Tag: country_nz

7 ways to ensure your first investment property is a success

Stock market gyrations have made the property sector an attractive destination for investors. Investing in property is a significant financial decision, but it has produced substantial wealth for thousands of Australians who’ve taken the plunge. While rents can dip periodically, a good investment property will provide a steady revenue flow and can double in capital…
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Weighing up your agent strategy

Property is usually the most valuable asset any individual, couple or family might own. When the time comes to put it on the market, the most important of all decisions is how to approach the sales process. Most owners will choose an exclusive agent to execute the marketing plan and then finalise a price with…
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The ‘5 Cs’ of loan applications

So, you’ve endured months of hardship and frugal living and to save enough money to use as a deposit for a home. Now comes the loan application and knowing for sure how much you’ll be able to spend. Lenders will put a magnifying glass to your application, especially in the aftermath of the banking royal…
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10 tips for when the property you love is passed in at auction

After missing out at several auctions, you’ve finally found the home of your dreams, and despite being the highest bidder, it has passed in. What happens next? Here’s how to win the day.   Knowledge is power. It’s essential that you have researched the market and know of properties similar to this one that have sold…
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Retirement home versus apartment living

If we’re lucky enough, we will all experience ‘golden years’ and with their arrival comes decisions about how and where we want to live in our old age. You don’t have to be approaching your senior years to be confronted by this reality. The children of elderly parents are often involved in these conversations and…
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9 tips for checking an off-the-plan contract

Buying off-the-plan offers you a great opportunity to make a profit from real estate but is always a calculated risk. With a development planned, or in the midst of construction, you’ll can sometimes gain an advantageous price compared with completed buildings, and a 10% deposit gets you in the market quickly. If property values are…
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Should you renovate or move up?

The decision to renovate or buy a new home requires research, an assessment of your own personal financial circumstances and, ultimately, a few hard choices. There is no right or wrong to either option. Both come with significant benefits as well as a few downsides. The key influencing factors should be your lifestyle aspirations, personal…
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7 tips for assessing the marketing plan for your property

The marketing plan presented by an agent reveals much about their strategic approach to selling your property. Advertising is not a perfect science and is always constrained by the likely return on investment.  You should consider a minimum spend of $2000 for a four-bedroom family home, which should be sufficient to gain attention across a…
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How much a school – and family-friendly features – add to your home price

If your home is near a top-performing school and you think that’s it’s time to sell, then it’s possible you’re sitting on a potential gold mine. Property within the catchment area of Australia’s highest-ranking schools command a price premium of up to 15% – and that can mean tens of thousands of dollars more for…
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Six basic rules for buying off the plan

The upside of buying an off-the-plan townhouse or apartment should be competitive pricing that you’ll receive compared with similar properties that have already been built, plus the fact that your property is brand new. Your biggest challenge is to commit to a purchase based on a scale model, artist’s impressions and floor plan rather than…
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