Smart real estate without the B.S. Thoughts, advice and market commentary bought to you by Andrew Duncan, a Harcourts salesperson and business owner based in Wellington, New Zealand.
There are 5 activities that will add value to your existing home. These steps will provide you with the best possible return on time and money invested when it comes time to sell: 1. Painting You should paint bathroom ceilings if they need it, paint kitchen cupboards if the colours are dated. Consider changing the handles as well – a very inexpensive way to modernise…
Love the idea of an original weatherboard character home, or do you prefer something brand spanking new? Before you decide on that ultra-modern pad, or start hunting for antiques for your little villa, there are some facts that may be worth considering. Location Historic or older houses will often be located in the more established suburbs (Khandallah, Miramar, Island Bay), whilst most newer properties will…
Sucks to be a buyer right now huh? Prices keep rising. There are 100 people at each open home so you can’t even have a look around. When you finally see something you do like and you make an offer, it turns out 42 other people want that house as well. And now suddenly investors are buying ‘first home’ type properties too! How is that…
There is an extreme shortage of real estate for sale in the Wellington area, and understandably, buyers are frequently frustrated by the severe lack of choice. Current listing inventory is approximately 40-50% of what it was in February / March. One of the consequences of this is increased competition for the few homes that do come on the market. A few weeks ago we had…
The majority of properties for sale in today’s market are advertised with nothing more than their RV (Rateable Value) as a price guide. However, this number often bares little resemblance to the final sale price, and the variance from house to house can be huge, with some homes selling for hundreds of thousands above their Rateable Value. As a buyer, this puts you in a…
If the Wellington market keeps going like it is (hotter than I have ever seen it before) you will start seeing more and more properties being sold by Auction, following in the footsteps of our big brother, Auckland. Auctions can be daunting but they can also be a breath of fresh air in a market that has been dominated by Tenders for as long as…
I’m going to drop a bomb here that might just surprise you. After 14 years in the real estate industry (5 years in software, 9 years in sales) I have learned that the secret to making money in real estate is….. to never sell. That’s it. Never sell. That might sound crazy coming from a guy who makes his income selling property but I have…
Please note: I am not a qualified financial adviser and the opinions offered here are purely my own. It is critical that you seek professional advice from a solicitor before embarking on any property purchase. Read: Don’t buy a home without speaking to these 5 people first ————————————————- According to CoreLogic, average property values in Wellington’s Northern Suburbs have increased 8.7% in the last 12 months….
In a market where the majority of properties are marketed by Tender / Auction / Deadline Sale, it is critical that you become proficient in valuing property as quickly as possible, so you can: A: Avoid missing out on your dream property by pitching your offer too low, and… B: Avoid paying too much for a home you fall in love with. First up: Valuing…
