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9 Festive food and drink favourites to enjoy in the sun

While snowy scenes and cosy fires define the holiday for many, down under, we’re enjoying Christmas with a side of sunshine, BBQs, and plenty of outdoor fun. Isn’t it time we swapped out the roast turkey and traditional Christmas pud with a menu more fitting? We’ve rounded up ten favourite festive foods and drinks toRead more

Big Smoke or Big on Lifestyle? Benefits of Rural Living

Is moving rurally an itch you’d like to scratch? From better work-life balance and a lower cost of living to improved overall wellbeing and much more, here, we’ve rounded up the biggest benefits you can expect from a shift to rural New Zealand. Metropolitan living comes hand in hand with hustle and bustle – vibrantRead more

Beekeeping for Beginners

Have you ever dreamed of bringing the buzz to your backyard with your very own thriving hive? Whether you’re looking to support your local honeybee populations, are fascinated by these pint-sized pollinators or simply love the thought of producing your own honey, there’s a lot to learn about keeping your own bees. Wing your wayRead more

Tips To Celebrate Your Dad This Father’s Day!

Father’s Day socks and jocks are fine but meaningful, memory-making gifts are miles better. Stuck for ideas? Here’s the inspiration you need to unearth the perfect gift for your dad this Father’s Day. Although Dads aren’t typically interested in the fluff of Father’s Day, it still serves as a great reminder to show themRead more

Tips to secure your children’s financial future through property!

Getting on the property ladder is hard. In fact, for many of our younger generations, it seems like a pipe dream. Here, we look at how investment decisions you, as a parent, make now will assist them in years to come and what you can do to support your children in building a solid financialRead more

Tips to Live More Sustainably This Winter – Save Energy and Your Money!

Are you feeling the chill, the pinch, and the weight of environmental issues on your shoulders? We have nine money-saving and energy-saving tips to help you keep warm this winter You might be a pro at remembering your reusable coffee cup, diligent at separating your waste, and may even drive an electric vehicle, whichRead more

10 cosy and chic styling updates for your home!

It’s time to stow those linen throws, wave goodbye to cool neutral interiors and hunker down for some Hygge winter vibes. Read on for 10 cosy and chic styling updates to turn up the heat in your home this winter. Whether you’re reaching for the cocooning comfort of your Oodie or zipping up yourRead more

Curate a Mother’s Day as unique as your mum

Mums are a special breed – often juggling work, family life and household responsibilities like it’s just another day in the office. And while consumerism can be rife around Mother’s Day, the sentiment behind the day makes it worth celebrating. We’ve curated our favourite unique mum-approved ideas to show your appreciation this May 12th Read more

Nourish your mind, body, and soul at one of these eight must-visit mindfulness retreats.

2024 is the year of self-care, and what better way to kick it off than by booking a stay at one of these eight wellness retreats across Australia and New Zealand? Get ready to nourish your soul, rejuvenate your mind and body, and simply relax. We’ve declared 2024 the year of health and wellbeing,Read more

DIY Tips for Home Staging

From good old-fashioned decluttering to new décor accentuating your home’s best features, staging your house for sale can help create an irresistible first impression for buyers. And it doesn’t have to be costly. Here are 8 DIY home staging tips. What started as simple advice from real estate agents to spring clean and keep yourRead more

10 tips for mastering your finances in 2024

From ditching debt to goal setting, prioritising paperwork, and everything in between, we’ve got ten practical tips to help you take control of your financial destiny in 2024. The start of a new year always signifies an opportunity to reassess, refresh and make the coming year your best yet. But sometimes, lost between new gymRead more

Tricks, treats, thrills and sweets – how to get in the Halloween spirit!

As the most spooktacular time of the year approaches, it’s time to get planning. We’ve got all the inspiration you need for decorating your home, spookifying yourself and planning a nightmarish night in. With the globalisation of media and popular culture, October 31st is now firmly embedded in calendars internationally as a time to getRead more

Our Guide to creating the perfect at-home Gym set-up

Is just getting to the gym the hardest part of your workout? The solution could lie within the four walls of your own home. We look at the benefits of creating a home gym set-up, how to create one, and the essential pieces of equipment to get started. We all know we should be hittingRead more

Our 2023 styling forecast for spring

The sun-kissed days of spring are on the horizon, so it’s time to shake off the winter blues and embrace some fresh home styling to propel you into spring! Here, we cover nine of the latest trends coming our way this spring 2023 and look at clever ways to incorporate them into your home. August;Read more

4 key architectural trends for 2023 to incorporate in your home

History is punctuated by different architectural styles driven by evolving construction techniques, new materials, technology, and societal changes. And while AI may be the talk of 2023 – across almost every industry – in this blog, we look at the key architectural trends predicted for 2023 and how you can incorporate them into the homeRead more

Tips to save time, energy, and money with a smart home!

We spend an estimated 40 days of our lives opening and closing window shades, 61-69 days vacuuming, and waste on average half of the electricity that enters our home. But all of this could be about to change. Smart home appliances and devices are here to shake things up, freeing us from the mundane andRead more

Simple ways to be more environmentally friendly, everyday!

Sustaining the health of our planet should be high on our priority list, and we can all contribute, as together we can make a big difference. We’ve prepared 8 easy changes you can make to be more environmentally friendly and make a positive impact on the planet. As it’s our only home and theRead more

How to choose the right investment property

From passive income to appreciation, stable cash flow, tax advantages and leverage, investing in property is widely regarded as a dependable means to build wealth, which is why it’s become a bit of a national obsession. But finding the right property to tick the boxes and having a solid understanding of the intricacies of propertyRead more

HOW TO CREATE A HOUSEPLANT HAVEN AT HOME!

Indoor plants. They beautify a space and are proven to deliver some profound health benefits. But not all of us are natural plant parents. Here, we let you in on the seven secrets to creating a luscious indoor jungle. From the health benefits like improved air quality to a desire to be closer toRead more

From passive income to appreciation, stable cash flow, tax advantages and leverage, investing in property is widely regarded as a dependable means to build wealth, which is why it’s become a bit of a national obsession. But finding the right property to tick the boxes and having a solid understanding of the intricacies of property investment is where many fall short. To help you navigate these, we’ve created this guide to choosing the right investment property. Step 1 – Get a handle on your finances The first step in any investment is getting a clear picture of your budget. When it comes to property, this means understanding how much you require for a deposit (or any equity held in an existing property) and being realistic about your capacity to borrow factoring is some interest rate rises. This allows you to hone in on suitable properties from the outset rather than being swept up in attractive but possibly unaffordable investment. Step 2 – Understand your goals Are you looking to make a quick buck by flipping a property, chasing rental yield or playing the long-term capital gain game? It’s essential to understand your goals so you can choose a property that aligns with them. Here’s a snapshot of the most common property investment strategies and what they deliver: Capital growth – capital growth generally happens when demand exceeds supply. This usually occurs in established areas with great amenities and often comes with a hefty property investment price tag. Buying in a desirable area typically means the rent you’ll get from your investment property won’t cover your ownership costs, making this a longer-term investment strategy. Rental yield – a property with good yield will leave you with cash in hand once all the related expenses have been paid. Properties with strong rental yields are often found in places like university towns where high demand for rentals exists, but purchase prices remain relatively steady. Flipping – also known as wholesale real estate investing or residential redevelopment, flipping a property can easily be a full-time job! It involves either purchasing a home to renovate or change cosmetically (and reselling within a short time for profit) or choosing a home in a rapidly appreciating market and reselling with minimal investment. While large sums of money can be made this way, you’ll need to be aware of your tax obligations. Step 3 – Assess the risks Investments of any kind come with a degree of risk, so getting well-versed in the specific risks associated with property investment and considering whether you sit on the conservative or thrill-seeker end of the spectrum is essential. The general rule of thumb is that the higher the expected return, the higher the risk; without any risk, there’s often very little reward. The main risks to consider are: Interest rate changes – interest rates fluctuate, so plan for several scenarios. Interest rate rises need not be a deterrent, as long as you get your finances right from the get-go. Market fluctuations – as with interest rates, the property market can change overnight. Think about what this means for your investment strategy. Overcapitalisation – if you plan to renovate, ensure you have a firm plan and stick to a budget. If you spend too much, you could risk reducing your profit or even losing money. Lack of liquidity – it’s hard to convert property into cash, which makes it an illiquid investment. The risk is that if you’re forced to sell the property (for whatever reason), you might have to do so at a price you wouldn’t usually accept. Tenancy troubles – from longer than expected vacancy periods to property damage, being a landlord isn’t always a bed of roses. Make sure you can cope with whatever comes your way and definitely consider employing a First National Real Estate property manager. Step 4 – Narrow it down You’ve got your finances sorted and a solid understanding of your goals, so now it’s time for the fun part – house hunting. Here are 4 crucial factors to add to your checklist: Location, location, location – it’s a real estate cliché that’s wheeled out repeatedly, and for good reason. Location is one of the key ingredients in projected capital growth, as is choosing a location that’s pegged for future growth. Good indicators of this are steady population growth and increasing investment in local infrastructure. Additionally, factors like proximity to essential amenities like public transport, schools, medical practices, shops and restaurants will not only impact the value of your property but make it more appealing to tenants – securing vital rental returns. Know your type – consider your potential tenants or future home buyers and what they want in a home. Looking to attract young families? A bath might be a deal breaker, and a decent outdoor space. Does the area have an older population? Loads of stairs and high-maintenance gardens might be a turn-off. Look to demand and yield – for each property that pops up in your search, ensure you understand what it would look like from a yield perspective. Find out vacancy rates in the area and factor any downtime between tenants into the equation. Condition counts – is the property rental ready, or will you need to put money into getting it up to the required standard? Make sure you factor in the costs of repairs and the lost rental income. Also, it’s essential to account for ongoing maintenance costs based on the condition and age of the property. Will fittings and fixtures need replacing in the near future? Will the roof need replacing in a few years? Remember, there are also tax considerations based on the depreciation of your asset. Enlist an expert Getting it right with property investment takes a lot of homework, knowledge and experience, which is why having an expert in your corner is invaluable. Once you’ve understood the basics in this guide, a professional will provide support and guidance throughout your journey and work with you to find a property that ticks all the boxes. From accountants to property developers to lawyers, mortgage brokers and real estate agents, a wealth of resources is available to tap into. First National Real Estate has over 30 offices in New Zealand– that’s a lot of team members and a lot of knowledge! Contact us today to see how we can assist you on your property investment journey. DISCLAIMER The following advice is of a general nature only and intended as a broad guide. The advice should not be regarded as legal, financial or real estate advice. You should make your own inquiries and obtain independent professional advice tailored to your specific circumstances before making any legal, financial or real estate decisions. Click here for full Terms of Use.

Growth corridors – where to find pockets of property across the country

While we don’t have a crystal ball, we do know where investments and approvals are planned or projected and where population growth is predicted to soar. This gives us a good indication of growth corridors across the country and potential investment hot spots that are well worth keeping an eye on in 2023. Here, weRead more