The data below is showing seasonality; based on over 15 years of data from the Real Estate Institute.
As you can see, March is the most active month of the year, with January being the least active.

The majority of new property listings tend to flood onto the market in February & March and again in October & November. In fact, 40% of all new listings in a year, come onto the market in these 4 months. The winter season (between the months of June, July and August), has the lowest level at 20% of the annual total of all new listings hitting the market.

It is a common tendency among sellers to list either in the spring or summer, as it is warmer and the gardens and property overall is looking in it's best shape, you have more competition as everyone has the same idea!

However, some sellers decide to list in the winter season as they feel it could give their property greater exposure at a time when fewer listings are out in the market to compete with.

At the end of the day, buyers will buy a home that they feel suits their needs - rain, hail or shine so whatever the season, if your home is well presented, well promoted and well priced you are sure to achieve a sale.

The last rates assessment was in 2011 and the next review will be complete from the 10th November 2014.

Since the 2011 rates assessment, the values in Manukau and most Auckland suburbs have increased by an average of 30%. The council does take what the home sold for during that time into account naturally so some may be in for quite a surprise when the new rating valuation comes out.
There are some positives to the rates increase ie when you do sell your home, the purchases will feel more comfortable paying more if the RV is closer to the price expectations or list price. The downfall is of course, is you guessed it - extra cost.

So in the past year or so, we have had a mortgage hike; rates hike and the LVR... and yet in Manukau, properties continue to sell well and prices are holding well.

Source: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11311369

1.  Marketing
Have an effective marketing strategy to ensure you are attracting the right type of Tenant for your property. Use quality photography and good script, entice the tenant just as one would when selling a home. Make sure you put the features of the home ect

2. Asking Rent
Price your rental property appropriately, as overpriced properties may attract a high turnover of tenants and of course that leads to more wear and tear on the home. Instead do a comparison of prices in the area and have it competitive with the others on the market. A slightly reduced or at market level rent will generally keep a good quality long term tenant.

3.  Open Homes    
Make it easy for prospective Tenants to find out when the next open home will be. Two open homes twice weekly is ideal, have one after working hours and one on either Saturday or Sunday.
 
4.  Applications
Always ensure that the prospective Tenant has fully completed and signed the application form, including a signed privacy consent to carry out the checks. When I was in property management, the most valuable person on the check was the previous landlord as the current may say anything to get a bad tenant out of their house!
 
5.  Tenancy Start Date 
Most Tenants will need to give their current landlord 21 days notice, but for the right Tenant this time is worth the wait. I would however ask the tenant if this notice period is flexible with their current landlord as in the case of a property selling, the owner would generally want an earlier vacancy to get the home ready for sale or if the home has sold, the new owner may want to move in asap.

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