The rising cost of building materials is slowing, which is great news for owners planning to renovate and buyers looking to find fixer-uppers at a bargain price. The pace of inflation and scarcity of building materials has seen many renovators and property bargain hunters back off for fear they could get caught up in a…
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New data showing a sharp increase in building approvals for apartments is an early indication that market confidence is returning. And it also suggests apartment owners planning to upgrade may want to make their move in the medium term. A jump of 56.6% in building approvals for units was registered by the Australian Bureau of…
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A feature of any wet and warm summer is the emergence of ants, digging their way through the mortar of bricks and pavers and often invading your kitchen. While there are more than 12,000 species in the ant family, the two most common pests across the Southern Hemisphere are the sugar ant (also known as…
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With real estate values recalibrating after two years of double-digit growth, now may offer an opportunity to purchase property using your superannuation fund. You’ll need to have a Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF), which allows you to make your own investment choices. If you’re in an industry-based super fund or similar, this is not viable. If…
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Easter is one of the last opportunities of the year to entertain friends and families before winter sets in. While the nights are closing in and the days become cooler, we are lucky enough to have a climate that encourages outdoor entertaining. Hosting a gathering at your home is a special moment – it’s how…
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Higher tariffs for household gas, plus publicity highlighting how methane emissions from gas cooktops risk your health and contribute to global warming, have many owners considering switching to induction cooking. Gas cooktops are being targeted by organisations such as the Global Cooksafe Coalition. Its goal is to stop gas cooking because of the methane issue.…
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Renovating your home can be a good strategy to improve its value, if you have made the right choices when you purchased. Any upgrade will offer its most significant value the moment it is finished. So, if you’re thinking of moving up the property ladder in the next five years, it’s probably best to start…
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Digital property tours gained in popularity during Covid lockdowns when buyers and agents had to follow restrictions around inspecting homes for sale. These are a great tool tour to capture the attention of buyers as they are scanning through listings on property portals. A professional will create a quality digital tour, using a 360-degree camera…
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Home buyers have entered 2023 on an optimistic note with the latest national research revealing that homes are becoming increasingly affordable. National values dipped 3.4% in the quarter ending December 31, according to the new OneRoof Valocity House Value Index. And that can be good news, too, for owners looking to upgrade their property. Upsizers…
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A significant challenge facing New Zealand remains the affordability of property for first-time buyers. Even though prices across the country have tapered from the incredible rises we witnessed during the pandemic, purchasing your first home remains a significant financial challenge. Often parents will step in to help their children find their first rung on the…
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