17 minute read
BUYING AND SELLING
What to look for in areal estate agent
Selling your home can be a daunting process, so our advice is to start by talking to family, friends and people from your local community groups as to whether they have used an agent locally and had a positive experience and found someone they can recommend.
An agent’s reputation is one of the key ways they get referrals and repeat business. It’s good to look for agents who can demonstrate knowledge of your local area and community, as this will help them with the marketing and explaining the benefits of your home, such as the location, to potential purchasers. Local agents also tend to have a network of potential buyers that they have been working with, or that they have access to through colleagues - ensuring your property is best positioned and marketed to potential buyers.
Things to look for when choosing an agent: • Communicates in person first
– a great agent will pick up the phone and call someone rather than emailing or texting first. They want to connect and keep a rapport going. They are also good listeners. They aim to minimise any misinterpretations that can arise via text or email (when tone can come across wrong, spell check does something random etc). While technology can help, being good at the fundamentals is essential.
• Is an effective communicator
– they get back to people when they say they will.
Vendors are usually extremely worried about selling their house so when an open home is held, they expect the salesperson to get back to them straight away with how many people came, feedback, next steps, etc.
Look for someone who goes the extra mile with communications to all parties.
• Displays local knowledge
– they can demonstrate knowledge of the local area and community, ideally with a network of potential buyers.
This can help ensure your property is best positioned and marketed to potential buyers
• Experience and ambition
– a great agent can talk to you about similar properties they’ve worked with, or situations they’ve faced and how they’ve fixed any issues that have arisen.
Look for someone who talks in facts and specifics instead of generic sentences.
Whilst lengthy experience can be advantageous, it is important not to discount someone new to the industry as their ambition to succeed could prove even more beneficial.
• Positive testimonials
– there is nothing more telling than hearing directly from someone who has worked with this agent before, whether that is someone you know personally that has worked with them, or if the agent will let you ring “Mr & Mrs Smith from 123 Green
Street” and talk to you about their experience of dealing with that agent. We often recommend meeting a few agents before you choose who to work with.
We also recommend visiting open homes they are hosting to understand how they present their vendor’s home.
This will help you get more of a feel for how they work to get the best for your property. You can also look online and see how agents are using social media or digital marketing to increase coverage for the properties they are selling, and therefore see what you could expect for your property.
Article by Wendy Alexander, acting chief executive at the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ).
HEREFORYou
Judy is inherently reliable, supportive and hard-working, and she’s known for her commitment to the bigger picture in the lives of the people she works with. Personal integrity and a resolute willingness to go the extra mile have helped generate an impressive track record: many happy clients eagerly turn to her as their only choice when they come to buy or sell again.
An assured understanding of her obligations and responsibilities as a real estate professional puts people at ease as Judy leaves no stone unturned in her sales process. She is a consummate professional and a prime representative of the Harcourts brand. She truly embodies the fantastic service Harcourts clients expect and she operates with complete confidence and expertise in our systems and processes.
JUDYLUDEMANN
027 459 9361 judy.ludemann@harcourts.co.nz
Judy was a wonderful agent going beyond the requirements to meet my needs. Judy is so kind and caring and makes you feel special.
Meth Test Canterbury
The level of use and manufacture of methamphetamine is increasing. There are contaminated properties as a result of manufacture and use where the presence of contamination is unknown. Individuals are at risk when exposed to the range of chemicals used to manufacture the drug and the drugs themselves.
Meth Test Canterbury Ltd is accredited by International Accreditation New Zealand (IANZ). Our directors/samplers are IANZ approved signatories. We are a New Zealand business specialising in the sampling of residential houses and commercial buildings for methamphetamine contamination. Based in Canterbury, we operate throughout the greater Canterbury region from Ashburton to Hanmer Springs and Kaikoura.
Our managing director is ex-police and private investigator with an extensive investigative background. Our samplers are IANZ approved signatories and hold NZQA Qualification – Meth Screening 30892, 30893, 30894.
We employ the services of Hill Laboratory, an IANZ accredited Laboratory, whom we are in consultation with, to determine the levels of methamphetamine found from sampled sites. Meth Test Canterbury Ltd has no vested interest in any of the properties they sample. Our aim is to provide a professional service and to offer our client’s peace of mind, with a risk management strategy primarily for the protection of health and property.
Procedures
Stage 1 Screening Assessment
The purpose of a screening assessment is to determine the presence or absence of methamphetamine contamination in a property.
Stage 2 Detailed Assessment
The purpose of a detailed assessment is to determine the extent and magnitude of any methamphetamine contamination in a property. This will identify the extent of remedial work required to reinstate a property.
Stage 3 Post De-contamination
The purpose of a post decontamination assessment is to determine that the decontamination process has been effective and that methamphetamine levels do not exceed the limits of the NZ Standard.
IANZ APPROVED SAMPLERS
METHAMPHETAMINE
Methamphetamine, more commonly referred to as ‘P’, Crystal Meth or Meth, is a Class A controlled substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1978 meaning it attracts the highest penalties for manufacture, trafficking, sale and use.
PRODUCTION
Methamphetamine is manufactured in New Zealand in clandestine (secret) drug laboratories, known as ‘clan labs’. ‘Clan labs’ can be found throughout New Zealand in houses, garages, outbuildings, apartments, baches and motor vehicles.
HOW IT HARMS THE INNOCENT
Methamphetamine is a crystal that vaporises when heated, as in smoking. The vapour clings to surfaces. People who come in contact with these surfaces can ingest the meth through their skin or by touching contaminated surfaces then touching mouth, nose or eyes.
0800 4 METH TEST (0800 463 848)
Over 50 years of collision repair services
Shepherd & Kime Ltd has been doing collision repairs in Christchurch since 1966. Over the years, the business has kept up with the latest technologies to provide the high-quality services customers have grown accustomed to.
Aside from business owners Gary Shepherd and Errol Kime retiring and selling the collision repair shop to David Kennedy and Gerard Kime in 2006, very few things have changed for the business.
When asked how the shop has withstood the test of time, Shepherd & Kime Ltd co-owner Gerard Kime says, “I think it comes down to our good service. We try to keep the customer experience as a whole as high quality as we can give. “We like to give good, fast turnarounds because we don’t like people being off the road for too long. We just like to do a quality repair, really. We’ve got a pretty good crew on deck.” In order to get customers back on the road, Gerard says that the team does its best to keep up to date with all of the latest gear, spray ovens, and chassis electronic measuring systems. In addition to adopting new technologies, the team is always looking to perfect its process so that repairs are done in an efficient manner.
Considering the customer’s point of view, Gerard says, “A lot of the
Our skilled technicians have many years of professional experience in this industry and aim to get you mobile as soon as possible.
Free loan vehicles / Pick up and delivery Competitive rates / Guaranteed workmanship / FREE QUOTES
Shepherd & Kime Ltd: 440 Selwyn Street P. 366 8256 | M. 021 669 308 | E. admin@sandk.co.nz Shepherd & Kime 2008 Ltd: 35 Sheffield Crescent P. 348 4448 | E. sheffield@sandk.co.nz
www.shepherdandkime.co.nz
time, when they’ve had a ding, it’s not their fault and they are a little upset when they arrive here on our doorsteps so we’re just trying to make the repair process as painless as possible. “Normally we get the vehicle, photograph it, basically get all of the vehicle’s details, the owner’s details. We send them away again if it’s drivable and then we process the claim and get it submitted and as soon as it’s cleared and we get the parts here on site we’ll book them in with a loan car.”
You can trust the team at Shepherd & Kime to sort out the parts needed to fix your vehicle so that the quote you get at the start of the process is what you pay when the job is done. Customers can bring their vehicles to the Shepherd & Kime shop on Sheffield Crescent or its new location on Selwyn Street. The Selwyn Street shop was purposefully fitted out for the business’ panel and paint services and equipment. Whichever shop you take your vehicle, you can trust Shepherd & Kime to get the job done right the first time. Gerard says, “We’re just trying to supply a good service to the Christchurch people.” Along with financing, free quotes and loan vehicles, Shepherd & Kime Ltd offers a full range of collision repair services including: • Panel beating • Spray painting • Paintless dent removal • Chassis straightening • 3D measuring • Rust repairs and proofing • Fibreglass repairs • Plastic welding • Wheel alignment and balancing • Air conditioning • Electrical • Mechanical • Audio repairs • Glass replacement • Graphics and decals • Undersealing • Grooming • Towing • Pickup and delivery.
Shepherd & Kime Ltd 440 Selwyn Street Addington Christchurch (03) 366 8256 admin@sandk.co.nz www.shepherdandkime.co.nz
Avon Investigations
With over 22 years professional experience in the gathering of pertinent information and ascertainment of facts, Avon Investigations is your local high-quality professional investigation service.
Our reputation as a thorough, prompt and resourceful operator extends into both the legal and commercial sectors and we pride ourselves on a proven record of investigative success. Civil and criminal litigation is expensive and becoming increasingly more so; a burden that both you and your clients share. Our litigation support service offers you an effective way of lowering costs and provides an efficient, more lateral means of resolving a case for your clients. Avon Investigations was originally founded in 1988 by Verdi van Beek, a former Detective in the NZ Police, who identified a need to provide professional investigative services to the legal, commercial and insurance fraternities. Since then, the firm has been involved in all types of investigations and is well equipped to deal with any type of investigation required. The Principal, Verdi van Beek, is a member of the New Zealand Institute of Professional Investigators and also a member of the World Association of Detectives. This provides Avon Investigations with both a New Zealand wide and a world-wide network of agents, which means that investigations can be undertaken anywhere in the world.
At Avon Investigations, we are committed to finding the solution to your problem and you can be confident that your enquiry will always remain totally confidential.
Culverden Branch, 20 Lyndon St. Anywhere, Anytime - Any kind of tyre 24 Hrs Mobile Fleet Service
• Retreads & Punctures • New Tyres • Tractor • Loader • Truck • Car • Motorbike • Earthmoving ANYTHING WITH TYRES - WE FIX
Phone 0800 274 911
Greg Dugmore - Email: greg76@xtra.co.nz
Avon Investigations
Specialist Services to the Legal Profession since 1988
LITIGATION SUPPORT COMMERCIAL
• Investigations • Location/Interview of Witnesses • Taking of Formal Statements • Preparation of Briefs • Reconciliation of Documents • Scene Examination • Preservation & Recording of
Exhibits • Tracing Missing Persons/Debtors/
Third Parties/Beneficiaries • Document Service
We also provide a comprehensive service to the commercial sector: • Personnel Vetting • Security Breaches • Debtor Tracing • General Investigations
Phone: 03 355 4010 Mobile: 027 4323 962 E: verdi@avoninvestigations.co.nz
www.avoninvestigations.co.nz
Premium Tyres & Auto
222 LINWOOD AVE CHRISTCHURCH
WOFS • BRAKES • SERVICING • REPAIRS • WHEEL ALIGNMENTS
New & secondhand tyres at great prices
10% DISCOUNT off retail price when you mention this ad
Call Don – Ph (03) 380 5020 M: 027 7667 354 E: premiumtyres@xtra.co.nz www.facebook.com/PremiumTyresAuto www.premiumtyres.co.nz
McNab Plumbing
McNab Plumbing is all about gas fitting and drainlaying.
With four generations of McNab Plumbing so far, the team is well known for providing high-quality services to locals. The team is based in Dunedin, Otago, and is always on time and on the job.
Services include:
• Plumbing: repairs, renovations, and new builds ranging from small to larger problems • Gasfitting: central heating cosy fireplaces, indoor and outdoor, commercial work, and residential projects • Drainlaying: drainlaying, repairs, unlocking, registered drain layers, and emergency callouts McNab Plumbing also offers affordable prices, professional expertise, great time management, excellent communication skills, and the team is always concise and speedy. Their team has been around for decades and they’re proud to make their customers satisfied when the job is done.
Nothing is too hard for these guys. It’s all about showing up and doing the job right. If a customer has an issue with something, the team will come back to fix any problems to make sure everything is secure. Although the team is fast and efficient, they do take their time to make sure everything has been done correctly before they go. Triple checking their work to ensure their customers are ready to call again next time they need a job done.
Posted on their website are testimonials from previous customers who have rated their services (five-star ratings of course!) With comments to prove how fast and efficient Blair and his team are. Together they have a combined experience of 47 years in the industry, so there’s nothing they can’t fix.
For more information check out the McNab Plumbing website: www.mcnabplumbing.co.nz To get in touch please contact Blair on 03 455 0899 or 027 431 8086, or email via blair@mcnabplumbing.co.nz.
Dunedin’s Plumber On time, on the job
Call us today on 027 431 8086 for free advice and quotes.
PLUMBING | GASFITTING | DRAIN LAYING
McNab Plumbing provide all services for plumbing, gas fitting and drainage in Dunedin, Otago. We pride ourselves on being punctual, affordable and transparent. With decades of experience and plenty of happy customers - residential and commercial - we get the job done time and again.
2 Bellevue Street, Belleknowes, Dunedin | www.mcnabplumbing.co.nz
SMARTEN UP YOUR HOME WIFI
At Unifone, we are best known for providing high quality, fast, reliable broadband to rural areas, where other companies have struggled in the past. What most people don’t know, is we are Otago’s largest privately owned internet service provider and have many other services we can provide.
Unifone can also connect town customers to the Ultra-Fast Broadband (Fibre) UFB network or the traditional copper broadband system. Internet speeds are faster than ever, no matter how you connect and what is installed to distribute the signal in your house matters more than ever. This is something Unifone takes seriously. As a relatively small and local Internet Service Provider, they want their customers to have the best possible online experience. We proactively work with each customer to arrive at the best solution to suit each customer’s unique situation.
Every home is different, and every customer has individual needs. Unifone offer a wide range of solutions from standalone WiFi routers to systems integrated into the home’s infrastructure. While standalone routers are a perfect option for many situations, a high-speed internet connection needs to be matched to something that can distribute it quickly and reliably.
That is why, we have designed Unifone’s Premium Solution and the one we recommend for new homes builds or homes being renovated.
The process begins with an obligation free consultation with one of Unifone’s networking specialists, who will come to a client’s property and make recommendations on the best network coverage. We then design quotes to match individual customer needs. The goal of a UniFi system is to achieve as close to 100% coverage of the home as possible. The service is provided with discrete wall or ceiling mounted radio access devices and can be controlled from a smart phone or through Unifone’s cloud UniFi management system. The best time to get the Unifone team onboard for this service, is at the electrical design stage. They will work in with your project team to get cabling installed in the right places at the right time. WiFi network design and installation is a highly specialised field and Unifone are the local experts.
We believe the high-speed internet connection arriving at your boundary needs to be matched to a high-speed connection within your home. Everything that goes online works better with a high performance in-home WiFi service. Games consoles, Smart TVs, and even good old web browsing are a pleasure when the connection doesn’t lag, buffer, or disconnect in the middle of something important. Unifone pride themselves on providing all our customer’s big and small with the highest quality service we can.
Give Unifone a call on 0800 894 114 or reach out online on www.unifone.net.nz and get your home broadband into the 21st century.
EXPRESS MANUFACTURING AND INSTALLATION
• We are the only one-stop-shop HVAC sheet metal in New Zealand manufacturing to local international standards. • We manufacture to SMACNA, AS 4254.1 and AS 4254.2 as a minimum. • The most respected installation team in NZ. • We stock a wide range of duct fittings, components and accessories.
EXPRESS SPIRO DUCT SYSTEM
• Our SPIRO-system incorporates a sealing strip of age-resistant EPDM rubber, ensuring an airtight and lasting joint seal and significantly simpler installation. • Meeting Eurovent Class D Airtight standards, the range extends from components with a diameter of 80 mm up to those with a diameter of 1250 mm. • Capable of working across as wide range of positive and negative pressures.
EXPRESS PILE LINERS
• Made from Z275 galvanized G250 mild steel. • Manufactured with a patented seam cavity, which both stabilises the tubes and locks the seams into place. • Resists the distortion caused by the hydrostatic pressures of concrete. • Sizes from 100mm to 2000mm in 3m lengths are standard, with custom lengths available on request.
EXPRESS DURADUCT CULVERT SYSTEM
• Duraduct culvert is manufactured from Z600 galvanised G250 steel or in 3004/7072 composite engineering aluminium alloy. • Designed to last for up to 100 years in the appropriate conditions. • Available in custom lengths and a range of diameters from 300mm to 2100mm. • Usually lighter and easier to handle than plastic pipe.
AUCKLAND
P: (09) 276 8238 A: 24-26 Huia Road, Otahuhu
CHRISTCHURCH
P: (03) 377 8473 A: 69 Falsgrave St, Waltham
