More people than ever are renting homes and they’re doing so for longer periods at different stages of their lives, says Jeff Montgomery of the Department of Building & Housing (DBH).

Property investment is clearly losing some of its sheen with Kiwis judging by the results of this week’s ASB Investor Confidence survey.

We have had the mother of all rate cuts recently, with the Reserve Bank slashing 100 basis points off its official cash rate. Thankfully many of the lenders have passed on much of this decrease to borrowers with reduced home loans.

A couple from Duendin, who have set out to manage their rental properties professionally, have been named as New Zealand’s top landlords in a new award.

The huge 1% cut in the official cash rate (OCR) on Thursday is great news for investors and the general housing market.

The “fear factor” stalling New Zealand’s real estate market will fade away once people come to terms with the reality of the global financial situation.

The Reserve Bank today reduced the Official Cash Rate (OCR) from 7.5% to 6.5%.

Greater numbers of investors have been hunting property bargains as real estate prices stabilise and the number of days houses spend on the market drop.

How safe is your home or investment properties? Diana Clement looks at a website that gives in-depth hazard reports specific to your property.

The average New Zealand house price fell 5.8% in September amid indications the market may be headed for an extended slump as banks tighten lending criteria and the recession saps demand.

To find out what's happening in the main areas around the country, use the links in the story below.

New Zealand house sales rose from a 26-year low in September and the median price was unchanged, reflecting a seasonal pick-up with the arrival of warmer weather.

The Real Estate Institute of New Zealand's September statistics are out now. Find out what's happening in your area.

Sunshine and a pleasant lifestyle make Nelson a popular place to live – and a safe bet for investors, reports Karen Clark.

Increasing numbers of lifestyle properties are cropping up around the country as farm land converts to residential use.

Internationally, central banks are under increasing pressure to implement steep cuts in official interest rates to prevent economic paralysis and this should lead eventually to lower mortgage rates.