THE BLACK BOOK | current to 31 December 2020

Current to 31 December 2020

THE

BLACK BOOK. Your very own

country manor Porterfield Road, Whitford

Opinion:

Home Reno

For Your Diary

Ashley Church talks house prices

The right professional for the job

The last auction dates for 2020

R AY W H I T E N OW

Introducing Ray White Now, an insight to provide clarity to all our customers on what is happening in the market now.

If you are considering selling we explain how you can take advantage of the current conditions to achieve the best possible sales outcome.

The resilience of the New Zealand housing market has never been more evident than over the past three months. Most New Zealanders would be surprised at the level of activity and prices achieved, even though it has operated under restrictive operating conditions.

As Australasia’s largest real estate group, we are uniquely placed to provide our clients with the most relevant and timely information and data to assess current market activity and outlook. And as a family-owned and led business with 118 years of experience including operating through two world wars, the great depression and recessions, we know that we can deliver you the highest quality solutions in the current market.

C L I C K H E R E TO R E A D T H E L AT E S T I S S U E N OW

The Black Book.

Editor

Matty McLean

Design

Ryan Teece

Black Group Realty Ltd.

hello.

Selling Principal

Can you believe it? We’re almost there.

Mark Bycroft 021 968 946 mark.bycroft@raywhite.com

Just a couple more weeks and what has certainly been one of the craziest years in living memory will be over.

But as 2020 draws to a close, and as we wrap up our final issue of The Black Book, rather than dwell on what’s happened, I want to give thanks of sorts.

So thank you to our vendors. Thank you for trusting us with your homes, and for riding the wave with us. We’ve achieved some incredible results this year, and it truly warms our hearts when we see a big smile on your faces after a successful sale.

Thank you, too, to the successful purchasers of those listings.

It’s an incredible feeling, buying a new home, and it’s special for us to be a part of that journey with you.

Thank you to our Ray White family - from across the country, of course - but in particular our Black Group whanau. We’re there for each other, always, and it makes it really rewarding being able to work along-side such a talented team. And that team’s expanded this year, with the addition of both Ray White Takapuna and Matakana. It’s taken a lot of grit and determination to get those offices up and running, but we couldn’t be happier.

Thanks to the amazing team behind The Black Book, particularly our very talented agent Ryan Teece, who has doubled as a magazine editor this year, after highlighting a gap in the market during that first lockdown, and has worked tirelessly since then with his partner Matt to produce something pretty special. We love The Black Book, and we hope you have too.

And finally, thank you to our family. If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s how important family is. I, for one, am very excited to spend Christmas together this year.

So, from mine to yours, have a wonderful holiday season. And see you back here in 2021!

Heather Walton and Mark Bycroft - Franchise owners Ray White Epsom, Ray White Takapuna and Ray White Matakana Black Group Realty Limited Licensed (REAA 2008)

4 |

THE BLACK BOOK.

Heather Walton 021 432 167 heather.walton@raywhite.com

Franchise Owner

Sales Manager

Jeff Tubman 0274 558 717 jeff.tubman@raywhite.com

Black Group Property Management.

General Manager

Mac Bycroft 021 223 6893 mac.bycroft@raywhite.com

Business Development Josh Smith 021 235 8802 josh.smith@raywhite.com

Ray White Epom Ray White Matakana & Omaha Ray White Takapuna Black Group Realty Ltd. Licensed (REAA 2008)

The Black Book is subject to copyright in its entirety and the contents may not be reproduced in any form, either in whole or in part, without written permission.

Opinions expressed in The Black Book are those of the contributors and not necessarily those of Black Group Realty Ltd or Ray White Epsom. No responsibility is accepted for unsolicited material.

M IS S I NG O UT?

Get every issue, direct to your inbox Issue One | 22 April 2020

THE

BLACK BOOK. ou ie launch ’

‘Blackr T

60

Bold and Breathtaking 39 Spencer Street, Remuera

pages of properties at your fingertips

How high can you go?

Bite Size

Locked In, Not Out

Liam Bratton talks pre-approval

Get ready to sell post lockdown

Our first online auction success

For most, their Black Book is a tightly guarded secret. In contrast, we want ours to advise, inspire, or just give you something nice to flick through on a Sunday morning with your coffee.

C L IC K H E

RE TO

SUBSCRI

BE

THE BLACK BOOK.

| 1

contents.

4.

6.

8.

22.

The Right Professional For The Job Follow Are Rising House Prices Really Such A Bad Thing?

For Your Diary Property Feature Properties For Sale

6 |

THE BLACK BOOK.

Welcome Note Contents Inspire

10.

14.

16.

16.

20.

22.

30.

14.

10.

M IS S I NG O UT?

Get every issue, direct to your inbox

Issue One | 22 April 2020

THE

BLACK BOOK. ou ie launch ’

‘Blackr T

60

Bold and Breathtaking 39 Spencer Street, Remuera

pages of properties at your fingertips

How high can you go?

Bite Size

Locked In, Not Out

Liam Bratton talks pre-approval

Get ready to sell post lockdown

Our first online auction success

For most, their Black Book is a tightly guarded secret. In contrast, we want ours to advise, inspire, or just give you something nice to flick through on a Sunday morning with your coffee.

C L IC K H E

RE TO

SUBSCRI

BE

THE BLACK BOOK.

| 3

inspire.

8 |

THE BLACK BOOK.

THE BLACK BOOK.

| 9

The Right

Professional

If you watch too many home renovation shows on TV or YouTube, it is all too easy to forget that renovating your home is a big undertaking.

Depending on the scale of the project, it can quickly become pricey and nerve-wracking. So how do you avoid costly mistakes to keep your nervous system and finances intact as you tackle that home renovation?

The first step is to decide which professions to enlist to help you. If a renovation requires more than one trade, project managing it yourself can quickly turn into a fiasco.

But how do you know when to use a builder or an architect, or both when doing up your property?

Wellington renovation specialist Nick Leko from Refresh Renovations says do not tackle a renovation yourself, unless you have experience in trades.

With a 20-year career as an architect in both New Zealand and New York before becoming a home renovation consultant with the company, he sees both skill sets and is able to tap into both building supplies buying power and a large network of builders and sub-contractors.

10 |

THE BLACK BOOK.

For The Job!

He says that if the renovations are more complex than a painting job or involve any structural changes, such as removal of walls, then that is when an architect should come into play.

He recognises that some home owners are afraid to work with an architect due to extra costs involved, however a well-designed and practical renovation will add to the house value in the long term.

Leko says many home owners make the mistake of limiting the architect’s work to only making design drawings to apply for building consents.

Instead, he suggests at the start of the project that homeowners bring in their architect and a builder together for the first site assessment and then let them work hand-in-hand throughout the whole process.

When working together from the start, the builder and the architect will collaborate and consult to spot potential issues and help homeowners manage build time and costs from the get go. “They assess the existing home for issues that can arise when doing the build and identify the risks before you start the process,� he says.

Leko recommends that any project involving a kitchen and a bathroom should be managed by an architect.

He says that while home owners have a lot of information available on the internet on DIY and renovations, getting basics wrong such as picking the wrong materials can be a great set back.

THE BLACK BOOK.

| 11

“It’s pretty risky for a home owner to be selecting products when they don’t understand what they are buying. A mistaken buy of a wrong item at a plumbing sale can cost three times more to be fixed by builders later, or the product has to be thrown away,” Leko says.

Do not underestimate tradespeople’s craft skills. Leko says that even what seems to be an easy fresh coat of paint can turn into a disaster in amateur hands.

He compares doing a painting job yourself to buying an unpainted car for a cheaper price and spray painting it - you’ll save the money but you are unlikely to achieve the same result.

“I tried plastering a celling once myself and by the time I got the materials I realised I should have called the plasterers. It would have taken them five minutes but took me a whole day and it looked worse than when I started,” he says.

Using a qualified professional is a must when doing anything electrical work in a house. Certified electricians will make sure all work complies with the regulations and is certified to the correct codes and standards.

“A builder is basically a builder, they do carpentry work and are in charge of actual construction,” Leko says.

ore , and m For this z of.co.n OneRo click here t, conten

12 |

THE BLACK BOOK.

For certain works, the council requires work be done only by licensed building practitioners who have been assessed as competent to carry out building work essential to the structure or weathertightness. Both builders and architects are experts at guiding you through the council’s consenting and inspection regulations.

These are not just annoying bit of paper: consents and sign offs are essential when you come to sell your house. Today, an incomplete record or lack of certificate of completion can seriously lower the selling price on a property, as some banks will not lend on properties with renovations that do not have the right paperwork. n

follow.

Instagram accounts you’ll love to like.

It’s beginn ing to look a lo t like Christmas

@christmasjumpersnz

@christmasheirloom

@christmasbox_nz

Ever since Mark Darcy was forced to wear a hideous Christmas sweater in the Bridget Jones movie, we’ve been obsessed with finding those so-terrible-they’re-great jumpers for ourselves. We proudly wear them during the festive season, trying to one-up each other with who has the worst. Which is what makes Christmas Jumpers NZ so much fun - their collection is brilliantly terrible, and great for the whole family!

It’s not Christmas without packing your house to the brim with decorations and ornaments and everything in between. And the perfect place to turn to, to ensure your home has everyone saying ho-ho-holy moly you’ve nailed it is the Christmas Heirloom Company. They know all the hottest trends, but also focus on the traditional favourites, to make even the biggest of Grinch’s fall in love with Christmas.

Christmas is certainly a time for giving, and there’s nothing more rewarding than being able to give to those in need. This year, more than ever, a lot of people are struggling, and the holidays can really be tough for a lot of families. But the amazing team at LIFE provide Christmas boxes for just $30 a family - stuffed full of food and goodies to make sure a less fortunate Kiwi whanau can have an amazing celebration.

Do you follow an Instagram account that we should be following? Let us know.

Email marketing.epsom@raywhite.com with your suggestions.

14 |

THE BLACK BOOK.

We’ve got just the right team for the job.

Mac Bycroft 021 223 6893 mac.bycroft@raywhite.com

rwepsom.co.nz | rwtakapuna.co.nz

Josh Smith 021 235 8802 josh.smith@raywhite.com

16 |

THE BLACK BOOK.

OPINION:

Are rising house prices really a bad thing?

OneRoof.co.nz Property commentator Ashley Church discusses what’s ahead for house prices in New Zealand and whether a property boom is really such a bad thing.

So let’s consider wage and salary inflation. Imagine that we were seeing seven to ten percent growth in this year on year, and that wages were roughly doubling every decade for about sixty five percent of the working population but staying flat for the remainder of the workforce. Imagine that the Governments response to this was to try and find ways to slow or stop wage inflation – or even reverse it so that wages started falling!

When I talk about property cycles in New Zealand, I’m not just talking about what happens to house prices. I’m also talking about the reactions of politicians, regulators, interest groups and the media – all of which also follow a cycle in their predictability. Right now, the signs that we’re at the beginning of the next Auckland property boom are becoming increasingly clear – and right on cue, we’re seeing the same calls to “stop house price inflation” and “bring down house prices” that we’ve seen at the beginning of each previous cycle.

According to Swiss-based Research Institute Credit Suisse, New Zealand is now the world’s fifth richest country – with only Switzerland, Hong Kong, the US and Australia ranking higher. The report goes on to make clear that this wealth is largely due to our house prices. This will have come as no surprise to anyone who understands the New Zealand property market and is in rebuttal to the claims of those who say that buying a home or investing in property adds nothing to the overall economy.

For generations, Kiwis have been using the steady increase in the value of their homes to fund travel or major purchases, buy businesses, pay for their kids’ education, and support themselves in retirement.

It’s a sobering thought to realise that if Kiwi house prices had not increased to the extent that they have over the past four decades, our ability to do these things would be severely impacted and we would be much less wealthy as a result.

Over the next few months these calls will intensify; a “culprit” for rising house prices will be identified (this changes from cycle to cycle); and, at some point, new rules or regulations will be introduced to address the issue. A year or two down the track the impact of these measures will be assessed and we’ll find, to our horror, that they have had virtually no impact on house prices - which will broadly double over the next seven to ten years despite this intervention.

Implicit in all of this is the mantra that house prices are out of control and that we need to “fix” them.

But are they? To understand the insanity of our typical response we need to use something other than house prices to make our point, because we’re simply too brainwashed in the idea that ‘house price inflation is bad’ to see that issue clearly.

“Right now, the signs that we’re at the beginning of the next Auckland property boom are becoming increasingly clear.”

THE BLACK BOOK.

| 17

“Perhaps this time round we won’t make the mistakes of the past four cycles with reactionary and pointless responses?”

But what about those people who are victims of house price inflation? People who want to buy a home but are closed out by high house prices or ridiculous deposit requirements. Surely logic dictates that the correct approach would be to introduce measures to help these people to get into the market – not to punish those who are already in it?

These people are overwhelming first home buyers, but even here, things aren’t as clear-cut as we might imagine.

We now know that first home buyers constituted the largest single group of house buyers between 2013 and 2018 in every part of New Zealand except Auckland – so being a first home buyer, in and of itself, isn’t necessarily the problem.

When we drill down we find that the people struggling to get into their first home are those on low incomes, and (particularly in Auckland) those on high incomes but who are unable to put together a large enough deposit. Yes, rising house prices make things harder – but outside of the two obstacles mentioned here, most first home buyers persevere and eventually manage to get into a home.

So clearly the response to this issue should be to implement initiatives to overcome these problems? Low or no deposit lending where the Government guarantees a portion of the loan for the first five years, shared equity schemes, rent-to-own programs, lease-to-own programs, and communal ownership schemes are just some examples of the kinds of things that a government could do to move the dial on home ownership without destroying the essence of what makes the property market work.

Perhaps this time round we won’t make the mistakes of the past four cycles with reactionary and pointless responses? Only time will tell. n Ashley Church is a property commentator for OneRoof.co.nz Email him at ashley@nzemail.com

For this , an

OneRo d more of.co.n conten z t, c lick her e

18 |

THE BLACK BOOK.

for your diary.

s n o i Auct 16

11.30am, Wed 16 December - In Rooms (Broadway) Apt 6.5, 9 Princes Street Auckland

16

DEC

12.30pm, Wed 16 December - In Rooms (Broadway) 540 Mount Eden Road Mount Eden

16

2.00pm, Wed, 16 December - In Rooms (Broadway)

DEC

21/27 Cheshire Street Parnell

16

5.30pm, Wed 16 December - In Rooms (Takapuna) 731 Swanson Road Swanson

16

6.00pm, Wed 16 December - In Rooms (Takapuna) 23a Bush View Lane Northcote Point

16

7.00pm, Wed 16 December - In Rooms (Takapuna) 17 Waru Lane Te Atutu

17

6.00pm, Thu 17 December - In Rooms (Broadway) 302/1 Kimiora Street Three Kings

19

DEC

12.00pm, Sat 19 December - In Rooms (Broadway) 1/371 East Coast Road Mairangi Bay

20

12.00pm, Sun, 20 December - On Site

20

1.30pm, Sun 20 December - On Site

20

3.30pm, Sun 20 December - On Site

DEC

DEC

DEC DEC

DEC

DEC

DEC

DEC

72 Freeland Avenue Mount Roskill 1/8 Thatcher Street Mission Bay 28 Nephrite Lane, Henderson

22

12.00pm, Tue 22 December - In Rooms (Broadway) 492 Manukau Road Epsom

22

DEC

3.00pm, Tue 22 December - In Rooms (Takapuna) 4/11a Killarney Street Takapuna

22

6.00pm, Tue 22 December - In Rooms (Broadway)

DEC

DEC

8 Darwin Lane Remuera

*Auctions correct at time of publishing. Auctions can be sold prior.

Please check the property details online or contact the agent to confirm auction details are correct.

20 |

THE BLACK BOOK.

“Leaving my previous office wasn’t an easy decision. But when I started at Black Group - everything fell into place.

It’s where I’m meant to be!”

- Andrew Milne Ray White Epsom

Black Group has a proven track record of giving salespeople the right tools to achieve the best from their business. Health, wealth, work-life balance and the occasional award?

Heather Walton Selling Principal 021 432 167

Mark Bycroft Franchise Owner 021 968 946

Jeff Tubman Sales Manager 0274 958 717

Ray White Epsom 349a Manukau Road, Epsom 09 638 8640 | epsom.nz@raywhite.com www.rwepsom.co.nz Ray White Takapuna 87 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna 09 488 9191 | takapuna.nz@raywhite.com www.rwtakapuna.co.nz Black Group Realty Ltd Licensed REAA 2008

THE BLACK BOOK.

| 1

PA L AT I A L O N

Po r t e r f i e l d .

22 |

THE BLACK BOOK.

There’s something rather Gatsby-esque about this house on Porterfield Road. The grandeur, the glamour - it all tells a fascinating story. And, as The Black Book found out, it’s a story you could continue to tell.

THE BLACK BOOK.

| 23

24 |

THE BLACK BOOK.

F Scott Fitzgerald is a very talented author.

Just say the words The Great Gatsby and immediately you’re transported into the extravagant world of the Roaring 20’s he created.

Such is the power of that world, that as soon as we pull up outside this manor on Porterfield Road, that’s where we go in our minds.

“This is a very beautiful property,” agent Hannah Zou agrees.

It’s very rare you find something like this, especially here in New Zealand.

“It’s very rare you find something like this, especially here in New Zealand.”

Perhaps that’s because the inspiration for the house comes from a world away - literally.

“So the original owner wanted to base it on the Monte Carlo residence of Béatrice de Rothschild,” explains Hannah Zou. de Rothschild was a French socialite, and indeed her home in Monaco bears a striking resemblance to this magnificent five bedroom home in Whitford.

The five bedroom, four bathroom house itself sits on 2.3 hectares of land, with beautifully manicured lawns providing that stately feel.

As you drive up the pebbled driveway, lined with hedges, you’re greeted by the very European entrance - plinths hold up an impressive balcony upon which you almost imagine a Hollywood starlet to greet you from, swirling her Martini glass as she does so.

Through the front door you’ll find the impressive foyer, with a marble-tiled atrium, and a grand curved staircase leading to the floor above. The stunning chandelier in the centre just adds to that sense of opulence that takes your breath away. Plus, with the addition of well-placed skylights, the whole area is bathed in natural light.

The atrium on the ground level flows into the beautiful dining room, which immediately conjures up images of wonderful banquets.

THE BLACK BOOK.

| 25

This house is perfect for people who love to entertain.

All your friends and family will want to come to your house for dinner!

Connected to the dining room, but with enough separation to provide privacy for your guests while entertaining, you’ll find both the kitchen and family room.

The kitchen itself has everything you need - high spec appliances, an abundance of storage, and a very stylish granite bench top.

“This house is perfect for people who love to entertain,” explains Hannah Zou, who’s listed the property through Ray White Epsom.

“All your friends and family will want to come to your house for dinner!”

The dining and living areas are all connected with a smart system stereo, linking your music together while you entertain.

Also on this level you’ll find another lounge area - this one more formal - a study which could also be easily transformed into a library, laundry and a downstairs bathroom.

As well as the aforementioned staircase, a built-in lift provides easy access between the floors.

“It’s the perfect solution for those that need the flexibility,” Hannah tells us.

Upstairs is where you’ll find the bedrooms - all five of them.

“Each bedroom is a very decent size,” explains Hannah.

“Even though they’re all on the same level, there’s plenty of space to provide everyone with their sense of privacy”.

The master certainly lives up to its name - everything about it is big and bold. From its large bedroom size to its generous walk-in wardrobe to its super-sized ensuite, there is very much a King or Queen of the castle vibe here.

“Plus you must see the incredibly sweet Juliet balcony,” smiles Hannah.

The balcony, off the master bedroom, offers uninterrupted views over to Rangitoto Island, and provides a real sense of magic.

26 |

THE BLACK BOOK.

THE BLACK BOOK.

| 27

One other bedroom upstairs comes with its own ensuite, while the remaining rooms share a decent family bathroom.

“Currently the fifth room is being used as a home gym,” explains Hannah.

“But there is certainly the potential to turn this back into a bedroom if you need.”

A second balcony on the upstairs level provides plenty of sun, and is the perfect place to greet the day with a coffee, or end on, with something a little stronger.

And the current vendors want to leave it fully furnished for you to easily move in and make this place your own.

The home comes with all the mod-cons like underfloor heating and smart tech capabilities throughout the home, which all just makes modern living that much easier - the smart speaker opens and closes the skylight, for example.

There’s also a very spacious three car garage, which is currently home to a very impressive Bentley - really adding to that Gatsby theme we mentioned earlier.

“And the current vendors want to leave it fully furnished for you to easily move in and make this place your own,” suggests Hannah.

Plus location is everything - situated down the incredibly quaint country lane, its vantage point on the stunning Clifton Peninsula gives this property its prestige. It’s far enough away from everything that it makes you feel like you’re the only ones there, and yet you’re so close to the lovely Whitford village, the Rydges Formosa 18-hole Golf Resort, and the surrounding coastal reserves.

Add to that the fact that both the Botany town centre and motorway are a mere 20 minutes away, and the world is truly your oyster.

“Someone is going to be very happy here,” marvels Hannah Zou. We whole-heartedly agree. n

28 |

THE BLACK BOOK.

For more information contact

Hannah Zou

Licensee Salesperson 022 043 2759 hannah.zou@raywhite.com

THE BLACK BOOK.

| 29

Coastal & Lifestyle >

2

3

2

3

2

3

2

3

2

3

2 3

2 3

2 3

2 3

North Shore >

2

3

2

3

2

3

2

3

2

3

2

3

2 3

Auckland Central >

2

3

2

3

2

3

2

3

2

3

2

3

2

3

2

3

2

3

2

3

2

3

2

3

2 3

2

2 3

2 3

2 3

2 3

East & Bays >

2

3

2

3

2

3

2 3

2 3

2

2 3

Greater Auckland >

2

3

2

3

2

3

2

3

2

3

2

3

2 3

2 3

2 3

2

2 3

2 3

FROM THE CITY TO THE COAST Ray White Epsom

Ray White Matakana & Omaha

Ray White Takapuna

Level 1/ 416 Broadway, Epsom 09 638 8640 epsom.nz@raywhite.com

44 Matakana Valley Road, Matakana 09 283 3656 matakanaomaha.nz@raywhite.com

87 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna 09 488 9191 takapuna.nz@raywhite.com