How to be savvy when choosing your suburb

Finding the ideal location is one of the secrets of smart buying – you can renovate your property, landscape the garden and even install a swimming pool, but there’s little you can do about your suburb. Factoring in your lifestyle needs is essential whether you’re buying your first property or dream home. While your budget…
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Rents rise 4.1% over the year to September

Property rents are continuing to steadily climb, although more slowly than the general rate of inflation. Rents increased 4.1% in the year to September 2022, compared to 3.2% in the year to September 2021, according to Stats NZ. By contrast, inflation rose 7.2% in the year to September, which means rental rates are rising more…
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Wanna be ghost-free, who ya gonna call?

I don’t want to creep you out as we prepare for Halloween, but you could buy a haunted house and not have a ghost of a chance of knowing. No law in any state says an agent or the owner must explain if or why things go bump in the night or if the undead…
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Spooky designs to haunt this Halloween

Forget hardwood floors, walk-in pantries, and eco-ratings. With everyone’s favorite holiday now upon us, these must-have design features this month will haunt you forever.  Below is a look at the spooky design ideas that are hellishly hot right now.  Wet-look walls Whether it’s wallpaper that spontaneously oozes slime or – for the more ambitious –…
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Six reasons why it makes sense to sell in winter

If you’re preparing to sell your home in the next few months, you may find that making your move this winter rather than waiting for a spring campaign will deliver a better result. The theories and myths of real estate suggest spring is the best time of year to sell your home.  But actually, there’s…
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Seven simple ideas to winterize your home

The first frost on the ground will be a timely reminder that you may have a few jobs to do around the home before the cold weather sets in. Winterizing your home will not only make it more comfortable but it should save a small fortune on utility bills that seem to rise with every…
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Market mood a neat balancing act

As the American economy changes down gears in an effort to quell post-pandemic inflation, it’s easy to over-read the impact on real estate. Like many sectors of economy, the pendulum of power continually swings between seller and buyer.  In property, as Americans face higher mortgage costs, the momentum is coming back towards the buyer after…
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Eight ways to get ready for a winter sale

It doesn’t matter what time of year you decide to sell, there’s always a list of season-specific tasks that must be completed to ensure your home is presentation-perfect when buyers start walking through your door. If you’re planning your move right now, you’ll be figuring out how to make the most of the winter market…
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Apps designed to make moving house easy

Moving home is often considered one of life’s most stressful events, but technology can help simplify the process. There are numerous apps designed to assist with various aspects of moving. Here’s how you can find the right apps to make your move smoother: Avvinue You begin by filling out a questionnaire. Based on your answers, it…
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How to stay positive as a first-home buyer

Entering the real estate market as a first-time buyer can be challenging, especially when property prices seem to be constantly rising. However, it’s important to stay positive and focused on your goal of homeownership. As an experienced real estate agent, I’ve seen many first-time buyers successfully navigate changing market conditions. Here are some tips to…
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