As Christmas draws nearer so does the peak season for rental properties, and competition can be high. If you show up to a rental inspection with fifty other people, you can’t afford to be cavalier about your application. If an agent is trying to choose between you and another application that has all ‘I’s’ dotted and “T’s’ crossed, you need to…

With different areas around New Zealand showing various rates of capital growth and rental returns, some investors are looking to be more proactive when it comes to increasing the value of their property. (Or just making it more appealing to perspective tenants) Whether you are planning on selling in the near future, or just looking to ensure that you attract…

As the flowers begin to bloom ( and the rain settles in ) we must not let our house be stuck with the winter blues. Spring cleaning is all about freshening up our homes and your minds, to get a head start on the always hectic finish to the year. So, get the kitchen gloves ready and follow these steps…

At nearly 10 years old my daughter thinks my job would be a terrible choice for her when she is older.

But i love it and have explained to her why

The market is definitely beginning to move again and I have been doing a number of rental appraisals for property owners moving on from their current homes. They are trying to decide whether to sell it or rent it out as an investment property?  Here are a few things to consider before turning your home into an investment property: Emotional…

Stay Safe this Storm Season! We Kiwis are no strangers to damaging storms, heavy rain, and cyclones, especially at this time of year Whilst we may enjoy the odd snow fight or trip down the ski slopes, Sometimes nature takes its course and rain and storms impact our lives, so we’ve put together some helpful tips on how to prepare…

The Importance of Regular Inspections – Quinovic Merivale I seem to have had a flurry of private landlords lately who have been caught out by the insurance providers for not having done regular inspections. Regular inspections of the property MUST be entered into after the tenant has been settled for ONE month. This is invaluable as this time fame allows…

Many private landlords offer periodic tenancies or get persuaded to do so by an in-going tenant. It certainly works well for some. However, we always recommend Fixed-term Tenancies to property owners because it’s the safest option for them. It’ll eliminate potential tenants who are not serious about renting your property from the get-go. It gives you control over the termination…

How Do You Advertise My Property? The answer you want to hear is: Firstly, we have an active tenant database.  This means that every time a tenant is looking for a rental property to live in, we capture their contact information.  This means that when your property becomes available, we contact them directly, rather than waiting for them to find…

Winter generally means higher power bills! Have you been looking for ways to save money? Here are a few things you can do in your home, even if you’re renting:

Winter is definitely in the air, so we wanted to share a few hacks to help you survive the colder months! Take advantage of the warm sunlight by keeping curtains and blinds open all day, then closing them at night. If you have wet shoes and boots after being outside, stuff them with newspaper to absorb the moisture and avoid…

Winter is on its way… it is important to maintain the home, both inside and out. Get your home “Winter Ready” by going through the following checklist! Clean Gutters – Clogged gutters can form dams where water backs up and can seep into the roof cavity. Remove fallen leaves and debris from your gutters and give them a good rinse…

You may be aware that under their stated procedures with regards to rental properties and tenancies the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has undertaken to audit property management companies around new Zealand to ensure compliance with their rules and regulations. We have just been audited. As daunting as this may sound I feel grateful for the experience. We have…

Welcome to the start of Autumn…. The season of contentment at home. Even though it’s just started, the changing of nature’s colours through Hagley Park and crisp air in the mornings are now becoming more noticeable. Do you enjoy sitting outside with a cup of tea, enjoying the last of summer’s warmth? Often the least popular time of year, Autumn…

We all know someone who’s been a bit over zealous during their rental tenancy – and accidentally damaged their landlord’s property. Here are a few DIY opportunities that may help you (or that friend) get themselves out of a sticky situation. Most landlords genuinely have their tenant’s best interests at heart, so when something needs fixing they make sure it…