Estate agents have been given the all-clear to describe houses as architecturally designed - even if the creators are not registered professionals.

Non-resident Asians are buying Auckland houses and apartments to enhance their marriage prospects, an academic claims.

Any young Aucklander seeking to buy a first home, knows from bitter experience that the sainted "market" is failing to deliver homes they can afford, writes Brian Rudman.

Editorial: It sounds so simple it raises the question why the present Government has not done it, or the previous Government for that matter,

See a reply of our live chat about property and real estate with Wendy Alexander, chief executive of real estate agency Barfoot & Thompson.

Contrary to all that is being said, newly-built houses have never been more affordable, but that assertion requires explanation, writes Bob Jones.

An "exceptional'' renovation of a Matua home has seen a Tauranga construction company awarded one of New Zealand's premier building awards.

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

Survey shows Aucklanders don't think it's a good time to buy a home, but mood in regions remains buoyant.

The number of houses going to auction has rocketed in the same way it did at the 2008 peak, as home owners cash in during a desperate scramble by buyers.

A court has ordered a couple to pay about $3 million for a seaside mansion in Auckland that they never owned or lived in.

Realestate.co.nz searched for three-bedroom, standalone properties on freehold land. Here are some examples. All photos supplied by Realestate.co.nz.

First-home buyers say they are being shut out of the Auckland property market as prices skyrocket. Where can house-hunters still buy for under $500,000?

The Government has reinstated plans to allocate a percentage of the houses at Hobsonville Point in Auckland as affordable homes priced under $485,000.

The Government helped insulate 12 per cent of New Zealand houses in just over three years but Auckland is lagging behind with 9.9 per cent of homes insulated.

Hamilton homeowner Antoinette van der Weerden's house is warm as toast during winter and cool during summer - and her power bill has come down.

A country becomes richer by increasing its production of actual goods and services, writes Peter Lyons. "Individuals can get rich by buying and selling houses but a nation cannot."

Bratty middle-class me got my knickers in a twist when I had my resident's carpark taken away - boo hoo.

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.

Homeowners are turning to increasingly novel ways to sell their houses.

Website rates companies on specific areas, including banking via the internet, phone and at branches.

The late Sir Peter and Lady Sylvia Siddell's villa is awash with artistic details, says Penny Lewis.