Spring is in the air - so be prepared. As a youngster I still can remember my mother doing the once yearly big spring-clean, cleaning the house from top to bottom. Well, we have done the same, cleaned our offices and ...... on the 3 October 2008 we received our IAA Licence !! This means that I am now an IAA Licensed Immigration Adviser number 200800214. In other words, we too are now prepared for the coming year to operate under the new immigration licensing sheme.

What it means to me? A variety of things such as;

• The license is proof that I have the capacity, knowledge and expertise to do immigration work to a high professional standard, a standard that has been scrutinised by the IAA in the License application process
  
• A License is a guarantee to you, my clients, confirming that you are assisted by a professional. It may provide you a level of confidence and may be sen as a symbol of trust.
• You as client/customer are protected as an IAA Licensed Adviser has to abide by the IAA Code of Conduct
• It brings more repect to the profession, similar to an accountant, lawyer or doctor

Reference to the house market, according to real estate sources and bank sources, it's been very quiet in the housing market over the past few months - but that could be about to change.

Spring is often a busy time for buying and selling houses, for a number of reasons. With the days getting longer and the weather getting warmer, buyers start to think about looking for their new dream home. People moving or transferring in the new year start making arrangements and looking for a place to live. And sellers start to think about getting their home ready to show at its best in the warmer weather.

There are a number of other factors that may help to boost the housing market this spring. The tax cuts which came into effect on 1 October, will put more money in many potential buyers' back pockets. And housing affordability, until recently at record highs, has begun to improve as house prices have begun to drop.

If you are in the market for a new home, you'll want to be ready for the new homes that may hit the market over Spring. You use handy checklists to make sure you're crystal clear on exactly what you're looking for and what you can afford, before you start looking.

Such checklists and or worksheets may include:

• Budget worksheets - so you know how much you can put towards your repayments.
• Costs of buying a home - so you know exactly what it will cost you.
• 'What do you want in a home' - to help you understand what's most important - and what you could compromise on.
• Home viewing checklist - to help you compare different properties.
• House inspection checklist - to help you identify any problems or issues.
• Schooling - to identify the needs of your children
• Access to third party service providers - to hospitals, gp's, dentists, pharmacies, shopping centres, movie theatres, sport clubs, public transport
• etc etc