November recorded the strongest monthly residential property sales volume in five years, Real Estate statistics show. Sales were up 25% on the same time last year and the national median house price reached a new record of $383,250, which is 4.3% up on November last year. 11-12-2012 more >>
Sale prices are inching closer to asking prices, particularly in Auckland, according to property commentator Alistair Helm. Over the past three years, REINZ statistics show that the sale price of properties was generally about 15% below the asking price, although there had been a slight rise over the past six months. 07-12-2012 more >>
New Zealand should be careful not to relax its lending criteria too far, says the chief executive of RE/Max International. Vinnie Tracey is in New Zealand this week in the wake of the buyout of the local franchise of the real estate firm. 07-12-2012 more >>
High-rise apartment buildings will have to be demolished within 15 years if they can’t be strengthened to meet earthquake standards, Government proposals say. 07-12-2012 more >>
Home loan rates are likely to stay about the same after today’s OCR announcement, on economist says. Reserve Bank governor Graeme Wheeler announced this morning that the rate would remain at 2.5%. 06-12-2012 more >>
The number of houses for sale nationally dropped to a five-year low in November, according to realestate.co.nz’s most recent report. 03-12-2012 more >>
A rapid rise in the number of retirees looking to sell their houses is likely to dampen property prices in most parts of the country except Auckland, a demographer says. 03-12-2012 more >>
This has been quite a year for the Rental Property industry. Since 2008, the NZPIF has been saying that the housing market is likely to be quiet until 2012 and this seems to have been a fairly accurate prediction. While it is certainly early day’s, the housing market is now nearing boom like increases in some parts of the country and is likely to move in other parts soon. 01-12-2012 more >>
Affordable housing developments must be built only for New Zealanders buying their first home, and not snapped up by local or foreign property investors, says New Zealand First. The party’s associate spokesperson for housing, Asenati Lole-Taylor, is worried that the Government’s policy of cutting red tape to provide cheaper houses will line the pockets of investors. 30-11-2012 more >>
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 >>
