With headlines of a global reduction in oil and price rises, it’s no surprise an increasing number of buyers are seeking environmentally sustainable homes. Properties that consume minimal electricity for heat and air-conditioning are in big demand. As an experienced agency, we find some buyers will often cite their desire for a “sustainable home” without…
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Apartment buyers are often confronted with the most basic of questions: should I purchase a new unit, or opt for an older building that has long since passed its teething problems? Unfortunately, the answer is as old as the question: it depends! There are pros and cons to both options, as we have listed below.…
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It’s an exciting moment when you’re about to sign a contract to buy your dream home; the possibilities for this new chapter in your life will feel limitless. Before walking this path, though, a few serious administrative tasks must be completed. Perhaps one that can be overlooked is checking the smoke alarms on the property.…
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It’s a challenging time for upsizers and first-home buyers as they determine if they have enough cash and credit to fulfil their immediate property ambitions. Changing interest rates have made the mortgage and refinancing landscape a moveable feast. Lenders are tending to take more time in assessing applications at the moment as they weigh up…
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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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Property buyers are in an increasingly strong position, with vendors reacting to the cooling market by lowering their asking prices. Between January, when the market peaked, and September, the national average asking price fell 7.2%, from $992,659 to $921,187, according to realestate.co.nz. That shows a willingness by vendors to lower their expectations if they want…
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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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First home buyer market share has reached its highest level in recorded history, according to the most recent data from the Reserve Bank of New Zealand. First home buyers were responsible for 20.8% of the $5.4 billion in new residential mortgage lending activity that occurred in August. That is their biggest market share since the…
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Residential construction costs are accelerating at a record pace, according to the latest CoreLogic Cordell Construction Cost Index. Home building costs rose 3.4% in the September quarter and 9.6% in the year to September – both records. The Cordell index reflects the rate of change in the cost to build a 200sqm three-bedroom, two-bathroom, single-storey,…
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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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