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2568 days ago

SELL IN SPRING FOR HIGHER PRICES, WINTER FOR FASTER SALE

Garry Tranter from Price My House for Free Limited

When you are selling a house, your success often seems to come down to a bit of luck.

The right buyer finds your open home, and - if you're really fortunate - gets into a bit of competitive bidding with another keen purchaser to push up the price.

But when the market is not so hot, that luck can feel harder to find. The latest Real Estate Institute figures show the number of sales in September was down by a quarter, year-on-year.

Market commentators say timing your sale right can help. Kim Sinclair, of Crockers Research Hub, said data showed a connection between migration flows and house price movements.

New Zealand's net migration has been running at a record rate as more people move here and fewer leave. This is one of the factors credited with driving strong house price growth over the past five years. But Sinclair said there was a clear pattern of migration dips between March and May each year, and again in November. That seemed to correlate with dips in sales prices, too.

Sinclair said it made sense that an influx of new arrivals looking for a home would have an effect on the housing market. "This suggests that selling property may not be recommended during those periods as demand may be lower and, conversely, these periods could be good times to buy." Nigel Jeffries, head of Trade Me Property, said winter was the best time of year for sellers who wanted a quick sale. His site's data showed that between June and August, houses spent less time on the market. Last year, properties in Wellington and Christchurch sold faster in winter than in any other season, spending an average of 24 and 38 days on the market, respectively.

More messages from your neighbours
5 days ago

Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.

This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.

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Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
  • 85.1% Yes
    85.1% Complete
  • 13.8% No
    13.8% Complete
  • 1.1% Other - I'll share below
    1.1% Complete
2257 votes
4 days ago

What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.

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2 days ago

BLACKHAWK CORGI RACES SUNDAY NOV 17

Michael from Trentham

Who is the fastest Corgi in NZ?

This will be decided on Sunday, November 17 at Belmont Domain, Lower Hutt with racing starting at 2pm.

Thirty Pembroke and Cardigan Corgis will take to the 60 metre track for racing like no other.

Competition comes from as far away as Auckland and Whanganui and if you want to stretch it a little - Scotland - with the very recent arrival of Skye and his owners from the other side of the world.

The youngest to compete is 7 month old, Atlas whilst Bonnie at 14 years is part of the seniors (nine and over) event.

Spectators very welcome to this sixth annual championship organised by the Wellington Welsh Corgi Club.