Post on 10-May-2018
P 298 7717 F 298 6361 M 021 157 7707 fiona.senton@harcourts.co.nz | www.harcourts.co.nz
Fiona Senton
You talk, I’ll listen. Buying or selling, I will work for you!
Checkout my NEW website: www.fionasenton.co.nz
10 Mack Place Marketed & sold by Fiona
99E Settlement Rd Marketed & sold by Fiona
1/7 Onslow Rd, Opaheke Sold by Fiona
Good neighbours look out for each other. No one is home 24/7 so getting to know the people who live around us is crucial to help deter crime and keep our streets safer.
Unfortunately it sometimes takes a crime to motivate neighbours to band together but increasing numbers of Kiwis, supported by New Zealand Police, are getting a step ahead of criminals by setting up Neighbourhood Support Groups.
Consisting of 10-15 houses, members have everyone’s contact details and display street signs and window stickers to deter burglars. Groups are encouraged to arrange a social event twice a year.
Getting to know your neighbours and developing a plan to deal with suspicious activity is important. If you’ll be away arrange for someone to collect your mail. Keep your lawns mown, hang washing on the line and have a neighbour park in the driveway so your place looks occupied.
Of key importance to reduce crime is removing temptation for would-be burglars. You’d be surprised how many people overlook the obvious. Lock all doors and windows when leaving home. Keep garden sheds and garages secure too. And never leave valuables in your car.
How Good Neighbours Fight Crime
Does Your Salesperson Affect Your Selling Price? Interestingly, recent research from the University of New South Wales shows that good looking real estate agents eek, on average, an extra 2.3% from buyers ($11,500 on a $500,000 home).
However, when interpreting these findings, it is also important to note that top performers always take pride in their appearance and personal photography (on which the research was based) so good looks may not be as big a contributing factor as the research suggests.
I believe the price you achieve for your home is far more reflective of your salesperson’s two key skills – marketing and negotiation – than their eligibility for the catwalk!
Although it may appear real estate salespeople are simply a go between buyer and seller, not dissimilar to a mortgage broker, this is not the case. The principal goal of your salesperson is to find you the buyer that will pay the most then make sure they do!
A simple but effective tip to check on suspicious strangers at a neighbouring property is to ask, “Are you looking for Betty?” (or some other fictitious name). If the answer is affirmative tell them that she won’t be far away. Call 111 immediately.
Police are always interested in suspicious activity and would rather arrive to discover the “stranger” is a legitimate tradesperson than to later discover a crime took place. So don’t hesitate to call 111 if you see something out of the ordinary. And get to know your
neighbours. You never know when you might need them; even if it’s just to borrow a pinch of baking powder for those last minute date scones.
When neighbours know each other it is easy to recognise suspicious activity.
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The Papakura Piper
P 298 7717 F 298 6361 M 021 157 7707 fiona.senton@harcourts.co.nz | www.harcourts.co.nz Fiona Senton
Real Estate Trends
Month
Median sale price
No. sales
Median days
Papakura Area
Jun-14 421,000 70 28
Apr-15 491,000 117 30
May-15 550,000 141 23
Jun-15 624,444 130 28
Manurewa Area
Jun-14 415,000 133 31
Apr-15 487,500 132 24
May-15 505,000 171 23
Jun-15 534,000 170 21
Franklin County
Jun-14 469,500 76 41
Apr-15 470,000 102 36
May-15 490,000 109 22
Jun-15 520,000 98 35
What people are saying about Fiona... Fiona was great. She was straight to the point and didn’t beat around the bush as many agents tend to do. She remembered our names after one meeting which made us feel more than just “another couple” looking for a first home. Always more than happy to answer questions and very friendly whilst still being professional. I was very impressed with the help we received on auction day – Thank you M Webster
FOR AUCTION 90 Marne Rd, Papakura
FOR AUCTION 1/56 Alma Crescent, Papakura
Source: REINZ
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You see marketing your property involves amassing a large pool of interested buyers, identifying which one wants your home the most then is willing to pay for it. To reach a large number of buyers requires significant marketing know-how and on-going training.
Following up interested parties, seeking feedback then negotiating the best possible price, whether the method of sale is by negotiation, tender or auction, is where the rubber really meets the road.
Almost every buyer is willing to pay more than first indicated. Negotiation, working on behalf of the vendor to find the highest price the market has to offer, is one of the key strengths of top salespeople.
So never be in doubt about whether or not you got the best price for what is probably your most valuable asset. Look for a salesperson who has honed and practiced their marketing and negotiation skills and who knows their reputation hangs on the result.
Please call me if you have any question about buying or selling. I’d be delighted to help.
They Breed Them Tough in the South Island
A tough old sheep farmer from the South Island gave some good advice to his granddaughter.
He told her that the secret to a long life was to sprinkle a pinch of gunpowder onto her porridge every morning.
The granddaughter followed this dictum religiously until her recent death at the venerable age of 103.
She left behind 14 children, 30 grandchildren, 45 great grandchildren, 25 great-great-grandchildren, and a forty foot hole where the crematorium used to be!
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FOR AUCTION 27 Goodwin Drive, Rosehill
AUCTION
AUCTION
AUCTION
Just for a Laugh
If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door. Milton Berle