Tags: buying property
“Housing shortage a real crisis” says NZ’s biggest real estate group
The latest Harcourts National Sellers and Purchasers Survey results have uncovered a potential crisis in the number of homes available.
The survey measures the tenure of sellers and buyers and other trends around New Zealand homeowner and buyer activity such as volume of sales, and listings coming on the market plus their marketing results.
Harcourts CEO Hayden Duncan says these results coupled with recession tightening funding options for developers and the impact of damaged homes in Christchurch, eliminating over 5100 homes in national circulation from the market have all played a crucial role resulting in a very real housing shortage nearly at crisis point.
“We are dealing with factors such as residential building consent numbers down 45% beneath where they need to be to meet the population growth rate and as the BNZ Weekly Survey reported with our labour market improving, the record migration outflow may reverse placing more…
Tags: 1st time home buyers, affordability, affordable properites, average price, buying a home, buying a property, buying property, Christchurch, Christchurch quake, Christchurch region, home security, house offers, house prices, housing affordability, housing market, market growth, market prices, market update, real estate institutes, real estate market
Stop the noise from next door
Anyone who’s ever been to a rock concert can attest to the fact that loud noise not only affects your hearing but also tends to raise your stress levels and can make you very tired and irritable.
And we live in a noisy world, constantly bombarded by the sounds of traffic, ringing phones, blaring sound systems and supermarket muzak, not to mention all the people talking to and around us – which is why so many people look forward to going home at the end of the day to their nice quiet flat or townhouse.
“It is also why the reaction to inconsiderate neighbours who play loud music until all hours, test car revs in the driveway or let their dogs bark incessantly can verge on the homicidal,” says Richard Gray, CEO of the Harcourts real estate group.
However, there are better ways to deal with the problem,…
Tags: buying property, consumer advice, Harcourts Africa, Press release, selling property, show days
Why show days are still important
In this electronic age of online listings, video tours and digital marketing, many home sellers don’t see the point of show days anymore.
“Some owners believe that those who are really interested will make an appointment with the agent to come and view their property,” says Harcourts Africa CEO Richard Gray, “while others are worried about security when their homes are open to the public.”
However, he says, the fact is that show days still account for a very large percentage of sales – “and in the current market when homes are still taking a long time to sell, it is not wise for sellers to reject one of the most effective ways of exposing their properties to potential buyers.
“Not everyone has access to the Internet, or trusts that the photos in online listings are accurate, and not everyone wants to view a property in a one-on-one…
Tags: buying property, consumer advice, Harcourts Africa, Press release, selling property, show days
Is a townhouse the right home for you?
If you’re looking for a home with fewer maintenance requirements, or perhaps a house in the suburbs isn’t in your budget, then a sectional title townhouse may be just the answer.
“But there are a few pros and cons you should really think about before you commit to a purchase,” says Richard Gray CEO of real estate group Harcourts Africa.
On the positive side, choosing a townhouse may give you the opportunity to live in a more upmarket area than you could afford if you were to buy an ordinary house.
“In addition, the levy payable in sectional title complexes often covers the upkeep of communal amenities such as a swimming pool, braai areas, tennis courts, clubhouse, gym and laundry as well as the security provisions, and having the use of such facilities without having to worry about their maintenance or repair suits many people very well.”
What…
Tags: buying a home, buying property, consumer advice, Harcourts Africa, Press release, townhouse
Good neighbours = higher home values
All over the world, people are seeking out neighbourhoods that offer them the possibility of a quieter life, a safer environment in which to bring up their children and a chance to be more “connected” with their community.
“And the effect this has on home values,” says Harcourts Africa CEO Richard Gray, “is very evident from the premiums that homebuyers are prepared to pay to live in golf estates and other gated developments, not just in SA but in many other countries.
“But this doesn’t mean that traditional suburbs and towns cannot be just as attractive – if their residents are prepared to co-operate in the same way as people do in sectional title complexes and estates.”
Many benefits can flow from something as simple as a friendly greeting when out walking the dog or when new neighbours move in, he says, including things like shared school trips…
Tags: buying a home, buying property, consumer advice, good neighbours, Harcourts Africa, Press release, selling a home
Things you must know about Sectional Title
When you buy into a sectional title (ST) scheme, it is important to realise that you are not only buying a home, but also buying into the culture, economic status and rules of the complex.
“Many buyers only start looking at the management and conduct rules of a complex after they have bought a home there and moved in,” says Harcourts Africa CEO Richard Gray, “and then find to their dismay that there are quite a few items that they don’t like at all.”
The standard management and conduct rules, he explains, are set down in annexures to the Sectional Titles Act. They specify the procedures for the running and administration of ST schemes, and set out guidelines for the conduct of owners as well as their guests and tenants.
“However, amendments can be made to these rules in individual schemes, and it is here that uninformed buyers…
Tags: buying a home, buying property, consumer advice, Harcourts Africa, Press release