Guardian Property, Friday, September 27, 2013

Property GUARDIAN

Guardian Ashburton

SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

If location is important Proudly marketed by Hamish Niles Property Brokers, Ashburton FURTHER DETAILS

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69 Tancred Street Ashburton PH: 03 308 9612

Cover story

If location is important Interested in this property?

79 Walker Street

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charming villa with attractive features in keeping with the character of the home – enter into the wide hall way and you will find a well presented three bedroom home - master with designer finishing’s.

The two living spaces provide plenty of room for entertaining or for the children to play.

The property has an eco-logburner, a heat pump and a heat transfer unit making it cosy on those cold winter nights.

A modern bathroom and separate toilet add to the appeal.

The kitchen/dining area catches the morning sun and looks out over the garden. The kitchen is vibrant and functional for the chef of the house.

The location is excellent in the sought after west side area close to the town centre. The large corner section has a private back yard with deck leading from the dining area for you to enjoy indoor/outdoor flow great for entertaining.

Hamish Niles

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Mobile: 027 435 6265 PH: 307 9176

hamish@propertybrokers.co.nz

Deadline Sale closing 4pm, October 3.

Open Home: Saturday 11 – 11.45am 79 Walker Street

Come on over to our Gold award winning Braebrook show home ... judged as one of the best in New Zealand!

We are very proud that our stunning Braebrook show home has not only won Gold and Category Winner but has now been selected as one of the top 100 in the country, in the Registered Master Builder’s 2013 House of the Year.

Locally designed, it is one of only thirteen New Zealand-wide to earn National Gold Reserve status in the Show Home Category. Come and see for yourself what life could be like in an award winning Jennian home.

Show Home Open Saturday to Sunday 12pm to 4pm and Monday to Friday by appointment 16 Braebrook Drive, Braebrook, Ashburton Jennian Homes Mid Canterbury P 03 307 7308 E midcanterbury@jennian.co.nz

RESIDENTIAL - 03 307 9176 217 West Street ASHBURTON ashburton@propertybrokers.co.nz 03 307 9176

Hastings McLeod Ltd Licensed under the Real Estate Agents Act 2008

POSSIBLY TODAY'S BEST BUY

SOLID FIRST HOME

BRAND NEW-AVAILABLE NOW

IF LOCATION IS IMPORTANT

OPEN HOME

OPEN HOME

OPEN HOME

OPEN HOME

DEADLINE PRIVATE TREATY WEB ID AU32731 DEADLINE PRIVATE TREATY WEB ID AU32733 $389,500 WEB ID AU32739 DEADLINE PRIVATE TREATY WEB ID AU32551 TINWALD EASTSIDE EASTSIDE WESTSIDE 32 Melcombe Street 12 Aitken Street 153 Victoria Street 79 Walker Street Tidy first home or investment on 936sqm This brick home is lovingly built and Sun filled attractive three bedroom Come and inspect this family friendly home 2 3 3 3 section. Kitchen, dining and separate groomed by one owner. Separate kitchen, townhouse. Close in east side location with two living areas & extensively lounge. Handy to town. living and lounge. close to Countdown Shopping Centre. renovated throughout.

Open plan living, three spacious bedrooms VIEW Saturday 28 Sep 10.00 - 10.30am VIEW Saturday 28 Sep 10.00 - 10.45am VIEW Saturday 28 Sep 11.00 - 11.45am 1 1 2 1 - master having ensuite. Attached two car DEADLINE PRIVATE TREATY (unless sold DEADLINE PRIVATE TREATY (unless sold DEADLINE PRIVATE TREATY Thursday 3rd garaging. Move now! prior) Wednesday 2nd October 2013 at prior) Wednesday 16th October 2013 at October 2013 at 4.00pm

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4.00pm

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ENTERTAINERS DELIGHT

YOUNG OR MATURE

OPEN HOME

OPEN HOME

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VIEW Saturday 28 Sep 10.30 - 11.00am

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NO WAITING HERE

GREAT LOCATION

OFFERS OVER $395,000 WEB ID AU32755 DEADLINE PRIVATE TREATY WEB ID AU32581 $142,000 WEB ID AU32477 EASTSIDE WESTSIDE TINWALD 51 Trevors Road 112a Creek Road 3 Braam Lane Spacious family home on extra generous Private modern home on a 738sqm section Building site ready and waiting for you to build on 4 4 family sized section. Nicely situated on the positioned for all day sun. Great outdoor 765sqm. Nice setting. No waiting on titles. section, this home offers a rural feel with living space.

View By Appointment all the conveniences of urban living. Good VIEW Saturday 28 Sep 11.15 - 11.45am 2 2 indoor outdoor flow. Come and see for DEADLINE PRIVATE TREATY Wednesday yourself.

2nd October 2013 at 2.00pm VIEW Saturday 28 Sep 11.00 - 11.30am

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HOW GOOD IS THIS! STAGE

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$495,000 WEB ID AU31719 WESTSIDE 122 Elizabeth Street This brand new 211sqm home is almost 3 complete. Three bedrooms plus office, two bathrooms and a double internal access garage. Designed to be spacious and 2 warm. Sited on 666sqm section, this home is certain to impress. Completion date is near!

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TOP WESTSIDE CULDESAC

SPACIOUS FAMILY HOME

The Braebrook story continues...

$499,000 WEB ID AU32196 $469,000 WEB ID AU32052 OFFERS OVER $399,000 WEB ID AU31909 EASTSIDE WESTSIDE WESTSIDE 11 Magnolia Drive 23 Falcon Drive 145 Harrison Street You will be impressed with the location This immaculate three bedroom, one Immaculately presented larger family home 4 3 5 and size of this family home. bathroom with separate toilet, one ensuite, on popular west side. This sunny home has • 257sqm big executive home will not disappoint. Walk fresh neutral colourways and new flooring • Walk in wardrobe and ensuite in master in to the spacious entrance hall - to the left throughout. Roomy lounge/dining room, 2 2 2 • Separate Lounge is the formal lounge and conservatory - to five bedrooms or four and a separate living • Open plan kitchen, dining and living the right is the generous family room. space. Two bathrooms, loads of storage.

View By Appointment

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LAKE HOOD SECTIONS

FROM $190,000 WEB ID AU25458B ASHBURTON Stage 8 Lake Hood Subdivision Stage 8 Lake Hood sections selling now. Come along and secure your dream building site now. Priced from $190,000.

View By Appointment

www.oaklea.co.nz

www.propertybrokers.co.nz

View By Appointment

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View By Appointment

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RURAL - 03 307 9176 217 West Street ASHBURTON ashburton@propertybrokers.co.nz 03 307 9176

Hastings McLeod Ltd Licensed under the Real Estate Agents Act 2008

DEADLINE PRIVATE TREATY

UNIQUE IS THE ONLY WORD

WEB ID AR32397 ASHBURTON 1147 Mitcham Road Fifty hectares in Winchmore location. Full borderdyke irrigation allocation of 2075 shares in the Ashburton Lyndhurst Irrigation Company, giving 20.75 litres per second. Currently being used as a dairy support block.

The homestead is modern and unique. Entering the home the eye is taken by the polished floor enticing the visitor to explore further. Passing the galley kitchen the visitor enters the dining and living room with large windows giving expansive rural views towards the mountains.

View By Appointment DEADLINE PRIVATE TREATY Friday 11th October 2013 at 4.00pm

DEADLINE SALE

215HA DAIRY UNIT - PRIME LOCATION

RAKAIA LIFESTYLE

$695,000 WEB ID AL32594 RAKAIA 102 Wolseley Road You will be impressed with this outstanding property set in established grounds on 2.4 hectares. Spacious 259m2 home with open plan living and separate lounge. 4 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and separate laundry.

Internal access to large double garage plus detached garage with study provides ample room for the handyman/retiring farmer. Water sourced from well and fully reticulated around the property. Extensive insulation including double glazing and heating via log burner and night store promises unparalleled comfort.

Rare opportunity to secure a quality lifestyle property in Rakaia.

VIEW Saturday 28 Sep 11.00 - 12.00pm

OPEN HOME

RELAXED RURAL LIVING

$625,000 WEB ID AU31839A ASHBURTON 23 Innes Road 2 ha only 8kms from town centre. Waimakariri shallow silt loam soils. Four bedroom homestead, master with ensuite. Open plan living plus separate lounge/billiard room and smaller sitting room. Office. Attractive and mature grounds. Two bay open shed, two bay garage with large workshop. Renovated sleepout. Three phase power. A range of older sheds. Excellent subdivision into five paddocks. Well maintained paddocks. Water from well approx. 21 metres deep.

VIEW Saturday 28 Sep 11.30 - 12.15pm

WEB ID AR32491 WINCHMORE 480 Winchmore Dromore Road View By Appointment An exceptional location, an exceptional homestead, an DEADLINE PRIVATE TREATY Friday 25th October 2013 at exceptional producer!!

3.00pm Presently milking 650 cows with peak production of 294,044 kgs milk solids (2011/12). Produced 285,922 kgs 2012/13. A border dyke irrigated unit within the ALIS proposed pressurized piped water supply area.

Further development will increase the effective area and productive potential of the farm.

A lot of thought was given to the 55 paddock layout accessed by lime capped lanes all meeting at the centrally located 44 bale rotary shed.

DEADLINE PRIVATE TREATY

OPEN HOME

QUIET AND ATTRACTIVE

$238,000 WEB ID AL31725 ASHBURTON Wilkins Road Nestled on a quiet road within three minutes of the CBD. Deep fertile soils. Power to boundary. Sets back to river margin and natural wetland in the title of approximately 1.4 hectares. Great building sites in a very popular location.

View By Appointment

ATTRACTIVE LIFESTYLE

STUNNING VIEWS

$675,000 + GST WEB ID AL28305A TINWALD 152 Gartartan Road An attractive 12 hectare lifestyle property large enough to generate some income. Warm and comfortable home in settled grounds plus good out buildings including stables, implement shed tackroom/workshop and cattle yards. Opportunity for lifestyle and income.

$472,500 + GST WEB ID AL26381 ASHBURTON Wakanui Road A rare 8 hectare corner site with many attractive building sites. Full open views over town to the Southern Alps and Mt Hutt. All in good pasture on quality soils ideal to develop your landscape. Well fenced and power at the roadside. Town 'n' Country with the boundary only 1km away.

View By Appointment

View By Appointment

www.propertybrokers.co.nz

Saving

Tips for wannabe home owners

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omeowners STASH CASH: Saving for your first home takes time, commitment and sacrificing flash cars and meals out. OILY raggers are not ones to dwell on the negative so they’re probably not taking a lot of notice of the negative talk about young people not being able to afford to buy a home. As oily raggers, we know that home affordability is more like a molehill than an insurmountable mountain, so we thought it worthwhile to remind those who are yet to be converted to the thrifty mindset.

Commitment also means giving up some of the nice things for the important things.

Here are some key principles that will help you to become a homeowner...

Commitment Start saving early and often. We have a general rule of thumb that 10¢ in every dollar that flows through your pocket should be captured and caged.

By captured we mean “saved”, and by caged we mean “put to work in an investment account of some kind”. If someone on the average wage did that during their lifetime then by the time they qualify for government super they will have more money than they would have imagined when they made that first deposit into their savings account. That’s not exaggerated puffery, it’s just how the numbers work - and compounding interest really is just as simple as 1, 2, 4, 8, 16.

Commitment also means giving up some of the nice things for the important things. Forget flash cars and fancy restaurants - put that money into debt repayment. Just remember, a mortgage repayment will have lifetime benefits.

If that money was used instead to buy a car then it becomes a liability with diminishing resale value and increasing annual costs. Every dollar matters.

KiwiSaver Huge benefits are in store for those who have yet to buy their own home.

There are thousands of free dollars waiting for you to use as a deposit on your first home. One would need to have cupcakes in their head to not take advantage of them.

Time Use it productively. Turn off the TV and use that time to generate some extra income or use it to save money by putting in a vege garden or doing some other money-saving activity. If you have a hobby, try turn it into a positive

Saving cashflow. Time is also about having a date for when you want to buy your first home. A timeframe creates an imperative that turns it into a goal, rather than an idle wish.

Mindset Don’t expect anyone else to do things for you.

If you want something it’s up to you to get it. As much as you or others may wish, the Government will not give you a house. Unfortunately, there is a perception that it will, which tends to make people stand in a queue with their hands out while the rest of the world walks on by with a purpose. To get something, you generally have to give up something to get it. Figure out what is least important to you - and give that up first. We think booze and cigarettes are at the bottom of the “needs” list and should be first to get the boot.

Humility A first home need not be a king’s palace.

The important thing is to get on the property escalator. A humble abode in a nice street is likely to turn into a tidy investment, especially when embellished with the savings that can be made by living off the smell of an oily rag.

Much more can be said about home ownership. But we think five words pretty much sum it up: commitment, KiwiSaver, time, mindset and humility.

Do you have a favourite winter tip you would like to share?

Send it to us at www.oilyrag.co.nz or write to Living Off the Smell of an Oily Rag, PO Box 984, Whangarei.

Enjoy and relax in a swimming pool with your family this summer…

Pool and Pump World specialises in: - Pool construction - Spa pools supply and installation - Accessories and cleaning products - Rural and domestic water systems - Full servicing and repair service

27 Gordons Road, Ashburton - Freephone 0800 155 343 Email :admin@poolandpumpworld.co.nz www.poolandpumpworld.co.nz Contact Paul or Jackie today for all your pool requirements Open Monday to Friday

Paul

Jackie

Industry Comment

Rural Outlook

Mortgage rates

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Peter Barnett Group Rural Manager

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www.propertybrokers.co.nz

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round 700 rural professionals attended twenty seminars on the current state of the rural property market which were held around the country in September and October.

“It’s about quality information transfer”, says Company Rural Manager, Peter

Barnett, who delivered each of the seminars.

“With data drawn from nine different sources including Dairy NZ, Beef+Lamb, Statistics NZ and the Reserve Bank, we wanted to share some fact based information with rural accountants,

solicitors, consultants and bankers, to help them be better informed.”

Here are five of the key themes from the seminars: 1. More farms being sold than listed More farms have been sold than listed

*At the time of printing

Property GUARDIAN

86%

of Mid Canterbury’s home owners read the Ashburton Guardian*

This week’s winner!

%

Rural and Ou 36 Spaxton

Street

(Gate Extra)

Guardian Ashburton

Can you afford not to be here? *SOURCE NEILSEN MEDIA

Congratulations to the winners of this week’s $100 voucher from:

Every property advertised in the weekly Guardian Property Liftout goes in the draw to win a $100 voucher from a selected property services supplier.

Ca $1

Com

Industry Comment

over the past three seasons, with the total number of all rural listings held on the real estate industry’s key website, www.realestate.co.nz falling by 40%. This backs up what we are seeing in our business, as older, long standing listings have been largely

sold over the past six months.

2. Most older listings finding buyers All over the country there are stories of farm properties that have been on the market for a couple of years as buyer perception, on some of these

properties, was that they were too dear. In many cases these are now sold or under contract, with many of these sales happening in late autumn and into the winter.

3. Buyer enquiry up Buyer enquiry has increased across most farmland types, but particularly for dairy farms and dairy support type properties. This has been a notable change from the last few winters.

4. Spring rural listings slow Compounding the impact of low listing numbers being carried through from winter is the lack of new properties being brought onto the market, as at the time of writing.

This bodes well for potential vendors this spring,whose farms will have less

competition from other properties on the market.

5. Farm capital moving from South to North From the early 1990’s many dairy farmers moved south from the traditional dairy powerhouse regions to convert farms to dairying, driven by lower prices in the south. With increases in relative land values of sheep and beef farms in the south, driven by the demand for dairy support units, some of these sheep and beef farmers are now looking to the north island for better value farming opportunities. There is also examples of some dairy farmers moving back to their original home regions having done well in the south.

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Methven Real Estate Ltd MREINZ Licensed Real Estate Agents REAA2008

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everyone! Large 1295sqm section, with awesome veggie garden. The generous sized character home boasts 4 bedrooms with logburner for the cooler months. Good garaging on offer, with both double and single detached garages. A motivated vendor. SET SALE closing Thursday 31st October (unless sold prior).

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ENQUIRY OVER $1,350,000.

SET SALE 36 Spaxton Street Closing Thursday 31st October (unless sold prior).

SPACE FOR ALL THE FAMILY. - Plenty of space for

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Forest Lodge, Methven IMPRESSIVE FOREST LODGE, BAR & RESTURANT. - First

time on the market for over 20 years for this extensive property. Currently run as an Accommodation Lodge, Popular Bar and Restaurant. The 2 storey lodge is a favourite with ski and activity guests. Impressive reception area with an office which leads through to the bar, lounge and restaurant area. The lodge has recently been renovated to a high standard with 18 rooms of various configurations.

Separate managers house which offers private modern living and great mountain views.

$390,000 13 Robinson Street, Rakaia Open Home Saturday 28th September 1pm-2pm SUPERIOR IN RAKAIA. - Exceptional 4 bedroom home just

come to market. Large quarter acre section fully fenced with a great outdoor area for the whole family. The kitchen is the jewel with a stylish, modern layout. The kitchen flows though to the lounge area which has a new log burner.

Open the sliding doors and step out to a fantastic large deck with solid wood benches, perfect for the summer BBQ. A great fenced off veggie & herb garden for those with a green thumb, also a sandpit for the kids to play in. Master has good wardrobe space and ensuite. Internal access garage with space for the tools. This home has something for everyone in the family and is well worth a look.

www.methvenrealestate.co.nz | 127 Main Street, Methven | (03) 303 3093

Selwyn Allred Principal 0274-388-493

Mark & Rachel Allred Property Consultants 0274-909-991 Mark 0272-429-799 Rachel

OJ – Martin Dodson Rural Property Consultant 021-743-394

Rosa Harper Property Manager/ Property Consultant 0274-655-387

Amanda Pannett Office Administrator 303-3093

Spring

New season, new look S

ome go for spring cleaning this time of year, while others pursue a more permanent endeavour - such as getting the house freshened up with a new look. If you are of the latter persuasion, read on.

Spring always begs lightheartedness, and the new decorating themes back that up.

Light backgrounds on walls, floors and furniture set the stage while pops of colour with accessories and fabrics bring out the owner’s personality.

The light background colours include cream or beige, white and soft grey. The pops of colour are all up to you. Whatever colours make you happy will make the room pop just fine.

That light colour on furniture is particularly visible in woods. Dark wood was popular before, but the trend is definitely moving toward light wood or mid-toned natural-wood finishes.

Furniture arrangement has shifted from the wide-open spacious look to a more intimate plan. Think of how you can arrange your furniture in a more familiar, cosy way with conversation areas well-defined.

What about fabrics? Is there is more to the fabric selection than simply beige? Well, there is. To the simple neutral colours, you will find metallic threads added. This is in keeping with the light look as the metallic threads lift the visual feel of the fabric.

Oh, and there is a comeback some might be happy about but others not.

Faux fur and textured knobby fabrics. Go figure. But the choices are more than that. The current trend in fabrics also includes plaids, stripes and modern florals, mostly in bold colours.

As mentioned, your favourite colours are the ones you should use, but I will tell you the popular ones for this year. Jewel tones, such as emerald green, golden yellow, sapphire blue and ruby red. As seen in the metallics woven into the fabrics, gold, silver and other metallics in accessories and accents are in.

Since it seems everything old is new again, mirrored furniture and accessories are back.

As far as style, any one you prefer is fine, whether contemporary, country, traditional or eclectic.

Many of us are strapped for money these

days, so redecorating might seem out of the question, but it still is possible if you are willing to search for items.

Refurbished secondhand furniture from thrift stores or consignment shops is one option.

The entire house doesn’t have to be a handme-down place, but a few reclaimed pieces actually add charm and personality to any room. AAP

Furnishing

What’s new in the furnishing scene

By Chris Redmond Business owner Redmonds Funishing and Flooring

EUROPEAN INSPIRED COUCH WITH PERFORATED LEATHER DETAIL

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orld trends are important to an ever-changing furnishing trade. The swing from wool carpets to solution-dyed products is driven by increasing wool prices and the ever-increasing opportunity to provide products at cheaper prices by importing from markets with a larger population base.

The furniture trade has also followed this path creating bigger, better and best scenario with best being led by local manufacturers and imports from Europe and China and the mid and lower end of the market being covered by imported products from China, India, Vietnam and Thailand.

panelling, which I could just see working so well around our district.

On the modern side we saw so much reproduction mid century (retro) product I got bored. But it is so big in the UK and Europe and our Wellington and Auckland friends couldn’t get enough of it. Leather furniture design is still led by the Italians. Simplistic and square is still predominant and there were definite trends of blue and orange shown in many displays.

The only way to compete with the larger retail chains is to travel with like-minded independent retailers to the furnishing fairs in China and keep up with the latest trends which are first shown in Cologne and Milan in February and April. These trends filter to Guanzhou in March and Shanghai in September with thousands of furnishing retailers from all over the world attending. For first-time New Zealand retailers the scale of these shows are inconceivable, in 7.5 hours you have walked 11.5km through 10 halls with over 100 displays in each. The mind and the feet get well worn out.

THE HARRIS TWEED STORY

Another favourite, again from the UK, was Andrew Martin, a designer well known for his amazing furniture, printed fabrics and industrial wallpapers.

This year his wallpapers feature collages of 1950 movie stars, famous landmarks and racing cars.

It’s following the eclectic trends you see in retail stores and bars here and overseas with collections of mirrors, clocks or old prints displayed on one wall as a feature.

Latest trends My favourite trend this year was from English company Tetrad. They produce fantastic quality traditional furniture and cover it in a mix of leather and Harris Tweed. Every piece is numbered and has its own unique Harris Tweed label. The whole story around this furniture is about English tradition, farming, hunting Landrovers and dark wood

TETRAD FURNITURE

ANDREW MARTIN

The list goes on, but colour and bold statements are definitely where the furnishing market is going.

So don’t be scared, decorate with a bright chair, wallpaper the loo, or add a colourful rug to enhance the ambience of your home and put a smile on your face.

Give your home the perfect finish with our window furnishings options FREE making on all drapes*

Save 15% on Luxaflex venetians and sunblinds until 31 October

Redmonds has an extensive range of designer fabrics and blinds including Ashley Wilde, Warwick, Maurice Kain, James Dunlop, Charles Parsons and more making it easy to create a style to suit your home and budget.

Call Hayley, our drape and blind consultant, for a free measure and quote today *Terms and conditions apply. See instore for details.

interior design | curtains | blinds | flooring | furniture | beds

East to Burnett Street, Ashburton (03) 308 5269 www.redmonds.co.nz

Spring

The do’s and don’ts of decks

By Leigh Bramwell

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hen decks came into fashion in the seventies, it was easy to choose the perfect decking material. There were only a few options and homeowners generally based their choice on the longevity of the timber available.

The limited natural wood choices available 30-odd years ago are merely a drop in the bucket in today’s decking industry. Thanks to modern technological advances there are all sorts of manmade and composite materials out there, which can satisfy both aesthetic, economic and ecological requirements.

Timber, obviously, has a good look but it’s not maintenance free. It may fade and warp, grow mould, moss and algae, and require re-staining or oiling to keep it looking smart.

Modern decking materials made from combinations of recycled timber and plastic require less attention to maintain their good looks, and are also easier to clean on a day-to-day basis.

As well as being functional and having aesthetic appeal, a deck needs to complement the style of existing architecture and buildings, offer privacy and shelter, enhance the existing landscaping, and, if possible, extend the outdoor living opportunities of the home-owners.

Size, in this case, does matter, and it pays to be aware that whatever size you make it, it’s likely that within a few weeks you’ll be wishing it were bigger.

So give careful thought to how the deck is to be used. If it’s going to be an entertaining area, factor in space for a barbecue, preparation and cooking facilities, a table and chairs to accommodate the

number of guests you generally have, standing space for people to gather for pre-dinner drinks, and space for planter boxes, container plants, pots of herbs and other decorative elements. You may also want to factor in space for an outdoor fire, brazier or patio heater.

Keep in mind that if you have a large expanse of deck, it’s likely to look a bit boring. It’s easy enough to introduce a second material, so if you’ve chosen man-made decking and want to add a more rustic element, use a rustic timber as edging, or to divide your deck into different areas. Similarly, channels of stones or plants incorporated into the decking will create interest, and you can leave cut-outs for existing trees or plants.

Before you so much as lift a spade or hammer, consult the local council to check the regulations.

Safety features such as handrails will be required, there may be boundary restrictions, and you will almost certainly need a consent.

The exception to some of these limitations is if you want a freestanding deck.

While we are more accustomed to decks that are part of the house, decks are more and more often being used as separate spaces within the garden.

A deck that’s virtually flat on the ground can be used to provide a sitting space near a focal point of the garden, or simply to enhance a landscape design. Of course, you can’t simply plonk a deck in the middle of the grass and leave it at that. If it isn’t attached to a building you need to provide edges and borders that will give the sense of enclosure you’d otherwise borrow from the house or the wall.

Before you so much as lift a spade or hammer, consult the local council.

Substantial rocks that are between 600 and 900mm high are fantastic for this. They anchor any structure or garden design and give it a reason for being. They also create boundaries, provide focal points and can be arranged to give you pockets to plant in or a backdrop to plant against.

Another great advantage of a deck flat on the ground is that your plants don’t have to be very big to make an impact, so you’re not going to be waiting till next spring for it to look good.

Choose a couple that are a decent size to give it an established look, and fill in the gaps with smaller ones.

Add a couple of stylish chairs, a table big enough for a book and sunglasses, and you’re done.

Property Management

Spruce up can help add bucks M

any investors use renovations as a strategy for success in property investment. Some properties require structural change, others landscaping and others a cosmetic makeover through redecoration. Obviously when looking for the “right’’ property investors need to take the renovation - and the extent of work needed into account. The most common reason for a renovation would be to increase rental return.

An extra bedroom makes a considerable monetary difference, as does the addition of covered car parking.

A fresh look also increases the return and it goes without saying any improvement will make the property more appealing to a prospective tenant.

Before proceeding with the purchase the investor should consider the following: Does the property have potential? What is the desired end result? How much work is required for the renovation? Is the proposed work within budget? Are there people available to carry out the work? Are you prepared to follow through?

Ten things to consider to increase rental return.

1. Is there equity in the property?

Speak to a valuer to find out if the figures stack up. What is the value likely to be

after the renovation is complete?

2. Is the property in a desirable area for prospective tenants?

The aim is obviously to buy a property always in demand meaning less down time and more money in your pocket.

3. Is the property in a desirable area for potential purchasers?

If you decide to on-sell the property, are fellow investors willing to invest in the area?

4. Does the property have street appeal?

First impressions count. Can simple landscaping be carried out to create that ``wow’’ factor?

5. Is there potential to create an extra bedroom? Dividing large rooms to two singles is a popular trend as is converting one side of a double garage to a sleepout.

This opens up potential to a higher rent return.

6. Painting the interior and/or exterior.

Be sure to know what job you are getting.

Are you requiring a renovation or a restoration? A tidy renovation will get a higher rental return without huge outlay.

A restoration will put the property back to new condition but will cost and may not always be necessary.

7. Can covered decks be added for extra outdoor living space?

Particularly to be considered if the property is targeting a larger family.

8. Does the property offer any heating?

Most tenants consider heating as one of their top priorities.

Check out available schemes for funding, particularly the ``Hot Swap’’ in Rotorua.

9. Does the property offer covered car parking?

The rule of thumb is a single garage is worth between $10 and $150 extra per week. If you can’t stretch to a garage a carport is the next best thing.

10. Quick kitchen and bathroom makeovers.

There are many economical solutions to modernising the kitchen and bathroom and improvements here greatly increase a property’s appeal.

In summary, complete the renovation, find a great tenant at a good rental return, then sit back and reap the benefits.

- Donna Russell is director of property management firm Russell Hardie.

Preparing for sale

Make sure you fence your pool

By Shane Woods Insideout Property Services

W

ith summer just around the corner, swimming pools are great selling pools for your home, so adequate fencing is a must for any potential buyer.

As the homeowner you are responsible for making sure everyone in your neighbourhood is safe from the risk of drowning in your pool.

Under the Fencing of Swimming Pools Act 1987, the Building Act 2004 and the council bylaws, all swimming pools and spa pools must be fenced.

The Building Act applies to the construction of new pools and alterations to existing pools. The Fencing of Swimming Pools Act was enacted to protect young children from falling into unfenced swimming pools.

If you don’t have a pool yet, but are thinking about installing one, you first must apply for and be granted a building consent. The council will inspect the fencing before issuing a code compliance certificate.

Under the act, the council can enter your property if they suspect you have an unfenced pool.

The minimum height for a pool fence is 1.2 metres above ground level and no space under the bottom

All swimming pools and spa pools must be fenced.

of the gate or fence can be greater than 100mm from the ground at any point.

Fences can be constructed from any type of material provided it is durable and complies with the building code.

However, living vegetation or hedges alone are not acceptable as pool fencing.

Gates and existing doors must open away from the pool and automatically close and latch when released from a distance of 150mm from the open position.

Horizontal support rails must be at least 900mm apart.

There can’t be any holes or gaps in the fence that may give a child access to the pool area, and there can’t be any objects close to the fence that could help children climb it.

Homeowners can ask the council for a fence exemption, but you will only get one if the council is satisfied there is no significant increased risk to young children from not fencing. Each council may have different rules and will treat each application individually.

Check with your council, but a locked cover over the spa pool may not necessarily be enough - it may also need to be fenced.

Fence placement The fence can only enclose the immediate pool area but may include things used in association with the pool, such as changing sheds. You can’t fence a big block of your back yard and expect to comply with the act, because children generally come and go in these areas freely.

A wall of the house may form part of the fencing if it complies with the act, but if the wall of the house has a door into the house, the door will need to be self-locking.

Who checks up on fences?

It is the owner’s responsibility to advise the council if they have a pool, if it is not already aware of it.

It is also the owner’s responsibility to ensure the fence complies with both act requirements. Missing sections of the fence, or a gate that is not selflatching, must be replaced or repaired immediately.

The council could make you empty the pool and you could be liable for a fine for non-compliance.

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