Blog

Buying in a “good school zone” has always been a property feature that some potential buyers consider when purchasing their first home, usually their family home, especially when living in the city. A recent report by the New Zealand Herald has suggested that a change...

If you’ve been considering selling property at any time in the recent past, it’s almost certain you’ve been introduced to the idea of selling via auction. For the uninitiated the auction process can seem a little daunting, but there’s a reason they are so often recommended...

Bidding for and buying a house at auction can feel intimidating if you have never done it before but a little bit of preparation and homework can make the process far less stressful and more empowering.   Familiarise yourself with the process The simplest and one of the...

Yes, we can put you in touch with professional home stagers but if you have the time and the inclinarcation, we have the tips you need to stage your home yourself. Declutter. Think roomy. Create space. Make sure all floors, surfaces, cupboards and shelves are free...

One - understand the market To understand the market you are about to head into, it’s best to do your own research. I can give you advice and support but it’s a smart idea to get an idea of the market yourself, as ultimately the decisions...

In real estate the trend words ‘seller’s market’ and ‘buyer’s market’ simply means there are more options for one than the other. At the current time there are more properties on the market than potential buyers so it is being called a ‘buyer’s market’. This...

So you’ve sold your house and bought a new one – now the work of moving really begins! Packing up and moving your family and all your worldly possessions can be a little daunting. So we’ve canvassed our Harcourts team and our Facebook audience to...

This handy guide will help you to get good intel from your first impression. So, you can be sure you get as much information for yourself before engaging professionals to inspect the building’s structure and health.   The Outside: Drainage, guttering and spoutingLook at the drains – are...

Moving to a new town or city can be overwhelming, particularly if you're trying to choose a neighbourhood to buy a home in. While it’s true that what a great neighbourhood looks like can differ person to person, all great neighbourhoods do share some common...

Renovation is all about Return On Investment. You want to be sure that the amount you invest in the renovation is less than the value you’re adding to the property. Here we explore some of the situations where we wouldn’t recommend renovating if you’re looking to...