Queenstown properties have cracked the million dollar mark for average values, putting them on par with Auckland. But the latest QV property values for November show that the heat is starting to come out of the flourishing Wellington property market and other markets ahead of Christmas.

Aiesha Cunningham has been looking for a rental property for more than a year, without any luck. The mother-of-two is a full-time student and wants to find a home near her kids' school in Manurewa.

Auckland's long run of relatively stagnant rent prices may be coming to an end. Trade Me Property has released its latest rental market data, which offers a snapshot of the prices being asked by landlords around the country.

Major insurers have agreed to a deal to lift the "freeze" on house insurance policies being issued. Immediately after the first earthquake centred on Kaikoura insurers stopped issuing new policies raising fears house sales across the South Island and lower North Island would be disrupted.

A new website for people trying to sell their homes privately is offering buyers an equity boost. HomeBoost.co.nz charges sellers a fee of between $500 and $2000 on each sale, and another 2 per cent of the purchase price, which is then given to the buyer.

For many people, retirement is the time to downsize from the family home to a smaller dwelling. It's a big decision so before you take the plunge, first ask yourself these six questions to ensure you make an informed choice.

Do you plan to downsize the house as a part of your retirement plan? Lots of people do. Selling the house to buy a less expensive one has been a good and easy option for a lot of people in the past.

New Zealanders can expect higher home loan interest rates, and more pressure on house prices, thanks to Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election.

The Reserve Bank has cut the official cash rate (OCR) to a new all time low, but the banks seem unlikely to pass any saving to borrowers.

ASB has increased the interest rate charged on a number of its longer-term mortgage rates.