Some tightening of tax rules surrounding property is inevitable, ANZ economists say.

New Zealanders are still optimistic about the state of the housing market, according to an ASB survey.

Hanover investors' $500 million is tied up in a vast spread of partly built luxury housing estates and resorts - one still a hole in the ground.

The housing market has a head of steam up, Westpac economists say, but they expect a downturn late next year.

A big chunk of the surviving finance company sector is unlikely to outlive the retail deposit guarantee.

Investors in Hanover Finance will not now get all their money back and are instead likely to receive 70c in the dollar over five years.

A shortage of homes for sale has pushed Auckland's residential property values higher than a year earlier, QV figures show.

Rich Lister Gary Lane wants more than $10 million for a piece of land once donated to the people of Auckland - and estate agents say someone will cough up the cash.

A one-room bach with a long-drop toilet and just enough room for a bed is on the market for a cool $1.3 million.

Rising house prices and interest rates have combined to weaken home loan affordability to its worst level since December 2008.

Bernard Hickey offers up 10 reasons to take a deep breath before rushing into the current property market.

The number of houses sold in September rose 10 per cent, while prices increased 0.9 per cent.