When it comes to selling one of your most valuable assets, your home, it makes sense to take time in choosing a real estate consultant that is qualified and knowledgeable and has the right tools and strategies at their disposal.
When speaking with sales consultants, don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions to make sure you trust your consultant and to make sure you’re confident they have the experience to sell your home quickly and for the best price. You need someone who understands what it takes to sell a property like yours and a proven track record to show for it. It may be a good idea to 'take them for a test drive' by going to open homes and see how they interact with potential buyers. Here are some questions to help you determine the agents experience, knowledge and how they structure their business: - What do you know about my neighbourhood? How are sales in this area and who is buying? - Do you work independently or with other agents? - What kind of advertising or marketing do you use – and which ones will work for my property? What marketing costs will I have to pay? - What are your commission rates? - Do you have testimonials or references from people whose properties you have sold in the last three months? - What do you recommend I do to prepare my home for sale? - Why should I hire you? Once you've found the agent or company you think you'd like to work with, it's a good idea to check them out on the Real Estate Authority's (REA) online public register. This register enables you to check that the agent holds a current licence and shows if they've had any complaints upheld against them in the last three years. Choosing a sales consultant to sell your property is an important task. Treat it like you would a job interview. This person needs to be professional, trustworthy, reliable, and approachable, and you need to be confident they have the ability, knowledge and tools to achieve the result you’re looking for. The final sales figures for the month of June have just been released by REINZ, and as expected the figures underpin what has been a growing confidence in the NZ public since the release from lockdown. While June has been the first full trading month for the Real Estate industry since lockdown, I think it is fair to say the results have surprised everyone.
The Real Estate Institute figures show remarkably similar trading conditions right across the country, so much so that June 2020 had more property sales occur nationally than any June for the last 4 years. In fact, nationally sales were up 7.1% in comparison to June last year. This result will be a comfort to buyers and sellers everywhere because with real estate so ingrained into our wellbeing and physic, it is important that the market is still performing in these stressful and uncertain times. Quite simply it provides us with confidence, and a sense of security when it is working well. Here in Christchurch we also followed the national trend, the stats tell us there were 588 house sales for the month, up 12% on last June. The median house price has also rose to $480,000 which is an increase of 9% on the same time last year. The days on market has dropped back to 44 days and I expect this to reduce to the more typical 35 days as the sale of stock listed pre and during lockdown gets sold. The market has been steady across price ranges and there has been increasing interest from first home buyers, investors and families, with the favourable lending conditions available. Interestingly the banks while offering low interest rates, are putting in stringent conditions for potential buyers before providing finance. So, while all this news is positive what does it mean? Lockdown created an artificial stop to the real estate market nationally, but we are now seeing life return to its routine with property sales also showing a degree of normality, with a bit of catchup. Currently the biggest issue facing our market is stock levels. Winter is traditionally a slower listing time so having extra pent up buyer activity occurring at this time is adding to the pressure in the market, especially on prices. Going forward all we can really do is make predictions. What we do know is that the subsidies finish in September and a lot of mortgages will come off payment holidays for people who chose this option. So, these two factors will most likely influence the market, or at least segments of the market. On the positive side, all the talk pre COVID-19 was that New Zealand was short some 120,000 homes. This is a situation that has not changed or disappeared. Experts are predicting that up to 250,000 kiwis will come home over the next 12 months as a result of COVID-19 and that represents another 100,000 homes being needed at average occupation levels. When you look at all these factors, I think that the sheer number of people looking for housing over the next year or so is likely to be huge. Assuming this is correct, then we are likely to see real pressure on housing and property values going forward. What we do know for sure is that June was a strong sales month here in Christchurch and nationally and based on what we are seeing currently, July should be similar. Bathrooms are one of the rooms in your home that can add value for buyers. The team at Resene have some great ideas for bring out the best in your bathroom. While it’s often one of the smallest rooms in your home, that doesn’t mean bathrooms need to be bland and boring. Use the right colours together, add the right materials and that poky little bathroom space can easily become an oasis of calm. Look to nature Nature has always had a strong influence on choices and never more so than now. Natural, botanical schemes are trending throughout the home right now, including bathrooms. “Think crisp whites, creams, forest greens and natural, organic materials,” says Resene colour consultant Rebecca Long. “Earthy greens such as Resene Paddock and Resene Rivergum would look very sophisticated in an earthy bathroom. For a daring look, try a navy such as Resene Coast.” Open up the space with glass Back-painted glass splashbacks have become an extremely popular kitchen feature in recent years, and now they’re starting to make an appearance in bathrooms as well, particularly in soft blues and greens. Try restful pastels such as Resene Half Escape or Resene Breathless teamed with crisp white trims for an instantly soothing palette. This pairs well with the chalky pale mineral blue and green tiles that are a popular pick for their soothing properties. Embrace technology Traditionally technology isn’t something that has been associated with bathrooms, but built-in televisions and speakers are the perfect accompaniment for long luxurious soaks in the bath. New, mirrored flat TV technology can be installed anywhere – on the wall, on the ceiling, behind artwork, or embedded in a bathroom mirror. You need a waterproof version, of course, where the electronic compartments are completely sealed off from any moisture. Keep it simple
The move towards minimalism and simplicity is becoming more popular and brings with it sophisticated concrete finishes. Walk-in showers are popular. Banish the clutter by allowing for plenty of storage. Clean vanity tops and surfaces will make your bathroom seem more spacious. Add colour “Paint is such an affordable way to update your space,” says Rebecca Lord, Resene Colour Expert. You only need a few litres to completely transform the space. Watery blues and greens are always popular choices for a bathroom as they feel clean and fresh and help to make a small space feel larger. Recent trends have seen more soft greys and blue greys, such as Resene Silver Chalice and Resene Duck Egg Blue, coming into the bathroom space also teamed with off white. If you’re stuck with existing tiles that limit your options for decorating but you can’t afford to replace them, consider painting over them. Many tiles have a glossy surface so use Resene Waterborne Smooth Surface Sealer first to give the topcoats something to grip on to. “While a well-ventilated bathroom has a lower risk of damage, it's still important to use the correct paint,” says Rebecca. “I recommend Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen Kitchen & Bathroom, which is a waterborne enamel for a hard wearing and washable finish. Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen Kitchen & Bathroom also has a mould inhibitor, which reduces the risk of mould growth. www.resene.co.nz This information was originally publishing on Harcourts.co.nz/Blog Property investment in New Zealand has seen some phenomenal growth over the last few years and it’s easy to see why. Regular rental income, outstanding capital gains and a sizeable nest egg for retirement are just some of the benefits property investors in New Zealand can enjoy. Before you jump in though, here are some things to consider. 1. What is my investment strategy?
Essentially, there are two property investment strategies to consider: • Buying a property to rent it out – investors make money through rental property returns and growth in capital value over time. • Buying a property and then selling it on for a profit - “flipping” a property aims to make you a profit by buying at one price and selling it for a higher price. When defining your investment strategy, think about which type of strategy best fits your goals and objectives. Are you looking for a quick return? Are you waiting for capital growth? Or maximising rental returns? 2. Who are my partners? Choosing the right partners is critical to your investment success. Your investment team should include your lender and mortgage adviser, real estate agent, property manager, accountant, lawyer and any tradespeople you can call on when things need to be fixed. These are the people who will act in your best interests and should be experienced and reliable. This is especially important if you own investment properties outside of the area you reside in. 3. What type of property should I buy? When considering the types of property you could invest in, it’s worthwhile determining your ideal tenant – the type of people you’d like to live in your property. If you’re looking at single professionals, you may want to consider buying a city apartment. For young families, you’d be looking at a stand-alone home in a good school zone. Along with location, look at infrastructure – roads and public transport in and out of the area; the condition of the property – would a renovation improve its live-ability and encourage tenants to stay longer reducing your vacancy rates? Making good choices in the type of property you’re buying will set you up for a sound investment. 4. How do I get started? Your first step is talking to a Mortgage Express adviser about either accessing finance or using the equity in your existing property to fund the purchase of an investment property. It’s important your loan is structured to get the most out of your investment and our team can help you do just that. You may also want to consider investing in a property manager who can oversee the day to day dealings with tenants and rental property issues. You can find out what to expect when you work with a Harcourts Property Manager in this article and book a free rental property appraisal here. Post originally featured on the Mortgage Express Blog Harcourts are thrilled to be the Presenting Partner for the Pop up Penguins in Christchurch. A trail of individually decorated sculptures, designed by artists and children, and sponsored by businesses, to give residents and visitors the opportunity to discover and delight in all that makes Ōtautahi unique. At the conclusion of the trail, some of the penguins will be sold at an auction, run by Harcourts, to raise money for Cholmondeley Children’s Centre. However, there is one little penguin that hasn’t yet been adopted and Harcourts would like to help. Before this plucky little penguin takes their place on the trail, we need to come up with a great new outfit to be painted on. Could you design an outfit for this penguin? This is a very special opportunity for a child (aged 18 and below) living in Canterbury, to create a winning design for a little penguin sculpture to be included on the Pop Up Penguins trail around Canterbury, then keep it forever! Click the below link to download the competition form and penguin template: https://canterbury.harcourts.co.nz/assets/Uploads/Pop-Up-Penguins-Harcourts-Design-Competition-FINAL-020620.pdf |
James Twiss
Licensed Business Owner of Harcourts Four Seasons Realty 2017 Ltd Greg Roberts
Licensed Business Owner of Harcourts Four Seasons Realty 2017 Ltd Archives
September 2020
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