Homeowners who have stretched their budgets to get into the housing market in the past two years are likely to feel the squeeze as interest rates rise.

The Reserve Bank doubts its curbs on mortgage lending at high loan-to-value ratios will have a material counter-productive effect on house building.

NZ's median house price rose 1.9 per cent to a record in October, although sale volumes were dented as Reserve Bank lending restrictions began to bite.

Auckland house prices hit an all-time high, Barfoot & Thompson data just out showed, despite Reserve Bank lending restrictions.

The Reserve Bank's restrictions on low-deposit mortgage lending have yet to dent expectations that house prices will rise.

One of NZ's largest home builders says new loan restrictions have cost it 24 new-home builds in the first month alone - and it expects more as the policy bites.

Home-loan risk can be spread by keeping some floating and the rest fixed over both shorter and longer terms.

Westpac has dropped its two-year fixed rate home loan but at the same time hiked its one-year rate.

Low-deposit mortgages will not only be harder to get from the end of this month, but they will be a lot more expensive.

New figures show national property prices were up $5,000 in August, taking the national median price to $390,000.

House prices dipped last month, says the Real Estate Institute, but the number of properties changing hands was up more than 10 per cent from the month before.

Auckland house prices rose for a third month in July as listings and sales jumped, according to Barfoot & Thompson, the city's biggest realtor.

The beginning of the end may have begun for record-low mortgage rates in New Zealand.

Mortgage debt is rising at the fastest clip for 4 years.

Lenders are offering home-owners the lowest short-term bank mortgage rates in New Zealand history as they compete to lure customers before an expected rise next year.

Bill English says the Government is "considering formalising" proposals to restrict bank lending and other "tools" to control credit growth.

My adult daughter - my only child - has been living with her partner for nearly four years in a relationship that may or may not last - it seems to be up and down.

Moves to dampen surging house prices - especially in the Auckland market - came from two directions yesterday.

Debate about rising house prices in Auckland and elsewhere has included discussion on the risk weights the Reserve Bank requires banks to apply to their housing lending.

Banks are slashing their long-term mortgage rates, with customers tied up for longer periods likely to save thousands.

Mortgage approvals reached their highest levels in almost four years last month, as people rushed to make the most of low interest rates.

Self-described business coach Shane Wenzel has been sent to jail for three years for mortgage fraud.

ANZ Bank sees no rush of customers to rivals with death of National brand.