Hanging a gift stocking on the mantelpiece of a real log fireplace is more common than most folks realise. The Census Bureau reports 44% of newly-built houses include an open fireplace, providing cozy winter nights and festive seasons you’ll never forget. So, make sure you are ready for these upcoming Holidays by doing a chimney…
Read more
There are a lot of jobs to do around the home that will improve its value, but when do you put a stop to DIY and call in the experts? Remember, enthusiasm for doing the job yourself does not replace a professional finish. So if your workmanship is likely to lack a professional quality, it…
Read more
Little changes can make a big difference to how you feel about your home so if you are bored, or your rooms are feeling a bit dull, it’s time to have some fun. You don’t need to knock down walls or rip out and replace a kitchen to make everything seem more comfortable. Perhaps it’s…
Read more
If the onset of winter has caught you out, you’re probably wondering how you can quickly prepare your home for the cold weather so there are no expensive problems down the track. Getting a few jobs ticked off your list now will help you avoid some common maintenance problems. Tips for preparing your home for…
Read more
New Zealand homeowners continue to reap the rewards of investing in real estate, with new figures suggesting almost 95% of sales made in the September quarter were achieved at a profit. The results gathered by researcher CoreLogic are slightly down compared to the previous quarter when 98.1% of residential properties were sold at a profit. …
Read more
As we approach the end of 2022, many potential home buyers will be wondering how the market will play out over the next 12 months. Nationally, it’s slipped 2.7% over the past year, at an average of $28,000 for each property. But the performance is pretty erratic. Cities such as Auckland (-5.5%) have taken a…
Read more
Decorating our homes for the festive season is a highlight of the year for many of us, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for family and friends. But finding the right Christmas tree and most suitable decorations can be challenging if you’re in a small apartment or house. It’s a little deflating to buy the…
Read more
With 2023 fast approaching, it’s that time of year when we consider our New Year’s resolutions, or whether we should bother at all having failed countless times before! If you’re one of the many who pledged, but never bothered to: lose weight, go jogging in your lunch hour or stop smoking, then we’ve got a…
Read more
It’s that time again when family and friends ask about New Year’s resolutions. It’s an old chestnut of a conversation, even though most of us are hopeless at keeping the well-meaning promises we make for ourselves. So, how about this year trying something new and focusing on managing your mortgage? With interest rates rising faster…
Read more
If you’re getting out of the city to take a well-earned break this summer, you won’t be alone if your mind wanders and you daydream about owning a holiday home. Such a luxury is the goal of many Australians, who love the idea of somewhere to escape and maybe spend their golden years in more…
Read more
