This list is a valuable tool for us, because it gives us the sales data much quicker than might be the case if we had waited for settlement to occur.  When you, as a member of the public, subscribe to any number of websites that provide sales data, such data will always be of settled sales, and so will always be more dated. 

The REINZ sales data is also sent to the media, and so if you followed the news at all yesterday, you will have been aware that sale volumes across much of NZ had jumped over the January period. 

Nelson was no exception to this trend – in a month where sales are often low due to the slow return to work and normal activity following the holiday season – Nelson showed 117 sales for the month, against an average last year of 75-85, depending on the month. 

February for our company has continued in a similar vein with properties across all price ranges flying out the door. 

Since last week we have sold 14A Martin Street in Monaco, and 65 Fifeshire Crescent on Nelson’s Port Hills. Both sets of buyers have quick settlements and are excited about taking over in the next few days.

Our two new listings are quite different from the average 4 bedroom home, if in fact such a thing exists. 

53 The Cliffs, on the Port Hills, has been designed to provide apartment-style living for the owners, who for many years have appreciated the larger section but the virtual absence of any requirement to tend the mature trees and shrubs every weekend. The views are elevated and panoramic and the home is blissfully private. 

87 Point Road, Monaco offers two buildings on the same ¼ acre title. Both are in immaculate condition and our first open home is this weekend.  As good as we are, we haven’t managed to arrange a full tide for Sunday but I’m sure you get the picture as you scroll through the photos. 

See below for more details on both these homes.

Yesterday I spoke with a friend who had flown back to Nelson from Wellington mid-afternoon, and he was amazed how the climate between our two cities could be so dramatically different over such a short distance. Wellington had been cold, breezy  and gloomy – he landed here and enjoyed no wind and lovely sunshine. 

In fact we so often experience great weather here when the rest of New Zealand is suffering wind, rain or cloud that we begin to take our climate for granted. 

Maybe that explains why families continue to move here when they have the choice of living anywhere in New Zealand. 

Our two feature homes this week have both had price changes, are both inner city homes in extremely good condition, and have motivated vendors keen to meet the market on a sale.

Since the New Year began we have had 8 properties sold or under contract, and lately we seem to have spent a lot of time at Monaco.  We have sold 12A and 11 Martin Street unconditionally, have a 3rd one in Martin Street under conditional contract due to confirm next week, and have just listed a fourth property in Point Road with an interesting twist -it has two houses on the one quarter acre section.

We will be profiling that property either next week or the week after. 

Our first advertising and open home of 138 Teal Valley Road starts this week, and if you are considering the area, I can tell you there will be 3 Bayleys open homes in Teal Valley Road, all scheduled for 2 pm this coming Saturday. 

With the long weekend ahead, we have scheduled open homes for Saturday and Sunday, leaving you to enjoy Waitangi Day as a day of celebration of our nationhood, or maybe just a spot of fishing. Whatever your passion this coming weekend, enjoy it, stay safe, and keep the sunblock handy.

We ran 10 open homes over the last weekend and it was great to see so many of you out in force looking for your next home. 

That level of interest is reflected in our figures so far this month, with $3.8 m of our listings sold or under contract. 

Our two feature properties this week are both inner city Nelson homes, and although in different price ranges they represent peace and quiet in a remarkably central location, with all the benefits of Nelson at your doorstep. 

374 Trafalgar Square has a Rateable Value of $850,000 and is available for immediate occupation. Cleverly designed to incorporate a master bedroom on each level it has a charming section with very little work required to maintain it. 

220A Collingwood Street has a Rateable Value of $480,000 and while you will need to be in the $500,000s to own it, you will see the value as it has had a stunning renovation since the current owner took over in 2010. 

Only 7 open homes this weekend, but surely something for everyone.  See you there.

We now have photos and information booklets for the two listings I referred to last time and they are now on the internet.  They are - 

220A Collingwood Street, Nelson, which has its first open home this Sunday. A very smart, semi-detached home set well away from the road and nice and central to schools and town. RV is $480,000 

31 View Mount, Maitlands. A modern home built with great attention to detail, in a sheltered and elevated postion offering excellent views. A tranquil cul de sac. No open homes scheduled so we are doing appointment viewings. The first viewing is late afternoon today – call me if you would like to be included in that viewing appointment.  The RV is $820,000 

We look forward to being of service to you this year – we already have 5 deals on the board with two further properties under negotiation and plenty of enquiry coming in. 

If you’re looking for that “something special” in a home, we hope our selection of over 20 listings should offer you something suitable. 

We have 10 open homes this weekend – we look forward to seeing you if you can drag yourselves away from the beach.

Natural disasters have resulted in loss of life and forced relocation for some‚ and it has been heartening to see such generosity of spirit amongst those of us less affected‚ but also heartening is the ability of people to recover, pick themselves up and go forward to a new beginning.

Kiwis both here and around the world held their collective breath for 80 minutes during the Rugby World Cup final and a sigh of relief could be heard across the land when we beat the French in Auckland‚ and reclaimed Rugby‘s most coveted prize. But after the final whistle was blown we got on with life‚ having deservingly earned the tag “Champions”.
 

I am pleased to be telling you that I have now heard back from all of my vendors‚ and not one of them has a damaged house – one has a slip onto his 300 metre driveway‚ and another saw slippage on neighbouring land‚ but that‘s the extent of it.

Since last week we have sold 161 Parkers Road‚ Nelson unconditionally.  This has been a popular listing with over 100 groups through‚ 5 offers‚ and a swag of enquiry.<p>

Our new listings are at

-          204 Stafford Drive‚ Ruby Bay. This is a substantial waterfront home of 5 bedrooms‚ four bathrooms‚ several outdoor living areas and a delightfully safe beach straight out the front door. The RV is $1.3 m and we will be seeking offers substantially above that level. See below for more information. 

          374 Trafalgar Square‚ Nelson is a substantial two level townhouse with the en-suited master bedroom‚ kitchen‚ dining and living areas all downstairs.  This is located about 2 minutes walk from the central business district. The RV is $850‚000 and the vendors will consider offers either side of that figure. 

-    138 Teal Valley Road‚ Hira. This is a charming two-level‚ schist clad home set at the top of 3 hectares‚ with sweeping views of Teal Valley and the Whangamoas. It will be available for viewing from the 28th of this month.

-          220A Collingwood Street‚ Nelson. Due to the weather we don’t have photos for this property yet‚ so it is not online‚ but it is a very private‚ north-facing two level duplex in extremely good condition with 3 bedrooms. It is on its own freehold (Fee Simple) title. We will be doing appointment viewings on this property so if you think it may be of interest you will need to call or email us. The RV is $480,000.

-          31 View Mount‚ Stoke is also listed with photos yet to come. It is an ultra modern‚ spacious home with a semi-self contained one bedroom flat at entry level.  The RV is $820,000 – outdoor living is spectacular‚ section maintenance is minimal and the west facing views seem to go on forever.

Kellie‚ Shelley and I are working through the Christmas break‚ and so if you have a property that you would like to view and are in a position to make offers‚ we are very happy to get you through – you don’t have to wait till next year.

A number of our listings can offer virtually immediate possession which allows you to settle in quite early in 2012.

Finally‚ a very warm thank you to those of you who have transacted business with us this year – either listed and sold their properties with us or have purchased.  We wholeheartedly appreciate your business. In spite of the market having its challenging moments we have continued to grow our business so I must assume we are doing something right.  However we don’t ever wish to rest on our laurels‚ so if you have feedback on any part of our operation we would love to hear it.
 

Have an enjoyable and safe festive season.  We look forward to being of service to you next year.

As you read this we are experiencing flooding and slips in parts of Nelson – fortunately the vast bulk of my listings are safe, sound and secure which just confirms what good buys they represent. 

In spite of the lousy weather, all things considered we still feel this is still the best part of New Zealand to live. 

Our new listing at Marsden Valley Road is rather special – on an elevated lifestyle block of 5.5 hectares well above Stoke, this cherished family home has a pool, lots of privacy, terrific views and an RV of $950,000.

 Shelley, Kellie and I are working through the Christmas break so if you need to view any of our listings we are more than happy to assist.  Given the time of year, at least a day’s notice would be appreciated by both us and our vendors.

This coming weekend is the last chance to view our listings at open homes, and we have 6 fine properties for you to browse.

We will however be working right through the Christmas break and our team are available for viewing appointments where required.

 We have three new listings to announce next week, so we’ll do a final newsletter for the year next Wednesday and profile those.

My favourite quote of the week comes from Ann Landers, advice columnist, who says “The trouble with talking too fast is that you may say something you haven’t thought of yet.”

 As the pace of life builds to a crescendo in the countdown to Christmas, we’re all taking things in our stride in the office here, and trying not to talk too fast.

 Enjoy the week

 
Last week I referred to the Nelson Mail article on Nelson North. To see that article, click here.
 
There’s still a few weeks left to purchase and still be in your home before Christmas, so we look forward to meeting you at this weekend’s open homes, which are all on Sunday this week.