REAL ESTATE UPDATE: KAREN SPIRES THE WINTER REAL ESTATE MYTH THE IDEA THAT HOMES DON’T SELL IN THE COLDER MONTHS IS A MYTH – as a case in point, researchers in the USA (where winter is much harsher than Auckland) discovered that houses listed in winter actually sold better than the summer listings. The study, reported in the New York Times, found that winter homes were not only more likely to get snapped up, but also sold faster, and at better prices.
FRUIT TREES FOR AUCKLAND: A COMMUNITY PROJECT TO PROVIDE FREE AND HEALTHY FRUIT The community group the “Mt Eden Village People” continue to drive awareness for sustainable practises with the focus on local food production Auckland wide.
The research analysed 753,093 houses listed for sale, across 19 metropolitan areas, over 12 months. In winter: • The successful ‘sold’ rate was six per cent higher. • The average days-to-sell was nine days less than in summer (46 down from 55). • The sale price was, on average, 5.2 per cent below the listed price in summer, and only 2.7 per cent lower in winter. Of course, New Zealand’s real estate market has its differences, but the key conclusion applies universally: In winter, there are fewer listings. As a result, any house that ticks the boxes becomes highly sought-after… it all comes back to supply and demand. Additionally, in summer, buyers know they are viewing a house ‘at its best’ and start to imagine drafts or dampness that ‘might’ set in during the colder months. By showcasing your home mid-year, you get to prove just how warm and cosy it is. Here are some ways to ensure your home appeals to buyers in winter: • Trim branches away from walk ways; remove moss from paths and decks. Hire pots of winter flowers to brighten the garden. • Ensure windows are sparkling (winter light is unforgiving on glass). Pull back the blinds, and push back the curtains on every window. • Turn on every light, including those outside and in wardrobes. Turn on under-floor heating and crank up the heaters… this isn’t the time to save on the electricity bill! • Don’t forget the finishing touches: place flowers around the house, put an umbrella stand and coat rack at the door for visitors, and get the fires roaring. (KAREN SPIRES) PN Karen Spires is a Bayleys Real Estate ‘Top Achiever’ – placing her sales data among the top five percent of salespeople within the company.
Last year the Mt Eden Village People – Fruit Trees for Auckland group raised enough funds to supply schools, early childhood centres and 10 community groups with over 500 fruit trees for their grounds and local parks. This year the group aims to double their fruit tree supply and their goal is 1000 fruit trees for Auckland. The Fruit Trees for Auckland group is very pleased that the New Zealand Lottery board will contribute $10,000.00 towards their project in 2013. This is one third of the project cost and a great start. The Fruit Trees for Auckland group is now hoping that a further grant application will help provide them with the rest of the funds needed to supply all schools that register on their website with fruit trees. The Fruit Trees for Auckland project is now in its fifth year and is growing steadily. The project includes two big annual events in the Mt Eden community: the planting of fruit trees in a local park with the funds raised from local shops, and working with schools to plant fruit trees with funds received via funding and donations on their website www.fruittrees.org.nz. This project has been developed to benefit children by helping them gain a greater understanding of the importance of eating fresh fruit, and locally sourced produce. Judith Holtebrinck the Fruit Trees for Auckland project co-ordinator says “We are pleased that we have now over 150 schools and early childhood centres signed up with us, wanting to plant fruit trees on their grounds. We also work closely with other community, transition town and church groups to plant fruit trees in their local parks.” The Mount Eden Village People are dedicated to finding sustainable solutions within their community. This group also offer workshops to encourage people to grow their own food gardens in the city, fruit planting, zero waste, and have established a community garden in Poronui Street in Mt Eden. To find out more about the Mount Eden Village People, “Citrus in Schools” and their other projects and workshops on offer please visit www.fruittrees.org.nz or join us on Facebook group: Fruit trees for Auckland www.mountedenvillagepeople.co.nz FACEBOOK: MountEden VillagePeople
104 PONSONBY NEWS+ May 2013
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)