House prices struck a new median price record of $389,000 last December, up 9.6 per cent on the same month in 2011, the Real Estate Institute of NZ says.

Renters could be in luck, as a turnaround in the market has seen a flood of listings and brought prices to a standstill.

Floating mortgage holders could save more than $700 million this year by switching to a two-year fixed rate, statistics show.

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

A scheme has been launched to encourage Aucklanders to buy big new planned Christchurch houses for $640,000, as a financial watchdog reminds investors.

A decision on plans for a 15-level brothel and hotel in Auckland's CBD will be out next month.

Rich Chinese are removing their money and assets from their own country and outbidding Aucklanders on houses, a worried real estate agent says.

Labour leader David Shearer has unveiled a new affordable housing policy to build 100,000 basic homes for first home buyers.

Prime Minister John Key said he didn't think prostitution law reform had worked in New Zealand.

Banks again are offering big loans to property investors, but they come with a warning to those who assume they can leverage their way into high returns.

The median house price in New Zealand rose to a record $380,000 last month as sales jumped by almost a third compared to October 2011, according to new figures.

The recent debate over how much of our farmland is overseas owned shows very large differences in estimates, writes Bill Rosenberg.

I own a major airport, three retirement village operators, a chain of petrol stations, two power companies, two insurance companies, two banks and an iconic fast food operator. I don't own a house and never have.

Housing affordability is still a problem and the "housing market is not working properly'', says Finance Minister Bill English.