Transforming Home Buying: Share Your Thoughts!
Hello Mt Maunganui, Arataki, Papamoa and Tauranga Communities,
I hope this message finds you well. I’m reaching out to gather your thoughts on a new business idea that could make buying a home a whole lot easier for our community.
Purchasing real estate is one of the biggest investments many of us make. When selling, you have an agent dedicated to your needs. But when buying, you’re often left to navigate the process alone. That’s where a Buyer’s Agent comes in—a property expert committed to helping you find and purchase your ideal home.
Buyer’s Agents, common in the US and Australia, but new to the Bay of Plenty, have no listings, ensuring they have no conflicts of interest. They work exclusively for you, the buyer, to secure the best possible outcome. Here’s how they help:
1. Personalized Service: they spend time understanding your needs to find your ideal property.
2. Property Searches: they locate properties that match your criteria and arrange private viewings.
3. Property Ratings: After each viewing, they help you evaluate the property based on your needs.
4. Appraisals: They provide property appraisals with comparable sales data to ensure you don’t pay more than the property is worth.
5. Negotiations: They guide you through Sale and Purchase Agreements, and handle negotiations and auctions.
6. Due Diligence: They arrange all necessary checks, including title searches, LIM reports, property inspections and more.
7. Protection: They protect you from common pitfalls and costly mistakes.
8. Expense Summaries: They provide a summary of outgoings like insurance, rates, and body corporate fees.
9. Smooth Transactions: They ensure all conditions of sale are met and that settlement proceeds as expected.
10. Informed Decisions: They help you make confident, informed buying decisions.
Would a service like this be valuable to you or someone you know?
Your feedback is crucial in determining if our community is ready for a Buyer’s Agency Service.
Thank you so much for your time and support.
Lorraine Burns
Poll: If we want to reduce speeding, what do you think actually changes driver behaviour? 🛻🚨🚓
In the Post's article on speeding penalties, the question is asked whether speeding fines are truly about road safety, or are they just a way to boost revenue for the Crown?
What do you think? Should speeding motorists receive speeding fines or demerit points?
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32.5% The sting of a fine (Money talks!)
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67.5% The threat of demerit points (Nobody wants to lose their license!)
Share your favourite main crop potato recipe and win a copy of our mag!
Love potatoes? We will give away free copies of the May 2026 issue to readers whose potato recipes are used in our magazine. To be in the running, make sure you email your family's favourite way to enjoy potatoes: mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, by March 1, 2026.
Scam Alert: Bank cold calls
ASB is warning customers about reports of cold calls from scammers claiming to be from ASB. These scammers are trying to obtain personal information, including usernames, dates of birth, and verification codes sent to your mobile phone.
🛡️ The "Caller Check" Test
If you get a call from someone claiming to be from ASB and you’re unsure, just ask them for a Caller Check. You will then be able to verify the call through the app.
Remember, banks will:
❌ Never ask for your banking passwords, PINs, or verification codes
❌ Never need to know your full credit card number – especially the CVC
❌ Never ask you to download software or remotely access your device
❌ Never ask you to purchase gift cards or transfer funds.
If you have received a phone call and think your account has been compromised, call ASB on 0800 ASB FRAUD (0800 272 372), or visit your local branch.
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