Have you ever heard of the trend called Cashmere Kitchen? It’s a new fashion based on an old philosophy of making your kitchen cosy with warm neutrals rather than taking the more modern path of a stark-white tableau. Designers say that to create a Cashmere Kitchen you must use natural materials with neutral colours and…
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As we enter 2026, the real estate market continues to produce outstanding results for sellers and investors despite buyer disappointment at the Reserve Bank of Australia’s decision to not cut interest rates for a fourth time in less than 12 months. The average value of a home rose 1% in November, following a 1.1% rise…
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As we enter 2026, New Zealanders can reflect on a property market that resisted a recovery despite nine interest rate cuts but saw values remain steady. As the latest OneRoof home survey points out, there were winners and losers in 2025, and we should not feel downcast about the immediate future. The latest cut of…
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In an effort to maximise their home’s value, owners will make at least two significant improvements before it goes on the market. One of the most common areas of focus is the bathroom because of its influence on a buyer’s assessment of your home. A full renovation of a bathroom can cost tens of thousands…
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One of the biggest hurdles for homebuyers is picturing themselves living in a house or apartment that still feels like it belongs to someone else. When you list your home, your goal is to make it as easy as possible for potential buyers to emotionally connect with the property. Real estate agents overwhelmingly recommend decluttering…
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Real estate thrives on fashion – we love colours that are in vogue, textures that are back in style and ideas for renovating that capture the imagination of owners and buyers alike. One of the most anticipated reports from those of us who follow the fashions is the trend survey undertaken by America’s Kitchen and…
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Amid the concerted program of interest rate cuts over the past 18 months – the official cash rate is down to 2.25% from a 5% post-Covid high – our real estate market is experiencing an erratic recovery that will eventually see values rebound consistently. The latest data shows the number of home resales increased by…
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It’s crystal ball season, and the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) has updated its forecasts for 2026 – and it’s feeling bullish! National home sales are forecast to rebound by 7.7% to 509,479. If correct, that prediction would deliver the highest level for activity since 2021. “Historically, national home sales have only ever cracked the…
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With Canada’s policy interest rate now less than half of its peak of 18 months ago, Canadians continue to cautiously return to the real estate market. While delighted that the Bank of Canada has reduced its benchmark overnight rate to 2.25% from a peak of 5% in May 2024, Canadians remain concerned about the economic…
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The power of colour can be transformative for your property as you prepare it for sale. When your house or apartment is listed, your favourite palette has to shift from personal taste to investment strategy. The right hue doesn’t just refresh a room, it impacts on buyers’ perceptions, digital photography and, most importantly, the final…
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