Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Michael O'Neill (left) and Stuart Rattle. Photo: Supplied

The man who killed his partner of 16 years, well-known interiordesigner Stuart Rattle, is having problems talking about the murder, acourt has heard.

Defence barrister Ruth Shann said Michael Anthony O'Neill, 48, wasreceiving psychological treatment in prison but was havingdifficulties talking about aspects of the case "without becomingdistressed".

O'Neill appeared briefly in the Supreme Court on Wednesday toformally plead guilty to one count of murder and one count of arson.

When asked what was his profession, O'Neill stood in the dock andsaid, "I worked in the interior design business".

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Ms Shann said the defence needed time before O'Neill's pre-sentencehearing to take proper instructions from him and for a psychologicalreport to be prepared.

Justice Elizabeth Hollingworth agreed to list the two-day hearing fromDecember 15.

Mr Rattle's body was found in the couple's burnt-out South Yarra flaton the night of December 8 last year but police believe O'Neill killedhis partner early on the morning of December 4.

O'Neill admitted taking a saucepan from the kitchen early that morningand striking Mr Rattle over the head before strangling him with anylon dog lead.

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Killer Michael O'Neill having problems talking about murder of partner Stuart Ratttle, court hears

Your new home has been inspected and the report shows a few minor repairs are needed. Congratulations: your home is almost perfect! On top of the nearly repair-free perfection, the seller has included a home warranty. But don't start the low-maintenance home celebration yet. Some of the minor repairs many new homes need may cost hundreds to thousands of dollars to fix. (To find out about what you need to know about home inspections, read Do You Need A Home Inspection?) Here we look at some of the most common and costly repairs and upkeep items that new homes need to undergo, and what you can do to cut the costs.

1. FencingMaybe a few bricks have fallen out in a portion of your brick fence or there are a few warped planks. Seems like no big deal, right? In many cases, the repair could cost could be as little as $100. However, it could also be a sign of a bigger problem that requires a much more expensive fix, possibly even a brand new fence, which will run you in the thousands of dollars.

For a thorough evaluation of your fence's condition, have three fence companies with at least an 'A' rating with the Better Business Bureau come out to give estimates based on both repairs and fence replacement. If you do have a brick or stone fence needing immediate replacement, replacing it with a wood fence might be a good option in terms of cutting down the cost. (For information on how to use the Better Business Bureau website read Do You Need A Home Inspection?)

2. Air Filters The air filters your old apartment used may have cost $1 to replace, but high-quality odd-sized air filters that many new homes require could cost $12 - and you often have to buy them by the dozen. Two dozen $12 filters adds up to almost $300 unexpected dollars! (Thinking about selling your home? Check out Staging Your Home For a Quick Sale.)

To get the best deal on air filters follow these tips.

Conclusion If you haven't bought your home yet, don't assume any repair is minor without getting repair estimates first. If you've already moved in, you can minimize repair expenses by getting as much information as possible about how to repair problems in your home and getting several estimates. Having a new home doesn't mean that things won't break - or that some things aren't already broken. But if you start out with a sound strategy on how you'll handle such repairs, you'll be better prepared.

(For further reading checkout Do You Need A Home Inspection?, 6 Ways To Save On Your Utility Bill and Top Tips For First-Time Home Buyers.)

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New Home Repair Troubleshooting

PRESS RELEASE 17 September 2014

Affordable Axis Homes with Jalcon Are the Way to Go

Jalcon Homes says that an Axis Series Home is a good, affordable option for Auckland home buyers and that quality shouldnt be sacrificed for a compact living space.

Bruce McKinnon, CEO of Jalcon Homes says that last weeks allocation of Jalcons 39-dwelling Sierra Terraces product contained six 1.5 bedroom, single-level Axis homes at $399,000 as well as six two-bedroom, two-storey walk-up apartments at $485,000 each.

The homes, which were released for sale and allocated to buyers by a ballot system, with priority given to first home buyers, were in huge demand - so much so, that another instalment of affordable, two storey, walk-up apartment homes will be balloted in November this year.

McKinnon says: We were delighted to bring high quality, design-led homes like Sierra Terraces as part of the Axis Series, which sell for just $399,000. The ballot system meant there was a fair and open process for these sought-after homes, and now were working hard to release another round.

Were proud to be one of the first builders to bring the innovative, two-storey walk up apartment design, which is popular in Australia, to New Zealand, because it offers affordable options for eager buyers.

He adds that the Sierra Terraces development contains a mix of typologies to provide options for a variety of budgets and needs: We know that now, more than ever, home buyers want options and flexibility. Just because your budget dictates the need for a smaller home, doesnt mean you cant also have a stylish, architecturally-designed home with an attractive exterior, positioned for maximum sunlight - and an interior that would be fit for an interior design magazine.

McKinnon says Jalcon works closely alongside award-winning architects Stevens Lawson to ensure the stylish, smaller homes are designed to impress even the most style-conscious buyers: They may be compact but our affordable homes and their living areas are designed to make the most of the available space, offering flexible living arrangements and a great lifestyle.

McKinnon says that Jalcon is committed to delivering added value that buyers wouldnt normally expect from a home in this price bracket, but Jalcon Axis Homes feature double-glazing, extra insulation, rain water capture and a weather-tight warranty.

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Axis Homes with Jalcon

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