Articles in ‘Columns’

Despite a diverse city of property types, locations and prices, the relative weakness across Auckland was evident everywhere in October, with values falling across the board, from -1.3% in both the North Shore (average value $1.52 million) and Franklin ($980,000) to -2.2% in Papakura ($1 million). · On the longer term annual measure, the smaller outer areas of Rodney, Papakura and Franklin have held up better, with average values in these areas…

If it’s not beginning to look a lot like Christmas yet, it will soon enough. This year, we’re looking forward to a host of events to help lift those – Christmas Spirit. CAROLS IN THE PARK – Friday Dec 2, from 6pm, Central Park: Pack a picnic for a fun filled, family-focused, free evening, featuring carols as well as other Christmas songs. · PAPAKURA ROTARY SANTA PARADE – Sunday Dec 4, from 3pm: From Central Park, the parade marches…

The Reserve Bank of NZ delivered another 0.5% increase in the official cash rate (OCR), taking it to 3.5% – the highest level since June 2015 when they lowered it from 3.5% to 3.25%. In terms of mortgage rate implications floating loans may see increases but there might not necessarily be much change in fixed rates as a direct result of this increase. From a borrower’s perspective, clearly the increases in mortgage rates over the past year or…

If it’s not beginning to look a lot like Christmas yet, it will soon enough. This year, we’re looking forward to a host of events to help lift those – Christmas Spirit. CAROLS IN THE PARK – Dec 2, from 6pm, Central Park: Pack a picnic for a fun filled, family-focused, free evening, featuring carols as well as other Christmas songs. · PAPAKURA ROTARY SANTA PARADE – Dec 4, from 3pm: From Central Park, the parade marches down Great…

Strong Competition amongst the mainstream banks has been a key factor in the limiting of interest rates rises until recently. The likelihood that we have reached the peak of the rising interest rate cycle is uncertain but with one last week and another signalled before the end year – we are not out of the woods yet. · Interest rates and their influence on the borrowing power and therefore housing affordability remains key. Whilst acknowledging…

CHRISTMAS IS COMING! It may seem like a way off, but Christmas is just around the corner and local festivities include these unmissable events and shopping opportunities: · Carols in the Park, December 2, from 6pm, Central Park · Papakura Rotary Santa Parade, December 4, from 3pm, leaving from Central Park · Chilling in the Park, follows the Santa Parade, from 4-6pm, Central Park · Late Night Festive Shopping, December 8, 5-7pm · Santa's…

The reversal in house prices comes as the Reserve Bank pursues aggressive policy tightening to dampen demand and curb inflation. It delivered a fourth straight half-percentage point interest-rate hike -- taking the Official Cash Rate to 3% -- and signalling more rises to come. Despite the soft July month, some chief economists don’t yet see sufficient cause to change their forecasts for a 12% peak to trough decline in house prices, particularly…

Welcome · We welcome another new business to our community being Crown Cutz Barbershop located on the Great South Road in Papakura. · Papakura Online: · Don’t forget to check us out on Instagram (at LivePapakura) and like us on Facebook with the two fabulous pages that we have: Papakura.Town.Centre and LivePapakura. These pages are all intended to keep locals up to date with events, news and more. And for comprehensive business listings…

Sales Volume have fallen 25% from the long-term average across New Zealand and listings are holding at their 2 year high meaning the balance of power has well and truly swung towards buyers. The number of houses sold decreased significantly – down 12.5% from last month and 45% down from last year. Property sales were the lowest they have been in June of any year since 2010 when the market was recovering from a technical recession. Nationally…

WELCOME: Recently, we welcomed the following new businesses into our community: Masterpiece Woodworks (Wood Street), Delicious Korean Chicken (O’Shannessey Street), and Stay Busy Printing and Arcade (Selwyn Centre, Great South Road). · DINING GUIDE: The first order on any menu when checking out the rich range of restaurants and other eateries, our Where to East Guide is a hot item! Simply visit www.papakura.co.nz/listing-category/food, or give…