Relocate or Renovate? The Answer Most Kiwis Give Will Surprise You!
Six out of 10 Kiwis believe it is better to renovate than move house in the current market, according to research by survey firm Pureprofile.
The research, commissioned by Tower Insurance and released last month, shows that 58% of Kiwis believe it is better to renovate if they’re needing or wanting to upgrade their living situation.
Even more staggering, nearly two-thirds (68%) of Kiwi homeowners said they are likely to renovate their home in the next two years. And almost one-third (30%) are planning on spending more than $50,000 on an upcoming renovation.
Why all the interest in home improvement? Here are some of the reasons our clients are giving.

Unfulfilled Demand
The last few years have seen the biggest renovation boom in decades – so big, in fact, that many Kiwis are still in the planning stages. Part of the reason for that is that “more sophisticated and intensive work is being required, rather than standard repairs and maintenance work,” says Builderscrack spokesman Jeremy Gray.
“It’s not just that we have had a record number of jobs posted outright, but that the average value of the jobs are higher.”

Maximising Value
“Even though so many Kiwis have already unlocked the full potential of their properties by extending their homes or subdividing and adding secondary dwelling, there are plenty more who don’t realise we are sitting on a goldmine,” says Russell Poole, Managing Director of Pzazz Building.
One of the biggest opportunities that many New Zealanders aren’t aware of is the Resource Management (Enabling Housing Supply and Other Matters) Amendment Bill which allows three houses per site – or the opportunity to extend your home where that may not have been previously permitted.
“Our local Affiliate in your area can visit your property and give you professional advice on what may be possible,” says Russell.

Seeing is Believing
Shows on TV and YouTube such as Renovate, Don’t Relocate and Don’t Move, Improve have actually shown us much of what’s possible through home improvement. In Renovate, Don’t Relocate, property expert Sarah Beeny sets out to help homeowners optimize their space and transform their houses into functional hassle-free homes.
“The secret to a successful renovation is to keep in mind how families really use their homes,” she says.

The 3rd Dimension
“One of the reasons that many people choose to buy an existing home rather than renovate their current one is that you can go to an open home but you haven’t been able to really ‘experience’ a renovation until it’s completed,” says Libby Sims, 3D Visualiser & Project Facilitator at Pzazz Design.
“Until now,” she adds. “Pzazz Design’s 3D imaging and video service is the best way to avoid expensive mistakes as you give your home a redesign.”

She’s a Hard Road Finding the Perfect Home, Boy
Need more space? A proper cook’s kitchen? An office to work in? Better indoor-outdoor flow for summer?
Pardon our takeoff of the famous line from the old Speight’s TV commercial, but finding an existing home that meets all your needs and wants can be an incredibly frustrating task. That’s become especially true since the number of houses for sale across New Zealand dropped earlier this year, reducing the choices available to you by more than 30%.

Think Inside the Box
There are other arguments for renovating, too – you get to stay in the community you chose a number of years ago, you know the schools, your route into work, and the chances are your house has appreciated in value since you bought, so adding value shouldn’t be a problem.
But don’t just take my word for it – get a free in-home consultation from your local Pzazz Building and get an expert appraisal of the possibilities for your home.
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