Category: General

Market dynamics favour more deals in 2025

The Kiwi property market enters 2025 in an environment of falling interest rates, new lending rules, economic challenges and an increasing number of properties coming onto the market. It’s a lot to take in. After a tough couple of years for upsizers and aspiring first homebuyers, our real estate scene is finally loosening up thanks…
Read more

Cooling rents still offer good news for investors

The large rent hikes Canada has experienced since the pandemic are finally coming off the boil. Rents are not falling but the rate of growth is tapering down, slowing to 5.4% from a historic peak of 8% in mid-2023. That means investors have not only enjoyed record levels of rental income but will continue to…
Read more

Buyers, investors make their move as market comes alive

If you’re considering whether to enter the property market to upgrade or purchase your first home, it’s a valuable exercise to study the key market factors that could be working in your favour. Across NZ, listings are hitting record numbers while the cost of cash – the Official Cash Rate (OCR) – has dropped to…
Read more

Get ready for boom spring selling season

Significant challenges confront our country in 2025 with a change of leadership, continuing economic turbulence and a different style of engagement with the US. Among the concerns of many people is how this will affect the Canadian real estate market and their ambitions to buy their first home, upgrade to a bigger property or downsize…
Read more

10 tips for hosting a romantic Valentine’s dinner

If there’s “Someone Special” in your life, then it’s pretty certain you’re already starting to think about how you can make Valentine’s Day truly magical. Flowers – preferably roses, coloured red – and a lovely card have become prerequisites for the love-struck guy.  But it doesn’t have to be the man who has to make…
Read more

New mortgage rule changes hit positive note for market

Changes to rules for how you can buy property in Canada are likely to give the local market a significant boost in 2025 and beyond. It’s great news for upgraders and first homebuyers after a two-year period of high interest rates and appreciating property prices. The price cap for taking out an insured mortgage is…
Read more

Remote workers head for the hills and slopes

The rise of remote working continues across the US today, even though many companies are now calling their workers back to the office. As an experienced agent, I see how the work-from-home movement continues to transform the real estate scene.  Buyers continue to prioritize properties that have suitable space for a home office, and they…
Read more

Quiet markets indicate smart investor buying

Predictions of a turnaround for the Canadian property market follow a quiet transaction period as we ended 2024.  And while last December may seem a lifetime ago now, the transaction trend in many urban centres suggests there’s excellent buying opportunities if you can make your move before the 2025 market really springs into action. As…
Read more

Seven ways to tidy your home in time for autumn

The summer school holidays can be hard on the “House-Proud” – those people who love everything to be neat and tidy. As the adage goes, “everything has a place and everything in its place”. But when you’ve got kids home from school for weeks on end, and the doors and windows open to trap a…
Read more

Inspection attention is vital during winter

Winter is a great time to buy a property – you don’t have the competition of spring and summer buyers. Usually, you’ll be able to enjoy additional time to consider your options when choosing a house, apartment or condo.  But it doesn’t always work out like that. If there’s another prospective buyer in the picture,…
Read more