Are you buying your first home, or looking at a big investment?

There’s a little more too it than just ‘location, location, location’.

Are you living with your better half?

De facto relationships mean more than just sharing the electricity bill – what are you really getting yourself into in the eyes of the law?

Do you tune out immediately when you hear the words ‘superannuation’ and ‘will’?

Well it’s time you woke up, because they’re not just for retirees.

In May, we are bringing together a panel of three local experts across property, law and finance to help answer a few of life’s big questions over breakfast.

When: Wednesday 21st May

Where: Harbourview Function Centre, 150 Wharf Road Newcastle

Time: 7am to 9am

Cost: $35 includes hot breakfast, tea and coffee

SPEAKER PROFILES

Mark Kentwell – Director and Licensed Agent, PRD Nationwide

As the Managing Director and Principal of the PRD Newcastle & Lake Macquarie operations, there isn’t much about real estate Mark Kentwell doesn’t know. Not only was Mark ranked Number 1 Selling Principal Nationally 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013, but also recently as #15 on the Real Estate Business Magazine Top 100 Agents in Australia list. While we’re at it, Mark was Newcastle and Hunter Young Achiever of the Year Award Winner and the Harvey Douglas Award Winner for Outstanding Contribution to the Real Estate Industry in 2010.

Mark consistently achieves new record sale prices and lower days on market, and has also sold more homes at auction than any other agent in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie or the Hunter Valley in the last five years.

As a professional real estate coach and speaker Mark is inspiring, motivating and full of ambition. Mark is one of the most talked about agents in the region and you’ll see why when you meet him. He has a great combination of energy and experience that brings a new dimension to the property market.

Ashleigh John – Senior Solicitor and Accredited Specialist, Mullane & Lindsay Solicitors

Ashleigh John is a Senior Solicitor at Mullane & Lindsay Solicitors, and she is a NSW Law Society Accredited Specialist in Family Law. She is also the chairperson of the Greater Newcastle Family Law Pathways Network and the secretary of the Hunter Valley Family Law Practitioners Association.

Having worked primarily in family law for over seven years, Ashleigh has ridden the rollercoaster of changes in the family law arena over this period, including the introduction of de facto and same sex provisions into the Family Law Act in 2009 creating greater equality for all couples.

Ashleigh’s work extends from working with people entering into new relationships and seeking to safeguard their interests; to those involved in marriage and relationship breakdown, and taking a pragmatic approach to achieve the best and most equitable outcomes for them.

Andrew Shakespeare – Director, JSA Financial Planning

Andrew has worked in the financial services industry for over ten years, having worked in Para-Planning, Investment Analyst, and Senior Trainer. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree, a Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance and Investment and a Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning, and recently attained the prestigious accreditation of CFP (Certified Financial Planner) from the FPA. He is also a member of the FPA, AFA, MDRT and Fellow of Financial Services Institute of Australia.

Through his dedication and professionalism in the financial services industry, in 2010 he was awarded the prestigious AFA Rising Star of the Year Award. On receiving this esteemed recognition only strengthened Andrew’s passion for offering strategic financial advice to people from all walks of life.

Andrew is also passionate about helping the community and has been active in local community workshops helping the public understand how shares and markets operate, teaching apprentices about money and managing their personal finances and being involved in charity raising events.