rest, including most public servants, struggling to find decent affordable roofs over their heads.Recently, however, a good number of commercial developers have secured land in the outskirts of the city to build good quality homes at affordable prices. We hope to see better and greater changes in the real estate market when housing supply increases. Also, the government of the day is actively addressing the accommodation problem.  On a more encouraging and positive note, the government’s intervention would at least give hard working Papua New Guineans the golden chance of a lifetime – owning a home. As we speak, at least a few are aware that the O’Neil-Dion Government has established a joint initiative with Bank South Pacific in providing the First Home Ownership Scheme (FHOS). For eligibility requirement for the FHOS and to register your interest read the Hausples FHOS blog article.If you’re reading this and you are interested or if you have been looking for a home to buy that is of high quality and at an affordable price EDAI Town is the place to shop at. EDAI Town is one of the newest developments on the outskirts of the city. The town is conveniently situated 20km from POM CBD (Central Business District), and is 5km from the NCD border, along the economic corridor of the LNG plant site, with an excellent highway connecting it to the city. Traveling North West of the city, you go past Port Moresby Technical College, Curtain Brothers PNG dock yard and then you’re heading toward EDAI Town. If you are considering this place, you can be assured that this development embraces safety, security and serenity as it offers affordable accommodation in a large gated and guarded compound. The Master Plan also includes space for development of amenities such as medical services, retail outlets, a hotel and petrol station. Public amenities in the Master Plan include a police station, fire station, school, market and training centre. Space has also been allocated for a church. EDAI Town embodies community living and promotes landscaped spaces within a large compound.The home styles are provided in affordable price ranges. Hibiscus (Type A Building) is a traditional high set home (3+1 rooms), built up upper floor enclosed area of 92 sq m (square meters) plus 28 sq m of open verandah and external staircases and 70 sq m open concrete floor at ground level. Siale (Type B Building) is a modern two-storey detached home (3+1 rooms) with a built up floor area of 140 sq m. Orchid (Type C Building) is a double-storey duplex unit (3 bedrooms), each with a built up floor plan area of 90 sq m and the Bougainvilla (Type D Building) is a three bedroom double-storey town house, with a built up floor area of 88 sq m. Early Bird Special Offers are now available with the selling price range for the house and land packages for the different home styles below:Bougainvilla – from K268,000 – K348,000 on land size ranging from 94 sq m to 200 sq m.Orchid – K368,000 on land size ranging from 160 sq m to 220 sq m.Hibiscus– from K498,000 – K590,000 on land size ranging from 440 sq m to 650 sq m.Siale – from K730,000 – K790,000 on land size ranging from 470 sq m to 875 sq m.For more detailed information on the home styles and choice of units available with prices you can visit the Edai Town Website: http://www.edaitown.com or Click Here to see the Edai Town homes listed on Hausples.

Buying land in PNG: to buy or not to buy?It is no secret that Papua New Guinea real estate is quite luxurious. Be it renting or owning your own property, one would have to earn a pretty good salary to meet the costs of having a roof over their head. With skyrocketing real estate prices, more and more people are looking towards purchasing land to build their own homes. Of course, buying land would seem to be a perfect alternative to renting in a market that thrives on the law of demand and supply.However, buying land in PNG can be fraught with danger given Papua New Guinea’s unique land ownership system and laws. In this article we explain the potential pitfalls for land buyers and how to avoid common mistakes when buying land. With the recently introduced first home ownership loan scheme by the O’Neill Government and Bank South Pacific (Click Here for FHOS eligibility criteria), more and more people are considering buying land to build their homes as opposed to buying and renovating an old home. However, there is just one problem with buying land in PNG; all land is customarily and communally owned.What most Papua New Guineans and foreigners continue to forget when “purchasing” land is to ask the important question of “Is this land owned by any landowners?”. Given 90%+ of PNG land is customarily owned, it is always apt to do a background check on prospective land that is being offered for sale as it could pose future problems for the buyer. For one thing, buying land that is customarily owned could see the possibility of the land being later reclaimed by landowners.The situation at hand today is that many landowners are offering their land for sale. This is due to the high demand for land to build accommodation. Moreover, the pressure to sustain one’s livelihood as a result of increasing living costs has compelled Papua New Guinean landowners to look for means to survive. Thus, landowners are selling land. The dilemma in doing so is that the land being sold is not only customarily owned but also belongs to a clan. Furthermore, any land being posed for an auction must be based on a collective agreement amongst the clan members.Unfortunately, land owners often do not obtain the consent of all clan members to conduct a sale. Instead, one clan member will put land up land for sale without the consent and agreement of other clan members. Consequently, this leads to the issue of reclamation where although the buyer has made a transaction with one clan member, other clan members may still wish to take their land back. What makes this an even messier situation for the buyer is if he or she is already in the process of building their property and landowners still wish to reclaim their land.Thomas ToBunbun, a former diplomat and manager of corporative societies, stressed that the purchasing of land in PNG will continue to be a problem for buyers.“It is very difficult to buy customary land in PNG as it is not an everyday thing for landowners to part with their land. Also, land in PNG is communally owned and so this poses a problem for those wishing to buy land. Today, because of the need sector a lot of landowners are going out of their way to sell land without consulting other clan members.” It would seem that the ideal alternative for buyers would be to purchase land owned by the State. But even then, there is no guarantee that buyers will not run into the occasional run-in with landowners. “Even today there is a cloud hanging over state titles over land that used to be customary land,” explained ToBunbun. Ken McArthur, an Australian who has lived and worked in Madang’s real estate market for around 10 years, shared the same sentiment as ToBunbun. He stated that even with the purchasing of state land, there is the challenge as to who is the rightful owner of the land. McArthur stressed that this was due to Papua New Guineans having an attachment to their land.“There is a perceived sense of entitlement held by many people and it will always dictate land issues in this country, particularly the buying and selling of land. All problems stem from the held belief that I, the landowner (papa/mama graun), am entitled to compensation no matter the fact that my father or his father sold the land legally at the time. It is the compensation mentality that causes all the problems.” There is no exact remedy to avoiding the issue of land reclamation and compensation demands from landowners. However, like ToBunbun and McArthur, Brian Hull Executive Chairman of Century 21 Siule Real Estate warns people to not be hasty when buying land in PNG, particularly customary land:.“It is unwise to deal directly with landowners of traditional land. However, alienated land in the form of a state lease is the only secure way to go.”Copyright Hausples Limited – Written by Pauline Mago-King

Is Madang your next home?For anyone who isn’t a huge fan of the bright city lights or its concrete jungles, then Madang Province is most definitely the ideal place for you to consider settling. From its lush green vegetation right down to its friendly people, Madang Province’s relaxing tropical atmosphere provides a great option for potential home buyers to consider. If you are shopping for a home, Madang real estate should be on your to consider – the following is the Hausples.com.pg guide to the province of Madang. Madang province comprises of six districts namely Bogia, Upper Ramu, Middle Ramu, Lower Rai Coast and Sumkar with the provincial capital being Madang. It is most renowned for its impressive coast where stunning reef-fringed lowlands and coral gardens dwell.Madang Province is also steeped in history with 34 sunken ship sites at Hansa Bay as a result of its coast being the heart of intense fighting during World War II. These sites along with the reef-fringed lowlands are a hit among divers the world over. Moreover, islands like Kranket and Siar are perfect for swimming while Madang’s bottomless cerulean water harbor provides ships with an excellent area to berth.Other attractions of the province include its quite harsh mountains, waterways as well volcanic islands like Manam and Karkar. Put quite simply, Madang has the makings of a holiday destination for anyone planning to reside in the province.Its township has been described as the “paradise of the South Pacific” and its intriguing panorama of flora and fauna proves that it most certainly is. Although the province’s districts may be scattered, Madang’s township is more concentrated. The quaint little town offers convenience for those residing along the borders of the town as amenities are either located close by to one another or in a plaza.Such amenities cover department stores, banks, post office, vegetable markets and supermarkets and because they are all within walking distance of one another, one can never get lost. Urban facilities like Andersons Supermarket and BSP Bank ensure that expatriates are within reach of products and services like those in their country of citizenship. Surrounding the town are hotels that not only lodge for the generous numbers of tourists visiting Madang annually, but also present fine culinary meals for those wishing to wine and dine.In terms of housing, real estate in Madang real estate is mostly owned by private businesses, churches and individuals who lease out property to tenants or clients. These leases are made under private arrangements rather than through real estate agents. Otherwise, there are three major real estate companies that lead the real estate market in Madang Province. They are namely Ela Real Estate, Rookes Marine Real Estate and Professionals Real Estate.The town is home to many antiquated pre-colonial houses that are located in the suburb of Kalibobo as well as at Kina Beach and New Town. At the same time, the town is bursting with the development of new properties and amenities.As for education, there are a range of both government-run and private schools that are located within the proximity of the town itself. Such private schools include Madang International and Madang Christian Academy. For health check-ups or medical attention, Natu Private Clinic and Modilon General Hospital are Madang’s only hospitals. Should one wish to travel to other provinces in PNG, the airport is situated just 20 minutes outside of Madang town.Security-wise, Madang is a rather safe province to live in. Like other provinces in PNG, safety all goes back to one’s knowledge of which places are safe to venture.In all, the province of Madang and in particular its township, is an idyllic area to reside in. With conveniently located amenities and a range of leisure activities to do and places to see, Madang screams hospitality. All potential property buyers should include Madang as part of their search for real estate in PNG. Guide to Madang amenities: SupermarketsAndersons SupermarketJ & Z SupermarketPapindo SupermarketMartin Tsen Madang Real Estate AgentsEla Real EstateRookes MarineProfessionals Real Estate BanksWestpacANZBank South PacificPNG Microfinance Department StoresBrian BellCourtsBeckslea PlazaSteamships Hardware StoreEla Group of Companies Hotels/LodgesMadang LodgeMadang Star HotelMadang Resort HotelCoastwatchers HotelJais Aben ResortSmugglers Inn SchoolsMadang Christian AcademyMadang InternationalKalibobo InternationalNatu Playschool HospitalsNatu Private ClinicModilon General HospitalYagaum Hospital (run by Lutheran Church) OthersDHLGlobal Travel AgencyDiwai Pacific ConsultancyBudget Hire Cars Article by By Pauline Mago-King copyright Hausples Ltd

The Hausples Guide to Securing a High Quality  Tenant The continuing growth of the cities of Port Moresby and Lae opens new avenues for PNG property investors to attract premium tenants. As a smart property owner, you should explore ways of attracting the best possible tenant for your rental property in order to maximise rental income, ensure a long term lease and that your property is well cared for by the tenant.   The following are our tips to making your property stand out to great tenants. We recommend that you convey these to your preferred real estate agent to help them source the best and highest paying tenant: 1. Prior to moving to Port Moresy or Lae or shifting from an existing rental property, quality tenants are exploring the accommodation options available to them online. As such, it is critically important for you to list your property across online property websites 3 to 4 months before the home becomes available to rent. Naturally we strongly recommend that you speak to your real estate agent about listing your home on Hausples.com.pg to ensure maximum exposure to the online market. 2. As it is often difficult for busy tenants to to physically inspect the property, they typically rely on the images that you include in your property listing (whether on a real estate portal or real estate agent’s website) to promote your property. Capture high resolution images of the property using a professional camera and do not rely on a camera phone. The experience of the Hausples.com.pg team is that property listings with photographs attract more than twice as many property inquiries as those without photos! 3. Often tenants are looking for homes that can accommodate their family. As such, local amenities and in particular security are of critical importance to potential PNG property tenants. Ensure that you clearly explain to your agent the security measures in place at your property such as 24 / 7 security, a secure compound, security cameras, fencing, security check posts at entry/exit, and friendly neighbours. Also, list all of the distances and proximity to areas of interest such as the Royal Papua Yacht Club, the Aviat Club and the Royal Port Moresby Golf Club. Also, schools are especially important to long term tenants with children, so be sure to include the distance from schools such as the Ela Murray International School. 4. Moving to cities such as Port Moresby is expensive and as such tenants typically do not transport large and bulky furnishings. Hence, it’s highly recommended that your property comes fully furnished and make sure that your PNG real estate agent and all advertising mentioned this. 5. It is important for your tenant to be able to visualise the kind of lifestyle that the property offers. The rental income you seek can only be justified if the property looks impeccable. Paint the entire property afresh to give it a meticulous look and ensure all of the appliances and decor are up to date. Your need to spend a little money to make money!

Interior design inspiration for PNG apartment dwellers on a budget Let’s be honest, the massive housing shortage in the major cities of Port Moresby and Lae mean that many people live apartments or very small houses. Plus, housing is very very expensive, so we can’t all spend lots Kina on our interior furnishings. This is the Hausples.com.pg guide to decorating your apartment without blowing your budget. Enjoy! In the meantime if you are searching for a PNG apartment to rent in Port Moresby or Lae,  to view Port Moresby Apartments Click Here and to view Lae Apartments Click Here. Elevated StorageWhen you are running out of space to stash things, the best thing that you can do is to look up!Remember that when you choose to fill a wall with shelving that goes from the floor to the ceiling, you are drawing the eye every upwards, stretching the space that you can see. If you can’t put up shelving, you can definitely put in a new cabinet or a bookshelf that will serve the same purpose.Remember that bikes don’t need to be cluttering up your hallway. You will find that a wall rack or even a ceiling rack can help you heave your bike out of the way. Tiniest FoyerWhen you want more space, you can force it by creating a formal foyer in your apartment.Put a small bookshelf next to the door where you come in. This gives you a place to stash things. When you want to make it fancy, paint it, add a decal or add a few hooks underneath for hanging hats. This creates a very welcoming effect that will allow your PNG apartment to stay tidy. Reflections, ReflectionsAre you ready to see a lot more of yourself? Mirrors reflect light and space, and if you put a large mirror on the wall directly opposite a light source, you’ll brighten up the whole place. Vivid Colors EverywhereWhile you can paint your apartment, that is not always possible in some buildings, this is especially true if you are renting your PNG apartment.Instead of using paint, think about looking into wall decals that can be easily and painlessly applied to your walls and then removed when you leave. These decals come in all shapes and sizes, and they are perfect for all rooms.Do you love flowers? What about birds, or trees, or famous sayings? You can find decals of them all.Another way to add color is to make sure that you chose brightly colored furniture for a pop of red, gold or blue. Tricking the Eye With DraperyUnfortunately not all of us can live in a high-end apartment in Port Moresby with spectacular views over the harbour. If your PNG apartment suffers from small windows that look out onto nothing very interesting at all,  consider hanging colourful and interesting drapes that take up the entire wall instead.Hang up both inner drapes and outer drapes, and while the former remains closed, open the latter just a little bit. This creates the illusion of floor to ceiling windows, and you’ll be surprised how effective this trick is when it comes to creating a larger space. Divide It UpIf you are living in a small space, it might feel strange for you to divide it up even further. The truth is that room dividers let you understand your space for what it really is. Put up a dividing wall if you are allowed to do so, but if you are renting, things like screens, tall bookcases, shelving and even couches can help you divide your large room into smaller areas, each with their own purpose and decorating options. Usable Kitchen SpaceA small kitchen can be a real problem, so that is why you need to look into more counter space. A small kitchen island goes a long way towards creating the space you need. Light It UpUnder-cabinet LED lights keep your kitchen and your storage areas bright and bold. Consider lights that operate on batteries and that can simply be stuck to the areas where they are needed. Au Natural!If you are luck enough to have an outdoor place, dress it up. Cover up your tired railings with bamboo screens or interesting latices, put down some outdoor carpeting, or even create a gardening table that lets you take advantage of the sun. Even a little fake greenery on your balcony can change the look of the place.When you are living in a small space and you want to give it a whole new look for very little money, get creative. This is something that can create an amazingly impressive change, so get to work!

How to choose the right PNG real estate Selling or renting a property that you own is unlike any other transaction we undertake in life; after all most people’s biggest asset is their home.For this reason selecting a real estate agent is a major decision. Locating the best person to manage the sale or rental of your home or investment property is crucial to obtaining the best price for your real estate investment. The real estate estate market in Papua New Guinea is unregulated and therefore is critical to make a good judgment of your real estate agent the first time. This is the Hausples.com.pg guide to help you select an agent that is right for you. Things you should consider when selecting an agentBefore we jump into the detail of sourcing, interviewing and assessing the performance of your PNG real estate agent, it’s important to know what traits a great real estate agent should have:• An ability to meet expectations at each stage of the sale or rental process.• Exhibits interest in meeting or exceeding your expectations.• Positive referrals from former clients (consider social media, blogs, friend and family).• A thorough knowledge of properties of similar properties for sale or rent in your relevant market (this is especially important in the big cities of Port Moresby and Lae).• Being prepared to be open and frank regarding the prospects of achieving your goals to rent or sell the property. How to find a PNG real estate agentThe Papua New Guinea real estate industry is generally subject to few local laws and therefore there are a lot of individual people touting themselves as agents. This can make it extremely difficult to find a professional real estate agent, especially outside of the major cities of Port Moresby, Lae and Madang.The first place you might look at is the PNG Real Estate Agent Directory at Hausples.com.pg. Alternatively, you could consider the real estate section of the Papua New Guinea YellowPages. Once you have used these sources to generate a shortlist,  you should interview the agency (see our tips below), review feedback from former clients in blogs, Facebook, Twitter and other external publication online. If there are recommendations from former clients it is a good sign that the agent is reputable. From there book an appointment with the agent. Generally PNG real estate agents will suggest making an appointment at the property location. This is common as it enables them to perform an appraisal on the spot. In all cases the property appraisal should be offered free of charge and there should be no obligation to sign contract. Indicators that suggest the agent / agency is professionalThe following are good indicators that the agency or agent you are considering dealing with is professional and committed to high standard of ethics:Operating a trust fund: Trust funds are a great sign that the agency is serious about their business and protecting their client’s interestsWorks from an office: Agencies who have a premises with multiple staff are usually credible businessesHas a website / conducts marketing: Agencies who have websites, conduct newspaper advertising and generally have good paper based marketing are ordinarily serious businesses with a commitment to their profession The interview processThe interview process should be one of investigation to ensure the agent is a good fit for you. Here is a list of questions to ask the prospective agent during the initial meeting / real estate appraisal:• How many years has the company / person been involved in the real estate industry in Papua New Guinea?• How many years has the company / person been involved in the real estate industry in Papua New Guinea?• How many sales / rentals have they completed in the last year?• The number of properties that are currently listed for sale / rent?• The number of prospective buyers / tenants they are in contact with?• Preliminary estimate of the property listing in the current market, and formula used to arrive at this figure?• Proposed marketing strategy for the property (for example online, newspaper, email database)?The most important question of those above is the anticipated sale / rental price of your property. Ideally you will have also conducted your own research and have some notion of the price you expect to achieve based on other similar properties in your neighborhood. Experienced PNG real estate agents will provide an appraisal roughly in line with your research.In addition, highly professional real estate agents will also generally respond to your requests and provide a marketing proposal in writing following the interview. Making the DecisionOne you have reviewed your options and decided on the person who you believe will do a great job in handling the sale or rental of you home, you need to enter into a formal agreement. The written agreement will clearly outline the terms and conditions of appointing the real estate agent. It  should contain complete an estimated sale or rental price, the total commission payable (in Kina or dollar terms), fees and charges, and marketing expenses. Assessing the performance of your real estate agentSo you’ve selecting a a great real estate agent and have got the sale or rental process moving; how do you know whether your agent is doing a good job?Here’s a checklist of things the agent should do, and if they aren’t doing these things, you might like to consider appointing somebody else:• Provide you with regular updates regarding the number of buyers and tenants they have been in contact with.• Have a screening process to determine a tenant or buyer’s suitability for the property (for example reference checks, confirmation of their job etc.).• Ongoing marketing advice regarding the level if inquiry your property is receiving and how to increase its appeal to renters / buyers (for example, conducting advertising, furnishing the property etc.).• Competently handle the negotiations of the monthly rental or the sale price of your property. This is probably the most important job of a real estate agent and a good real estate agent will be an expert negotiator.• Demonstrate experience at handling the legal and financial process of managing the rental property of conducting the sale.

Top Turn Offs For PNG Home Buyers – And How to Avoid ThemDo you own a great house, apartment or townhouse in a prime location in Port Moresby or Lae and you want to get sell it for a fantastic price? The reality is that it’s incredibly easy to miss out on a sale and there are just as many things that make your home both attractive and unattractive to potential buyers.So it you’re looking to sell your home, these are Hausples.com.pg’s tips to avoid turning off hot PNG home buyers and missing out on a great sales price. A photos tells a thousand words (& generates even more dollars!)The adage “a picture is worth a thousand words” is absolutely true when trying to sell a home and pictures can be worth a lot more in dollar terms! Despite well written listings providing all of the necessary property information, the lack of at least an exterior photograph often causes buyers to skip to the next listing.Photographs are the best way to make your property stand out from the crowd and get inquiry – especially if you are listed on an agent’s website or Hausples.com.pg!So work with your real estate agent to get fantastic photos of your house or apartment! POA – Or No Sale PriceDespite the common practice in PNG of listing houses as POA or ‘Price On Application’, the Hausples.com.pg research indicates that buyers view more properties that list a price or price range. In fact, this is a common complaint that we often receive from people using the Hausples website!We have found that potential buyers generally read the home’s description and expect to see a listed price. As such we strongly recommend that you include a price.If a home features a long list of unique details but lacks a sales price, buyers tend to think the home is very expensive or potentially over priced. Make it easy for someone investigate your home further by providing as many details as possible. Reluctant SellersIt is not unusual for an individual or a family to become attached to a home. Especially when the residence is filled with great memories.However, once you make the decision to sell, you must keep the objective  of a sale in the forefront of your mind. Try your best to keep emotions in check. Step back, and allow your real estate agent the freedom to perform their job.You also need to allow potential new homeowners the space and freedom to inspect your house or apartment without feeling stressed or having you hover over them.If you are in the home when potential buyers arrive for an inspection, resist the urge to share anecdotes and history of the home. Similarly, be sure to not point out shortcomings of the property. Remain as detached as possible. Better yet, make arrangements in advance and take the time to go out and let your experienced real estate agent handle the buyer; that’s what you pay a real estate agent for! A Neglected HomeImagine what goes through the mind of prospective home buyers when walking into a house or apartments that is not clean and tidy?When making the decision to sell your property, get help from family, friends or professional cleaners if need be and make sure that the home is pristine before clients pay a visit. Pay special attention to bathrooms, kitchens, general living areas and backyards. Potential buyers often request to use the bathroom during a visit.You should also speak with your real estate agent about how to make the property look it’s best. Buyers want to feel the house or apartment has space, will accept their furniture and their sense of style. So be prepared to de-clutter, move furniture or make your decorations more neutral. Unpleasant OdoursRegardless of how great your home appears, if visitors are immediately confronted with overwhelming or unpleasant odours when entering a home, the likelihood that a sale takes place is extremely slim.Avoid using strong smelling cleaners, air fresheners, incense or perfumes prior to a home tour. Odours that commonly turn clients off also include the smell of cigarettes, pet odors or unpleasant food smells. Consider freshening the air by opening windows, deodorize areas frequented by pets, smoke outdoors and avoid cooking cabbage, fish or other strong smelling foods.Another top tip is to brew some coffee or bake some bread before a home inspection. These smells are very appealing and will leave a fantastic impression on buyers! A Messy HomeWalking into a home filled with clutter and mess is almost as bad as seeing dirt, dust or smelling unpleasant aromas. Before putting a home up for sale, begin the process of organizing the interior.Start with general living areas. Wardrobe and other storage areas are often inspected for size and space. Don’t forget storage areas, basements and garages. If the task seems overwhelming, consider asking some friends to help or hiring a cleaning firm.Once you have finished your de-cluttering invite the real estate agent around to inspect tthe house and get their input. Sometimes an agent will have fresh ideas and perspectives about how to make a home look airy and tidy.A final top-tip, use mirrors in small rooms to help the space appear bigger! Indoor TemperaturesDespite Papua New Guinea’s hot climate, resist the urge to keep your house or apartments super cold. What may feel comfortable to you, may be very uncomfortable for someone inspecting your house.A special mention for men that might live alone, generally males like a slightly cooler temperature than women. However, often females will inspect homes. For this reason, be careful not to make your house too much like Antarctica or else you might scare away every female buyer! The Right AgentReal Estate Agents can make or break sales based on their experience, ethics and professionalism.Given that real estate is an unregulated profession in Papua New Guinea, Hausples.com.pg recommends that you undertake thorough research before choosing an gent to sell your home. You can start you research on our PNG Real Estate Agent Directory Page or you might like to visit the Papua New Guinea Real Estate Industry AssociationConsider if an agent makes themselves readily available to buyers. Agents who seem to rush clients, or seem distracted, do not have the interest of the buyer or seller at the forefront. Likewise, determine if the agent seems professional, honest and genuinely desires to make a sale.

Renting In PNG With Your Best FriendThe Hausples.com.pg team absolutely love our pets – check-out the photo of little Asha below!We all know that renting with pets is a challenge. A challenge for you the renter, to convince your friendly PNG real estate agent to allow you to secure the rental property. But just because you don’t own a home doesn’t mean that you can’t be a pet owner. Lots of people are own pets and rent, whether your looking for an apartment in Port Moresby or townhouse in Lae, having a pet and renting is achievable!Here’s an insiders guide to getting your favourite furry friend into your new PNG rental home. Be Open About Your OstrichNowadays, most PNG rental agreements have clear outlines about whether or not pets are allowed and if so, what types of pets are allowed. It’s important that you’re honest and upfront when you first meet with the real estate agent or landlord. Sometimes, landlords have been known to bend their rules if they feel confident that a renter will do a thorough job in caring for an cleaning up after their pet. For example, a building that only allows cats might permit a small dog, provided that they trust the renter. Pony Up For Your PonyGenerally, renters with pets will end up paying more than those that do not have pets. This added payment can come in the form of either an additional security deposit, an increased monthly rental, or both. If you love an apartment but are concerned that your pesky pooch won’t be accepted by the real estate agent, you should offer pay a little more to get your application accepted. An extra amount of bond will put the landlord at ease, as they know they can clean up any extra mess that is left by your pet at the end of the lease.If you are renting in PNG, always remember that the agreement is open to negotiation. Sometimes people with pets need to grease the wheels of commerce just a little more to secure a rental property. Have References For Your RaccoonMost real estate agents in PNG will seek prior rental references. A top tip is to get references from past landlords or real estate agents from whom you rented a property and kept a pet. Even offer to put the real estate agent in touch with the prior landlord or agency. If you do this, the agent and landlord will have know that the pet didn’t damage the last property that you lived in and have confidence you will keep their property in the same condition.If you are applying for a fully furnished house or apartments (as many properties are in Port Moresby) and own a cat, you might also provide documentation from your vet confirming stating that your cat has been de-clawed. Cats with claws can easily destroy couches and similar soft furnishings, and also hardwood floors. If you’re opposed to declawing, an alternative might be rubber claw covers. If you would like to speak to a good quality about options for your cat, please contact the Papua New Guinea RSPCA. Consider Your Pet When Choosing Your PadCats function just fine in one bedroom apartments. German Shepherds, on the other hand, are miserable in cramped spaces. If you have a large dog, a one bedroom apartment or a studio is simply not a viable option. You’ll need at least a two bedroom unit that preferably has access to a yard.So when selecting a pad bear in mind your pet! Renting now? Rethink That RhinocerosMany people renting in PNG will move into a space without a pet, get a dog or cat and then buy a pet and never notify their real estate agent about it. This might seem like a great way to save yourself money and hassle, but it’s ultimately a horrible idea. If your agent or landlord finds out that you’ve gotten a pet without notifying them, they can easily say that you have breached the terms of your rental agreement and immediately evict you.To be safe, always notify you’re real estate agent or landlord before you bring a new pet into your home. Write-up Your WrenIf you’ve gotten a pet and have renegotiated the terms of your rental agreement accordingly, be sure to get the new agreement in writing. This way, you’re protected in the event that your real estate agent argues that they never agreed to yourfurry new addition to your home. Keep Your Nest NeatThe most important part of renting in PNG with a pet is to pick up after your animal and go the extra mile to take care of your rental home. This means routinely cleaning the litter box, vacuuming fur and all other pet-related cleaning tasks. When you move out, be sure to clean the property thoroughly. This will ensure that you get the entirety of your security deposit back, in addition to a positive reference from your real estate agent when you go to apply for future apartments.