It’s official. COVID-19 restrictions have pushed New Zealand into recession – unemployment is rising, people are spending less, businesses are firing instead of hiring and economic output is falling.
Despite this, and contrary to many early predictions, house prices are not plummeting. In fact, all over New Zealand, prices are now higher than they were a year ago. Why is this the case and what could turn it around? Here are five key reasons why house prices aren’t plummeting, yet... 1. Banks are being supportive Well-capitalised banks with the ability to offer mortgage payment freezes have been a key factor in supporting struggling home owners through the pandemic and preventing price declines. The loan holiday period expires this month meaning those people who are able to start repaying their loans will be expected to do so, although those who still can’t pay their mortgage will be given an extension. Right now, we are seeing very few mortgagee sales in Whangarei, with just one distressed sale out of more than 660 listings available. But if banks stop supporting virus-hit home owners, mortgagee sales would likely increase dramatically causing house prices to tumble. Why would banks withdraw support? For now, their focus is on managing risk, but if the current problems with productivity morph into a financial crisis, the banks would likely have no means to support mortgage holders. This would be very bad news for the economy and tumbling house prices would only be part of the fallout. 2. Unemployment is hitting renters Unemployment is rising. At this stage, younger people have been hardest hit with job losses, primarily those employed in travel, hospitality and education. If previous recessions are anything to go by, this trend will continue. Youth unemployment hit 20% in the last recession so it will be interesting to see what happens here in the next 6 - 12 months. The rapid rise in unemployment among younger people has hit the rental market very quickly. Rental listings – also aided by a drop in short-term holiday listings becoming long-term residential listings – decreased dramatically on TradeMe in the months after the health crisis, causing rental prices to rise. While the increase has eased a little, it is leading to problems in some suburbs. 3. Parts of the economy are doing well Despite the recession, not every part of the economy is struggling. For example, the primary sector, of which is a big part of Northland, continues to perform very well - and related businesses like trucking and transport have never been busier. 4. Employed people aren’t spending as much For now, the majority of well-paid, white-collar professionals have escaped job losses, but the recession is making them nervous and households are currently saving nearly 20% of their disposable income, compared to 6% in the first quarter of 2020. While people are saving more, safer conditions among well-paid job types is also good news for premium property markets. We are yet to see tough house price conditions emerging in Whangarei’s most expensive suburbs, with many of them continuing to see price growth through the pandemic. 5. Stimulus had helped Record levels of government stimulus, such as the Covid subsidy, are helping keep house prices steady. While this is generally helping the unemployment rate and the stability of our banks, policies targeting home buyers such as the continued historically low interest rates, are ensuring a steady flow of demand into housing. What’s the biggest risk? The biggest threat to house prices right now is potential withdrawal of support to home owners from the banks. Other factors that could derail the economy could include the inability for the economy to bounce back quickly, continued unemployment rises extending to more established workers and a sharp withdrawal of financial support from government. For now, prices are far more stable than expected but the future is very uncertain...
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This over 100 year old Villa has spent the last 4 years undergoing a renovation of epic proportions. It has been a labour of love for the current owners, but the project is finished, and it is time to search for the next property to get remade. The theme of this character 4 bedroom home is very much black and white. Just like the quality fitout, you know exactly what you are getting when you decide to purchase this home. Along with the 4 bedrooms, you’ll find 2 bathrooms, with one being an en-suite. There is also space at the rear of the double car garage for a studio, work from home office, or even an extra sleepout if needed. The master bathroom is a sight to behold! With an open plan design, there is something special waiting in here for you, with tiles reaching all the way up to the ceiling, over 3 meters high. Epic is an understatement. It’s time to mention the kitchen area. This part of the house has been given the most amazing updates. Walls removed, ceiling height raised, modern appliances installed. What this all means is that you have the character details that all Villa lovers seek, plus the conveniences that we all expect to have in our homes in 2020. Being located in the heart of Regent, one of Whangarei’s most established neighbourhoods, means that living here is easy. The CBD is only minutes away by car, by foot, by bike or even scooter! Cafes, supermarkets, and other retail is all just down the road and around the corner.
For those families with children, then all of your education needs are covered from here as well. With well respected Primary, Intermediate, and High Schools all within easy walking distance. For more information about 12 Cross St, then just click here to go to the property information page where you can look at the details and download what you need. I look forward to helping you secure this great house, so you can turn it into your next home. Cheers, Paul Sumich | 021 606 460 Let’s learn How to Buy and Sell a Home at the Same Time. Do you remember when you were a first-time home buyer? In hindsight, what a simple time that was. After all, it’s so much easier to buy a home when you aren’t carrying another mortgage at the same time! However, all it takes is a little extra planning and education to learn how to buy and sell a home at the same time, with as little stress as possible. Eventually the time comes to buy your second home. Let’s call you a “second-time home buyer!” Clever, I know... As you move from the title of “first-time home buyer” to our ohh so cleverly titled “second-time home buyer”, be aware that things are about to get a bit more tricky. Unless you’re planning to keep your first home as an investment, (most likely as a rental property), you’ll probably need to sell your home so that you can buy the next one. As you might imagine, this can make the process just a bit more stressful and complicated. Buying a home is stressful enough, but I’ve got your back! I’ll lay it all out for you, to help you successfully buy and sell a home at the same time, with as little stress as humanly possible. Some people who aren’t in a huge hurry will actually buy a new house, move into it, and then deal with selling their old home after things have calmed down. I’ve actually just recently helped some sellers in Whangarei to do just that, and they would tell you it worked out great. But for the vast majority of people, that’s just not realistic, or financially feasible. Not only would you be on the hook for paying two mortgages (or none if you’re lucky!!!), but hanging onto that original mortgage could hinder your ability to qualify for that new mortgage. Then there’s the possibility that sellers may not see you as well-qualified buyers unless your home was already on the market, and ideally Under Contract. It’s dumb, but some sellers and their agent may read more into the situation than they should and perceive that you couldn’t actually get the new mortgage without selling your current home first. It’s all good though! Learning to buy and sell a home at the same time is absolutely possible. It’s done all the time! But… you still need to make sure that you have experienced people on your side helping to facilitate both sales. For most people, buying and selling a home simultaneously is the only option. This is what you need to know to ensure that the sale, and the purchase go as smoothly as possible. Timing and coordination is KEY! Know your local real estate market. Before you jump in head first and start searching for a new home, or put your current home up for sale, make sure that you have a solid understanding of the housing market in your area, as well as the area where you’re buying the next home. Is it a Buyers market or a Sellers market? Which direction is the market tracking? How are interest rates trending? Really take the time to learn and prepare. I know what you’re probably thinking… “But Paul, I’m not a real estate expert.” Don’t worry- you’re not on your own. That’s exactly why you’re going to find a proven, knowledgeable, local real estate person (me!) with actual experience coordinating a simultaneous sale and purchase successfully. That’s my job! Now, with not one, but two transactions at stake here, this is not the time to hire Cousin Billy who just got his real estate license last month. Promise me… no hiring unproven, newbie friends or family members. Ok… well, you get the point. Now you also need to find a back-up home to purchase, just in case. Let’s call it your Plan B. That way, you’re much less likely to screw yourself over if your Plan A purchase falls through for whatever reason. We sure as hell don’t want your newly sold home to leave you homeless. We’ll discuss your options later on in case this does happen. Your Agent (who is a real Pro, remember?) shouldn’t need to be told to “price your old home to sell,” so it doesn’t sit on the market for too long. But if you feel you need a little extra “assurance”, you can hire an appraiser. Honestly though, an appraiser is just going to give you his or her opinion on what the home is worth. That’s all an appraisal is - an opinion. As long as your agent knows what they’re doing, you can save yourself a few hundred bucks. Now is not the time for pushing for a few thousand bucks more: Sitting on the market for two extra months because you couldn’t suck it up and price the house to sell simply means that you’ll be paying both mortgages for two extra months… two excruciatingly long months… Plan your timing carefully… Should you buy first, then sell—or vice versa? Both have their risks and rewards. Believe it or not, many agents have differing opinions on this. Selling first makes getting the next mortgage easier, but it also means that you will need to find a temporary place to live until you settle on your home purchase. Buying first means moving will be easier, but it also affects your debt-to-income ratio, which usually makes it more difficult to qualify for a new mortgage… not to mention that it sucks to be on the hook for two mortgage payments each month. Think of it like walking a tightrope. Not just with your timing and scheduling, but your finances too. When deciding whether you should sell or buy first, please try to not focus only about the ease of moving. Think past the convenience of moving once and ask yourself “Can I handle paying two mortgages for a month or two?” You also need to consider what happens if your home is overpriced and takes longer than expected to sell, and for less money than you were hoping. Obviously we’re not planning for that to happen, but it would be foolish to not at least consider the negative. It’s better to be prepared and not need to be, than to need to be and not be prepared. Whichever way you decide to go, just make sure that you’re willing to live with the consequences: having to store your stuff and rent temporarily, or dealing with the added financial stress of paying two mortgages. Don’t fully rely on just good timing… When buying a new home and selling your home simultaneously, there are so many moving parts and so many external things that can affect the timing of the plan. I have still not seen a simultaneous buy and sell go 100% according to plan. There’s always something that comes up. (Spoiler Alert: even still, most of the time it all works out. So don’t worry!) Remember, you’re not the only one involved in this equation. There’s still the good people on the other side of the transaction. Even though everything might seem to be going smoothly from your side of things, the other side will also have their own circumstances and situation that can affect your side of the deal- although in fairness, that’s not always a negative. Settlements get delayed for one reason or another. The people buying your home might have delays getting their mortgage; the home building inspector and/or appraiser they hire may uncover issues that must be fixed before you can sell the home to them, and likewise on the home you are buying. You’re also reliant on the seller of the home that you’re buying to be ready to move in tandem with the buyer of your house. Common sense tells you that issues can and will come along. It’s your agent’s job to be prepared for all of those, and then prepare you for them as well. It’s all about rolling with the punches. Think of it like a roller coaster ride- there will be ups and downs. Even if you’re selling your home first and are mentally prepared to rent or find an extended stay somewhere else while buying, understand and accept that even the best plans can get stuffed up, and you might (although unlikely) have to pay both mortgages. Mentally preparing yourself ahead of time for this remote possibility will ensure a smoother transition and help reduce your stress dramatically. Surprises are where the stress comes from. If you prepare mentally ahead of time, the stress will be minimal. Know your option$ For those who decide to sell first, the process will be pretty straightforward, aside from the additional hassle and cost of renting between the sale and your subsequent purchase. However, there is an excellent option called a “rent back agreement” where you can negotiate with the new buyers of your home to stay in the home for an extra 30-90 days or so after the sale settles. That way, you’ll only need to move once! Getting the buyers to agree is the tough part, and sometimes they just flat out can’t do it because of their own timetable and circumstances. Sometimes they can’t be flexible. To get them on board, you’ll want to negotiate this at the time of their offer, so everyone will know right from the get go what is going to take place and happen. You can offer the buyers a lower purchase price and/or pay them rent for the extra time you’ll need to stay in the home. This can relieve some of the pressure of finding a new home, giving you additional time to go house hunting, all while staying in your home and not needing to move twice. Make sure your agent has experience with “rent backs” and with drafting the right paperwork to protect you and the buyers as well. Every detail of the rent back must be in writing to avoid any confusion and potential conflicts. Think of it as an actual lease agreement… because it is. It’s just a short term one. Now if you’re buying first, talk to your agent about how to decrease your financial burden and risk. This is by far the most popular option: Subject to house sale: As part of the Offer to Purchase, Buyers can request that their new home purchase be dependent on the successful sale of their old home. In Whangarei, and in this current market, this is actually quite common. If you’re looking for a home to buy in a competitive market (Seller’s market), this may not be realistic. With demand higher than supply, Sellers know that they don’t need to accept an offer with this contingency; however, if the seller of the home you’re buying has not had much interest from Buyers, this may be a great “win-win” for everyone involved. Of course you’ll need to convince them that your home will sell quickly. They’ll most likely require that your home is at least Under Contract before they entertain this scenario. Chill out! Don’t let fear affect your decision making. Transacting real estate is what I do everyday, and I’m here to help you with all of these different situations. If your home has already sold but you still haven’t found a new place to live, don’t let anxiety and fear force you to make bad decisions. I recommend that my clients plan on a short-term rental from the beginning, just in case. Then if it’s needed, they won’t feel nearly as stressed and won’t be pushed into doing something that they wouldn’t normally do with a clear, unpressured mind. Found the perfect home right on schedule? Fan-freakin-tastic! Please, don’t feel like you need to compromise on things that are important to you just because you need to find a home. On the flipside, don’t accept an offer that you feel is too low just because you and your finances are stressed by paying two mortgages. If you have a temporary place to stay already arranged, you’re less likely to compromise and make bad decisions. Worst Case Scenario? Certainly, selling and buying a house simultaneously will be stressful—but carefully considering and planning for the risks and hurdles can mitigate the stress. After all, the worst case scenario is that you’ll sell your home before you have another home to move into. You may have to temporarily stay with a friend or family member, or ideally “rent back” your home from the Buyer if they allow it. Is it ideal? No. Is it the end of the world? Of course not... You Can Do This! It’s totally normal to feel nervous about managing so many moving parts all at once. You are dealing with big transactions here, and you are talking about your home. Of course you want it to go well. Honestly, it would be weird if you weren’t nervous. Fortunately, it usually goes pretty smoothly. But even if there is a gap between your home sale and the purchase of your new home, you can always rent temporary housing, stay with friends or family, or rent back. It may not be the ideal situation, but it’s also not the worst! Years from now, when you’re sitting comfortably in your dream home in that perfect location, you’ll probably look back on this experience and laugh! Need help with any of that? Just give me a call. 021 606 460. Cheers. Paul Should You Sell Your Home during a Divorce?
When in the middle of a divorce, many different things will come to mind. One of the first things you might consider is whether or not you should sell your home. Sometimes, depending on the circumstances, you may not have a choice. In some situations, a judge may determine that you must sell your home and split the proceeds. Divorce and selling a home are most likely two of the most stressful, trying events that you’ll encounter. Going through both at the same time just flat out sucks! They can make the stress much, much higher than dealing with just one of the two life events by itself. Questions surrounding owning a home will become harder to deal with when you are facing a divorce. For many married couples their home is the largest asset they have, not to mention the sentimental value the home may have. Even though the owners may want to hang onto it, many times the situation demands selling the home. It may be because of financial, legal or personal reasons, but when all is said and done they are not left with any other option besides selling the home. It’s important to know how divorce affects the sale of a home, including the reasons for selling in the first place. Even though a divorce is emotionally trying, a bad move involving a home can end up affecting you negatively for years – long after the divorce is finalised… Most couples who go through a divorce end up going with one of these 3 options:
Selling a home while getting divorced is no doubt difficult and sensitive. Don’t underestimate the legal and any other number of ramifications. But with the help of a great solicitor, financial professional, and real estate agent, it can be done successfully. Read on for more: Legal Reasons For Selling a Home in Divorce Unless the divorcing couple can find a way to deal with each other amicably, the division of property and specifically the family home is not cut and dry. Each person contributed to the purchase of the home – which is almost never 50/50 – and naturally, each wants their fair share of the home’s equity. If the couple can’t arrive at an agreement outside of court, either on your own or through mediation with your solicitors, the court will decide for you. As you can imagine, this is not a pleasant experience for most homeowners. The judge hardly ever rules in a way that both parties are happy with. This is exactly why it is always advisable to come to an agreement before it gets in front of a judge, if at all possible. More often than not, the easiest solution is to sell your home and split the equity. Dividing the couple’s assets becomes much easier after selling the home because they’re not trying to determine a future value of the home, which will usually cause yet another argument. You can find out what your home is worth by hiring a registered valuer, or by calling a competent, knowledgeable local real estate agent (me!) who should be more than willing to value your home at no cost to you, and without obligation. Financial Reasons For Selling a Home During Divorce Selling your home during divorce obviously creates some important financial considerations. Because you were married, chances are that qualifying for your mortgage was taking into account both of your incomes. Once that income is cut in half, you quickly see why two incomes were necessary to pay for it. Even if your income is the higher of the two, the mortgage principal, interest, insurance, property rates, utilities, and the general upkeep of the home can quickly eat up all your money! It becomes too expensive for most people to handle on their own. Emotional Reasons For Selling a Home Divorce and selling a home often go hand in hand because of the emotional issues that usually follow when keeping the property. You have so many memories in your home, including raising children, pets and any renovations or improvements that you have done to make it yours. With the departure of your spouse, though, the once happy home can quickly become unpleasant to live in, sometimes even painful. Many people want to avoid these negative feelings and emotions that are totally normal during this tough time. This is usually why the spouse who kept the home may eventually feel that keeping the house was not as good of an idea as it sounded at the time of the divorce. It’s easy to look past, and even underestimate the emotional factors that exist. So many things go through your mind during a divorce that it’s easy to overlook how you may feel later on down the road. How To Sell Your Home During Divorce Selling a home during a divorce is very similar to selling real estate any other time… except that you MUST think about, talk about, and determine before the sale who gets what. Are you splitting the equity in the home after it sells? Is it a 50/50 split? Selling your home for fair market value will be possible when you hire a great real estate agent – as long as you actually follow your agent’s advice in regards to the strategy and specifics of selling around selling the home… This decision making process is also possibly where your solicitors need to be involved. Let them guide you both through the process of deciding who gets what. You’ll need to know what your home is worth as well as how much money you have put into the home in terms of improvements and/or renovations that may be needed as part of getting it ready for sale. Once this is decided, bring in your experienced, reputable real estate agent – one who you have hired based on interviews, credentials and who you both agree on – and get your house on the market. Follow your agent’s advice, and be willing to compromise a little bit to get the job done. Selling your home for a little less than what you might want will only help to get the home off your hands faster and help you both move on with your lives. For example, if pricing the home just under market value in order to sell, helped it sell 4-6 weeks faster, would that be worth it to you? Most people in a divorce situation would say Yes! The Agent You Pick Is Important Don’t underestimate the importance of picking the right agent to get you through this. When selling a home during divorce you will want to work with an agent that has exceptional communication skills, and experience navigating the sensitivities and intricacies of a divorcing couple. There’s a good chance that both parties might not exactly be getting along so well anymore, so you want to be sure to work with an agent who understands the nature of divorce and all the emotional baggage that can come with it. The agent you decide to hire will need to have a high level of patience, as many communications may need to be repeated multiple times to each party separately. . Do your best to decide on the agent together. This is very important! As a real estate agent who has worked with divorcing couples over my real estate career so far, I have found that if only one party chooses the agent, the other party will feel cheated, or that the agent will benefit one party more than the other. It’s human nature to worry that the real estate agent is going to play favourites because they may have more of a relationship with the other party. Whenever I’m brought in to represent a divorcing couple, I insist that both parties are present for interviews or pre-listing meetings occur. I want it to be crystal clear to them that I represent both of them equally. No taking sides, no playing favourites. Selling the home for as much as money as possible, in a reasonable amount of time, with the least amount of headaches is my top priority. It’s as simple as that. We need to begin by creating an environment of trust where either party can reach out to me at any time. In fact, the success or failure of selling the home in a timely manner depends on it. Divorce is stressful enough all by itself. Adding a home sale on top of it can make you feel like your head could explode at any moment. Reducing your stress by making the sale process go as smoothly as possible is always one of my goals. Think of it like this: You have a problem. The agent you hire is the problem solver. Your real estate agent should not only have some experience with selling homes during divorce, but also a strong track record of success. Selecting an agent is an incredibly important decision with wide reaching implications, yet so many sellers do not take the time needed to really make a smart decision. Don’t be one of these people. Choose wisely. Divorce and selling a home at the same time can be tricky. Make sure you are both well prepared, hire a great real estate agent, and follow their advice! After all, it’s only your piece of mind, sanity, and financial well-being that are at stake! When selling a home during divorce, you should always first consult with a solicitor, as well as a competent financial advisor to make sure both parties are going to be treated fairly, and understand the implications of all the decisions made in the sale of the property. I’m here to help. So if you’re thinking of selling your home, I have a real passion for selling Real Estate, as well as marketing & coffee!. I’d love to share my expertise! Get in touch any time - 021 606 460 or paul.sumich@harcourts.co.nz Cheers, Paul Selling a home is a stressful process, but it can be even more intense if the seller (you!) no longer live on the property.
What makes selling a vacant house so much more stressful? An empty property is a vulnerable target if you don’t look at some things that you can do so the property doesn’t appear to be so obviously empty... This also means that sellers have to take extra caution to ensure that the home remains in the best possible condition while marketing the property. Here are 7 pretty handy tips that one can use in order to make sure that selling an empty house goes smoothly: Tip No.1: Speak to the neighbours Inform the neighbours that your home is empty and up for sale, and make sure that they have your contact details. If you live in a neighbourhood that makes use of community watch or patrols, you can inform them that the house is empty as well. Perhaps requesting that the real estate agent who’s marketing the property checks in on the house from time-to-time is also a good idea. Tip No.2: Timers on lights Without undergoing a massive home improvement project, sometimes a great security feature is simply to add timers to the lights so that they automatically turn on in the evenings. It will give the idea that there’s someone at home and it will conserve energy during the day. There should be enough lighting for the inside and outside of your home. Consider investing in motion sensors for your exterior lights. Tip No.3: Install a security system If your home does not have a security system then it would be a good idea to have one installed. It will keep the home safe and increase its value. Security is a determining factor in the home buying process, so this can make buyers more likely to view your home in a positive light. Tip No.4: Stage the home A bare home looks less attractive to buyers, so an empty house doesn’t necessarily have to be completely empty. Buyers will want photos of the interior, so make sure that you take them before packing up the furniture. Alternatively, you can discuss the option of staging your home with the real estate agent to make sure the house looks at its best for interested home buyers! It would also be a good idea to keep a few small furniture pieces inside so it creates the impression that people still live there. Tip No.5: Secure entrances Securing entrances goes further than just locking the door: it means that you have to close the windows properly and bolt any glass doors. Pay close attention to any area in the home that might be easily accessible from the outside, such as garden access points, and invest in deadbolts for the doors. Tip No.6: Don’t leave mail or newspapers outside Piles of mail on the outside of the home is a dead giveaway that no one is home. Make sure that someone collects your mail on a very regular basis. Remember to also inform companies to divert your mail to your new address – this will eliminate the chances of your mailbox overflowing. Tip No.7: Maintain the home’s exterior An uncut lawn is another sign that no one is home. Even though no one is living there, make sure that the section is maintained. This will also enhance the street appeal which will be more attractive to potential buyers. I’m here to help. So if you’re thinking of selling your home, I have a real passion for selling Real Estate, as well as marketing & coffee!. I’d love to share my expertise! Get in touch any time - 021 606 460 or paul.sumich@harcourts.co.nz Cheers, Paul If you’re planning on selling your home, the kitchen is a great place to start to add value. The kitchen is one of those spaces that can make or break the sale for many buyers, but before you make the decision to totally gut your kitchen and start again, here are some tips on how to get the best out of your existing kitchen without breaking the bank.
1. Ease and flow First ask yourself if your kitchen functions well or are there some things about it that have always driven you crazy. Is the pantry too small, is the dishwasher too far from the sink or the rubbish bin, is there never enough storage or are the cupboards too high? Consider whether moving an appliance or rejigging those cupboards could significantly improve the flow of your kitchen. Also, think carefully about what you are going to include as chattels in the kitchen. Anything difficult to replace that is a key part of the kitchen should be included in the sale if possible. 2. A good clean and a lick of paint One of the simplest ways to freshen up your kitchen is with a coat of paint. Keep it light, airy and neutral – be sure to pick a shade that works with your existing counters and cabinets. Ask for advice at your local paint shop or when in doubt, white is usually a safe bet. A professional clean is a worthwhile investment and should include ceilings and walls. Fly spots and food splatters are big detractors to an otherwise sparkling kitchen. 3. Update your hardware Updating your cupboards with new handles can give your kitchen a more contemporary feel, but make sure they are still in keeping with the overall style of the room. A country style kitchen with traditional wooden cupboards for example won’t suit the same hardware as a sleek minimalist kitchen. 4. Declutter storage spaces Make sure your cupboards and open shelves are clean, orderly and decluttered. Potential buyers will be looking inside your cupboards, and if they are overflowing it gives the impression that the storage space in your kitchen is inadequate. The same goes for the pantry. Pare back the contents until you have some open space on each shelf. Organise what’s left into a set of matching food storage containers rather than lots of open packets. To make space you may need to remove items from your pantry and store them in a box out of sight during open homes. 5. Let the light in Consider the lighting in your kitchen – you’re looking for that bright, airy feel. Good lighting will make your kitchen seem bigger, brighter and will make it more functional too. No one wants to cook or entertain in a dark, poorly lit kitchen. 6. Help buyers imagine it as their own Your kitchen may be very personal to you and your tastes, but now is the time to make it clean, simple and neutral. Buyers may not share your love of bright colours or ornate accessories. They’ll want to stamp their own personality on their new kitchen, so give them a clean canvas to work with if you want to appeal to a wide range of buyers. Cheers, Paul There are so many things that you’ll love about your new house once you’ve bought it.
When the initial awe wears off, and you need changes, you need to think about how you can change the interior without creating a dent in your income. Every small change is costly, whether it is painting, renovation, or for that matter, changing the furniture itself. Some parts of these tasks require a specialized skill set, which needs you to outsource the job no matter the size of the task. Outsourcing means finalising contractors, drafting agreements, setting deadlines, and follow-ups, among other tedious tasks — something that will sometimes take the fun of renovating away. However, there are ways in which you can alter how your house looks without outsourcing it to professionals. One of the simplest ways to do so is to change the way your home looks upon entering it. And there’s no better way to do exactly that than to change your furniture. Now, the natural first question most people ask will be how much new furniture costs. For sure, furniture is not only costly, but it takes up quite a lot of space as well. Below, we have a list of simple improvements, that will not only save you money but precious space as well. While there are other improvements you can do, let’s keep the discussion to the stairs and kitchen as changes in either will already alter the look significantly: Stairs First of all, you don’t need to be Martha Stewart to get creative with all the things you can do with your staircase, furniture or kitchen. Sure, the Dursleys (Harry Potter anyone?) might not have gotten a chance to explore the full use of their staircases, but that shouldn’t stop you from trying out these little hacks below: 1 – Stairs with Storage Stairs offer an unlimited number of options when it comes to optimizing them. Most people fill in the space between the stairs or leave it empty for aesthetic purposes. Instead, you could install drawers that you can use for any purposes. And for the book lover in you, you can use the spaces between each step as a bookshelf. How about that! 2 – Stairs with wardrobes/closets on the side If you think it’s not feasible to put up shelves in between the stairs for whatever reason, we have you covered. All the space on the side of the staircase is pretty much useless at this point. So why not put it to good use? Remember Harry Potter? Kitchen Nothing needs more creative ideas than a kitchen. With all the utensils, ladles, glasses and plates, and consumables, you need to be creative so that you can have access to everything you want. And without having to work extra hard to reach it! 1 – Foldable Dish Dryer - if you don’t have a dishwasher... You wash your plates and leave them to dry. And yes, dripping water makes the entire area wet and uncomfortable. Creative ideas like a foldable dish dryer ensure that you don’t have to dedicate a separate space for drying the dishes. 2 – Foldable Bar Stools Countertops and bar stools require so much space – there’s no doubt about it! They also have to match the aesthetics of the area, which makes it a tougher job to match the chairs with the vibe and the decor of the place. One option is to forget placing separate bar stools and try to integrate them into the countertops, no? 3 – Foldable Kitchen Say what? Well, what if you live in a smaller unit or even a tiny home? It’s a bit impractical to have designated spaces for the kitchen and living room. Folding entire areas, like a kitchen or dining table, would be a lot more efficient – just have a look at what Ikea offers in that department! So, why not consider using modular kitchens that can be stowed away when you don’t want them. Bottom line: space should not be a constraint for making your house look radiant. Do not be afraid of making a statement. Hanging a chandelier in a small living room might seem extravagant, but it speaks volumes about your aesthetics. Play around with the background as well, and see what suits you best. There are countless options for you to have everything you want in the limited space you have. Cheers, Paul With the current Corona-virus situation, we are all experiencing significant restrictions when it comes to others accessing (and thus marketing) your property. In particular, during level 4, your agent and the photographer are unable to visit your property to photograph and produce a highlight video, and if you need to get on the market now - then you'll need to turn to your next best option. That is to have you as the homeowner (or even your tenant) to shoot the property images yourself.... In this blog, we are going to share our top 10 tips to help you or your tenant take quality real estate photos - whether you’re using a DSLR camera or your smartphone. Tip 1 – Take Advantage of Our Pre-Photography Checklist We have compiled this simple document as the ultimate tool to help prepare any property for photography. The document is very informative and is easy to use with a basic tick-box system that ensures you as a budding photographer can work through the property at your own pace and avoid any simple mistakes along the way. Click here to download our FREE Pre-Photography Checklist. Tip 2 – Use the Best Quality Camera You Have Access To Of course, it’d be fantastic if every homeowner or tenant had access to the top-of-the-line digital camera with a wide-angle lens, but obviously this is not the case. Luckily, the next best thing is sitting right in your pocket. Being the stand-in photographer, if you can get access to a late-model smartphone, like the iPhone 11, you will be able to take advantage of the built-in wide-angle feature. As far as images go, the finished product from both the iPhone 11 and a full-pro setup like using a Nikon DSLR are extremely comparable, proving you really can use a smartphone effectively and produce magazine-quality results. Tip 3 – Don’t Worry If It’s Overcast Our Image Enhancement Edit is your best friend when it comes to turning bleak, overcast days into bright and sunny skies. Our professional photographer we use is an expert when it comes to a range of enhancements for your property photos - from adding blue skies to enhancing the grass, or even replacing it if needed. So if you need to get it done now, follow this blog, use our guide and get your images to us, we’ve got you covered. Tip 4 – Turn On All the Lights and Open All the Blinds This super simple adjustment can make all the difference in your final images. Opening the blinds creates depth while turning on the lights brings a sense of warmth to the home and ensures the property feels inviting. Tip 5 – Straighten the Furniture Again, this might seem like a simple point but the difference is incredible. Ensuring all the chairs are pushed in, straight and spread evenly can enhance the appeal of the home while also limiting any distractions for potential buyers. This point is also important for bed linen, pillows, kitchen stools, and curtains – a few small adjustments now can make all the difference later. Tip 6 – Don’t Worry About Your Reflection This is a particular sticking point for photographers shooting bathrooms and kitchens or anywhere with a reflective surface. Our Image Enhancement Edit can remove your reflection or the tripod itself from the image ensuring a clutter-free finished product for you. So don’t worry if you see yourself in the bathroom mirror! Tip 7 – Stand Back If Required This is a particularly important point for those stand-in photographers who are using a camera without a wide-angle lens. By standing back as far as possible, you can give yourself the best chance to capture all the important details in the frame while also making the room feel as large as possible. Tip 8 – Shoot at Eye Level Whenever you are shooting a property, you want to ensure the potential buyer gets a realistic feel for the home and the best way to do this is to shoot at eye level. Whether they are viewing the home online or in person, it’s important they have the same experience, and by taking the images at eye level, you can help convey the true scale and perspective of the room itself. Tip 9 – Shoot Landscape Not Portrait Shooting your property in landscape format is incredibly important and will help ensure you capture as much detail in the frame as possible. This will also help when creating an image that can be used across a range of different formats and mediums while also limiting the amount of cropping needed. The other important tip here is to maintain a very steady hand if you are not using a tripod. A crisp final result is an absolute must when it comes to property photography and the last thing buyers want to be looking at are blurry or unclear photos. Tip 10 – Ensure Your Photos Are in Focus Our partners of professionals, with their editing tools can do some pretty amazing things in the editing room, but, one thing they can’t do is fix blurry images. If you’re using a smartphone, you can simply tap the screen prior to taking the photo which will help focus the image on the important focal point that you are trying to highlight. Conclusion If you are considering getting on the market as soon as possible, despite the current restrictions, then getting photos done is an important step that needs to be considered. This is not the ideal situation, as we always recommend getting all aspects of the marketing of a home done by professionals - from the building inspection, photos and video, right through to using professionals to market and sell your home (us). But, if your situation dictates that now is the time to sell, then we can help you work with what you’ve got to get you on the market without being able to access the property ourselves at this time. Get in touch with us anytime to talk about your options. Cheers, Paul. Staying in for date night can be just as fun as going out! Tell me which one you’re trying first!
Now tell me which one you’re doing first! Even if you’re renting, it’s in your best interest to keep your (temporary) home in as good of a condition as possible. Of course, you can call up the landlord each time something needs to be fixed, but in that case, regular maintenance won’t be that regular.
Luckily, there are things you can fix yourself. If you’re a proud owner, then these quick fixes will certainly save up quite a portion of your homeowner budget that would go for professional labour otherwise. Have a read of some of these quick fixes: 1 – Dripping Taps & Leaking Pipes Not only is this issue extremely annoying, but depending on the size of the drip, it can easily add up to 20,000 liters to your water bill annually. In the case of a dripping tap, all you need to do is to replace the washer. To reach it, unscrew the handle, then the packing nut, and then the valve stem. After you remove the valve stem, you have access to the washer, so replace it and reassemble the whole thing. If you’re dealing with the leaking pipe under the sink, you need to twist off the compression nut. But make sure to have a bucket ready underneath since some nasty stuff will almost certainly fall out. If you notice that the compression nut is loose or broken, then that was the issue, so replace it and screw it back into the wall. The other possibility is that you need to replace a worn-out washer, or simply rinse out the curved pipe known as P-trap. Of course, the first step in both cases is to turn off the water, so having proper valves in your home will prevent any serious leaking issues. 2 – Hidden Blades & Nasty Drains Sometimes, we’re simply put off by quite simple issues. For example, if you have a garbage disposal and it gets jammed, we immediately start to imagine all kinds of scary things lurking between the hidden blades and making all those bad noises. But after you cut the power, it’s perfectly safe to reach the bottom of the unit with an Allen wrench and place it in the hex socket. You’ll adjust the flywheel inside simply by rotating the wrench, which will loosen anything that’s jammed inside. And, if something remains near the top, you can reach and remove it with pliers. Also, toilet drains aren’t’ necessarily scary, but they might lean toward the ‘nasty’ part of the homeowner’s job, so we can easily get an impression there’s a lot of dirty work required to unclog them. But the truth is, you simply need to submerge the toilet plunger and a couple of good old downward thrusts will do the job. If the plunger fails you, it means you’re dealing with a bigger clog so replace it with an auger. After its end reaches the clog, simply start turning the crank. A good grip is all it takes. 3 – Holes in the Walls First of all, we need to point out that we’re not talking about big holes or cracks that look like they’ve appeared right out of some gothic novel about a haunted mansion. Those are in the realm of structural problems so they should be examined by professionals. The holes we’re talking about are those from nails or screws in the gib which can be fixed cheaply and easily. First, you need to remove all the debris – use the vacuum cleaner and wipe down the wall afterward. Then use the putty knife to press some selly’s or similar into the holes. You want it nice and flat, so use fine-grain sandpaper to sand it down after it dries. If there are a lot of small holes in close proximity, you may also need a new coat of paint. There are also small holes and cracks around your doors and windows that are not eyesores but can cause draft and heat loss during winter. Some simple caulking and weatherstripping will take care of them and your AC bills at the same time. 4 – Light Switches Electricity is something you shouldn’t tamper with without experience, but if you make sure there’s no electricity in the wires, you can replace a light switch without any risk. Keep in mind that electricity can remain in the wires even when the power is off, so always use a voltage tester to check. The replacement process is quite simple: remove the faceplate, unscrew the switch, and connect the wires to the new one. (We don’t need to mention you need to match them in the same colour!) As you can see, all the issues on this list are minor ones and the fixes are quick, but that’s what regular maintenance is all about. And yes, although they may seem insignificant, the cost of professional labour can pile up in no time. Cheers, Paul. |
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October 2023
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