Philip Reeve Real Estate - Ray White Wellington

Philip Reeve Real Estate - Ray White Wellington Philip has a long-established & successful real estate career. His excellent results speak volumes

Just like SOLACE THE WIND, I'm ready to lean into the weekend!  Hope you all have a great one.FYI, Solace in the Wind, t...
31/07/2026

Just like SOLACE THE WIND, I'm ready to lean into the weekend! Hope you all have a great one.

FYI, Solace in the Wind, two meters tall and leaning into a Wellington gale, was created by Max Patté and unveiled in February 2008. Max created Solace in the Wind, intending it as a temporary loan to the Wellington. It was so popular that the Wellington City Council purchased it for permanent placement

29/07/2026

If you're in Wellington and a ratepayer you will have likely received your Tiaki Wai invoice yesterday. This is a good watch from Ben McNulty - Takapū/Northern Councillor

Had a fantastic property to appraise in Newlands on Tuesday!The owners actually live over in Wainuiomata, so after finis...
29/07/2026

Had a fantastic property to appraise in Newlands on Tuesday!

The owners actually live over in Wainuiomata, so after finishing up the comprehensive appraisal report yesterday, I’m heading over the hill this afternoon to sit down at their home and go through my recommendations.

Initially, they suggested I just email the report over to save time. While I'm always happy to accommodate my clients, I gently pushed for a face-to-face meeting.

Here’s why: If an agent simply hits "send" on an appraisal (which is often purely for their own convenience), they aren't there to:

Answer your questions in real-time
Address any immediate concerns
Properly clarify the reasoning behind their recommendations and pricing strategy

Real estate is, at its core, a people business. Texts and emails certainly have their place, but they are a far cry from actually meeting, talking, and building a successful strategy together.

Looking forward to a great catch-up with them this afternoon!

My post about Johnsonville was popular!  Now it's Newland's turn to face the spotlight (and a chance for me to do some r...
28/07/2026

My post about Johnsonville was popular! Now it's Newland's turn to face the spotlight (and a chance for me to do some research!).

Newlands history is rooted in both rich Māori heritage and early European farming

Before European arrival, the land where Newlands sits was known to Māori as Papararangi, meaning "cluster of hills," while the specific Newlands area was known as Pukehuia.

The nearby Ngāuranga Gorge, which serves as the primary geographic link between Newlands and Wellington city, was a significant site. Ngāti Mutunga held settlements and cultivated crops, like potatoes, in the Ngāuranga area

In the 1840s, the New Zealand Company began selling 100-acre sections of land in the area to European settlers. For the first half of the 20th century, Newlands was rural and sparsely populated. It was predominantly used for pig and dairy farming, serving as the main source of Wellington city's milk supply from the 1920s through the 1950s. Running water wasn't introduced until 1926, and road improvements took decades.

After World War II, the farmlands were subdivided and Newlands rapidly transformed into a popular "first-home buyers" suburb. It is still very popular with first-home buyers!

Recently, I was asked to appraise a home for a couple going through a separation and needing to divide their matrimonial...
28/07/2026

Recently, I was asked to appraise a home for a couple going through a separation and needing to divide their matrimonial property. It’s always a difficult time, and my goal is always to make things as stress-free as possible.

However, I had to explain that an appraisal from me wouldn't cut it for their legal requirements. They needed a Registered Valuation. So, what is the difference (and when you need which)? Here's a quick breakdown:

Appraisal/estimated market value (what I do!)
The Goal: To give you an estimated price range of what your home might sell for in the current market.
How it works: I look at recent sales of similar properties in your area, current market trends, and buyer demand.
The Cost: FREE!
Best for: Deciding if you want to sell, setting a listing strategy, or just for curiosity about what your house is worth today.

Registered Valuation (What a Registered Valuer does)
The Goal: Provide a formal, legally recognised independent value of the property.
How it works: A Registered Valuer conducts an in-depth inspection and produces a comprehensive, legally binding written report.
The Cost: This is a paid professional service.
Best for: Getting a mortgage approved, settling trusts, and, importantly, legal matters like splitting matrimonial property.

Why will lawyers insist on a Registered Valuation for separations?
Because a separation is a legal process, the courts and lawyers require an impartial, legally robust figure that can stand up in court if disputed. While my job is to get you the absolute best price on the open market, a Valuer's job is to provide a neutral, objective number for legal fairness.

If you or someone you know is navigating this process & needs recommendations for excellent, trusted Registered Valuers in our area, please send me a DM! I’m always happy to point you in the right direction.

And of course, if you are looking to sell and want to know how to maximise your sale price on the open market, that’s exactly when you should call me!

Keen on an up-to-date market snapshot for your suburb? 📍Through Ray White, I have access to exclusive, up-to-the-minute ...
24/07/2026

Keen on an up-to-date market snapshot for your suburb? 📍

Through Ray White, I have access to exclusive, up-to-the-minute market data. I can quickly put together a custom report for your neighbourhood showing:

📈 Median house price movements (is your suburb up or down?)
📊 Sales by quarter for the last 3 years
💰 Sales by price range and current market trends
🏡 The 10 most recent reported sales near you

Every suburb is available. Send me a DM with your suburb name, and I’ll send your free report in a flash! ⚡️


Everytime I go to the supermarket, I brace for impact!I'm sure I'm not alone. Between the cost of groceries and the rece...
22/07/2026

Everytime I go to the supermarket, I brace for impact!

I'm sure I'm not alone. Between the cost of groceries and the recent Wellington City Council rates increases and the new Water Charges, a lot of Welly locals are looking for ways to tighten up their household budgets.

You can't control the price of a flat white on Cuba Street, but you can control some of your biggest living expenses. If you already own a home in Pōneke, here are three quick ways to find some extra breathing room in your budget:

Check your WCC Rates & Valuation
With the recent rates hike averaging over 10% across the city, it is worth understanding your latest CV (Capital Value). If you think your property valuation is misaligned with current market values, you have the right to object! (Need a quick market analysis to use as evidence? Send me a DM).

Shop your insurance
Wellington homeowners know that earthquake risk premiums have been creeping up. Take 30 minutes this week to call your broker and see if bundling your home, contents, and car insurance can knock a chunk off your premium.

Beat the Southerly drafts
Heating is a massive expense during a Wellington winter. Do a quick energy audit: seal up drafty wooden windows in older character homes like mine), service your heat pump, and check if you are on the best power plan via Powerswitch. It sounds small, but it adds up fast.

Times are tough, but your home should be your financial anchor, not a burden. Drop your best local money-saving hack in the comments!

Suburb Overview. Johnsonville.  Sitting in my Johnsonville office got me thinking,  how did Johnsonville (or "J'ville" t...
21/07/2026

Suburb Overview. Johnsonville. Sitting in my Johnsonville office got me thinking, how did Johnsonville (or "J'ville" to the locals) come to be?

Waitohi: Pre-European Era
Long before roads and railways, this valley was a dense native forest of tōtara, rimu, rātā, and hīnau. It was a vital connection, sitting on an important traditional Māori track (ara) connecting Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington Harbour) to the Porirua basin. Local Māori traversed these ridges for trade and communication. The Te Reo Māori name for the valley is Waitohi, referring to the stream that once flowed freely here before heading down the Ngāūranga Gorge. Today, this heritage gives the modern Waitohi Library and Community Hub its name.

European Settlement & "Cowtown" Era
European settlement rapidly changed the local landscape. In 1841 Frank Johnson bought land, built a timber mill, and cleared the forest to create what was initially called "Johnson's Clearing". In 1886 , the railway arrived—an absolute game-changer for commuting! J'ville was famous for livestock (hence the “Cowtown” nickname. In the late 1800s, cattle and sheep arriving by train from the Manawatū were driven right through local streets to the Ngāūranga abattoir. 1953 & 1969: Johnsonville amalgamated with Wellington City in 1953. In 1969, a major milestone hit: Wellington’s very first shopping mall opened here (a shadow of its’ former self now!).

Waitohi / Johnsonville Today
Today, Johnsonville is a thriving, family-friendly commercial and residential hub just 7 km north of the Wellington CBD. It’s a commuter's dream: The Johnsonville Line remains the suburb's backbone, offering a reliable, scenic ride straight to the city. With a strong sense of community, the suburb is known for its strong community spirit, excellent schools, and a fantastic mix of traditional and modern housing. As for convenience, unbeatable! With a central shopping precinct, diverse dining, local parks, and the Waitohi Library/Community Hub, residents have everything they need right on their doorstep.

Here we go (again!)  🇮🇪 🇳🇿
18/07/2026

Here we go (again!) 🇮🇪 🇳🇿

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Ray White Leaders
Johnsonville

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