Joyce Li Real Estate Advisor at James Law

26/04/2026

It looks like the sudden flood in Berhampore has left a family without a home or business for several months, a sobering reminder of how quickly even established neighborhoods can be affected by unexpected natural events.

A Wellington family is facing months out of their home after a sudden overnight flood tore through their Berhampore home.

25/04/2026

It looks like Greymouth’s housing market has quietly but firmly doubled in value, bringing in new residents and slowly reshaping the town’s character — and so far, there’s no sign of that momentum slowing down.

Greymouth has been transformed by rising house values, an influx of new residents and a diverse community.

24/04/2026

It seems that many older New Zealanders are quietly worried about retirement housing, but relying on government support isn’t about past tax contributions—it’s a shared social agreement, and adding complex means-testing would create more burden than fairness.

24/04/2026

It looks like first-time developers are learning the hard way that redeveloping brownfields in Auckland’s top suburbs demands more patience and resilience than they expected—clearly not for the fainthearted.

“Building on a brownfields site in inner-city Auckland is not for the fainthearted.”

23/04/2026

It looks like the Reserve Bank is facing a tough call— inflation has already edged past expectations, and with fuel prices still rising due to global tensions, the full impact won’t truly show until June, making it harder to balance price stability with growth without hurting households already tightening their belts.

23/04/2026

It looks like Te Reiputa’s quiet appeal—long leases, thoughtful gardens, and modest rents—is resonating deeply with Aucklanders, even without a pool or gym, and the pace of tenancies suggests people are valuing stability more than amenities.

A four-piece band has already formed at the pavilion. No swimming pool or gym is offered.

22/04/2026

It looks like Kiwibank has quietly adjusted its mortgage and term deposit rates, aligning with broader market trends, though its economists remain cautious about further OCR hikes, urging patience amid uncertain economic signals.

Kiwibank is the latest big lender to lift its home loan rates.

20/04/2026

It looks like the new Regulatory Standards Board, established under the 2025 Act, is a quiet but meaningful step toward reinforcing property rights across New Zealand, and Minister Seymour’s support suggests a deliberate effort to bring greater stability to the market.

Regulation Minister David Seymour welcomes the appointment of the Regulatory Standards Board (the Board), established by the Regulatory Standard Act 2025 (the Act).

19/04/2026

It seems that while many retirees see downsizing as a way to fund their later years, the actual windfall—averaging just 3.3 years of living costs—often doesn’t cover the emotional and financial toll of moving, especially when housing supply and relocation costs vary so widely.

18/04/2026

It looks like even with the looming fuel storm casting uncertainty over the market, some sellers are quietly pressing on, hoping their timing will still bring a reasonable outcome.

Now is a terrible time to sell a house but determined sellers are pushing through the storm and hoping for the best.