Nichole Lewis: Townhouses are a bad investment

New builds and townhouses alike have become the best option for first home buyers looking to get into the market.  Townhouses offer a lower-cost alternative to standalone homes without having to fully commit to apartment living, and new builds often mean low-deposit loans and easier access for fir…

Mark Harris: Is this the end of mum and dad investors?

Mum and dad investors are pulling out of the property market.  The housing market is shifting to focus on the needs of your everyday owner-occupier, but the demand for rentals as still as high as ever and it doesn't look like that will change any time soon.  The problem is that, among other reaso…

Peter Norris: The questions to ask before you declare yourself the bank of mum and dad

If you're declaring yourself as the bank of mum and dad, you'll need to have some conversations with your children about what they can afford - and what happens if that changes.  LISTEN ABOVE

Martin Cooper: Westpac picks 6 OCR hikes

Westpac's economists are picking 6 consecutive OCR hikes from December - they're forecasting that it will hit 4% by the end of next year.  The OCR dropped to 2.25% just before Christmas, which is where it stands now, but there have been rumblings for some time that we'd start seeing hikes soon, as…

Ed McKnight: Finding the right agent for you

Those in the market to buy a new home either know or will learn very quickly, that an agent is essential in the process.  Sure, we can search agency websites and windows ourselves, or scroll through OneRoof after work every day - but we're doing ourselves a disservice if we don't have an agent kee…

Bryan Thomson: "Fast, simple way" of working out the property market

New Zealand's biggest bank, ANZ, has downgraded its forecast for property prices this year.  It says its previous forecast of 5% is looking unrealistic as the OCR looks to be making a turn soon and market prices are already falling - now saying a 2% rise is more likely.  Meanwhile, economists are…

Andrew Nicols: How old is too old to invest in property?

Normally when property comes up in discussion, it's focused on the plight of the youngsters who are fighting to get on to the property ladder. But today, we're switching it up a bit. Your house is likely the most expensive thing you own, that applies for everyone who's lucky enough to own one. So …

Nichole Lewis: No-consent granny flats are in, but should you get one?

The no-consent granny flat law changes came in this week.  That means you can build an up-to-70sqm dwelling in your backyard without having to ask the council if you're allowed to.  Getting one set up on your property would set you back at least $200,000, but the question on minds of anyone with …

Ed McKnight: Has property investment fundamentally changed?

From tax changes to interest rates to regulation changes, there's an ever growing list of reasons for kiwis to be a bit more hesitant to invest in property.  Now with changes to foreign buyers laws, we may be staring down the barrel of a completely different  property market.  So here's the quest…

Mike Atkinson: Pets won't destroy your rental

Not even two years ago, we were comparing our rent increases to those of places like Singapore and New York City. But today, many parts of the country are seeing rents tumble.  So what does it mean for 2026? Should tenants be making their move to secure a place? Or is it the landlords who should b…