colinrealestate

We are expecting to see added pressure on rentals and to a degree, sales, as immigration reports confirm that New Zealanders are staying home in increasing numbers at the moment.

Migration to Australia, the principle benefactor of moving Kiwis, has plummeted in recent months, reflecting the quietening of their economy and job availability.

If you have a rental property or are considering selling, this added pressure may well help your cause.

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Well, all that was predicted has not necessarily come to pass!

You might recall my mentioning earlier in the year that our banking advisors were predicting that Fixed Rate Mortgages would never again be as competitively priced as Variable loans? Well guess what has happened? After all sorts of financial issues off shore, especially in Europe, the cost of money on the international market has dropped and we can again in NZ access fixed rate loans for two and five years at close to floating loan interest rates.

Our advice is to talk with your bank about options and make sure you get a current loan offer before you go committing to making an offer on a property. Why? Because recently too many people have been disappointed when they’ve gone back to the bank to confirm an earlier offer only to find the bank has changed their level of support.

Floating Rates or Variable Rate mortgage interest rates look set to stabilize now, with the reserve Bank indicating no change for some months.

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And what that means if you are planning to sell, is that traditionally now’s the time when many prospective buyers start looking seriously.

So, if moving on is something you plan in the coming months, best to get started on those pruning, painting, planting and tidying projects.

Often, and with no disrespect intended here, as owners we don’t see what others do …I know that’s been said of me!

So, if you’d like some thoughts on what to focus on and how best to show your home’s best points, give me a call.

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Right, so you’ve had enough of your current home. Fair enough. What precisely have you had enough about? What are you looking for in your new home?

Write it all down; what you dislike and like about your present home and what you want next….BEFORE grazing on the web, wandering through Open Homes etc. And, make sure you review that list every time you think you have found something that excited you.

So here comes the busy-body bit. Drive by your favourites at various times of the day. Note the sun, wind, traffic and any other issue important to you then compare with those written reasons for moving. You’ll thank yourself, but also be ready to compromise because while the home you want to buy might miss out on one or two of the less important issues on your “Wish List” it will likely deliver other attributes you hadn’t even thought of.

Good luck, and give me a call once that list is prepared…or by all means call me and I will work through it with you.

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Whether you’re selling or just wanting to remove that unsightly moss and mould after one of the wettest winters on record, can we suggest you use one of the organic sprays you hear promoted on the radio [Radio Sport and Newstalk ZB especially!] or on display at your local hardware store.

The one I like is that which you can spry on and leave for ongoing control of present and future growth!
A case of “Do it once and go BBQ or play at the beach!”

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Both the dairy sector and the pastoral farmers have had good news these past couple of weeks, with Fontera’s latest milk-fat payout confirmations for this year well above predictions and the medium-weight wool auctions showing up to 13% price climbs and demand growing.

For those looking at purchasing a rural business this is good news…the budget will show better form and for those selling, the income growth is no doubt adding value for the sale price.

Did you know you can easily search for rural property on our website? Its easy at…
www.firstnational.co.nz/rural

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I know it’s been said before, but tenants are increasingly demanding warmer, drier, more well-appointed homes. It’s also of note that demand for larger, modern family homes continues to rise in most markets.

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First Home buyers are again active in the market in many areas of the country, focusing more on smaller and older homes.
Often these are in fact former rental properties.

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Another interesting snippet is that several of the banks are now lending up to 95% of valuation again. One wonders if this is an indicator that they see values about to climb again?
Food for thought!

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In yet another confirmation that the marketplace across the board suffers from a lack of confidence come reports from First National’s monthly survey*. First National offices across the country reported that when the weather smiles, buyers look to the future and visit open homes and enquire about listings in markedly increased numbers.

While that doesn’t predict major lifts in enquiry into the future it does tell us that when, and only when, New Zealanders feel confident about their employment and financial future, they will act on pent up frustration about their present living arrangements.

The past couple of weeks has seen, from most banks, reports that people who carry pre-approved loans since back in January have been coming back to local branches in huge numbers these past two or three weeks, seeking confirmation that the original offers still stand.

If you’re a seller, make sure your home is the tidiest, most appealing and well-priced home on the block every day, every week because that day will come.

*The First National Group’s monthly survey, representing around 450 salespeople in approx 70 offices nationwide, includes buyer enquiry indicators, sales volumes, listing level measures, and buying and selling trends.

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