[JohnM]

Hi, I'm a newbie to this site. I'm considering moving to NZ from the US (cold michigan) and one of the things I'm investigating is if there is a market to buy houses that are run down, fix them, and sell for a profit. Can any members comment please? I am looking to maybe live at the northern tip of the South Island or maybe Hawke's bay on North Island. I have watched this site for a month now (after visiting NZ and falling in love with it), and enjoy your thoughtful and friendly posts.

Thanks,
John

[Moorf]

Hi John and Welcome to the Forum

What would your route be into NZ.. i.e. Skilled Migrant / Business Visa (property development)?

This particular decision will then had a knock on effect as to what job / profession you will initially need to undertake here until you have your PR.

There is certainly scope for renovation here - judging by the houses we've seen so far!!

Cheers
Moorf

[Diny]

Welcome John.

NZ are big into relocating houses. I know of several people who have bought an older style property and have relocated it to a plot of land elsewhere and then 'done it up'.

I'm sure you'd find some work.

Diny

[veronica]

Hi, you don't say what route you would be emigrating to NZ under but if you can get here there are plenty of properties that could do with TLC. so the potential is there. They are also short of all trades men at the moment so you shouldn't have a problem finding regular work if you choose to go that route instead/as well.

[chrissie]

I would say that you can't go wrong with renovating houses. About 90% of the houses we looked at could have done with knocking down and starting again from scratch. I would definitely say there is a living to be had if you are good at that kind of thing ( I wish I had those skills...I think I could make a killing!!).

[Dave & Sandra]

Hi John and welcome.

I would say YES there is a huge potential for that kind of thing in NZ - go for it if you can get PR.

[JohnM]

Thank you for the welcome and replies. I will probably try to get into NZ under the skilled migrant category. I am currently employed part-time at one of the largest research universities in the US (Univ. of Michigan) in the Info Tech field and I know it's on the shortage list. I also have a financial managment background. The other half of my work life is real estate--I am a liensed real estate agent and I also have three rental properties, and I have renovated 7 houses over the years and really enjoy that. I've also done handyman work for people who need it. Glad to hear there is a need for this!

Actually my dream would be to live on a boat and work for a winery doing their financials or property management/maintenance! But hey we can all dream, eh?

John

[veronica]

why call it a dream, start calling it a plan.

[JohnM]

Thanks for the encouragement! That will be part of my mission when I go back to NZ during the winter (hopefully July)--look for nice marinas with a winery nearby perhaps...