Originally featured on May 12, this Titirangi property remains a firm favourite for its 1950s design and comfortable decor.

House prices have hit new records in seven of the past 12 months, a review of the year in property shows.

The decline in mortgagee sales of residential properties has been interpreted by a bank economist as a welcome sign of an improvement in the economy.

"I want," the boy screamed, "I want a surplus."

If anybody thinks they did understand property markets and the link with financial stability, these conference papers will disabuse them of that notion, writes David Chaplin.

Power bills have jumped more than $100 this year, latest figures show - but Auckland households can expect some reprieve next year.

Auckland City house values will shortly top the market peak of 2007 in real terms as a red-hot property market pushes up prices.

House sale volumes have hit a five-year high in the wake of booming prices, with a Real Estate Institute report showing sales up 24 per cent in a year.

Auckland builder George Levick expects tougher new seismic standards to be a big boost to the construction sector.

The Government's moves to permanently abolish tree protection rules for those not already named on district plans will be further strengthened, an expert says.

Auckland now has 13 suburbs with an average house value of $1 million or more, property figures released to the Herald show.

Roofs are going on New Zealand's biggest, most expensive new residential development, which could be finished next summer.

Waiheke Island could be the last place in Auckland where first home buyers can still afford the quarter acre dream.

The average selling price for homes in the Auckland market rose by 1.5 per cent last month, says the region's biggest real estate agency Barfoot and Thompson.

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

Auckland real estate asking prices fell 2 per cent last month even as longer-term sale prices continued to soar, according to Realestate.co.nz.

The two faces of the North Island property market are reflected in new figures out today that show Auckland prices still largely surging.

The powers that be within the Super City are floating an idea that would give some flesh to all those slogans about liveable, transformational and world class.