Talking Real Estate
How To Avoid Being Stuck With a "Stale" Property
Hi folks,
In the housing market, the concept of supply and demand – the forces of any marketplace – refers to the ratio of the number of buyers in the market at any given time to the number of houses for sale. In a buyers’ market there are lots of houses for sale competing for a small number of buyers. This means buyers are at an advantage. Properties tend to stay longer on the market, so purchasers have more time to do the research that makes them knowledgeable about exactly what they can get for their money. They have the time and the confidence to try to negotiate hard for a ‘bargain’. In this kind of market, buyers tend to be fussy about standards of maintenance, colour schemes and details that during a sellers’ market they often have to overlook in the race to actually secure a property before the prices rise even higher.
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I’m a Glass Half Full Sort of Person
Hi folks,
To the people that know me I think it’s fair to say that I’m a glass half full sort of person. I was reminded of this in a recent article I read by Paul Clitheroe in the May 2012 issue of Money magazine, in fact I liked what he said so much I’m going to share his thoughts with you.
Saving For A Deposit
Hi folks,
In recent times the banks have kept interest rates the lowest in NZ history around the 5% mark, but it’s still not that easy to get onto the housing ladder so today I thought I would offer some thoughts on saving the deposit.
Speak To Your Bank
Hi folks,
Thought I would aim this column at anyone thinking of buying a property whether as a first time buyer or selling to buy elsewhere. This may come as a surprise to regular readers of my musings but the real estate agents are not the most important cog in the buying wheel. We are the people to approach AFTER speaking with your bank or mortgage broker.
Sales Levels Are Now More Consistent
Hi folks,
I thought it was time to revisit the Upper Hutt market as I haven’t done so for a while and it seems to be the only thing I talk about these days. Memo to self, try to get more of a life!
Empty Houses Sell For Less
Hi folks,
As we are in the middle of winter and I have a couple of empty properties to sell I thought I might offer some thoughts. It’s well known that empty houses usually take twice as long to sell and often sell for less. But why?
Realism in Pricing is Hugely Important
Hi folks,
In the course of my work I find that realism in pricing is hugely important, the best price may be the soonest sale. In New Zealand today many Vendors of residential property are experiencing a falling in the sale prices of their homes. At times like this it is even more important to price property keenly to sell, as ‘waiting for a better price’ often has the opposite result.
Hold On? Or Sell?
Hi folks,
In recent times I have met some people whose property is valued less now than when they bought so I thought I would ask the question, Is it ever financially sound to hold onto a property that doesn’t reach the desired price rather than sell for less?
Is It Really a Sellers' Market?
Hi folks,
I haven’t spoken about the Upper Hutt market for a couple of months so I’m well overdue addressing a couple of things. Firstly let me offer my opinion about recent media reports saying about how the market is at a record high and it’s a sellers’ market. I’m sure they are completely correct in Auckland or Christchurch but completely wrong in the Wellington region.
Selling Strategies for a Buyers' Market
Hi folks,
In response to questions I was asked while I was out over the weekend I thought I would revisit a familiar topic, “selling strategies for a buyers' market”. Because, let’s face it, we are definitely in a buyers' market.
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