Manager's Comments 1-2-16

Well, the first month of 2016 is already gone! Although January can be a mixed bag, the office has been busy. A good number of new listings are coming in (your competition), and some very good sales were made. We hope this is a good indicator of 2016. As more properties come onto the market so the competition increases. Buyers use one gauge when making offers. Comparative value. They know how the market is; they are immersed in it and usually inspect and consider 20-50 houses, more sometimes, before they make a serious bid on what they see as comparable value. Bang for buck. Get yourself in that region with your marketing. Put yourself into this market, don’t just be another advertisement. Very often when properties are competitively priced, the sale price is hydrauliced with the pressure of a multi offer, forcing serious contenders to their limit. That is the best way, other than Auction, to maximize your return. Get into this market and profit by serious and often multiple buyer interest.

John Christiansen

Manager's Comments 18-1-16

Happy New Year. The weather is heating up. How about the real estate market in 2016? Time will tell of course, but it seems to have started well with good inquiry, still it’s far too early to make any judgment. There are some indicators that we will have a very steady market similar to last year. Ups and downs. The dairy prices will begin to bite, as will the recent redundancies across the energy sector. Both these sectors will rebound – but neither looks likely to have a big turn-around in the short term. The heat has come off the Auckland market, but it’s still almost unaffordable for those without some holding in that market already. Donald Trump is giving everyone the jitters. The stock markets are a bit shaky as well. However, we enjoy the cheapest mortgages in recent history, buyers are still about and active. We still enjoy fullish employment in New Plymouth, so easy borrowing is available to most. It will be a bit like our spring weather. Hot and cold, a mixed bag. The only certainty is that, as ever, buyers will demand the best comparative value available.

John Christiansen

Manager's Comments 21-12-15

Season’s greetings to all our vendor clients, buyers, open home visitors and your families. Thank you for your support this year, we hope to help you in the future, again, and again. We strive for ‘clients for life’ at Harcourts. Clients become friends and immediately the real estate transaction becomes a lot lighter and is fun. Two friends seeking a great result together in mutual trust and respect.
We trust you will have a great Taranaki summer. The Te Kupenga International Stone Sculpture Symposium begins New Year ’s Day on the Walkway. WOMAD arrives late March. In between the New Plymouth summer is a great thing to enjoy, lots going on, get your fill. All the very best from your Real Estate professionals at Harcourts.

John Christiansen

Manager's Comments 8-12-15

Well, the scramble is now on. Sell before the close of business Christmas Eve – or wait 2 weeks until the buyers are back, 5th January for the keen ones, mid January for the majority. You have 3 weeks. What are you doing to stand out from the competition? Have you revised price, marketing, exposure over Christmas?
Our last BluePrint of 2015 is published 19 December. It has a shelf life of 3 weeks until the next edition 10 January. Serious sellers need a good prominent ad in that 19 December issue. Talk to your agent now about securing the space, revising the ad and setting yourself up to exposure to buyers, latent buyers and visitors through the holiday period.

John Christiansen

Manager's Comments 23-11-15

REMINDER. To have your deal settled in January, you need to do a review now. Time is marching on; Christmas madness is already showing its head. I notice more and more Christmas parties on in town, and Christmas lights all over (doesn’t Centre City look great?). The fact is time is scurrying away. The time to act is now, or miss the boat. Talk to your agent about the marketing, the advertising, and the pricing. You may change nothing, but do the review. Harcourts has some great BluePrint specials, which may be very useful over Christmas. A full-page feature for $460 Inc. GST. Yes, full page, with editorial as well. That is unequalled value. There are special upgrades on both Open2view.co.nz and Realestate.co.nz which increase viewings and exposure many fold. Talk to your agent now; get in front of this market with your new message.
 
John Christiansen

Manager's Comments 9-11-15

Get sold before Christmas, there is time, and there are buyers wanting property. We have 5 ½ weeks. Make a firm plan with your agent. Do a complete review of marketing, of price and of the cost if you’re not sold before late January. Yes, late January. On Christmas Eve the buyers are off until mid January. They lose interest; their lawyers are on holiday, its family time. If we don’t get them before Christmas Eve we wait for them to do the Christmas, New Year thing and get back into Buyer mode. Mid January. The process will take a little while, so a quick sale may take until the end of January to complete. Given your commitment now, we can make the sale happen before Christmas. Give you certainty; a worry free holiday period will be an extra reward. Do the review as soon as possible, get sold before Christmas.

John Christiansen

Manager's Comments 28-9-15

Well, daylight saving has arrived, the weather has really turned. Now we know spring is definitely here and summer is coming. Longer daylight hours give us more time to showcase your property. Twilight open homes can be very effective from now on. This time of the year we can expect more listings to come into the market, increasing your competition. You have the advantage just now, so use it before it erodes. Make sure your marketing is effective and your pricing is reflective of comparative value. Now is a good time to liaise with your agent and review the strategy. Good sales are being made at present, be sure you get amongst them.

John Christiansen