Selwyn_Times: June 21, 2023
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
2<br />
[Edition datE]<br />
Looking for a property – what really counts?<br />
You are in the market for a new<br />
property, scrolling the Internet,<br />
examining properties for sale and<br />
zeroing in on those with potential. They<br />
might be in locations that offer cheaper<br />
land, larger houses, or convenience to<br />
work or school.<br />
You may have visited show homes<br />
and open homes becoming confused,<br />
overwhelmed or swept away with<br />
emotional factors like having<br />
everything new, or extra features such<br />
as three car garaging.<br />
To be happy with your choice, list the<br />
features that you need, considering:<br />
• Family space – Is there room for<br />
the children to play indoors and for<br />
television and entertainment units?<br />
Should this be open plan or separated?<br />
• Kitchen – What needs to be in<br />
your kitchen? How serious are you<br />
about a butler’s pantry? Is it a whim<br />
or something that offers a practical<br />
solution to the way you use your<br />
kitchen?<br />
• Bedroom sizes – What are optimum<br />
sizes? Smaller bedrooms may translate<br />
to slightly lower building costs while<br />
extra space can be useful. When<br />
looking at existing homes, consider<br />
whether the size of each bedroom is<br />
sufficient.<br />
• Garaging – A standard double<br />
garage once two cars are parked there<br />
offers little space for the toys. What<br />
toys do you have and could they live<br />
with the lawnmower in a garden shed,<br />
a cheaper option to three car garaging?<br />
If the budget allows and a larger garage<br />
with workshop is important, make it a<br />
selection priority.<br />
• Size of land – Lifestyle properties<br />
offer space for children, pets, hobbies,<br />
an expansive garden and perhaps a<br />
home-run business but they require<br />
work so are not for everyone and<br />
a compact section might be more<br />
sensible if a tight budget or busy<br />
lifestyle.<br />
• Bathrooms – Second and third<br />
bathrooms are great in homes with<br />
teenagers and a wet shower room is<br />
ideal for young children. A bath might<br />
be fashionable though is often not used<br />
and its absence could mean a more<br />
spacious bathroom.<br />
• Laundry – Would a laundry in the<br />
garage do the job?<br />
• Storage – How much storage do<br />
you need? Weigh up what can truly be<br />
stored in the garage once vehicles are<br />
in, a preference in winter. Garages vary<br />
in size so check the size to ensure your<br />
vehicles will fit. Look also at where<br />
else the house offers storage capacity<br />
such as in hall cupboards, a large hot<br />
water cylinder cupboard, wardrobes<br />
(check their width and depth), walk-in<br />
robe, attic storage trusses, as well as<br />
the potential for hooks and shelving<br />
in the garage for bikes, tools, garden<br />
equipment and even kayaks.<br />
• Off-street parking – How many<br />
vehicles can be parked on the driveway?<br />
Will this space be sufficient?<br />
• Garden - Is there sufficient space<br />
for your children to play or for<br />
entertaining?<br />
A checklist will allow you to<br />
determine what will suit your needs,<br />
the point of the exercise, saving you<br />
time looking at properties or potential<br />
house designs while assisting you<br />
to decide whether to buy a new or<br />
existing home with both options having<br />
advantages and disadvantages.<br />
13<br />
SELLING YOUR HOME?<br />
Potential buyers are<br />
likely to be living in your<br />
neighbourhood, it’s an<br />
area that they already love<br />
and are actively seeking<br />
to stay in. That’s why it<br />
makes sense to advertise<br />
your property in the<br />
<strong>Selwyn</strong> Property Guide.<br />
We are the only media<br />
that reaches across the<br />
entire <strong>Selwyn</strong> District.<br />
73<br />
Arthur’s Pass<br />
1<br />
77<br />
Springfield<br />
Glentunnel DarfieldTempleton<br />
Rolleston<br />
Burnham Lincoln<br />
Dunsandel Tai Tapu<br />
Leeston<br />
For cost effective, highly<br />
targeted advertising that delivers<br />
results, contact a local Real<br />
Estate Company that advertises<br />
in the <strong>Selwyn</strong> Property Guide.