Property developer Andrew Bruce says the Auckland property market is "fueled by a series of pressure points all working together to drive prices upwards." He points out that there is a suppression of building work in the city because the cost of doing business with council is skyrocketing.
Read more:
• Andrew Bruce: Why are house prices so high?
• Auckland CBD office space at critical shortage
• Infographic: Home affordability vs income
• Why house prices are up and ownership is down
So where can you get the best bang for your buck? We compared the type of property you can purchase in different countries for the equivalent of around $400,000.
1. Auckland, New Zealand
For $400,000 you can buy a 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom freehold apartment and carpark in central Auckland.