Real Estate with Merritt
We're Paul and Anne Merritt, the team behind Real Estate with Merritt.
After three decades leading commercial teams and negotiating business across Europe, Asia and virtually every other continent, we returned to New Zealand and chose to make Hawke's Bay our home. With Anne's family roots firmly established here, it felt like the perfect place to begin the next chapter of our lives.
My corporate career taught me many things, but perhaps the greatest lesson was that exceptional results are never accidental. They come from careful planning, disciplined execution, outstanding communication and skilled negotiation. Those same principles now form the foundation of the way we approach real estate.
Our business is built around two complementary skill sets.
I focus on market strategy, pricing, negotiation and ensuring every campaign is managed with a clear plan designed to achieve the very best outcome for our clients.
Anne brings an exceptional eye for presentation, interior styling and home staging, helping clients showcase their homes in the very best light. Equally important are her outstanding organisational skills, attention to detail and calm, supportive approach, ensuring every campaign runs smoothly while making what can often be an emotional process feel considerably less stressful.
Together, we offer our clients the benefit of two experienced professionals working alongside them from our very first meeting through to settlement.
Buying or selling a home is one of life's biggest financial and emotional decisions. It deserves far more than simply putting a property on the market and hoping for the best. Our role is to provide clear advice, a carefully considered strategy and the confidence that every decision is being made with your best interests at heart.
If you read through our client reviews, you'll notice the same themes appear time and again. Clients consistently talk about our communication, negotiation, professionalism, honesty, attention to detail and genuine care. Those independent reviews have become the greatest endorsement of the way we work and the values that guide our business.
Everything we do is built around five core strengths:
• Skilled negotiation that protects our clients' interests and maximises their result.
• Deep local market knowledge that helps clients make informed decisions with confidence.
• Strategic marketing tailored to each property and today's market.
• A structured process that keeps every campaign organised, proactive and on track.
• Honest, proactive communication so our clients always know exactly where things stand.
One of the comments we value most is that our clients always felt informed, supported and never left wondering what was happening. That is no accident. We intentionally manage the number of clients we work with so every client receives the time, attention and personal service they deserve. We believe exceptional service isn't measured by the number of properties you sell, but by how well you look after every client who places their trust in you.
Outside real estate, family is at the centre of everything we do. We're all passionate food lovers and love making the most of Hawke's Bay's outstanding produce, restaurants, wineries and vibrant hospitality scene. Anne has a keen interest in art and interior design, while I can often be found with one of my many guitars or hosting the monthly karaoke evening at Marion's Bar in Haumoana—a fantastic night that brings locals together for music, laughter and community.
We love living and working in Hawke's Bay and feel incredibly fortunate to be part of such a welcoming community.
Our philosophy is simple: great real estate is about more than achieving a great result. It's about ensuring every client feels informed, in control and confident that every decision being made is the right one.