Banks are handing out mortgages of as much as $10 million to the wealthy in record numbers while first-time homebuyers struggle to get loans.

House prices are up, home ownership is down. We all know the story, but what's really going on in real estate?

Reverse equity mortgages are increasingly tempting to retired Aucklanders who have houses soaring in value, but little cash.

Sharp slowdowns in the Auckland housing market or in China are the main risks the NZIER sees to a recovery which is accelerating and broadening.

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.

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.

Should you fix your mortgage? This is an important question and if I knew the answer I would tell you, writes Damien Grant.

Homeowners are being warned to prepare for harder times as the days of low interest rates come to an end.

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?

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.

Banks are showing more interest in making low-deposit home loans after cutting back hard before Christmas, but it is mainly investors who are taking advantage.

Auckland's average house price rose to a record in December as property values benefited from a lack of supply heading into summer.

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.