Bram Crysell - Arizto Real Estate Levin/ Otaki

06/04/2022

What is a buyers market?
You will often hear the media talk about buyer's markets and seller's markets, which begs the question - what do these terms mean?
In the real estate world, a buyers market describes a situation where buyers have more choice. There are more listings available than in a seller's market, meaning that at any one time a buyer will have a number of properties available that may suit their needs.
This creates an environment where sellers (and their hired real estate professional) have to work hard to secure buyers, as opposed to a situation where a large pool of buyers have to compete over very few properties (a seller's market).
Buyer's market = more conditional offers.
Because there is more choice, meaning less competition for each individual property, buyers are in a stronger negotiating position and are able to place offers that are subject to various conditions.
In a seller's market, on the other hand, there is so much competition that buyers are often forced to make their offers unconditional to stand much chance of having their bid accepted.
In short, a buyer's market makes it easier for people to make offers.
In a buyer's market, sales take longer.
Buyers want to see everything they could potentially buy before making their choice. This means the time on market for each property increases. There is simply more to look at before you make an offer!
Good properties stand out.
There is a saying in real estate that attractive properties sell well in any market. And while the total number of offers might decrease, it's still common to see strong competition for attractive homes, even in a down market.
The flip side is that properties that are hard to sell can take a lot longer to move, with buyers in a situation where they are not forced to buy whatever the market gives them. They can take their time, knowing that other properties will come up for sale soon.
Buyers with a house to sell can finally move.
In a seller's market, everyone has to be a cash buyer which makes it difficult to move if you already have a home you need to sell. Conversely, in a buyers market, people can submit offers subject to the sale of their own home, knowing it won't be a complete waste of time and energy.
This, in turn, helps bring more properties to the market, which is great for everyone. And, it makes it easier for owners to leave homes that no longer suit their needs, especially anyone looking to downsize from a large family home to something smaller.
What doesn't happen in a buyer's market
Contrary to what some might think, a buyer's market does not guarantee a huge discount on any property, compared to previous market highs.
A buyer's market is simply a set of circumstances that places more power in the hands of potential purchasers, but it doesn't necessarily mean that prices are going to go through the floor. In any market, most owners are in a position where they would like to move, but they don't have to move.
For any sale to occur, both sides need to find common ground. Following a seller's market, this might happen at a slight discount from whatever price might have been achieved at the peak, but it doesn't mean there's going to be a dramatic sell-off. For purchasers, there is little point running around putting in offers 30% below what you think the property is worth. Just because the overall market is considered a buyer's market, doesn't mean owners are suddenly desperate to sell.
In an extended, recession-led buyers market, you might see a few mortgagee sales become available, but that is one very small part of the real estate puzzle. Most owners are moving purely because they need more space, have a new job, want a lifestyle change, etc.
In those situations, people will only move if the deal works for them and they fundamentally feel good about the transaction.
Ready to take the next step?
Get in touch today to book your free consultation.

04/04/2022

Real Estate Agent

19/02/2022

Exceptional service
We loved dealing with Bram ! He was very confident and new the market exactly . He was transparent, he kept us well informed along the sale procedure.
It was a seamless process from the initial meet through to signing the agreement.
We would highly recommend anyone to use Bram for their sale
Verified by RateMyAgent

Real Estate Agent

13/09/2021

Tips for downsizing your home
Our home holds a special place in our hearts. Especially if it's where our kids have grown up or
where we have experienced many of life's milestones.
We become connected to our space in far more than just a physical sense. Our home is where
we feel safe to be ourselves and relaxed in our own skin. Where we can put on our ugliest track
pants and it doesn't matter in the slightest.
Inevitably though, there comes a time when our existing home no longer serves us the way it
once did. A large home can go from being a place full of life and the beautiful chaos that goes
with it, to a burden that constantly requires cleaning and repair, with rooms you haven't entered
for months.
What was once our safe space can become a weight on our shoulders. A never-ending to-do list
of jobs that are always just a bit too hard to face today.
It's at this point that thoughts of downsizing come to mind, instantly followed by contrasting
brainwaves of doubt...
"Wouldn't it be nice to have a smaller place that wasn't so much work! / But what if the kids want
to come and stay and we don't have room?"
"I wish our life was more simple, we have so much stuff! / But where do I even start trying to
declutter?"
"We really need a smaller place that's easier to get around / But I don't want to move away from
family! How am I ever going to find something I like!"
Many owners end up in this merry-go-round for years. Moving is hard at the best of times, but
throw in a lifetime of memories tied to an existing home, not to mention a house full of furniture
and nicknacks, each requiring a decision (keep / donate / throw away) and it's easy to
understand how inertia wins the day and moving remains a pipe-dream that feels a million miles
away.
Don't lose hope
It is possible to win this battle and move forward. You moved to this home once and you can do
it again. And as the old saying goes, home is wherever you are. And you might as well live
somewhere you enjoy. Somewhere that works for your lifestyle. A place that will suit you for the
next 10-20 years, so you don't have to move again anytime soon!
Key steps to a successful downsize...
Visualise the end result
One of the reasons we end up staying in our existing home is that every day we are surrounded
by reminders of why moving will be hard. To counter-balance this, you need to be able to
visualise an ideal outcome.
Start going to look at houses in your area that would suit your needs, even if you aren't ready to
buy anything yet. Do this so you can find a visual representation of what good would look like for
you. Once you have that, it's easier to start tackling the de-cluttering jobs, knowing where your
hard work is helping you get to.
Ask for help
You don't have to do this on your own. It's ok to ask for assistance. Whether it's family, friends,
student job search websites, or local handyman services. There could be people in your life
right now who are dying to help you make this transition but are waiting for an invitation to help.
Get the conversation out in the open
It isn't easy to encourage a relative or friend to consider downsizing. No one wants to be
offensive or cause upset. So if you are harbouring thoughts on downsizing in the future, open
that conversation up to other people in your life. They might be thinking the same way. Ask their
opinion and talk about your concerns. We often get better at solving problems once we voice
them out loud.
Avoid making assumptions
Sometimes we presume something won't work before we have access to all the information. For
example, downsizing owners often get concerned that a move could leave them homeless, not
realising that in this market it is often possible to secure long settlements, up to 6 months or
more, providing you with plenty of time to secure the right home to suit your needs as a cash
buyer.
Considering your options?
Contact us today to arrange a free, no-obligation consultation. We can answer any questions
you have on the selling process and provide tips on how to add maximum value before going on
the marke

11/02/2021

When is the best time to sell?

Moving house is one of those big life changes which requires many smaller decisions to be made along the way. In this article, we tackle the question of timing, with tips on how to choose a date that will increase your chances of obtaining a premium price.

Before we get started though, there is another question you should be asking first:

When does it suit your family to make this move?

It's ok to put your own needs to the fore in this circumstance. Plan around holidays, school start dates or trips away to provide as much continuity as possible for your loved ones.

If your options are still many and varied, then consider the following...

What do most owners do?

Many homeowners choose to go on the market in Spring. This is often when they feel their home will look it's best. Flowers are blooming. Grass is greener. The weather is getting warmer. The birds are singing.

It's correct that houses look great in Spring but real estate markets run on supply and demand, so putting your home on the market at exactly the same time as everyone else can result in a situation where you have more competition to secure the attention of the buyers in the market at that time.

With new houses coming up for sale every day, buyers can fall in (and out) of love with homes very quickly.

To maximise your chances of success, consider these tips:

Beat the rush

If you are keen to put your home on the market when everyone else is, then get in early. Time your run to hit the market at the very start of the rush. That way, you'll get the benefits of the nicer weather, without the added competition.

Winter can be an ideal time to sell

There is something truly heartwarming about walking into a nice cosy home on a winter's day. Owners often rule out winter as an option but in our experience, this means the owners that do take the plunge in the cooler months secure great prices because buyers have fewer houses to choose from. That means more eyeballs (and potentially more offers) on your home.

If you have a warm, dry home with good heating, selling in winter is definitely an option worth considering.

Avoid long weekends (and potentially school holidays)

Timing your run to secure a great result is often about choosing the right weekend, rather than the right season. Try to avoid having your first weekend open home on a long weekend if locals travel out of town in your area.

If your home could potentially suit a young family, then you may want to consider whether it's smart to list your home for sale during school holidays. Parents may have too much on their plate looking after kids to make big real estate decisions.

Sell with your future buyer-selves in mind

If you know when most owners choose to sell in your area (Spring), then a smart play is to sell your home a month or two before that, so you can be a cashed-up buyer when all the new properties hit the market. That way you greatly increase your chances of finding a home you love, in the short amount of time available.

The right time is when you are ready

No matter what, keep the initial message in mind as you make your timing decision: the right time to sell is when it suits you best.

If you have just spent months de-cluttering and tidying the garden, then the best time to go on the market is probably right now!

What's next?

You may have a number of other questions about the selling process. How much does it cost? What renovations add the most value? Should you buy first? Or sell first?

Call us today to book a no-obligation chat about your upcoming move. We can provide answers to the questions above and any others you might have. We love putting our vast experience to work helping owners in our community make smart real estate decisions.

07/05/2020

For Sale BEO $712,000
So spacious inside where the family can thrive and friends can gather on deck with retractable awning poised to harness a sensational sun aspect.
An entertainer’s delight embracing diverse social spaces comprising a well arrayed kitchen and combined dining while separate lounge and family room cater to casual or more formal occasions.
Three double bedrooms, main bathroom, master ensuite and walk-in offer a sanctuary for the family upstairs while a fourth bedroom and second full bathroom in the lower level will impress overnight guests or live-in in-laws.
Faultless presentation combines with quiet cul de sac location on a fully fenced section completed by internal double garage, incorporated laundry plus extra parking for boat and caravan.
Walking distance to amenities, rail station, pool and school and handy reach to Otaki Beach –

07/05/2020

For Sale BEO $712,000
So spacious inside where the family can thrive and friends can gather on deck with retractable awning poised to harness a sensational sun aspect.
An entertainer’s delight embracing diverse social spaces comprising a well arrayed kitchen and combined dining while separate lounge and family room cater to casual or more formal occasions.
Three double bedrooms, main bathroom, master ensuite and walk-in offer a sanctuary for the family upstairs while a fourth bedroom and second full bathroom in the lower level will impress overnight guests or live-in in-laws.
Faultless presentation combines with quiet cul de sac location on a fully fenced section completed by internal double garage, incorporated laundry plus extra parking for boat and caravan.
Walking distance to amenities, rail station, pool and school and handy reach to Otaki Beach –

15/08/2019

Another happy home owner. listed and under offer in a couple of days.