A capital gains tax would reduce the price it is rational for an investor to pay for a property by as much as 23 per cent, Westpac economists say.

The first impression of the Labour Party's "monetary policy upgrade" is that it looks good, writes Brian Fallow, managing to look both conservative and progressive.

Homeowners are rushing to fix their mortgage interest rates after the second cash rate increase in as many months.

Homeowners are bracing for another rise in mortgage interest rates but experts say most are prepared with better spending habits and contingency plans.

Here are some reasons not to embrace the view of economic analyst Jesse Colombo that NZ is hurtling towards crisis.

Auckland's sizzling property market could bring New Zealand's economy crashing down, a global economic expert warns.

PM John Key knows homeowners in the electorally crucial mortgage belts of Auckland are nervous about rising mortgage rates, writes Bernard Hickey.

Homeowners could save more than $90,000 over the life of their mortgages by shopping around, according to an analysis of 95 floating home loans.

The impact of the Reserve Bank's curbs on mortgage lending at high loan-to-value ratios (LVRs) on the housing market has been pretty modest so far.

Interest rates are likely to rise - so what should you do with your home loan?

Baches in some parts of the country can command enough rent in one month over summer to cover half the year's mortgage repayments.

Major banks are "stress-testing" mortgage borrowers to ensure they will be able to meet repayments when higher interest rates hit.

The latest deal from a New Zealand bank to lure in new customers with "free" money and zero fees comes with a warning tag from financial experts.

Banks are still finalising how they will deal with the Reserve Bank's exemption for home-building loans.

Rising home loan approvals are another sign that the Australian housing recovery is in full swing, making another cash rate cut unlikely.

Kiwibank has become the third bank to lift its mortgage rates in a week.

National house prices rose $17,475 last month to reach a $425k median. But are falling sales numbers a sign that new loan rules are starting to bite? (with new infographic)

Borrowers need to be aware that current market pricing implies a rise in interest rates of around 2 percentage points over the next two years, writes Brian Fallow.

Auckland house prices rose at the rate of $677 a day in November, based on the average price increase from October to November.

The share of new mortgage lending going to borrowers with low deposits halved in October, the first month in which the Reserve Bank's curbs on such loans applied.

Lending restrictions are starting to ease the pressure on the property market but first-home buyers are still finding it tough as prices and interest rates creep up.

Despite the introduction of the Reserve Bank's lending restrictions, home affordability has continued to worsen according to a new report.

Homeowners who have stretched their budgets to get into the housing market in the past two years are likely to feel the squeeze as interest rates rise.

The Reserve Bank doubts its curbs on mortgage lending at high loan-to-value ratios will have a material counter-productive effect on house building.

NZ's median house price rose 1.9 per cent to a record in October, although sale volumes were dented as Reserve Bank lending restrictions began to bite.

Auckland house prices hit an all-time high, Barfoot & Thompson data just out showed, despite Reserve Bank lending restrictions.