The Mix

Investors on brink of overtaking first home buyers

The latest Reserve Bank mortgage data shows investors nearly overtook first home buyers for the first time in three-and-a-half years when taking out loans in July.  More...

If you pay $750 in rent, why can't you get a mortgage for that amount?

It's a common complaint from first-home buyers: If I can pay $750 a week in rent - and have been doing it every week for years - why is that not enough to prove to the bank that I can afford a mortgage at that repayment level? More...

Where is it cheaper to own than rent?

Buying a house is about twice as expensive as renting in New Zealand as a whole, but there are still places where it is cheaper to own your home than rent it, new data shows.More...

You shouldn’t need to own your home to live with a furry friend

 It’s a sad fact that the vast majority of NZ rentals do not allow tenants to keep pets. One rental-only apartment complex is challenging the norm by warmly welcoming both two legged and four legged residents.More...

Stink over trucking sewage from West Auckland housing development goes to court

Hundreds of new homes in West Auckland are having sewage trucked away because there is no permanent wastewater connection.  More...

$1 Reserve Auctions …

and other creative ways of selling in a saturated market

While listings continue to rise, property prices and sales are crashing across the country. And some real estate agents are using $1 reserve auctions to lure buyers. More...

Mixed Fortunes for Australia and New Zealand Property Markets as Suburb Values Weaken

While parts of Australia and New Zealand have seen rising values, a growing number of suburbs are now experiencing declines as high interest rates, affordability pressures, and cautious buyer behaviour take hold.More...