Politicians debate affordability

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 >>

Building activity picks up pace

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 >>

RE/MAX announces buyout

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 affordability up

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 >>

Buyers scope out Northland opportunities

Aucklanders looking for more value for money are looking north, real estate agents say.
28-11-2012 more >>

Watch out for bad tenants: Poll

Getting the wrong tenants into a property is the worst mistake investors can make, according to a poll of experts and landlords.
28-11-2012 more >>

North Shore rental properties are city's most expensive

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 >>

Councillor slams penalty fee "rip-off"

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 >>

REINZ urges caution after ruling

Agents must be very careful that they can back up any claims they make about a property, the Real Estate Institute says.
23-11-2012 more >>

Policy may not be good deal: Hargreaves

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 >>

Low rates driving prices: ANZ

Carded floating rates are now at their lowest level in more than 48 years, ANZ says in this month’s Property Focus report.
22-11-2012 more >>

Restrict foreign buyers: Greens

Restrictions should be put on overseas’ buyers ability to purchase real estate in New Zealand, the Green Party says.
21-11-2012 more >>

Capital gains tax won't work: ACT

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 >>

Kiwis think it's a good time to buy, but not in Auckland

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 >>

Rental properties and cheaper houses in Labour's sights

Building more affordable housing and forcing landlords to ensure their rental properties are healthy are top of Labour’s priorities, its leader says.
18-11-2012 more >>

Auckland nears housing boom: Alexander

Auckland’s housing market is shifting into boom territory, helped along by investors who are dissatisfied with the returns they are getting on bank deposits, BNZ chief economist Tony Alexander says.
16-11-2012 more >>

Address affordability now: BNZ

Housing affordability is a national emergency, says BNZ chief executive Andrew Thorburn. Speaking to the Trans-Tasman Business Circle in Auckland this morning, he said New Zealand would not become a wealthier and more productive nation if it could not affordable house its population.
16-11-2012 more >>

Labour slams Hobsonville move

National has resurrected plans to ensure a percentage of the new houses built at Auckland’s Hobsonville Point sell for less than $485,000 – but Labour isn’t impressed.
16-11-2012 more >>

Lifestyle market firming: REINZ

New Zealand’s lifestyle property market is heating up again, with as 15% increase in sales reported in the three months to October 2012 compared to the same time the year before.
15-11-2012 more >>

LVR restrictions could work: NZPIF

Government restrictions on high loan-to-value loans have the cautious support of the New Zealand Property Investors Federation.
15-11-2012 more >>

Rental property regains top spot with investors

Rental property is again the most attractive investment to New Zealanders, ASB’s latest investor confidence survey shows. The survey, released today, shows investors’ confidence has climbed to the highest levels since 2010.
14-11-2012 more >>

Trust law under Commission spotlight

Trusts are in the Law Commission’s sights as it looks to modernise trust law in New Zealand. Commission president Grant Hammon said that because trusts were an important way of managing personal and family property, it was vital that New Zealand had robust tax laws.
14-11-2012 more >>

Labour calls for capital gains tax

New Zealand needs a capital gains tax to redirect investment into productive businesses, Labour says.
14-11-2012 more >>

Hamilton market heating up: Agency

Hamilton's housing market is picking up pace, according to the city's biggest real estate agency.
12-11-2012 more >>

High LVR loans come with warning

Banks again are offering 95 per cent loans to property investors, but they come with a caution. ANZ, ASB and Westpac say they will give loans for investment properties to people with small deposits.
12-11-2012 more >>