On June 10, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand raised the official cash rate to 2.75%, a .25% increase to the record low rate of 2.50%, which has been the official cash rate since April 2009.Mortgagees will pay an average of an extra $30 to $50 per month on a $300,000 loan when the banks pass on the rate rise. However, since this is the first time the Reserve Bank has raised the official cash rate in a year from the record lows mortgagees have been ...more »

Real Estate Institute New Zealand (REINZ) recently released a report that showed that property prices across the nation dropped significantly in May. However, other real estate experts have claimed that when you adjust the figures for seasonal differences, the statistic is not as worrying as it could be. Meanwhile, property investors are picking up good bargains while the prices are low.In April 2010, the average asking price of new listings ...more »

The avid gardener can spend an enjoyable winter day in the garden shed preparing his tools for the busy spring gardening season. Winter is the perfect time of year to oil, sharpen, repair, or replace your gardening tools, so you will complete any maintenance chores before spring.Tools require OilingGardening tools can be expensive, so keep your tools in top condition. Well maintained gardening tools will last you for over twenty years, so it is ...more »

There is no real cure for the common cold; however, this winter you can ease the symptoms of a cold by using gentle natural remedies. Some cold remedies have been in use for years because they work. Here are a few suggestions to help you ease the symptoms of a cold, during the winter season.Ease a Sore ThroatAt the first sign of a ticklish throat, try using one of the following gargles:1. Steep 100g of fresh sage leaves in 2 cups of boiling ...more »

The idea of borrowing money to purchase a property is not a new one. Few people can afford to purchase a property without taking out a mortgage. Today, mortgages are a part of everyday life. You may not be aware that the history of the mortgage goes back a very long time. The first recorded mortgage was in 1190 in England. People have used this method of acquiring property ever since.The “Dead Pledge”The word mortgage is a French word. It ...more »