As widely expected, the Reserve Bank raised the Official Cash Rate this morning for the first time, from 4.5 per cent to 5.0 per cent, and said it was time to ease back on the accelerator.

Developers or homeowners selling their property can now use a special home loan deal as an extra incentive.

A potential glut of new homes on the market means that real estate prices are unlikely to take off next year.

It may be too late to rethink your mortgage before the Official Cash Rate Review.

The days of the old-style Kiwi bach are numbered, with holiday homes now going for astronomical prices.

Increases in floating rate mortgages have spread across the market, with a string of non-bank lenders announcing rate rises last week.

Homeowners will soon have an even wider choice of mortgage lender as Wizard Financial Services joins the fray.

The National Bank is making a lone stand on its floating mortgage rate while all the other main trading banks fall into line with an increase.

Mortgage banker Cairns Lockie has reported a growing number of people faking their financial information in a bid to obtain mortgage finance.

What's been happening with house sales and what's around the corner? We update you on recent property reports.

Bank of New Zealand has taken the plunge, putting up its floating mortgage rate in what could turn out to be a round of rate increases.

Mortgage broker Kieran Trass is surprised how many people start investing in property by default, rather than making a conscious decision.

Homes throughout the country have become more affordable over the past 12 months, with most improvements in North Island regions.

Spring mortgage deals have been thinner on the ground than usual, although there are still some specials being advertised.

Fixed interest rates have continued to rise over the past month, but only slightly compared with the sharp moves seen in August.

House prices are only likely to rise around three per cent in the next 12 months, although the number of sales will probably pick up by 10 to 15 per cent over the same period.