Despite recent media reports of developers shunning Auckland’s inner-city apartment market, New Zealand’s total building activity is expected to decline by only 3% this year in constant prices.

Over the past two years the New Zealand Property Magazine has reviewed most of the leading property related websites and here, Diana Clement brings you a summary of how to make the Internet work for you...

While the New Zealand dollar and sharemarket both took a hammering today, experts are advising Kiwi investors that it is far too early to get overtly bearish on the prospects for the New Zealand dollar.

The rules around liability for damage caused by tenants are likely to change under reforms to the Residential Tenancies Act.

The Property Council has praised a breakthrough in the Auckland City Council billboard bylaw impasse.

A $20,000 ceiling has been set for fast tracking Weathertight Homes Resolution Service (WHRS) claims.

Home Loan Report: “It’s not all about rate,” is a message that mortgage advisers are keen to emphasise to borrowers seeking a homeloan.

From 30 November 2007, territorial and regional authorities must be audited and accredited as Building Consent Authorities before they can undertake any building consent processing, inspections and approvals.

With 32 years’ banking experience, Bank of New Zealand’s billion-dollar man Tony Mounce knows a lot about how to pay off your mortgage faster.

Weekly Home Loan report: As the cost of fixed rate loans continues to rise borrowers might be well advised to consult several lenders and brokers before settling for a deal.

Builders, designers, and others who work in the building sector have until 26 March 2007 to make submissions on the Licensed Building Practitioner Scheme.

The economic benefit of rising residential property prices should not be underestimated or dismissed, says national president of the Real Estate Institute Murray Cleland.

Southland’s median sales price increased from $150,000 in December to reach a new high of $156,000 in January, Real Estate Institute figures show.

Usually a low-gear month for the residential property market, January 2007 appears set to buck the trend with Ray White Real Estate New Zealand reporting its best ever January sales on record – a 61% rise on last year’s result.

Home Loan Report: The general trend in the cost of fixed rate loans continues to be upwards and is likely to remain so as financial markets become increasingly convinced that the Reserve Bank will increase the Official Cash Rate next month.

The Department of Building and Housing has released a synopsis of submissions received on the discussion document Building for the 21st Century: Review of the building Code.