BNZ’s chief economist has rejected suggestions from the Finance Minister that the country’s house price inflation has become a bubble.

Those worried about New Zealanders’ preference for property investment need to change their approach to the problem, says Auckland Property Investors Association president David Whitburn.

Buying property is not a sure bet and would-be landlords should exercise caution, one property commentator says.

Prime Minister John Key has rejected suggestions that a delay in approving Auckland’s unitary plan is driving up house prices.

Property for Industry and Direct Property Fund’s boards have agreed on terms to proceed with a merger.

Property availability is worsening, putting pressure on rising house prices, the latest BNZ/REINZ survey of real estate agents shows.

There were more rental properties available in the first quarter of this year, and fewer tenants looking for them, according to Trade Me. But the problem seems to be confined to Auckland.

March recorded the highest number of sales in a single month since May 2007, the Real Estate Institute says.

Concern about foreign buyers snapping up properties is purely an Auckland issue, says BNZ chief economist Tony Alexander, but it needs to be acted on now.

Limited information is available about a fund that will allow investors to purchase a slice of an Auckland residential property portfolio.

Things won’t get any easier for first-home buyers in Auckland for a while yet, according to Quotable Value’s local expert, Kerry Stewart.

A solution to Auckland’s housing affordability crisis could lie just outside the city’s boundaries, a business lobby group says.

If you don’t like the sound of what’s contained in the draft Auckland plan, the council wants you to have a go at doing better.

There’s still no sign of let-up in the lack of supply in the property market, particularly in the main centres.

Property investment guru Olly Newland has pointed to Pokeno as a possible boom area.

Houses selling for more than $1 million have pushed Auckland’s average sales price to a record $645,928 for March, Barfoot and Thompson reports.