The number of new houses consented for in October was the highest of any month in more than four years, Statistics New Zealand said. Consents were issued for 1639 new houses, a number not reached since May 2008. Consents were also issued for 168 new apartments. 30-11-2012 more >>
A local group has bought out the New Zealand RE/MAX master franchise. From Monday, the New Zealand branch of the company will be owned by a group that includes the current regional director, Chris Chapman, managing director of RE/MAX Australia and New Zealand Michael Davoren and Keith Walker, franchise director of RE/MAX Australia. 30-11-2012 more >>
Housing became a bit more affordable in the year to June 2012, Statistics New Zealand data shows. Incomes rose slightly while housing costs dropped. 29-11-2012 more >>
One-bedroom properties in Takapuna, Pakuranga and Auckland’s city bays – from Mission Bay to St Heliers - are the standout performers in Crockers’ latest survey of rents. 26-11-2012 more >>
A lack of reminders from council will result in more than 50,000 Auckland property owners having to pay a 10% penalty fee on their rates, says councillor Cameron Brewer. 26-11-2012 more >>
Parties proposing policies aimed at getting first-home buyers into houses must be sure they are actually doing them a good turn, one property expert says. 23-11-2012 more >>
A capital gains tax won’t improve housing affordability, according to ACT. The party's leader, John Banks, spoke out in the wake of Labour’s party conference in the weekend, where it outlined plans to make housing affordable with a 10-year building programme. 20-11-2012 more >>
Auckland’s property market isn’t yet overheated but a lack of supply is giving it added strength, says ASB chief economist Nick Tuffley. 19-11-2012 more >>
Building more affordable housing and forcing landlords to ensure their rental properties are healthy are top of Labour’s priorities, its leader says. 18-11-2012 more >>
Auckland’s housing market is shifting into boom territory, helped along by investors who are dissatisfied with the returns they are getting on bank deposits, BNZ chief economist Tony Alexander says. 16-11-2012 more >>
Housing affordability is a national emergency, says BNZ chief executive Andrew Thorburn. Speaking to the Trans-Tasman Business Circle in Auckland this morning, he said New Zealand would not become a wealthier and more productive nation if it could not affordable house its population. 16-11-2012 more >>
National has resurrected plans to ensure a percentage of the new houses built at Auckland’s Hobsonville Point sell for less than $485,000 – but Labour isn’t impressed. 16-11-2012 more >>
New Zealand’s lifestyle property market is heating up again, with as 15% increase in sales reported in the three months to October 2012 compared to the same time the year before. 15-11-2012 more >>
Rental property is again the most attractive investment to New Zealanders, ASB’s latest investor confidence survey shows. The survey, released today, shows investors’ confidence has climbed to the highest levels since 2010. 14-11-2012 more >>
Trusts are in the Law Commission’s sights as it looks to modernise trust law in New Zealand. Commission president Grant Hammon said that because trusts were an important way of managing personal and family property, it was vital that New Zealand had robust tax laws. 14-11-2012 more >>
Banks again are offering 95 per cent loans to property investors, but they come with a caution. ANZ, ASB and Westpac say they will give loans for investment properties to people with small deposits. 12-11-2012 more >>
