Resources to help you along your property journey.

 Ingredients 1 Tablespoon oil50g chopped bacon1/2 onion, chopped finely100g cooked chicken, shredded(one chicken breast is sufficient, or you can use more if you want)1-2 carrots, cooked and sliced1 kumara, cooked and cubed500ml chicken stock1 Tablespoon cornflour1/2 Tablespoon waterCobbler Topping:150g self-raising flourpinch of mixed herbs75g buttersalt to tastecold water to mixMethod Preheat oven to 210 degrees. Heat the…

 This article will provide you with a quick, easy home valuation process to help you decide what any property is worth to you.Step 1. Consult online home valuation websites.Visit homes.co.nz (NZ), zillow.com (US), or realestate.com.au (AUS).Start by finding out what the online value estimators have to say. Their algorithms are getting better and better all the time. Take each number with…

 If you have found a home you love but you’re not sure what the next steps are, this post will help you find out the information you need to move forward. Every single property is different, but there are some standard rules here which you can follow that will help you make smart, informed decisions. Let’s…

 So often, what is good for your wallet is also good for the planet.When you make changes to your home to make it more energy-efficient, it reduces the amount of power required to heat it. Saving you money and saving energy. And since energy prices appear likely to keep increasing in the future, making these…

 When you go to put your home on the market, your salesperson may offer you an opportunity to invest in extra marketing options. Over and above what their standard plan includes.At this point you might understandably think:"Hey, I'm already paying you a commission. Why should I pay extra for advertising?"The reason is, to ensure you…

One of the questions potential first-time sellers face is whether or not they should keep their existing property as a rental when they move up to a bigger home.In this guide, we'll talk through the pros and cons and suggest some questions to consider if you find yourself in this position.But first, a disclaimer: The…

One of the most frustrating moments in any property-buying journey is when you make an offer on a property you love and the owners decide to turn it down.Emotions can be understandably high at this point and many buyers respond by giving up and walking away. Before you cut and run though, take a moment…

Ingredients  250g Butter, Softened2 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract1 Egg Yolk1 Tablespoon Finely Grated Lemon Rind2¼ Cups Plain Flour, Sifted½ Cup Raspberry Jam¾ Cup Caster SugarMethod Preheat oven to 160°C. Place the butter and sugar in an electric mixer and beat for 8–10 minutes or until pale and creamy. Add the vanilla, egg yolk, and lemon rind and beat…

 When you visit an open home, every minute is valuable.You may have multiple houses to view that same day, so you quickly need to size the property up and decide whether it could suit your needs.Use these questions and prompts as a checklist to make the most of your viewing.Where is the sun?Which rooms will…

 Have you found a home you love but you're not sure what to do next? This guide will help you move forward.Every property is different, but there are some standard rules you can follow that will help you make smart, informed decisions.Stage 1: DiscoveryBefore you can jump into making an offer, you need to know…

 A dry home is a healthy home. Plus, when your home is dry it is easier to heat, which means it's a more comfortable place to live. It can also save you money on your power bill since your heaters won't have to work so hard to keep you nice and cozy.Follow these 5 simple…

Have you ever watched those TV shows where they buy a property that needs work, do it up and sell it a few weeks later to make a profit?This is often referred to as a 'fix and flip'. Many builders and investors make money this way and it usually results in a positive outcome overall…