I have seen the auction process becoming more used here in Kansas City. I haven't seen the seller leave 100% happy, though. The 3 ways of listing properties in New Zealand seems interesting. Is the real estate market slow?

Dowell Taggart Team

the third way to sell a home using a tender as you call it is interesting.No counter offers and negotiations there! It is quite well known that NZ is a scenic and lush country but I was surprised at their water system.If it works why not.Thank you for sharing this part of international real estate.

With the drought conditions in many parts of the US, I can see more buyers becoming interested in water systems like the one you described.  Wonder what it would take for the public to become more aware of alternatives like that?

Joanne - I thought you were on vacation in New Zealand and here you are posting about their real estate cutlture!  Wow!!  Now you've got me wondering how people there making $68k are affording homes over $400k!  They must have 60 year mortgages there or something!  (or really good mortgage brokers)

Beautiful views, oh my. Have fun !!

Joanne, I hope you are having a wonderful time there, it sounds like it and I loved that you shared those pictures with us.  I'm sure we'd all love to see more, I know I would!

Joanne, Former sellers of mine relocated to New Zealand.  They shared this same info with me when they were buying a home there.  One other issue they came across was that agents only work single towns.  Since they were looking in several adjoining towns, they had to work with several agents.

I don't know if that's the norm, but that's what they had to deal with (this was in 2003 or 2004).

They have that water containment system for all their water needs.  They say it works great.  Hey, if we can get our water from the ground, then why not get it from the sky?

Enjoy your time in New Zealand.  We're still waiting for the kids to grow up to be old enough to make that flight...then we're going, too!

Wow, how real estaste can dffer between countries!  Enjoy your time there and keep us posted...I'd love to know other differences as well such as how they decorate there and how large the houses are!!!

Chris, the market here has been very good, but they just got a 1% bump in interest rates, which will probably slow it some.  They are forecasting that 2008 will be slower.  It might help first time home buyers who have a terrible time affording anything.  I talked to a new homeowner the other day who said that all their money goes on their mortgage and they can't afford to eat out or do anything extra.  Luckily, most of the fun stuff here is free...it is a very outdoor oriented country.  They are Americans who fell in love with New Zealand when they honeymooned here.  They sold their house in Austin TX and just moved here! 

Lloyd, the cities have municipal water systems, but you don't need it in this part of the country.  There is plenty of rain. 

Penny, I can't see it happening in the US as much of the water is already owned by someone before it falls out of the sky!  (at least in the west).  People used to have cisterns in the country and this catchment system is similar. 

Susie, I am not sure how long the mortgages run.  I will have to find that out.  I know the rates are higher than ours, and are about 9.5% right now with a two year term!  I think the market has been fueled here by second home owners and foreigners and they are probably cash buyers.  I do know that NZ has more debt per capita now than the US does!

Missy, I am having a great time, thanks!  Getting ready right now to go to my pilates class....

Carole, I will have more photos when I get back as I need a faster connection.  While I was waiting on one of these to download, I took a shower!  At least I have internet now, when it works.

Don, it is a beautiful country, and everyone should come here if they get a chance.  The only negative on the water system is that rainwater has no flouride and few minerals.  I didn't realize until I was much older that my teeth suffered from growing up drinking rainwater.  At that time they didn't supplement flouride and we didn't take vitamins.  I have lots of crowns!

What a beautiful beach! And green trees! OK, I know it's Spring/Summer there and I'm going thru with drawl.

Chris, most homes are small, but a lot of the new ones being built are considerably larger and grander.  The every day home that most of the population lives in is perhaps 1200 sq ft, 3 br and 1 bath.  However, they are as open to the outdoors as possible, and most homes of walls of windows or folding doors that slide open on a track to open up the wall.  No window screens, so we bought mosqito nets.  Decor is minimal for the most part as most people seem to prefer a very clean contemporary look. 

Joanne - Is that why I have several crowns already?  It was growing up with well water!
:)

Joanne, You are a realtor undercover!!!!! I love your reports and can't wait to see more pictures, but for now go and have funnnnnn.

Dena, it is early summer here, and a wonderful time to be here.  Peak season starts when we leave, and when we come back next year, we will do the same time again.  The only downside is that it rains a bit more, which it is doing right now!

Don, well water is ok, because it gets minerals from the ground.  Rainwater has none, and that is the issue...  But you can use that as a reason if you like  ;)

Mana, I am having fun!  My sister is going crazy right now, but I am online and the rain will let up soon...

Joanne - how lucky for you to be born in NZ.  We visited there a few years ago and I just loved it - all of it.  It did remind me of Hawaii and lot.  The people were so nice too.

Hi Georgina, the north part of NZ reminds me of Hawaii too.  It is very lush and green with lots of flowers.  I am back now :( but glad to be home again.  A month is the perfect length of time for vacation!