As I have blogged about on a number of occasions, I have been dealing with a number of real estate salespeople from a range of companies across different cities in New Zealand as I look for property to purchase.
I have had an incredibly positive experience with those that I have been dealing with both by email and over the telephone. As I have been gathering information these salespeople have patiently provided the information that I have requested and all the while showing a thorough knowledge of their local marketplace.
I have been overwhelmingly impressed by the knowledge and professionalism of those who I have dealt with and I just wanted to take a moment to congratulate those in the industry for this very fact.
Sometimes real estate agents get negative publicity and on the whole I feel that this is not justified. The new Real Estate Agents Act (2008) has been a positive step to provide an external way to build knowledge and expertise in the profession, but on the whole the vast majority within the industry are already incredibly hard working, professional and ethical who have a real passion for people and property.
When I first began in real estate about seven years ago I came from a decade in the education system. It was an understatement to say that I was shocked by the publics perception of real estate agents and it took me a long time to get used to the fact that I had to work hard to build peoples trust before even beginning the process of real estate with my clients.
I constantly strive to provide a superior level of service to my clients who are buying and/or selling reidential property because it is quite simple really – if I provide a superior level of service I am that much more likely to receive repeat and referral business in the future and have a positive name in my marketplace.
I believe our goal as professionals is to break down those stereotypes one transaction and one person at a time.
Currently in the media there seems to be much comment about investors fleeing the property market. This is interesting as my dad always said that when the majority are doing one thing you should do the opposite, so at the moment I am on the search for an investment property. It is a slow process as I sift through www.realestate.co.nz and look at the multitude of options. It is then a matter of getting a range of information from the agents, crunching the numbers and trying to arrange to view. This is not always easy to find the time especially as I am looking not just in Auckland where I live but further afield as well.
On that note I am currently marketing a couple of great but very different investment opportunities here in Auckland. So my question to you is – who else out their in the marketplace follows their instinct and not reporting in the media?
1. 1Q/6 Burgoyne Street, Grey Lynn – 1brm, 51sqm internally plus an added bonus of a courtyard, 2x carparks, was rented prior to going on the market for $320 per week. CV:$185,000 (going to auction on Wed 25th Aug unless SOLD prior) MORE INFO HERE
2. 230 Church Street, Onehunga – Bungalow on a full 766sqm site currently configured as 2x 1 brm flats. TLC required. (going to auction on 1st Sep unless SOLD prior) MORE INFO HERE
Feel free to contact me on 0800 637 848 for more information.
At our Harcourts Ponsonby office we are on a team building journey. In the last two weeks we have had two new salespeople join with a few in the pipeline. This is very exciting times for us. We are on a serious mission to build our market share.
We have a brilliant team – we have a lot of fun, we laugh a lot, and play and work extremely hard. We all have a shared interest in each others success and because most of us have worked together on and off for a number of years we know how we can support each other where and when required.
The business of real estate can be a stressful exercise at the best of times and having an open positive office goes a long way towards your own success in the marketplace.
I love coming to the office and chatting to my colleagues – yes, I do work too, but theres something special in an organistion when we can share and openly ask for support and advice and laugh like we do.
So, not wanting to let an opportunity pass me by, if you have been contemplating a move from your current office and love the area then feel free to call our office on 09 360 0485 and ask for our manager – Shaun Luyt. I’m sure he’d be happy to chat with you.
Alternatively, you can give me a buzz on my direct dial 09 360 9011 and Im happy to give you the inside scoop on why I think Harcourts and Harcourts Ponsonby is a great place to work!
It seems to me that “liking property” is in the eye of the beholder. It never ceases to amaze me the range of comments made by buyers about the same property.
“Do-Ups” are a classic example. It seems there is somewhat of a continuum for properties –
1. Completely done up – just move your furniture and clothes in and start living
2. Tidy Up – With a slap and a tickle of paint and a bit of new carpet the property looks like new
3. Do-Up – some structural work is required but potentially it can be done while still living in the property.
4. Major Do-Up – When youre looking at the property you’re scared to jump up and down in the bathroom because you think you might end up underneath the house!
The question is – what exactly are you after?
If you are a buyer, feel free to email me your requirements. I’d love to be able to help.
As with anything in life you get what you pay for.
I am a great proponent of profile marketing for your property. I am also passionate about taking properties to auction. Now, some people beliive that less marketing is the way to go, and if you are lucky you may find a buyer but in my opinion I think that spending a trickle is an absolute waste of money.
If you have decided to sell your property then do it right once. Dont become one of the properties that languishes on the internet with buyers not interested becuase they saw it months ago and the agent who has lost all passion for the property.
The purpose of marketing is to find as many buyers out in the marketplace and get bums through the front door. Combine this with a deadline date (ie auction date) which creates the urgency as well as a bit of competition thrown in for good measure and you have the recipe for successfully unconditionally selling your property.
In this day and age information seems to be the key and with the internet information is just a click away. In the real estate profession we have had to adapt as technology changes the way that people buy and sell property. One of the most important changes is that before we even see buyers or sellers, those groups will usually have performed a great deal of research on the internet first.
This is where zoodle comes in. Zoodle is a complimentary service alongside realestate.co.nz and provides much valuable information in terms of the area that you are looking in. Some of the information included are valuable statistics on the suburb eg: properties currently on the market, days on the market, a range of census information, some basic information about the suburb and if you drill down to find a property you get the aerial and map views of the property and a range of other basic information.
Now all websites need to make money obviously and there are a range of reports you can purchase for the property you are looking at.
The best idea is to have a bit of a play around the site to get a sense of what information is valuable to you.
At the moment I have had my “buyers” hat on as I search high and low for a little investment property. Those that know me will attest to the fact that I am incredibly picky and take a long time to make decisions on anything let alone a big decision like this so I will probably be one of those people that is still looking 12 months from now.:)
It has been a timely reminder as to the difficult decisions that face buyers daily. –
What is the right property?
Is it the right time to buy?
What sort of property should I be looking for?
What are the returns?
Are my expectations too high?
I have been contacting agents who have properties that I feel may meet my own criteria and here are a couple of observations that I have made -
1. Why would you advertise a property as a great investment and then not put in how much the tenant is paying and the ongoing expenses?
2. Are 5 external shots of the back door and one of half the kitchen floor really telling me much?
3. Is 1 photo only and of the carport that useful?
4. If you take a photo of the owners 50inch TV and the photo would look good in a Dick Smith catalogue that useful as well?
5. Is it best practice to say things like “I think the council rates are….”
6. Do I really care if I email an agent and they dont get back to me? … yes, I do.
7. Is it really that clever to not put the address in the adverting so I HAVE to call you – this really bugs me!
Generally though I have been really impressed with the professional way the agents have communicated with me.
It still doesnt make my decision making process any easier though!
Have you heard about The Harcourts Foundation? ….. Approximately two years ago Harcourts set this up. This is a Charitable Orgnisation that members of our local communities can apply for funds from. The brief is quite simply “To provide support that helps, grows and enriches our communities”
Right from our head honcho Mr Mike Green, Harcourts is led by a team who are not only professional but who believe in their local communities. Offices and agents across the country contribute to this most wonderful organisation.
At our last conference Mike Green shared “the story so far…..” (See below)
Over the last six years I have had the privilege of selling many top end apartments suitable for owner occupiers. I am also an apartment dweller myself buying in one of the first purpose built apartment blocks 11 years ago where I still live today. I have also “done my time” on our owners body corporate commitee.
What I have learnt over the years is that there are a range of vital questions to ask and aspects to think about when looking to buy an apartment to live in. (This is not an exhaustive list but gives you a good head start)
1. Is it freehold unit title?
2. If you are giving up a back yard I believe that what you need to get in return is a view
3. Make sure you ask and get at least the last three years (more if possible) of the body corporate AGM meeting minutes (these give you the best picture of how well the building is functioning)
4. Make sure you get the annual operating budgets with the body corporate AGM meeting minutes with a break down of where the money is going – check there is a long term maintenance plan for the building including a healthy sinking fund (for things like building painting, replacement of the lifts,etc)
5. How much are all the expenses? – Body Corporate Fees, Council Rates – are the body corp fees paid monthly, quarterly or 6 monthly?
6. What is the proportion of owner occupiers to “renters” – the greater the number of owner occupiers, the more likely the building will be well looked after.
7. Is there a day to day manager to take care of the general maintenance and common areas? (living on site or off site)
8. What is the sales turnover in the building? – are there many long term owners in the building?
9. What is surrounding the apartment building? (positive and negative – this is very personal as one persons negative will be another persons positive)
10. Be aware that it most likely WILL be noisier.
11. If the apartment has shared walls with its neighbours – what is the layout of the apartments ie: is the master bedroom beside the neighbours living room or a bedroom?
12. If you like the apartment go back AT LEAST TWICE at DIFFERENT TIMES of the day and/or night to gauge sunlight, activity and noise in the area.
13. Does the apartment come with a carpark/s – I personally think for resale value at least 1 if not 2 is hugely advantageous.
14. What is the storage like in the apartment and does it come with a storage locker?
15. Ask for a copy of the body corporate rules – are you allowed pets?
16. Are there amenities in the block? eg: swimming pool, gym, etc – will you actually use them?
17. Remember that because it is a unit title, whenever something needs to be spent on the building as a whole and/or common areas you will share in that cost.
Personally, I love apartment living. I love been able to walk everywhere, I love the lock and leave aspect and the magnificent view every time I roll out of my bedroom in the morning but just be aware that it is not for everyone.
Feel free to contact me (0800 637 848) if you have been thinking about buying (and/or selling) an apartment – Id love to be able to help.
It is a slow process as I sift through 
