“There will be a Mission Gala and Garage Sale this Saturday 25th of September between 9am and noon at the Paraparaumu Memorial Hall” says Paul Scrimshaw leading Real Estate Agent with Tommy’s Real Estate on the Kapiti Coast. “If you are looking for White elephant, plants and shrubs, gifts and novelties, books and records, knitted clothes, clothing – new and used, toys, games and puzzles, raffles and tom bola, odds and ends, cakes and sweets sausage sizzle then this is the place to be”!
“Not many real estate agents are photographers” says Paul Scrimshaw, leading real estate Agent For Tommy’s Real Estate on the Kapiti Coast “and less still possess a quality camera with versatile lens and associated software to enhance photographs”.
There are millions of property photographs on real estate web sites and when you only have a picture working for you, it needs to be the best you can get. Some useful tips are:
- Internal shots looking to outside the house need multiple shots cut and pasted to be of marketing value.
- The sky should be blue.
- Staged shots are critical when using 1/2 page and full page advertisements as are shots of higher resolution to avoid pixels showing.
- Pictures taken of a house in shade do nothing to promote the property.
- Driveways and fences are rarely the most appealing feature.
- Remove clutter from rooms and the garden before taking your pictures.
- Invest in a professional real estate photographer. They make your marketing investment of greater value. It’s the first stage in your marketing programme.
On Saturday 18th of September between 10am-2pm at Parparaumu Beach School, Gray Avenue. Come on down and bring the whole family. Rain or shine. Markets, food, rides, games, raffles and more.
The Reserve bank has opted to keep the official cash rate at 3% which is good news for people with floating mortgages or for people about to buy a property as the interest rates the banks charge are likely to stay at the current levels.
The Reserve bank has forecast a slowing of the recovery but no double dip recession as some people had predicted, so the economy is slowly picking up, which will be good for business moving forward.
ASB are starting to offer discounts to their mortgage rates and are offering legal contributions.
There is talk that banks may ease lending criteria for clients in terms of what they expect clients to have as a monthly surplus after they pay the mortgage payment, this can mean that clients may be able to borrow more.
This is an interesting environment we are currently marketing in and I have written below some hints that may help you
- Presentation….make your property stand out in the crowd….insist on great photography. If you don’t the photo’s the agent has taken make them go back and do better. Pay for a professional if that is what it takes.
- Make people read your marketing material and make them want to pick up the phone. Get the text right and captions in the adverts the internet flyers etc.
- Listen and investigate the market and your agent. You may need to hire a registered Valuer if that is what it takes to make sure you price the property right – sharply for the market.
- Don’t be scared to advertise, place your property up there in lights. You are in a competitive environment and you need to make sure that EVERY SINGLE PERSON who is looking to buy a property like yours is aware that you are on the market.
- When visits occur, carry through with the presentation, make sure lawns are mowed, the exterior of the house is washed, gardens are weeded
- While Location is always a winner, to create a winner in today’s market there are three other factors and they are price, presentation, and promotion.
A concert is being held this month by the Kapiti Brass Band at the Salvation Army Citadel, 41 Bluegum Road, Paraparaumu Beach. Starting time is 2pm, Sunday 19 September. Entry is a gold coin donation
Barbecue Sauseges and Cake stalls can still be held at Kapiti Coast markets for charitable or community groups.
There are however high risk foods which cannot be sold which include include meats, chicken and pates.
“Concerns that traditional Kiwi cake and jam stalls and sausage sizzles for good causes will become a thing of the past are unfounded,” Kāpiti Coast District Council’s Regulatory Manager Ken Smith said.
The policy adopted by the Committee will allow people to prepare foods for sale at markets in their home kitchens. The food must be of a low risk variety such as cakes and biscuits, jams and preserves, breads, honey, olive oil and vinegar and candies and confectionery. The kitchens must be inspected by Environmental Health inspectors. Operators must have undertaken an approved food hygiene course.
These Approved Operators will be able to sell products at participating markets within the Kapiti Coast District
“Looking for a townhouse within walking distance on Paraparaumu Beach shopping Centre?” asks Paul Scrimshaw leading Real Estate Agent for Tommy’s Real Estate, “This low maintenance, spacious, sunny home should be at the top of your list. It offers a fabulous new kitchen, generous conservatory opening onto private outdoor area for entertaining and is in short walking distance to the beach, shops and cafes of Paraparaumu”.

“More Kapiti Coast buyers are looking for easy low maintenance homes within walking distance to amenities and I think I have found the cream of the crop” says leading Kapiti Real Estate Agent Paul Scrimshaw from Tommy’s Real Estate. “This totally refurbished home is something special. 3 bedrooms, large single internal access garage plus generous double garage with workshop for Dad. You can enjoy the luxury of under floor heating and breakfast in the sunny conservatory. Fully fenced and nestled in a private cul-de-sac”

32 Manawa Ave Raumati Beach Kapiti Coast