The number of houses for sale nationally dropped to a five-year low in November, according to realestate.co.nz’s most recent report.

A rapid rise in the number of retirees looking to sell their houses is likely to dampen property prices in most parts of the country except Auckland, a demographer says.

Affordable housing developments must be built only for New Zealanders buying their first home, and not snapped up by local or foreign property investors, says New Zealand First.

The number of new houses consented for in October was the highest of any month in more than four years, Statistics New Zealand said.

A local group has bought out the New Zealand RE/MAX master franchise.

Housing became a bit more affordable in the year to June 2012, Statistics New Zealand data shows.

Getting the wrong tenants into a property is the worst mistake investors can make, according to a poll of experts and landlords.

I've been thinking about New Zealanders and our love affair with property. It is a bond that will never end - well, not in my lifetime anyway.

Aucklanders looking for more value for money are looking north, real estate agents say.

One-bedroom properties in Takapuna, Pakuranga and Auckland’s city bays – from Mission Bay to St Heliers - are the standout performers in Crockers’ latest survey of rents.

A lack of reminders from council will result in more than 50,000 Auckland property owners having to pay a 10% penalty fee on their rates, says councillor Cameron Brewer.

Agents must be very careful that they can back up any claims they make about a property, the Real Estate Institute says.

Parties proposing policies aimed at getting first-home buyers into houses must be sure they are actually doing them a good turn, one property expert says.

Carded floating rates are now at their lowest level in more than 48 years, ANZ says in this month’s Property Focus report.

Restrictions should be put on overseas’ buyers ability to purchase real estate in New Zealand, the Green Party says.

A capital gains tax won’t improve housing affordability, according to ACT.