Quick sale surprises vendor

The home Maureen Whyte, and late husband Bill bought six years ago sold three days after its open home.

While selling a house may be stressful for some, in the hot Hawke's Bay property market it was a breeze for Napier resident Maureen Whyte.

"I didn't get stressed at all, I didn't have enough time to be stressed," she said.

Mrs Whyte's Onekawa property sold a mere three days after her open home, with multiple offers received.

Although she had not expected her home to be sold so quickly, Mrs White said she was pleased it had.

When she and her late husband, Bill, bought the property six years ago it was brand new, so she said she had been very pleased to see what it sold for.

"I'm very happy with the price," she said. "It's a very, very comfortable house to live in, and there's a rural aspect which is really good."

After selling the three-bedroom home, Mrs Whyte was thinking about moving to Hamilton to be closer to family.

"I'm sad to leave Hawke's Bay but things change," she said.

Her house was sold through Tremains Taradale sales consultant Lisa White, who said the low number of days taken to sell was becoming more common in the heated Hawke's Bay property market.

"It was on the market for a week and a half in total, and everything ran smoothly," she said. "I'm urging people to wait for multiple offers, which are generally only days away."

The Onekawa home also reflected the current property market as it had sold above its rateable value (RV).

On average, properties used to sell for around 10 per cent above their RV, Ms White said.

Now, it was around 25 per cent, with some selling for up to 45 per cent above.

"In the 11 years I've been in real estate I've never seen such a ferocious market as this," she said.

As well as having a spacious open plan living, and family room, Mrs Whyte's "beautiful" home came equipped with "a lot of extras", Ms White said.

It had double glazing throughout, was built with high-quality materials, and despite being in a popular residential area there was a "rural element" to the property.

"There was superb presentation, that also helps with a sale," Ms White said.

"She made sure everything was well presented, which always helps to get the top dollar."