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2629 days ago

Summer renovations to increase your home's value!

Lodge Real Estate - City

Want to turn your home into a high-value property? Get professional advice from our free eBook: The three elements of a low maintenance, high-profit property. Here are some simple, easy and quick ways to renovate your home this summer.

1. Wall colours matter
Avoid painting your walls white or black—one will show the dirt and the other any imperfections in your wall or ceiling. Instead, consider using patterned walls.

Wallpaper is becoming fashionable again and can really help your home look fresh.

2. Make the cleaning easier
Does anyone really enjoy vacuuming or cleaning in low, hard to reach places? Why not consider switching out your bathroom essentials for wall-mounted alternatives.

A wall-hung toilet and elevated sink will not only make cleaning easier but can create space and give the bathroom an entirely different context. For the ultimate easy-clean, install a drain in your bathroom floor so you can hose the floor down.

3. Consider changing surface tops
Changing both kitchen and bathroom surface tops are easy ways of giving your house a different feel. However, keep in mind that choosing a single colour will highlight imperfections, dirt and dust. Patterned surfaces are a great way of avoiding this. Natural stone countertops such as granite or quartz are good for this, but these are very heavy materials, so make sure your cabinetry can support the weight!

If you’re after an industrial look, consider stainless steel—it’s practically indestructible. The only downsides are that some chemicals can stain it, and it can dent if something heavy is dropped on it.

Plastic laminate is another long-lasting homeowner favourite, especially for those on a budget. It’s lightweight too so it doesn’t need sturdy support under it like granite or quartz do. However, it can be scratched and sometimes burned if you’re not careful.

4. Change the flooring
If your current floor is covered in furniture scuff marks, stains and claw indents from the family pet, it could be time to consider a more durable option. This could range from bamboo to natural stone or laminate, or vinyl, and while each has their benefits they also have their limitations.

Stone may be a great addition to your kitchen and bathrooms, but be aware that some types of stone, such as marble, will wear quicker than you might expect. Likewise, porcelain and ceramic tiles are a bathroom and kitchen favourite. While they’re not as tough as natural stone, they’re less porous, which makes them quick and easy to clean.
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More messages from your neighbours
1 minute ago

🕵️‍♂️ Solve It If You Can! 🔎 Riddle Time

Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

I’m a place of beauty,
from mountains to sea,
where the long white cloud drifts gracefully;
I’m far from most but close in heart—
what country am I,
a world apart?

Bonus points if you know the photo's location, here's a hint: it's the Riddler's home town!

Do you think you know the answer to our riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm.

Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.

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9 hours ago

What would you like to see in this spot?

Libby Totton Reporter from Waikato Times

The Waikato Farmers Trust building and adjacent property holdings are for sale in the CBD, marking the end of an era for some, and a “rare” opportunity for others.

The buildings located at 169 London Street, 150 Tristram Street, 153 London Street, and 413-415 Anglesea Street, as well as a parking lot at 409 Anglesea Street with 56 spaces, make up the Waikato Farmers Trust portfolio- all of which is for sale.

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10 hours ago

Chicken nuggets recall

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

A popular Pam's frozen food has been recalled.

What you need to know:
- Pams brand Tempura Coated Chicken Nuggets (1kg) have been recalled by Foodstuffs.
- The product may contain foreign matter (blue rubber).
- This product is sold at Four Square, Gilmours, New World, Pak’nSave and Social Supermarket stores throughout New Zealand.
- The affected batch has the marking of Best Before: 16 Oct 2025
- The issue was raised following a customer complaint.
- Customers should return the product to their retailer for a full refund.

For other recent food/product recalls, check our list here.

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