15 february 19, 2014 Mahurangi Matters feature rodney real estate The Mahurangi property market is picking up, as Aucklanders look further afield to get more value for their money. The housing market took a dive following the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) in 2008, but in the past 12 months houses and sections have begun to move again and prices are increasing. Staff at Bayleys’ Warkworth branch say the majority of home buyers in the area are Aucklanders cashing in on high prices in Auckland, and finding relatively affordable homes in Mahurangi. Bayleys consultants Ben and Nola Kloppers say 80 per cent of business is coming from Auckland. “There’s been a ripple effect out of Auckland. There’s been an increase in open homes, deals done, and multiple offers on properties, which hasn’t happened for six years,” Ben says. There are still homes available in the mid-$300,000 bracket in areas such as Snells Beach and Warkworth, which is rare in Auckland, Ben says. But demand in Warkworth is also pushing up prices, he says. “If you find anything in Warkworth under $500,000, it’s gone really quickly.” The lifestyle block market, which was severely hit by the GFC with prices Bayleys agents Nola and Ben Kloppers and Shailenne Parkes say Point Wells is particularly popular with only one section unsold out of a 20-lot development. aucklanders boost Mahurangi property market dropping by 25 to 30 per cent, is also just starting to recover, Ben says. Omaha has been an exception to the trend and has been selling reasonably well throughout the GFC, he says. It is becoming increasingly common for people to move to Mahurangi and work one or two days from home, while also keeping an apartment in Auckland, he says. But Ben says most of the home buyers tend to be young families buying their second home, and people buying houses ahead of their retirement. “We get more of the 50-plus market selling up in Auckland, making the most of the good market there, and moving north.” Home loan restrictions enforced by the Reserve Bank haven’t had much of an impact on this demographic, Ben says. New lending restrictions mean that no more than 10 per cent of a bank’s loans can go to borrowers who have less than a 20 per cent deposit. However, new homes have been exempted from the restriction. Ian Bensley of Golden Homes North Shore says this has had an impact in the lower end of the construction market. People who have saved $50,000, for example, are able to build a new $500,000 home in Warkworth, he says, which is encouraging a demand for new subdivisions. Bayleys agent Shailenne Parkes says 11 of the 13 presale sites available in stage two of the Tamahunga subdivision in Matakana have sold in just a matter of weeks. Nine of those buyers were Aucklanders. The Jade River subdivision in Warkworth is also nearly completely sold with just nine sections left from over 100 sections. A subdivision at Point Wells, which came on the market in 2012 with 20 sections, has only one section unsold. Steve Haycock of Steve Haycock Construction says the construction industry is really feeling the pick-up in demand. “Activity is really stepping up in the last year or so. Houses are going up everywhere,” Steve says. Thinking real estate in Rodney North? Think of the team at Mackys Real Estate Limited, Bayleys, Licensed under the REA Act 2008 Proudly selling the best property in all price ranges, call us today Bayleys Warkworth 09 425 7640 Bayleys Omaha Beach 09 422 7441 Bayleys Mangawhai 09 431 5415 Bayleys Mahurangi East 09 425 4128 www.bayleys.co.nz/inthenorth SOLD SOLD SOLD
Transcript
15february 19, 2014 Mahurangi Matters feature
rodney realestateThe Mahurangi property market is picking up, as Aucklanders look further afield to get more value for their money.The housing market took a dive following the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) in 2008, but in the past 12 months houses and sections have begun to move again and prices are increasing.Staff at Bayleys’ Warkworth branch say the majority of home buyers in the area are Aucklanders cashing in on high prices in Auckland, and finding relatively affordable homes in Mahurangi.Bayleys consultants Ben and Nola Kloppers say 80 per cent of business is coming from Auckland.“There’s been a ripple effect out of Auckland. There’s been an increase in open homes, deals done, and multiple offers on properties, which hasn’t happened for six years,” Ben says. There are still homes available in the mid-$300,000 bracket in areas such as Snells Beach and Warkworth, which is rare in Auckland, Ben says.But demand in Warkworth is also pushing up prices, he says. “If you find anything in Warkworth under $500,000, it’s gone really quickly.”The lifestyle block market, which was severely hit by the GFC with prices
Bayleys agents Nola and Ben Kloppers and Shailenne Parkes say Point wells is particularly popular with only one section unsold out of a 20-lot development.
aucklanders boost Mahurangi property market
dropping by 25 to 30 per cent, is also just starting to recover, Ben says. Omaha has been an exception to the trend and has been selling reasonably well throughout the GFC, he says.It is becoming increasingly common for people to move to Mahurangi and work one or two days from home, while also keeping an apartment in Auckland, he says.But Ben says most of the home buyers tend to be young families buying their
second home, and people buying houses ahead of their retirement. “We get more of the 50-plus market selling up in Auckland, making the most of the good market there, and moving north.”Home loan restrictions enforced by the Reserve Bank haven’t had much of an impact on this demographic, Ben says. New lending restrictions mean that no more than 10 per cent of a bank’s loans can go to borrowers who
have less than a 20 per cent deposit.However, new homes have been exempted from the restriction. Ian Bensley of Golden Homes North Shore says this has had an impact in the lower end of the construction market. People who have saved $50,000, for example, are able to build a new $500,000 home in Warkworth, he says, which is encouraging a demand for new subdivisions.Bayleys agent Shailenne Parkes says 11 of the 13 presale sites available in stage two of the Tamahunga subdivision in Matakana have sold in just a matter of weeks. Nine of those buyers were Aucklanders.The Jade River subdivision in Warkworth is also nearly completely sold with just nine sections left from over 100 sections.A subdivision at Point Wells, which came on the market in 2012 with 20 sections, has only one section unsold.Steve Haycock of Steve Haycock Construction says the construction industry is really feeling the pick-up in demand.“Activity is really stepping up in the last year or so. Houses are going up everywhere,” Steve says.
Thinking real estate in Rodney North? Think of the team at
Mackys Real Estate Limited, Bayleys, Licensed under the REA Act 2008
Proudly selling the best property in all price ranges, call us today
Bayleys Warkworth09 425 7640
Bayleys Omaha Beach09 422 7441
Bayleys Mangawhai09 431 5415
Bayleys Mahurangi East09 425 4128
www.bayleys.co.nz/inthenorth
SOLDSOLD
SOLD
16 Mahurangi Matters february 19, 2014 featurereal estate feature
17february 19, 2014 Mahurangi Matters feature
Bogue Real Estate Ltd MREINZ LICENSED (REAA 2008)
2.95% + GSTYou told us you wanted real estate agencies to offer more affordable
selling fees without dropping the level of service... WellThat’s just what we are doing!!!
Our fees are 2.95% + $500 admin fee up to $400,000 thereafter 2.00%, plus GST
(Only applies to Ray White Warkworth, Snells Beach & Maungaturoto offices)
On a $400,000 property you could save more than $4,000 in fees compared to most major nationally recognised brands in our area. Plus:
• SuperGold Card holders still qualify for a further 10% Discount• Free Trademe advertisement• Free Realestate.co.nz advertisement or video (NZ’s official real estate website)• Free video-clip on raywhite.co.nz• Regular spot in our weekly Outlook page• Weekly written vendor report and weekly update calls (conditions apply)
Selling with us doesn’t make cents—but it can save $’s
Millie Beddoe-Sandstrom is only 2, but she already knows a fair bit about moving house.“She thinks it’s completely normal that you put it on a truck and bring it with you,” laughs her mother, Vanessa. For Vanessa, however, it was a strange feeling indeed to see their 105-year-old villa cut in two and carted very slowly up SH16 from Auckland earlier this month.“I actually caught up with it in Dairy Flat when it was on its way, and that was about 4 o’clock in the morning, but there were no problems,” she says.The house survived the move with just one cracked window, and that was only because a tree branch got in the way. “The movers did a fantastic job,” says Vanessa. “I don’t know how they do it.”She admits she was more nervous about the protestors who showed up to express their anger that the house was leaving its original neighbourhood in Mt Eden.The 200sqm home, which was built for Sir Edmund Hillary’s maternal grandmother, Harriet Clark, became national news last year when an investor paid $2.6 million for the property, and revealed he wanted to get rid of the house so he could develop the land.Because the street was not regarded as a heritage area in Auckland Council records, there was nothing Council staff could do.“I would be probably be upset, too, in that situation, but it’s about where you direct that anger,” says Vanessa. “We weren’t the ones who made the decision to move it. We just bought it from the developer.”The house, which was named “Whakahara” by Harriet after the town where she once lived, now sits on a prime site on South Wilson Road, and has sweeping views across Warkworth.Vanessa, her economist husband Klaes, and their
Two-year-old Millie has scored the best bedroom in the house, according to her mother, Vanessa. “She got the front room, with the best views.”
historic house moves north without a hitch
three children have already moved in, even though the house is still in a fairly basic state.“The plan is to use just a few rooms at first, while we get it all redecorated,” she says.They have already stripped the “shocking” wallpaper, and plan to make some minor alterations. But they will definitely be keeping the home’s finer features, such as its intricate pressed tin ceilings.The family has been renting in Mahurangi for the past three years, after selling their previous home in Auckland. They decided to make the move after
frequent weekend trips.Vanessa had her eye on the Wilson Road site for some time, after travelling past it each day. “I always used to admire the view, and we had friends next door.”Even the house itself is not entirely new to the family. Vanessa’s uncle was best friends with its previous owner, and she remembers visiting the house as a young girl.“It’s still hard to believe it’s finally all happened,” she says. “But we’re really excited about giving it a new life.”
18 Mahurangi Matters february 19, 2014 feature
Professional marketing will identify the buyers...
It’s what you do with them that counts!
DI BALICH 021 917 080 [email protected] REAL ESTATE LTD MREINZ LICENSED REAA 2008
sold sold sold sold sold
Selling property is all about the commitment, trust and delivery of results in keeping with the goals of
partnership between the vendor and real estate agent.
With over 25 years of commercial brokerage in the Auckland market Di Balich has now delivered 2 years
of success in the Matakana Coast and bubbling Omaha property market.
If you are looking for a significant other to list, market and sell, my results speak for themselves!
PREMIUM.CO.NZ | SELLING THE FINEST HOMES | MATAKANA 09 422 9280
Professional marketing will identify the buyers...
It’s what you do with them
sold sold sold sold sold
real estate feature
19february 19, 2014 Mahurangi Matters feature
A 15 second TV commercial produced by a professional ‘agency’ elsewhere and played on TV One or TV3 could cost you in excess of $6000+gst. For a limited time only. Conditions apply.
Mike Pero Real Estate Ltd. Licensed REAA (2008)
EXCLUSIVE TO MIKE PERO“Never before has this been done...
List with us & see your home featured on either TV One Breakfast or TV3 Nightlne. Reach up to & beyond 40,000 viewers.”
0800 500 123www.mikepero.com
AS SEEN
ON TV
Andrew Steens021 968 405(09) 422 7067Omaha, Matakana, Point Wells, Leigh
Angela Wain027 493 6800(09) 422 7067Omaha, Matakana, Point Wells, Leigh
027 621 376509 425 7131Kaipara Flats, Warkworth
Debra Fokkema021 168 1821(09) 423 9577Wellsford, Port Albert, Pakiri
Carol Kaye021 474 232Matakana, Rainbows End, Takatu.
Valerie Hunter027 289 9532Mahurangi East,Algies Bay
Ian Bateman027 599 9077Puhoi,Mahurangi West
Sally Brown021 068 3721
Puhoi,Mahurangi West
Interest in environmentally friendly building techniques is growing in the Mahurangi region.A new eco-subdivision is set to hit the market in Matakana, and a local business is hoping to cash in on growing interest in solar power.Ebode sustainable homes sales manager David Wildish says the 33-lot eco-friendly subdivision Matakana Green will be coming up for sale within weeks. Located at 224 Matakana Valley Road, the development is a partnership between Ebode sustainable homes and N.V Investment Group. It claims to be the only development in New Zealand with a minimum Homestar rating of seven stars. The average new house has a four or five-star rating.Changes to council zoning of the area have delayed the project, but it is hoped resource consent will be granted shortly, David says.Because of the delays, marketing the project hasn’t started yet, but there has already been a lot of interest, he says.Ebode is set to build another half dozen eco-homes in the Mahurangi region in the next year as the economy recovers.The price of installing solar power has reduced dramatically recently, so building an eco-home has become cheaper, David says.“Four years ago a 1.5 kilowatt system cost $20,000. Today a 3 kilowatt system costs $10,000.” However a Warkworth business owner says more can be done to make solar power more affordable.Solar Power Alternatives owner Chad Ranum started his business last year after being involved in the solar industry in Australia for three years.“We are slowly taking on board renewable energy ideas. But it would be helpful if the Government got on
board like in other countries,” Chad says.Australia has subsidies for solar electricity production which knocks about $1000 off the price of installing a solar system, he says.New Zealand used to offer subsidies for solar hot water, but the subsidy has since been scrapped and two Government reports have questioned whether the technology is sufficiently reliable to be cost-effective.Chad has been developing his own solar system to cut down on the price and reduce the difficulty installing systems.“After being involved with other systems I thought ‘I can build something a lot cheaper than that’. I’ve been making it from stuff you can buy at your local hardware store.”He is still working through a prototype of his design, but hopes to be finished in a month’s time. It will be ideal for people looking to provide power to a garage or shed without having to connect mains power, he says.Steve Haycock of Steve Haycock Construction says a lot more people are becoming aware of solar power, and the technology has improved. He believes solar panels will become standard in homes in the next five years.“A few years ago double glazing was seen as an optional thing. Now it’s standard. I think the same thing will happen with solar power and other eco-initiatives in a few years’ time,” Steve says.Development in LED lighting in the past couple of years also looks promising for lowering power usage, he says. LEDs use far less power than conventional lighting so you can run lighting off a much smaller set of solar panelling. The lights have become softer and more pleasing on the eye, while prices have come down, he says.
interest growing in eco-homes
david wildish says the cost of installing solar power has halved in the last four years.
real estate feature
20 Mahurangi Matters february 19, 2014 feature
Donna Wyllie 021 827 932 or 09 425 7949Licensed Salesperson under REAA 2008
Are you thinking of selling your property?Give me a call first for a free marketing appraisalPersonal Service Guaranteed!
real estate feature
Construction of what will be Warkworth’s largest meeting place has started on the corner of Mason Heights and Woodcocks Road.The Mason Heights Gospel Hall Trust, run by five local trustees, is building the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church with tiered seating for several hundred people. There will also be terraced carparking for 200 vehicles and extensive landscaping.The trust hopes to have earthworks, the building platform and retaining walls completed by April this year with a completion date for the entire project set down for 2016. Significant volunteer input is expected for the project.The first Plymouth Brethren families moved to Warkworth in late 2003 and there are now 37 Brethren households spread throughout the town. Warkworth members operate nine businesses between Albany and Wellsford.Church elder Barry Pinker says the new building has been designed to be as unintrusive as possible. “It’s important to us that we don’t inconvenience our neighbours,” he says.The building will comprise a round central auditorium and large foyer. It will be used for communion, Sunday preachings, prayer meetings and Bible discussion groups. Air-conditioning is a special feature as it won’t have windows.The church presently meets in a
Massive brethren church underway in Warkworth
An artist’s impression of how the building may eventually look.
hall in Golf Road, Warkworth, which it purchased in 2006. The trust also hopes to get the go-
ahead for a small subdivision on an adjoining 3.5 hectares, which was declined by Rodney District Council
in 2010 on the grounds that it would have an adverse effect on the rural character of the area.
A stormwater pit at the foot of the property will eventually be covered over for carparking.
For your free appraisal call NOW – Adrienne and Jim Steffener 09 425 5394 M: 021 740 806 or email [email protected]
visit www.borders.net.nzN.Z.R.E.A.A. Liscensed
OPTION 1 Borders Boutique - Sellers pay 2% (not 3.95% up to $300,000 - $500,000 like most others), and enjoy a free $1400 marketing package with nothing to pay up front.OPTION 2 Borders Fixed Fee - Sellers pay a fixed fee from $9995.
Sell your home with Borders and save thousandsWe have cash buyers wanting suitable properties today
Call me now for a FREE appraisal and some REAL answers.
Professional DynamicReal Estate Solutions
Interested in your current property value?
real estate feature
Local real estate agents are not planning to boycott Trade Me, despite a decision by the popular website to hike its fees for property listings.Most say they will continue to offer ads on Trade Me to vendors, although some are planning to pass on new charges of almost $200.But some believe the industry’s own listings site, realestate.co.nz, could eventually overtake Trade Me as NZ’s most popular property site if boycotts do go ahead.The stoush has led to threats of legal action, and has already prompted Trade Me to ramp up its own marketing.Ray White director Ken Bogue says his agency will continue to offer vendors free listings on Trade Me “for the foreseeable future”. But he believes Trade Me has made a mistake, and could eventually backtrack.“I guess it’s a commercial decision that Trade Me have made. But I’m not sure it’s the best one.”Ken says New Zealand is lucky that it has competition for online listings. Across the Tasman, Australians pay “a fortune” for online ads because there is only one major player, he says.Trade Me is still the biggest here, but that could change if some agencies go ahead with a boycott, he says. “Eyes will follow where the most properties are advertised.”
Local Mike Pero owner Andrew Steens says his firm’s head office has recommended agencies pass on the extra costs. “For our local area though, we are not going to bother. We will do it as a normal free website listing, along with all our other listings.”Andrew says his firm still gets most of its enquiries through Trade Me.“We were disappointed to see it come in because it certainly does change things. To be quite honest we will probably reduce the amount of additional marketing we do on Trade Me, but the net effect on our costs is that it will probably balance out. So it just means that there’s less free marketing available for clients to use.”Local Bayleys owner Mark Macky says his agents will be passing on the new Trade Me fees.“They’re putting their prices through the roof, which is a shame, and I think it’s basically just greedy.”But Mark doubts agencies will go ahead with a boycott. “I think it’s crazy. We’re still talking to vendors about Trade Me all the time. But we also need to bear in mind that Trade Me is just one of many websites, and websites are just one of many ways to find buyers for a property. It’s not the be-all and end-all.”He says the stoush will be a chance for realestate.co.nz to prove its worth “or not”.
