Most of the signals coming from Auckland's residential market suggest it's an excellent time to invest there.

The strength of the housing market’s recovery means interest rates are likely to rise sooner than expected, according to Bank of New Zealand economist Stephen Toplis.

New Zealanders borrowed an additional $422 million in mortgages in January, bringing the total owed on housing to $68.3 billion.

January residential building consents were up on both December and January last year, but Statistics New Zealand says that the trend, which has been increasing since January last year, appears to have slowed in the last few months.

LJ Hooker set to establish mortgage business as part of its one-stop shop plans.

The latest real estate sales figures show the strong recovery in evidence late last year has continued into 2002.

The government’s Kiwibank isn’t planning to do business through mortgage brokers initially, but may consider doing so further down the track.

Australian mortgage wholesaler Liberty Finance is planning a full-scale launch into the New Zealand market after launching a $A1 billion ($NZ1.2 billion) commercial paper program.

ASB Bank has decided on a proactive attitude to Kiwibank’s launch even as other banks profess a wait-and-see attitude.

Don’t hold your breath for a rush by other mortgage lenders to match Kiwibank’s plans to charge 6.1% for both floating and one-year fixed home loans.

The Public Trust has bought the $70 million Direct Home Loans mortgage portfolio for an undisclosed sum.

New Zealanders borrowed an additional $374 million in mortgages in December, bringing the total owed on housing to $67.876 billion, according to the latest Reserve Bank figures.

Syndicated property promoter Waltus is still trying to refinance the mortgage on its ill-fated investment in Auckland’s KPMG Centre.

Syndicated property promoter Waltus is still trying to refinance the mortgage on its ill-fated investment in Auckland’s KPMG Centre.

The number of residential building consents slowed in December from November, as is traditional, but was well up on December 2000.

Reserve Bank governor Don Brash left his official cash rate (OCR) unchanged today, as expected, but says the risks on both sides of that decision have increased since his last statement in November.