The Queenstown Lakes District’s outstanding natural landscape will ensure continuing high property values as demand for a patch of some of the country’s most prime real estate remains strong from both local and overseas buyers, Andrea Milner reports.

A recent Reserve Bank study into household savings which revealed that New Zealanders are in fact spending more than they earn found evidence that the sharp rise in household net worth in recent years triggered largely by the housing boom may be aggravating the problem.

Mortgage Rate Report: The euphoria of a mortgage rate war and falling rates maybe short-lived, judging by recent economic events.

The government has announced a $3 million, three-year programme to help local authorities process building consents faster.

Building Issues Minister Clayton Cosgrove last week announced a new package of work aimed at improving the energy efficiency of New Zealand homes and commercial buildings through insulation, solar, lighting and other technologies.

The Real Estate Institute (REINZ) has produced two new legislative guides for members as part of a programme to ensure that all members are aware of their obligations under the six different pieces of legislation which affect them.

Earlier this year the Kiwi Property Investor Magazine was placed in receivership. The following FAQ outlines what has happened and what subscribers to that magazine can expect going forward.

Investor confidence has jumped up, after falling recently, however there has been a significant turn around in views on asset classes and their expected returns.

Residential property values increased by 10.4% over the past year, which is consistent with the growth rate reported in August.

Wellington has shown the best house price growth of all the main urban areas in the latest period according to the latest QV statistics.

Mortgage Rate Report: The Spring campaign amongst banks for mortgage business has started and it has been more aggressive than some expected.

Auckland based property developer, Gary Gordon, has set a target of building 1000 apartments in low-rise configurations in inner city Christchurch over the next ten years.

Building Issues Minister Clayton Cosgrove has announced proposed amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 and to landlords’ and tenants’ advice and dispute resolution services.

The government has unveiled proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act which will impact on what landlords and tenants can do.

The latest figures from the Property Council of New Zealand’s Investment Performance Index survey show commercial property investors receiving an average return of 17.88% in the year to June 2006, at a similar level to the 18.10% investors earned on average for the previous year.

Proposed changes to investment income taxation are necessary if potential investors are to make choices on the relative merits of investment rather than taxation advantages and disadvantages, says the Property Council.