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SLOW START SEES SPRING BOUNCE!

22 October, 2019 by andrea

Auckland’s housing market is emerging from one of the quietest winters ever as a mood of optimism takes hold. Despite the gloomy picture painted by backward-looking real estate stats, more properties are becoming available and Spring is delivering a more positive vibe, especially for first home buyers, say the experts.

REINZ notes that in August Auckland prices dropped by 3.5% on the same time last year. The number of new listings decreased by 14% in August and the number of properties sold dropped by 41%.

However, REINZ chief executive Bindi Norwell says the next two months already look encouraging.

 

“Although there have been a drop in sales, there have been a lot of requests for appraisals and the market is starting to pick up again.

Across Auckland, real estate agents have struggled with few listings. As temperatures slowly rise, the market has responded, bouncing back into life again.

In St Heliers, Barfoot’s Paul Neshausen says, it’s been hard with less activity.

“But we’re still getting good prices. We’re seeing an uplift as more properties come to the market. The weather has had a big impact. Over the weekend, it was particularly busy with good open home attendance because the weather was gorgeous. As we move further into Spring, that seems to be the flavour.”

Mike Robson of Harcourts Epsom/Eden says since the new policy restrictions – tougher LVRs, the Brightline Test and the Foreign Buyers Ban – the market has been flat for a couple of years as vendors have been reluctant to put their properties up for sale. It’s still not increasing to the level it was where prices rose 13% year on year for five years.

Robson adds that being an election year, the decision-making process is normally delayed while people await the outcomes.

“Our market is driven by school zones. So there’s always some level of buoyancy. It’s not dropping. It’s just flat. But Spring already has a positive vibe and I think we’ll see a lot of good family homes coming on board, especially when schools go back after October 14.”

He says it took a while for sellers to adjust their price expectations following the boom years. But they have now and they’re just getting on with things.

“They couldn’t get the same prices that they could achieve a year earlier. Vendors now realise it’s a bit tougher than it has been but they have to be realistic. If they’re still chasing those higher prices, they’ll just have to wait for another couple of years. That’s not possible for everyone.”

Robson says, good properties priced around the $3million mark are selling well in his area. He had one last week that sold pre-auction.

“Anything well-presented at that higher level, there’s a strong buyer pool. Buyers are more discerning at that range. And they probably feel more in control as they can pick and choose.”

Tony Vercauteren from Sotheby’s says, in the upmarket areas of St Mary’s Bay and Herne Bay where he sells, buyer interest is high. But there is a definite shortage of property at the top end.

“A lack of good quality stock is prevalent. There are a lot of rebuilds going up but good top end homes are a rarity. People are reluctant to bring their properties to market. They’ve been told by the media that things aren’t great out there. And buyers are reluctant to move on their price expectations.”

“But if homes are 10 out of 10 at the top end, there is significant interest and they will sell.”

Unsurprisingly with the banks easing their loan to value regulations and the lower interest rates, the big numbers are coming in at the lower end. It was apparent right through winter in Mt Eden and Epsom, says Robson. Around 70 to 80% of properties sold were units.

“Activity is strong around the $1m to $1.2 and $1.3million mark as banks are more accommodating.”

While anything over $4million is definitely taking longer, first home buyers are also a force in the Easter Bays, says Neshausen. “Townhouses, terraces and units priced around the $1million to mid $1 million are selling with relative ease.

“I’ve seen new developments happening in the area, about five of them, where they are selling off the plans at speed.”

It’s the same in Ponsonby says Vercauteren, where activity in the $1million to $2million price range has increased. But there’s still a lack of properties at the moment, he says.

His advice for sellers is definitely to bring pressure to the situation with an auction campaign. “From the buyers’ point of view, they’ll start realising now they’ve gone for some time where the bottom hasn’t falling out of the market. If they want to buy something, then they had better buy it now.”

Robson says, presentation is really important. “You can’t do anything about your aspect or a steep driveway, but presentation will get people through to help sell the property.”

Although interest rates are the best they’ve been, he notes it can still be tough for buyers as the banks are making them jump through the hoops.

“They’ve become really strict on non-consented work and anything not signed off. Same with the requirements on rentals. A lot of landlords have made good gains putting properties on the market and some aren’t up to spec. That’s created difficulties for some buyers to get loans.

“So, do your due diligence and be aware of what you’re buying. Get good support from a well-connected mortgage broker who has strings to his/her bow.”

As Christmas and New Year get closer, expect the market to step up as people start thinking about relocating for schools, downsizing, upsizing and so on.

Bindi Norwell says, over the next couple of months the market should remain constant and the normal seasonal growth in listings and sales should help provide more choice for buyers.

 

Filed Under: Bedrooms, Design Trends, Furniture Packages, Interior Design, Living Edge News, New Homes, Real Estate, Staging Blog Tagged With: Auckland, Barfoot & Thompson, home for sale, home staging, interior design, interior design trends, interiors, property, real estate, trends

Escape the rush

24 April, 2014 by Living Edge

For the owners of this new home close to the seaside, every day feels like a holiday

While some of us love the buzz of inner city living, many others are attracted to the peace that’s to be found when you choose a home in one of Auckland’s iconic seaside suburbs.

For the owners of this Long Bay home, coming back after a day at work or school feels like being on holiday every day. But this is no bach. Instead, it’s a home designed with all the luxury and comfort of a city pad.

The formal and informal living spaces on the ground floor are partly demarcated by a small change in level, but they still flow smoothly together. And, with four bedrooms upstairs, there is more than enough space for everyone.

“The children can do their homework and we can entertain friends, without one activity interfering with another,” the owners say.

“But at the same time, there’s a sense of togetherness that you don’t always find in an older house with more separate spaces.”

_MG_7384

Polished floorboards and the soft, sandy, neutral tones on the walls create a warm backdrop for the contemporary-style furnishings of the house. The interior designer’s choice of large, comfortable-looking sofas and low coffee tables enhances the spacious feel. The kitchen and family living area open out to a private, sheltered terrace.

_MG_7394

 

Lively splashes of colour have been introduced to brighten the informal living area. A designer kitchen with an extra-large island and extensive bench space along two back walls gives plenty of scope for cooking and socialising. The furniture-style central island incorporates a breakfast bar, which has a black granite benchtop for a touch of glamour.

The white marble splashback in this kitchen is a subtle feature, in contrast to the highly polished granite benchtop and white lacquered cabinetry.

 

Upstairs are three bedrooms, a family bathroom, and a master bedroom with an ensuite. The double garage includes ample space for storage of bikes and other sports gear that every family accumulates.

_MG_7436The theme of neutral painted walls and carpets carries through into the guest bedroom. Bright lime green cushions and a throw reflect the colours outside the window. 

_MG_7421

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shades of blue, also part of the landscape, brighten this bedroom.

 

Designer: Shang Da Wei

Kitchen designer and manufacturer: Gu Bao Kitchen Company

Oven, dishwasher, cooktop, rangehood: Bosch

Flooring: American oak

Wall paint: Dulux

Window and door joinery: Chang Cheng

Furniture: Living Edge

About Long Bay

Just half an hour from the CBD, the development nestles alongside the Long Bay Regional Park. It offers residents the pleasure of living in a spectacular coastal environment within easy distance of all amenities that a world-class city like Auckland has to offer.

Source: Long Bay Trends is published by Trends Publishing International Limited.

Long Bay : www.longbay.co.nz

PHONE: 0800 LONG BAY

Filed Under: New Homes Tagged With: interior design, Long Bay, new home, trends

Interior Design Tips for 2014

14 January, 2014 by Living Edge

Here’s some Interior Design tips from Shanly

In our lives we spend a great deal of time in our homes, and it is true what they say… we are a product of our environment. This is why it is so important that our surroundings make us feel happy, relaxed and comfortable.

TOP TIPS for 2014!

Declutter 

By decluttering it will make your mind feel calmer, your space look bigger.. and tidier. Also try to go into those cabinets, you will find things that you forgot you had!

As you go through this motion you will feel like a weight has been lifted.

Time for a change ? What about your wall colours ?

Colours are a very unusual thing, as what a wall colour may look like in one home, won’t look like in another. This is because of light.

It is important to know the right colour for you before you go to all the effort and expense of purchasing your paint! There is nothing worse than finding out that it’s the wrong colour !

Buy some sample tester pots and try them out in your light. You should not paint these on your wall, because if you decide to go with a lighter colour than a darker colour then you may end up having that darker colour showing through! My advice would be to grab a piece of jib board, paint the colours on it and watch them change colour during the day as the light changes. If there’s one you love all day long.. then you just found your paint colour.

Impulse buying 

Be sure not to impulse buy… be patient, take your time and think about what you want to create in your home. And remember this is a professional designers field of expertise, you are not expected to know if its all going to work together.

Style of your dream home

Really think about the look and feel you want in your home. Does it work with your everyday lifestyle ? Will you keep loving it in years to come? It’s all about your taste and what makes you feel good, so I suggest you get a folder, and when going through magazines pull out pages of designs and furniture you like, so when you do meet with your designer, it will be very clear of what you want in your home.

And if you are a keen computer user, sign up to Pinterest (an online ‘pinboard’ social platform)  and make some of your own online interior design inspiration boards.

For some inspiration to get started, here’s a link to our interior design boards on Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/livingedgenz

Mirrors

Want to make a room look larger ? A mirror is a great option for this. It opens up a space, just make sure the sizing of the mirror for your room is the right measurements to accomplish this job, and again a good designer will know this.

Just a few tips to start the year off with, and if you need help with your home then I will be more than happy to help you achieve your dream home…

Shanly Simpson – Living Edge Interior Designer
09 630 0066

Filed Under: Design Trends Tagged With: interior design, interior design trends, trends

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