Investing in your kitchen is never a bad strategy – a “Cost vs. Value” report from Zillow shows even the smallest improvements can deliver a return on investment of between 70%-100%. Improving the quality of your countertop and appliances will always catch the eye of the discerning buyer when you decide to sell. Zillow research…
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Do you value your peace of mind? Do you sleep better if you know that you’ve taken out insurance, limited all your risks and that the future is secure, at least as far as you could ever tell? If this sounds like you, you might want to investigate a home warranty – it’s a service…
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Choosing the right floor for your home is an important decision because it sets the tone for design and comfort. Most of us make this type of decision so few times in our lives, it’s difficult to be confident we’re making the right selection without lots of research and advice. Another challenge is that every…
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No buyer is the same – each one has their own priorities and preferences as they walk through the front door of your home or apartment. Their idea of perfect living will always align to their lifestyle. So, no matter how much effort you put into preparing your home for sale, the majority of buyers…
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With the Holidays and New Year celebrations behind us, the spring sales season for real estate kicks off in little more than three months’ time. If you’re planning on selling your home at this peak buying period, you might find it a little scary to think you have around 12-16 weeks to prepare. Spring is…
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As we enter 2026, New Zealanders can reflect on a property market that resisted a recovery despite nine interest rate cuts but saw values remain steady. As the latest OneRoof home survey points out, there were winners and losers in 2025, and we should not feel downcast about the immediate future. The latest cut of…
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Just as Kiwis were getting used to the idea the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) might end its program of interest rate cuts, Westpac NZ shocked everyone by raising rates 0.3% on fixed term loans. The move prompted Finance Minister Nicola Willis to suggest owners and first-home buyers should “shop around”. After Westpac announced…
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As we enter 2026, the real estate market continues to produce outstanding results for sellers and investors despite buyer disappointment at the Reserve Bank of Australia’s decision to not cut interest rates for a fourth time in less than 12 months. The average value of a home rose 1% in November, following a 1.1% rise…
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Have you ever heard of the trend called Cashmere Kitchen? It’s a new fashion based on an old philosophy of making your kitchen cosy with warm neutrals rather than taking the more modern path of a stark-white tableau. Designers say that to create a Cashmere Kitchen you must use natural materials with neutral colours and…
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When preparing your home for sale, it can feel like there are a million tasks ahead of you, each vitally important to winning over the buyer and achieving your maximum possible price. One of the overlooked elements of a home is the quality of the flooring. It’s true that buyers don’t walk into a home…
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