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As a generalization though it seems likely the quiet sales of sections in residential subdivisions will remain the case well into 2012.

The brand builders are focusing on support for their Canterbury and Auckland operations so most current speculative activity seems centred on smaller local builders constructing tasteful family homes in new subdivisions.

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Across the country First National has noticed another trend continuing… the quiet lift in sales of sections in some, and a growing number of, holiday locations.

Buyers seem to be from the larger cities and have decided now is a good time for them to secure a location for a future holiday home. Again, the good ones are being ‘cherry picked.’

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We’ve said it before …every time there’s political drama, disaster and economic trauma anywhere in the world, New Zealand immigration enquiry sets new records. We don’t doubt that this will occur in the nest few months as the effects of Japan’s disaster and the Middle East trauma continues to have effect on worldwide confidence.

So why do I mention this? Incoming residents tend to purchase larger, better presented and newer homes….and with little new home construction that means pressure on existing stocks.

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Another good piece of advice I heard the other day was from a vendor who called in his most honest mate and also a workmate he trusted, to review his home before he put it on the market.

Seeking to remove negatives in presentation this ploy worked a treat and issues that were raised had gone right by our vendor …”Stuff I’d just walked past every

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We’re seeing many vendors taking a proactive position when preparing to sell their home and arranging for a LIM report to be available for enquirers and even going to the extent of having a Building Report produced on the home.

While each of these cost money, they remove delays in any purchase confirmation as these items always take time after a Conditional Agreement is signed. If you want to discuss these options give me a call.

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If you are cold and want to shift, now’s the time! With the recent lift sales listings are thinning though, so it’s a good idea to confirm in your own mind whether you really do want to move and if so, at least get that market research into serious mode.

If not, and you are staying where you are for the time being, don’t forget there are many local Council and Govt subsidies and incentives for heating and insulating existing homes. You’ll be warmer and the home will be more saleable when you do decide to move on. Call me if you’d like some advice.

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Yes, it does! What we’ve found is that the recent drop in interest rates has mattered to many people. And the result? Multiple offers on more occasions than we’ve seen in several years. That does not mean a mini boom is under way but it certainly has shown us that well presented and market-priced homes are being contested by people who, having waited for that “right time” have decided now is right.

What we also see is that poorly presented homes, of sellers who are holding to price expectations of yesteryear, are still struggling to find a buyer.

The good news on money is that we expect current rates to remain through 2011, and given the likely slow recovery of our economy, rates will only move slowly when they do. Speak to your bank or mortgage broker about the best options for you.

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With wool, meat, grains and dairy products returning better profits to the farm gate this year there remains stronger interest in rural purchases as Autumn begins. Not large numbers of buyers but those who are serious are carefully researching the property they are interested in, preparing a strong case and making a business-based offer…and are prepared to walk if there’s no quick meeting of the minds.

Not far away from the rural regions we’re also seeing increased interest in lifestyle property following a year or two of quiet times in that sector. We expect this to increase as / when immigrant pressure returns to the market.

City and town dwellers are commenting that after several tough years, the tragedies of Queensland floods, Christchurch and now Japan, they have reviewed plans and are taking the stance that “…life must be lived, so we’re doing now what we’ve been putting off.”

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You’ve no doubt read of the almost nationwide pressure on good quality rental homes. The nationwide First National quarterly Property Management survey showed that while Auckland was completely swamped by demand for rentals and Christchurch & nearby towns likewise since the quake, much of the rest of the country is reporting the same albeit that pressure is coming on more slowly.

Aside of the quakes, we see the pressure being driven by the acute lack of new home construction over the past several years and shifting populations seeking work. The low rate of new home building looks set to continue with most activity focused on Christchurch for the next several years… so rentals and homes for sale will be demand driven into the future.

I view of this we are seeing Property Investors out hunting homes to add to their rental portfolios…though First Home owners are contesting that market sector too.

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The last few weeks have seen some positive announcements as a variety of major companies have announced new exploration, finds, factory expansion and more!

Southland looks likely to reap the benefits not only of the southern hemisphere’s largest dairy factory, but another player in the same market, a quite massive ‘peat-to-hot-burning-briquettes’ plant. Oil is not far beneath the land and waves either.

South Canterbury will see yet another change of ownership of two larger dairy production plants, each to undergo expansion as a result, while more gas has been found in Taranaki.

Westport has seen a large open cast coal mine approved, a mothballed finishing timber plant for the USA market is to reopen with the likelihood that several others in Taupo, Rotorua, Nelson and the Hawkes Bay will follow. The same could be true for Whangarei where there’s also talk of expansion at Marsden Point oil refinery.

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