Aucklanders are buying at least 20 per cent of properties in nearby regional main centres, as soaring city prices force house hunters to look elsewhere.

Gemma Mann and Mike Alsweiler are thinking about leaving Auckland to find a house they can afford, even if it means saying goodbye to their families.

Up to one in four property sales in parts of provincial NZ are now to Aucklanders, with many buyers forced from city as prices spiral beyond their means.

How do Auckland property prices compare with the rest of the world? Andrew Laxon finds it all depends on where you look.

The number of highly paid professionals and managers unable to afford to buy a home in Auckland has almost doubled in just over a decade.

COMMENT: It's easy to assess the value of an asset in a liquid and rising market, but the future liabilities are not so easy to see.

First home buying hopefuls Gemma Mann and Mike Alsweiler faced the grim reality of ever-climbing house prices this evening as they attended their first auction.

Auckland house prices are now so expensive that most young first-home buyers cannot afford to buy without help from rich parents, says an expert.

Landlords who are forced to sell sometimes find they've gained little or nothing after years of hassle. Sometimes they even end up with a debt to the bank after selling the property.

The Mad Butcher chief executive Michael Morton has swapped one exclusive Auckland address for another.

Westpac economist says a resurgent property market means new lending restrictions are likely.

Homeowner who just discovered his Remuera neighbours' plan to demolish their side of duplex they share looks to re-build his own home.

Young people in their early twenties are now the most likely age group to be living in overcrowded conditions.

Muhannad Alwahb fears his house could be irreparably damaged after neighbours were granted consent to demolish their side of their duplex.

A $23 million annual increase in development contributions collected by councils means the Government's reforms have failed, an opposition MP claims.

Another day, another grim finding for Australians trying to get on the property ladder.

Real estate chief says fears about Auckland property market unfounded as prices rocket 14 per cent.

Entry-level property advertised for $755,000 - 68 per cent higher than the country's median house price.

Hundreds of new homes could be developed on an 11.9ha piece of land in Auckland being sold by a university.

A family who rented a methamphetamine-contaminated Tuakau property have won $7525 from their landlord.

A prime piece of Herne Bay land is on the market for the third time in as many years, but still without the luxury apartments each owner had planned.

Chinese investment in Australian real estate doubled last year, but interest in New Zealand has dropped.

The first person to have her home forcibly sold by Auckland Council because of unpaid rates has been ordered to pay an additional $44,000.

PHOTOS: The new owners plan to completely renovate the derelict four bedroom villa in Freemans Bay, Auckland.

A property surrounded by state houses in what the real estate agent describes as the North Shore's "toughest neighbourhood" is up for sale.

The former home of the late broadcaster Sir Paul Holmes failed to sell at tender but there is still buyer interest.