House Prices

Owning home no bed of roses

With fewer New Zealanders buying houses, Rob Stock looks at the pros and cons of purchasing your own place.

Thursday, December 02nd 2004

A lifetime lived in someone else's house is the future for many New Zealanders whose forbears would have seen property ownership as a right.

Back in 1986, 73 per cent of people owned outright, or had a mortgage on a home. That's now dropped to 67 per cent, according to Massey University.

A projection by Housing New Zealand maintains that could fall to around 62 per cent by 2011.

But for those on the wrong side of the 15-year slide in home affordability, is it possible to live a prosperous life without ever owning a property?

In Europe, the answer would seem to be yes, where, if you exclude Britain, life-long renting is seen as a credible lifestyle choice.

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Property investors refocus on cash flow

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Wednesday, April 17th 2024

Rate cuts needed to lift mood

The enthusiasm that followed the change in government, mainly from property investors, has waned as homeowners and buyers hang out for interest rate cuts, says Kiwibank.

Monday, March 18th 2024

Support for regulation

REINZ has emphasised the need for property management regulation to Parliament’s Social Services and Community Committee.

Thursday, March 14th 2024

A better investment market

“Reinstatement of interest deductibility starting from the new tax year on 1 April brings property investors back in line with every other business in the country, where interest costs are a legitimate deductible expense," Tim Horsbrugh, New Zealand Property Investors Federation (NZPIF) executive committee member says.

Thursday, March 14th 2024

[OPINION] Recessionary times

It is not the best out there for many businesses and property sector people. Sales are down across the board, our clients’ confidence is falling, and there is a lot of uncertainty.

SBS FirstHome Combo	6.74
Heartland Bank - Online	6.89
Wairarapa Building Society	6.95
Unity	6.99
Co-operative Bank - First Home Special	7.04
ICBC	7.05
China Construction Bank	7.09
BNZ - Classic	7.24
ASB Bank	7.24
ANZ Special	7.24
TSB Special	7.24

Unity First Home Buyer special	6.45
Heartland Bank - Online	6.55
SBS Bank Special	6.69
TSB Special	6.75
Westpac Special	6.75
China Construction Bank	6.75
ICBC	6.75
AIA - Go Home Loans	6.75
ASB Bank	6.75
Unity	6.79
Co-operative Bank - Owner Occ	6.79

SBS Bank Special	6.19
ASB Bank	6.39
Westpac Special	6.39
AIA - Go Home Loans	6.39
China Construction Bank	6.40
ICBC	6.49
Kiwibank Special	6.55
BNZ - Classic	6.55
Co-operative Bank - Owner Occ	6.55
TSB Special	6.59
SBS Bank	6.79

SBS FirstHome Combo	6.19
AIA - Back My Build	6.19
ANZ Blueprint to Build	7.39
Credit Union Auckland	7.70
ICBC	7.85
Heartland Bank - Online	7.99
Pepper Money Essential	8.29
Co-operative Bank - Owner Occ	8.40
Co-operative Bank - Standard	8.40
First Credit Union Standard	8.50
Kiwibank	8.50