Market Watch

Well Autum is done and dusted, however I know we have some lovely days here in Christchurch right through May and although crisp can be lots of sunshine in June, so here's to making the most of them.

Well it is a Topsy Turvey market, although probably no different from every other business.

There is talk out there the market is dead, - the market never dies it may slow or take off but it never dies - in April alone there were 511 sales in Christchurch, sellers and buyers who made a decision and moved on. These people just got on with it instead of procrastinating!

The market has changed from though from a shortage of listing prior to Christmas to an influx fromFebruary, which has changed the market back to a Buyers Market. Buyers don't sit on the fence though as while we are all thinking about it, the market will have changed again and you will have missed out yet again - the market is ever-changing and it is different from suburb to suburb.

Sellers- gone are the days when people will pay 'moon money' for your property, that stopped in early 2007, as there is no confidence to pay more than market value, and why should they. There is nothing out there to suggest there will be Capital Gain in the short term, and any gains will not be at those that were there from 2004/2007. Those heady days are over unless there is a major catastrophe somewhere else in the world. We need a huge influx of wealthy overseas buyers who have already been able to sell their homes in their own country to enable them to buy here. This market is a normal market and we all have to get used to it.

If you are on the market and not selling then the No 1 reason, is your price is too high. A buyer will forgive the things not right in a home provided the price reflects that. As always in any market if you price correctly you will sell and if buying and selling in the same market it is all relevant.

When buying remember the old adage write down the 10 things you want in a home and when you find one with 7 of them, then buy it. Those people who say there is nothing out there for them, expect 10 out of 10 and even their own home doesn't have that otherwise they wouldn't be selling.

As always I am only a phone call or an email away and I look forward to helping you.

NAN AND GRANDAD

Bruce and I have welcomed to our family a dear wee boy, Dylan Thomas on Friday 26th February, actually a big boy at 8lb 11oz. Carrie and Scott are absolutely delighted with their beautiful son.
Dylan is growing like a mushroom. Seen here at 8 weeks on Bruces 60th birthday wearing Bruces favourite sweatshirt.

You Are Only As Old As You Feel!

My father Frank Murfitt turned 90 in March.and shown here driving Ashley Cullen last year as a two year old. Ashley has now had six starts one win & two thirds, so the excitement is really keeping Dad so young - he'll live to he's a 100. LIFE IS ALL ABOUT YOUR ATTITUDE - STAY POSITIVE!

HORSES FOR COURSES

Something a bit different about Alison that you may not know. Alison is from a strong horse racing family, with extended family involved in both codes. However Alison’s immediate family is involved with Harness Racing.

This caricature of Alison was commissioned by Harcourts Grenadier in regard to Alison’s interest in Trotting but more importantly to acknowledge that she drove in the first Lady Drivers Race at Addington in November 1971. Now that shows her age!

Personality can open doors, but only character can keep them open.

Anon