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THE RIGHT TIME TO BUY IS NOW

Finding the right home can be a challenge at any time. But buying a home in the right market at the right time is less important than the period you intend to own it. With interest rates rising, it’s no surprise that some buyers might decide to wait before taking the plunge into the housing market. Much can be read, digested, and speculated regarding the current property market and its values, with opinions and expectations on what it will look like over the next year or so varied. All this noise can make the prospect of buying at the perfect time an anxious decision, with the uncertainty of what the future might bring. Kiwis, on average, own a home for seven and half years, during which time it is almost certain to increase significantly in value. Yes, currently, there are affordability challenges. General living costs alongside mortgage rates are rising, and we are also in a very competitive job market with employers looking to attract and retain talent. “I remember purchasing my first house in St Albans for $110,000. I was very excited and still recall the emotions 25 years later,” says Golden Homes Canterbury Director Dean McGuigan. “Maybe I paid five per cent too much, and maybe I didn’t. What I do know now is that time cures everything, and timeliness in that market did not really make a significant impact. It is the length of time I owned that freezing old house, not so much the timing of when I purchased it, that mattered the most.” The chances of finding the perfect house, and timing the market when it is the cheapest, are very slim. Dean’s advice: “If you can find your ideal house now, grab it.” Dean says very few people have regretted buying a home when they have kept it for seven to 10 years. “I never have, and my parents never did. Ask around, and you will hear similar stories to mine, there are plenty of them, and I am sure you will come up with the same answer.” Step aside from the noise, and remember, time in the market is vital, not timing the market.

goldenhomes.co.nz

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TURNING UP THE SUMMER HEAT

Lynette McFadden Business Owner & Mentor Harcourts gold @lynette_mcfadden Summer, what does it mean to you? Do you look forward to it with longing or start a countdown as soon as Daylight Saving commences? Is it the lighter food that’s so attractive? Longer days? Brighter clothes? Or a combination of all of these things? I have so many memories of summers spent here and overseas. There have been a lot of short, hot summers in France – or été as the French call it – where seemingly the whole population heads away to rest and relax with family and friends. It may be the height of the tourist season, but that doesn’t mean you won’t find little Post-it notes taped onto windows of unique, usually family-owned, businesses in Paris saying simply “away for the month.” I love the thought of this. Another hot, or should I say burning hot, summer was spent visiting Alice Springs and Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock. I’d explain it as an experience similar to putting your head into an oven. If it’s on your bucket list, be prepared to do things at 3 or 4am to beat the heat – and don’t be surprised if you’re sharing the pool with huge numbers of local birds. Here in this beautiful hometown of mine and in my own life, summer is busy, very busy. The pace is on, and the scene is set. The property market is usually highly active as people seek to be settled by Christmas and social events punctuate every week. It’s also a time when the countdown is on for Christmas, which makes our summer particularly interesting. While those in the northern hemisphere are lighting fires, drinking eggnog, and rugging up for the cold, we are having barbeques and heading to the beach, rivers, pools, and wherever else we can find to cool off. And in Christchurch, there’s a lot for us to enjoy, so get out and do that. Now, with all this talk of Christmas and holidays, it’s probably appropriate that I say: have a fabulous time, enjoy the summer and everything on offer. It’s been one heck of a year: personally, it’s had its share of ‘ups’, including travelling back to Paris once again to find those crazy little notes in some of the windows, and ‘downs’ with long Covid and its fatiguing effect… as well as some significant special family events. So, from me to you, here’s to a safe and happy festive season, and I’ll see you with bells on in 2023!

WHICH HUE FOR YOU?

Resene Transcend Resene Tea Resene Half Tea There’s something to be said for neutral earth tones, creating a sense of calm in any space. Resene Transcend, a fresh minty sage from the latest Resene colour chart, inspired this look and complemented the warm neutrals of Resene Tea and the stripe in Resene Quarter Tea to create a soothing space that feels like a coastal retreat. The Olive Bedhead from Wink Design is perfectly at home in this neutral territory, where cool shades of sage, white, and grey come together with warm tones of oat and tan. Natural textures of wool and linen bring a relaxed luxury to this minimalist bedroom. The bedhead is a customisable piece, featured here in a neutral bouclé to bring texture to the soft linen look. Available in a wide range of fabrics, you can even customise the Olive with a different fabric on each arch. Wink Design also makes customisable lampshades and valances for a cohesive look, made from sustainable materials that are easy on the planet. Creating a natural bedroom look calls for natural textures, and this 100 per cent pure French flax linen bedding from Home Lab is the perfect addition for luxurious bedroom styling and comfort. Linen adds warmth and cosiness in winter and lightness and breathability in summer. This Greek column-inspired side table brings an intriguing sculptural element to the space, keeping things cool and neutral within the soft colour palette while providing a practical base for bedtime essentials. These woollen throws are an ideal accompaniment for linen bedding. They are relaxed and natural with a luxurious texture. Each throw was chosen to sit comfortably with the Resene colours and linen bedding for a calming, harmonious look.

Olive Bedhead from Wink Design; West Elm Hera Side Table Semi Circle Lacquer Haze; Potted Hamburg Vase in Parchment; Home Lab French Flax Linen Sheet in White; Home Lab French Flax Linen Duvet Cover Set in Natural Oat; Home Lab French Flax Linen Euro Pillowcase in Sage and Home Lab French Flax Linen Standard Pillowcase Pair in White, Bronte Eucalyptus Lambswool Throw and Bronte Transitional Travertine Windowpane Wool Throw from Ballantynes; Meridian Lamp Brass from A&C Homestore; Città Design Velvet Cushion Cover stylist’s own; Resene Transcend; Resene Tea and Resene Quarter Tea from Resene Colorshops.

Beautifully functional storage with AVENTOS lift systems

Kitchen storage For high-quality, stylish and convenient storage throughout your home, ask for AVENTOS from Blum. AVENTOS keeps spaces tidy and uncluttered while ensuring items are easy to access when needed. It’s ideal for concealing “sometimes used” products like screens or offering minimalist and chic built-in storage.

The AVENTOS hardware range offers complete freedom of movement and easy access to wall cabinets by lifting upwards instead of out like traditional cupboard doors. Discover AVENTOS and find more home inspiration at Blum’s Auckland or Christchurch showroom.

Mudroom storage www.blum.com