Are you at home, wondering why you’re spending so much on your heating bills and still feeling a chilly draft? If so, I doubt you’re the only one. Some 90% of residential properties are under-insulated, according to measurements taken by the Home Energy Rating System (HERS). It’s claimed that Americans would reduce electricity consumption by…
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We may be in the middle of winter right now, but it’s only a few weeks before spring and an excellent time to start planning your garden. It’s a smart play to research the plants you’d love to see this year rather than wander into your local gardening store without a plan and become overwhelmed…
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One of the first and most important actions when selling a home is to find a high-quality real estate agent. Choosing an agent can be a confronting challenge so it’s worth looking at some figures from proptech Active Pipe. Research revealed sellers made their choice based on: personality of the agent (24.2%); reputation, conveyed by…
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The Federal Reserve has created 18 months of rate hikes to calm inflation, but the real challenge for the property market has been the continuing high 10-year bond yield. These bonds are viewed as one of the safest possible investments and an indicator of investor confidence in the economy, so the yield will impact mortgage…
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Constant foot traffic and the inevitable knocks of everyday living eventually take the gloss from any hardwood floors. Many buyers highly value a beautiful wooden floor. It’s an elegant foundation that sets the tone for the rest of the property. These tips will help restore these floors to their former glory. Return on investment If…
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Market predictions indicate that 2024 will herald a property sell-off by many investors, even though prices are rising and the risk of further interest rate increases has all but evaporated. At the heart of concerns is the new National Coalition Government’s plans to shake up the real estate investor market. Under its election policies, the…
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The New Zealand property market is showing signs of a resurgence with a return to positive price trends and a greater volume of homes coming onto the market. Three key factors powering predictions for 2024 include speed of the market downturn, immigration numbers and the possibility that interest rates have peaked. The bottom of the…
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With Australia’s property market in a resurgent mood at the end of 2023, the prospects for continued value increases for the next 12 months appear strong. The cash rate hike to 4.35% on Melbourne Cup Day may have dampened the party, but industry researcher CoreLogic continues to show monthly rises of up to 0.9% in…
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With the direction of interest rates on the minds of buyers as we enter 2024, many first-time purchasers are settling on an apartment rather than stretching finances further to secure a detached house. Prices of detached properties generally rise faster than apartments because of the intrinsic land value. However, apartment living is becoming increasingly popular,…
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Preparing an older home for sale often presents a few maintenance challenges. Fixing problems that may have been annoying you for months or years is essential if you’re going to maximise the value of your property. One of the challenges is fixing dirty or cracked garage floors. Getting long-term grease out of the cement is…
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