The day you own your first home is joyous – finally you’re on the property ladder with a place of your very own and the opportunity to build your wealth. And after probably saving for years for your deposit, there should be no small measure of delighted relief that you’ve achieved your goal. Of course,…
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Many folks find buying a rug a real conundrum – what is the best size for a room? Is it cool to put a rug on top of carpet? And is it supposed to match the carpet, the furnishings or can it be a random statement of color and pattern? It’s certainly a lot easier…
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The latest sales data for real estate across America shows a dip in March – a fact that the National Association of Realtors said reflected a downturn in “housing mobility”. Its chief economist said this could become a societal trend as folks decided to “stay in place” rather than move for reasons of work or…
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Creating a beautiful garden is a labor of love that requires careful planning and big decisions about the best plants for shady areas and those that capture full sun. One of the biggest decisions – figuratively and literally – is to select an ideal tree. You need to consider its ultimate height and spread so…
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With interest rates in full retreat, Kiwi confidence in the property market grows stronger with every month that passes. The number of successful sales has increased 3.4% on last year’s numbers, and the average value rose 0.4% in the three months to March. The average property in New Zealand is now worth $970,000. Our property…
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New Zealand property buyers enjoyed more good news with another cut in the Official Cash Rate (OCR). The Reserve Bank of New Zealand took the knife to the OCR for a fifth time since last August, reducing the rate 0.25% to 3.5%. Determined to spark up emerging economic growth and support the five-month momentum of…
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Preparing your home for sale is more than simply tidying up and giving the place a good vacuum if you want to maximise the value. It’s a great idea to focus on the rooms that have real selling power. For most homes – apartments and houses – these are the living areas, bathrooms and kitchen. …
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As a serious property investor, you’re likely to be well-versed in the need to diversify not only the types of property in your portfolio but also their locations. These two factors should dominate your strategy in the same way that your tactical choices are influenced by the potential for capital growth and rental yields. All…
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Selling your home in the depths of winter might seem daunting, but with the market striking a positive note since the New Year, your timing could not be better. You can safely put aside any doubts about a winter sales campaign. As any real estate agent will tell you, there’s never been a bad time…
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For many Australians, and especially first homebuyers, the belief that purchasing property is a great way to build your wealth is foundational. While we all realise real estate has its ebbs and flows – like any other market – society has taught us that property is a solid investment for our futures. It might not…
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