ACT's housing spokesman Dr Muriel Newman has called on private property investors to vote for a change in government on July 27th.

A real estate slump is predicted if the Reserve Bank further increases interest rates.

Some personal experiences with purchasing apartments direct from the plans. It also covers some of the pitfalls and gives some advice.

WestpacTrust Bank and the Bank of New Zealand put up floating mortgage rates yesterday, with other big banks expected to move next week.

How will election promises affect property investors? Andrew King, from Property Investor magazine, asks the politicians...

A third of people think that it is harder for first home buyers to obtain a mortgage now than it was ten years ago - despite some fundamental changes in lending criteria amongst this country's lending institutions.

The Reserve Bank has raised its Official Cash Rate (OCR) from 5.5% to 5.75%, but has also signalled that further increases are less likely than it was indicating in May.

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has increased the Official Cash Rate from 5.5% to 5.75%, but also signalled that further increases were now rather less likely than was indicated in the Reserve Bank's May Monetary Policy Statement.

A last-ditch attempt has failed to reverse a new rating formula in which homeowners with cheaper properties have their rates increased while million-dollar property owners get a rebate.

Listed property trusts have been a popular vehicle for many investors wanting exposure to commercial property while maintaining the liquidity provided by shares.

Markets betting on the Reserve Bank raising interest rates this week, and in its subsequent review

Housing consents continued to rise in May with 2,282 new dwellings worth $387.4 million approved. Statistics New Zealand says that value is the highest ever recorded in a month.

The Australian listed property trust sector has had a stellar run over the past year and is getting to be "marginally on the expensive side", but it's not time to cut back allocations.

A building trades lobby group has complained to the Securities Commission about schemes to raise money for construction and property ventures, saying people's confidence in the industry is being threatened. Peter Degerholm, of the Building Subcontractors Federation, has written to the commission about a scheme from Auckland property financier Strategic Finance, which is seeking to raise $10 million from the public to "strengthen its capital base", according to its chief, former All Black Jock Hobbs.

Investors in Takapuna's Spencer On Byron hotel are organising legal action against the Hawaiian-based hotel operator. The angry investors established an internet chat room last week, after Castle Group's chief executive, Rick Wall, came over from Hawaii to announce that the guaranteed annual returns would be halved to 4 per cent.

There are many common misconceptions that would-be purchasers have about buying a house, writes Michael Jones. Recently a client of mine bought a house and contacted me after settlement with problems he had discovered.