Property Blog
Why Labour’s KiwiBuild policy will create higher house prices
Labour’s KiwiBuild plan is one of the dumbest ideas I’ve heard of in a long time to reduce the price of houses. Gifting money to first home buyers would create significant momentum for another housing boom once the equity can be utilised for further borrowing. It’s such basic economics that you have to wonder if it’s a cynical vote-buying trick to have a shot at getting back into Government in 2014.
New Youth Service redirects rent payments to landlords
In August, the Government introduced Youth Service and it appears non Government agencies have been contracted to run the scheme. Young Parent Payment is a weekly payment for 16 to 18 year old parents who have dependent children and are in need of financial assistance.
Capital Gains Tax on Property – the NZ Herald gets it wrong again!
The NZ Herald continue to report on housing issues, promoting capital gains tax as if it is the answer to all our problems. Aside from the pros and cons of capital gains taxes, why do they continue to report in a way that they already know to be untrue? Talk of tax advantages is raising it’s ugly head again despite all evidence to the contrary. In this blog, I clarify the tax situation for residential property investment and ask why so many commentators repeat blatant misinformation!
2012 ANZ Property Survey Results Out Soon
The annual ANZ Property Investment Survey results (run in association with the New Zealand Property Investors’ Federation) have been compiled and I’ve just received my sneak preview. Nearly 2000 investors responded, which is a pretty good number considering what a disillusioned bunch most investors outside of Auckland have become! It has definitely been a testing few years after the global financial crisis of 2008. In fact many would say that the crisis hasn’t ended, with the USA in massive debt and European states wobbling precariously.
Fees review for Court and Tribunal services
Surprise! Fees are on their way up again. I have the dubious honour of being classed as one of the major stakeholders that may require a targeted consultation on the civil fees review. This is what their email says…
DBH improvements to services
The Department of Building & Housing have made some significant improvements to their services since the middle of 2011. They would like feedback from property investors all over New Zealand as to how they are coping with the changes and any suggestions would be welcome.
