Covid has been a major disruptor to the workforce but, for many, it’s also offered a positive change to how our employers view work-life balance. Many studies have now shown that workers simply will not be returning to the demands of pre-pandemic days. A survey conducted for the University of Sydney’s business school revealed that…
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Did you know that creating a private outdoor paradise is possible no matter what size property you are able to afford? In fact, if you buy an apartment, townhouse or home on a small block, it’s often easier because the smaller the space you are working with, the smaller your budget for plants and outdoor…
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Now that you have moved into your new home, is the garden thriving? If your plants are not looking as fresh and healthy as they were when you inspected the property, it may be as simple as reviewing your watering schedule. Check out these handy hints to help bring the garden back to life. Early…
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Decluttering your home is an essential task when preparing for a sale. A clear-out will create additional space that buyers love, and it will give you the best chance to maximise the value of your property. Target areas should include the living room, kitchen and children’s bedrooms, all of which tend to be magnets for…
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Renovating a kitchen can be a lot of fun when you plan your project carefully, and it offers terrific financial rewards if you give it a spruce up before putting your home on the market. The kitchen is one of the most influential areas of a home in the eyes of buyers. It can contribute…
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One of the most common pieces of advice you’ll receive from an agent when you’re preparing to sell will be to suggest you tone down any bold colours in your home. Bright red feature walls and pink bedrooms are an agent’s nightmare because brash paintwork of any rainbow hue will likely send many prospective buyers…
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Many sellers experience nervousness and even pangs of anxiety as the deadline for their first open house looms large. It’s a big moment, of course. There’s a lot on the line and you want prospective buyers to have the best possible impression of your home. Owners focused on preparing their homes for this moment can…
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One of the big reasons to use mortgage advisers, rather than go direct-to-lender, is because they give you more choice. And one big way in which advisers offer more choice is by including non-bank lending institutions on their home loan panel. As the name suggests, non-bank lending institutions do offer loans but don’t have a…
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New and existing build-to-rent developments will now be exempt from the interest limitation rules that recently came into force. Since 1 October 2021, it has no longer been possible to claim interest for residential property acquired on or after 27 March 2021. For properties acquired before 27 March 2021, the ability to deduct interest is…
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As interest rates rise, it’s possible New Zealand will experience an increase in ‘mortgagee sales’, which presents both opportunities and risks for buyers. A mortgage sale is when a borrower defaults on their mortgage, causing the lender (i.e. the mortgagee) to seize and sell the property. For buyers, the big upside to acquiring a home…
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