The Commerce Commission is chasing bigger fish in Auckland after it successfully prosecuted CMA Property Investments over its role in a property scheme in Invercargill which mislead people into believing they were buying their own homes. 19-11-2009 more >>
The housing market continued to gain in momentum, adding to the positive numbers seen in the previous two months, according to the latest Mike Pero Mortgages/Infometrics Property Cycle Indicator. 18-11-2009 more >>
Property finders, the people who match properties to potential investors, may cause the newly-active Real Estate Agents Authority (REAA) a few headaches in the coming months, with some confusion over whether or not they will need to be licensed under the new regime. 17-11-2009 more >>
Harcourts latest figures show the good volume of written sales that occurred across the country in October was not matched by the traditional upsurge in new listings normally seen in spring. 16-11-2009 more >>
Leaky home owners are being warned to watch out for cowboys looking to make a quick buck from over-priced repair work, says the NZ Building Industry Federation. 13-11-2009 more >>
New Zealand house prices hit a 10-year high for the month of October amid a decline in the volume of sales as fewer properties are put on the market. 13-11-2009 more >>
The Reserve Bank has renewed its plea for changes to the tax system to help out the economy on to a more even keel and reduce risks to the financial system. 12-11-2009 more >>
House prices are set to rise for "some time yet", with price inflation heading for double-digits by mid-2010, although the dream run may be relatively short-lived. 12-11-2009 more >>
Easing lending criteria and higher loan-to-value ratios could potentially see the country return to a debt-fuelled housing cycle and dampen the recovery seen thus far, warns Reserve Bank Governor Alan Bollard. 11-11-2009 more >>
The government is being called on to purchase the properties of home owners who default on their mortgages in a bid to save them from being forced into mortgagee sale. 10-11-2009 more >>
The Select Committee reported to Parliament on September 29 and made a number of recommendations for changes to the RTA Amendment Bill. Cliff Seque has analysed these changes. 09-11-2009 more >>
Property values were finally in positive territory for October and are above the same time last year, according to QV's latest figures. 09-11-2009 more >>
The government is changing the law to make it more difficult for property investors in trouble to arrange "de facto" mortgagee sales and avoid paying GST owed. 06-11-2009 more >>
Property is still considered the best investment option in the current market, despite its appeal taking a hit over the past three months, according to the latest ASB Investor Confidence survey. 06-11-2009 more >>
Auckland house prices reached a 22-month high in October and the volume of sales rose from a year earlier, suggesting a revival in confidence in property is encouraging both buyers and sellers. 04-11-2009 more >>
Only $1.6 million of the Government's allocated $18.4 million to help modest income-earners buy houses in expensive places has been taken up. 04-11-2009 more >>
Investors whose property transactions may have been a little over-vigorous during the boom will not be able to relax because the boom is over. 03-11-2009 more >>
TAX WORKING GROUP – CGT, Land Tax & RFRM
During the month (2 October), the Tax Working Group released a set of background papers proposing three new possible taxes on rental properties and property investors – to generate more revenue for the Government.
30-10-2009 more >>
More needs to be done to address the growing concerns of an ageing group of home owners who will likely dominate the market in years to come, according to the Centre for Housing Research. 30-10-2009 more >>
New residential building consents climbed for a third straight month as a resurgent housing market stoked construction activity amid strong demand for property. 30-10-2009 more >>
Reserve Bank Governor Alan Bollard kept the official cash rate unchanged at a record low 2.5%, as expected, and dropped wording in his statement that rates could fall further, stoking speculation borrowing costs will rise sooner as the economy recovers. 29-10-2009 more >>
