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
What's your favourite tomato recipe?
Kia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our February 2025 issue.
Warnings about scams
This Fraud Awareness Week, we’re reminding everyone to stay sharp and look out for the warning signs of scams to stop them before they start.
Here’s what to watch out for:
🔍 Unrealistic offers or promises of easy money that are too good to be true
🔍 Pressure tactics: Scammers may rush or threaten you to act immediately.
🔍 Requests for personal info: Be cautious if you’re asked for bank details, passwords, or sensitive information.
🔍 Unusual payment methods like gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers.
🔍 Unverified contacts: Emails, calls, or messages from unknown or suspicious sources.
How to protect yourself:
✅ Stop and think before sharing personal details or making payments.
✅ Don't click on any links until you know that it is safe.
✅ Verify the source: Contact the organisation directly using official channels.
✅ If something’s not right, it's OK to hang up, walk away, ignore it and move on.
If you wish to report a scam, contact Police on 105 or report it online via 105.police.govt.nz/use-105.
Tactile texture
Welcome texture into your room by using leftover Resene Anaglypta wallpaper to accentuate furniture and décor items. Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.