Category: Buyers

Are condos right for first-home buyers?

Buying a condo can be a good option for first-time homebuyers who want to own property while keeping costs and maintenance responsibilities low. Whether this is a good option for you will depend on factors including your lifestyle, budget, and personal preferences.  It’s also important to consider the potential downsides, such as homeowners’ association fees…
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What to look for when buying a holiday home

Buying a holiday home is a dream for many people who want to have a place to escape to during their time off work, but it can be a daunting process.  With so many options available, it can be difficult to know where to start.  Here are our Top 5 Tips on how to buy…
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Finding a property with the right infrastructure

Checklists for finding a good property location usually include items such as whether the home is in a quiet street and close to schools, shops, transport and other local amenities. But it can also pay to look a bit further, by examining large infrastructure services such as the power and water supply plus internet connectivity.…
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How to check broadband access when buying a home

If you are dependent on the internet for work, school, or entertainment, then checking local broadband access is a crucial consideration when buying a home. If you wait until you move in, it is likely that a slow or unreliable internet will prove frustrating and affect your quality of life. When checking for broadband access,…
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Overcoming challenges that can crash a deal

Now the real estate pendulum has swung towards normal market behavior after 24 months of record increases in values, both buyers and sellers are having to recalibrate their negotiation positions.  When a market transitions, you have to work a little harder to negotiate successfully. That’s true for both the seller and the buyer because you’ve…
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Five strategies an agent may suggest for you

When buying a new home, you’re likely to receive advice from your agent on sales trends in your target neighborhoods and how a deal might be negotiated with a particular buyer. Check out these examples of common advice, so you can decide how you might respond.  Creating tension Many agents leverage neighborhood listings when negotiating…
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Buyers spoilt for choice in current market

Property market insights released in March by realestate.co.nz suggest the number of properties for sale in February was up 25% on the previous 12 months. The 29,000 homes on the market was the highest figure since 2015.  While this is great news for buyers, owners have responded to the conditions by delaying their decision to…
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Immigration recovery likely to impact property market

The first signs of a turn in fortunes for the property market are starting to appear, giving hope that values might begin to recover this year. National immigration numbers have quickly reversed their negative trends, which will positively impact demand within the real estate market.  From losing 16,000 people a year in the Covid aftermath,…
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Back to basics – tips for buying and selling real estate

Deciding whether to sell your existing home before buying a new one or buying now and selling later can depend on your individual circumstances, financial situation, and the current state of the real estate market.  Here are some tips and tricks to look out for if you are thinking of buying or selling: Do your…
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Sustainable living for first-home buyers

Climate change is having an increasing impact on real estate, and as a first-home buyer, it’s important to consider sustainability when looking to purchase a property.  By thinking about a home’s green features you will not only reduce your environmental impact but also potentially lower your energy costs. It is a good idea to consider…
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