If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to reduce your power bills, it’s essential you understand which of your appliances are the most thirsty for electricity. We probably all know by now that leaving devices on standby doesn’t save much more electricity than if you were using them. Good examples are the TV, its…
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The summer break offers an excellent opportunity to assess plans for 2024 and beyond, including whether it’s time to seek a new opportunity in the real estate market. While the market has endured 13 interest rate increases since May 2022, most predictions suggest they will begin to fall around mid-year, although the Reserve Bank of…
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The kitchen is a place where families gather and memories are made, so it’s only natural it can be a focal point for buyers during a property inspection. If you’re considering selling soon and are worried about the quality of your kitchen, you’ll be delighted to know there are many ideas to give it a…
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As a homeowner, maintenance should never be far from your mind, but finding time to address that neverending list of jobs isn’t easy. You can make as many New Year’s resolutions as you like, but many tasks will likely remain unattended unless you apply the discipline of deadlines or a schedule of activities. Home maintenance…
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Preparing an older home for sale often presents a few maintenance challenges. Fixing problems that may have been annoying you for months or years is essential if you’re going to maximise the value of your property. One of the challenges is fixing dirty or cracked garage floors. Getting long-term grease out of the cement is…
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With the direction of interest rates on the minds of buyers as we enter 2024, many first-time purchasers are settling on an apartment rather than stretching finances further to secure a detached house. Prices of detached properties generally rise faster than apartments because of the intrinsic land value. However, apartment living is becoming increasingly popular,…
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The New Zealand property market is showing signs of a resurgence with a return to positive price trends and a greater volume of homes coming onto the market. Three key factors powering predictions for 2024 include speed of the market downturn, immigration numbers and the possibility that interest rates have peaked. The bottom of the…
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Market predictions indicate that 2024 will herald a property sell-off by many investors, even though prices are rising and the risk of further interest rate increases has all but evaporated. At the heart of concerns is the new National Coalition Government’s plans to shake up the real estate investor market. Under its election policies, the…
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If you plan to sell your property when it’s vacant, one of the most important features will be your flooring. A beautiful timber floor can set a property apart from others if it has been well maintained. It’s a great idea to assess the flooring to determine whether it needs a little TLC before going…
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Buying property as the market bounces back after its lull can be challenging, especially for first-timers who’ve not experienced the pressures of sealing a deal. If you have a pre-approved loan, your lender will often set a 12-week deadline before you need to apply again. These buyer guidelines will help you respond quickly to an…
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