Asking prices for residential property have fallen almost $22,000 in four months, falling nearly half of that in July from a month earlier, according to Realestate.co.nz.

New Zealand's residential property sector remained subdued last month with permits for new construction edging up from a slump in May, while commercial property extended its decline.

Traditionally touted for its relating lifestyle, Tauranga City offers more than the sun and surf to active investors, writes Adrienne Jervis.

Reserve Bank Governor Alan Bollard raised the Official Cash Rate (OCR) a quarter point to 3%, while predicting a less aggressive path for further increases - good news for floating mortgage rates.

While house prices increased in June from a month earlier, the general trend over the past three months has been flat at best, according to ANZ.

The Green Party is looking to impose more costs on landlords by having minimum standards for insulation and heating in rental properties.

The Residential Tenancies Amendment Act was passed by Parliament yesterday, with no last-minute changes to what was previously on the table.

The Serious Fraud Office is to investigate allegations against an employee of the failed property investment group, Blue Chip, for alleged misinformation to investors and altering loan documents to induce financiers to lend.

Only a third of a portfolio of 20 investment properties put up for sale in Christchurch have been sold, reflecting the difficult market conditions.

Residential sales volumes sank to the second-lowest volume in a June month in the past decade as the property market remains mired in the doldrums, according to Real Estate Institute data.

Residential house prices firmed last month, according to the Real Estate Institute (REINZ). Find out what is happening in the main residential areas throughout the country.

A survey of property investors by Quotable Value has confirmed results of an earlier survey run by Landlords.co.nz. Both surveys show that few landlords intend to sell their investment properties because of changes introduced by the government in this year’s Budget.

Property investors are still "sitting on their hands" in the wake of the government's Budget, as values continued to ease last month.

Property values have fallen nationally, although Hamilton and Tauranga seem to be bucking the trend. Find out what has been happening in the main urban areas throughout the country.

Landlords would be unwise to consider raising rents just yet, unless there is absolute room to do so, according to Barfoot & Thompson.

Sellers remain confident in the residential housing market and appear resolved to focus on attracting what little buyer interest there is rather than on achieving the highest price, according to Realestate.co.nz.