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.

The design of a new building and public plaza at the Railway Station end of the waterfront has been unveiled and Wellington Waterfront Limited is now seeking feedback on the design.

Builderscrack.co.nz, a site which helps homeowners find tradesmen and compare quotes, has re-launched today with a fresh clean look.

Bayleys Realty Group Limited (BRG) has appointed Greg Hornblow as its new general manager.

The residential property market has experienced its strongest January performance in four years.

Acquisition of NAI Global by C-III Capital Partners is Complete Local Member NAI Harcourts to benefit from acquisition

Christchurch Hospitality Group wants action on location of Convention Centre & Stadium CHI is calling for a decision to be made, without further delay, on the location of the new convention centre and stadium.

A former dance hall and movie theatre which were once the heart and soul of a bustling seaside community are on the market for sale.

Kiwi Income Properties Limited, as Manager of Kiwi Income Property Trust, today announced the appointment of Mr Angus McNaughton to the Board of the Manager, with effect from

The number of homes for sale in New Zealand's three largest cities has fallen to its lowest level in four years, according to data released today by Realestate.co.nz.

Residential building consent issuance remains weak, with seasonally-adjusted dwelling consents lifting just 2.1% over December, failing to recover the previous month's 6.2% decline, says ASB Economist, Institutional Banking and Markets, Jane Turner.

The actual number of new housing approvals rose in December 2011 (compared with December 2010), but remains at a low level, Statistics New Zealand said today. Figures for December 2010 were the lowest for a December month in the 46-year history of this series.

Data released today by the Real Estate Institute of NZ ("REINZ") shows there were 140 more farm sales (+65.7%) for the three months ended December 2011 than for the three months ended December 2010.

Visitors to New Plymouth Airport in the next few weeks will see a lot of work taking place above and below ground.

Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) data on the New Zealand housing market for December 2011 showed 5,316 unconditional sales for the month, up 919 sales (+20.1%) compared to December last year. The December transactions figure is the best December result since 2007.

There is good news for landlords across much of the country with rental demand from tenants up 13% on a year ago, according to the latest analysis of Trade Me Property's house rental listings in the three months from October to December.

Auckland has overtaken Central Otago Lakes as the least affordable region to buy a house, Massey University's latest home affordability report shows.

The Auckland housing market finished the 2011 year strongly, with the average December selling price climbing to $573,071, up 1 percent or more than $5500 on November's average price, and the second highest average sales price for the year.

New housing approvals show a gradually rising trend for the eight months to November 2011, Statistics New Zealand said today. However, numbers remain close to the recent historically low levels.

The QV price indices for December show that New Zealand residential property values continued to gradually increase, rising 2.4% over the past twelve months. Nationwide values are now 3.5% below the previous market peak of late 2007. New Zealand property values in 2011

New Zealand's major cities are heading towards a shortage of homes for sale in the New Year following a significant drop in the number of new listings that came onto the market in December, says Realestate.co.nz.