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Renting your next home should be a smooth and streamlined process.
At Raine & Horne we support you at every stage to find the rental property that suits your needs and your budget – no time wasting, no hassle, just all the help you need to settle into your rental home sooner.
As a fourth-generation 100% Australian-owned family business, Raine & Horne has a reputation for expertise and a commitment to excellence. With over 300 offices around the globe and over 72,000 properties under management, we take the time to understand your rental property needs and aspirations. No matter whether you’re renting for the first time, you’re new to an area, or you’re looking for a professional property manager with local knowledge, Raine & Horne’s rental service can help you enjoy a better rental experience.
Raine & Horne experts understand the real estate market, and we can answer all your questions about the rental process, market rents in your area, and what you can expect as a tenant.
Our professional rental service
Raine & Horne helps you find the perfect rental property solution for your needs backed by:
To enjoy a bigger choice of rental properties, and a better tenant experience, talk to Raine & Horne today – we can help you into your rental home sooner.
Securing a rental property is a competitive business. Owners are on the lookout for standout tenants, who will treat their property with care, while renters are eager to land the best homes their budget allows.
Ian Keightley, Head of Operations, Raine & Horne New Zealand says that to succeed a prospective tenant needs to act strategically and use every advantage to make themselves stand out from the crowd.
“First impressions matter and prospective tenants need to make rental applications shine, present themselves well at meetings with letting agents and showcase their suitability and reliability. Here are some proven insider tips from Raine & Horne that will help tenants present themselves in the best possible light and maximise their chances of success. Good luck!”
Provide a smart and error-free application
Make sure you include all requested information, write neatly or type answers and attach quality copies of requested documents. A well-presented application arranged in logical order using dividers and a folder showcases your attention to detail.
Provide strong references
Include positive references from previous landlords, employers or character witnesses to reassure landlords and make you stand out from other candidates.
Showcase your financial stability
It is important to show that you can consistently pay the rent and are financially stable. Include salary slips, printed bank statements and perhaps a copy of your employment contract. If you can, offer to pay rent in advance or offer a larger security deposit to, again, set you apart from others.
Write a personalised cover letter
Write a letter to sell yourself as the ideal tenant - but be sure to stick to the truth. Research the neighbourhood and say why you want to live there. This shows genuine interest. Highlight your qualities and character, such as how you are tidy, live quietly, are responsible and have skills that could benefit the property, such as being good at gardening. This will give the landlord insight into your character beyond the written application.
Treat meetings with property managers like job interviews
Dress well for meetings with letting agents or owners. We recommend smart casual attire with closed shoes rather than casual wear. Think about what you will say, be prepared for potentially challenging questions about your background, and make sure you arrive at the property viewing on time. Introduce yourself to the agent, smile and ask a couple of questions to stand out. If you are young, consider bringing a parent to the inspection as this can add credibility to your application.
Whether you want to rent, let, sell or buy a property, don’t hesitate to contact your local Raine & Horne office.
Having an investment property can be a great source of wealth generation but it comes with legal responsibilities and challenges. If you are contemplating becoming a landlord, you need to decide if you will manage the property yourself or use the services of a professional property manager. There are wide-ranging financial and other benefits of doing so, especially if you have a growing investment property portfolio.
Once you have carefully vetted and selected an experienced property manager the first thing they will do on a landlord’s behalf is find, vet and secure the right tenants.
This begins with advertising your property online. A property manager will then organise inspections and each applicant will be carefully assessed.
Property managers have access to tenancy databases that allow them to view prospective tenants' rental history. Your property manager can then advise you on the best application and highest quality tenant, leading to fewer problem tenants, decreased tenant turnover and reduced risk of having a vacant property.
Before the tenant moves in, a property manager conducts an entry inspection and routine inspections occur every three months afterwards to ensure the property's upkeep. These inspections include detailed reports and photographs documenting any repairs needed. A Raine & Horne Property Manager also has a strong network of trades people which ensures competitive pricing for maintenance and repairs. Additional benefits of using a property manager include:
Reduced stress and avoid potential tenant confrontations
Leaving a professional to manage your property means less worry and stress. Property managers act as a buffer between a landlord and the tenant and are expert at handling issues like late payments and property damage on their behalf. Using a property manager also prevents so called blurred boundaries that can occur when a landlord gets too friendly with a tenant.
Ensure you meet all legal requirements
If you own a rental property in Aotearoa, you are legally required to know and comply with several pieces of legislation. Property managers stay up to date with any changing legal requirements and ensure you stay compliant in dealing with tenants. They can also confidently act on your behalf if a claim is lodged with the Tenancy Tribunal.
Maximise your rental income
As well as ensuring rent is paid on time, a property manager can keep you up to date on changes in market rents for properties that are like yours, helping ensure you earn the maximum rent possible.
Whether you want to sell buy or rent a property, don’t hesitate to contact your local Raine & Horne office.
As house prices have steadily increased and interest rates have risen ‘rentvesting’ has become an increasingly popular strategy for Kiwis who can’t afford to buy the type of property they would like to live in but still want to get a foot on the property ladder.
What is rentvesting?
Rentvesting is a home buying strategy that switches the traditional model of home ownership on its head. Rather than buyers living only where they can afford, rentvesting allows you to rent where you want to live and buy an investment property in a more affordable location.
The idea is that some years down the track the rentvester leverages the increased equity and capital gains in their investment property to buy a house in a location they want to live in, or alternatively buy a second investment property.
Who does rentvesting suit?
What are the pro and cons?
Pros:
Cons:
What to look for in a rentvestment
Properties that are low maintenance.
Ian Keightley, Head of Operations, Raine & Horne New Zealand said: “People who are renting for a reason and have enough money for an investment property deposit should absolutely consider this strategy.
“It is another way to build wealth through property. Potential rentvesters need to do careful due diligence and talk to a trusted national real estate network which can advise on the best areas around the country to buy in from an investment and rental perspective and flag any hidden pitfalls.”
Whether you want to sell or buy a property, don’t hesitate to contact your local Raine & Horne office.
In real estate, timing can be significant – just like in rugby.
Just as savvy investors in Australia and New Zealand look for the next real estate hotspot before the rest of the market catches on, the Wallabies will be hoping to get the jump with their rising stars before the All Blacks unleash their full power in Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup match up.
It’s all about spotting an opportunity early, whether in a suburb or town or on the rugby pitch at Sydney’s Olympic Stadium and then making sure you’re ahead of the game when things heat up.
The Wallabies are bracing for a fired-up All Blacks outfit, fresh from their winless tour of South Africa, to come hard at them in the first game of the Bledisloe Cup in Sydney on Saturday.
The Australians, who last sipped sweet victory from the massive silverware that is the Bledisloe Cup, was way back in 2002 when star halfback George Gregan was leading the charge and the other George…. Smith was the incredibly talented openside flanker and the Wallabies rising star. The Wallabies probably wish they had 15 rising stars like Smith to take on the world-famous ABs this weekend. But let’s be honest – ending the 22-year Bledisloe Cup series drought is probably a bridge too far.
Flashback to 2002, and things were different. Vodafone sponsored the Cadbury Wallabies, and real estate prices were almost unrecognisable – a bit like the Wallaby backline in 2024. Back in the rugby union stronghold of Sydney, the median house price was $413,000, but now it’s edging closer to $1.4 million[i]. In Brisbane, another long-term source of Wallaby players, prices have skyrocketed from $198,000 to $885,500 over the last 22 years of All Black’s dominance. When the ABs started their winning streak, average house values in the rugby stronghold of Auckland were around $270,000[ii] – now they’re a thumping $1.062 million[iii]. In Wellington where the second leg of the Bledisloe Cup will be held on 28 September, average asking prices are a flick pass above $842,000[iv].
Lessons from rugby and real estate
Everyone is hunting for the next rising star in rugby and real estate. Like All Black rugby scouts on the hunt for the next Ardie Savea or a long-lost talented Barrett, real estate investors know the thrill of uncovering up-and-coming star turn. These exciting hotspots are often areas that are underperforming, and usually lying in the shadows of more popular suburbs.
Meanwhile, the wise old heads in the property engine room, like seasoned rugby pros, stay calm when interest rates are rising, vacancy rates are jumping, and values are softening. These investors play it safe, avoiding risky passes and focussing on long-term gains.
For savvy property investors, having the right mix of properties is like building a rugby squad. So, while your team should have a balance of different types of properties, quality, well-located properties are more likely to perform when the going gets tough and holding the fort when the try line is under siege. A sound investment portfolio will start with quality, well-located properties with appealing features such as a second bathroom, a garage, and access to schools, shops, and transport.
Like an expert rugby coach constantly adapting to the International Rugby Board’s never-ending flow of law changes, savvy investors will know about proposed planning changes in the suburb, or major infrastructure projects such as new railway stations, major roads, and even aviation improvements.
Flexibility can also be pivotal in rugby and real estate investing, with different approaches required in various conditions. While a fast-paced style of play with lots of long cutout passes might work well in the sun, the old ‘keep it in the forwards’ approach might be more appropriate during a downpour. The same is true with investing in property. You need to factor in that the spring might bring more properties onto the market for sale, while also factoring in the costs of ownership such as council and water rates, building insurance, landlord insurance, body corporate fees, land tax, land tax, property management fees and repairs and maintenance costs.
Like a skilled rugby coach, experienced investors understand that outstanding results depend on treating their tenants with respect, maintaining clear and transparent communication, and trusting their support teams led by their Raine & Horne property manager to keep the game running smoothly.
Finally, as a fan, getting home from Accor Stadium in Sydney or Wellington’s Sky Stadium takes ages. Of course, you could leave early, but then you risk missing a winning five-pointer. However, smart phones allow you to leave early and continue to watch the match as you exit the stadium. The property investing equivalent of beating the crowds out of the ground early, is trying to make your real estate move before everyone else jumps in – by doing your market research, getting a preapproved investment property loan and taking advice from your local Raine & Horne agent.
With the RBNZ already reducing rates and with some predicting up to four rate cuts from the RBA in 2025, now is the ideal time for property investors to act – especially with real estate experts on both sides of the Tasman believing that markets have bottomed and are beginning to recover.
If you are considering selling or buying a property as the end-of-season rugby internationals heat up, contact your local Raine & Horne office today.
[i] https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/economy/price-indexes-and-inflation/total-value-dwellings/latest-release#data-downloads
[ii] https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/homed/real-estate/127773204/how-much-harder-is-it-to-buy-a-house-in-2022-than-in-2002
[iii] https://news.realestate.co.nz/blog/new-zealand-property-market-2024-august
[iv] https://news.realestate.co.nz/blog/new-zealand-property-market-2024-august
Selling a property involves a series of crucial decisions – financial, emotional and increasingly technical.
One of the most important decisions you’ll make when selling your property is choosing an agent who will represent you. No matter what type of property you are selling, selecting the right real estate agent is key to unlocking the best possible result.
Sellers are often encouraged to seek recommendations from family and friends, who can help them prioritise agents with strong local expertise. Then as part of the selection process, they are urged to try to observe the agent in action to ensure they feel comfortable and confident in their choice.
But there is an additional critical consideration – how an agent plans to go about selling your property and the technology they have at their fingertips to achieve this.
Ian Keightley, Head of Operations, Raine & Horne New Zealand said: “These days almost every active property search begins online. But sometimes, the person who’ll pay the best price, isn’t even actively looking.
“Sellers need to ask, can an agent connect with this passive buyer, and whether they have the technical capability to put your property in front of the right people at the right time in the increasingly competitive online marketplace?
“At Raine & Horne we believed sellers should not only look at an agent’s qualities but also at the strength and capabilities of the national firm that stands behind them.
“We have invested heavily into a unique social media marketing platform we call Amplify™ to ensure all our agents are equipped to market your property online to the ideal buyers. Having such a capability is a must to achieve excellence and not just a nice to have,” Keightley added.
Amplify™ showcases the best of your property in more than 70 different online advertisement variations and then shares these advertisements across Facebook and Instagram and as Google-powered display ads.
Amplify™ targets audiences accurately by using the power of Artificial Intelligence to interpret data from Google, Facebook, and Instagram and match potential audiences to your property based on their location, interests and online behaviour, ensuring your property is seen by those most likely to be interested. Once it sees who is responding to your advertisements Amplify™ goes out looking for more potential buyers like them.
And the results speak for themselves. Ian said, “Our research showed that our Australian customers whose agents used Amplify™ sold their properties 9 days faster, had a $AU36,890 increase in average sale price and had a 16% higher success rate compared to properties sold without it.
“It’s still early days for Amplify™ here in New Zealand, but the initial signs are that we can achieve similar results for our clients.”
Learn more here https://www.raineandhorne.com.nz/amplify
Whether you want to sell or buy a property, don’t hesitate to contact your local Raine & Horne office.
An anticipated boost in buyer confidence following last month’s cut in the official cash rate (OCR) by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) has been quick to materialise, resulting in an uptick in buyer activity.
Data from realestate.co.nz shows that following the cut on 14 August, which was the first in four years, the market quickly responded.
In the 14 days following the RBNZ announcement, there was a noticeable surge in buyer activity compared to the two weeks before it. Residential listing enquiries increased by 8.5% and 6.2% more people saved a search so they would be notified about new listings.
While buyer interest jumped, the national average asking price for houses across the motu fell by 0.5% to $844,595 in August. While this was the lowest average in three and a half years and down a 3.4% from August 2023, national houses prices continued on the general flat trend of the past 18 months.
Across Aotearoa new listings increased by 8.1% year-on-year in August, going up in all regions except Nelson & Bays, Northland, and Coromandel (with decreases of 18.1%, 11.1%, and 5.9% respectively). However, healthy house stock levels started to soften, dipping below 30,000 homes for the first time in six months, realestate.co.nz research showed.
Ian Keightley, Head of Operations, Raine & Horne New Zealand said the boost in buyer interest was expected and continued to urge buyers still sitting on the sidelines to get into the market before competition for the best properties increased.
“The rise in new listings suggests that more vendors are viewing now as a favourable time to sell, with increased buyer interest amid continuing house price stability. Buyers can benefit from extensive choice in the market as well as lower interest rates, which are expected to fall further.
“I would advise buyers not to wait for further interest cuts as the market could leave them behind. There are indications the market has bottomed, and we are entering a new phase. Further cuts are likely to lead to more upticks in house prices, especially if house stock levels continue to soften.
“Our Raine & Horne New Zealand offices are reporting a strong start to the spring sale season, and we could see this maintained throughout the summer and into autumn if buyer confidence continues to grow.
“Buyers need to understand it is time in the market that pays dividends rather than trying to time the market which is difficult to always get right,” Ian Keightley said.
Whether you want to sell or buy a property, don’t hesitate to contact your local Raine & Horne office.