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Almost 10,000 people with ANZ made a withdrawal with KiwiSaver for first home buying. Photo / Getty Images

PROPERTY

Steve Hart: KiwiSaver cash-outs rise

15 Jun, 2018 2:40pm
2 minutes to read

Almost 10,000 people with ANZ made a withdrawal with KiwiSaver for first home buying.

Deep down we always knew something stank when it came to the meth testing industry. Photo / Dean Purcell

PROPERTY

Steve Hart: Revamp meth test industry

8 Jun, 2018 2:54pm
2 minutes to read

Deep down we always knew something stank when it came to the meth testing industry.

Light shone on an industry that has cost home owners lots of money and lots of stress. Photo / Glenn Jeffrey

PROPERTY

Steve Hart: Meth test rort exposed

1 Jun, 2018 12:13pm
2 minutes to read

Light shone on an industry that has cost home owners lots of money and lots of stress.

New Zealand has one of the lowest wage and salary shares of the country's income in the OECD. Pic Getty.

BUSINESS

Working harder to get less

1 Jun, 2018 11:27am
4 minutes to read

Real wage growth has fallen behind productivity growth, writes Steve Hart.

Nowhere near enough affordable homes are on the market to meet current demand. Photo / Getty Images

PROPERTY

Steve Hart: Bursting at the edges

25 May, 2018 2:43pm
2 minutes to read

Nowhere near enough affordable homes are on the market to meet current demand.

Trying to pick the current trend in the housing market cycle is a tough call. Photo / Getty Images

PROPERTY

Steve Hart: Market simmering

18 May, 2018 2:14pm
2 minutes to read

Trying to pick the current trend in the housing market cycle is a tough call.

PROPERTY

Steve Hart: Dark clouds gathering

11 May, 2018 2:21pm
3 minutes to read

Dark clouds are slowly moving in on property investors.

Managers can lack clarity about their role as people-leader. Pic Getty.

BUSINESS

Managers lose touch with staff

4 May, 2018 3:00pm
5 minutes to read

It can be tough at the top and also for managers who are less-than-focused.

First-time home-buyers are holding out for a new home rather than buying an existing one. Photo / Getty Images

PROPERTY

Steve Hart: Holding out for a new build

4 May, 2018 1:17pm
3 minutes to read

First-time home-buyers are holding out for a new home rather than buying an existing one.

Sales of lifestyle properties are on the up, according to the Real Estate Institute. Photo / Getty Images

PROPERTY

Steve Hart: Lifestyle sales recovering

27 Apr, 2018 1:11pm
2 minutes to read

Sales of lifestyle properties are on the up, according to the Real Estate Institute.

The survey covers December to February and shows that slightly lower median house prices are the main driver of improved affordability. Photo / Janna Dixon

PROPERTY

Steve Hart: House prices drop a little

20 Apr, 2018 2:18pm
3 minutes to read

Home affordability has improved across the country.

Although consents for stand-alone houses were down slightly. Photo / 123RF

PROPERTY

Steve Hart: Multi-units drive growth

6 Apr, 2018 1:17pm
2 minutes to read

Building consents for new townhouses, flats, and units hit a 23-year high.

Minor changes may fix work issues. Picture / Getty Images

BUSINESS

Work out why you're unhappy

27 Mar, 2018 1:55pm
5 minutes to read

There're many reasons why staff have job dissatisfaction - there're just as many solutions

New report reveals that though 35,000 consents were issued for SHAs in Auckland, only 2000 buildings were built - and most of them were already under way. Photo / File

PROPERTY

Steve Hart: Housing must be targeted

24 Mar, 2018 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Little headway has been made to build a single home, let alone an "affordable" one.

Bindi Norwell, CEO of the institute, says Hawke's Bay has seen record price increases for two months in a row. Photo / Richard Robinson

PROPERTY

Steve Hart: Auckland slows price rise

16 Mar, 2018 2:15pm
2 minutes to read

Median home prices across the country went up 6.9 per cent in the year.

The realtor's managing director, Peter Thompson, says there's a growing acceptance that today's prices are where they will stay - at least until winter sets in. Photo / Doug Sherring

PROPERTY

Steve Hart: More sales below $500K

9 Mar, 2018 1:22pm
2 minutes to read

House sales are up and prices are down according to Barfoot & Thompson.

Unprincipled landlords often allow homes to fall into disrepair, leading to poor living conditions. Photo/123RF.

BUSINESS

'Something out of Medieval Britain': Rogue landlords have too much power

5 Mar, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Landlords should be required by law to keep their properties up to standard.

Housing Spokesperson for Labour Phil Twyford. Photo / File

PROPERTY

Steve Hart: Pressure now on Twyford

2 Mar, 2018 1:45pm
2 minutes to read

There's an easy way the Labour government can build 'affordable' homes in Auckland.

We are back to January 2013 house-buying confidence levels, according to an ASB survey. Photo / Janna Dixon

PROPERTY

Steve Hart: Auckland prices soften

23 Feb, 2018 3:24pm
2 minutes to read

We are back to January 2013 house-buying confidence levels, according to an ASB survey.

REA chief executive Kevin Lampen-Smith. Photo / Glenn Taylor

PROPERTY

Steve Hart: Watchdog expands its role

16 Feb, 2018 1:16pm
2 minutes to read

New Zealand's real estate industry regulator has changed its name.

Podcasts are downloadable (like music) to your favourite player, or you can stream them from services like iHeart Radio, iTunes or Spotify. Pic Getty

ENTERTAINMENT

The growing world of podcasting

15 Feb, 2018 11:01am
7 minutes to read

Podcaster Steve Hart on the joys of podcasting.

Water quality, rapid urbanisation and impact of natural hazards up for talks at NZPI. Photo / Getty

PROPERTY

Steve Hart: Vital issues on agenda

9 Feb, 2018 1:38pm
2 minutes to read

Water quality, rapid urbanisation and impact of natural hazards up for talks at NZPI.

Ashley Church is predicting high rents will be the key housing issue this year. Photo / 123RF

PROPERTY

Steve Hart: Landlords under the gun

2 Feb, 2018 2:15pm
2 minutes to read

A rental crisis is coming.

On top of that, some economists reckon the official cash rate will go up this year. Photo / 123RF

PROPERTY

Steve Hart: A change is in the air

26 Jan, 2018 1:22pm
2 minutes to read

Downturn in net migration and changes to tax rules for property investors play a part.

Firms putting more pressure and workload on their current head-count can result in burnout. Pic Getty.

BUSINESS

An unpleasant burning sensation

22 Jan, 2018 11:01am
4 minutes to read

Employers need to look after employees mental health in the workplace.

Peter Thompson says last year the median selling price rose by 2.7 per cent to $843,583. Photo / Doug Sherring

PROPERTY

Steve Hart: Sales fall but prices stable

12 Jan, 2018 3:20pm
2 minutes to read

Auckland market reined in from rapid price increases and has settled into stable trading.

Unplug and relax these holidays or risk burnout. Picture / Getty Images

BUSINESS

Escape the "always on" culture

12 Jan, 2018 11:43am
6 minutes to read

Schedule a time out from work these holidays.

The Labour-led Government is to build 100,000 new homes over the next 10 years... Photo / 123RF

PROPERTY

Steve Hart: Dig deep and do it right

15 Dec, 2017 8:25pm
2 minutes to read

The Labour-led Government is to build 100,000 new homes over the next 10 years...

The firm sold 757 properties last month. Photo / Ted Baghurst

PROPERTY

Steve Hart: Buyers buoy up market

8 Dec, 2017 4:44pm
3 minutes to read

Buyers are returning to the Auckland property market following a two-month drought.

Properties will continue to sell at the market price following negotiations between seller and buyer. Keep calm everyone. Photo / Doug Sherring

PROPERTY

CVs a double-edged sword

24 Nov, 2017 6:40pm
3 minutes to read

The new Auckland Council property valuations are out and causing a storm.

Reports show that nationally, the median price rose by 3.9 per cent year on year to $530,000. Photo / 123RF

PROPERTY

Steve Hart: House price growth slows

17 Nov, 2017 8:26pm
2 minutes to read

Reports show nationally, the median price rose by 3.9 per cent year on year to $530,000.

PROPERTY

Steve Hart: A foot in the door at last

10 Nov, 2017 6:13pm
2 minutes to read

New figures show a surge of activity from first home buyers outside of Auckland.

PROPERTY

Steve Hart: Change on the horizon

27 Oct, 2017 6:40pm
2 minutes to read

With a new Government coming into power, interesting times ahead for residential market.

The value of lifestyle properties sold was $6.28 billion for the year to September, and the median price was $595,000 - that's $65,000 higher than last year. Photo / File

PROPERTY

Steve Hart: Grass not always greener

20 Oct, 2017 4:02pm
2 minutes to read

Value of lifestyle properties down by 23 per cent for the same period as last year.

PROPERTY

Steve Hart: Insulation deadline nears

13 Oct, 2017 8:02pm
2 minutes to read

170,000 rental properties need to be insulated to meet the Residential Tenancies Act.

Papakura is the only Super City district where prices increased over the past three months - up a modest 0.3 per cent. Photo / 123RF

PROPERTY

Steve Hart: City home prices drop

6 Oct, 2017 4:20pm
2 minutes to read

Auckland values have dropped in most parts of Auckland over the past three months.

By how much, it is hard to say. Photo / 123RF

PROPERTY

Steve Hart: Slowdown predicted

29 Sep, 2017 7:29pm
2 minutes to read

Country may be facing a slowdown in economic activity that will impact the housing market.

Word is that 2017 could be the biggest year yet for people investing in international real estate. Photo / 123RF

PROPERTY

Steve Hart: China may lift market

22 Sep, 2017 7:29pm
3 minutes to read

It seems China is about to relax its rules on capital outflow.

'Freestanding' example of Paerata Rise. Photo / Supplied

PROPERTY

Steve Hart: Paerata Rise takes shape

15 Sep, 2017 1:10pm
3 minutes to read

Paerata Rise: a new housing development on former Wesley College land near Pukekohe.

About 290,000 more people expected to settle in the region over the coming decade. Photo / Chris Skelton

PROPERTY

Steve Hart: Headwinds are building

8 Sep, 2017 4:00pm
3 minutes to read

Auckland's population will continue to grow at a rapid pace say economists at Westpac.

PROPERTY

Steve Hart: Prices settle down

19 Aug, 2017 5:00am
3 minutes to read

House prices are levelling off in most parts of the country.

Compensation is only available if licensees are found guilty of the most serious charge of bringing the industry into disrepute (misconduct). Photo / 123RF

PROPERTY

Steve Hart: Agents face tougher regime

11 Aug, 2017 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Real estate agents who fail to perform professionally will face tougher consequences.

The Healthy Homes Guarantee Bill (No. 2) will set the standard for all homes when it comes to heating, ventilation and drainage. Photo / 123RF

PROPERTY

Steve Hart: Warm and dry: It's simple

4 Aug, 2017 1:47pm
3 minutes to read

A law change to help make rental homes warmer and drier is a step closer.

This may not be a surprise to many people, but plenty of estate agents say winter is a good time to go to market as there is less competition around. Photo / 123RF

PROPERTY

Steve Hart: Top tips for winter sales

28 Jul, 2017 4:16pm
2 minutes to read

Fewer homes sell in winter than during any other season according to statistics.

They also say sales across the country have fallen sharply through mid-2017. Photo / Supplied

PROPERTY

Steve Hart: Growing signs of softness

21 Jul, 2017 2:54pm
3 minutes to read

It is well established now that real estate is in a bit of a funk.

Looking at the country as a whole, average prices for real estate rose 0.8 per cent in the June quarter according to Quotable Value. Photo / File

PROPERTY

Steve Hart: Stay calm and carry on

14 Jul, 2017 1:34pm
2 minutes to read

Real estate prices in Auckland have been stagnant since the start of the year.

PROPERTY

Steve Hart: Meth testing limits raised

7 Jul, 2017 1:06pm
2 minutes to read

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Conservatively, these properties could house more than 60,000 people. Photo / 123RF

PROPERTY

Solutions for empty homes

30 Jun, 2017 2:50pm
3 minutes to read

According to Stats NZ there are more than 33,000 empty homes across Auckland.

According to the Real Estate Institute, national median house prices increased 6.7 per cent to $540,000 in the year to May 2017. Photo / 123RF

PROPERTY

Price rises hit soft spot

23 Jun, 2017 12:36pm
3 minutes to read

You may be surprised to hear that house prices are still rising across New Zealand.

Last week the Reserve Bank proposed that home loans should be limited to five times a person's annual income. (About time, too). Photo / 123RF

PROPERTY

Home loan limit too late

16 Jun, 2017 3:35pm
3 minutes to read

Debt-to-income limits on mortgage lending have potential to do damage to house market.

The Reserve Bank Financial Stability Report says the housing market is the number one risk factor in the economy. Photo / 123RF

PROPERTY

Hint on lending limits

9 Jun, 2017 12:23pm
2 minutes to read

A report says the housing market is the number one risk factor in the economy.

Auckland remains the most expensive region to rent a home. Photo / 123RF

PROPERTY

Building momentum stalls

2 Jun, 2017 12:55pm
2 minutes to read

The seasonally adjusted number of new homes consented fell 7.6 per cent in April.

Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) - which uses several layers of wood, stacked crossways and bonded together - is an efficient and plentiful building product. Photo / Getty Images

PROPERTY

Faster, smarter, cheaper

26 May, 2017 12:45pm
2 minutes to read

Homes can now be made off-site with machines that could be operated by one person.

Not only is the New Zealand economy preventing young people from returning home with their skills, it is keeping families apart. Photo / 123RF

PROPERTY

Kids can't come home

19 May, 2017 1:24pm
3 minutes to read

Herald Homes reader says neither of her children may be able to live in Auckland again.

On a year-on-year basis the median price is up 3.7 per cent. Photo / Doug Sherring

PROPERTY

Sales slow, prices steady

12 May, 2017 1:34pm
2 minutes to read

Auckland property sales numbers were at their lowest level for an April since 2008.

Kiwi actor Shane Cortese (left) is working as a real estate agent for NZ Sotheby's in Takapuna. Photo / Norrie Montgomery

PROPERTY

Lifestyle price at record high

28 Apr, 2017 1:47pm
2 minutes to read

There has been a drop in the number of lifestyle properties sold.

PROPERTY

13pc drop in home sales

21 Apr, 2017 12:24pm
2 minutes to read

Home sales continue to track downwards when compared to the same time last year.

Making sure borrowers have larger deposits, and lending is more prudent are two ways of achieving that. Photo / Brett Phibbs

PROPERTY

A range of responses

14 Apr, 2017 10:27am
2 minutes to read

The lending restrictions have not hit as hard as they have in Auckland.

The lifestyle advantages of living centrally are a major draw for people to the area, says Forrester. Photo /123RF

PROPERTY

More interest in inner city

7 Apr, 2017 11:31am
2 minutes to read

Demand is increasing for inner city apartments according to figures.

The market has cooled somewhat when compared to last year. Photo / Jason Dorday

PROPERTY

Critical time for Auckland

31 Mar, 2017 2:37pm
2 minutes to read

Landowners chip away at the housing shortage, the pressure on prices continues to mount.

The 40 per cent deposit requirement prevents many investors from buying. Photo / 123RF

PROPERTY

Buyers bite in flat market

24 Mar, 2017 1:44pm
2 minutes to read

The Auckland cycle has peaked and will probably sit flattish with small rises.

PROPERTY

Median house prices up

17 Mar, 2017 12:43pm
3 minutes to read

The national median house price rose to $495,000 in the year to February.