NZ Property Investor September 2019

It may have been made famous in a US presidential campaign several decades ago, but the catchphrase “It’s the economy, stupid” is as relevant today – and here in New Zealand – as it was back in 1992. And the focus of this month’s commentary serves only to prove it. Since the Reserve Bank stunned the country, early in August, with its decision to slash 50 basis points from the OCR to take it to a historic low of 1.0%, there’s been no escaping talk of the economy. Then, on top of that, recessionary fears have now well and truly taken root. This has shifted the focus from the ups and downs of the property market, although some believe the OCR cut, along with any further ones, could reignite house…

Auckland Council’s “Retrofit Your Home” programme provides property owners with a loan of up to $5,000, repaid through their rates bill over nine years. Until last month, the programme covered insulation, clean heating, fireplace removal, bathroom or kitchen mechanical extraction, water tank installation and water efficient devices. But the Council’s Environment and Community Committee has now voted to expand the programme to include solar energy, energy storage and energy efficiency interventions. Auckland Mayor Phil Goff says the new interventions are focused on achieving energy efficiency and energy resilience. “We have approved eight new interventions to the programme including options for solar panels, solar and heat pump water heating, double-layered curtains and LED lighting. “Every Aucklander deserves a warm dry home and the immediate benefits of the programme include energy savings…

Leading advisers say banks continue to test customers’ borrowing abilities at rates of close to 8%, despite the central bank rate falling by 0.75% since May. They believe lenders should adapt to the new environment and test borrowers at a more reasonable rate of interest. Pope & Co Mortgages director Craig Pope says the “magnitude” of the Reserve Bank OCR cut could lead to a rethink from the banks. “I think the banks will start to look at that and ask ‘is it fair?’ Given the OCR has dropped, I’d think that would be high on the radar for banks.” Pope says some banks had begun to make subtle changes on servicing calculators, but there were no updates on the servicing test rate. According to the Mortgage Supply Company’s David…

Waxxproperty.com taps into a niche in the market to purchase blocks of units/flats being sold on one title and then individually unit/strata titling each unit/flat so that each unit can be sold individually for profit. Founder Sam O’Connor says an example of how this works would be if a block of five two-bedroom units on one title is purchased for $1 million. “Once the units are then individually titled, each unit is valued and sold individually for $300,000 – which is a total of $1.5 million. This creates a gross profit of $500,000. The company offers investors the chance to become an equity partner in such development projects which have high return potential, he says. “There are strong security and investment structures backed by tangible assets, while there’s zero bank…

SEPTEMBER PROPERTY INVESTMENT & EDUCATION SEMINAR  Thursday, September 6, 6:45pm - Level 6, 135 Broadway, Newmarket, Auckland. Hosted by Gilligan Rowe & Associates. Free to attend. For more information and to register: https://www.gra.co.nz/property-investment-seminars RENTING AND YOU SEMINARS  Tuesday, September 17, Palmerston North; Wednesday, September 18, New Plymouth, 7pm. Seminars are free but you must register to attend, one registration per person: https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/about-tenancy-services/events/renting-and-you-seminar VIP SALES NIGHT  Tuesday, September 24, 6.30-8pm, 77a Ponsonby Road, Auckland. Hosted by Property Ventures Real Estate Limited. Free to attend but limited seats (20 only) so you must register to attend. Book at vipsales@propertyventures.co.nz UNLEASH THE POWER OF PROPERTY  Sunday, October 13, 2019, 8:30am-4pm, Prefab Hall, Wellington. Tickets $49 (lunch included) http://wellingtonproperty.eventbrite.co.nz THE AUCKLAND PROPERTY WORKSHOP  Saturday, September 14, Sunday, September 15, 9am- 4pm, Ellerslie Event Centre.…

1 Tenants need to know about insurance Take note landlords – if you are worried about liability for tenant damage, the time to talk to your tenants about insurance is now. 2 Tenants liable for careless damage to a point Tenants will now have to take some responsibility for careless damage to rental properties after the Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill (No. 2) passed its final reading in Parliament on Wednesday. 3 OCR cut could prompt housing market upturn The Reserve Bank’s decision to slash the Official Cash Rate (OCR) by 0.5% to a historic low of 1.0% has shocked the financial community, but what could it mean for the housing market? 4 The costs of rental policy changes The deluge of policy changes to the regulations governing rental property are…