If you feel like you’ve spent half your summer shaking sand out of towels, washing swimmers, rashies and other sundry items, then you’re probably ready to have a conversation about revamping your laundry. From a real estate point of view, the humble laundry is an unsung hero because it can set your property apart when…
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Buying an older home may be a great way to secure the perfect location in your search for a dream property. But, once you move in, it may be worth considering making some changes to the house so it is more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. Some of the upgrades you could consider include adding or…
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With property prices falling in many parts of New Zealand, you may need to work smarter if you want to sell your home for a premium price. Here are five tips to maximise your selling price in a cooling market: 1. Choose a good real estate agent During the recent boom, even mediocre real estate…
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With Silicon Valley Bank collapsing in America and Credit Suisse coming close in Switzerland, you might be wondering about the resilience of New Zealand banks. The good news is that all of the main banks are currently operating above the minimum regulatory requirements, according to the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ). “We are aware…
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You might have heard that property prices double every 10 years. But is it true? Well, data from realestate.co.nz found that more than half of New Zealand’s 76 districts experienced a doubling in their average asking price over the decade to 2022. The biggest increases occurred in: Kawerau = up 293.9% to $494,172. Horowhenua =…
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The government has introduced the Severe Weather Emergency Legislation Bill to minimise the red tape involved in the recovery and rebuild from Cyclone Gabrielle. This bill is designed to remove or modify existing legislative constraints to support recovery, just like similar legislation that was passed after the Christchurch and Kaikōura earthquakes. Minister for Emergency Management…
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The tragic Auckland floods, Cyclone Gabrielle, and the recent surge in construction costs have thrown a harsh spotlight on the need for home insurance. Being underinsured can leave deep financial scars. More than 20,000 claims related to the Auckland floods have been made, and more are expected. It’s New Zealand’s largest climate-related insurance event, according…
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There’s a light at the end of the tunnel, or at least the first indication of one, in the latest January house price data. Tapering values across New Zealand slowed by 1.2% in the three months to the end of January, according to the OneRoof-Valocity House Value Index. After dipping 4.3% in the September quarter,…
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It’s a good time to be a buyer, with prices trending down and owners with property on the market keen to strike a deal. Many pundits believe we’ve entered a buyer’s market, although the reality of higher interest rates tempers that judgement. As an experienced local agency, we’ve worked through similar economic cycles before. And…
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Our expectations of a modern home are changing, and that’s having a direct impact on how many owners are approaching renovation projects. The work-from-home (WFH) movement, climate change and the pandemic aftermath are the most powerful factors influencing today’s designs. Owners are keen to explore sustainable building materials and want the highest levels of insulation…
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