A rented house has been demolished and a layer of topsoil removed from its section because the property was so badly contaminated by a secret P lab.

A home that was supposed to be a retirement dream has become a fast-tightening noose around its owner's neck, after he has become trapped in a rare situation where he must move - but can't sell.

The Reserve Bank governor has kept the official cash rate at 2.5 per cent, though he'll mull a hike if the momentum in housing spurs broader inflation.

Ngati Whatua Orakei have $24 million plans to build up to 75 houses and apartments alongside Bastion Pt, underwriting mortgages for whanau to assist home ownership.

Precinct Properties NZ, with 10 Wellington office blocks worth more than $600 million, has been hammered by insurance premium rises.

The Prime Minister says first home buyers remain 'a priority' for the govt, but he's stopped short of endorsing a suggestion from one of his ministers.

Even for certain traditional naysayers there is an acceptance that a CGT is an inevitable part of our future tax landscape, writes Thomas Pippos.

Sleepouts built in China are due to arrive in New Zealand in containers in the next two months.

Fletcher Developments wants new houses to be taller than the Auckland Council is proposing.

Bernard Hickey says every parent knows there's always a moment at a party when the 5-year-old has had enough chocolate cake, or the 18-year-old has had enough vodka and Red Bull.

A man has been making offers on luxury homes north of Auckland before disappearing when it comes time to pay - even after getting one vendor to fix up his house.

The number of single New Zealanders able to afford a home has plummeted compared to couples, says a Treasury paper.

Alyssa Longville says it'd be impossible to buy a home in Auckland without the help of her fiance, Callum Carter.

Fletcher Building is making a big push into Auckland's apartment development market, forming specialist new division Fletcher Developments this year to hunt down opportunities on big sites.

Auckland houses could soon arrive off assembly lines as the country's biggest construction business ponders factory-prefabricated houses.

The relocation of houses for TV show The Block NZ has upset neighbours, who say they are being robbed of sunshine and privacy.

If you're looking to buy in central Auckland but don't want to settle for apartment living, the unusual cottage above might be just what you're after.

If John Key was genuine in his concern about being disadvantaged relative to property investors he could legislate to reduce the tax advantages, writes Brian Fallow.

Kiwi house buyers can now get a mortgage on their cellphones - a first for New Zealand and Australia.

NZ should adopt Australia's more restrictive approach to foreigners buying houses, says an economist.

Peter Bae and his mother have arrived at Barfoot & Thompson's central Auckland auction rooms to bid on the home at 504 Swanson Rd, Ranui.

Auckland's rental properties remain the most expensive in the country but Christchurch is close behind, new figures show.

Neighbours are throwing their lots in together to sell combined properties for greater sums on the lava-hot property market.

A supermarket worker says she has raised $1 million to buy her state house in one of New Zealand's most-desirable neighbourhoods - but Housing NZ is booting her out regardless.

Real estate agencies say house prices in the over-cooked Auckland market may be starting to level off.

Auckland house prices edged up for a second month in June in the face of fewer listings and intense demand among property buyers, according to Barfoot & Thompson.

Concerns about "pop-up" intensification and neighbours having no say about apartments were raised at yesterday's first public council meeting on changes to Auckland's Unitary Plan.

'We don't want trash renting cheap houses.' Submissions like that against a new housing development in Arrowtown have outraged a young mum.

Aucklanders subdividing their land have decried big infrastructure and development fees, with one Flat Bush resident charged more than $500,000.

More men than women have used KiwiSaver housing grants to help buy their first home despite thousands more women being signed up to the scheme.