Home ownership in NZ: Helpful books

Below is a list of books about buying property, organising your finances, interior organisation and more. You can also find NZ Property Investor on OverDrive.

From renter to owner : practical, innovative ways to buy your first home today / Edmunds, Susan
“Respected property and business journalist Susan Edmunds has done the hard work to show you how buy first home in New Zealand. Most of us don’t have a big inheritance or limitless funds from the bank of Mum and Dad, so need help getting into a first home and navigating the many options. Book discussed how to apply for and structure your loan; the different properties worth considering, and different buying options, such as buying with friends. ” (Adapted from Amazon.com)

Home : the way we live now / Watson-Smyth, Kate
“Interiors expert Kate Watson-Smyth looks beyond the floorplan and shows how to evolutionally use the space you own or rent. By choosing from over 250 practical solutions, you can make your rooms multi-purpose even at a small space. Author provides a unique and innovative split-format page design for mixing and matching ideas and plans, whether working from home, using small spaces, or buying furniture. Also featured from hoteliers, interior designers and bloggers. (Adapted from the Catalogue)

The sophisticated property investor : for new and seasoned commercial property investors / Brill, Jeff
“Do you want to work towards financial freedom and create a legacy to leave a secure money machine behind your children? Herein you will learn the tools needed to invest in the commercial property sector, be it a building or part of one. No longer is this investment vehicle an exclusive domain for the rich, you can make substantial gains to secure your future. Contains an interview with Sir Robert Jones and other specialists in their field.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

Buyer beware : a New Zealand home buyer’s guide / Slade, Maria
“Written by a news journalist who has covered many of the horror stories, this book takes a no-holds-barred look at the challenges facing home buyers and offers savvy advice on how to navigate that minefield. It will appeal to all home buyers, with chapters on the search, mortgages and legal aspects, types of title, buying at auction, buying off plans, checks and warning signs, bodies corporate and the special problems to be found in Christchurch, there is plenty of information for everyone.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

Kiwi prefab : cottage to cutting edge : prefabricated housing in New Zealand / Bell, Pamela
“Unlike the previous impression of cheap and temporary, today’s prefab home is design rich, high-quality, and readily customised to individual sites and needs. It is likely to be state of the art, an innovative blend of architecture, design, manufacturing and construction. For example, the story of IBS, (Industrialised Building Systems) is a story of a NZ project that came close to revolution.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

Smashed avocado : how I cracked the property market and you can too / Haddow, Nicole
“‘Buying a property isn’t easy. It’s not meant to be. It’s one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll make in your life. But it is worth it . . . it’s hard, there will be shit bits, but it’s not impossible.’ At thirty, journalist Nicole Haddow had unstable income, no financial plan and only credit-card debt to her name. But less than two years’ later she was a home-owner. In Smashed Avocado, Nicole explains the steps she took to purchase her own home, alongside detailed case studies of other people who have found ways to enter the property market.” (Adapted from catalogue)

First home buyers guide : how to buy a home in New Zealand / Hampton, Wendy
“A guide to first home buyers written in plain English that explains the purchasing journey in simple terms. It includes amongst other matters simple explanations of the roles of the professionals, types of legal agreements, legal titles, types of ownership as well as a chapter on finance. The guide walks you through the decision making process and includes useful checklists and diagrams.” (Catalogue)

Housing

This blog includes some innovative ideas for improving housing quality, sustainability, and affordability.

150 best tiny space ideas / Zamora Mola, Francesc
“Discover the latest innovations in tiny space design in this lush compendium in the 150 Best series, showcasing 150 full-color profiles. As the price of large residences have become increasingly out of reach for many people, aspiring home owners have begun to think smaller. All the projects featured in this handsome reference were created by internationally renowned architects. Encompassing current trends in small space design, this book offers the work of international visionaries who have created and transformed a range of accommodations, from a micro-apartment in Taipei City to a silo in Phoenix to an island shack in British Columbia. ” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

How to survive a leaky home : risks, remedies and repairs / Van Dongen, Yvonne
“This book will provide information on the following: Tell-tale signs and other not-so-obvious signs, who to go to, what steps to take, how the Weathertight Homes Tribunal works, whether to go to court or use the state system, what to expect in terms of time and cost, what to claim for and whether to stay in the home or go during repair.” (Catalogue)

 

New Zealand property investor.
“The New Zealand Property investor magazine provides readers with information you can use to successfully invest in residential property. You can learn from the experts, read the stories of your fellow investors and keep up to date with the latest house prices and rental statistics.” (Catalogue)

Buying a house in New Zealand / Ripley, Alison
“Buying property in New Zealand is not only for those who have emigrated; the country is also an ideal destination for those who wish to escape from the bleak northern winters and spend a second summer in their dream house down under, helped by the “open-door” policy that allows nonresidents to live in New Zealand for up to six months without ….” (Catalogue)

 

Green modern : eco-conscious contemporary New Zealand homes / McCall, Claire
“Green Modern showcases design-conscious New Zealand houses that embrace a more sustainable way of living. Ranging from inner-city homes to remote retreats, each house demonstrates how thoughtful design and environmentally-responsive building techniques can work together to produce beautiful and ecologically sound living spaces. They are ‘smart’, eco-conscious homes that champion style and sustainability. ” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

Managing your investment property / Barnes, Rachel
“The property market is booming and more investors than ever are using property to build wealth. But there is more to property investing than just purchasing the right property. Whether you’ve got a property manager or are a DIY landlord, this is the essential guide for all Australian and New Zealand investors to ensure they’re effectively managing their investment and getting the maximum cashflow. Covering everything from finding tenants, setting the rent and securing a bond, to maintaining the property, Managing Your Investment Property covers all of the essential information to get the most out of your investment.” (Catalogue)

The sophisticated property investor : for new and seasoned commercial property investors / Brill, Jeff
“Those of you who want financial freedom and/or have a need to create a legacy to leave a secure money machine behind for your children, need to read this book. Herein you will learn the tools needed to invest in the commercial property sector, be it a building of your own or a share in one. No longer is this investment vehicle an exclusive domain for the rich, many mums and dads are learning how to play and making substantial gains to secure their future. Contains an interview with Sir Robert Jones and other specialists in their fields.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

Warm house, cool house : inspirational designs for low-energy housing / Hollo, N
“We all want to minimise our environmental impact, but we don’t always know how. In this book, respected Australian architect Nick Hollo provides valuable advice, illustrated by more than 100 inspiring contemporary examples of low-energy housing design, to help keep our homes cool in summer and warm in winter with little or no cooling and heating by appliances. From project and kit homes to new architect-designed houses, renovations and extensions, these low-energy principles can easily be incorporated into every home. ” (Adapted from the Catalogue)