Cliff Seque, President of the Otago PIA, outlines the proposal for a house energy rating scheme similar to the star rating on major home appliances and highlights a raft of proposed tax measures. 16-04-2007 more >>
Most lenders have now re-priced their mortgage ranges in response to the latest increases to the cost of their funding but some are fine-tuning and others are still catching up. 13-04-2007 more >>
James Weir reports that rents are expected to rise 6% a year for the next five years, but high interest rates have killed the house price boom after a five year run. 12-04-2007 more >>
Articles on home ownership this week put the blame for rising house prices on property investors. However, there is a considerable amount of misinformation and misunderstanding that has led the writers to their conclusions, says Andrew King 05-04-2007 more >>
Floating rate mortgages have, as predicted, broken the 10% barrier following the latest rise in the Official Cash Rate (OCR) to 7.75%. 05-04-2007 more >>
New insulation requirements and moves to make it easier and cheaper to install solar water heating systems are part of major changes to the Building Code and Building Compliance Documents announced today by Prime Minister Helen Clark and Building and Construction Minister Clayton Cosgrove. 05-04-2007 more >>
Lenders have started to push up the cost of home loans following the increase in the official cash rate from 7.25% to 7. 5% last Thursday. 16-03-2007 more >>
James Weir reported today in the Dominion Post that the Kiwi dollar traded above US77cents during the weekend but the global backdrop for the dollar is "as good as it gets" and Deutsche Bank is expecting the dollar to fall sharply to US68c by the end of the year. 07-02-2007 more >>
The Prime Minister appointed Maryan Street as Minister of Housing and Shane Jones as Minister of Building and Construction in the Cabinet reshuffle yesterday. 11-01-2007 more >>
Did you know that if your carpet is not glued to the floor (e.g. it is tacked down) then it is not covered under your dwelling. It is part of your contents or landlords furnishings. Have you accounted for this in your sum insured? 03-12-2006 more >>
