Property price rise not just about shortage: Westpac

The fact that house prices are rising at a much faster rate than rents shows it's not just a supply and demand problem fuelling the market, economists say.
12-02-2013 more >>

Smith tackles development charges

New Housing Minister Nick Smith has wasted no time getting stuck into the housing affordability debate.
11-02-2013 more >>

QV stats hide big discrepancies

House price trends are turning skyward all over the country, but Quotable Value’s claim that house prices are now 2.6% above their latest market peak hides some major regional discrepancies.
11-02-2013 more >>

Rents up but yields down

Rent increases have not kept pace with house prices in most parts of the country over over the past year, reducing property investors’ yield.
08-02-2013 more >>

Green light for rebuild

A pick-up in the Christchurch rebuild rate may be on the way after a High Court judgement in favour of insurers.
08-02-2013 more >>

Any worker can own a home

Housing has been deemed unaffordable so often that it is now considered a fact. The key evidence has been the ratio of house prices to incomes which currently stands at 5.4, with 3 being the proposed ideal level.
07-02-2013 more >>

Anyone can buy a house: NZPIF

The New Zealand Property Investors Federation has developed a calculator to show that anyone with an income can afford to buy a property.
07-02-2013 more >>

Prices will increase more quickly this year: Alexander

House prices will rise faster this year than they did in 2012, BNZ’s chief economist says. Tony Alexander says a lack of supply and a turnaround in migration will push up prices.
07-02-2013 more >>

No let-up in housing market for years: ASB

ASB is predicting the housing market will remain tight over the coming years.
05-02-2013 more >>

Barfoot reports strong January sales

Barfoot and Thompson has reported its most active January in five years. The agency said its average price in Auckland in January this year was more than $600,000 and there was a big lift in new listings and sales.
05-02-2013 more >>

Desperate buyers turn to leaky homes

Desperate would-be homeowners are turning to leaky buildings in an attempt to get a foothold in a hot Auckland property market.
04-02-2013 more >>

Listings can't keep pace with interest: Realestate.co.nz

It’s usually a quiet month for real estate but it seems buyers didn’t take a holiday from house-hunting this January.
03-02-2013 more >>

Housing affordability myth

The housing market is continuing to take a battering from well intentioned but misinformed lobby groups and political parties concerned about house prices. Facts do not back up their beliefs however.
01-02-2013 more >>

Fewer Kiwis leaving the country

Migration is slowing, which is likely to put further pressure on house prices. New Zealand had seasonally adjusted net migration of zero in December 2012.
01-02-2013 more >>

Apartments proposed for waterfront

Apartments are still selling in Auckland city for less than half the price proposed for a new development at the waterfront.
01-02-2013 more >>

Newland: Best option? Do nothing

Reserve Bank Governor Graeme Wheeler should leave the market well alone, says property commentator Olly Newland.
31-01-2013 more >>

Economists surprised by Wheeler's optimistic tone

Economists have expressed surprised at the optimistic nature of the latest Official Cash Rate announcement.
31-01-2013 more >>

Volatile apartments push consent figures up

Building consent numbers for new houses, including apartments, increased by 9.4% in December, Statistics New Zealand said.
30-01-2013 more >>

Schemes benefit a lucky few

Something that both the Green and Labour housing affordability policies have in common is that they are great for those in a position to buy houses through them. They are less good for everyone else.
29-01-2013 more >>

Shearer: No $300k houses in Auckland

Labour leader David Shearer has tempered his plans for a large-scale affordable housing scheme.
28-01-2013 more >>

Auckland prices 10% above last peak: QV

National residential property values are up 1.9% over the past three months, 5.7% up on the same time last year, and 1.5% higher than the last market peak, according to QV.
25-01-2013 more >>

Greens' scheme slammed

The Green Party’s proposals to get low-income earners into housing have been panned by the New Zealand Property Investors Federation.
25-01-2013 more >>

Green Party calls for stricter tenancy laws

Warrants of fitness for rentals and restrictions on rent hikes are high on the Green Party list of priorities in its new housing policy, released today.
24-01-2013 more >>

Housing market heat infectious: ANZ

ANZ’s latest Property Focus report says the increasing strength of house sales volumes is spreading to provincial New Zealand.
24-01-2013 more >>

Council heralds construction lift

Auckland’s council says signs of increasing activity in the city’s construction sector indicate more sustained economic growth ahead for the region.
22-01-2013 more >>