barfoot & thompson meadowlands issue 1
DESCRIPTION
Barfoot & Thompson Meadowlands Branch profileTRANSCRIPT
MOVEBarfoot & Thompson Meadowlands
Barfoot & Thompson has been serving Meadowlands since 1996, and is the obvious choice when buying, selling, renting or simply seeking property advice in this diverse area.
The long-standing, stable team at Barfoot & Thompson Meadowlands offers a great deal of local knowledge and real estate expertise.
Their supportive team culture and high level of service and professionalism make them very easy to work with, and their cultural diversity reflects that of the local community - removing potential cultural or language barriers for customers.
Meadowlands has a wide range of property types, which is why the Barfoot & Thompson team offers both residential and rural salespeople, as well as a busy and highly successful property management department and skilled administration staff.
As part of the Barfoot & Thompson network, they have the ability to list and sell right across the Auckland region. Properties listed with the Meadowlands branch are shared with all 60+ Barfoot & Thompson branches across Auckland and Northland - which means more than 1,400 salespeople can bring potential buyers to your property, generating unbeatable reach and buyer competition.
Welcome to Meadowlands Branch
The branch is consistently ranked in the top ten Barfoot & Thompson branches for sales and in the top five rental divisions for the company.
Meadowlands is a residential suburb south-east of Auckland City, with easy access to beaches and the bustling Botany Town Centre. It offers excellent sporting facilities and cultural venues, quality schools and an array of restaurants and cafés. Housing is a mixture of traditional character homes, contemporary properties and town houses, as well as rural and lifestyle properties nearby.
Linda FitzpatrickBranch Manager
[email protected]:027 284 4500
Office:09 535 3153
Selling Your Home bY barfoot &
choose a company
you know and trust
research on the Internet
ask friends and family
choose someone you
have confidence in
meet a few salespeople
call into your local branch
5
tHompSon, meadowlandS brancH
consistently ranked top 10 Barfoot & Thompson
branches for sales
16 salespeople
4 rental staff 11 associate salespeople
in the top 5 rental divisions for the company
3 frontline staff
Page 9 Helen Lim tells us why she loves Flat Bush!
Page 11 Properties recently sold by Helen Lim, Melanie Tanone and Mervin Lutchman
Page 13 The Santa Ana story
Page 15 Preparing your home prior to the photographer arriving
Page 19 Profile on photographer Damien Gillen
Page 21 Properties recently sold by Daniel Huang
Page 25 Profile on Amazing Interiors
contents
Page 27 Hall of Fame recipient Daniel Huang
Page 28 Peter Thompson’s market report
Page 29 Time for a Break - The Rental Experts
Page 31 Habitat for Humanity 2014 by Steve Noles
Page 33 Murder Mystery Night
Page 35 Meadowlands Top Ten in the Company
Disclaimer:Whilst care has been taken in the preparation of these particulars, no responsibility is accepted for the accuracy of the whole of any part thereof and interested persons are advised to make their own enquiries and satisfy themselves in all respects.
Helen Lim - I Love Flat Bush! When I started selling real estate in 2003, Flat Bush was closely linked with Otara and we considered it a low cost area.
In fact, the first houses that we sold there were in the Richmond & Chapel Park areas that were inexpensive because of the location and presence of NZ Housing properties. Today, you would be so lucky to own one of those houses!!
The Flat Bush Structure Plan changed Flat Bush forever and lifted the profile of the whole area making it a sought after area in which to buy and reside.
Not knowing anything about Flat Bush, I delved into studying the area and getting to know the Structure Plan by heart. I learned what was good land, why it was so, who the owners were and how much it could sell for and how many sections it could be subdivided into.
Together with another colleague, we went door knocking, and when owners wanted to sell negotiations commenced.
My introduction to Flat Bush happened by accident when one of my clients requestedthat I find subdividable land for an associate who was interested in land development.
Flat Bush Anyone?
I sold 18 sections to one builder who was relocating his business from the south. Product knowledge gave me an edge and I could deal with him with authority knowing the area so well.
Today, we are selling the properties which are completed and also un-der construction on Murphys Road.
This exciting, dynamic area has so much to offer residents today and in the future. If you would like any in depth information regarding this new "town" please do call - I would be delighted to assist you
FLAT BUSH ANYONE???
One of the most exciting deals I ever closed was a block of land that was zoned for dual purpose properties - residential and commercial. I was doing an open home when a call came from the owner who was holi-daying in New Zealand. I immediate-ly jumped into my car and went to see him on site and asked if he want-ed to sell. He said yes, so my client straight away made an offer.
From the blocks of land, came selling the sections. My colleague and I went house to house marketing the sections because we knew that upon securing those listings we would then have an opportunity to sell the houses that would begin to form the new Flat Bush suburb. We dominated the area because very few agents ever recognised the huge potential.
Helen [email protected]: 021 707 537Office: 09 535 3153After hours: 09 273 3232
This page: Property marketed by Helen Lim & Melanie Tanone
Photography by Damien Gillen
Opposite Page: Property marketed by Mervin Lutchman
Properties Sold by Meadowlands Within the Last 12 Months
The Santa Ana Story
We were very fortunate to have the opportunity to market this property at 71 Santa Ana Drive. A large single level brick and tile home with four bedrooms, two bathrooms and two living areas in a sought after Point View location with excellent school zones, Point View Primary, Somerville Intermediate and Botany Downs Secondary College.
The property had been tenanted for ten years, in its original state, no modernization since new, and there were bathroom leak issues that were identified and had to be disclosed. The tenants moved out during the last few weeks prior to auction and the vendor agreed to our recommendation of staging the property and doing a general clean up inside and out, which we arranged on behalf of the vendor.
The staging and clean up of the property made a huge difference in the appearance of the property. However, the general feedback
was that it still needed quite a substantial investment in order to modernize and some
buyers were concerned that the bathroom leak
issues may be more significant
if further investigated.
Despite the
feedback, we still
believed that it was an
excellent property and price expectations
reflected both its positives and the challenging aspects.
Helen [email protected]: 021 707 537Office: 09 535 3153
After hours: 09 273 3232
Going into auction, we had a realistic vendor with a reasonable reserve price and confirmation from three buyers of their attendance. It was slow going at first and the pause between the auctioneer suggesting an opening bid and a bidder actually taking up the opening bid to get things under way made us very nervous!
There were only two competing bidders at the beginning and bidding stopped at $870,000. The highest bidder then went up to $888,000 and the vendor agreed to put the property on the market. In our experience, new bidders sometimes come out of the woodwork once the property goes in the market.
And that’s exactly what happened! More bidders entered the fray, and from there, it
just kept going and going! We, the vendor, and the audience of the auction room were
equally rapt as the price just flew!
The property eventually sold at $1,020,000
after a very lively
auction.
A stranger
sitting next to
the vendor commented
about how it was the vendor’s lucky
day as he also lives in the neighbourhood and no other
house like this has sold for so much.
As a few people commented, “Only
at Barfoot’s”.
“Only at Barfoot’s”
Melanie [email protected]:021 400 806Office:09 535 3153
Prepare Your Home for the Photographer!
Image courtesy of Jim Pollard
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We all know that first impressions count.
These days, the initial interaction buyers have
with a home is often via photos. There are a
few simple things vendors can do prior to their
photographer arriving to present their home
to its best.
1. Presentation
Making your home look great may seem
obvious but often we overlook some
basic chores. Remove all the clutter around
your home and make sure it is tidy. Clean
the windows rain spots show on photos.
Also make sure things stacked under beds
are removed. Make sure your photos are
not being ‘date stamped’, take down your
Christmas decorations!
2. Colour Co-Ordinate
Make sure bedspreads, duvets,
pillowcases, curtains, cushions all match.
Too much of a clash and all your eye will
be drawn to is that bright pink cushion, not
the room.
3. Props and Accessories
Don’t go out and spend a fortune, just look
at what you have. Lovely candles burning in
your holders, fresh flowers in your favourite
vase, a bowl of fresh fruit, all these add life to
the images. To add some real drama, perhaps
place a bottle of wine and a few canapés on a
plate. Just don’t go overboard and re-clutter
the house you just tidied!
4. A word about Photoshopping
Yes, we all love having the technology to
enhance our photos. However, having a
‘Blue Sky’ policy isn’t always necessary.
If it’s raining, surfaces will be wet, photos
will be what we call ‘flat’. If you then ask for
a blue sky to be put in, the result is a photo
that looks ‘off’. Think twice and follow your
photographer’s advice!
Six Tips to Get the Best from Your PhotographerHow owners can make the best out of their
photographer
5. Light BulbsDo a quick run around and count up how many bulbs need replacing, including wall lights, lamps, bedside tables. If you don’t replace your ceiling lights, the photos will have black holes in them. Before the photographer comes, put every single light on.
6. GroundsMake sure the grass is cut and all leaves are swept away.
Lastly, there’s no wrong or right time to have your house photographed. Any time of the year is as good as another. Don’t get wrapped up in having to sell in a certain season. A good photographer will always make your house sparkle!
Images Damien Gillen
Damien Gillen’s work days began in the kitchen. Quickly deciding that being a chef was not for him, he decided to turn a hobby in photography into a career and Property Photos Ltd was created. Ten years later, he and his sister, Cath, have a successful business working with Barfoot offices in East and South Auckland. They are also the preferred suppliers of photography to the annual Auckland Master Builders ‘House of the Year’ competition which takes them around the upper North Island taking lovely shots of architecturally designed homes.
They provide quality photography, including aerial and create floor plans. They are a small but friendly team and pride themselves in providing a quality and timely service.
Photo from Master Builders ‘ House Of The Year
Photo from Master Builders’ House Of The Year
Photo from Master Builders’ House Of The Year
Another hobby of Damien’s is cricket - both indoor and outdoor, so he is playing all year round! He recently enjoyed a trip to Canada and competed in a six-a-side cricket festival held in Victoria B.C. Nine teams from around the world competed and his team, ‘Air New Zealand’ won the Plate final - the first team from New Zealand to ever win a trophy in that tournament!
His trip also included popping into Los Angeles and Las Vegas - a few shots from his trip are shown here along with examples of his real estate work for Master Builders’ House of the Year & Barfoot and Thompson.
Damien Gillen 021 2620613
Damien Gillen | Photographer
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Properties Sold by Meadowlands Within the Last 12 Months
Property marketed by Daniel Huang
Photography by Damien Gillen
Marketed byDaniel Huang
Photography by Damien Gillen
House Staging by Amazing Interiors
Properties Sold by Meadowlands Within the Last 12 Months
The team at Amazing Interiors worked closely with the real estate agent, Barfoot & Thompson, to create an inviting and beautifully staged home at 88 Chateau Rise address.
Amazing Interiors is a professional, knowledgeable interior design and home staging enterprise offering their services for both residential and commercial spaces. Carol Hobson, founder of Amazing Interiors, launched the company with the extensive knowledge she had developed over her 25 years of industry experience. Amazing Interiors has worked closely with Barfoot &Thompson on many occasions and this project was no different. Both companies want the best result for the client and team work allowed for an end result of the highest quality.
Renovations are a great way to increase your home value, but they often come with a huge price tag. Furniture staging is an inexpensive way to increase the value of your home without having to
Amazing
Interiors!
Amazing
Interiors!
pump a lot of money into the project. Furniture staging involves hiring a design team to provide high-end furniture for rent while using their experience to help you
create the best layout and arrangement for each room. Amazing Interiors has so much experience in this regard, providing beautiful, homely and inviting
spaces. This property benefitted from the knowledge and skills that the team at Amazing Interiors has to offer.
The team worked hard on the project creating a beautiful setting that highlighted the architectural details of the home and its gorgeous views. The colours for each space were carefully chosen to tie in with the
fittings and colours of the structure of the building. The colour palette was fresh and inviting helping to create a sophisticated and elegant
atmosphere. Home staging enhanced the look and feel of the home to potential buyers, highlighting the property’s true potential and allowed the
property to sell quickly and at the price that the sellers were hoping to receive.
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Kiri Barfoot, Daniel Huang, Garth Barfoot & Peter Thompson
Daniel Huang, Wilson Huang, Linda Fitzpatrick & Helen Han
Peter Thompson, Garth Barfoot, Helen Han, Daniel Huang, Kiri Barfoot
Daniel with PeterThompson
Daniel Huang, Barfoot & Thompson
Daniel Huang has proved to be the most successful real estate agent for Barfoot & Thompson in the entire Eastern Beaches area for almost a decade. His disciplined approach to business, customer service and building relationships with his clients is founded on principles he developed when working in the Taiwan business environment before emigrating to New Zealand in 1996. Daniel is passionate about the real estate industry and genuinely enjoys assisting people achieve their goals and dreams when either selling or purchasing property. His professionalism, integrity and work ethic have earned him a position of standing in the community and are reflected in the substantial repeat business he enjoys. Clients quickly recognize the wealth of real estate knowledge Daniel has to impart which always proves to be invaluable when assisting in what is usually one of the largest financial decisions one makes. His in-depth understanding of the local market ensures that he has all the information critical to successful negotiations. Daniel’s pleasant personality and ability to make people feel relaxed are attributes his clients appreciate. Daniel and his competent team, always consider it a privilege to be selected to market a property. Their commitment to achieving an outstanding result for their clients is clearly demonstrated by the exceptional results attained since 1999. Choose Daniel Huang and you are simply choosing “THE BEST”.
Daniel Huang | Hall of Fame
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Daniel [email protected]
Mobile:027 297 1958Office:09 535 3153
After hours:09 537 6266
Auckland house sales numbers fall as listings reach seven month low
For the second consecutive month the number of homes sold in Auckland fell, prices remained
stable while at the end of July the number of listings was at a 7-month low.
“The average sales price in July reached $719,312 for the month, which was less than a 1 percent
increase over June’s average price,” said Peter Thompson, Managing Director of Barfoot &
Thompson.
“Sales values over the past four months have been moving around after reaching an all-time high
of $725,708 in March.”
Prices at present are best described as steady.
In part that’s because a price and trading downturn is normal in winter, but another likely cause is
the impending General Election. The housing market invariably goes quiet during a run in to an
election.
After improving modestly in the first four months of the year, by the end of July the supply
situation had again become extremely tight with only 3273 properties on our books, the lowest
number for seven months.
“We normally see new listings increase during August as vendors prepare to take advantage of the
increase in sales activity as spring approaches. However, with a General Election in September,
the potential exists that trading in August may not follow the normal pattern as the market awaits
the Election outcome."
“A stand out feature of July’s trading was that we sold 169 homes for in excess of $1 million, which
represents nearly one house in every six sold."
Sales of homes in this price segment are currently running 28.7 percent ahead of where they were
last year after the first 7 months of the year.
Investing in a home to improve lifestyle has always been a strong feature of property buying in
Auckland, and buyers with the financial resources to do are still active in the top end of the
market.
“At the same time there are large numbers of properties in Auckland’s outer southern, western
and northern suburbs being sold for less than $500,000."
Out of the total number of sales during July of 983, 29.4 percent or 289 were homes in the under
$500,000 price category.
Peter Thompson’s Market Report
Time for a break?Barfoot & Thompson Meadowlands are experts at managing rental property. Now is the time to relax and let us do the work for you!
Our tax deductible service includes:
Discuss your options with the team
BARFOOT & THOMPSON MEADOWLANDS
Meadowlands | Rentals 09 535 6153
90J Whitford Rd, Howick, [email protected]
Interview and screening of suitable tenants
Tenant Credit Checks/Tenancy Tribunals Order Checks
Collection and monitoring of rents
Regular rent revisions
Immediate action on rent arrears
Regular property inspections and reports
Organisation and supervision of repairs and maintenance
Payment of regular accounts as required
Computerised monthly statements of all incoming and outgoing monies - posted or emailed to you anywhere in the world
Liaison with Tenancy Service when required
Competitive fees
Lee-Anne Hawkins
Property Manager
021 789 [email protected]
Emma QianProperty Assistant
027 233 [email protected]
Sharon AdamsLetting Specialist
027 552 [email protected] Hill
Property Assistant
027 556 [email protected]
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Steve Noles Goes to Nepal Everest Build 111
Habitat for Humanity 2014
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Resolution 2014: to Give Back
Method: Build houses for under-privileged families
Where: Chitwan, 30 minute flight from Kathmandu, Nepal
Target: Build up to 100 houses
Cost: $5,200 pp
Result: Will impact on up to 100 families. The excitement of working with so many people from around the world will make this a life-changing experience.
My Goal: To raise $5,000 approx.
If you would like to donate to this cause, please contact Steve Noles.
Steve [email protected]:027 211 8888Office:09 535 3153After hours:09 215 4593
Sheanagh Noles [email protected]:027 288 8882
Office:09 535 3153After hours:09 215 4593
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The Mellons Bay School Event to raise funds for a new junior playground was held on 30 August and was enthusiastically attended.
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The event was proudly sponsored by Barfoot & Thompson. The local branches included Dannemora, Highland Park, Howick, Meadowlands & Pakuranga.
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Top Ten in the Company 2011, 2012,
2013 & 2014
Barfoot & Thompson
MeadowlandsBranch
Year ending March 31st, 2014