Summer house value tips

If you’re keen to do some home improvements this summer, keep in mind that some improvements add value and some don’t. Kitchen – new cupboards and bench tops and a new oven almost always add value. Adding a bathroom – also adds value, particularly an en suite. Adding a bedroom – converting an attic or […]

Useful web sites

www.firstnational.co.nz for nation-wide property listings and Real Estate information www.pricespy.co.nz Prices for NZ’s electronics compared www.sorted.org.nz to set your money straight for 2010 www.interest.co.nz for the best mortgage rates from all lenders teuxdeux.com for a very handy and useful daily “to-do” activity list to keep on your screen.

6 outstanding books from 2009

If you are looking for good summer reading, try these, as voted the BEST of 2009 by the New York Times. THE GOOD SOLDIERS by David Finkel. CHRONIC CITY by Jonathan Lethem; A GATE AT THE STAIRS by Lorrie Moore; HALF BROKE HORSES by Jeannette Walls; LORDS OF FINANCE: The Bankers Who Broke the World […]

Credit card limits

When applying for a mortgage, it’s the LIMIT on your credit card, not the outstanding balance that’s taken into account by lenders. So if you don’t get close to the limit, reduce it as much as you can. It will make a big difference to the size of the mortgage you can take out.

Financial stress brings unhappiness

Research across the world tells us more relationships get into trouble for one reason more than any other! It’s not infidelity, its money – or more specifically the stress of feeling you never have enough or don’t have control. January is the most prolific month for financial stress and this is often brought on by […]

Is 2010 set to be a boom year?

Westpac is predicting that the NZ economy will take off in 2010. Recently releasing a report called “This Time Its Different”, the banks economist’s outline why NZ’s recovery will be so good. The main reasons for this are the behaviours of the key factors: – Assets, particularly housing and shares, are rebounding strongly. – NZ […]

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