House sales in Canterbury/Westland were dramatically affected by the September earthquake. Find out how other regions fared in September as well.

REINZ released its latest data on the housing market today. Here we summarise what three economists think is happening in the housing market.

Clarification surrounding changes to qualifying company regimes has emerged, after the original press release caused confusion as to what the proposed changes mean.

Housing affordability in New Zealand improved slightly in the third quarter of 2010 and improved almost 10% compared to the same time last year.

The Government will be introducing new rules preventing loss attributing qualifying companies (LAQCs) from passing losses on to their shareholders said Minister of Revenue, Peter Dunne today.

The government is making it easier for first home buyers and low-income households to get onto the property ladder, with a new scheme which allows for the purchase or building of a property but defers payment on the land.

The latest mortgagee sales figures show embattled homeowners are continuing to lose homes at rates unthinkable before the recession.

Some agents in Wellington are saying they can't get enough property listings for the level of enquiry they are receiving, although that is not having an impact on values.

QV's Residential Price Index for September shows that property values in the Auckland region are relatively stable, having dropped by only 0.9% since March this year. In contrast, values increased by 5.3% in the seven months up to March.

Auckland house sales failed to blossom in September's sunnier weather, with fewer than 700 sales for the fourth straight month, although prices rebounded after falling a month earlier.

Rents are on the rise nationally, says auction site TradeMe, as the supply of rental properties continues to decline and residential property investors chase cash flow rather than capital gains.

With a colourful mayor who is passionate about the city’s future and historically very strong returns from the property market, Wanganui is plodding along upstream in terms of activity in the current market, writes Adrienne Jervis

New Zealand's building consents tumbled last month, adding to evidence that the household sector remains in a funk and ensuring the central bank won't rush to hike interest rates.

The earthquake in Canterbury has been good for vacancy levels in the Christchurch rental market.

ANZ has painted a sombre picture of housing prices in its latest report saying they are “becalmed” and the pressure on prices is “slightly downward”.

Canterbury tenants forced to end the lease of their property due to earthquake damage should have their bond money released within 24 hours.