Going green can help you sell your Christchurch property

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For home owners selling property, going green can help you sell your property, as more and more home buyers are looking for houses for sale in Christchurch that are environmentally friendly.

From increased insulation to energy efficient appliances, there are a number of changes you can make to increase your chances of selling your home, and for a higher price. More and more people are looking for green or environmentally friendly features when buying property.

The reasons for this are twofold.

Not everyone is an eco-warrior, so while social responsibility and genuine environmental concerns are a priority for many Christchurch home buyers in 2014, environmentally friendly homes are also very cost effective. A number of methods of eliminating environmental waste end up saving money in the long run – lower power bills, less water usage, better insulation. So, whether you want to pull on the heartstrings of prospective buyers or you want to appeal to their wallets, there are many advantages to improving the environmentally friendliness of your home before selling the property.

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Property and Energy Efficiency

Houses consume nearly 35% of the total electricity generated in New Zealand. Unfortunately the majority of New Zealand homes do not use energy efficiently according to the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority. Patricia Green, leader of the Wellington property team at Minter Ellison Rudd Watts, said there is evidence out of Australia that high energy efficiency ratings attract higher rents and higher- quality tenants. ”It also comes down to the bottom line, as an energy-efficient building will result in lower energy costs,” said Green.

Data available in the USA shows that homes with energy efficient features are selling for 3-4% more than those without, and 90% of those buying houses think energy efficiency is important. The New Zealand Green Building Council states that energy efficient buildings have 20% lower ongoing costs (water, heating etc). Homestar also found that 65% of New Zealanders prioritised making their homes energy efficient, and the number looking for new or modern and efficient homes was on the increase, up to 53%.

Adding appliances to a home (from fridges, dishwashers, washing machines and other whiteware right through to heating, central vacuum systems and water systems) has always been an opportunity for a marketable competitive advantage. Taking that one step further and making sure they are environmentally friendly appliances that will reduce costs on an ongoing basis makes that advantage even more competitive.

What environmental standards are Christchurch home buyers looking for?

There are three key areas to consider when ensuring a property you own, plan on buying or even selling is sustainable:

  • Energy efficiency
  • Health protection
  • Reducing waste, pollution and environmental degradation

Key areas to examine are energy usage, heating, insulation, airflow and ventilation, hot water systems, damp/dryness, lighting, power generation (if applicable) and orientation toward the sun (for new homes).

Homestar and BASE (Canterbury region) are the rating systems used by the New Zealand Green Building Council to assess sustainability standards. See the specific BASE breakdown here. If the ultimate purpose of the property is for it to become a rental property, it is important to keep an eye on the rental warrant of fitness trails that are currently happening, as they incorporate environmental standards.

There are a number of useful resources at the end of this post that can help you review your property and see what standards you do and don’t meet.

Tips to help you go green

  • Install appropriate insulation in area to be remodelled.
  • Install high-efficiency windows instead of those that minimally meet the energy code.
  • Seal all exterior penetrations in areas being remodelled.
  • Purchase only Energy Star rated appliances.
  • Install only low-flow water fixtures.
  • Upgrade to at least an Energy Star rated water heater, or better yet, a tankless water heater.
  • Purchase the highest efficiency HVAC system you can afford and make sure it is correctly sized for the area you want to condition.
  • Install energy efficient light bulbs
  • Make sure sockets have off switches
  • Lower the temperature on your hot water heater
  • Investigate green roofs or walls
  • Use recycled and environmentally friendly building materials
  • Include ventilation heat recovery systems
  • Install energy and water usage meters
  • Generate renewable energy, for example by installing solar power, or solar water heating
  • Connect to the Christchurch District Energy System
  • Improve the temperature, air quality, ventilation and amount of natural light
  • Allow for waste and recycling separation

anatomy_of_a_green_home

Property selling tips for green homes

There are some concerns (among builders especially) about whether going green will bring the return on investment (ROI) necessary to justify extra spend. The ROI can be improved by ensuring your green/sustainable efforts and features are built into your marketing plan. There are a number of websites, blogs and journals that specifically profile green homes, and can be a great way to get your home featured elsewhere.

Having your house assessed and rated by an external provider gives you a tangible, objective review to promote and can be included in all your marketing and promotional materials. Ensure communicating the green aspects are part of your marketing plan and incorporated in your communications (including when you or your agent shows people through the house).

 

Useful Resources

Guide to smarter insulation

Energywise

EECA Action Sheet: Making your home warmer and healthier

Inspiration to work toward: NZ’s most energy efficient house

How to improve an existing home

Righthouse Fact Sheets

Tips to go green at home in general

Christchurch Agency for Energy

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How to win the Christchurch rental property race

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We all thought hell would freeze over before it became more expensive to rent in Christchurch than in Auckland. Sadly, that day has arrived. According to TradeMe Property, from July to September 2013 the average rental property in Christchurch cost more than $500 a week. This is up 25% on the same time last year. Research has suggested the average rent in Christchurch has increased by $100 a week over the past year and some short term rentals for those displaced by the quake can fetch up to $1000 a week!

With post-quake supply and demand working so strongly against renters, it can seem like a hopeless exercise – heading to viewing after viewing, contacting landlord after landlord. So what can those hunting for rental properties in Christchurch do to stand out above the competition?

Tips to increase your rental property chances

1. Know what the landlord is after

Generally, when a landlord wants to rent a property, there are three key things they want to know:

  1. You can and will pay your rent on time
  2. You will look after the rental property well
  3. You have a good past history with renting (as well as a good credit history)

For Christchurch rental properties, proving you tick all these boxes has never been more important.

Christchurch property

2. Know your limits

Know what you can afford, and make sure you aren’t pushing yourself further financially than you should as you don’t want to have to back out of your lease early. When you encounter a landlord that requires payslips and bank statements, they will be put off if they can tell the rental is going to be tough for you financially and will be more likely to choose other, more financially suitable renters.

3. Treat a rental property viewing like a job interview

Make sure you are dressed to impress and carry yourself well, just as you would for a job interview. You are trying to make a good impression, show you are reliable and trustworthy, and help the property manager/landlord like you. The way you dress is important. You want to communicate “I take good care of myself, therefore I will take good care of your rental property.”

4. Be on time

running late

As well as being good common courtesy, turning up on time to your rental property viewing will show that you are reliable and punctual, sending a good message about the likelihood of you paying your rent on time.

5. Have your paperwork ready before the viewing

Turning up with your application, a contract (if you can get one beforehand), references, credit history, payslips, bank statements, copies of your ID and any other relevant documents ready to go will instantly put you at the top of the pile – property managers and landlords in Christchurch are generally trying to fill their rentals as soon as possible.

Even if you aren’t sure you will like the property, it’s worth having the pre-filled rental property application form ready to go, just in case. Especially considering how much there is to gain from handing it in straight away. It also shows you are really organised and willing to play your part in the relationship, and make their lives easier rather than harder.

Making sure you have your rental references organised in advance is also a great step. The last thing you want is to miss out on a great rental property because you are trying to track down a referee, and it is something you can easily start organising from the day you decide you need to search for a new place.

If you haven’t rented before, a character reference is a good alternative. For those who have only ever owned a home, a copy of your rates bill will be sufficient evidence. A picture of your home can also help.

6. Be honest

Bending the truth on tenancy troubles, bad credit history, or giving fake referees will likely catch up with you.

An effective landlord or property manager will check those things, even going so far as to check the title of your so-called landlord’s house to establish whether he or she is real. With the Tenancy Tribunal, past rulings are on record for seven years. It is much more advantageous to be frank and open about any issues, and explain your side of the story and how you learned from it or remedied the situation.

7. Consider your pets

pets rental property christchurch

The last thing a landlord or property manager wants to do is deal with neighbours complaining about noisy dogs, or to have their lawn or floors destroyed. If you have pets, consider getting a “pet reference” from your prior neighbours and past landlord to prove that your pets don’t cause trouble.

 

The competition for rental properties in Christchurch is fierce

You really do need to go the extra mile to prove you are not only professional, polite and prepared, but that you are the best candidate of all the other applicants. Renting property in Christchurch is a tough race, so you need to put in the hard yards if you want to win!

Want to know more on how you can secure a rental? Get in touch and one of our friendly property managers will be happy to help.

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Presentation Tips For Selling Your Home

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Cowdy isn’t just about managing rental properties in Christchurch and listing houses for rent; we’re very successful residential real estate salespeople with a wealth of experience and expertise.

If you’ve made the decision to put your house on the market you’ll want potential buyers to come in fast and start to see some great offers. When you’re selling property, you need to present your home in the absolute best way possible.

House Buyers Will Often Judge A Book By Its Cover

Don’t take yourself out of contention before a buyer has even walked inside! It’s vital that the surrounding section of your home (regardless of size) is maintained and presented as nicely as possible. This means pruning back bushes, mowing lawns, repairing a broken fence, water blasting pathways, cleaning windows, moving bins and garden equipment out of sight, keeping a clear lawn if you’re a dog owner… anything that will detract from your home should be fixed.

If you’re serious about selling, you need to keep nice presentation up the whole time you are on the market as potential buyers will often drive past properties they’re interested in prior to (or after) attending open homes.

Want to go the extra mile to make your place more desirable? Put a sunny Sunday afternoon aside to give the fence a fresh coat of paint or maybe buy some flowers and put up hanging baskets in the porch. These may seem like small details but they can help make your house more memorable than the other 5-10 buyers see that day.

A well-presented exterior can make all the difference.

Make Your House A Place Buyers Would Live In

Ever been into a house and immediately found it unpleasant or unsettling? This feeling we get is often attributed to environmental factors that can often be rectified easily:

Heat/Air – Winter: put on the heater, heat pump, or fire before a viewing. Summer: open windows and get airflow through the property.

Light – Pull the curtains back and open the blinds in all rooms. If possible, get rid of old dirty curtains as these only detract from a room.

Space – You want buyers to navigate through the house easily and be able to easily envisage where they would put their own furniture. You should donate, lend out, sell or dispose of any furniture that needlessly takes up floor space. In terms of items like indoor plants, ornaments, wall-hanging art, photo frames etc., look to reduce extra clutter. We’re not asking you to become a minimalist, but rather create well-laid out, welcoming rooms.

Surfaces – A vacuum cleaner and duster are your best friends while your property is on the market. We all know the massive difference a vacuumed floor makes to a room’s appearance!

Simple things like clean, clear surfaces improve the buyer’s experience of your home.

Don’t break the bank

Now would be a good time to say that while you should present your house and section as nicely as possible, you shouldn’t attempt to make it a dream home by spending considerable amounts of money. By keeping a clutter-free and clean interior & exterior buyers can get a good idea of the property and its potential. Remember, they will likely have their own furniture, planned décor and wall colours – so why waste money trying to guess what that is?

Get more great house selling tips

We’ve only discussed property presentation – check out our page on real estate tips for more handy tidbits that will make selling your home much less stressful!

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Changes To Christchurch Property Insurance

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House insurance policies are going through a period of change at the moment. This has been getting a lot of exposure in the media and caused a fair amount of concern from home owners.

Where property owners previously had insurance on full replacement/reinstatement, policies will now largely be based on a ‘Sum Insured’ amount. Whatever amount your policy states will be the maximum you’re paid out if your house is damaged. If the rebuild cost is greater, you may have to front up with some of the cost yourself.

It’s believed that this change across most main insurance companies in New Zealand is due the new requirements of to offshore re-insurers who support NZ providers in the event of major disasters like the Christchurch Earthquakes.

Make sure your property is sufficiently insured

It’s now vital that the details of your policy are as accurate as possible.

If you’re under-covered, fully replacing/repairing your Christchurch property may become a big problem. Without the ability to cover some of the cost of rebuild, you could end up having to settle for a house of lesser size or quality.

rebuilding property

Regardless of your provider, we’re urging all rental property owners to review their policy. You’ll need to make sure that you’re covered in the event of house damage.

Accurately estimating your level of property insurance

Cowdy strongly recommends using a good property valuer in the Christchurch area. Get in contact with us if you need some help finding someone. This valuer can pick up on certain aspects of your house structure, layout and section that may affect the cost estimate for rebuild.

It may also be a good idea to get more than one valuation on your property to better establish the appropriate sum to be insured for.

A builder who regularly conducts building inspections for Christchurch real estate is also useful. They can assess parts of your home that may require special attention in the event of rebuild.

There are many online calculators that can help but we don’t believe these replace a formal house valuation.

Your insurance broker is there to help!

At the end of the day, your insurance company is who you have to deal with in the event of a claim to rebuild your Christchurch home. If you’re not sure about your policy, call them for advice.

As your policy is renewed, we don’t expect you’d need to go through a whole new valuation. You can use the valuation information previously gathered and work with your provider to accurately estimate the adjustment required on your current ‘sum insured’ amount.

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