Your house will likely be your greatest asset and most significant source of debt. So, in these unsettling times, it’s a smart idea to find out if you have the best mortgage deal. The Reserve Bank has maintained the official cash rate (OCR) at 1% and signalled that it would move it lower to stimulate…
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Video is a great way to help sellers even though open houses and private inspections are back on the agenda after the government implemented Level Two of the coronavirus emergency. If your marketing budget doesn’t stretch to a high-end 3D virtual tour or a professional videographer, then you can produce your own video with a…
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Tenants have been given a helping hand from the government because of the coronavirus, and this has implications for landlords, too. Even though we are now at Level 2, the economic stress for many is still very much part of their lives. Government rules state no tenant can refuse to pay rent unless they are…
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New Zealand’s outstanding response to containing the COVID-19 crisis has won global praise and also retained the core strength of our economy. This is never more evident than in the property market, where keen buyer interest continues despite the lockdown and social distancing restrictions. Median prices were up 13.7% to the end of March, and…
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Even as restrictions around isolation ease, if you’re looking to sell your home, you’ll need to modify your approach with some common-sense steps that take COVID-19 into account. As your agents, we’re happy to discuss the best marketing options for your home in these times. We’re seeing increasing use of 3D or virtual tours, video…
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Now Australia has flattened its COVID-19 curve, a discussion is starting about how we get ourselves back to normal in the coming months. Tough, courageous decisions lay ahead but one thing is for sure, a healthy property market will be at the top of the post-virus economy wishlist. Nothing powers our economy more than a…
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Uncertain times always create opportunity, especially in real estate. Good buying exists not just in the residential sector but also for commercial property and in real estate investment trusts. Don’t let the media’s focus on house price fluctuation and auction clearance rates sway you from considering all the alternatives in real estate. Here, we’ve broken…
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Climbing the property ladder is an ambition that you usually harbour during the good times when property prices are buoyant, your income is safe and everyone seems to be an eternal optimist. That’s not necessarily the best time to strike out and buy. Real property gains are made in the hard times when the economy…
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With open houses starting again, buyers no longer have to rely on a specially arranged private inspection or video walk-throughs. But there are still smart ways to approach the challenge of buying property. Ask your real estate agent for the floorplan of the property you’re interested in. If you study it carefully, you will get…
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Should I let my tenant reduce their rent? Not without reason. Tenants need to prove hardship directly due to the COVID-19 crisis. A letter from their employer is a start. The government-declared moratorium on evictions is not a rental holiday. Ask your property manager for advice. We’re still waiting for the government’s rent relief package,…
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