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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

5 Real Estate Negotiation Tips That Work! Have you ever negotiated like this?–       Car salesman: “The price is K10,000”–       You: “I’m willing to pay K5,000”–       Car salesman “I can give you a small discount, how about K8,500”–       You: “What about  K6,500”–       Car salesman “Ok, I spoke to my manager K7,500 is our final offer”–       You: “Done. I’ll take it”In the above example you and the car salesman start with a K5,000 gap and eventually ‘meet in the middle’. This is the most common form of negotiation and is known as ‘positional bargaining’.Unfortunately positional bargaining generally results in poor outcomes for both parties because everyone gives up the same amount and therefore neither party gets what they really want.  Thankfully there are other ways to negotiate!The following are 5 real estate negotiation tips to help you think more laterally in your negotiations and achieve better outcomes. After all, why meet in the middle when both parties can achieve their goals? 1. Consider the objectives of all of the partiesAs a property buyer, the most important person in the transaction is the seller and you should focus on their desires first. Do some research with the agent and find out what is really motivating them to sell.  Especially focus on non-monetary considerations. You would be surprised how often the sale of a home or other property turns on something other than money.For example:– The seller needs to move from Port Moresby back to another country urgently: Perhaps offer shortened settlement terms, for example 30 days. Or offer to pay a 50% deposit immediately and the balance in a longer period.– The seller is building a new home to move into: Offer to rent the seller the  property after the purchase on a month-to-month basis until their new home is complete.–  The wife of the seller is reluctant to sell the family home:  Offer to have a professional photographer to come in and take portraits of the family in the home before they move out. This will give the wife some comfort as she then has a permanent memento of the home. 2. Don’t forget the real estate agent!Remember a big part of any real estate purchase is the real estate agent. The agent represents the interest of the seller, but they are also self-motivated. Therefore, it’s critical to have the agent on your side in any negotiation so that they put your offer in the best possible light to the seller. For example, if two offers are equal on a financial basis, the agent will likely influence the seller to accept the offer from the buyer they prefer.There are a range of things you can do to improve your negotiation tactics with the real estate agent:– Promise the re-sale of the property to the agent.– Offer to appoint the agent as the rental manager of the property.– Offer the agent a written, or even video, testimonial should the sale proceed regarding their great service.– Promise to give the real estate agent a written referral to all of your friends should you be the successful buyer. 3. Trust your judgment and make genuine offersThere is a saying in real estate that ‘time kills deals’ and in a fast paced property market such as those in Lae and Port Moresby this is definitely the case. As such, we suggest researching the real estate market thoroughly and making an offer that is at, or very close to, your maximum. Of course we also recommend starting your research at Hausples.com.pg to conveniently view all available properties in PNG!By making an offer for what you know the property is worth, you have a strong chance of buying the home, land or commercial property, before other buyers swoop in and offer more. Don’t get caught out offering less than you know the property is worth, if this occurs you are likely to miss out as more aggressive buyers pay more and close the deal. 4. Loose lips sink shipsNever let the other party know how much you have available to spend or what is motivating you to buy; this risks the seller using these great negotiating tactics on you!Similarly, given so many properties in PNG are marketed as “Price On Application”, it is very important to always make the seller name a price first. With that information you are well placed to make a counter-offer in the context of the seller’s price. If a buyer makes the first offer, they in danger of over-pricing the property from the start and that can only ever result in a bad deal. 5. Cash is kingSellers hate any uncertainty in a deal and offers made ‘subject to finance’ can be a deal breaker when a competing offer is for cash – even if the offer is for less. This is why it’s critical to have your finance arranged and be ready to settle on a deal very quickly once the price is agreed.Being able to offer cash gives the seller absolute confidence in your offer and this is often worth more to a seller than a higher offer that may never settle.

“How much will the property sell for?”Unsurprisingly, this is the most common question both a buyer and a seller ask!From the perspective of a buyer, there’s no doubt that it is difficult to gauge PNG real estate prices, particularly in the tightly held cities of Port Moresby and Lae.  The competition for good houses, apartments and land is fierce and many of them are selling at prices far above the advertised estimated price range. This is, quite naturally, making buyers feel cynical and frustrated. Buying a home is like no other purchase you’ve made in your life.  Homes are not identical, they don’t come with a return policy and they rarely have with a fixed price tag.  A house may viewed as being worth far more to a person who wants to live in the same street as their family, who wants their children to be able to walk to a particular school or who has a business just five minutes drive away.  All sorts of things influence the value of a real estate in the buyer’s mind. Speaking with a reputable PNG real estate agentWhen a real state agent is approached to sell a home, they are asked for their professional opinion regarding how much a reasonable person would pay for the property.  In order to provide the best possible answer to that question, the agent then researches similar properties in the area and what they have sold for.Unfortunately the Papua New Guinea real estate market has traditionally not been very transparent and there is very little clear data regarding prior sales. Experienced and professional PNG real estate agents will leverage their past sales data, experience and local knowledge to price properties correctly. By contrast, inexperienced real estate agents will be more likely to quote a seller an unrealistically high price, which may then negatively impact your chances of purchasing the property. For this reason, it is advisable to focus on properties that are being sold by reputable real estate agents that have been operating in the PNG, Port Moresby or Lae for some time. Take advantage of technologyWith the advent of new online real estate websites such Hausples.com.pg, more real estate sale prices are being published. Tools such as the Hausples ‘Sold Prices’ page can provide a handy reference to find similar properties to the one you are considering and will give some assistance in predicting the ultimate selling price. You should leverage these to your advantage and get the benefit of adopting technology early. Speak to your bankIt might seem odd, but banks are often the best source of real estate information. As banks lend large sums of money to real estate buyers, they regularly value homes and other PNG real estate to ensure there is sufficient equity to cover the amount lent to customers.We suggest approaching your bank regarding your real estate purchase and ask them to provide a pre-approval or full approval for a loan for the property. Part of the bank’s approval process with require the bank to value to the home or asset. You can then use the bank’s valuation as a rough guide for the property. You should be aware however, that there may be cost associated with processing the loan application. As PNG’s largest bank, we recommend speaking with the BSP (Bank of South Pacific) if you choose to apply for a loan approval. The bottom lineDespite the above, there is no science to the emotion of buying a house or apartment and the value of an established home is not purely based on prior sales data.  Logic often flies out the door when dealing with an extremely buoyant and under-supplied real estate market such as that in PNG. This will often cause a buyer to make an offer on a home that is far above what science and logic dictates it would probably sell for.Ultimately, the seller of the home is entitled to get the best possible price for their property – regardless of what price point has been advertised.  There is absolutely no compulsion for a seller to sell at the advertised price.  And this is understandably frustrating for buyers. The best advice is to think carefully about how much you’re prepared to spend and – hard as it is to put the emotion aside – stick to your budget.The current PNG real estate climate is certainly throwing up a fair share of homes being sold for far above the advertised price range. But take heart if you’re a buyer. Properties are continually coming on to the market and you’re sure to find one that suits you emotionally and financially.

How much you need to bring with you as a family moving to Port Moresby depends largely on how long you are planning to stay and how frequently you will be making trips back home or abroad.Perhaps in contrast with most travel advice you’re likely to get, if you’re planning for a long-stay it’s advisable to come with as much as you can. There are a number of ways to transport your personal effects to PNG. Depending on the distance your goods need to travel, many choose to ship via containers. Also, the world famous DHL operates a fantastic, reliable service here in PNG (+675 325 9866). Day-to-day basics such as nappies, soaps, baby food, fresh whole milk and formula are readily available in all the major supermarkets, but certain childcare products are difficult to come by in Port Moresby. Any large-scale baby equipment, especially those which you would prefer to be accredited with a recognisable safety standard, such as cots and car-seats, need to come with you wherever possible. Items such as high-chairs, ride-on outdoor toys, baby baths, changing tables and bouncy chairs are available to buy in Port Moresby, but at a premium cost and generally, low quality. Finding good quality new children’s clothing, just as with adult clothing, is a challenge. It is advisable to bring as much as you can and to plan ahead with larger sizes to put away for future use. If you find yourself short, very basic cheap clothing imported from around East Asia is available in Kids World in Vision City, and the two toyshops inside the Waterfront shopping complex. That said, Port Moresby is nothing if not unpredictable, and it is possible to occasionally find good quality baby merchandise. The baby store Patini in Vision City, RH Hypermarket, also in Vision City, and the home-store Brian Bell in Gordons have all be known to stock global-branded baby merchandise (such as Fisher-Price and Britax). There is also a healthy trade in second-hand goods operating within the expat community. Goods for sale are advertised on notice boards in The Royal Yacht Club and The Aviat Club and can be bought at the regular garage sales and house clearances held in compounds and apartments throughout the year. For older children, stationery is not a problem. School supplies and arts and crafts materials are covered by Theodist Stationers, which has an extensive range of products that would compete with similar suppliers anywhere. There is also a well-stocked stationer (Star Office) in Vision City. Books are trickier to come by. There is one bookstore in Vision City (Star News Link) that stocks a modest, though impressively diverse (and costly) range of quality children’s books. It is advisable to bring as many as you can with you, and to check for second-hand bookstalls often present at the monthly craft markets, as well as at special events held at the two main social clubs and the international schools. The availability of books might be less of a concern if your children will be attending either of the two international schools as they have libraries of their own. Between the two main international schools, education and childcare is covered from 18-months through to 18-years and both schools are well-equipped and have respectable academic reputations. The Early Learning Centre, a division of the The Ela Murray International School, is the only International pre-school in Port Moresby, and provides excellent facilities. If your children will be staying at home, you might be in need of a nanny. There is no shortage of people looking for work as nannies and babysitters in Port Moresby. Childcare qualifications are rare, but many will have a wealth of experience. Either way, there will likely be some trial-and-error involved in the process before settling on the right person for your family. Ask for recommendations from others who are pleased with their child-carers. There are doctors and paediatricians holding internationally recognised qualifications operating in most medical facilities throughout the city, with the best reports coming from the Pacific International Hospital. If the company you are working for in Port Moresby comes with medical cover from the International SOS Clinic based at Airways Hotel, most routine procedures, including child vaccinations, can be handled there. Otherwise if you are travelling to Port Moresby with a young child, you will need to consider the possibility of returning to your country of origin, or making special arrangements for a trip to Australia, in order to continue a vaccination program. There is no shortage of activities for children and families in Port Moresby. In addition to the more obvious attractions, such as the National Orchid Gardens and Wildlife Park, and the lovely Nature Park, there is also tennis coaching available, swimming lessons at the Aviat Club, and free children’s cookery classes at Airways Hotel. For very young children, there is a weekly toddler group held at The Royal Papua Yacht Club, a baby group for mothers with babes-in-arms held weekly at The Grand Papua Hotel, as well as a network of informal play groups hosted by different families every week. There are safe, well-maintained and well-equipped children’s outdoor, under-cover playgrounds in The Royal Papua Yacht Club, The Aviat Club, and Airways Hotel. There is also the indoor, air-conditioned, soft-play centre ‘Kiddieland’ hidden away in Gordons Business Park. Most cafés and restaurants in Port Moresby welcome families, but the eateries that best accommodate children, and are equipped with high-chairs, includeThe Beachside Brasserie in Ela Beach Hotel (where babyccino can be made on request!), Sails Café and Macdhui Restaurant in The Royal Papua Yacht Club, Hog’s Breath Café in Vision City Mall, and the Poolside Restaurant and Deli at Airways Hotel. Port Moresby is famous for all the wrong things, which is the real crime since there is so much more to life here. Nevertheless, the city has been deemed one the five more unliveable in the world. So if you have your reservations about moving your family here, take heart from this: life in Port Moresby fosters resourcefulness, stoicism and a sense of humour in people, and if you can live in paradise here, you can live in paradise anywhere! DirectoryDHL: www.dhl.com/en/pg/country_profile.htmlVision City Mall: Waigani Drive, Waigani http://www.visioncity.com.pg/Theodist Ltd: Waigani Drive, Waigani http://www.theodist.com/Ela Murray International School: elamurray.comPort Moresby International School: www.pmis.iea.ac.pgPatini: Vision City Mall https://www.facebook.com/PatiniStore/ or http://www.visioncity.com.pg/shopBrian Bell: Kennedy Road, Gordons http://www.brianbell.com.pg/The Royal Papua Yacht Club: Harbour City, www.rpyc.com.pgThe Aviat Social and Sporting Club: Aviat Street, www.aviat.comPacific International Hospital: Stores Road, Boroko, www.pih.com.pgThe International SOS Clinic, Airways Hotel, Jacksons Parade, https://www.internationalsos.com/en/about-our-clinics_1518_3935.htmThe National Orchid Gardens and Wildlife Park: 14-MileThe Nature Park: Waigani Drive & Goro Kaeaga Road, Waigani, https://www.facebook.com/PortMoresbyNatureParkThe Grand Papua Hotel: Mary Street, www.grandpapuahotel.com.pgAirways Hotel: Jacksons Parade, www.airways.com.pgLittle Angels Kiddieland: Gordons Business CentreThe Beachside Brasserie: Ela Beach Hotel, Ela Beach RoadHog’s Breath Café: Vision City Mall http://www.hogsbreath.com.sg/contact_us.htm