Blog

It’s called the living room because it’s one of the most-used rooms in your home. Make it a room you also love the look of with these simple design tips from The Block NZ co-host and Your Home and Garden magazine editor Shelley Ferguson. Be your own detective Homework time: start to notice the thingsRead more

A beautiful kitchen is not only the heart of the home – it can make or break it come sale time. A few clever upgrades can go a long way in increasing the value of your home. But be sure to spend wisely and stick to your budget. Here are Shelley Ferguson’s top tips toRead more

pen homes are an important way to catch the eye of potential buyers and invite them to fall in love with your property. Here are 10 top tips to ensure your home makes the right kind of first impression with house hunters.   1. De-personalise Buyers want to picture themselves living in a property, soRead more

Selling a property for the first time can be a big learning curve. It can also be an emotional time, as you prepare to part with a home that is likely to hold many happy memories. Before your property hits the market, here are six mistakes to avoid. 1. Being in a rush Give theRead more

Is your dining space feeling tired, neglected or non-existent? Give this integral space some time and attention by planning easy interior updates and you’ll be rewarded with a fun, flexible, hardworking and handsome room. Shelley Ferguson looks at 10 reasons you’re having relationship issues with your dining space. 1. It’s boring If your dining space isRead more

Updating your kitchen doesn’t have to cost the earth. A few clever tweaks can go a long way in making your kitchen look and feel refreshed. Here Shelley Ferguson’s weekend once-over tips. THE WEEKEND ONCE-OVER Cost $0-$1,000 Sort it out A good weekend clean and organise can make you feel like you have a newRead more

A simple moving day essentials kit can go a long way in helping your move go smoothly. You spend the better part of a day shifting box after box into your new home, excited to finally sit down and enjoy a dinner of pizza or fish and chips on the living room floor. Then someoneRead more

You’re ready to sell your house, but is your house ready for sale? Preparing any property for sale can feel like a daunting and often overwhelming task, however, a few simple techniques can make all the difference in securing a sale. Making sure your house is presented in the best possible light could have aRead more

Some tips for trimming the cost of your mortgage by our mortgage advice partners Mortgage Express As a homeowner, paying off your mortgage before you retire is important. Once you hit retirement age, the last thing you want is to be saddled with debt, or to have to continue working to pay off the balanceRead more

When you’re decorating, there’s white (which you can buy as Resene White), and there is a slew of other whites or off-whites, with touches of yellow, green, brown or grey turning them to alabaster, chalk, ivory, cream. Each variation can have a striking effect on your decor, so it’s important you choose the best shadeRead more