After three long years since the last property Expo, Hausples.com.pg, PNG’s leading real estate portal, has announced the 2022 Hausples Expo will be back on Friday & Saturday 11th & 12th November at the renowned Sir John Guise Stadium.REGISTER HERE FOR FREEAs the country recovers from the Pandemic, Papua New Guineans will finally have the opportunity to attend the biggest real estate show in PNG held by household name property portal Hausples.com.pg.Attendees are invited to participate in the 2 day event where they will be able to engage with real estate agencies, discover new properties for sale and rent available in the country, discuss financing, insurance and valuation services; meet builders, developers, suppliers and much more.Held since 2017, the Hausples Expo has made a name for attracting a large crowd of qualified buyers and renters who can quickly resolve their property needs in the space of only 2 days as they’re able to meet with all parties involved in the purchasing or rental process of a property; that is from finding the right property to obtaining finance, from renovating a property to requesting a professional valuation and so forth.Several industry leaders have already confirmed their attendance, including BSP, Kina Bank, Westpac, Nambawan Super Ltd, Rhodes and Mobil.This year the Hausples Expo has seen substantial changes with the introduction of the highly requested “Affordable Housing” section which will replace the “seminar” area for this event; the introduction of the “PNG Made” section with the support of BSP which will cater to local MSMEs; the introduction of the “Outdoor Arena” designed for companies with larger items to display and will help alleviate the numbers of attendees in the arena.General Manager for Hausples, Tom Snelling, says:“During the pandemic, the demand for affordable housing increased in PNG. In a post-COVID environment, we are proud to help link new projects with the market as well as introducing services such as home loans, insurance and valuations to buyers.”“The last event, held in 2019, had over 10,000 attendees over two days and it’s our priority to provide a COVID safe environment as much as possible by providing masks, sanitizers as well as dedicating a booth to COVID-19 awareness.”With economic growth recovering ground from its lowest point in 2020, the Hausples Expo 2022 represents a unique opportunity for serious property seekers to lock in a deal and for aspiring property owners to have a better sense and feel of the market; but it also represents an immense business and networking opportunity for established and emerging companies to engage with a quality audience.Visit Hausples/expo if you’d like to participate as a visitor or if you would like to exhibit.Registrations to attend are completely free!REGISTER HERE FOR FREE

Following the positive response to the sixth edition of the yearly PNG Residential Real Estate Survey, Hausples is delighted to share with you the results of the 2022 PNG Commercial Real Estate Survey, the first of its kind.The survey provides valuable insights into PNG's commercial property market, focusing on both commercial property owners (who are usually also business owners) and on commercial property seekers. The objective is to define the current business landscape in PNG along with the demand and preferences for commercial properties.The first part of the survey includes responses from individuals that own or rent a commercial space to run their business, focusing specifically on commercial offices, retail, industrial, and hospitality spaces. This provides invaluable information about COVID-19’s impact on businesses, the introduction of work from home (WFH) policies, past and projected sales, staffing, and the digitisation of operations.The second part of the survey addresses the current sentiment of commercial property seekers, showcasing demand and supply distribution by property type and suburb in PNG. It also provides time frames for buying or renting and general preferences in the market.The 2022 Commercial Real Estate Survey is the first of its kind and will be followed by the 2023 Commercial Real Estate Survey which will provide a comparative analysis from this year. Any interested company or advertiser is encouraged to contact Hausples as soon as possible to secure advertising space.Hausples thanks everyone who took the time to complete the survey, and the sponsors who have made this publication possible. We hope that the findings will greatly benefit both the private and public sectors. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD SURVEY REPORT

Do you own or rent commercial properties? Are you a business owner? This is your chance to have your say and contribute to the commercial real estate market! Hausples is proud to launch the first ever Commercial Survey dedicated to commercial properties in PNG.Have your say and find out the trend in the industry!Click Survey Here

Hausples.com.pg is excited to launch the first "PNG Handbook". The most comprehensive guide for travellers and frequent visitors to Papua New Guinea.The guide provides a general overview of PNG with in-depth information on major topics such as:Properties and accomodation in PNGLifestyle and cost of livingThings to do in PNGShopping centresTourism attractionsLocations overview accompanied by video guides!Visas and permitsSchools informationGyms and fitness centresClubs, nightlife and barsEmbassiesHotels and restaurantsThe guide has been distributed to major locations like embassies, hotels, restaurants and many many more and is available for download (free) on the Hausples website.DOWNLOAD 2022 PNG HANDBOOK

If you are looking for building supplies look no further. Monier is the mark of quality in PNG and is the single largest producer, supplier and distributor of construction materials in the country.Having been in operations for over 60 years, Monier's range of products include ready mix concrete, masonry, quarry products, pipes, plastic tanks and construction sand. Make an order today via this simple form: Make an order here We strive to provide quality, cost efficiency, and sustainability in all we do, and our aggregates and production techniques are no exception. Along with a complete product selection, Monier Quarry offers services including product transport delivery, technical support and specialist industry expertise.All specified quarry products are quality controlled to comply with relevant standards and codes, eg. Australian Standards (AS) for concrete and asphalt aggregates and Department of Works (DoW) specifications for roadbase materials and sealing aggregates. Monier Sands produces high quality and consistent sand for all scales of projects, this is achieved by a number of reliable natural river sand deposits in Papua New Guinea and our state of the art sand washing and screening plant. All batches undergo an extensive quality control testing regime, ensuring conforming products for every projects. Monier Sands can also customise our sand products to meet client and project specifications locally in Papua New Guinea and internationally. Engineered designs or special customer requirements can be manufactured as high quality products that can be relied on with confidence.Many of the Monier precast concrete elements are manufactured to customer’s specific engineered designs with Monier managing the process from development of shop drawings, fabrication of moulds, development of mix designs to prestressing and casting. Smaller standard precast products are held in stock allowing “off the shelf” purchases.Monier offers a range of drainage system components to provide cost effective design solutions for the management of stormwater drainage; manholes, box culverts, gully pits etc. The standard range includes all masonry products generally used in construction of residential, commercial and industrial buildings. Monier has the capability to manufacture masonry blocks and pavers with a variety of textured faces in a variety of colours. Monier produces ready-mix concrete normal (N) and special (S) grades to Australian Standards and to engineers’ and designers’ nominated specifications. Our facility offers a 120,000 square metre drycast facility and contains an innovative manufacturing space. The capability of this new facility offers pipe manufacturing diversity and flexibility that are the envy of the industry.Our product-line is made up of a comprehensive range of infrastructure concrete pipe products and is a leader with production techniques and innovation in casting and curing within PNG. Monier Water Solutions has a strong focus and dedication to innovation and quality in HDPE pipe technologies. We also offer a complete range of jointing systems including electrofusion, stub end, backing rings, mechanical compression couplings, accessories and plastic water tanks and septic tanks. In Addition to its outstanding physical characteristics, HDPE is recognized for its minimal impact on the environment. Make an order here

8-Mile is undoubtedly Port Moresby’s fastest growing suburb. The past few years have seen a new road network, including a connection to Gerehu, and new housing developments such as Kennedy, Skyview, Valkyrie, Malolo, Yorkshire, Glory Gardens and Grand Eden Estates. And with new residential estates comes the demand for commercial developments.Sunway Mall is a 9000+square foot shopping complex close to RH Mobil Service Station at 8-Mile roundabout with easy access from the many close by residential developments, as well passing traffic to and from Sogeri, the Hiritano Highway and Port Moresby North.  It is a tri-storey mall with 24 bays, built from concrete and steel, with parking, security guards, CCTV monitoring and backup water and power. The complex also has an onsite management office to ensure the smooth running of the mall.Sunway Mall is ideal for a range of businesses, including groceries, fashion and clothing, health and beauty, pharmacies, clinics and other retail outlets. Plus, it will cater for commercial offices, storage and light industry.Each bay consists of three separate levels, each one being 119 square metres in floor space, or a total of 357 sqm: Ground floorRoller door to the front and facing into the ground floor precinct.Access door to the rear to the stairwell and carparkToilet and basinIdeal for storage, light industry or retailMid level Front glass facing to the main retail precinctOffers high traffic flowFloor to ceiling glass to the front and rearBalcony to the rearToilets and basinsAlternate access via the stairwell to the rearIdeal for retail outlet or customer facing office spaceTop level 119 square metres of prime office spaceBalcony to the front with view of main retail mallBalcony to rear facing carparkToilet, basin and shower includedAccess via stairwell to the rearCan easily be converted into residential apartment       Each bay is available for rent with prices starting from just K12,000+GST per month, or K403+GST per square metre per annum, giving some of the most competitive commercial rates in the city. Sunway Mall will also consider leasing individual levels with monthly rentals starting from K4,999+GST per month Click Here for Enquiries

The Central Business District of Port Moresby is the commercial heart of Papua New Guinea, home to the Central Bank, Stock Exchange, the Internal Revenue Commission, as well as office towers, hotels, bars and restaurants. It is located on the main peninsula of Port Moresby, nestled between Touaguba Hill to the East, Paga Hill to the West and Ela Beach to the South.Port Moresby has been inhabited by the local Motu-Koitabu people for centuries, and was sighted by Captain John Moresby of the British Royal Navy in 1873. It was named after his father; Admiral of the Fleet Sir Fairfax Moresby. Now, the Central Business District, typically known as Downtown, is a bustling hive of commercial activity with major developments seen over the past few decades.It is serviced by two main roads: the Two-Mile Hill Road and the Poreperena Freeway, both of which provide access to other parts of the Capital.Being on a peninsula, it offers almost panoramic views of Fairfax Harbour, Walter Bay and the Coral Sea. Champions Parade is one of the most prominent roads in the CBD, On the left is Harbourside South under construction, and the recently completed Nobel Centre, now PNG’s tallest building.To the right is Burns Philp Haus, one of the oldest buildings that has been recently refurbished and occupied by Westpac bank. The tall building to the right is MRDC Haus, formerly Pacific Place, and immediately behind it is the Steamships Shopping Plaza.Next to Nobel Centre is Revenue Haus, home to the IRC, then Burns Haus currently under renovation, followed by Mogoru Moto Building and MMI Haus at the end.All of these buildings are occupied by commercial offices. To the right, on Hunter Street, is Defens Haus, Newcrest Haus and Monian Tower.There are several hotels in the CBD, including the Grand Papua and The Crowne Hotel. The CBD used to be home to PNG’s politics, and Parliament Haus used to sit on McGregor Street before was moved to Waigani.Behind Old Parliament Haus is the recently built Apex Apartments, Crowne Plaza and Deloitte Tower and the Port Terrace Restaurant and Bar nestled in the middle.Harbourside East and West [VT] have a wide variety of restaurants and coffee shops with some of the most spectacular harbour views, with office space above them.Paga Hill is in the background, with Credit Haus and Cuthbertson Building in the foreground. The Bank of Papua New Guinea is to the right of the screen with the BSP Town branch to the left adjoining the iconic Kina Bank Haus which is the tall building in the centre of the screen.APEC Haus and Ela Beach Tower can be seen in the background. To the North of the CBD is Fairfax Harbour, Waterfront Shopping Centre, the Yacht Club and Harbour City in the background, all parallel to the Poreporena Freeway

Ela Beach is a popular location with mostly upscale residential apartments with spectacular views. It’s a stone’s throw away from the Central Business District and an ideal location for those who work in the high-rise offices in Down Town Port Moresby and has easy access to hotels, restaurants, bars and social clubs.Ela Beach Road is connected to 2-Mile Hill which takes you up past Koki Fish Market, Badili and into the rest of the capital. The freeway is on the other side of the CBD, about a five minute drive, which is the main trunk road into the city.Ela beach was formerly known as Era Kone, meaning Turtle beach in the Motuan dialect of the Papuan region. The local Motu Koita people hold an annual Hiri Moala festival to celebrate the trade wind voyages that were historically held in the region Ela is the major beach front of Port Moresby with white sands that stretches approximate one kilometre It has seen several changes over the years with a new road layout built in 2017 and in 2018, Port Moresby hosted the APEC Summit and APEC Haus was built on reclaimed land at the end of the Beach. It was designed to resemble a Lakatoi sail. Several events are hosted here, including Christmas, New Year and Independence Day celebrations.Ela Beach is a popular sporting and fitness area and ideal for walking and jogging. It is adjourned with basketball and volleyball courts and is well lit into the early evenings with plenty of parking. The prime time for walking is at sunrise and sunset when it’s cooler. Past APEC Haus is the Paga Hill Ring Road, and a two kilometre walk to the other side of the peninsular.There are several long-stay residential apartments here, including Windward East and West, the Ela Vista Complex, Chesterfield and Ela Beach Apartments. There is also the iconic Ela Beach Hotel, bar and restaurant. There is a fuel station at one of the beach and a police station and church at the other. It’s generally regarded as a safe location although care should be taken in large crowds during events. Public transport is available at Ela Beach and there are taxi ranks, although for overseas visitors it is recommended to use private transport and reputable taxis. That’s it from Ela Beach; for more location profiles, please check out Hausples.com.pg

The Hausples Online Flash Sale event offering discounted properties for rent to the public for a limited period of time has received a record of over 1,000 registrations with many property seekers demanding additional stock.The event has been marketed in April as the first online event of its kind in an effort to sustain the real estate industry during the Covid-19 lockdown. In anticipation of the actual event, Hausples made properties visible to the public on Thursday 6 May - one week prior to the discounts being revealed - allowing property seekers to browse through properties and bookmark those of interest. Discounts were revealed at the start of the event on Thursday 13 May and were due to be withdrawn on Saturday 15 May; however, as a result of popular demand the Hausples Group decided to extend the offering for a further week until Wednesday 19 of May. As a result, additional registrations of interest were received for all advertisers, including real estate agencies, the Bank of South Pacific, Telikom PNG, Boroko Motors and many others.   “We are very pleased with the response received from property seekers. Considering this is the first online flash sale ever in PNG, we can safely say that it has been a successful proof of concept and we will definitely plan another event before the end of the year.” says Tom Snelling, Hausples Pty Ltd General Manager.The response by property seekers has been overwhelming and the online event has registered over 1,000 users over a one month period.  “We didn’t expect to receive such an overwhelming response and are delighted to see that people welcome online initiatives such as this one.” added Tom Snelling.Based on the data retrieved it has emerged that over 56% of property seekers were actually looking after properties for sale and were ready to buy. “We are in the process of analysing the data to improve on our next offering; however, early results show a huge demand for properties for sale in the capital city and in regional areas even from overseas investors. In the next event we will capitalise on this and will offer properties for sale at discounted prices.” concluded Snelling.With over 40 properties for rent showcased during the event, Hausples has definitely made a splash in the real estate market by supporting real estate agencies, industry related businesses and property seekers during an unprecedented time.The dates and business program of the next online event have not been released, yet Tom Snelling advised that Hausples Pty Ltd is already receiving unsolicited requests to participate and advertise in the next event and suggests advertisers get in touch for an early bird offer.If you would like to advertise your properties or business in the next event please contact the Hausples team on 7470 0243 or email [email protected]

BSP PNG| “It’s an unbelievable feeling when they hand you the keys to your house - something that you can call your own,” recalls Margaret Neme when she recently received keys to her first home made possible through BSP’s First Home Ownership Loan (FHOL).Margaret is one of over 1,000 first homeowners to purchase a home under BSP’s FHOL, a home loan product that continues to be very popular and remains an important financial objective for many.“I had a choice of preference for what my dream home would be, but I was unsure about making a big investment in my life. I thank God for seeing my family through during these unprecedented times and having made this bold move was great courage in itself.  I can now say, my family’s future is safely secured, and a place we can call our own,’ Margaret said.“Thank you to BSP for the competitive fixed interest rate, with repayments over a 40 year term, I told myself that it was worth a try. I was not too confident about my application, but giving this an attempt, I made sure, I provided all requirements for loan processing,” Margaret added and, with a few amends and adjustments to her requirements, she successfully qualified for a BSP First Home Ownership Loan.Today, she shows off her keys to her new home. “It’s an unbelievable feeling when they hand you the keys to your house – something that you call your own,” Margaret further added.As at April, 2021, BSP Financial Group Limited (BSP) has approved loans to the total value of K312 million under the BSP FHOL.BSP Group CEO Robin Fleming said while the product is a joint initiative with the government that begin in 2014, BSP has fully funded the program after the government’s liquidity support for the facility “did not eventuate years ago”. “While our FHOL remains at the fixed interest rate of 4%, the lowest offered by Commercial Banks at K400,000 maximum funding availability, our Standard Home Loan Interest rate is 5.5% for those looking at properties above K400,000.  That is not just for a number of years but the duration of loan repayment period,” Mr Fleming added.The interest in the home ownership and for affordable Home Loan Products has been relatively high since the introduction First Home Owners Loan product in 2015. The majority of loans funded are mostly in Port Moresby largely due to size of market and increased interest from housing developers.However, interests from potential homebuyers also remain high across PNG, from young professionals to long-serving employees in both the public and private sectors.In the recently published Hausples survey, results showed that 16% of respondents to the survey were employed in the public sector, who were keen to own a home.Over 70% of respondents surveyed were looking to buy their first home, and 80% of the total respondents needed a mortgage to buy a home. Customers interested in BSP’s First Home Ownership Loan can fill out the form here: https://www.hausples.com.pg/banks-finance/

In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic PNG’s leading proptech company, Hausples.com.pg, is innovating to help property seekers and the real estate industry via the launch of the Hausples Online Flash Sale. The Hausples Online Flash Sale will showcase the best deals on property for sale and rent across PNG, giving property hunters and owners the chance to transact quickly and easily despite the pandemic.   What is the Hausples Online Flash Sale?The Hausples Online Flash Sale is a three day online event giving property hunters the chance to secure a home for rent or sale at the lowest possible price. PNG’s leading agencies and developers will be offering hefty discounts on selected properties made available on the website: onlineflashsale.hausples.com.pgWhen is the Hausples Online Flash Sale?The event will start at 9am Thursday 13 May and will close at 5pm Saturday 15 May 2021. How do renters, buyers, landlords and owners participate in the event?Property renters and buyers must pre-register at: onlineflashsale.hausples.com.pg Registration and participation is completely free. Hausples will send important information to registered users in the lead up to the event.When will property discounts be revealed?The available properties will be revealed in the lead up to the event, giving property hunters the chance review and make a selection. However, discounts and booking will only be revealed/accepted at the commencement of the event at 9am on Thursday 13 May and bookings will close at 5pm on Saturday 15 May 2021. During this time, registered users will be able to submit a reservation for properties of interest to lock in the discounts and progress the purchasing/rental process.Are you an agency, developer or have properties you want to rent or sell?Landlords, owners, developers and real estate agencies who would like to market property during the event and secure easy and fast transactions should contact the Hausples team on 7470 0243 or email [email protected]  Are you a related business and would like to market your services? Are you a business offering services to the property industry such as finance, insurance, building, homeware or related supplier? Hausples can put your brand in front of tens of thousands of people searching for a home, contact the Hausples team on 7470 0243 or email [email protected]

Buying a house in Port Moresby isn’t always a cheap and cheerful affair - a statistic consistent in previous Hausples real estate surveys.But this is about to change, in light of the new Valkyrie Estate offering home and land packages at a starting price of K480,000. This may well be the answer to the plight of affordable housing.Let’s take a moment to understand what a home-and-land package is all about. The offer Valkyrie Estate's house and land packages offer a choice of land and a selection of suitable home designs for these plots. This means  you have the freedom to choose the block of land that suits you, and a home design that fits your lifestyle and budget.Rather than buying a house and land separately, Valkyrie’s house and land package simplifies this process by offering both properties in one package. The EstateTo begin with, phase one of this development comes with two land size options: 396 square metres and 450 square metres. Ultimately, the land sales are managed by Century 21, who also arrange inspections for prospective buyers. You can easily make a booking online at valkyrie.estate. Valkyrie is a large housing development in 8-Mile, adjacent to Kennedy Estate. It has sealed roads, power and water supply, with sewage connections to individual titled plots of land. 8-Mile is one of Port Moresby’s fastest growing communities, with schools, medical centres and shopping close by, bordering excellent road links into the city.  The Houses The houses are supplied by Rhodes PNG and come with a variety of designs to suit both lifestyle and budget. Made from a light steel frame with durable composite materials, they are insulated, termite-proof and have a 40 year design life. As with land, phase one presents two and three bedroom configurations and they can be either low-set or high-set. You decide, Rhodes builds. The floor area, on the other hand, ranges from 43 square meters to 86 square meters.   An important element of this house and land package is all home constructions must be undertaken by a professional, bank-approved builder, and this is reflected in the pricing of this package deal. You can easily make a booking online at valkyrie.estate. How to book a home and land package The Valkyrie Estate website gives information about the land and the houses, and has an in-built enquiry form which includes the pricing for the various packages, renders of the completed estate, and walkthroughs of the showhomes.Not only that, you also have the privilege of utilizing:360 tourswalkthroughpricing tablecost calculatorfloorplans To help with your decision before registering your interest, also on the website.Your enquiry will be forwarded to the Hausples team who will confirm your interest and then passed onto Century 21 who will arrange an inspection of the land with you. Plus, you also get a call back from Rhodes PNG to discuss the housing options and a quotation sent to you through your email.If the negotiations are successful, you will be required to write a letter of offer to the real estate agency, who will reply with a letter of acceptance. This will follow a 10% deposit, only for the land.The quotations, on the other hand, together with your letter of acceptance will be presented to your bank, in order to obtain a home loan. Once approved, the titles are transferred to you and construction commences. Typically, it would take between 10 to 17 weeks for a single home to be completed, which largely depends on the type of design chosen.Visit www.valkyrie.estate to find your dream home and make a booking whilst stock lasts!

One of the first things that expatriate parents would like to know when moving to a new country is the type of schools available. Hausples has taken the initiative to provide this information as a guide to schools in PNG.PNG’s Education SystemPapua New Guinea's education system commands a funny history, in terms of being highly regionalized, owing to its current development in different missionary systems. Surprisingly, however, school attendance and the rate of literacy is at an all-time low, even when compared to other Oceania countries.About two-thirds of all school-aged children attend school, of which a slightly smaller number of this figure represents girls. Under the new Marape-Basil led government, the free education policy has been replaced with a new one that will see parents paying for school fees from Grade 1 up to Grade 10. From Grade 11 onwards, the responsibility becomes that of the provincial governments. Even a student loan option is in place for pupils who make it into universities.The education system comes in three levels: primary, secondary and tertiary. Primary education begins with instructions for Grades 1 to 8. Students who pass the Grade 8 exams make it to the Secondary level, and further on to Higher Education if they pass the Grade 12 exams.Worthy of note, the Secondary level has two parts: a lower secondary that caters to grades 9 and 10 students, while the upper secondary comprises years 11 to 12. Students who pass the year 12 exams are eligible for Higher Education in tertiary institutions.The academic year, as always, begins in January and ends in December.Papua New Guinea CurriculumThe PNG education system comes in three levels: primary, secondary, and tertiary. Primary education begins with Grades 1 to 6, and secondary school from Grades 8 to 12. Post Grade 12 students can pursue tertiary education.International Schools in PNGPNG's international schools sadly do not occupy a big portion of education in PNG, but are among some of the best schools the country has to offerIn terms of educational standards, international schools here reflect those around the globe, which effects an easy and simple transition between schools, even if an expatriate child is in the process of transferring to Papua New Guinea from abroad.International schools in PNG have a student body and a curriculum model that mirrors those in America, the United Kingdom and even Australia and France.The Primary school portion of international schools do offer instructions in a variety of languages, apart from English being the dominant vernacular. The world approved accreditation such as the international baccalaureate are compatible in these schools.The admission or enrollment systems in these schools vary from one institution to another, and space can be a problem most of the time. The governing policies will always favour those pupils who are based in-country.Due to the quality facilities, first-rate education standards, and extracurricular activities provided by these schools, tuition fees are usually expensive.All in all, keep in mind that although you may come across some local students, these schools are geared towards an international student body.PNG's international schools sadly do not occupy a large portion of education in PNG but are some of the best schools in the country.International schools offer a wide range of curriculum models that mirror those in various countries, including America, the United Kingdom, Australia, France, and the International Baccalaureate. International schools usually allow students to transition to internationally recognised tertiary institutions and are highly recommended. The admission to PNG’s international schools varies from one institution to another, and there are frequently limited spaces. Due to the top-quality facilities, first-rate education standards, and extracurricular activities these schools provide, tuition fees are usually expensive.Location of schools in PNGThere are few international schools distributed rigorously around PNG, such as the Lae International School in Morobe Province, or Ukarumpa International School in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province. But they are usually just one or two. Most of the international schools, however, are located in Port Moresby. The city’s strategic location and multi-cultural energy that coexist are the pull-factor for expatriates; hence, the statement.Needless to say, the important thing to remember - whilst learning more about international schools in PNG, - is that location should be high on your priority list. You want easy accessibility, which is a luxury you can’t afford to ignore, for your children, plus you want to be able to attend school gatherings with ease, when you’re required to. Rather than wrestling with your thoughts of whether or not it's a good idea to attend, since you have to navigate a road that’s straight out of a horror movie.School Accreditation & MembershipThe International Education Agency (IEA) is currently the largest independent education provider in PNG.IEA has been around long before PNG got its independence, managing schools operated by the Australian and United Nations administrations.The independent Education Agency supervised twenty-four independent schools, back then, ranging from pre-schools through twelve graders, with no ties to any religious institution.Today, IEA  operates 18 schools and TAFE (Vocational Education) colleges around PNG. Most importantly, the education agency is a not-for-profit business and is owned by the schools it operates.Accreditation and memberships:Council of International SchoolsMiddle States Association of Colleges and SchoolsNew England Association of Schools and CollegesWestern Association of Schools and CollegesTuition Fees in PNGThe tuition fees for international schools in and around Papua New Guinea ranges from around K2,245 to more than K50,000 per annum. (see full list below)List of PNG International Schools and Tuition FeesThere is a range of private education providers in PNG. The most prominent private educator is the International Education Agency (visit www.ieapng.net). In addition, there are several other providers, such as the Council of International Schools (www.cois.org) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (www.acswasc.org).The tuition fees for international schools range from around ~K2,500 per annum to more than K50,000 per annum.International Schools In PNGPort MoresbyThe Ela Murray International School (TEMIS)Website: www.elamurray.comLocation: Ela Beach Road, Town, Port MoresbyYears: Kindergarten (Early Learning) - Year 7/8 Curriculum: IEA Centre for Professional Development. Tuition Fees (annual range): K34,248 (Early Learning and Preschool) - K55,916 (Year 7 and 8). Discounts are available on annual fees if paid in advance.Overview: TEMIS teaches according to the IEA curriculum, which is focussed on five key outcomes: be self-directing, communicate effectively, behave ethically, work collaboratively, analyse and solve problems. The school also offers specialist teaching in Spanish, Art, Physical Education, Music and Inquiry (children select the topics they wish to learn about). Children are required to wear a uniform.Port Moresby International School (POMIS) Website: www.pmis.iea.ac.pg Location: Corner of Bava Street, Boroko Drive, Port MoresbyYears: Year 7 - Year 12 Curriculum: The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program | Australian Capital Territory Board of Senior Studies Grade 12 Certificate | IGCSE Curriculum - International General Certificate for Secondary Education (equivalent to UK GCSE) | PNG Higher School Certificate.Tuition Fees (annual range): K17,760 to K79,800Overview: POMIS offers a wide range of curriculum to allow students to transition to international tertiary institutions.  POMIS are the only providers of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program in PNG. The school offers many extracurricular activities, including drama, music and dance, plus various clubs including diving, yoga and athletics.St. Joseph's International Catholic CollegeWebsite: www.stjosephsinternational.ac.pg Location: Section 21 Allotment 45 Vaivai Avenue, Boroko, Port MoresbyYears: Preschool - Year 12 Curriculum: NSW Higher School Certificate (HSC) | PNG Higher School Certificate.Tuition Fees (annual range): K9,183 to K21,258Overview: Established in 1917, St. Joseph's is one of PNGs oldest schools. The school has a track record of high academic performance with a diverse education offered in a faith-based environment. Facilities at St. Joseph’s are modern, with some of the latest technologies including intranet and internet. KoroBoro International SchoolWebsite: www.koroboro.iea.ac.pg Location: Boroko, Port MoresbyYears: Kindergarten (Early Learning) - Year 6Curriculum: IEA Centre for Professional DevelopmentTuition Fees (annual range): K15,500 per year | Early Bird Discount: K14,260 per yearOverview: KoroBoro has two campuses; Boroko East Campus (Boro) and the Korobosea Campus (Koro). The  IEA curriculum is on an outcomes-based approach to teaching. It identifies seven main curriculum areas: English (reading and writing), English Outcomes (listening, talking, writing), Mathematics, Inquiry Unit of Study (social studies, science music, art, PE, dance and drama), Society and Technology, Home Tasks.LaeLae International SchoolWebsite: www.laeinternationalschool.com Location: Eriku, LaeYears: Kindergarten (Early Learning) - Year 12, plus it hosts an IEA TAFECurriculum: IEA Centre for Professional Development |  Australian Capital Territory Board of Secondary Studies Grade 12 Certificate | PNG Higher School CertificateTuition Fees (International students, annual range):  Prep to Grade 8: K17,444 | Grades 9 and 10: K20,076 | Grades 11 and 12: K23,364 | Boarding Fees: K11,000Overview: LIS is operated by the International Education Agency of PNG. It offers schooling from Early Learning to Grade 12. It also provides boarding facilities for 120 students.KaviengOur Lady of The Sacred Heart International School Website: www.olshinternational.orgLocation: Corner of Ungan and Tabar Streets, Kavieng 063, Papua New GuineaCurriculum: NSW, AustraliaTuition Fees: K3,030 to K6,173 per year Overview: Since opening in 1956, OLSH has prided itself on their extensive implementation of an international curriculum, predominantly following the Australian New South Wales syllabus. Besides the formal education in the classroom setting, students have ample opportunities for sports, entertainment and other extracurricular activities.GorokaAustralian International School In PNG (AIS-PNG)Website: www.aispng.com Location: Goroka, 441, Eastern Highlands ProvinceYears: Kindergarten (Early Learning) - Year 9 Type of School: International Curriculum: Australian Curriculum - Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) | Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) | Education Queensland International (EQI). Tuition Fees (annual range): K8,800 (Early Learning) - K16,720 (Years 4 - 9). Boarding Fees: Full board PGK 15,000 / Weekdays PGK 11,500.Overview: AIS PNG is a private international primary school, licensed and accredited to offer the Australian Curriculum, and is an affiliated member school of Education Queensland International. Classes are for students from preschool to Grade 8. Every year the school implements the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) tests for students in Years 3, 5, and 7. Uniforms are required, and boarding is available.Goroka International SchoolWebsite: www.ieapng.wordpress.com Location: Goroka, Eastern Highlands ProvinceType of School: Private Curriculum: IEA Centre for Professional Development |  | PNG Higher School CertificateTuition Fees: Contact the schoolOverview: Goroka International School is arranged into three clusters: Early Learning from early childhood learning to Kindergarten, Middle Years from Grade 1 to Grade 6, and High School from Grade 7 to Grade 12.Ukarumpa International School (UIS)Website: www.ukarumpainternationalschool.orgLocation: Ukarumpa, Goroka, Eastern Highlands ProvinceType of School: International Curriculum: English-language international curriculum developed from North American, Australian, and European programs | PNG School Certificate | Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).Tuition Fees: Inquire via the UIS school websiteOverview: UIS is an accredited pre-kindergarten to Grade 12 school with Christ-centred education. The campus has eight classrooms and sports facilities.

Papua New Guinea has a relatively low standard of healthcare compared to developed countries. Therefore, medical insurance is essential to ensure access to high-quality private medical facilities. Travellers to PNG should have precautionary vaccinations before entering the country and should seek advice from their GP. PNG is providing COVID-19 vaccinations to residents free of charge; however, supplies are limited, and travellers should ensure they are vaccinated before they arrive.The main general hospital, located at 4-Mile near Boroko, has a dedicated team of doctors and medical professionals but underfunding often results in shortages of medicines, equipment and staff. However, Port Moresby General Hospital is typically the best option for major trauma in a severe emergency. Next to the hospital is St John Ambulance who can provide medical emergency transport without charge.Within the vicinity are two major private hospitals; Pacific International Hospital and Paradise Hospital. They both have accident and emergency units, ambulances and general clinics and offer world-class treatments for a full spectrum of possible issues. However, these services are private and having medical insurance is critical.Hospitals and Medical Clinics in Port MoresbyPort Moresby General Hospital (POMGEN)Location: 3 Mile, Korobosea, Port MoresbyType: Public HospitalSpeciality: GeneralOpening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 24 hoursWebsite: www.pomgen.gov.pg Contact: +675 324 8200Overview: Port Moresby General Hospital is the primary referral and teaching hospital in Papua New Guinea. It is also a centre for AIDS treatment in Papua New Guinea, one of only a few facilities equipped to treat HIV/AIDS. It also houses a hyperbaric recompression chamber for diving emergencies. The hospital is the only hospital in the country to have a CT scanner.Paradise Private HospitalLocation: Taurama Road, 3 Mile, Port MoresbyType: General and Specialist Private HealthcareSpeciality: General and SpecialistOpening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 24 hoursWebsite: www.paradiseprivatehospital.co Contact: +675 325 6022Overview: Paradise Private Hospital is a general and specialist private health care provider with 14 permanent medical professionals and 10 visiting specialists providing locum services to cover 24-hour operations. The hospital is a modern 40-bed facility and has Obstetric, Surgical, Pediatric and Adult medical care facilities with 9 doctors’ consulting rooms, Laboratory, X-ray, Ultrasound Scan Imaging Services and a Pharmacy.Pacific International HospitalLocation: Taurama Road, 3 Mile, Port MoresbyType: General and Specialist Private HealthcareSpeciality: General and SpecialistOpening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 24 hoursWebsite: www.pihpng.com Contact: +675 7998 8000Overview: Established in 1997 as PNG Diagnostic Centre, PIH has become the largest private hospital in PNG, offering expertise in more than 20 clinical specialities.2K Medical ClinicLocation: Tutua Avenue, Angau Drive, Port MoresbyType: ClinicSpeciality: SpecialistOpening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 24 hoursWebsite: www.2kmed.com Contact: 323 7730Overview: 2K Medical Clinic provides 24-hour medical service. Family and internal medicine, children's diseases, emergency, laboratory and x-ray examinations.Aspen Medical Harbour CityLocation: Sir Hubert Murray Stadium, KonedobuType: General and Specialist Private HealthcareSpeciality: General and Specialist Opening Hours: Mon - Fri 8:30am - 5:30pm, Sat 9am - 1pmWebsite: www.pihpng.com Contact: +675 321 0202 / 7459 7209Overview: Aspen Medical is an Australian-owned, multi-award-winning, global provider of healthcare solutions. City Specialists Medical Centre (CSMC)Location: Soare Street, Gordons, Port MoresbyType: General HealthcareSpeciality: General and Specialist Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 24 hoursWebsite: www.facebook.com/CitySpecialistsMedicalCentre Contact: +675 7633 0580Overview: CSMC offers General and Specialist  Consultation services. Areas of specialisation include Internal Medicine, Cardiac Care, General and Cardiothoracic Surgery, Orthopaedic surgery, Obstetric and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat) Surgery, Molecular Genetics (DNA Tests), Dermatology, Haematology and Pathology and Pain Medicine.Hospitals and Clinics in LaeAngua Memorial Provincial HospitalLocation: Markham Road, LaeType: Public HospitalSpeciality: General Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 24 hoursContact: +675 473 2100Overview: Angau Memorial Provincial Hospital is the main public hospital in Lae and the referral hospital of the Momase region.Lae International HospitalLocation: Marsina Street, LaeType: Private HospitalSpeciality: General and Emergency Healthcare Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 24 hoursContact: +675 472 7133 / 7190 2306Overview: LIH is the main private hospital in Lae with a 24 hour accident and emergency department, surgery, radiology, pediatrics and dental careMedical emergencies in PNGMost hospitals in PNG have an accident and emergency unit for emergencies, and St John Ambulance provides first aid and pre-hospital treatments. Call 111 in case of an emergencyFor the most severe emergencies, there are Medevac services that will evacuate patients to an Australian hospital. Travellers should check that their insurance covers this service.

Embrace peace, privacy and charming hillside views from your dedicated balcony at Venezia Estate. Just minutes from Jackson’s International Airport and the 7 Mile CBD.Whether you work at Air Niugini Haus, DHL, or Tropic Air, or even taking your imaginations for a test flight on the airport’s runway, Venezia Estate is within reach, among meticulously kept gardens with beautiful blooms all year round.The Estate presents 56 elegant apartments on Kittyhawk Street on the hillsides of Jacksons Parade near the Gateway Hotel.Designed for transiting professionals as well as families, these spacious rectilinear apartments aren’t your average pads offering modern luxury conveniences that live up to their purpose. They emphasize space, white finishes, and a trendy outfit of designer choice white goods and spotless kitchenware. Floor PlansGenerously sized open plan one or two bedroom apartments are available that will suit your lifestyle.Comfort is king at Venezia Estate, with modern, quality fittings. large tiled floors, air conditioning, energy-efficient kitchen appliances with dreamy hillside views. The residential estate has been intentionally designed for ultimate comfort, tranquility and wellbeing. Amenities Top-rate, upscale, opulent – there are many words we could use to describe the amenities offered at Venezia estate, but even those don't convey the amazing quality they have on offer.For your stay at Venezia, you have unlimited access to:Indoor air-conditioned sports complex with badminton court; Half sized basketball court;Fully equipped gym;Modern 100pax restaurant - style dining room; Fully equipped industrial kitchen; Air conditioned entertainment room with ping pong tablesCommercial laundry room;2 swimming pools with bbq areas, andClassical karaoke and TV room.Beyond the main entrance of the Estate, residents can expect an air teeming with excellence that exudes some of PNG’s finest constructed buildings and hospitality.  NeighborhoodA community made of corporate managers, expatriatess and prominent citizens is a community built with purpose, and that’s the type of neighborhood you can expect at Venezia Estate. Imagine YourselfPicture yourself availing the pulse of Venezia Estate on your private balcony. Tour the amazing facilities, including essential services including CCTVs, 24/7 control centre, electric perimeter fencing, back up water and power supply and 24 hours security presence.Enjoy refreshing ale at Jacksons Bar, or pick up some groceries at Stop 'N' Shop Express inside Airways, yes, everything is close and easy. Venezia Estates is also a stones throw from the busy corporate and government precinct of Waigani via the Kumul Flyover.Venezia Estates meets all your expectations for safety, convenience and, best of all, giving you a true home away from home feel.Contact Hausples now on 74700243, or email [email protected] and/or [email protected] to book a private tour.

We've already heard about the government's proposed Strata Title Bill 2020, back in February of this year. Correctly, it is a completely new concept and one that requires a good amount of information and education on our part as a country.Although the topic deserves an in-depth consideration, this article, however, will only touch on the general aspects of what it is and how it works. Further insights will follow a future article in due time.Now, let's consider what a strata title is all about from a general perspective. What is a strata title?A strata title - first conceived by the state of New South Wales in 1961 - is a form of title ownership or legal document designed for multi-layered apartment blocks and horizontal subdivisions with common or shared areas, when legal ownership of a single apartment block (or lot/unit) became a cause for concern. Other countries that have adopted this system (or a similar variant) from Australia include: Canada (Alberta, British Columbia), Fiji, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. Nonetheless, when you buy into a strata title scheme, you're immediately engaged in a dual-column responsibility list: partly to yourself, partly to the body corporate or owners association. In other words, you're independently responsible for the upkeep of your newly owned apartment or unit, while at the same time sharing responsibility in managing the common areas as prescribed by the strata title scheme.To elaborate on 'partly to yourself', let's consider a simple example; say a power outage occured in your unit and your freezer became faulty. All things considered, including your shared responsibilities, you would think that the body cooporate/owners association would come to your aid. Unfortunately not. The onus falls solely on you. However, if any part of the common area is damaged, every unit owner including you will share in its maintenance or replacement of that particular amenity. This is what is meant by shared responsibility and, combined with the responsibility you devote to your unit, creates the essence of a strata titled property.Now, assuming that the proposed Strata Title Bill 2020 has been passed, and several multi-layered apartment buildings have registered under the title scheme (strata), they immediately become "strata-titled properties".An important factor to note is that the flexible nature of a strata title means not only residential properties can qualify as strata titled, but also serviced apartments, commercial properties, retail and even mixed-use premises can register. What is a strata title compared to a company title?The governing policies and regulations of a company title requires that a company must own a building of units, as well as the land on which the building stands. The incumbent in this case is known as a shareholder, where he/she isn't entitled to any real estate. However, he/she (the shareholder) does have - by virtue of owning one or several shares in the company - the right to occupy a defined area or unit in that building. Unlike owning a title to a specific subdivision of the building, as with a strata title, a company title is a reflection of owning shares in a company. These shares will represent the unit(s), car park(s), and everything else specified by the strata title as being owned by you. Using the table below, we can easily outline the differences between a company title and a strata title. Key DifferencesCompany TitleStrata TitleEverything operates through the Board of Directors of the Company TitleThe directors don’t have to consult shareholders, even on big issues.A company’s constitution can sometimes be onerous and even arbitrary and can vary significantly between company titles.The company’s constitution can limit who can buy into the property, whether the property can be rented, what changes can be made to the property.Should renting be permitted there can often be limits on the length of lease term and the tenant will need to be approved by the board of directors and be subject to an interview.A company’s constitution under some circumstances can revoke a shareholders shares or force the sale of shares and right to occupy the property.It can be difficult to obtain finance from banks when buying into company titles especially in small blocks and where finance can be obtained there are restrictions on (LVR) Loan to Value Ratios.It is considered to be a fair, transparent and equitable systemA plan known as a Strata plan clearly defines the unit or lot ownership and which parts are common propertyEverything operates through an entity called the Owners Corporation.All owners get the right to vote on bigger decisions at either an Annual General Meeting or Extraordinary General Meeting.The Strata Title is governed by a legislation (e.g., The Strata Schemes Management Act 2016, etc)The building also known as a Strata Plan will have clear defined regulations known as By-laws. What is an Owners Corporation?Also known as a body corporate, an owners corporation is a legal entity usually made up of individual lot/unit owners (not tenants), with shared responsibilities in managing and maintaining the upkeep of common areas that come with a strata titled property.Because of its flexibility (strata title), major developments, especially those that offer a mix of both commercial and private lots/units, may find themselves in need of multiple committees, especially when responsibilities and costs are numerous and must be shared effectively.Other owners' corporations may even create a position for an owners corporation manager to solely handle its administrative tasks.All in all, the owners corporation begins with every lot/unit owner elected to form a committee (hence the name), so that certain decisions can be easily delegated to them. Main responsibilities of this legal entity are:Upholding all the rules and by-laws covering the property;Managing insurance for the building and common property, and administering the common funds (the fees paid by lot owners);Maintaining and repairing the common property;Keeping records, such as budgets, financial records, minutes of meetings, and a register of lot owners and committee members (if a committee has been elected). The body corporate must make this information available to owners if requested;Handling complaints or disputes between individual lot owners, on issues such as noise, car parking and anti-social behaviour, and enforcing by-laws. Your responsibility as a lot/unit owner?The moment you buy into a strata title scheme and eventually become a lot owner, there are certain key aspects you're bound to run into. What's more, you will find that this new concept will contradict everything you'd normally experience, if you owned a stand-alone house on an individual block of land. As an individual lot owner, your responsibility may revolve around the following:Obeying the by-laws set by the owners corporation you've become part of. This may come in the form of restrictions on where you and your guests can park your vehicles, or where your specific clothes line is, etc.You will be invited to take part in annual general meetings, where office bearers are voted, committees formed, and major decisions are made on account of everyone present. However, attendance is not compulsory, and as a lot owner you can appoint a proxy to attend the meeting on your behalf.Notify the owners corporation if the lot ownership has changed.You will be required to pay all your levies and prescribed fees on time, which you will have agreed to. Levy fees, in this regard, are set aside in a sinking fund to cover for major or unexpected repairs and maintenance on the property. Worthy of note, apart from the shared responsibilities, you're culpable to any and all issues that arise from your unit or lot, including repairs and maintenance, and even upgrades. You may even consider a content insurance, be that as it may, because the insurance that the owner's corporation opts for will not cover your contents. The pros and cons of a strata title schemeHaving come this far, you're probably wondering if a strata title is right for you. First things first, see yourself as a lot owner, then imagine the associated responsibilities, which should help you determine if a communal-style living is what you want. After all, when you pray for rain, you have to deal with the mud, too.An excellent idea would be to do an in-depth research on the strata titled property you're considering, as well as seeking professional advice before buying into the scheme.To help with your decision, consider this list of some customary pros and cons associated with a strata title scheme: ProsNormally, each unit, lot, apartment and townhouse under a strata title will be cheaper, on average, than buying a stand-alone house. This way, they're more affordable whilst on the market, or allow you to buy into an area which you would have otherwise considered economical.Most likely, the general upkeep of common areas won't be too much of a burden for you, as this would be the main concern for the owners corporation. More than 90 percent of your stress will be about your lot or unit, in which you're solely responsible for.You may be allowed to access the facilities, such as swimming pools, gym, car parks, and kids playground among others, without having to worry about how much you will pay for the entire cost of purchasing and maintaining these facilities on your own.Security is extremely effective compared (especially apartment buildings with locked front access or gated complexes) to a stand-alone property. ConsYou're required to pay a strata levy (sometimes called owners corporation fees), which may appear expensive, mainly if your lot or unit is found in a strata titled property that comes with premier facilities such as lifts or a roof garden.Depending on the locality and how the strata scheme is interpreted (which shouldn't be harsh, though), you may find that there are certain restrictions in place. For instance, there may be a limit to certain pets you can own, or you're not to do unmatched renovations on the property, etc.Decision-making in a strata title scheme can be an arduous process, and most often than not your idea or preferred course of action may not always be favored by other committee members.Depending on the building type and the varying room sizes that come with it, it's not uncommon for all lots or units to be one and the same in value, so you may find a restriction on doing upgrades to yours within the complex. The bottom lineFor so long the endeavours of affordable housing seemed implausible to the point of earning a mythical status. But this is about to change. With the inevitability of PNG’s very own strata title scheme, modelled after Australia’s strata title legislation, Papua New Guineans can find comfort in the fact that affordable housing and property ownership might just become a reality - from one general perspective to another, atleast.  DisclaimerThis article is meant for informational purposes only. Hausples digs into the details of a specific topic and teaches its readers all about how the real estate industry operates. Therefore, not all articles are intended to be construed as financial, or investment advice. Hausples encourages you to reach out for professional help regarding your own real estate situation.

Buying or selling your house are among some of the most life changing moments in your life. And each activity bears all the fundamentals of a process, rather than an event. As individual as they can be, both buying and selling are distinguished processes that involve a lot of negotiations, rightfully in a real estate transaction:Negotiating an offer, with the hope of a contract both parties find a win/winNegotiating on multiple offersNegotiating on the response to a home inspectionNegotiating on the results of an appraisal that didn’t meet expectationsNegotiating on other contingencies, like well and septic, or pest inspectionsEssentially, remarkable real estate transactions are a result from well-handled negotiations. The best negotiations are a win-win for both the buyer and the seller. Negotiating in real estate cannot be compared to any other transaction. Buying or selling a property is more or less the largest financial transaction many homeowners have come across in their lives. It's a slipstream in itself, and how you go about it will determine if you'll be dragged under or not. One way of better understanding this process is to compare it with the processes of buying a vehicle, or a kitchen appliance such as a fridge. The drawback from these processes is that they are prone to emotional attachments, thus, the need to negotiate devoid of emotions.It doesn't really matter if you're trying to buy, sell or rent a property, you need to be on your toes if an excellent outcome is what you want. That means your goal has to be at the top of your mind throughout the entire process.  Allowing this situation to go off course will only return tenfold as your nemesis. The wisest thing to do is to aim for a win-win, when everyone involved will be aiming for what's most important to them. Real Estate Negotiating 101Let's look at some general tips that may just be applicable to both a buyer and a seller: 1. Leave no room for emotionIn reality, home buyers buy emotionally; of course, you can't buy something you don't LOVE or have any emotional affinity with it. Yet, there's always a time and place for everything, and emotions are not excluded. During negotiations, it's imperative that you keep your emotions in check. Rational minds make good decisions, and that's where you want to be. The opposite of this frame of mind only leads to disappointing results, right after the negotiations have concluded. 2. Never consider offers guided by your emotionsDon't let your emotions guide you when considering offers; selling your house, for instance, can be highly emotional because it is your property, and you've imbued your feelings into it overtime...it's your nest, your sanctuary, no doubt. But you've decided to sell it and so it is now a thing for business transactions, and should be seen and treated that way till the close. If your agent informs you that the buyer has found some issues with the kitchen or master suite, to justify their lowball offer, don't be upset.  Rather, look on the bright side; the buyer's a willing purchaser, and this may be a negotiation tactic, so respond in kind. 3. Creativity doesn’t wait for perfect momentsOnce an unacceptable offer reaches your table via your agent, don't waste time crying over spilled milk. start asking questions to help you identify what's most important to this buyer, so you put yourself in a much better position to meet those needs. You may, in fact, find out that this particular buyer needs to move houses quickly, which gives you a window of opportunity to remain firm on your price and instead offer to close quickly. The key to successfully negotiating a sale is to remain flexible and open minded. 4. Decide beforehand what terms are most important to youBefore entering a negotiation, you should already have in mind what terms are of high priority to you. For instance, if price tops your list of priorities, it may be best to remain flexible with the closing date, or other preferred terms of references; even better, if you're working by a timeline and you need this sale to close swiftly, then timing will be at the top of your list. 5. Flexibility and open mindedness make an excellent teamIt may be better to set baselines, but it's more better to remain flexible with an open mind. This means unmasking the outcome most dear to you, and translating that into a priorities list from most important to least important. When an unforeseen change pops up, such as an issue arising during a home inspection or valuation, where its value undermines what you've anticipated, you won't be offended because you're well prepared.  It works both ways, and when a seller and a buyer are in negotiations, each with this frame of mind, everyone wins. 6. Never shy away from renegotiationsDon't take offense on offers or counter-offers personally. Because once you enter a negotiation with a narrow mind, you'll be offended by every proposition that comes your way, with respect to a lesser value than what you believe your home to be worth. . Instead, try to have a creative approach to everything. That way, you may effortlessly realize that not all buyers or sellers know you personally, so such an offer isn't intimate, but strictly business.Statistics have shown that nine times out of ten, the valuer (also known as an appraiser) usually has the last say as to what the property’s value will be. Now you see why being flexible and open minded are strongly advisable. There really isn’t any ground to turn a counter or unacceptable offer into a big deal. One second is a lot of time, if you’re a creative thinker. The overriding objective of any negotiation is to end up with a win-win situation for all parties concerned. If both the seller and the buyer are each able to get the most out of the negotiation, it will be a bright sunny day for everyone. Your agent’s background in negotiationsYour agent, whether buyer's, seller's, or simply listing agent, must be an expert negotiator which is typically in harmony with experience.But there are those who are born with this skill and ability. Either way, you must make sure your agent has a solid background in negotiating, and therefore can negotiate successfully on your behalf in a competitive market.  If you're still unsure how to discern whether a real estate agent can pull all the flying colors in a negotiation, consider referrals. Ask people you trust about an agent they may know who is adept at negotiating, and work from there.You wouldn't choose a professional in any field without a referral, so why should it be any different when buying, selling or renting your house?DisclaimerThis article is meant for informational purposes only. Hausples digs into the details of a specific topic and teaches its readers all about how the real estate industry operates. Therefore, not all articles are intended to be construed as financial, or investment advice. Hausples encourages you to reach out for professional help regarding your own real estate situation.

A home loan is an agreement by which a borrower can use a property as collateral in securing a mortgage. By and large, this term commonly refers to home loans. What entails this process is, as a borrower, for instance; you must sign an agreement with a lender of your choosing when you're in the process of buying a house. This will give the lender every right to claim and resell your property should you fail to uphold your end of the bargain.In addition, the lender has every right to take the property off you during what is known in lending jargon as a foreclosure, whereby you'll be asked to move out of the house in order for the bank to go ahead with the process.This sales process equates to generating money, on behalf of the lender, to help offset how much debt you owe to the ledner.The terms “home loan” and “mortgage” are commonly used interchangeably. Technically speaking, the outgrowth of a mortgage is synonymous with the agreement that gives birth to a home loan. The Need For MortgagesFor the most part, real estate tends to be expensive, and most people just don't have enough to buy a home straightaway. Rather, they rely heavily on what they can afford as down payments, plus their eligibility to get a loan. In PNG, a typical down payment is usually 10%, and borrowers usually borrow the balance once they've chipped in their down payment. Most often than not, this balance can amount to hundreds of thousands of kina.To a larger extent, a bank will only approve your loan if it sees a way to reduce the risk involved. As a basic requirement, a bank will seek permission to include a lien against the property in question, and it is found in the fine print of the agreement between the borrower and the bank, in general. The lien acts as an officialdom that allows the bank to foreclose your property where necessary; in other words, when you default on your mortgage payments.The database for mortgage applications is dominated by individuals and families, for that matter. But businesses can also purchase properties with mortgages, as well. The various types of mortgagesThere are various loan types on hand, and the secret in knowing which one will work best in your situation is to understand the associated terminology. Let’s look at these terminologies... Fixed-rate mortgagesFixed rate mortgages are the smooth kind of loans to anticipate, in that, you are required to make the same monthly payments throughout the term of the loan. These are long term loans that usually attract a repayment period between 15 and 40 years, even though there are other terms available.The math behind fixed-rate mortgages is quite simple, too. You can do the calculation yourself, or the bank can help you with it. The goal is to get a fixed monthly payment based on an all-inclusive amount that comprise the loan balance, interest rate, and the length of time it would take you to complete the loanFixed-rate loans are easier to handle, in the sense that they embody a DIY approach. You can do the math by yourself to know how much you'll be paying monthly, within a set time period, or simply have the bank do it for you. Tools like spreadsheets and online templates, as well as calculators are user friendly, thus, will enable a straightforward calculation. This is also an excellent way of comparing lenders to figure out which one is right for you. Adjustable-rate mortgagesThe interest rates accompanying adjustable-rate mortgages can change without notice in a loan repayment term. Your monthly repayments under this scheme usually correspond to the changes that come about, for better or for worse, depending on the circumstances at that time. Here, the interest rates are the draw card when it comes to determining how big or small your monthly payments will be; hence, the higher the interest rates, the more you will pay as monthly installments - the opposite is true.With adjustable-rate mortgages, the interest rates remain fixed up to a certain point after some years, before they become adjustable annually. Notwithstanding, there are few restrictions as to what end these rates can increase or decrease.All in all, adjustable-rate mortgages are high risk loans, simply because as a borrower you're not privileged to know how much monthly payments you'll be making in ten years time, for instance, and whether or not you're able to afford it. Home Equity LoansAlso known as second mortgages, home equity loans are loans that you borrow against the property you currently own. This is only advisable when you find yourself in need of covering outstanding expenses. A common example includes educational expenses for your child, unforeseen expenses, etc.Put differently, home equity loans or second mortgages are a type of loan by which you use the equity in your property as a collateral.  The loan amount mirrors the current value of the property, in where the value is determined by a valuer provided by the lender - in this case a second lender.Such a loan type becomes useful when cashing out on a home equity in times of financial crises. However, it's not a cause for concern at the moment, given the type of loans offered by major lenders around PNG.But for real estate educational purposes, it’s worth the mention. Interest-Only LoansThese loans allow a borrower to only pay the interest cost, or a trivial amount that's sometimes much less than the interest cost paid monthly. At the end of the day, you're left with a minuscule monthly payment, because you're repaying the loan principal.However, the drawback of this loan type is that you don't have the luxury of building equity in your property, if that's what you have in mind, and in the end you will still pay the loan principal.The interest-only loans will only make sense in certain short-term situations, but aren't the ideal options for homeowners wishing to create wealth in the long term. Balloon LoansBalloon loans are the type of loans that require you to offset them with a large chunk of payment, known simply in lending as a "balloon" payment, in order to diminish your debts or dinau after a set term. For the most part, you just might have no payments to do until that time comes around, or rather you'll only be paying increments to that end.Like interest-only loans, balloon loans are appropriate for short-term or temporary financing, because they're quite risky when you assume that you will have access to funds that you think you'll need, when these loans are due. Refinance LoansRefinance loans offer you the liberty to get a new or secondary loan to finance your existing loan upon a promising deal. In other words, you're getting another loan to pay off the old loan you got earlier. This can be an expensive exercise due to closing costs, but the good thing about this process is that it will help you pay off your existing loan as time prevails.That is to say, these two loans cannot be similar in nature. For instance, you cannot get a new fixed-rate loan to pay off the existing fixed-rate loan. Instead, the new loan can be a fixed-rate loan to pay off your existing adjustable-rate mortgage. Obtaining a loanHome loans are synonymous with heaps of documents and a lengthy, detailed process, in which several factors sync together.So when thinking of getting a loan, make sure you’re prepared to delve into a lengthy process. Credit and income historyBoth your credit and income history together will determine whether or not your loan application will be approved. This is why it’s imperative on your part to make sure there are no associated issues that may lead to an uproar before your application ticks all the boxes; even if there is, it’s wise to fix them ahead of the loan approval process.Poor credit ratings and income records almost always prompt a denial, even worse if your application is successful but at a cost of higher interest rates. The latter being that you’ll be paying more than what you should be paying over the course of the loan term.With your income and credit rating history, lenders have the right to substantiate your repayment potential with whatever loan they're about to give. This is one of the reasons why you have to prepare the necessary documents for the lender to sight. Lenders will look at your existing debts to make sure you have sufficient income to pay off all of your loans—including the new one you’re applying for. They'll calculate your debt-to-income ratio, which tells them how much of your monthly income gets eaten up by monthly loan payments.It’s possible to buy with a small down payment, but your chances of getting approved are better when you make a larger one. Lenders calculate a loan-to value-ratio which shows how much you’re borrowing compared to how much the property is worth.The less you borrow, the lower the risk for your lender because they can quickly sell the property and recover all or most of their money. And a larger down payment gives you more of a personal stake in the property and more of an incentive to avoid foreclosure. The Loan Pre-approval ProcessIt's always a step in the right direction to be able to know, beforehand, how much you can borrow when out shopping for homes. One way of accomplishing this is through a pre-approval by the lender.This qualifies as an introductory process, upon which the lender will need to assess both your credit and income histories. Once done, the lender will inform you of the maximum loan amount you're eligible to get.Nonetheless, this doesn't necessarily mean you'll be approved, yet it's information worth noting. What happens is that after the lender assesses anything and everything to do with your credit and income backgrounds, they will officially let you know if you're approved or denied, while under contract. The more, the merrier, and as time wears on, you will soon realize that a pre-approval letter can go a long way in reinforcing your offer, when it's time. How Much To BorrowThe thing about borrowing is that banks will tell you how much you're able to get, but will not discuss with you how much you should get. This is a personal decision, so how much you want to get, the type of loan you want, and the kind of down payment you can afford, will fall on you as the decision maker. These factors tend to become the primary focal point in helping you determine how much you will pay monthly, and how much of an interest you're likely to afford during the loan's lifespan. Substantially, it's quite risky to opt for the maximum amount available, mainly when you're considering some cushion in your monthly payments. Available Loan ProgramsThere are occasions where you will come across loan programs offered by the government and other local businesses. What you should be aware of is that these loan programs make it easier to get approved, even some do offer creative incentives designed to make homeownership more affordable and attractive at the same time. Then there are similar programs that allow you as the borrower to get refinancing, even when you owe more than what your house or property is worth. The BottomlineUnderstanding mortgages is one thing. Choosing which suits your needs is another. Probably the most important thing to remember here is that, when you approach a lender for a loan, it will make sense to know what types of mortgages are available and the advantages and disadvantages for each of these loans. Your goal is to find the one that’s right for you.  Disclaimer:This article is meant for informational purposes only and is not intended to be construed as financial, or investment advice. Hausples encourages you to reach out for professional help regarding your own real estate situation.

Brimming with potential for a robust shopping and office compound, a paradigm of flexible workspaces at Koki Bay Commercial Center are waiting for you to inject your own style.What’s more, nothing spells “ideal” better than the strengths of this property when viewed under these perspectives: PersonalitySuitable for spin-off professional services, as well as newbie retailers.Promotes adaptability and collaboration among employeesAccommodates a variety of tasks to be done quickly, compared to breakout workspacesBest square-foot-per-occupant efficiencyA dynamic, versatile work environmentScalableCaters to overflow areas to accommodate additional or temporary staffs LocationAs important as they come, the location of your business must be easily accessible by your customers, clients and your team.Owing to that fact is Koki Bay’s address, simply because it’s a minute’s walk from Koki’s main bus stop, the old Koki market, and the recently erected Koki Fish Market. Foot trafficThe beauty of Koki Bay’s location is its affinity with foot traffic - and lots of it. “Proximity to the major Koki bus station, as well as the Koki market and Koki fish market being on either side of the property, means that the foot traffic is incredibly high,” said Kitogara Limited’s project manager, Daniel Hii. Now, imagine from being able to strategize your marketing plans, to hosting events around peak foot traffic times in one location with ease? Because you’ve got what it takes to command raw foot traffic?Your only challenge is setting up and making yourself known. ParkingParking will always be an important consideration for clients, customers and staff alike. And not just any kind of parking, but sufficient and secured onsite parking, and Koki Bay Commercial Center ticks this off with both eyes shut.Notwithstanding, the parking spaces allow tenants to make the most of the beachfront views and the restless Koki skyline. WellnessSeems funny that we had to mention wellness here, but it is inspired by the lengthy sidewalk that links Koki and Ela Beach.You see, a typical day for most employees looks something like this: Sleep >> wake up >> breakfast >> work >> lunch (fast food) >> work >> dinner >> SleepOf course, “keeping fit” or the likes of it are foreign to this routine. But you can change this with end-of-trip facilities, so that your employees have the opportunity to exercise by walking, cycling or jogging to work and from work; amidst their busy schedule and vulnerability to unhealthy diets. When you put two and two together, you have Koki Bay Commercial Center to thank for.  SecurityUnsurprisingly, there is no other property type that requires a comprehensive security system than a commercial property, because of the security concerns and challenges it presents. This gives way to a security program that’s unique and customized to the property’s security needs, and you can expect the same with Koki Bay Commercial Center, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. DesignThe aesthetics of a flexible workspace is crucial when determining its design, because design alone impacts on a business’ image and reputation in the market.Following design are functionality and appeal. Why else would we want to account for this aspect, if it weren’t true for Koki Bay’s flexible workspaces?On top of that, these flexible open floor plans are presented as blank canvases, so you can see them in your own design - you decide how you want to be perceived by your customers and clients.With adequate natural light and refreshing views of the beachfront, each 300m2open office plan is split over two levels, and are equally worth K15,000 (+GST) per month (negotiable). Room to growWhile it can be difficult to know exactly how much room your business may need over time, looking for an office that has room to grow with your business is critical. With Koki bay’s open floor plans, flexibility is key. So if you’re looking for a space where you could potentially expand, or go for a shorter lease or one that will allow you to exit should you need to, Koki Bay Commercial Center is an opportunity you cannot ignore. Mr. Hii added that each office space within the compound is ideal for up and coming firms, who require a work space for team expansion and flexibility, such as architects, surveyors, and retail suppliers.Basically, these flexible workspaces are defined as open floor plans with ceramic tiles throughout, sufficiently catering to separate male and female restrooms, plus a kitchenette - the kind of things one would expect in a modern turnkey office space.Moreover, Koki Bay Development is a dual building compound (Building A and Building B), and currently Building A accommodates a supermarket, a medical clinic, and a fried chicken outlet which is distinctively found on either side of the compound.“For the available units, the development is great for a modern open office space or retail opportunity,” said Daniel Hii.Tenants can rest in the comfort of knowing that Kitogara Limited is an experienced commercial and residential developer, whose directors have international experience in developing commercial complexes in Australia, Malaysia and Singapore. In PNG alone, Kitogara’s success is evident in projects such as Waigani Village and Rainbow Heights.For further inquiries or to know more about Kitogara’s progress, visit hausples.com.pg, email [email protected], or simply call Kitogara’s Sales Team on 7254 4999.

Photo Credits: vectorstock.com Real estate investment is referred to as one of the finest ways to increase wealth. Since the ages, people have been believing this, and a wonderful fact is that it is actually true – both in the present time and in the past. Even better, the roles of real estate professionals in helping you become a homeowner, among others.From inquiries, to inspection, to closing of escrow, a real estate agent is your trusted guide throughout the buying process.  Here are a few reasons why you should engage a real estate agent, when you decide to become a homeowner.1. Offer Mortgage Advice And TipsWith experience comes job knowledge that pours over customer service etiquette, and relationship building out of many.Of course, when you decide to buy a house, there are certain obstacles you need to overcome, beginning with a mortgage. But it's not just any kind of mortgage that you can ask for. There are different types of mortgages with different purposes, so you will have to find the one that's suitable to your situation.This is where your real estate agent's expertise plays an important role. To make the most of it, your real estate agent has the best contacts to recommend, and offer tips on how to work effectively with a recommended lender. 2. Narrow Down Your Search CriteriaAs a tradition, every buyer has a list of things they need and want in a house. Just like sculpting an image out of a solid matter, this list narrows down from unwanted factors to the house of your dreams.Most often then not, just by reading your list, your real estate agent will know exactly the property that mirrors or closely matches your criteria, inclusive of the location and price range.Moreover, if you understand how a listing agent’s website works, that’s what a real estate agent can do for you in-person. 3. Craft A Solid Offer On Your BehalfThere are certain rules to professional writing to adhere to, if you want your reader to quickly grasp what you're trying to convey.Rules like understanding your audience, spelling and grammar, write like you speak, structure, and context, all are paramount to the basic rules of professional writing.These rules or principles apply across industries, and real estate is no exception.As far as real estate deals and offers can admit, a real estate agent has the intelligence to draft up a solid deal or offer on your behalf, when you’re on the verge of making an offer to the seller.Real estate agents understand your audience, and so will know the kind of lingo to use, in order to get positive feedback. In the end, your rights as a buyer are protected and the seller goes away impressed.Seems like superhuman, does it? Rarely. Just enthusiasm, experience and repetition - a typical day in a real estate agent’s line of duty. 4. Negotiating PricesBeing in the field for some time, professional agents understand the importance of putting their clients’ interests first. Not to mention the value in helping their clients in a home buying process.There’s more to buying a house than just getting a mortgage and closing a sale; that’s why it’s called a process - a home buying process. And in that process, you go through stages or steps to get to the endgame. Among these steps, you will encounter the need to negotiate the price of the property.Imagine overpaying for a house, because you didn’t know what to consider and how to negotiate those considerations before partaking in a closed sale?Many buyers fall short of this understanding and end up disappointed once the buying process has concluded. They fail to understand that there are certain aspects of the property that can reveal its true value, and these are the things that provide a ground for negotiations, before the purchase goes through.Moreover, like professional writing, you must know what to say and when to say it, if you want the best deal possible, and only an agent can expertly accomplish this on your behalf. 5. Accompany You To A Home InspectionBecoming a homeowner is one thing. Knowing what it takes to become one is something else; none more so crucial than understanding the importance of home inspections or viewings, and why they are a necessary evil in a buying process.You see, with home inspections, it's not just about being present to admire the property and take it on face value "as-is". There's an inkling of eyes-and-mind to realize subliminal mediocrity, that go hand-in-hand with property inspections.For instance, while exploring different areas of the house you come across an issue, which, to your untrained and inexperienced mind, it's nothing you can't fix. So, without even pointing it out to the seller, you move on. But what you didn't know was that that particular issue has the potential to determine whether or not the home buying process should proceed further. This is why an agent will accompany you to a home inspection, as they have the eyes-and-mind to pinpoint the indifference - and are vested with the right to ask sellers to either do repairs, meet the costs or forget about selling at all. 6. Recommend professionalsProperty issues aren’t one hit wonders. Some are occasional, while some are regular. Yet, all are progressive and exotic, every time, from the one before. And each issue begins with an unconventional counseling. These issues appeal to specific professionals who make up the real estate equation such as home inspectors, lenders, contractors, and home maintenance experts. In your case, when the need arises, your agent is well positioned to recommend any of these professionals, in particular those that are highly reputable.Simply put, whatever your property issue may be, your real estate agent is there to advise and recommend. 7. Flexible communication with the seller’s agentAs a medium for communicating all pertinent information between concerned parties, your real estate agent will keep you and the seller on the same page throughout the process. This is where everything counts, such as:Relationship buildingEffective communicationUsing industry lingoProfessional etiquetteTransparencyProtection of your interestsAnd a host of bits and pieces that make up a valuable home buying experience. A professional agent in your team will tick off these points without hesitancy. 8. Monitor your mortgage commitmentWhen it comes to going the extra mile for clients or customers, no one does it better in real estate than real estate agents.Putting your interests first, and doing everything they can under the sun just to give you a good experience of their services, real estate agents have what it takes to make it happen for you.One way they do this is by keeping tabs on your loan status, and offering advice on what to do and what not to do before your loan is approved. It’s their way of saying “thank you for choosing us as your top of the mind agent in real estate”.Sounds like fun? You haven’t seen nothing yet! 9. Work around escrow and your closing costsThe home buying process doesn’t stop once an offer or agreement is reached. Escrow and closing costs will follow, and where they surface, your agent is on hand to help you navigate through them in a streamlined manner, before successfully closing.But between there and then, you have title transfer, home insurance, exchange of money and related documents, attorney’s fees, pest inspection and the like to deal with. They all fall in immediately after an offer has been agreed to, and just before a transaction is marked “closed”.As you can see, there’s lots to do in that short time frame that you’re vulnerable to make mistakes. But not unless you have an agent by your side will your home ownership journey be one to remember for quite some time. Bottom lineYour dream of homeownership will only become painstaking and tedious, if you don’t understand the process and what it takes to sail through with ease and bright sparkling teeth. Worse still if you skirt the assistance of a real estate agent.All things considered, whatever the issue is in real estate, your agent is your knight in shining armor.