Real estate stories
Auckland landlords and developers now face slower office demand and delayed projects as COVID-19 and recession fears cloud the recovery.
Cities with lower poverty and stronger infrastructure are likelier to attract workers and firms as pandemic-era habits reshape where people live and invest.
Takapuna could gain from a post-lockdown office shuffle as workers seek cheaper space and more home working weighs on Auckland's CBD.
Remote teams can still generate ideas if managers mix field research, in-person sessions and better use of digital tools.
Footfall at co-working centres plunged as lockdowns slashed use, even though flexible offices are expected to regain ground after the pandemic.
Tighter lending criteria and renewed virus restrictions are likely to cool mortgage demand after July’s NZD $6.6 billion peak.
Pent-up demand is expected to lift sales as Aucklanders return to the market after nearly three weeks in lockdown.
ANZ sees a deep slump in dwellings as Covid headwinds, job losses and weak investor demand push construction and prices lower.
Rents are falling in Queenstown and other pockets, but most areas are still posting gains as the recession deepens and job losses loom.
Auckland and Dunedin buyers are skewing towards mortgaged investors, as July's share hit a four-year high despite fresh Covid-19 uncertainty.
Sales and prices rose across New Zealand in July, but REINZ warned the market may not keep its post-lockdown pace for long.
City-centre footfall is rebounding, with new mobility data hinting at a steadier office market and a faster retail and tourism recovery.
Tenants will gain stronger eviction protections and annual rent caps, but landlords warn the new law could shrink supply and lift rents.
Investor activity may stay buoyant through the 2020 election, with Colliers saying housing policy shifts have usually had only a limited effect.
Managed isolation and domestic travel have helped New Zealand hotels recover faster than expected, with occupancy rising sharply in key regions.
Property activity is likely to soften as recession, rising unemployment and a spring listings surge test demand in coming months.
House prices and sales could weaken in September unless the Government extends mortgage deferrals as the wage subsidy ends and election looms.
The milestone could help ease housing and emissions pressures, as the one-piece build cut material, time and budget by about 60 per cent.
House prices and sales have climbed to four-year highs in New Zealand, despite earlier fears of a post-COVID downturn.
Property values have already slipped nationwide, with tourism-dependent centres like Queenstown hardest hit as the recession starts to bite.
