Real Estate News & Articles
Gardens with soul
Soul food is often found in the garden. It feels good to look out at my garden and see the changing colours of the seasons with the bees darting everywhere, and the birds in the trees, and bird baths. I love watching the native birds feeding on the hanging seed bells,...
Never over promise and under deliver!
When times are tough and sales are few and far between, it is common for some salespeople to “over promise and underdeliver”. In real estate though, it is something you need to watch out for a lot of the time, especially when there are fewer properties on the market...
Renovation reality
Renovating looks easier than it is in reality It is so easy to believe that renovating your home will be a walk in the park with so many renovation reality television shows on offer that make it seem so easy. But whether you are doing the work yourself, or employing...
Caution! Asbestos
When buying a house it is always advisable to employ a licensed building inspector to provide information on the building condition. Knowing what to budget for in respect of any repairs required in the coming years makes a lot of sense! Finding Asbestos in a home can...
Energy Efficient living – why it is worth a try!
Simple ways to reduce your energy usage Family is important, and so is keeping a warm, energy efficient home for them to live in. Many of us at some time in our lives consider ways in reducing our energy use, so might find that there are many simple ways to do so....
Dux Quest- pipes that leak
Dux Quest plumbing pipes Dux Quest was one of the first types of plastic pipe plumbing systems introduced into New Zealand in the late 1970s to early 1980s replacing the trusted copper pipe of earlier decades. It was installed in thousands of homes in the late 1970's...
Boomers and Real Estate
The generation game None of us likes to think we’re old, whether we’re 35 or 85. The "Baby Boomers’’ generation covers a broad age spectrum, from those aged 55 to people in their 60’s to our older Boomers who are now in their 70’s. Boomers born from 1946, straight...
The less you own – the less owns you!
Do you ever feel like you are running from one task to another? Are you multi-tasking to get things done and constantly in catch-up mode, mobile phone in hand, and answering email after email, and then suddenly it is time to feed the family and catch up on laundry?...
House too small?
When is the right time to upsize? Could it be when your little darlings become "tweens", or perhaps when they start to bring their friends home as teenagers? It is good knowing where they are and if they feel that they can entertain friends at home surely that is...
The danger of over-pricing
Are you in danger of pricing your property out of the market? When selling a property there are many things to consider. That is why it is crucial that you choose the "right salesperson" for the job in the first instance. If the salesperson is not truthful in telling...
Don’t waste advertising dollars on overpricing
Buying and selling real estate is not an exact science. Real Estate salespeople are required to comply with the current legislation, and in New Zealand, for instance they need to abide by their professional client and conduct rules. Rule 10 is very important as...
First Impressions Count
"First impressions can make or break your property sale" Improve the appearance of the front of your house before selling I don't know how many times that I have had buyers in the car, knowing that they will love the property I am taking them to if only I could...
Want to sell real estate?
The wonderful thing about Real Estate is that it attracts all sorts of people from many different backgrounds. These days, if you have a leaning towards a "bums on seats" mentality when employing new staff you should be thinking twice! And if you want to go into real...
“Laugh alot” gardens
Being cooped up due to bad weather must be incredibly hard on many people, but especially so if there is inadequate space for children to play Easy projects to keep the kids busy don’t always come to mind, but there are some that are clear winners. When my children...
Where have all the Tradesmen gone?
Are you renovating or building? While you are waiting for those quotations from Tradespeople you have contacted, some of whom might disappointingly not even turn up, you will get some that "over-quote" because they have too much work on. It seems hardly fair on the...
The Joy of Minimalism
What is Minimalism? Do you ever feel like you are running from one task to another? Multi tasking to get things done and constantly in catch up mode, mobile phone in hand, and answering email after email, and then suddenly it is time to feed the family and catch up on...
A changing real estate market
For many years, it is fair to say that Real Estate agents have been operating in a “sellers market”. Post “Covid-19”, what will the Real Estate market look like? There are many thoughts on this. Obviously it will be changed. There could be job losses, and more...
When is it time to downsize your home?
"When is the right time to downsize?"Is it perhaps when you need to downsize your life?Have you got too many unused rooms in your current house?It is costly heating a large unused home, and cleaning it can be just as bad.If your home is full of children or guests, it...
The cheapest deal is not always the best
The Salesperson who offers the cheapest deal is not always the best person for the job. So you want the best deal? We all do! It seems that the commission charged for selling a property can be an enormous expense. But do you actually know what the commission charged...
Which is the best market to sell in?
For many years, it is fair to say that Real Estate agents have been operating in a “sellers market”. Post “Covid-19”, what will the Real Estate market look like? There have been many thoughts on this. One thing is for sure though- it will be a different world once we...
Warning signs to look out for when buying a property
Renovating is not always easy. Even the the tasks that look like they could be simple can turn out to me a mission to finish! Have you ever found a few cracked tiles in the kitchen and thought about replacing them? It is okay if you have spare matching tiles, but what...
Don’t be a bad landlord!
What price should we put on good health? Am I right in thinking that if you are renting a property, and paying good money each week for the privilege one would expect to live in a healthy home? Landlords have been put on notice after the landlords of a damp, mould...
Crazy selling prices
House prices through the roof During the Covid-19 pandemic there has been much said about the shocking increase in property prices around the world. Take Brisbane, Australia for instance- the median house price in September 21 has hit a record of $702,455 and Sydney...
Tips for a healthier home
Keeping your home healthy is an ongoing process Sometimes we ignore the smaller issues that then become the bigger issues that cause us pain when we get sick or have to pay for extensive remedial work to alleviate further issues. Climate Change is a very real problem...
Tiny home freedom
What can we learn from Tiny Homes? The tiny home phenomenon is becoming popular in many parts of the world. For some, the move is driven by a desire to downsize and live a minimalist lifestyle. Others see it as a way to decrease their impact on the environment....
Backyard Bliss
Why not relax and enjoy the rewards of your labour? Transforming a garden into a place where you can relax and enjoy the fruits of your labour can be very rewarding. Perhaps you have purchased a home with a tiny garden and are looking for ways to make it into a...
Buying at Auction
Auctions can be quite unnerving for both buyers and sellers. They can be filled with drama and intensity depending on the skill of the Auctioneer. There is no right or wrong way of getting the right strategy, but the one thing you can do is be prepared. If you are...
Good, bad or ugly!
Have you ever wondered about which indoor plants are good and which are bad according to Feng Shui ? A friend of mine once remarked that her son's new girlfriend had left an obnoxious plant by her front door called "mother- in-laws tongue" as a belated Christmas gift....
Seller beware
Are you getting ready to sell your home? If you have not sold a property in a while then there are many things to consider. Beware of discounted fees The fees for selling your home are an important consideration but beware of agents offering deals or inducements to...
Winter and the blues
Seasonal affective disorder Sometimes when the days seem dull and the sun forgets to shine for days on end, we can suffer from something called SAD (Seasonal affective disorder). This depressive disorder is linked to the seasons of the year and is more common in...
Rooms that make sleep easy
There is nothing better that going to sleep after a hard days work in a comfortable bed. But just as important as a comfy bed is the way in which your bedroom makes you feel. Feng Shui The ancient Chinese art of arranging living spaces called Feng shui is thought to...
Tiny Homes
Tiny homes and mindful living go hand in hand Nobody really wants a huge mortgage these days, so tiny homes are beginning to make sense to a lot more people. Perhaps you are getting tired of the upkeep of a big garden? Or maybe you are thinking of downsizing or...
When the bank comes knocking
Mortgagee sales I have always felt that mortgagee sales are very sad for all of those involved. It is usual for Banks to give mortgage repayment defaulters time to sell their home so as to save face and avoid the stigma of having to sell their home by way of a...
Is it really “Home & Income?”
Home and Income Many people these days are looking for ways to reduce their mortgage. What better way than to have a property that can be split into two seperate dwellings. Of course, they have to comply with the building regulations and various council rules and...
Miss the World?
When will it end? Covid-19 has made it a long 16 months so far. Just when it seems things are getting better, there is another outbreak. Like many people, I have decided to wait and get vaccinated before travelling overseas, even though I miss my family so much....
Seller’s market versus a Buyer’s market
For many years, it is fair to say that Real Estate agents have been operating in a "sellers market". Post "Covid-19", many commentators predictions have been incorrect so far. The doom and gloom and job losses that were predicted were replaced with FOMO (fear...
Simple Kitchen Makeovers
You don’t have to spend a lot of money in order to refresh the decor in your kitchen When we received a few quotations for renovating an older 60’s style kitchen and bathroom, I was visibly shaken when I read the figure put in front of me by the saleslady with the...
No more Baby Boomer bashing please!
Why not learn from a baby boomer instead of always bashing them? Oh No! Not another Baby boomer bashing…switching on the radio I heard the plaintiff whine of another round of “baby boomer bashing”. I felt certain the speaker was an over anxious Millennial as she was...
Top house hunting mistakes
Buying real estate is full of little" trip me ups", but it is one area where you don't want to make a mistake. Have you ever gone to look at 6 houses, being desperate to find one and then got them all muddled up in your head? Sure you have! It is common to look...
Avoid Nasty Renovation Surprises
Having recently renovated a mid century home, after having done many renovation and new build projects before, made me realise that every renovation is just another learning experience. Planning is crucial to any renovation project no matter how small. The devil is...
What’s wrong with your home?
So why don't the buyers love your beautiful home ? It is a mistake to assume that what you like, somebody else will like too. We are all so very different in our likes and dislikes and often this has a huge affect on the selling price of our homes when we do not take...
Seller’s disclosure is important
Thinking of selling? You would not be the first seller who has questioned what their own obligations are as to what they should disclose to potential buyers. There are some out there who will blatantly hide a defect, like a leak in the roof by giving it a quick once...
Price it right the first time!
Buyers buy by comparison We all love our homes, right? After all, that is why we chose them after viewing so many others. We bought by comparison after looking at similar in our price range and location. When it comes to selling them, we have to look at it as if we...
What happened to the power lines?
Consumer Protection when buying houses Have you ever got a surprise when you have turned up at an open home to a totally different looking property from the one described in the real estate marketing on the internet ? Many years ago, I remember commenting to a...
Did Nanna know best?
When it comes to money and spending, some of the things our parents and grandparents swore by are not so silly in today's uncertain Covid financial times. "Spend less and save for a rainy day" If you take this little bit of advice seriously and build in those shock...
Understanding what is not being said
The most experienced salespeople are often caught out when they have not read in between the lines correctly. So often a buyer or a seller will expect you to read between the lines or listen to what is not being said. A seller might turn down an offer and say " Oh,...
Enough is certainly enough!
Covid-19 has certainly got a lot to answer for! Enough is enough! World wide massive loss of life was just the beginning, not to mention the many changes to so many of our livelihoods, and the ongoing lock downs we still have...
Time to sell?
When it comes to selling your home, you will naturally want to look at the costs associated with an often stressful time in one's life. There are also now many other things to consider in this day and age. What happened yesteryear is vastly different nowadays Thirty...
Never neglect maintenance issues
It is easy to get complacent about home maintenance when you are busy at work or running after the kids every weekend with their sporting interests. It could also be that money is an issue, not knowing what it would cost maybe, or perhaps receiving the cost...
The Horrid Housing Squeeze
Do you feel slightly nervous of the current housing market? Just yesterday, a friend mentioned to me that she was forced to find a new rental due to her landlord selling. The Landlord's reason was that he could no longer afford to hold onto the property, due to the...
Never ignore maintenance issues
Ever wondered why your beautiful home does not appeal to everyone else? It is a mistake to assume that what you like, somebody else will like too. We are all so very different in our likes and dislikes and often this has a huge affect on the selling price of our homes...
Found the house of your dreams?
So you have found the house of your dreams? Besides the obvious things like checking out the neighbourhood, schools, shops and transport facilities there are other really important things you need to check out. If you have a professional building inspection done, make...
Shouldn’t have bought it?
Regret at a recent purchase is very common Wondering whether you might have paid too much for something is an awful feeling! Perhaps you had been searching for a while and been unsuccessful several times when making offers on other homes? You might also be out of...
Disclosing known defects
KNOWING what is right isn't as important as DOING what is right! Have you ever viewed a property to purchase and been not quite sure about something you have noticed in the home? Perhaps the age of the home shows some notable damage to the window frames ? Maybe there...
Tiny herb gardens
The goodness of herbs The goodness that herbs provide to our diets is often ignored by many of us in this busy world of ours. If we can improve our lifestyle by growing a little herb garden, then isn't it something worth considering ? You don't need a lot of space to...
Suitable Neighbours
The perfect neighbour is something most of us like to be. But what if you have bought the perfect home in the best location then suddenly one of your neighbours teenager's drives his car through your fence? Perhaps the damage is substantial and your private garden is...
Simple kitchen makeovers
You don't have to spend a lot of money in order to refresh the decor in your kitchen When we received a few quotations for renovating an older 60's style kitchen and bathroom, I was visibly shaken when I read the figure put in front of me by the saleslady with...
Healthy homes
Everybody wants to live in a healthy home, but sometimes sadly, it is not possible for many. However, If you can afford to do the upgrades on your home, then it is considered highly beneficial and worthwhile for the health benefits you will gain for you and your...
Home work or work from home?
Working remotely Covid- 19 has brought about many changes for a lot of us. One of those is that we work from home more often. Perhaps we land up permanently working from home...who knows what the future holds? There are advantages and disadvantages of course. If you...
Finding your cheer
Finding your cheer It is that time of year again! 2020 has been a very different year for all of us worldwide. Finding your inner cheer at Christmas for many people these days can be difficult. Since Covid-19 it has become...
Have you got “buyer’s remorse”?
Buyer's remorse Sometimes when we purchase something we have a feeling of remorse soon after. This is no different when you purchase a house, in fact, the remorse can be much worse. Experienced Real estate negotiators are keen to get the deal signed that day for this...
Messy house or hoarder?
Household clutter or hoarding? Sometimes it is hard to differentiate between hoarding and extreme clutter. Many times in my real estate career, I have come across people who do not see the clutter when they come to sell their homes. It is rude to point it out to them,...
A “buy to sell” theory
When buying a new home there are several ways in which a purchase can go wrong. If you buy with the theory that if you needed to sell quickly, you could sell, for a fair market price, then of course, it will minimise any loss in selling so quickly. So only buy at...
Reasons why you should pay for marketing
Choose wisely and don't be fooled by cheap offers When property listings are scarce, it is tempting for some salespeople to offer enticing deals to get you to list your property with them. There are a lot of logical reasons why a property owner should think carefully,...
Stage to sell ?
Staging is often crucial to a successful sale Are you thinking of selling your home? Staging can be expensive. It depends on what you want to spend and how much you actually need, but there are simple ways to make it more affordable. Top 10 Staging habits of...
Never give up!
Learn from the wise old donkey One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway, it just wasn't...
FOMO – Not good!
FOMO and the housing market It seems that "Fear of missing out" ( FOMO) is really playing out in many markets at the moment. First home buyers are really finding it difficult in today's market, with the extra forces at play. The seasoned buyer versus the first home...
Don’t know where to start?
What to look out for when buying a property There are so many things that you need to be aware of when buying a property. These days buyers will choose to get a professional building inspection done, which will itemise any maintenance issues or immediate repairs that...
Smart homes
Renovating a home is not for the faint hearted Take it from one who knows! Smart wiring, or smart homes are often talked about and the digital natives amongst us know all the tricks. Just listening to some of the things required...
Handling rejection
A rejection is nothing more than a step towards success In Real Estate sales you have to overcome a lot of objections and rejections. Nothing unusual really as it is a common factor in any sales industry. There have been many times in my career that I have felt utter...
Are you priced right?
Price your home correctly as soon as you list it for sale I have often encountered sellers who tell me that they want to price their home higher in order to have a bit of cushioning for negotiating later. But in reality what this actually does is lower the number of...
Home buying homework
Things to do when buying a property So you have found the house of your dreams. Besides the obvious things like checking out the neighbourhood, schools, shops and transport facilities there are other really important things you need to check out . If you have a...
First home buyers
So you want to buy a property? Wondering where to start? Start at the beginning! - buying your first home is often a journey of discovery. Some might say it is a journey full of hidden surprises and some of them not that nice for the ill informed. Here are a few...
Housing market uncertainty?
Wondering when things will get back to normal? I think most of us are adjusting to a "new normal". We read about what is happening in our housing market now, but what about long term? Travel overseas seems to be one of the many things a lot of Kiwis and Australians...
6 Reasons why some properties take longer to sell
I have found throughout my career that there is a buyer for every property, just maybe not in the time that you might think if you have not paid attention to some really important factors. The length of time on the market is affected by a number of factors. Location:...
Upgrading a bathroom
Thinking of upgrading your bathroom? Planning is essential to a successful outcome when remodelling your bathroom. Consider the following before getting at least 3 quotations. Remember, what you visualise is not necessarily what the person that you choose to work with...
The Millennial Buyer
Do you know a Millennial buyer? Often when enjoying a lunch out with my children, it is a race to beat them at the cash register. While I am searching my handbag to find my wallet and credit card, I will often be too late to pay as my son has snapped his iphone closed...
What can we learn from Gen Y?
What can we learn from Millennials? Generational differences are often quite plain to see. My grandson, (aged six at the time) once explained to me that it was okay to believe that I could see my late husband (his Granddad) in a rainbow if it made me feel happy, but...
Don’t look back- You are not going that way
Remaining positive is not always easy, even for positive people! I have always liked "sayings" and when I am at my lowest will often read them. They make me feel better for some reason. When my husband was first diagnosed and given 2 months to live, I would write the...