There’s a new wave of sewers, knitters and crafters emerging in Waimate and at the centre is a main street business that has become far more than just a shop.

Plenty of practical tips were shared at a free property seminar on Tuesday night.

The message was clear - Waimate's property market remains active, supported by a steady stream of people choosing to make the district home.

Read on for some of the key takeaways from the event.

Buying property can feel complicated. Add in national headlines about housing affordability, and it’s easy to assume home ownership is out of reach altogether.

But local property professionals say Waimate is a bit different.

They’ve organised a free seminar next month aimed at helping people better understand the local market, finance and home-buying process.

If you’ve been up Point Bush Road, you will have noticed number 126. Dark, sleek, and jutting out over a large elevated section - it stands out.

The owners designed the home themselves, with a lot of thought put into how it actually works day to day - and it’s on the market.

Waimate’s changed over the past decade, with more people visiting - and more choosing to stay.

We sat down with local property experts Julie-Anne Davidson (Jules) and Dionne Haywood to see what that means for the market.

There are a lot of stand-out homes across our rural districts, covering every era and style.

This article steps inside one of them. A dream home that was planned and refined on paper and Pinterest for 10-15 years, before being brought to life by David Reid Homes.

Summer is prime time for painting interiors and Waimate ITM have everything you need to get started.