Amanda loves to travel and by proxy, I now love to travel too. It’s not always easy when you’re in real estate. That nagging feeling of guilt about being away, the worry that you might miss an opportunity. It never fully disappears, no matter how long you’ve been in the game.
But travel is good for you. After all, if no one had travelled, Italians wouldn’t have tomatoes. And without tomatoes… no pizza. The world’s better when we explore. We open our minds, gain fresh ideas, and challenge old ways of doing things. This month, I’ve jotted down a few observations from our time away and how they might just apply back here at home.
Build For The Environment
One of the standout experiences of the trip was staying in a riad in the medina of Marrakech. Designed centuries ago for their climate, these homes are genius in their simplicity: open courtyards, shady water features on the ground floor, thick walls, and natural ventilation. No air conditioning required even in 40 degree heat. In winter, families would move upstairs to benefit from radiant warmth and open fires. It was clever, climate-conscious design rooted in local knowledge.
Back home, we still seem determined to build Tuscan villas in temperate Wellington and designing houses that don’t fit our environment. It’s time we started thinking more like the Moroccans.
Size Doesn’t Matter
As we’ve mentioned before, bigger isn’t always better especially when it comes to housing. Across much of Europe, homes are noticeably smaller than the average 150m² we see in New Zealand. But that’s not necessarily a downside.
One of the key things many buyers overlook is the ongoing cost of maintenance. Just like buying a car, the purchase price is only the beginning. It’s the upkeep. The regular servicing, the repairs, the energy bills where the real cost lies. The larger the home, the more expensive it is to run.
The takeaway? Don’t just focus on square meterage. Instead, think about utility. A home that’s well-designed, efficient, and fits your lifestyle within a smaller footprint can offer far more value in the long run.
Build For The Future
I’m not sure whether I was brave or mad, but I hired a car and drove across Spain and into Portugal. It was my first time driving on the right-hand side in 25 years, throw in narrow streets, one-way systems, and a Portuguese man in Porto calling me crazy, and you get the picture. The thing is those streets were designed for horses and carts, not hatchbacks. And it got me thinking, if we don’t build with the future in mind, we’re always playing catch-up.
It’s the same with renovations. Trends come and go, but classic design endures. Go timeless, not trendy. Black kitchens are out (you heard it here first).
Good Service is Good Business
I love good service. Not silver cloches and bow ties, just the kind where nothing’s too much trouble. That kind of hospitality that quietly says, “We’ve got you.”
When one of our girls ripped a dress in Marrakech, a staff member took it without fuss and returned it 10 minutes later, expertly stitched. No charge, no drama, just a sense of pride in making things better.
Here in NZ, we’re good at doing the job but sometimes we forget the service part. Those little extras don’t cost much, but they’re what people remember.
The Wellington Market
I’d hoped to return to a roaring market sadly, it’s more of a gentle murmur. As Amanda mentioned in last week’s Market Update, Wellington prices are down 4.4% year-on-year, with the median sales price for the region now sitting firmly in the $700Ks a full $300K below the 2021 peak. All eyes are on the Reserve Bank and the next round of interest rate cuts. We need something to breathe life back into this market.
This is my second recession in real estate and it can feel like it’ll never end… but remember: you can’t have a recession without first having a boom. So maybe, just maybe, that’s what’s next.
Wellington Market Quick Stats
What’s on in Welly?
Visa Wellington On A Plate, Various locations, 1-31 August 2025
This year, the festival theme is ‘Food is love’. It’s a tribute to the joy of connecting over kai and the capital’s vibrant, resilient hospitality scene. “We want August to feel like one big love letter to the city and the incredible people who call it home. There’s an event or burger to suit every budget and every taste,” says Festival Director Beth Brash. The 2025 VWOAP programme serves up over 100 love-themed events and more than 200 burgers.
Beervana, Sky Stadium, TSB Arena, 22-23 August 2025
Beervana is back and bringing the best craft beers to Wellington’s Sky Stadium. Held over two days, Beervana is New Zealand’s ultimate celebration of good beer. It’s perfect for anyone (over 18) who wants to know more about beer, try an interesting brew, or just have a fun beer-themed day out.
Coldplay by Candlelight – The Opera House, 4 September 2025
British band Coldplay have been around since 1997. Their mix of alt-rock and Brit pop has propelled them to international stardom. Now you get to experience their music in Wellington in a candlelit environment. Coldplay by Candlelight is the ultimate tribute act. Featuring a spectacular cast of world-class vocalists and an epic live band, the show presents Coldplay’s biggest hits like never before.
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