This month….

Figures continue to show signs of positivity this month especially in the Central region, but a commonality prevails. The real estate industry, although showing positive signs amongst the public and real estate agents, is on the upward curve from one of the biggest lows in fifteen years.  Record interest rate lows and first home buyer and investor activity are helping the surge.  National figures show this by way of the average sale price on the rise by 3.5% and more business being written, up 22% on last year.   Property on hand and exclusive listings will remain low both at -2.2% due to the demand and the lack of stock on hand, but our cousins across the ditch may just encourage positive spending in New Zealand.

Hayden Duncan, Harcourts Group Ltd CEO

Disclaimer:  All Harcourts MarketWatch figures are current to the end of the reported month and are compared to the same month ended for the previous year.  ‘Written Sales’ is defined by all sales brought to contract status, where ‘Settled Sales’ are the results of contracts completed at the close of the reported month.  Written Sales are a snapshot of the markets temperature while Settled Sales show what has happened in the previous month.

Although it is very seldom that tenants find their dream home within a rental property, small changes can make a big difference. Unlike many buyers who purchase their home with the intention of altering the existing property, most tenants do not want to embark on costly renovations to a property that ultimately does not belong to them.

“Before deciding to make any permanent alterations to the rental property it is essential to either check the terms within the lease agreement or to discuss proposed plans with the landlord. If the planned renovations will make the house more valuable in the future, the owner may encourage the remodelling. Should the landlord oppose the renovation plans, tenants need to accept the property for what it is and save their renovation plans for when the time comes to purchase their own property,” states Myburgh.

One way to feel at home in your rental home is to give it a fresh coat of paint. After discussing it with your landlord, put your mark on the house by painting the rooms in your favourite shades. Hanging pictures of loved ones and friends from the walls will instantly make the area feel like home.

“Just remember that in many cases, the landlord will want the tenant to leave the house the same way it was found- therefore the walls may need to be restored to their original colour, with any new holes in walls to be filled in and painted over. If the landlord does not give permission to paint the walls, bright décor such as curtains, cushions and rugs can help to brighten up the space,” adds Myburgh.

When living in a rental house, it is the perfect opportunity to invest in some great pieces of furniture, as these will instantly personalise the space and transform the house into an area in which you are comfortable in. Items in the house that can be easily removed, such as light fittings and door handles, can be replaced with ones more tailored to the tenant’s likings and style. “The tenant must however ensure that these items are refitted when the time comes to leave the property,” says Myburgh.

He continues, “If the alterations being made to the rental home are well planned, tasteful and professionally carried out, when it comes time to vacate the property there will be a minimal amount of repair work required and you will not risk losing your deposit”.

The programme is part of a national drive to offer job opportunities to those who have skills in business, wish to change career or are looking for a chance to retrain and ‘earn while they learn.’

Supported by New Zealand’s largest real estate company, Harcourts, select offices nationwide have jumped on the chance to upskill and provide employment for professionals who may have had a career in another industry such as teaching, nursing, in a trade, or maybe even the police force.

Harcourts Group Chief Executive, Hayden Duncan says this is an opportunity to provide careers to skilled professionals and to continue to extend the quality of the real estate industry.

“Lately there have been reports in the media about the lack of employment, and skilled professionals unable to gain employment in their particular field of study or trade. What we are offering is an opportunity for educated people with experience in the workforce, a chance to upskill themselves with full support and training so they have a chance to have a successful career over the rest of their working life.”

“The New Zealand Real Estate Scholarship Programme offers a retainer and many benefits that support it to be a substantial package for recipients. Recent regulations and requirements introduced into the industry have ensured that certain levels of professionalism and accountability are delivered to all sellers and buyers.  We want to share the knowledge and professionalism our brand is associated with, to grow the industry in a way that not only delivers outstanding real estate experiences, but in doing so maintains the ‘Harcourts Way’ as the ‘industry standard’ in terms of real estate services,” says Mr. Duncan.

“Real estate is no longer a job that just anyone can enter into as once thought – it is a profession requiring in depth training and for some it can be a life changing career move,” comments Mr. Duncan.

Recipients of the New Zealand Real Estate Scholarship Programme receive a salary plus commission, their national certificate and license in real estate plus full training, with all course expenses paid for; a substantial investment into personal profile marketing material and the support of the best in the business, topped off with attendance to the largest real estate conference in New Zealand in 2013 – all while they learn.  All this comes from within an industry that traditionally has never paid salaries.

The training completed with Harcourts’ Academy, has the largest in-house training facilities of any real estate company in the country, so candidates are in the best of hands and The New Zealand Real Estate Scholarship Programme is available within all areas of real estate covering residential, rural, commercial and industrial sales.
Available to anyone new to selling real estate i.e. has not been actively selling; The New Zealand Real Estate Scholarship Programme will have one intake this year and run for a period of twelve months. After the first twelve months, successful candidates have the opportunity to further advance their real estate career engaging in more advanced training.

There are over 25 scholarships on offer spanning the country from Greater Auckland to Queenstown and the campaign has now been launched on social media sites Facebook, Twitter, online via seek.co.nz, stuff.co.nz, various print and radio stations across the country.

You can apply for The New Zealand Real Estate Scholarship or to find out more information, at www.opennewdoors.co.nz or by free calling 0508 OPEN DOORS.

Auctioneer Chris Kennedy auction's the Neurosurgery Foundation house at Mitre 10 Mega on Saturday

The charity house built by Mitre 10 Mega and marketed by Harcourts Dunedin has sold under the hammer on Saturday for $163,000 with the total funds raised now reaching $2,100,826.12.

A large crowd gathered in the car park of Mitre 10 Mega in Dunedin for the auction of the charity house built by Mitre 10 Mega and marketed by Harcourts Dunedin.

Jane Bradshaw from Harcourts Dunedin and sales consultant for marketing the charity house said about 150 people gathered for the auction.

“Bidding started at $100,000 with the house going on the market at the $150,000 mark. Our Auctioneer Chris Kennedy did a wonderfully entertaining job as MC for the event, encouraging those around to bid generously during the auction. With the property selling at $163,000, the proceeds of around $50,000 will go to the Neurological Foundation fundraising campaign.”

“The winning bidders, Susan Wyngaarden-Low and Malcolm Low, now have this wonderful three-bedroom home which they will relocate out to their 0.6ha Fairfield section to  use as a rental,” said Mrs Bradshaw.

When Harcourts Dunedin read about the Neurosurgery Unit fund raising drive in the Otago Daily Times they offered to volunteer to help raise the $3 million and Harcourts Dunedin Manager Geoff Stevens says he and the team are extremely pleased with the end result.

“It has been a great pleasure to be associated with such a worthy campaign which will not only benefit the people of Dunedin but also the people of Otago and Southland. It is really encouraging to see the public getting in behind the Neurological Foundation in their bid to raise the $3 Million dollars needed.  The house auction was just another very important part in the process.”

Five domestic packages including tools, furniture, gardening appliances and household items were also auctioned before the main auction event gathering another $1720 towards the $3Million dollar goal.

The campaign launched in January 2012 to fund the appointment of a Professor for New Zealand’s first academic neurosurgery unit, based at Otago University. Academic units already exist in Canada, USA, the UK, and Australia, and in 2010 an expert panel recommended the unit be established to ensure that New Zealand has a similar academic neurosurgical centre of excellence.

Public donations can be made:

Online at www.chairofneurosurgery.org.nz,

At any National Bank or ANZ branch to the account Neurosurgery Campaign, account number 0602870133301-05.

By mail: Freepost 2064, Neurosurgery Campaign, PO Box 914, Dunedin, 9054.

Harcourts Auctioneer Chris Kennedy stirring up bids from the 150 strong crowd

Many turned out and with a total of thirteen bidders, eight bidding in person and three via the phone to buy the property.  Harcourts Queenstown Business Owner and Manager, Marie Osborne, said this interest shows that the buyers are ready to spend when the right property comes along.

“The first bid began at $400,000 quickly jumping to $490,000. In minutes, we had reached the GV of $585,000.  From there the bidding decreased to $1000 increments, finally closing at $613,000.   We haven’t seen this kind of interest in many years and for us it was reminiscent of the days when all properties had this type of attention.”

“We are seeing buyers ready and waiting so when quality listings so come on the market, buyers jump on them – this was a classic example of that,” said Mrs. Osborne.

The townhouse is located in Frankton with a solid tilt slab construction and spacious living area across three levels. With 3 bedrooms, 3 en-suite bathrooms and double garaging; this property has impressive views across the Frankton arm of Lake Wakatipu and surrounding mountains.

Overseas investors and buyers alike were also interested in the property also.

“It wasn’t only New Zealanders that were bidding, we did have interest from Australia and one particular party did bid via phone,” said Mrs Osborne.

In the end the successful bidder of 8/8 Humphrey Street was a Christchurch man buying the home as a Queenstown base/holiday home

For additional comments:

Marie Osborne, Business Owner and Manager, Harcourts Queenstown, (03) 441-0777

Business owners of the newly named Harcourts East Coast Realty office, Wendy Reeves Gwynn Dunn have an abundance of knowledge with Wendy bringing over 17 years experience in real estate, and Gwynn heading up the property management division.  East Coast Realty will be providing services across the board including specialist rural consultants to provide for the extensive rural population of the East Cape in addition to a large property management division.

Wendy and Gwynn lead a team of 10 staff, focussed on providing a professional and customer centred service for the Gisborne Region. They say that it was the common values and philosophies of Harcourts which lead them become part of New Zealand’s largest real estate company.

“Harcourts is a fantastic brand which has had exceptional growth both within New Zealand and internationally, and we wanted to be a part of it” says Wendy Reeves. “The systems and technology which Harcourts has in place complement our philosophies and so it made sense to join forces to grow with the brand and to deliver exceptional service to the East Coast.”

Harcourts CEO Hayden Duncan welcomes the addition of the eastern based team to Harcourts.

“Harcourts are thrilled that our platform, systems and business model are continuing to attract New Zealand’s leading sales consultants and business owners. The strength and support of our brand really enhances the level and quality of service our sales consultants and business owners can provide raising the overall experience of buying property,” Mr Duncan comments.

East Coast Realty will operate out of their Treble Court Peel Street office, now rebranded as one of the 175 Harcourts offices throughout New Zealand.

For more information please contact:

Wendy Reeves, Business Owner, Harcourts East Coast Realty Ltd Ph: 06 863 0023

Officially opening its doors on Friday April 13, Harcourts’ Manukau office will trade under Preet & Co Real Estate Ltd named after its business owner Preet Grewal.

Despite it being early in his career, Preet’s sharpness, professionalism and knowledge of the South Auckland market is unmistakable, having been named number one real estate sales consultant in South Auckland for 2011 with another agency.

Mr Grewal said that joining Harcourts, a New Zealand ‘born and bred’ real estate company was really a ‘no brainer’.

“Harcourts sells more real estate that any other company in the country and there was really no hesitation in my decision to embark on business ownership under the highly reputable brand. Manukau is one of New Zealand’s largest cities, and the opportunity to provide a service for such a population was self-evident.”

Preet will lead a team of eight and has set his sights high.

“I want to provide Manukau with an unprecedented level of service and professionalism with a goal of capturing up to 50% market share within the next three years,” says Mr Grewal.

Predominantly a residential property focussed office, catering for both investment sales and property management, Harcourts Manukau has the potential to be South Auckland’s largest real estate office with space for up to 34 sales consultants and 6 property managers.

Harcourts CEO Hayden Duncan has welcomed such a passionate addition to the team in the establishment of the Harcourts office in Manukau.

“Harcourts platform, systems and business model are continuing to attract New Zealand’s leading sales consultants and business owners. The strength and support of our culture really enhances the level and quality of service our sales consultants and business owners can provide raising the overall experience of buying property.”

“Manukau is a rapidly growing area with a large and diverse population. The establishment of an office within the region is a fantastic opportunity for Harcourts to provide a service to a wider area of customers,” Mr Duncan comments.

Harcourts Manukau is one of five offices within South Auckland and Harcourts 176^th office within New Zealand, suitably located on Sharkey Street just off Cavendish drive, close to Manukau’s busiest hub.

For additional comment or photos:

Preet Grewal, Business Owner

Harcourts Manukau (Preet & Co Real Estate Ltd)

09 263 6900

On the 21^st April Harcourts Dunedin will auction the neurosurgery fundraiser house on site in the Mitre 10 Mega car park on Anderson Bay Road, Dunedin.

Marketing of the charity house, undertaken by Harcourts Dunedin, has returned great interest over the last few weeks says Harcourts Dunedin Manager Geoff Stevens and sales consultant Jane Bradshaw.

“We have seen good numbers through the open homes averaging 130 people each weekend which is great,” says Jane.

“Over the last four open homes there has been a lot of interest from different parties. This weekend will be the last opportunity to view the charity home from 1130am with the auction scheduled for 1230pm.”

March 3 saw local businesses unite as Mitre 10 Mega, Certified Builders Association of New Zealand and Harcourts Dunedin announced plans to build a three-bedroom home in the Mitre 10 Mega car park with proceeds going to the Chair of Neurosurgery fund.

When Harcourts Dunedin read about the Neurosurgery Unit fund raising drive in the Otago Daily Times they offered to volunteer to help raise the $3 million.

“Mitre 10 Mega and Certified Builders lead a team of tradespeople who have given time and materials, while Harcourts are marketing and providing auctioneer services on the day all for free to help raise funds for the project. It is such a wonderful cause and we are confident this house will sell on Saturday,” said Ms Bradshaw.

Harcourts Dunedin Manager Geoff Stevens says that he expects the house to be popular as have all auctions in Dunedin of late.

“This is such a great cause and one contribution of many great donations and grants given. We do hope this auction will see a great result for the campaign. Harcourts properties have seen multiple offers and increased interest in Auction of late, as good properties are selling well.  We have noticed a tightening of stock numbers and so I do think as we experience buyer demand that the Neurosurgery Charity House will be popular,” said Mr Stevens.

This charity auction is but one event aimed at raising funds for the campaign launched in January 2012 to fund the appointment of a Professor for New Zealand’s first academic neurosurgery unit, based at Otago University. This is an essential role to ensure the ongoing delivery of neurosurgical services to Otago and Southland, and will also add significant value to neurosurgical research in New Zealand.

Otago University Pro Vice-Chancellor, health sciences, Peter Crampton said he is excited by the campaign’s early success. The chair in neurosurgery was a crucial part of future-proofing the service.

“This is testament to the importance of the neurosurgical service to the people of Southland, Otago and the South Island,” Mr Crampton said.

Since The Neurological Foundation’s inception the fundraising has run like this:

21 Jan         $500,000+

15 Feb        $1,380,939

24 Feb        $1,500,000

14 Apr        $2,000,000

And on the 21^st of April the charity house will be auctioned to add to the fund.

Academic units already exist in Canada, USA, the UK, and Australia, and in 2010 an expert panel recommended the unit be established to ensure that New Zealand has a similar academic neurosurgical centre of excellence.

Public donations can be made:

Online at www.chairofneurosurgery.org.nz,

At any National Bank or ANZ branch to the account Neurosurgery Campaign, account number 0602870133301-05.

By mail: Freepost 2064, Neurosurgery Campaign, PO Box 914, Dunedin, 9054.

-Ends-

For further comment contact:

Geoff Stevens, Branch Manager

Harcourts Dunedin

03 477 5334

Jane Bradshaw, Sales Consultant and Academy Trainer

Harcourts Dunedin

03 477 5334

Irene Mosley, Project Manager

Neurological Foundation

Chair of Neurosurgery Campaign

03 477 4837 or 027 277 5631

Laura Wilmot, Communications Manager

Harcourts Group Ltd

09 520 5569