My apologies that the January newsletter went out without my normal introduction. No, I wasn’t away, for some reason I simply missed it!!

All reports seem to show that January statistics showing housing prices up nationwide and number of sales also up significantly. As a result, most pundits are predicting another year of growth in the residential property market. In Queenstown growth is restricted by availability of sections and this issue is likely to be with us for some time.

At this time many of the economists are predicting that there will not be any real upward pressure on interest rates until early 2022 so presumably some stability in interest costs. The unknown is the impact of issues outside our control e.g. coronavirus. How will this be felt both locally, being a tourist destination and nationally, imports, exports terms of trade etc.

At present with the lower interest rates the two biggest questions we are getting;

1)      How do I release equity to purchase investment property?

2)      How do I pay off my mortgage at a faster rate with lower interest rates in place?

If you want the answer or have any other queries don’t hesitate to contact Michelle or Charlie; until next month stay safe.

Cheers

Charlie & Michelle

The Auckland property market has seen a sharp rise in both sales and new listings since the start of 2020. Overall market conditions remain confident, with prices holding firm and growing slightly near recent highs alongside healthy sales and stock numbers. According to data from Barfoot & Thompson, the median selling price for an Auckland home was $885,000 in January, and the average selling price was $951,631.

The economic consequences of the coronavirus (COVID-19) could end up being almost as damaging as the infection itself. While Chinese factories are back at work, and financial markets seem mostly undeterred, entire Chinese cities remain in lock down and trade has been severely disrupted across the country. Quarantines aimed at containing the disease have severely handicapped the Chinese economy, with knock-on effects already being felt throughout the world.

While it may be the only constant in life, change can be difficult and stressful for people of all ages. Whether it's entering high school or relocating to a new city, moving to a new school is a big deal. However, despite the inherent challenges that always accompany change, being surrounded by new places and faces also presents an opportunity for growth and self-discovery. Let's take a look at some valuable tips to help your kids thrive in a new school environment.

While it's not "all in your head", physical fitness and athletic performance are widely dependent on mental endurance. Feeling stressed and mentally drained can have a huge effect on how you perform physically, with mental fatigue likely to decrease your motivation, increase the time you take to recover, and impact your lifestyle choices. According to a new University of Queensland study, the brain may play a more important role in physical fitness than first thought.

As crowdsourcing gets more popular as a sourcing model for goods and services, the world has started to embrace "the crowd" as a way to divide work and achieve better results. The power of the collective mind has been tested in a recent experiment, and documented in a TV series based on a New York Times Magazine column. When local specialists are unable to diagnose rare medical conditions, cases are turned over to "the crowd" to amazing results.