September sees surge in listings and asking price

New listings surged in September and the mean asking price rose $10,000 to 3.4% above last year and just 1% below the peak asking price in April this year.
03-10-2011 more >>

October '11 Issue

In this issue we reveal the best places to invest in property. Bob Jones gives us his views on the rebuild of Christchurch CBD, and we also profile Chris Gray - an Australian based property investor who has a property portfolio in excess of $10 million and still chooses to rent a house to live in.
01-10-2011 more >>

Home approval numbers show ‘strong increases’

The number of new dwellings authorised – including and excluding apartments – show “strong increases” in both July and August, according to the latest Statistics New Zealand (SNZ) figures.
30-09-2011 more >>

Every silver lining has a cloud

The good news is landlords’ have little need to worry about new tax changes – the bad news is that for many, the impact of the last round has yet to be felt.
30-09-2011 more >>

iPhone rental app proves popular home and away

In the space of one month 27,000 people have downloaded Realestate.co.nz’s upgraded iPhone app which allows users to search for rental property.
29-09-2011 more >>

DIY attitude and cost concerns prompt landlords’ to reject property managers

A do-it-yourself attitude is the main reason landlords opt not to use a property manager, followed by concerns over expense.
27-09-2011 more >>

Quake repair work prompts surge in demand for short term tenancies

Christchurch landlords’ willing to modify their tenancy expectations could seize opportunities presented by the earthquake repair work. That's the view of Department of Building and Housing service delivery deputy chief executive Maria Robertson.
23-09-2011 more >>

Central Otago Lakes and Auckland most expensive for property

Central Otago Lakes and Auckland remain the most expensive places in New Zealand to buy property, though nationwide home affordability improved slightly over the last quarter.
23-09-2011 more >>

Calls for earthquake strengthening costs to be depreciable

A Dunedin property investor is lobbying the Government to change its tax laws for earthquake strengthening to make the work depreciable.
16-09-2011 more >>

Floating mortgage rates unlikely to rise this year as OCR remains on hold

Floating mortgage rates are unlikely to rise this year after Reserve Bank governor Alan Bollard took his cue from deteriorating sentiment about the global economy and kept interest rates on hold, as expected.
15-09-2011 more >>

QV August 2011 – the regions

A lack of quality listings is helping push values up in Auckland, while Wellington remains in a “holding pattern” according to the QV Index for August.
13-09-2011 more >>

Parts of Auckland see property values above 2007 peak

Property values in parts of Auckland are above the market peak of 2007, while Wellington values languish 7.7% below.
13-09-2011 more >>

Sir Bob Jones expands Auckland office portfolio

High profile commercial property investor Sir Robert Jones has expanded his Auckland office portfolio with the purchase of a six story office and retail block in Takapuna.
12-09-2011 more >>

Bollard likely to keep interest rates on hold this week

Continuing turmoil in global financial markets is likely to stay Reserve Bank governor Alan Bollard's hand on Thursday but the big question is how long will it keep him on hold.
12-09-2011 more >>

Investor activity muted nationwide, large variations across regions

Nationwide real estate agents have reported little evidence investors are looking to buy in the current market – though investors are buying in some locations.
08-09-2011 more >>

Residential building activity near to 20-year low

Residential building activity has fallen to its lowest level for 18 years, down 12% in the June quarter and 24% over the year.
08-09-2011 more >>

Some valuers are scaremongering about panel system: PropertyIQ

Property IQ says some valuers are scaremongering in suggesting the valuation clearing house system it is trialling with ANZ Bank will lead to a lowering of standards and inferior valuations.
07-09-2011 more >>

New listings rise may herald a strong Spring housing market

The housing market may be in for a strong Spring season if new listings are any guide.
02-09-2011 more >>

Bank looks to eliminate fraudulent valuations

ANZ Bank and PropertyIQ have been trialing a valuation clearing house system aimed at eliminating fraudulent valuations.
01-09-2011 more >>

September '11 Issue

The Perfect Tenant

Sir Bob Jones on Tax

Renovating and landscaping
01-09-2011 more >>

EQC earthquake liability increased by $4 billion

The Earthquake Commission (EQC) has increased its estimated Canterbury earthquakes liability by around $4 billion to $7.1 billion, Finance Minister Bill English has announced.
30-08-2011 more >>

Limited house price growth the new normal

Median rent growth has eased from its two-and-a-half year high last month and the housing market looks set to “continue muddling along” as opposing forces interact, according to ANZ.
24-08-2011 more >>

Capital gains tax would distort market further, says Reserve Bank

The Reserve Bank does not favour the kind of capital gains tax the Labour Party is proposing, saying it would only distort the property market further.
24-08-2011 more >>

King counters taxing solution to misdiagnosed problem

A “huge misconception” exists that investment property receives favourable tax treatment, and additional taxes could “spark an investor exodus,” according to NZ Property Investors Federation president (NZPIF) Andrew King.
23-08-2011 more >>

Price expectations up, confidence down

Despite an increasing number of people expecting house prices to rise, overall confidence in the housing market fell during the July quarter, according to the latest ASB Housing Confidence Survey.
19-08-2011 more >>