For some standing out is important and others run for the hills, not for everyone.
Standing out in business is different. For the majority getting noticed is a key priority. But yelling things people have heard before won’t get through. They’re tired of hearing it and switch off. People want stories that make them change the way they think, true ones are most engaging. Businesses that say and do real things no one else can will get people talking.
In this busy world it's hard to stand out and therefore hard to get noticed but it is essential for you to be recognised to be found in the right places and to make sure you tell your potential customers what is your USP (Unique Selling Point).
Read more on how you can define your USP and if you want help in either identifying it or, once identified, how to then translate this into, and across, all your branding platforms so customers know exactly who you are and what you offer them call Chris at AllBrand who can help you take your business to the next level.
If you'd also like support with different issues you have in your business and don't have any, or many, sounding boards why not head along to a meeting of The Independent Board - Fresh Thinking, a group of small business owners, who work together on solving business issues!
If you're worried about getting locked out of your house or car, here are some tips and tricks to help you avoid that situation.
Home lockouts can be frustrating and distressing, but they are common. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to help avoid being locked out of your home.
By following these tips and suggestions, you can significantly reduce the chances of experiencing a lockout and ensure that you always have access to both your house and your car. However, if you do find yourself in that situation, the local professional to call is Jason from King Locksmiths.
King Locksmiths, 34 Bay Vista Drive, Red Beach, Whangaparaoa
0800-55-79-79 - jason@kinglocksmiths.co.nz - https://kinglocksmiths.co.nz
Hearing losses usually develop very slowly, so it is easy to not notice them creeping up on you. If you are concerned about your own hearing, or that of a loved one, you can run a self check to give you some ideas. Hear Again, in Whangaparaoa, have an online self-check test, you are welcome to run through.
If you determin that perhaps hearing is affected but it may not actually be hearing loss it may be a case of blocked ears. Did you know approximately 5% of adults and 10% of children deal with blocked ears at any one time! If you’re uncertain whether ear wax is causing your hearing issue or whether an ear wax removal service can help, drop into Hear Again and their experienced staff will take a quick look free of charge. Ear wax removal is quite a simple and painless procedure and you can read more about what causes it and ear wax removal online with Hear Again.
Another frustration you, or a loved one, may experience is that annoying ringing in your ears! So what is it?
Tinnitus is the sensation of hearing sounds that aren't present in the external environment. It can manifest as ringing, buzzing, hissing, whistling, throbbing, booming, clicking, roaring, or a cicada-like noise. Tinnitus may consist of a single sound or multiple different sounds, and it can develop gradually or suddenly.
This condition is quite common, with most people experiencing it at some point, especially in quiet surroundings. About 20% of the population experiences persistent tinnitus, and for 4%, it significantly affects their quality of life.
Read more on what tinnitus is and how it can be combatted.
If you need support or hear advice remember Hear Again offer free hearing tests and also operate an in-home service if it's hard to get to their Whangaparaoa premises. The team are always happy to advise and help so you can "Rejoin the Conversation"!
Hear Again, Coast Whangaparaoa, 6 Main Road, Stanmore Bay, Whangaparaoa
0508-432-724 - info@hearagain.co.nz - https://hearagain.co.nz
Funerals play a very important role in helping us to cope with our grief. They are for the living – they provide us with an opportunity to say our goodbyes, to be with people to give and receive support and to reflect and share the memories of the life of someone we have lost that mattered to us.
When someone we love dies, the funeral is not for them, it’s about them. The funeral is for everyone who knew, loved and was connected to that person.
Read more on why funerals are so important from Forrest Funeral Services.
It is also important to pre-plan for your own funeral. This helps not only for your funeral to be as you would have wished but can also take away some of the stress behind organising the funeral for those who have been tasked with this job after you have passed away. Forrest Funerals can provide you with a funeral pack to guide you along the way and remind you of what will be needed.
You can also download a Funeral Checklist to ensure you don't forget any important details.
You can also record your choices of readings, music, pallbearers, flowers, etc. You can either complete a copy of the form online or download a form which you can then give to Forrest Funerals.
It can be quite daunting thinking about a funeral, whether yours or that of a loved one, but comfort and peace of mind can come from knowing what to expect but Forrest Funeral Services offer links and articles on the above and other questions including writing a Euology, embalming, burial or cremation, venue and catering and many other topics.
Forrest Funeral Services, 39 Riverside Road, Orewa (also in Browns Bay)
09-426-7950 - llittle@forrests.co.nz - https://forrests.co.nz
Lending is seeing a lot of changes currently so here's a breakdown of what to expect.
Currently a bank can only lend up to 15% of its money to owner occupiers with less than a 20% deposit. As of July 1st this rises to 20% so expect more first homes buyers to be able to enter the market, good news for them!
Investors also have some good news, their deposit requirement drops from 35% to 30%, also on July 1st.
These are finally in force as of July 1st and the Reserve Bank sets them at 6 times income for home owners and 7 times for investors. Banks have up to 20% leeway as well so there can be exceptions. With current test rates these DTI's are unlikely to have any impact on how much you can borrow and our calculations indicate they only come into play when interest rates drop to below 5%.
This is now back in play at 80% of the previous amount and goes to 100% in 2025. This means that property investors can claim the interest on their investment mortgages. At the present time this is significant as holding costs for investors are detering many from investing causing a shortage of rental property and so a rise in rents. The average rent across the Country is now over $600 per week, a direct result of investors pulling out of the market in recent times.
The biggie for most of us. The Reserve Bank (RBNZ) is focused on getting inflation under control and their main weapon is keeping interest rates high. Lenders on the other hand are trying to get rates down to stimulate the mortgage market. We have never seen such a 'tug of war' between RBNZ and the market and our view is that the market will start to win in late 2024 and make greater gains in 2025.
We have not seen the impact of this as yet. However with over 130,000 net gain to our population it's only a matter of time and this is perhaps the biggest potential boost to the rental sector. Few of the new migrants will purchase themselves, however they need to live somewhere to live and for most the only option is the private rental market.
ComCom as it's called released a draft report into New Zealand's banking system and its distribution channels. It also made comments around the mortgage Adviser distribution. This part of the report caused outrage within the mortgage Adviser industry and ComCom have been forced to apologise and revise their thought process and report. The fact is that in New Zealand over 60% of bank mortgages are arranged via Advisers whilst in Australia it's over 70%. The main focus of the report however revolves around making it easier to switch banks and products which is a good thing.
Whether you are looking for the first time or refixing or expanding your portfolio it's really important to engage with an Adviser. Why? For starters your own bank will only advise about their products, which may well be the most suitable, but they may not be. Lenders vary significantly in how they assess incomes and debt, there is no one size fits all. When refixing these-days the banks ask you to do it via an App or online. There is no advice process here and many Clients have complained that they need advice and should have it. By going through an Adviser that advice is tailored to your specific needs.
As always we at iLender are here to help, read some of our 425 or so online reviews, we really do make a difference.
Article provided by:
Jeff Royle, Financial Paramedic, jeff@ilender.co.nz
Mobile 021 765 016 | Phone: 0800 536 337, www.ilender.co.nz
When buying a property that you plan to rent out, or if you are a tenant moving in to a new property do you know if it complies with the Healthy Homes Standards and if you're not sure do you know final compliance deadlines?
The healthy homes standards seek to bridge the quality disparity between rental properties and owner-occupied homes, ensuring that the approximately 600,000 renting households in New Zealand can enjoy cozier, drier living conditions.
Regarding the standards: The Residential Tenancies (Healthy Homes Standards) Regulations 2019 came into effect on July 1, 2019, with the objective of tackling issues related to coldness, moisture, drainage problems, and drafts in rental properties. These regulations establish baseline criteria for:
All rental homes need to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards by 1 July 2025 and up to that date landlords have 120 days from any new tenancy to comply.
So who can help you check if the property you are looking at reaches the standards?
If you're on the Hibiscus Coast or North Shore we recommend a qualified building inspector and Healthy Homes inspector in Phil Yang from A Buyer's Choice.
With 15 years of experience in the construction industry, Phil has cultivated a keen interest in home inspection during his extensive career. This deep-seated passion has been a driving force behind his decision to transition into the home inspection sector.
Phil has earned full certification as a building inspector by successfully completing examinations administered by AHIT and InterNACHI, showcasing his commitment to professional development and expertise in the field.
The heating standard underwent revisions in May 2022 to account for the improved thermal performance of new homes constructed or renovated according to the 2008 building code requirements for insulation and glazing, as well as certain apartments. These changes imply that smaller heaters are generally adequate to maintain the required warmth in such types of dwellings.
To determine the appropriate heater size, landlords can utilize the heating assessment tool provided by Tenancy Services.
To meet the heating standard, landlords must furnish one or more fixed heaters capable of directly heating the primary living space in a rental property. These heaters cannot be open fires or unflued gas heaters; they must be permanently installed and not portable.
Acceptable heaters typically include heat pumps (if equipped with a thermostat), wood burners, pellet burners, or flued gas heaters. In specific cases, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.
Ceiling and underfloor insulation are obligatory in all rental homes where it is feasible to install them.
The healthy homes standards categorize New Zealand into three climate zones, each with distinct insulation requirements. You can find information about these zones on Tenancy Services.
Insulation standards are measured by the R-value, indicating how effectively insulation resists heat flow. Higher R-values represent better insulation, and this value will be clearly displayed on the product packaging.
Any newly constructed or renovated property that complies with the updated 2021 Building Code insulation requirements will also meet the healthy homes insulation standard. Landlords who installed new insulation since July 1, 2016, and have it in good condition are likely to already meet the healthy homes standard.
Tenancy Services offers an online tool to help landlords determine whether they need to upgrade or replace their insulation to meet the healthy homes standard.
Inadequate ventilation can lead to mold and dampness issues, posing health risks to tenants and property damage to landlords.
To address mold and dampness stemming from poor ventilation, rental homes must have operable windows in the living room, dining room, kitchen, and bedrooms. Additionally, kitchens and bathrooms must be equipped with extractor fans.
The ventilation standard was updated in May 2022 to permit the use of continuous mechanical ventilation systems that exhaust air outside from kitchens and bathrooms, provided the ventilation system received building consent on or after November 1, 2019.
Moisture Ingress and Drainage: Moisture can be a significant source of dampness in a residence, leading to health concerns for tenants and property damage.
Rental properties must possess effective drainage systems for managing stormwater, surface water, and groundwater. In cases where a rental property features an enclosed sub-floor space, landlords must install a ground moisture barrier if it is feasible to do so. If installing a ground moisture barrier is not possible, landlords are not required to install alternative moisture barriers.
Addressing draughts can help reduce heating expenses for tenants and maintain comfortable living conditions in rental properties.
Landlords must ensure that their properties do not contain excessive gaps or openings in walls, ceilings, windows, skylights, floors, and doors that result in noticeable draughts. Additionally, all disused open fireplaces must be sealed off or their chimneys blocked to prevent draughts.
Landlords who fail to meet their obligations under the healthy homes standards are in violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 and may be subject to exemplary damages of up to $7,200.
Most new or renewed tenancy agreements are required to include a compliance statement containing specific information about the rental property's current level of compliance with the healthy homes standards.
Private landlords who initiated or renewed tenancies between July 1, 2021, and August 27, 2022, must ensure their rental properties meet the healthy homes standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy. Private landlords who commence or renew tenancies on or after August 28, 2022, must ensure compliance within 120 days of any new or renewed tenancy.
Kāinga Ora and registered Community Housing Providers have until July 1, 2024, to comply, while all private rentals must comply by July 1, 2025.
In 2020, surveys of renters and landlords were commissioned to assist HUD and the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment (MBIE) in monitoring the implementation of the Healthy Homes Guarantee Act (HHGA). These surveys aim to track awareness of and compliance with the healthy homes standards through annual online surveys of renters and landlords nationwide.
For more information on the Healthy Homes Standards and tools please visit the Tenancy Services website or give Phil a call on 021 0286 6368 or email him at phil.yang@abuyerschoice.co.nz to get started on ensuring your proposed property complies with the Healthy Homes Standards.
