barnsleymat

We just got a local builder to have a look around the house we've just bought, he climbed in the loft and had an hour poking around the property, it only cost $30.

TommyLuck

But it's undeniably very possible to commute from an hour or more away where it might be cheaper to live. But, people don't do it because it's too far, or I'll have to pay more for petrol and parking, etc, etc, blah, blah ...

People still have the choice to work, but not live in Auckland or London, or wherever.


Not quite sure what you're Neil Armstrong comparison is all about. It's an odd thing to come up with, albeit tenuously topical

My wife is an Aucklander, her family and friends are Aucklanders, I play Rugby here in London with Aucklanders who have family still in Auckland. I have taken plenty of honest opinions from people who work in a range of sectors, of a wide range of ages, and in different situations in terms of relationship (married/co-habiting or not), kids/no kids, etc. I'm also in touch with people who have lived in and moved away from Auckland and have sought their reasons for moving away.

I'm satisfied that I'm as well informed about Auckland as I possibly can be.

I'm under no illusion that it's cheap, but finding things relatively expensive isn't going to come as a surprise. IT'S A CITY ...

Bellasmum

Building inspections are done with a fine tooth comb. I have just read one and it is 14 pages long.

elasticated17

Well good news - we were pre approved for a mortgage. Just need to find the right house now!

Snap Shot

I thought you understood sarcasm TommyLuck.

MrsFychan

thats great, I would highly recommend you pay the extra and get a full building inspection done, our builders report was 32 pages long, with photo's to help with understanding what he was talking about. very thorough.
Our mortgage valuation report was also quite long, 21 page and again had photo's to help with explanation of report. At the end of the day you are investing a lot of money and you want to make sure you have as much information on it before you finally agree to take it on. (IMHO)

Bellasmum

I couldn't agree more. It will also ensure any additions, renovations have met building requirements etc.

TommyLuck

What do you mean?

Of course I intend to "slot right in and feel right at home".

Browner_

What other sorts of bidders are there at an auction?
If you buy a property (auction or otherwise) without being reassured of its build quality then I wish you the best of british luck. Its a huge risk, especially given the well known problems with NZ housing.

Personally, I think auctions are fraught with danger.

Browner_

Its a very personal thing, because I would never ever get on a bike in NZ as I know that every second car is either unroadworthy, driven by a boy racer, or a drunk,drugged or txting driver. No thank you.

TommyLuck

Roughly 4 in 10 cars in London have a problem with the car (lack of MOT, dodgy lights, dodgy tyres) and/or the driver (lack of insurance, no license, disqualified, drunk, drugs).

As for texting drivers, if you think that problem is ANY better here you are very much mistaken. In fact I reckon I see someone actually talking on the phone on my daily cycling commute, usually in and around red lights. Despite the risk of a £60 fine and 3 points on their license.

Given that the ppopulationof the whole of New Zealand is half that of the city that I regularly cycle in, I'm guessing that the risks are higher here.

To date, I've have more trouble with pedestrians, not paying attention to the road usually listening to music and/or playing with their phone, than I do with motorists. Since May 2009 I've cycled about 15,000 miles/24,000km through London.

chocolate cake

Having plenty of experience commuting by bike in both London and Auckland, I can assure you the road safety situation is damn site worse in the latter.

Back on topic, houses are ridiculously expensive in Auckland, but unfortunately that's where the most work is, and seemingly where high percentage of migrants migrate to. So seems likely to stay that way.

Auckland's % of NZ popn is a decidingly unhealthy one, certainly more than say London/UK, Sydney/Australia.

Bellasmum

We have bought two houses at auction and very happy with both. My point was if you intend to bid at auction you need to have had a builders report etc, including your pre approved finance arranged prior to auction day, and due to the cost involved you would only do that if you were a serious bidder.

HTH

TommyLuck

Seriously? Wow.

I've cycled in a few countries, I think being a sensible cyclist also helps.

We'll see.