Latest news with #VanessaWilliams
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
House sellers lower expectations, real estate website says
From 1 January 2024 to the end of May 2025, homeowners asked for an average of $894,915 for their properties but achieved an average selling price of $898,845. Photo: RNZ House sellers are reducing their expectations below what buyers are willing to pay, listings site says. It has produced data showing how sales prices compare to the asking price at the time the property was sold. Between 1 January last year and the end of May this year, homeowners asked for an average of $894,915 for their properties but achieved an average selling price of $898,845. The data used the price in the month that the property was officially sold. Other data, which shows vendor discounting, tends to compare sales price to the initial price at which a property was listed. spokesperson Vanessa Williams said sellers were meeting the market. "The last 18 months have been tough for sellers, but we are seeing that by the time their home sells, vendors are getting realistic with their price expectations. This seems to be having a surprisingly positive outcome, as they are ending up with slightly more than they bargained for." Auckland sellers were asking an average $1.26 million and selling for an average $1.27m. In Canterbury, they were asking an average $745,995 and selling for $759,715. In Wellington, they asked an average $901,484 and sold for $918,668. Williams said Wellington was the area with the biggest positive difference. Coromandel stood out as the region where vendors received notably less than their expectations, with an average asking price of $1.117m compared to an average selling price of $1.071m. Northland and Waikato also had asking prices above sales prices. Williams said it was normal for a vendor to list a property with a high price, perhaps with the memory of what a neighbour sold for in recent years. "Then as the campaign goes along the market starts to tell the vendor how much the property is worth, you start to see that asking price drop because if they want to get the property moved they have to meet the market." She said when the market was busier, vendors could not keep up with how quickly the market was growing. "People are frantic and they just want to secure a property. Yeah, and so what usually happens is we do see that gap between asking prices and selling prices, be far higher and therefore drives the market up and up and up - until a point." She said while the gap might be bigger in a busier market, it was a sign that buyers and sellers were meeting. "Now we are seeing well priced properties move." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Vanessa Williams misses her mother 'tremendously'
Vanessa Williams misses her late mother "tremendously". The 62-year-old star was left heartbroken when her mother Helen passed away aged 85 last December whilst on a trip to London to see her daughter perform in The Devil Wears Prada musical on the West End and explained that she was the figure who made the biggest impact on her life. Speaking to Stylist magazine, Vanessa said: "Not only did she make a huge impression on me, but she influenced so many of the people she taught as a school teacher. She was an absolute force and I miss her tremendously." The singer and actress had to resign as Miss America in 1984 after nude photos of her were published in Penthouse magazine and felt that the scandal gave her an "immediate jump" into adulthood. The Ugly Betty star said: "In 1984, aged 21, I resigned as Miss America. "I'm working on a documentary to explore every angle of it, but it was an immediate jump into becoming an adult." Meanwhile, Vanessa explained that she would be happy to relive the births of her children – Melanie, 38, Jillian, 36, and Devin, 32, from her marriage to Ramon Hervey, and Sasha, 25, from her relationship with second husband Rick Fox – as giving birth was the "best gift" of her life. Asked if she could experience one day in her life again, the Colors of the Wind singer said: "It's tough because every time I gave birth was the best gift I've ever had. "So I would say those four days – the opportunities to give life have been incredible." Vanessa says she is concerned about the current political climate in the US as "freedom and justice" are under threat. She explained: "I turn on the news and watch liberties being taken away from US citizens on a daily basis: it's scary." However, Williams is confident that the power of the "human spirit" can help the world overcome its current challenges. The Desperate Housewives star said: "Despite the chaos and tumult happening worldwide, it never stops the human spirit for peace, humanity, ease and community. That's what we have to remember: love is number one."
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Vanessa Williams misses her mother 'tremendously'
Vanessa Williams misses her late mother "tremendously". The 62-year-old star was left heartbroken when her mother Helen passed away aged 85 last December whilst on a trip to London to see her daughter perform in The Devil Wears Prada musical on the West End and explained that she was the figure who made the biggest impact on her life. Speaking to Stylist magazine, Vanessa said: "Not only did she make a huge impression on me, but she influenced so many of the people she taught as a school teacher. She was an absolute force and I miss her tremendously." The singer and actress had to resign as Miss America in 1984 after nude photos of her were published in Penthouse magazine and felt that the scandal gave her an "immediate jump" into adulthood. The Ugly Betty star said: "In 1984, aged 21, I resigned as Miss America. "I'm working on a documentary to explore every angle of it, but it was an immediate jump into becoming an adult." Meanwhile, Vanessa explained that she would be happy to relive the births of her children – Melanie, 38, Jillian, 36, and Devin, 32, from her marriage to Ramon Hervey, and Sasha, 25, from her relationship with second husband Rick Fox – as giving birth was the "best gift" of her life. Asked if she could experience one day in her life again, the Colors of the Wind singer said: "It's tough because every time I gave birth was the best gift I've ever had. "So I would say those four days – the opportunities to give life have been incredible." Vanessa says she is concerned about the current political climate in the US as "freedom and justice" are under threat. She explained: "I turn on the news and watch liberties being taken away from US citizens on a daily basis: it's scary." However, Williams is confident that the power of the "human spirit" can help the world overcome its current challenges. The Desperate Housewives star said: "Despite the chaos and tumult happening worldwide, it never stops the human spirit for peace, humanity, ease and community. That's what we have to remember: love is number one."
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Vanessa Williams misses her mother 'tremendously'
Vanessa Williams misses her late mother "tremendously". The 62-year-old star was left heartbroken when her mother Helen passed away aged 85 last December whilst on a trip to London to see her daughter perform in The Devil Wears Prada musical on the West End and explained that she was the figure who made the biggest impact on her life. Speaking to Stylist magazine, Vanessa said: "Not only did she make a huge impression on me, but she influenced so many of the people she taught as a school teacher. She was an absolute force and I miss her tremendously." The singer and actress had to resign as Miss America in 1984 after nude photos of her were published in Penthouse magazine and felt that the scandal gave her an "immediate jump" into adulthood. The Ugly Betty star said: "In 1984, aged 21, I resigned as Miss America. "I'm working on a documentary to explore every angle of it, but it was an immediate jump into becoming an adult." Meanwhile, Vanessa explained that she would be happy to relive the births of her children – Melanie, 38, Jillian, 36, and Devin, 32, from her marriage to Ramon Hervey, and Sasha, 25, from her relationship with second husband Rick Fox – as giving birth was the "best gift" of her life. Asked if she could experience one day in her life again, the Colors of the Wind singer said: "It's tough because every time I gave birth was the best gift I've ever had. "So I would say those four days – the opportunities to give life have been incredible." Vanessa says she is concerned about the current political climate in the US as "freedom and justice" are under threat. She explained: "I turn on the news and watch liberties being taken away from US citizens on a daily basis: it's scary." However, Williams is confident that the power of the "human spirit" can help the world overcome its current challenges. The Desperate Housewives star said: "Despite the chaos and tumult happening worldwide, it never stops the human spirit for peace, humanity, ease and community. That's what we have to remember: love is number one."
The Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Ugly Betty star unrecognisable with grey hair and beard 15 years after show was axed
A MAJOR Ugly Betty star looks unrecognisable with grey hair and a beard 15 years after the show was axed. Fans were left devastated when Ugly Betty was cancelled in 2010 and have been calling for a reboot in recent years. 5 5 5 Grant Bowler played a pivotal role in the final two seasons as Connor Owens, the love interest of Wilhelmina Slater - who was portrayed by Vanessa Williams. Connor had the staff at Mode magazine swooning from the moment he stepped off the elevator, with his good looks and sharp style. And, 15 years on from the show, Grant, 56, looks as dashing as ever, showing off a beard and greying hair in Instagram photos. After his time on Ugly Betty, New Zealand-born Grant went on to pursue a career as a TV presenter, hosting The Amazing Race Australia from 2011 until 2014. He also continued to act, starring in the likes of Australian drama Harrow and the American reboot of British sitcom Getting On. Ugly Betty icon Vanessa, 62, previously praised her former on-screen flame Grant, telling The West Australia: 'It's a small, little community and Aussie men are fantastic men.' Earlier this year Vanessa - who is starring as Miranda Priestly in the Devil Wears Prada musical - sent fans wild when she and America Ferrera, who played Betty, reunited in London. Ugly Betty also starred the likes of Ashley Jensen as seamstress Christina McKinney, Eric Mabius as editor-in-chief Daniel Meade and Becky Netwon as receptionist Amanda Tanen Sommers. Becky, 46, and Michael Urie - who starred as Wilhemina's assistant Mark St James - recently teamed up to launch rewatch podcast Still Ugly, breathing new life into the beloved series. And Ana Ortiz, who played Betty's sister Hilda, has insisted the entire cast is on board for a reboot. Actor who starred in huge noughties series looks unrecognisable as he reunites with co-stars for new podcast - can you guess who he is? During an appearance on Watch What Happens Live, Ana, 54, said: "There's been so much talk about it, thank you for asking. "We're very, very close and we're all really wanting to do a reunion." 5 5
