Rents in some areas across the country appear to be dropping, the latest bond data show.

Although the New Zealand residential market is facing a raft of challenges, Australian real estate powerhouse Raine & Horne is making its first foray into this country and opening four offices in the North Island by the end of this month.

Home values have made the biggest first-quarter fall in more than 15 years, the latest QV data show.

Debt-to-income levels will become reality for mortgage borrowers next March, says Kelvin Davidson, CoreLogic’s chief economist.

Bloomberg has calculated a wall of $US1.5 trillion of commercial property debt is due to roll over in the next 20 months, just when banks have lost their appetite for funding such debt.

Many mortgage advisers are relying too heavily on banks’ UMI calculators when submitting mortgage applications.

Mortgage rates are at or close to a peak, despite the Reserve Bank lifting the OCR by 0.50% to 5.25% yesterday.

Auckland’s biggest real estate agency sold just 765 houses last month, down by 35% when compared to March last year and 59% compared to the same month in 2021.

The Financial Services Federation (FSF) has spread its wings in an attempt to attract new members.

The Reserve Bank is releasing its finalised debt-to-income (DTI) tool.

Financial market volatility has lifted sharply in recent weeks in the wake of bank collapses in the US and as contagion later spread to Switzerland.

A major slowdown in the construction industry is fast approaching.

Mortgage lending is still in the doldrums with the $3.8 billion borrowed last month, the lowest since records began in 2013.

The Reserve Bank (RBNZ) is seeking feedback on proposed new guidance for the financial sector on managing climate-related risks.

Median weekly rents across the country reached a record high of $600 in February, the latest Trade Me data show.

Homeowners overwhelmed with the cost of living, rising interest rates and recent weather damage are turning to mortgage advisers for advice.