Archive: 2008
Bank moves makes it harder to buy a homeNew Zealand's largest banking group has doubled its minimum mortgage deposit, leaving would-be home buyers needing to find tens of thousands more before buying. Longer fixing now an optionMortgage rates are looking festive as they continue to register scores of reductions by lenders. Interest tumbles in face of crisisReserve Bank Governor Alan Bollard is expected to hack more than 1 per cent off the official cash rate next week in an attempt to bring down interest rates and revive the flagging economy Leap in Tenancy Tribunal applicationsIncreasing financial pressures have seen a spike in the number of applications to the Tenancy Tribunal, mainly relating to unpaid rent. BNZ goes below 7 per cent mortgage barrierBNZ is throwing down the gauntlet to other banks in slashing its lowest mortgage rate today to below 7 per cent. Bernard Hickey: Mortgage pain on the riseThere is one sure way to capture the mood of the real estate market and economy right now. Go to Trade Me or realestate.co.nz and search for properties with the word mortgage Agents feel the effect of market in doldrumsThe volume of unsold houses in the country's northern region is rapidly rising and prices are taking a hammering. Property investors urged to diversifyInvestors in the listed property sector can expect falling returns and are being advised to diversify for tougher times Focus is now on what the new Government will doIn their November Property Focus, ANZ economists say the Reserve Bank is New Zealand is now branishing some larger calibre weaponry to restore economic sentiment and market stability. They expect the newly elected government to do their utmost to stamp their mark on things too. Mortgage rates on their way down - Kiwibank joins inMortgage rates are on the way down today, with two banks - Westpac and Kiwibank, cutting rates in anticipation of another Official Cash Rate cut Flat-fee property management has come to NZAcQuire Property has launched Residential Management, a full property management service, that is offering to manage properties at a flat rate of $899 a year. National broom to sweep into housingThe new Government appears likely to keep real estate agent laws introduced by the previous regime but is aiming to make big changes to other poperty rules House prices start to bounce backHouse prices in Auckland and nationally are up and agents say a rosier picture of the market is finally beginning to emerge New govt brightens outlook for property marketReal estate agency leaders are feeling positive about the future under the National-led Government. Manage rent arrears through good tenant relationshipsTenancy Tribunal applications have increased by 16% over recent months with most of these cases relating to rent arrears. Property prices dip 6.8 per cent in yearResidential property prices fell 1 per cent in October, taking the annual decline to 6.8 percent, according to QV Valuations Building new homes may not be the answerAlthough the Salvation Army has identified a shortage of 2,500 homes in Auckland, the number of available rental properties is now 5,500 (1,600 increase since May) and there are 18,000 houses for sale. Mortgage rates coming down, but there's risks in fixing too longMortgage rates are coming down, say ASB economists, making it risky to fix an interest rate for too long. Bargains can lure buyers into leaky home morassHouse and appartment buyers are unwittingly stumbling into the leaky building disaster, tempted by cheap properties with serious hidden defects. Summer tips for smart landlordsSadly, the arrival of summer also means an increase in work for the Tenancy Tribunal when landlords and tenants face additional costs, and many New Zealanders move house November '08 Issue01 Nov 2008 more >> Results: 21 |