Market Report December 2010/January 2011 Economy Retailers are fearful of lower Christmas spending. Where has the discretionary dollar gone? Interest rates are being unfairly blamed. Many of us were paying higher rates a few years ago and when rates dropped, our monthly payments remained the same then, as they are now. So where has the money gone? It seems that now many are cautious and will not spend unless they need to, as opposed to want to. Also other costs have risen steadily such as council rates, electricity, water, fuel and home grown groceries. Our dollar is at a record high which helps imports and encourages overseas holidays and purchases. If the exchange rate to the USA $ dropped it would improve our export returns but products like fuel would become highly expensive and thus affect all goods that have to be freighted. Life is not simple and it doesn’t always go the way we would like, so we just have to be thankful that we live in Australia because it is far worse elsewhere. Supply I thought we might have seen an increase in supply of better quality businesses from the retiring baby boomers but it hasn’t happened yet. Maybe a more settled economy and government will ease the fears of retirement. Demand In a word, patchy. There was a build up of demand in October, after the prolonged election result, but the interest rate rise on Melbourne Cup Day put a stop to activity. Existing offers and contracts have been finalised but new offers and interest are few and far between. Future Is the glass half full or half empty? I believe it has been half empty during 2010 and only hope that it becomes half full in 2011. We need an improvement in attitude and confidence in the future. Attitude Charles R Swindoll (American writer & clergyman b1934) wrote - “The longer I live, the more I realise the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge or our Attitudes.”

New Year We wish you and your family a safe, happy and prosperous 2011.

Buyers - Have You spoken to Harvey? I have been a qualified and licenced agent and valuer for over 30 years and have always believed that to provide the best service I need to understand my clients skills, desires and capacity to purchase. Over recent years there has been a tendency for potential customers to hide behind their email addresses and only communicate minimally and electronically. We have noticed that more and more Buyers do not like to complete our Buyer Registration forms that seek to qualify them as being genuine. I am frustrated by this impersonal world. Sales are still taking place and our analysis shows that except for the interstate/investor Buyers, we met with all our Buyers for a face to face interview prior to discussing suitable businesses. In other words a trusting and respectful relationship was forged before offers and contracts were discussed. Buyers, if you are serious about owning a business you must talk to Harvey. Face to face is best, but a good conversation on the phone is better than just email communication. We provide a successful, effective and ethical agency service by developing honest and open relationships that engender trust, transparency and respect. Our knowledge and skill means nothing without integrity. Please talk to us - we want to help you. Buyer Agency We are actively promoting personalised Buyer Agency service. We want to fully understand our customers needs and take care that they will buy a good business that fits their needs and character. They, in turn, will refer us more business, and one day will sell that business through us. We can advise you and act for you if you find a business for sale privately or with another agent. On behalf of our clients we will ask the hard questions, we will not be bullied, we will not make an offer until we are ready, we will not accept woolly answers, we will not over pay and we will protect their interests with all the terms and conditions. We will be the GUARDIAN ANGEL if required. We will provide referrals to highly reputable professionals for legal, accounting, finance, insurance, management, bookkeeping, IT, signage, marketing and printing services to name a few.

Harvey’s Humour Joke of the Year – 2010 Two women were sitting quietly together, minding their own business.