So while we are all recovering from Google’s announcement of theChrome OS, let’s get back to one of hottest pre-Google Chrome OS items – Bing. What has now become of Bing – Google Search’s rival? For the past few days, Bing camp’s has been pretty quiet lately. Mashable is reporting that the latest June data…
Author: swiggs
New Zealand June Property Review
PROPERTY VALUES INCREASE AS THE MARKET seems STABILISES FURTHER The QV national residential property indices for June released today show a 7.1 per cent decline in property values over the last year. This is a further improvement on the 8.1 per cent annual decline reported last month, and reflects continued stabilisation of the property market….
House Dust Mites Have To Go
What is a house dust mite allergy? House mite allergy is a hypersensitive reaction to proteins in the excretion of dust mites. The protein attacks the respiratory passages causing hay fever and asthma. It will aggravate atopic dermatitis in people who have a tendency to this problem. House dust mites are found in all homes. They are microscopic…
Unhealthy Homes Are Hurting New Zealand
There are a number of factors that can lead to unhealthy air in your home or workplace, including lack of ventilation, too much humidity, and water infiltration or leakage, among others. Poor indoor air quality can cause a number of health problems such as breathing difficulties and allergies. Humid or damp conditions in your home…
New Zealand Housing And What May Be To Come
A snapshot of what is and what may be to come. A looming demand for new dwellings and a predicted spring sales recovery are just some of the hopeful signs emerging for the housing sector this week. The sector, picked by some to be hammered by a 30 per cent chop, is giving off mixed…
So You Got Another Job Rejection
Does This Sound Familiar To You…. 1. Thank you for sending your resume applying for the advertised position of Sales Representative. We are writing to advise you that unfortunately your application has been unsuccessful in this instance. While at this time we are not able to assist you in your job search, we would like…
South Island Auctions Are Taking Off
This Press Release Made by Harcourts Grenadier is a truely good sign that there is some definate life still in the property market. I worked for this company for a short time and I believe their systems and agents are amoungst the best out there. If you are in Christchurch or anywhere in the south…
Anyone Want Free Work
When you employ a real estate professional to sell your house for you think about it like this. The agent and agency are performance based. Your agent will not be paid for their service untill the property is sold. The only investment you need to make is on professional marketing. So why would you worry…
Increased Population + Less Housing = A Ahousing Shortage
This is yet more signs from the media and agents telling of a housing recovery. A housing shortage looms as migration leaps and house-building halves. Property experts say increased demand is likely to boost house prices, especially in Christchurch. The real estate slump, the credit crunch and the recession have pushed home-building to 54 per…
Mortgagee Sales In New Zealand Are Steadily High
Aucklanders hit hardest as forced property sales quadruple Mortgagee sales in Auckland are the highest in New Zealand, with more than four times as many forced sales than a year ago. The sheer volume of residential housing in the city, high median house prices and people being laid off are being cited as factors in…
Valuations – What Are They And How Are They Determined
When you decide to enter the market by selling your real estate property, there are still a number of things that you need to consider in order to get the best possible outcome from your whole real estate experience, and to avoid any costly mistakes on your part. You wouldn’t want to give your real…
The Background To Land Surveying
The principles of land surveying date back almost as far as the idea of land ownership. Ever since ancient man determined that one piece of land would belong toonegroup, and the other piece to another group, there was a need to mediate between land disputes. This is where land surveying came in, although today surveys are…
Green Housing Is Where We Need To Be Thinking
It isn’t the intent of this article to discuss whether or not global warming is a reality. To be completely honest, it really doesn’t matter either way where this article is concerned. The fact of the matter is that we need to figure out a way to live more harmoniously with our planet. Currently, the way humanity…
New Zealands Economy Still Shrinking Deeper Into A Recession
New Zealand’s economy shrank for a fifth consecutive quarter in the three months to March and recorded its first annual decline in economic activity since 1992. Figures published by Statistics New Zealand (SNZ) today show gross domestic product fell 1 per cent in the March quarter, following a revised fall of 1 per cent in…
Michael Jackson Dies Aged 50
I am sorry if this doesnt have anything to do with Real Estate but I have to share this sad day in Pop history. Michael Jackson, the sensationally gifted “King of Pop” who emerged from childhood superstardom to become the entertainment world’s most influential singer and dancer before his life and career deteriorated in a…
The Wave Of The Real Estate Cycle
The real estate market has been rising nationally the last few years and the media went hog wild over the frenzy and everywhere you looked there was someone or something telling you that real estate was HOT HOT HOT! Prices were going through the roof and there was unprecedented growth and people were becoming multi-millionaires…
June an July Real Estate Market Thoughts
June and July are usually very quiet months but what a difference in levels of stock this year compared with last! Here’s my take on it from a buyers and sellers point of view and then my own summary of what I think will happen – would appreciate everyone elses thoughts on what the future…
Unemployment And The Real Estate Industry
There have been many reports recently stating that “experts” are seeing a turnaround in several segments of both the commercial and residential real estate markets here in New Zealand. But I find it hard to see this and put credibility on these reports. I justify this by saying there is no other crux that is…
Home Hints – When Choosing An Agent….
Real Estate Agents….. Well most think that they can be done without but when it comes to seeling your house most of us although we dont like to agree with it couldnt have done without our agent. Now you will probably agree with me more if you had a good agent. This like in any…
June 2009 – OCR remains bottomed out at 2.5% – Is This The Turning Point?
The New Zealand economy has been on a downward spiral along with global economies since 2007. Butmany believe that we in New Zealand have reached a turning point. In terms of New Zealands Official Cash Rate I believe we have hit the bottom of the line. It started in June last year when the Official Cash…
Christchurch QV May Statistics With New Zealand Market Comment
Christhchurch Property Trends Property values in Christchurch declined by 8.1% over the past year (calculated over the three months ending May 2009 in comparison to the same period last year), an improvement on the 9.6% annual decline reported in April. The average sale price for the city decreased slightly from $342,929 to $339,695. These annual…
All The Best For The Future David Bain
Although this has nothing to do with Real Estate this is my blog and I actually think David Bain and his legal team and supporters deserve a big well done for their efforts over the last 14 years to try and bring justice to their cause. A few friends of mine down here in Christchurch…
Do You Actually Believe We Have Hit The Bottom Of The Market?
Well if you do I believe your being naive. There has been in the months of late a definite pick up in the market especially in the terms of sales volume which one could almost think that a bounce back is happening. There has been great activity, a lot of sales and new buyers emerging…
Home Hints – What Way Should I Sell My Home?
1. by offer and negotiation 2. by auction 3. by tender. Most people sell through an agent, but private sales are becoming more common. 1. Selling by offer and negotiation Most homes are still sold this way. You set an asking price, put your home on the market and if a buyer is interested they…
Home Hints – How Do I Decide What To Sell My Home For
It’s important to do your homework before you decide on the asking price for your home. There are several sources of information you can use to work out what your home might sell for. Your rateable value The rateable value (RV) provided by your local authority is not necessarily a good guide to what your…
Home Hints – Should I Sell It, Do It Up Or Rent It?
What are your options? Before you decide to sell, here are a few things to think about first could you get the home you want by renovating or extending instead? how much more will you have to pay to get the home you want – can you afford it? would it be a good idea…
The State of Real Estate Around the World: No Signs of Stabilization
Our Housing marketis in worse shape than Australia’s but is also likely to avoid as deep a correction as in the U.S. and Europe. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has cut 575bp since July 2008 to 2.5% in April 2009 but longer-term, fixed mortgage rates have recently begun to rise again due to expectations…
Home Hints – What Legal Stuff Needs To Be Done
Your lawyer’s job is to protect you by checking contracts, explaining your rights, and making sure the property’s title is in order. They also do the legal work to transfer the property to you (the conveyancing) and register your mortgage on the property title. They’ll provide advice on things like different ways to own the…
Home Hints – Getting That Loan
Buying a home is a big financial commitment and is going to impact your life for a good part of your adult life. And usually we don’t have enough money to go out and buy a home. So we need to finance this. What’s this? It’s a loan. When you buy a home you usually…
Home Hints – What Do I Do When I Want To Buy My Home In New Zealand
Well by now hopefully you have chosen what you want. Done your research and found what you need to find and are able to make an educated decision when it comes to buying your home. There are three main ways to buy a home 1. by offer and negotiation – you make an offer and…