Welcome to the latest newsletter from goodGround! We hope that winter isn't treating you too harshly, and that you are looking forward to spring coming just around the corner - soon your block will be full speed ahead!

There are lots of new Lifestyle Blocks on goodground this month, take a look HERE if you or anyone you know is looking for a new challenge.

We're always looking for input and suggestions from you, the goodGround users, so if you would like to make a suggestion for the site or the newsletter then please do let us know at enquiries@goodground.com.

Product of the Month

Kitset homes

Kitset Homes NZ Limited is a new and refreshingly exciting brand in the Kitset Home industry in New Zealand. KHNZ clearly appreciate that you want simple, well managed processes to provide affordable kitset housing direct to you.

Kitset Rural is a range of rural buildings designed for you and your lifestyle block. Kitset Homes Director John Smith is available to all goodGround users - he's here to answer any questions you may have about building your own home, about your section, or about building rural buildings...

Martin says:

What's your block worth?

With all the recent talk of a slump in house and land prices it is worth examining the facts and figures for lifestyle blocks.

The list below shows comparisons for the three months of April May and June 2006 and compares them with the same months for 2005.

The above figures are a snapshot of the Northland area only. If you require figures for your area please contact me.

Three out of the four regions show a marked increase in the value of lifestyle blocks – I suspect there is more "catching up" to be done yet in these districts!

Three out of the four regions show a decrease in the average size of lifestyle blocks. The exception being the far north*. The far north figures have been distorted by two sales one of 125.5ha and another of 50.2ha. Remove these two properties and the trend is towards smaller blocks.

All regions recorded a drop in the number of blocks sold.

So to sum up; Fewer, smaller, but more valuable blocks sold in the measured 3 months in 2006 than in 2005.

For an estimate of the value of your block contact martin@goodground.com

Karla says:

This months feature property is unique in that it offers 7 separate titles covering a total of just over 14ha, some with direct water access. Click here to view all the property details. What the advert won't tell you is that this is a great community to live in. Offering that nice rural feel, peace and security. The local town has many services including kindergarten, primary and high schools. Boat club, bowling club, firebrigade, gym also a café, furniture/interiors shop, hardware, supermarket and more.

Enjoy the quiet life living here or maybe view this as a development opportunity. Its worth a look.

Steph says:

Following the launch of BSkyB's new broadband product in the UK this month, Sky isn't ruling out the chances of it's offering the same here in New Zealand.

Currently hampered by Telecom's hold over the telecommunications network, New Zealand would benefit hugely from better, faster and cheaper broadband services, to bring it in to line with other developed countries around the world. goodGround believes that these developments cannot come soon enough for rural broadband users in NZ, for whom services such as online banking, shopping, utility ordering and cheaper communication provide links to the outside world quickly and easily.

In the UK Sky offer FREE (NZ$0) 2 megabit per second broadband plans to its 8 million pay-TV customers, with 8 megabit per second plans with huge 40 gigabyte data caps for just $NZ15 a month - compared to the average current cost in NZ of $50 for 5 gigabytes! goodGround believes that this situation is holding New Zealand back as a nation in so many areas and we will stay on this issue. Again, if you have anything to add, or would like to make a comment please EMAIL us or post a message in our FORUM.