Although the property values on average are 6.1 percent higher than the average price in 2009 for April, property sales are still weak. The Reserve Bank cited the weak property market as one of the reasons for not raising the official cash rate at the end of April.QV Valuations said that the property values in April were 6.1 percent above the values at the end of April 2009, but that the average property values were still 3.9 percent below the ...more »

Preparing your home for sale during the winter months is easy. Give your home an attractive winter makeover to improve your chances of making a sale this winter. Follow these four steps and your home will look inviting to prospective buyers.1. Create a Wonderful First ImpressionWinter gardens can sometimes lack colour. If your garden does not look its best during winter, do not despair. Purchase flowering plants in decorative pots from your ...more »

The cooler months are starting to arrive and it can be difficult to stay fit and healthy over winter. Summer sports are over and it is easy to look out of your window and decide against going for that run in the cold and head instead to your kitchen to enjoy some “comfort” food. If you want to avoid packing on unwanted kilos over the winter, here are some ideas to stay healthy during the cooler months.Comfort Foods That Won’t Pack on the ...more »

There is an old saying that if you kiss the person you love for the very first time by the light of a new moon you will soon be married, you will have undying love for one another, and you will never be poor. Naturally, love and marriage do not come with a guarantee. If you marry, you can only hope you will have undying love for one another. If you both plan for your financial future together, you stand a good chance of never being poor.Choosing ...more »

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand Board did not raise the Official Cash Rate (OCR) from the record low of 2.5 percent on April 29. However, many economists throughout New Zealand are predicting that the Reserve Bank will raise the OCR in the June review.Although the Reserve Bank Governor, Alan Bollard, said there were some positive signs of economic recovery in New Zealand, he said, “risks to the global outlook remain elevated”. He implied raising ...more »