Howie John - Real Estate

🥊🏃‍♀️ 🏋‍♀️ ❤️

A little bit of stability in uncertain times 🌊

With so much going on in the world right now, I know a lot of us are watching the news and feeling that extra layer of stress. It’s hard not to feel that "global weight" on your shoulders.

Usually, I’d be posting about big sales and numbers, but honestly? It’s just been nice to see Point Chev stay so resilient. Even when the world feels a bit chaotic, it’s heartening to see that people still value the "bricks and mortar" of a community like ours.

Despite the uncertainty, the market here has been remarkably steady. We’ve had a really solid March at Barfoot & Thompson, helping local families move forward with confidence:

Check out some of our March highlights right across Point Chev.
📍 397 Point Chevalier Road – A stunning result at $3,070,000!
📍 27A Saint Michaels Avenue – Sold for $2,800,000.
📍 11 Tui Street – Secured at $1,726,000.
📍 16 Sutherland Road – Sold for $1,650,000.

Across Auckland, it was actually our busiest March in five years. I think that speaks to the peace of mind that comes with a trusted network like Barfoot’s—1,800+ of us looking out for our clients, no matter what’s happening globally.

If you’re feeling unsure about the timing of things, or just want a realistic, low-pressure chat about your street, I’m always around. No hype—just a coffee and some local perspective.

See you around the neighborhood. ☕️

SOLD! Strategy is everything. 🎯

46B Fairlands Avenue is officially SOLD, and this one was all about the game plan.

We knew we had a "special" property on our hands, but we also knew the stakes. Our vendor needed a strong result to move on to her next chapter, so we couldn't afford to get the pricing wrong.

The Strategy: We didn’t just put a sign in the dirt and hope for the best. We specifically targeted First Home Buyers—the engine room of the current market.

The Pricing: This was the make-or-break part.

Price it too high? We’d sit on the market, lose momentum, and miss the best buyers.

Price it too low? We’d leave money on the table and waste everyone’s time.

We hit that "sweet spot" perfectly. By positioning the property right from day one, we generated the exact momentum needed to get a premium result for our vendor.

It just goes to show: it’s not just about the house—it’s about the strategy behind it. Huge congrats to our vendor and the excited new owners!

Thinking of selling? Don’t leave your price to chance. Message Rick or myself and let’s talk strategy.

Howie

What a day at Eden Park for the Trade Me Property State of the Nation 2026!

It was so refreshing to step away from the desk and actually look at the "big picture" for our industry.

As a self-confessed data geek, hearing Brad Olsen (Principal Economist at Infometrics) was a total highlight. He has an incredible knack for breaking down complex 2026 economic data points so they actually make sense beyond the scary media headlines! 📈

A few other major takeaways:
🤖 The AI Factor: I’ve had my moments of "AI anxiety" (doesn't help that I love the Terminator films!), but Melissa Clark-Reynolds (Futurist & Tech Entrepreneur) totally flipped the script. She showed us how AI is a tool for evolution, not our downfall. Feeling much more "excited" and much less "killer robotty" now!

🤝 The Trust Currency: Colleen Ryan (Partner at TRA) gave a vital reminder that in real estate, trust is our true currency. Data and tech are great, but human connection and integrity remain the foundation of everything we do.

Feeling super inspired and ready to put these takeaways into action. Massive thanks to the Trade Me Property team for such a high-calibre event! 🏠🙌

(And for the record: No, AI didn't write this... though after today, the temptation was real! 😜)