Opportunity often rises in times of change, and that’s true for homeowners wishing to upsize as the market adapts to higher mortgage rates and cost of living expenses. Upsizing in a market that’s coming off the boil can feel scary but it can be positive. While you might sell for slightly less than a few…
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The evolving nature of work has led to significant changes in how people use their living spaces. As remote and hybrid work arrangements become more common, the demand for home offices has increased, impacting the real estate market. Many homeowners and potential buyers now prioritize dedicated workspace within their homes. This shift is influencing home…
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When considering a remodeling project to increase your home’s value before a sale, it’s crucial to approach the process strategically. Your focus should be on projects that offer the best return on investment without risking delays that could affect your moving timeline. Investing in upgrades can potentially lead to a better sale price, but it’s…
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With summer in full swing, it’s a great time to see which projects around the home you can complete before the first chill winds of fall arrive. As a local real estate agent, I don’t advocate that any homeowner spend their entire summer with a hammer and bag of nails – that’s way too boring.…
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So you’ve fallen in love with your first dream home! Now it’s time for a reality check; and I’m not talking about the price or even whether one or more buyers are trying to beat you to the same property. No, it’s time to call in the experts: a builder, roofer and pest inspector to…
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Prices are rising fast for many goods and services, so it’s never been more important to economise. With that in mind, here are seven things you can do to save money without seriously affecting your quality of life. New Zealand’s inflation rate has reached 7.3%, the highest level in 32 years, according to the most…
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Property prices may have declined in New Zealand as a whole during the first half of 2022, but some towns and regions actually experienced growth. Two major cities recorded price growth between January and May, along with a collection of smaller communities. Property prices may have declined in New Zealand as a whole during the…
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The government has introduced a new regulatory regime to govern conduct in the financial sector. Under the new regime, the authorities will be able to ban or regulate certain sales incentives. Also, banks will have to maintain effective policies to ensure customers are treated fairly. The government has introduced a new regulatory regime to govern…
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After the property market boomed in 2021 and started cooling in the first half of 2022, it now appears to have stabilised, according to realestate.co.nz. The data is also telling a much more positive story than the doom-and-gloom headlines might suggest. After the property market boomed in 2021 and started cooling in the first half…
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National residential construction costs increased 10.0% over the 12 months to June 2022, according to CoreLogic’s Cordell Construction Cost Index. That’s the highest annual growth rate on record, apart from a 10.2% result in 2001, when the GST was introduced. CoreLogic construction cost estimation manager John Bennett said that as fuel, freight and electricity costs…
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