Category: Buyers

Investors lead charge to put market in positive spring mood

A jump of 30% in the value of investor loans has buoyed the real estate market as it prepares for a huge spring selling season. Loans for owner-occupiers are also higher, rising 13.2% compared with the corresponding period 12 months ago. The total value of new housing loans rose 1.3% in June to $29.2 billion…
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Is it a good idea to buy property in a high crime area?

Affordable property is hard to find these days and more people are being forced to make tough home choices when buying. Such as, is it worth buying an affordable home if it means living in a high-crime area? This issue is reinforced with more people compelled to live in cheaper, outer-ring areas where crime can…
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Three factors topping the minds of NZ buyers right now

New Zealand’s property market continues to show an uneven recovery with luxury areas breaking price records while other regionss struggle against a cocktail of economic malaise and mortgage costs. The bellwether of the Kiwi real estate scene is Auckland, and it’s experiencing fluctuating fortunes.  Auckland owners will be happy the cost of an average dwelling…
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Are tiny homes the next big thing for American property?

Across America, we’ve been experiencing a seller’s market as buyers compete over a limited number of homes for sale amid steep mortgage costs. We’ve also seen something unexpected – an increase in the number of “tiny home” designs coming onto the market to give first-time buyers a foothold in the real estate market. If you…
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Dodge high mortgage costs with an assumable loan

Anxiety over mortgage costs has challenged America’s real estate market as buyers try to figure out how the Federal Reserve’s interest policy will hit their household bottom line in the short term. Media consistently reports how many upgraders on 2% mortgage deals now face renegotiated loans demanding 6%-7%, but it doesn’t always have to be…
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Mortgage giant predicts two interest rate cuts this year

Many “wannabe” buyers and sellers are attempting to read the tea leaves of the property market at the moment, trying to determine when mortgage costs will fall and how that event will impact the cost of homes. Predictions earlier this year that we could expect up to four rate cuts before the Holidays – a…
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Curse of the Critters may be on your target purchase

Finding the perfect home is about more than having enough bedrooms, square footage, or falling in love with the property’s curb appeal. You also want to be sure about your neighbors, and I am not talking about the ones on the other side of the fence or across the street. These neighbors are more like…
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Seven problems a property inspection can reveal

A shortage of homes for sale across America can lead to some buyers making rash decisions to win a property against other interested parties. This is dangerous – by all means fall in love with the home of your dreams, but you must know exactly what you are buying. Whether you’ve targeted an apartment, condo…
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Best body language strategies for auctions

Buying property at auction is very different to that of a private sale with the latter usually a less stressful process. However, sales agents and vendors generally prefer auction sales as they can drive the property price higher and faster. Buyers may also prefer auctions as they can see the competition around them and get…
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As hopes rise for a rate cut amid rare window of opportunity

New data from property media company OneRoof provides a stark view of the current housing market in New Zealand as pressure continues to build on the Reserve Bank (RBNZ) to drop interest rates. In the past month, it has kept the Official Cash Rate (OCR) at 5.5% – significantly higher than Australia’s (4.56%) and Canada’s…
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