Legendary Remuera real estate agent Leila MacDonald has returned to the podium as Barfoot & Thompson's top salesperson for 2011. The leading accolade is Leila's 13th, having also held the prestigious position between 1992 and 1998, in 2001, and again between 2003 and 2006.

Receiver of the Soho Square development site in Ponsonby, Tim Downes of Grant Thornton New Zealand Ltd, announced today that the landmark Ponsonby site would be offered to the market in a campaign headed by Bruce Whillans, principal of Ray White's Auckland commercial operations.

Commercial tenants are keen to return to the Christchurch CBD, and most would like to do so within the next two years, according to a survey of landlords and tenants by Colliers International in Christchurch.

Data released today by the Real Estate Institute of NZ ("REINZ") shows there was a strong lift in rural sales across New Zealand in April 2011.

A financial assistance package for leaky home owners is a step closer with the having its second reading of a Bill in Parliament today, Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson says.

Thousands of Canterbury people will face cold, miserable winter months ahead because of unacceptable delays to installing heating systems in their damaged homes, says Labour's Earthquake Recovery spokesperson Clayton Cosgrove.

Two new, practical Guides for diagnosing and fixing leaky homes will benefit architects, designers, councils and homeowners, Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson said today.

Two large North Island cattle farms are on the market for mortgage sale after growth plans to create one of the country's biggest bull fattening operation were scuppered by previously low commodity prices.

The size of the recovery operation in Christchurch has amplified labour demand in the insurance, IT, construction and engineering markets, says recruiting experts Hays.

Working together the Rotorua community and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council have removed 50 open fires and 318 old wood burners from Rotorua homes through an interest-free loan programme called the Hot Swap Loan.

The average asking price for New Zealand houses has risen to its highest level in four years, suggesting that seller confidence in the property market remains strong.

Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson has today welcomed a select committee report on the Weathertight Homes Resolution Services (Financial Assistance Package) Amendment Bill.

The Auckland Council today voted to make $3m available to financially assist up to 1,500 ratepayers to insulate their homes.

Economic Outlook

Demand for skilled labour within the building and construction industry could outstrip that seen in the boom years leading up to 2007. Early indications are that New Zealand needs more than double the number of workers currently working in the industry in the medium term.

The Labour Party's Christchurch electorate MPs, Clayton Cosgrove (Waimakariri), Ruth Dyson (Port Hills), Lianne Dalziel (Christchurch East) and Brendon Burns (Christchurch Central) have started a regular bulletin to keep people in their electorates and media informed about what is happening at gr

A severe shortage of skilled labour in the building and construction sector will slow recovery and force up prices and the cost of rebuilding Canterbury in the wake of the quake, says Labour Leader Phil Goff.

Peter Harris, CEO of Contractors Bonding Limited (CBL), says that compulsory builders warranties are not the solution to New Zealand's house building market, further supporting the Government's decision to remove the mandate from its proposed legislation.

The Government must explain why it has ditched plans for a compulsory builders' guarantee from legislation designed to help prevent future problems with leaky buildings, says Labour Leader Phil Goff.

The were 190 farm sales in the three months ended March 2011 compared to 204 in the three months ended February 2011 and 210 in the three months to March 2010 continuing the trend of falling farm sales over the past three years.

Auckland's property market is showing signs of recovery, with Auckland property sales last month the highest they have been since the market last peaked in November 2007.

Contracts to roll out portable dwellings if and when needed across Canterbury have been awarded to preferred suppliers. Portable dwellings will provide further temporary accommodation for people whose homes were badly damaged as a result of the Canterbury earthquakes.

The demand from tenants for rental properties across New Zealand is lagging behind as supply increased 11% over the past quarter, according to an analysis of listings on Trade Me Property.

Governments must develop policies that prevent "bubbles" in housing markets if they want to stop further financial crises, a major international finance conference hosted by the University heard today.

The Auckland residential property market 'bounced into life' in March, with sales volume reaching their highest level in a month for nearly four years, and the average selling price achieving an all time high of $581,190.

The skills and leadership qualities of entrants in the Registered Master Builders 2011 Apprentice of the Year, in association with Carters, will be critical to New Zealand's "built" future.

The median house price now stands at $350,000 and has fallen $10,000 in the past quarter, Massey University's latest Home Affordability Report shows.

The overnight explosion of a P-lab in Pukekohe highlights the dangers of Methamphetamine manufacture in our community according to Dale Kirk the managing director of Methamphetamine awareness education company Methcon Group Limited.

Christchurch's residential property market is in for an unprecedented few years - with property prices set to rise and fall in various suburbs and towns as the market readjusts, according to a senior real estate sales manager in the city.

The were 204 farm sales in the three months ended February 2011 compared to 219 in the three months ended January 2011 and 205 in the three months to February 2010 continuing the trend of low farm sales over the past three years.