Nationwide house prices are ahead of the 2007 market peak, according to the latest statistics from QV. But research director Jonno Ingerson said the rate of increase was still relatively slow – about 5% per year compared to the up to 15% that was seen last decade. 09-10-2012 more >>
An investor with as few as five rental properties can be said to be running a business, says Lindsay Ng, New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants tax manager. 08-10-2012 more >>
A Reserve Bank analysis of investment returns has shown the strength of property investment compared to other asset classes. It comes after a report from Camelot Financial Group, which said property investor should consider shares for better returns. Its findings were heavily criticised – partly because the data did not take into account income from rent. 07-10-2012 more >>
Apartment-owners will find themselves caught out when they go to sell their properties if their body corporates have not kept up with the requirements of the Unit Titles Act 2010. The transitional period for bodies corporate ended on October 1. 07-10-2012 more >>
The Green Party has called for a capital gains tax to bring the New Zealand dollar under control. Co-leader Russel Norman said the high dollar had meant a loss of jobs in the export sector. 07-10-2012 more >>
Auckland house prices rises have stalled, according to Barfoot and Thompson. The agency reported that the average price fell 1.1% in September compared to the month before, to $585,838. 03-10-2012 more >>
The Childrens’ Commissioner established the grandly titled “Experts Advisory Group on Solutions to Child Poverty†in March this year. This group has recently produced its first report which included a number of proposals that the group claimed were “ambitious, but they are also realistic, cost-effective, based on evidence, and take into account New Zealand's economic and fiscal contextâ€. 01-10-2012 more >>
Auckland’s rental crisis appears to be easing off, with statistics showing rents in some areas dropping compared to the year before. 01-10-2012 more >>
An increase in the number of houses built in the South Island last month was offset by a fall in building numbers in the North Island, according to Statistics New Zealand’s latest data, out today. 28-09-2012 more >>
Leasehold concerns are behind discount sales of Auckland apartments, according to real estate salespeople. It was reported today that a three-bedroom penthouse apartment on leasehold land on the waterfront of the Auckland CBD was sold of $330,000 – roughly half its CV of $625,000. 28-09-2012 more >>
Home loan applications submitted to National Bank will be processed as normal and pending approvals will be honoured as the bank is absorbed by ANZ. It was announced yesterday that the National Bank brand will be scrapped in a process starting next month. 27-09-2012 more >>
The proportion of investors planning to buy apartments in Auckland’s CBD is slowly increasing, according to Crockers research. Respondents to its latest survey have signalled the Auckland CBD and its surrounds are the areas most likely to experience growth in prices in the short term. 27-09-2012 more >>
Higher Auckland prices are making servicing a mortgage much harder for Auckland families, Crockers latest research shows. Through 2012, mortgagee sales have been at record levels, running at a rate of 85 per month – 30 of which are in Auckland. 26-09-2012 more >>
Former Richmastery head Phil Jones must pay his ex-wife $588,602. The couple left for the United States four years ago and Corinna Jones departed the business 11 months later, when the couple split. 25-09-2012 more >>
Banks’ fight for customers continues with mortgage approvals topping $1 billion for the 22nd straight week in the week ended September 14. Reserve Bank figures show 6442 mortgages were approved in the week, worth $1.059 billion. 24-09-2012 more >>
Economists are watching house prices with extra interest since it was announced that the Reserve Bank will now have to take asset prices into account in setting the Official Cash Rate. 24-09-2012 more >>
First-home buyers can get on to the property ladder in Auckland if they adjust their expectations, says the city’s property investors association president, David Whitburn. 21-09-2012 more >>
More investors will choose to put their money into even quite expensive properties as interest rates remain low, says BNZ chief economist Tony Alexander. 21-09-2012 more >>
The new Reserve Bank Governor must increase the OCR if house prices rise rapidly, even if inflation is on target. Finance Minister Bill English and RBNZ Governor-Designate Graeme Wheeler signed a new Policy Targets Agreement (PTA) yesterday. The Reserve Bank Act states that the Governor is accountable for maintaining price stability. 21-09-2012 more >>
