New Zealanders are back buying property or preparing to buy property with a massive hike in the numbers of people inquiring about mortgages last month.

The sale numbers and values achieved for farms and lifestyle properties in Greater Auckland and Northland are on the increase.

Data released today by the Real Estate Institute of NZ ("REINZ") shows there were 135 more farm sales (+61.6%) for the three months ended January 2012 than for the three months ended January 2011.

Bayleys Valuations Limited (BVL) has appointed Bill Watkins as a senior commercial valuer within the company's quickly expanding valuations team. Mr Watkins was previously with Darroch Limited in a similar role. �

Rotorua social service, emergency and relief organisations reported an increase in building and property related costs over June 2010 to June 2011.

The vision to develop a first class marina facility at Frankton will be tested in the market this month with the Queenstown Lakes District Council calling for Expressions of Interest.

January 2012 data from the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) indicates a positive start to the year in the residential housing market, with 4,073 unconditional sales for the month.

Nationwide residential property values continued to gradually increase according to the latest QV monthly index. Values have risen 1.1% over the past three months and are now 2.7% above the same time last year, and 3.3% below the previous market peak of late 2007.

Leading real estate agency Bayleys has integrated three of its Auckland franchisee-owned residential sales offices under the operations of parent company Bayleys Real Estate Ltd.

A government-owned company is behind one of the biggest single sales of residential land ever seen in Northland - placing 28 lifestyle plots up for auction at pricing levels predicted to allow for a quick exit from the market.