Helping you find your place, your way, with expert guidance for every step of your property journey.
Hosted by Andrew Johnson, the Trends Property Insight Series delivers real conversations with New Zealand’s top designers, builders, service providers, and industry experts.
Whether you're renovating to sell, building new, or simply making your current home work better, each episode brings practical insights and insider advice you can trust. From kitchen upgrades and legal checklists to sustainable design and tradie tips, we help you make confident decisions and turn ideas into action.
Watch or listen today, and find your place, your way. Learn more and sign up for your free myTrends Property Account at TrendsProperty.co.nz
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Helping you find your place, your way, with expert guidance for every step of your property journey.
Hosted by Andrew Johnson, the Trends Property Insight Series delivers real conversations with New Zealand’s top designers, builders, service providers, and industry experts.
Whether you're renovating to sell, building new, or simply making your current home work better, each episode brings practical insights and insider advice you can trust. From kitchen upgrades and legal checklists to sustainable design and tradie tips, we help you make confident decisions and turn ideas into action.
Watch or listen today, and find your place, your way. Learn more and sign up for your free myTrends Property Account at TrendsProperty.co.nz
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You can watch this episode by visiting TrendsProperty.com/podcast
In this episode of the Trends Property Insight Series, we sit down with Elaine Ferguson, licensed real estate agent, former TVNZ designer, and trained psychotherapist, to explore what truly drives a successful sale. From the first phone call to settlement day, Elaine shares a practice built on authenticity, proportion, and an experience that feels as good in person as it looks online.
Elaine explains why editing a home often beats over-staging, and how clean sightlines, natural light, and a clear entry sequence shape buyer perception within seconds. She walks through the small presentation wins that compound, including house washing, window cleaning, a freshly painted front door, and furniture placement that supports flow. You will also hear how to match the campaign to the most likely buyer, with practical guidance on auctions, tenders, deadline sales, and price by negotiation in a New Zealand context.
Drawing on her background in psychotherapy, Elaine unpacks the psychology of trust at open homes and the art of honest feedback without dwelling on known negatives. She shows how to run a no-surprises campaign using realistic timelines, builder checkpoints, and pricing conversations that keep momentum. For sellers, she sets out a simple path from declutter to photography. For buyers, she offers open-home etiquette, smarter feedback for agents, and a research method that beats algorithms through real comparisons and sold results.
To round out the episode, Elaine shares lessons from 19 personal renovations, including why layout comes first, how a master plan prevents throwaway spend, and where to invest when budgets are tight. Whether you are preparing to sell, hunting for your next place, or refreshing the rooms you live in now, Elaine’s message is clear: the best results come from calm preparation, clear communication, and spaces that welcome people the moment they arrive.
You can watch this episode by visiting TrendsProperty.com/podcast
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.