Many people who own holiday homes, including property investors, are reportedly renting their baches to help get through the tough times, but is everyone clear about the associated tax rules?

According to industry sources property investors are amongst the Kiwi bach owners renting out their holiday homes in an effort to generate additional income, but while most investors are well aware of the tax treatment associated with their rental property portfolio, can the same be said when it comes to renting their holiday home from time to time? [Read more →]

East Coast Bays median sales price is riding high compared to the national median sales price. Already the second most expensive place to buy a house in New Zealand, the North Shore continues to bound ahead.

In January the number of  property sales across New Zealand fell to their lowest level [Read more →]

The Real Estate Institute of New Zealand has just reported that sales of homes and residential property in January have plummeted to their lowest level in nearly two decades.

Brian Dalley, in his Market Blog, reports that while property sales appear to have screeched to a halt it’s just part of the cycle. So, what’s up with house sales on the North Shore? [Read more →]

Purchasing a home and income property has been a great way for a family to afford a standard of living that would be out of reach for many otherwise. Mum and Dad can live in the unit and the family in the main home. Independence and privacy are maintained, while security for older parents and the quality of life for both parties improved.

And now, as the National government reviews the tax structure for investment properties, home and income properties are going to be increasingly popular with property investors. Multiple income streams mean you can say hello to positive cashflow and  say good bye to negative gearing! [Read more →]

The million dollar question that

we are asked at the moment is

“what do you think will happen to the interest rates

this year, how high will they go?”

A lot of people are uncertain about what’s happening with interest rates so they are going on the floating rate to watch and wait. [Read more →]

Give your home a hug this Valentines Day!

Valentine’s Day is usually spent taking a romantic vacation with your significant other or spending tons of money creating the perfect day.  Like many you can end up spending hundreds of dollars for one day.  If you are like many couples currently experiencing the difficulties of the recession and trying to sell your home you just can not afford to do both this year.  If this is your situation, I have the PERFECT solution: give your home a hug by spending Valentines Day staging your home.  And do it with your lover. [Read more →]

Why is it that shopping malls are so well patronised? After all, they’re pretty much clones – when you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all, right? That may be a little harsh, and there are still a few independent malls around the place, like Milford. I can see the benefit of malls in Australia with their ridiculously high summer temperatures. There’s no better way to escape the heat on the Gold Coast than by ducking into one of the many local malls for a few hours of air conditioned relief. But in Auckland, with its mild climate, why lose yourself in a windowless cavern of mass produced goods when you could be enjoying the diversity of main street shopping (MSS) on a fine summer’s day.

[Read more →]

What will this year bring us in the property market? It is only a year since all was doom and gloom with no end to the recession in sight. Right now, it seems like we are going to have a great year! According to Alistair Helm CEO at Realestate.co.nz, sales of residential property in New Zealand were up 10% on the previous year and he predicts that there is plenty of scope for more: 

[Read more →]