Maximising the value of their home should be the goal of any owner planning to enter the market. A well-maintained and beautifully presented home will always attract interest, leading to multiple offers and a higher final sale price. Today’s buyers are usually more willing to pay a premium for a turn-key property that requires no…
Read more
As the leaves continue to descend, and fall enters its last month, it’s been interesting to see how the leaf blower has taken over from the humble rake to clear away nature’s debris in many of our neighbourhoods. Is this a good adoption of technology? Is trading a little physical effort for battery-powered convenience the…
Read more
If you want to sell your home quickly and efficiently, there’s no better time than winter. Even though days are starting to turn chilly, there are a number of factors in your favour. There will be fewer new properties coming onto the market to compete with you. And as an experienced agency, we can testify…
Read more
For a property market in which buyers are staying away in the belief prices may fall further, there’s plenty of evidence to suggest it’s time to stop standing on the sidelines. A new survey from the industry researcher Cotality (formerly CoreLogic) says so-called “mum and dad” investors are back, quickly becoming 25% of all buyers.…
Read more
The significant 0.5% reduction in the Official Cash Rate (OCR) last month is now expected to spur on the New Zealand property market as buyers continue their cautious approach. The rate is now just 2.5%, down from 5.5% in July of 2024. And this stimulus is expected to fuel not just the property sector but…
Read more
If you’re a first homebuyer, scouring the spring market seeking a mix of value and investment, you might be wondering whether the Government has done you a favour by offering to underwrite up to 15% of your home loan. The seemingly generous scheme, called the Home Guarantee Scheme (HGS), allows first-time buyers to purchase with…
Read more
First homebuyers have added impetus to make a deal before the end of the year with new data showing that rents are on the rise again. The average rent is now $702 a week in Australia’s capital cities, which is 25% above the five-year average. Regional rents, while less expensive, are still not cheap. The…
Read more
When preparing your home for sale, there’s probably no more important focal point than the bathrooms and the kitchen. Sometimes, a little regrouting around the taps works wonders from an aesthetic perspective. Clear and white silicone will often turn black with continued exposure to water. If you attempt to do the job yourself, don’t neglect…
Read more
What do buyers really want? It’s a question that’s asked continually both those about to put their homes on the market. The answer can never be constant. Society, technology and the economy shape and change our lives in ways we might not have desired or intended. As the Australian market begins to see a peak…
Read more
Debate about whether it’s better to buy a new home or an established property is as old as the real estate sector itself. New homes have an inherent value because they should have fewer maintenance costs and challenges, although that’s not always the case. They should also benefit from modern design and convenience. With older…
Read more
