New Zealand's largest banking group has doubled its minimum mortgage deposit, leaving would-be home buyers needing to find tens of thousands more before buying. 27-11-2008 more >>
Reserve Bank Governor Alan Bollard is expected to hack more than 1 per cent off the official cash rate next week in an attempt to bring down interest rates and revive the flagging economy 25-11-2008 more >>
Increasing financial pressures have seen a spike in the number of applications to the Tenancy Tribunal, mainly relating to unpaid rent. 25-11-2008 more >>
There is one sure way to capture the mood of the real estate market and economy right now. Go to Trade Me or realestate.co.nz and search for properties with the word mortgage 23-11-2008 more >>
In their November Property Focus, ANZ economists say the Reserve Bank is New Zealand is now branishing some larger calibre weaponry to restore economic sentiment and market stability. They expect the newly elected government to do their utmost to stamp their mark on things too. 20-11-2008 more >>
Mortgage rates are on the way down today, with two banks - Westpac and Kiwibank, cutting rates in anticipation of another Official Cash Rate cut 20-11-2008 more >>
AcQuire Property has launched Residential Management, a full property management service, that is offering to manage properties at a flat rate of $899 a year. 19-11-2008 more >>
The new Government appears likely to keep real estate agent laws introduced by the previous regime but is aiming to make big changes to other poperty rules 17-11-2008 more >>
Although the Salvation Army has identified a shortage of 2,500 homes in Auckland, the number of available rental properties is now 5,500 (1,600 increase since May) and there are 18,000 houses for sale. 05-11-2008 more >>
House and appartment buyers are unwittingly stumbling into the leaky building disaster, tempted by cheap properties with serious hidden defects. 04-11-2008 more >>
Sadly, the arrival of summer also means an increase in work for the Tenancy Tribunal when landlords and tenants face additional costs, and many New Zealanders move house 03-11-2008 more >>
PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS
The 48th Parliament was formally dissolved on 6 October and Parliamentarians are currently on the campaign trail.
31-10-2008 more >>
Martin Evans reviewed the last year for members at the AGM held on October 24 in Rotorua. This, he said, has been a year of change during which the NZ Property Investors' Federation has shown leadership. 29-10-2008 more >>
Prime MInister Helen Clark has added the retrofitting of insulation into old homes to the list of projects the government is considering fast-tracking to boost the economy, saying it could help plug up job shortages for unskilled workers in the short term. 23-10-2008 more >>
The Reserve Bank has slashed official interest rates an unprecendented 1 percentage point to 6.5 points, opening the way for cuts to mortgage rates but also highlighting the grim outlook facing the global economy 23-10-2008 more >>