The 13 Sandbrook Ave bungalow in Otara went unconditional last night after the owners chose the best of two offers.

Barfoot and Thompson reports the slowest April in four years, while Quotable Value says values were up 2.1pc over the past three months.

Just seven months after new valuations were set for Hamilton homes, some are already fetching up to $205,000 above those figures.

COMMENT: We've all got high on our burgeoning property prices and no politician will likely have the courage to take our fix, and our paper wealth, away, writes Felix Marwick.

EDITORIAL: Our "Home Truths" series has concluded with some possible solutions to runaway house prices that leave many facing rented housing for the rest of lives.

At the end of Home Truths series, the three would-be buyers who invited readers to follow their journey tell Andrew Laxon how they found the experience.

COMMENT: As a candidate for the top job at the United Nations, it's my belief that everyone in the world deserves a safe harbour to rest.

The boss of a new business offering a $500 entry to the property ladder via shares has defended his scheme.

Tenants have been strongly advised to take out contents insurance to guard against being sued for damaging rental properties.

COMMENT: The housing affordability crisis is enough to have you waking in the middle of the night - sweating and screaming.

It is perhaps the world's most decadent deceased estate with a head-spinning $US120 million ($172 million) asking price.

Auckland Council's plans for higher density housing cannot succeed unless the city expands into the countryside, says the council's chief economist.

The bank and the Government need new solutions to the economic damage being done by this raging house market.

COMMENT: People without residency shouldn't be allowed to own NZ real estate. Land is the fundamental ingredient of a country, writes Raybon Kan.

Colin Chisholm turned down the chance to buy a house in Auckland two years ago, instead putting his money into shares and start-up businesses.

COMMENT: Tweaking interest rates or imposing a low rate of land tax to cool the housing market is likely to be ineffective, writes Bryan Gould.

COMMENT: Land tax is arguably the simplest, easiest to administer and most effective solution to housing unaffordability.

A land tax on offshore owners of New Zealand houses could be in place by next year, Prime Minister John Key says.

Prime Minister John Key says he'll tackle foreign buyers if he needs to and New Zealanders overseas could be included.

Prime Minister John Key is considering a land tax on foreign-based house buyers if there is evidence they are pushing up New Zealand house prices.

A top New Zealand property expert opposes a land tax and says a stamp duty is a far better option.

Auckland's runaway house prices have made an average home in the city more expensive than Sydney.

Investors chasing capital gains in Auckland property market are making it harder for first-home buyers to afford a house. Andrew Laxon outlines problems.

COMMENT: What's happening in Auckland is a slow-motion disaster. And it is not a zero sum game. Many are benefiting while we watch others lose out.

From low incomes to high, young and old, Aucklanders and Southlanders - many Kiwis are feeling the effects.

She's only 24 but Ashley Verheul owns a home in Auckland, a bach in Pauanui and is looking for her third property; all without help from her parents.

John Key says the Government is waiting for better data on whether there is a problem with overseas buyers purchasing houses.