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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For months now, owners have been keeping a keen eye on the falling rate of inflation in the hope it would signal cheaper mortgage costs and boost the property market. Now Canada’s inflation is 2.5%. It doesn’t mean anything is any cheaper, but it signals the fast pace of price rises, which most global economies…
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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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It’s the calm before the storm – two interest rate cuts are now complete but the housing market remains stubbornly poised for growth as buyers and owners wait to see the impact. Home sales fell 0.7% in July, compared with the June numbers, according to the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA). June had recorded a…
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Springtime is the favourite moment to get the duster flying around the home and banish all those cobwebs that gathered silently in dark corners during the winter months. For those of you preparing to sell your home this spring, it’s important to spend time on a deep clean strategy to offer potential buyers a great…
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Creating wealth for later in life is a goal most of us embrace and spend our entire working lives trying to accomplish. And for the vast majority, property investment is a huge component of their strategies. Many young people today feel the idea of owning property is beyond their reach. However, there are strategies to…
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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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Winter is notorious for giving us a spike in energy costs, so this is a perfect time to take a closer look at our usage to see if we can reduce our household running costs before spring arrives. Heaters and coolers are the greatest energy hogs, of course. Research suggests heating accounts for 38% of…
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One secret to a great property sale is the ability of owners to give the impression their home has oodles of space and storage. Homes full of furniture feel cluttered and insufficient, diminishing buyers’ willingness to purchase or devaluing the offers for the property. As well as decluttering and encouraging as much natural light as…
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After the prolonged cold weather that many of us have endured this winter, it’s probably hard to think about the onset of spring and the opportunities the warmer days will give us to rejuvenate our gardens. Yet, spring is just a few weeks away. Our gardens will start to burst into life, and so will…
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