Have you ever wanted to be a business owner but let the idea of how difficult it all seems, stand in your way? Well, with Harcourts you don’t have to do it alone.

When most people think about what a career in real estate looks like, they think about the nuts and bolts of helping people buy and sell properties. It's certainly a great career choice, offering plenty of flexibility and earning potential, but what many people may not realise is that real estate skills, knowledge and experience can set you up for a range of career options.

It’s often Christmas time when thoughts turn to lighting up your home exterior – and then it’s all about creating a bold festive focus. But, if, say a visit to the Auckland Lantern Festival, has you inspired to light up your landscape in a more permanent way that’s really going to show your property off while maybe making it safer, here are a few things to think about:

The decision to sell is made, but how do you ensure potential buyers know your house could be their dream home? Here are five top marketing tools to help you get the best possible result for your sale.

Buying, selling, moving and renovating are all major life events, and it’s important you are covered by insurance every step of the way. Here’s how you can best manage insurance requirements so you aren’t caught short.

When purchasing a house

It’s best to contact insurance companies to arrange house insurance ahead of time as they may need extra information such as building reports, and if it’s an older home, details of re-piling, re-wiring and new plumbing.

If you can’t secure insurance before putting in an offer, then consider inserting a ‘subject to insurance’ clause into the sale and purchase agreement so you have time to confirm before it goes unconditional.

Take the time to understand the different types of insurance available to you – in New Zealand you can get total replacement, sum specified, and present day value policies. See the Insurance Council of New Zealand website for more information – www.icnz.org.nz.

When it comes to selling your house, we know getting the very best price with the least stress is your top priority. Auctions are often the best way to achieve this, as well as offering several other benefits for sellers too. Read on to find out why going under the hammer will likely work for you.

• Short and sweet

Auctions get maximum exposure for your property in a short period of time with a structured, intensive marketing campaign over a few key weeks. This approach not only creates a sense of urgency for buyers, but has the added advantage of meaning you won’t have to keep your house clean for months of open homes or agent visits, and you have a defined timeline to plan around.

Whether you are retiring, looking to free up some capital, or simply wanting to de-clutter, downsizing can offer some real advantages – but it also comes with some downsides. We weigh up the pros and cons of making this lifestyle change.

PRO: A smaller home means smaller bills

If you are looking to save on daily living costs, downsizing into an apartment or smaller home usually means you will save on basics such as heating costs, electricity, and house insurance.

Many of us have an idea for a potential add-on or major renovation for our home, but we don’t always get around to doing it. So, when it comes time to sell, is it worth getting the plans and/or consent ready to show potential buyers?

New subdivision developments are springing up around the country, and attracting buyers from all walks of life. Here’s a look at the good and the bad of these new neighbourhoods.

The laundry often isn’t somewhere we spend much time on when it comes to renovations or updates, but it is a room where many of us spend a lot of time each day. The importance of the laundry in daily living means it could be a deal-maker for potential buyers, so consider these tips to help you ‘clean up’ at sale time.