Latest from Residential Property

Consumer Watch: Limit makeovers for top profit

As property prices rise, more homeowners are staying put and renovating - and if they do it well, they should be able to double their money, experts say.

P labs leave costly stink

A leading property firm is setting up a team to fight for compensation over houses that have been contaminated by methamphetamine.

House-price expectations easing

Expectations that house prices will rise have eased in ASB's quarterly survey of housing market sentiment, remain high by historical standards.

House sales fall 17pc - prices down

Dita De Boni: Property bubble losing pressure

There's a heap of trouble when you're floating along mindlessly in a property bubble that is fast deflating, as we in Auckland city are about to find out, writes Dita De Boni.

Buying in the wops? Factor in car costs

Migrating to the outer suburbs may not be the affordable dream many Aucklanders believe, according to a new study which lays bare the true cost of commuting.

Berm garden chasing prize

A berm in Ellerslie has been entered into a national landscaping competition as part of a vegetable, fruit and flower garden. It even has a beehive.

Bob Jones: Property fund promoter should think again

It's certainly a sign of the times when something called the Dunn Housing Fund is being flogged to the public to "invest" in Auckland houses.

Squeezed in city of rising rents

Renters are paying up to $70 more a week than they were four years ago in some of Auckland's city fringe suburbs.

Huge Wanaka development set to begin

By this time next year, the first buildings could be going up in Wanaka's single-biggest commercial and residential development.

Banks 'stress-testing' mortgagors

Major banks are "stress-testing" mortgage borrowers to ensure they will be able to meet repayments when higher interest rates hit.

'Ferals' hit rental market

'There's not a rental shortage, there's a lack of etiquette." Landlords have had enough of the 'feral' behaviour of prospective tenants they're refusing to rent.

Auckland house prices fall

National house prices hit a new high of $427,000 last month but new mortgage restrictions and a Christmas slowdown was blamed.

House sales fall as market softens

The number of houses sold in NZ fell in December, continuing a trend of a slowing housing market - although the national median sale price rose slightly.

How NOT to sell your house

Rusty taps, creepy dolls on beds, dishes on the bench, dirty washing in the laundry and even cat bowls with cat food scattered around them.

Major banks yet to spell out changes in lending

Banks are still finalising how they will deal with the Reserve Bank's exemption for home-building loans.