New Zealand Guide: Property

Buying a house is time-consuming, difficult and very expensive - especially if something goes wrong! Get your house search off to a good start with our property guide. Make sure you find out about the property market and understand how the system of buying a home works as it might be very different from your home country.

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  Introduction

  An introduction to buying property in New Zealand

  Buying a house in New Zealand is usually a sound investment and preferable to renting in the long term.

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  Auctions

  Buying at auctions

  Only a small proportion of domestic properties in New Zealand are offered for sale at public auction, but selling at auction is becoming more popular.

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  Estate Agents

  All you need to know to deal with estate agents

  When looking for a house to buy, you can visit local estate agents (known as real estate agents in New Zealand), look for a private sale in the small advertisements in local newspapers, or tour the area looking for ‘For Sale’ signs.

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  Property Prices

  How much does property cost in New Zealand?

  The property prices have doubled since 2004 and it has the third most over-valued property in the world which has been associated with the influx of foreign property investors. The property market is expected to continue to rise in 2014 but at a slower pace.

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  Renovation & Restoration

  All you need to know to renovate your home

  Property renovation and restoration is a major pastime in New Zealand, where tens of thousands of people spend their evenings and weekends rebuilding, extending or redecorating their homes (when they’ve finished rebuilding, extending or redecorating their holiday home, that is!).

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  Conveyance

  What is it and what does it entail

  Transferring the ownership of property ( conveyance) is relatively straightforward in New Zealand, as it’s easy to establish whether the title to a property is clear.

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  Contracts

  All you need to know before signing a contract

  When you find a house you wish to buy, you need to make a formal offer in writing, and most estate agents have a standard form for this purpose.

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  Property Tax

  How much is property tax in New Zealand?

  Property taxes (rates) are levied by local authorities and are based on the rateable value of properties.

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