Five surprising areas where germs lurk in your home

As the weather warms, we must all be mindful that the summer heat is a breeding ground for germs around the house. It’s never more important to keep a clean home than during the summer months. Doors and windows are often left open to bring in the cooling breeze, but insects, dust and pollen can…
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Resolving neighbor disputes: trees and fences

It’s no secret some of the nastiest neighbor disputes are due to fence and tree issues.  Commonsense and good manners go a long way when neighborly tensions arise.  As an experienced local agent, I always counsel homeowners to take a deep breath before filing a lawsuit over a neighbor’s noxious weed tree or collapsing fence.…
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First-time buyers dominating Kiwi property scene

First-home buyers remain the dominant group in the Kiwi real estate market, buying more than 40% of all properties in the first half of this year. With listings up 120% in less than three years, first-home buyers are enjoying a wider choice of properties and a strong negotiating position.  They’ll likely receive a further boost…
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Upgraders making a comeback, says CoreLogic

If you’re considering putting your property on the market in the next few months to catch the spring selling season, you’ll likely be researching New Zealand’s real estate trends. With house prices still averaging $975,000 and rising nationally by 3.3% year-on-year, you’d be right in thinking we have a solid, if not spectacular, market. Yet,…
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Buyer optimism blossoms despite our chilly winter

The strength of the Australian residential market continues to power ahead, registering value growth for the 16th successive month. Home values increased 0.8% in May, which is the largest monthly gain since last October. The mid-sized capitals are leading the way. The three hottest cities right now are Perth (+2% in May alone), Adelaide (1.8%)…
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Data shows no sign of building boom on the way

With pressure on the Federal Government to encourage the building of more homes to ease price pressures and the historically tight rental market, new data reveals a slowing in residential construction.  The Australian Bureau of Statistics has reported the total number of dwellings approved fell in April. Daniel Rossi, the ABS head of construction statistics,…
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Exaggerated landlord claims in ATO crosshairs

Even as Australia faces a historic shortage of rental properties, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has warned real estate investors their tax returns will be scrutinised closely. The ATO claims nine out of 10 landlords make mistakes in their tax returns, so they’ll receive special attention this year. As an experienced real estate agency with…
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Spring into action to create the perfect summer garden

Six essential steps for a spring sale

Many homeowners will soon begin to consider listing their property for the upcoming spring real estate market.  Spring is traditionally a peak time for home sales due to increased buyer activity and favourable weather conditions. As an experienced real estate agency in your area, we’d recommend you begin thinking about a spring sale today.  The…
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How will property trends affect your decision to sell?

When planning to sell your home, it’s natural to want to understand the health of the real estate market and the likelihood you’ll achieve the desired price for your property. Yet, for many owners, today’s marketplace is difficult to read.  Currently, we have high interest rates as the Reserve Bank of Australia continues to put…
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Eight essential tips to help you renovate for profit

With property values trending positively once again, many prospective buyers are looking for fixer-uppers they can renovate and flip to capitalise on our buoyant market. With the likelihood of interest rate reductions later this year and into 2025, it’s a great time to plan a new property adventure.  Of course, renovating and flipping a property…
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