everything's negotiable but the owners don't have to accept what you offer..more important than the last few dollars on the price is the orientation of the block, is there a potential view or sunny backyard or a few extra metres to allow for backyard access or room for a future pool or backyard shed, is there already underground power gas and telephone, street trees, what about traffic noise and distance to public transport and shops and schools etc so make sure you understand what you're hoping to buy and best of luck with your bargaining

It’s possible to create a beautiful landscape design with clients during the lockdown period in NZ. Recently, a client approached us with a big idea and we are able to make this happen, despite the face-to-face and site visiting limitations. The client is after a simple, yet modern and stylish space that is relaxing and private with easy access to the house. We decided on a redesign to the rear of the property to accommodate a new, attractive but affordable covered outdoor room. This also has a separate seating/hanging out area for both relaxing and entertaining. It has an easy flow to move around and between all the spaces. Part of the brief was also to devise solutions to create privacy from the neighbouring houses along the two most exposed boundaries, and to develop a new gardening area. Above: Landscape Concept Plan To make sure this design fit the client to a T, we asked them about their lifestyle as well! This is so important because it gave us a clear idea of just how functional we needed the space to be! The design has two main areas - the new louvre roof over the existing deck with moveable blinds and screens for privacy or for easy access between the deck and home, and also a new paved patio area on the existing lawn. This second space is specifically designed for relaxation and chilling out, framed by a beautiful garden bed of Crimson Queen Maples. We’re also going to combine a mixture of exotic and native plants to create a cohesive planting design, including an edible garden and layered trees for visual appeal. Above: A still shot from our 3D design walkthrough We’ve gone from design stages to pricing and planning and we could not be more excited to get to the site and work on transforming this space into an oasis! We’ll keep you updated once the lockdown lifts. For now, check out the video of our 3D Walkthrough: https://www.houzz.com.au/hznb/photos/example-of-one-of-our-3d-design-walkthrough-videos-auckland-phvw-vp~156918810

Almost there ! The previous owners at my new place have moved out ( well 98% ) as of last weekend , and I have the keys . At some stage I'll get the locks changed -- you just never know ! I've taken one large covered trailer load there , enough stuff for basic camping there haha . Right now , most of that stuff is in the garage . There's a self contained furnished flat above the garage too , so I could live there . As I have 6 weeks to move , I very cleverly thought I would clean everything ( I have a Bissell carpet cleaner and 2 5 litre containers of the fluid , as well as a steam mop , and all the usual brushes , brooms , mops , buckets , rolls of cloth , etc , etc . ) . Great idea ! I've started in the living area and master bedroom -- I was initially going to touch up the skirting boards and door frames etc , but even with a small artists brush and a 25mm paint brush , and white paint and masking tape and lots of paper , the white colours look a bit different . Enough to annoy me haha . So I've been down on my knees most of Sunday , filling any knicks in the wood with a wood filler . Next will be sanding , then painting . Dining , kitchen , family , lounge , foyer and master bedroom first . And that won't even be 1/3rd of the place done ! I think I'll need the 6 weeks haha -- its a busy time in several of my entertainment and sound businesses , plus lots of motorsport , including one trip to Christchurch which is 24 hours each way plus 3 or 4 days there , try and get a few days at the beach at some stage too , paint a commercial building , and the small added issue of a relatively new girlfriend too haha . A few late nights and/or 3am starts me thinks !

At one stage , this almost morphed into a car thread -- I just thought I'd put up some pics of quite a nice car With the sloping grille , that windscreen , etc , you'd wonder if it is a custom , but believe it or not , it is a 1925 Rolls Royce Phantom 1 coupe ! I just googled , and between 1925 and 1931 , 3512 sedans were sold , and 18 -- yes 18 -- of the coupes ! I'd say that 97 years ago , this would have been extremely radical . The sedan wasn't too bad and I'd be interested in the prices of the 2 at the time ( I can only assume the coupe was SOOOO expensive that not many people could afford them ? ) . Or maybe the coupe was considered ugly ? Who knows . As far as current values go , with only 18 coupes they are worth what someone will pay , but the last publicly reported sale was The Peterson Musuem in the US paid $1.5million for one . In 1991 . 31 years ago . No idea of its condition at the time , and it is on display now . At a guess though , I'd be surprised if you could get one now for under $40 million , and if someone sold one for $100 million it wouldn't even surprise me . Certainly one of my dream cars .