Insights
What we're seeing in the market.
Short, honest reads on what's moving in our patch — Mangere, Manurewa, Papatoetoe and the suburbs around them. Written by the team, no fluff.
Sell my house in Ōtara: an honest 2026 guide
An honest read on selling in Ōtara in 2026 — the real range, who's bidding, and how to run a campaign that actually clears the room.
Pat Lapalapa · 28 April 2026 · 6 min read
How long does it take to sell a house in South Auckland in 2026?
An end-to-end timeline for a South Auckland sale in 2026 — pre-list, on-market, auction, settlement — with no fluff.
Pat Lapalapa · 19 April 2026 · 5 min read
Best schools in Papatoetoe: zones, decile and what buyers should know in 2026
A practical guide to Papatoetoe's school zones in 2026 — which homes sit in which zone, and how that shapes buyer demand on your street.
Pat Lapalapa · 12 April 2026 · 6 min read
Is Otahuhu a good place to buy in 2026?
An honest read on Otahuhu in 2026 — who's buying, what you get for your money, and whether it stacks up as a long-term hold.
Pat Lapalapa · 4 April 2026 · 5 min read
Mt Wellington vs Ellerslie: which side of the hill should you buy?
A side-by-side read on Mt Wellington and Ellerslie in 2026 — price gap, buyer pool, and which suburb actually fits your plan.
Pat Lapalapa · 22 March 2026 · 5 min read
Selling your house in Manurewa: what your home is worth in 2026
A straight read on Manurewa prices in 2026, what's moving, and what an honest appraisal looks like.
Pat Lapalapa · 16 March 2026 · 5 min read
Manukau to CBD commute in 2026: trains, buses and what it means for your home value
How Manukau commuters actually get to the city in 2026 — and how the transport links shape demand on the streets near the station.
Pat Lapalapa · 3 March 2026 · 5 min read
Mangere Bridge median house price 2026: what your home is actually worth
Mangere Bridge prices in 2026 — what the median says, what the median misses, and how to get an honest number on your home.
Pat Lapalapa · 23 February 2026 · 5 min read
First home buyer in Papakura: what $700k actually gets you in 2026
An honest walk-through of what a Papakura $700k budget buys in 2026 — what to look for, what to skip, and where the value sits.
Pat Lapalapa · 13 February 2026 · 6 min read
Auction or private sale: how we choose for your home
Most homes go to auction. Some don't. Here's the simple test we use to decide which one fits your house.
Pat Lapalapa · 4 February 2026 · 4 min read
Karaka new builds and subdivision options in 2026
What's actually being built in Karaka in 2026, who's buying, and how to think about a new build vs an existing home in the area.
Pat Lapalapa · 27 January 2026 · 6 min read
Manurewa rental yield 2026: what investors should expect
An honest read on Manurewa rental yields in 2026 — what the numbers look like, where the catches are, and how to think about a long-term investment hold.
Pat Lapalapa · 15 January 2026 · 6 min read
Mangere market read, January 2026
Where the Mangere market is sitting in January 2026 — what's selling, what's stalling, and what to do if you're thinking about listing.
Pat Lapalapa · 8 January 2026 · 4 min read