Stories by Susan Edmunds

Kiwi Stories

Written by Susan Edmunds

Where are home loan rates heading now?

Borrowers face further mortgage rises this year, with economists saying higher Reserve Bank rates are already feeding into fixed home loan pricing.

By Susan Edmunds • 3 min read • 3 days ago

Real estate

Here's how much wealth New Zealanders have tied up in property

Housing still accounts for about half of New Zealand household assets, but subdued prices and high rates are cooling sales and consumer spending.

By Susan Edmunds • 3 min read • Last week

New Zealand Labour Party

What's going on with retirement village share prices?

Policy uncertainty and a stagnant housing market have deepened the slump in retirement village shares, even as analysts see recovery potential.

By Susan Edmunds • 4 min read • Last week

Bank of New Zealand

Is it cheaper to buy or rent?

Annual ownership costs for a median home have fallen to about 35 per cent of household income, narrowing the gap with rent to a two-and-a-half-year low.

By Susan Edmunds • 4 min read • Last week

Real estate

Auckland houses are cheap but should you invest in them?

Lower prices are drawing investors back to Auckland, but weak rents, higher costs and modest capital growth are limiting the appeal.

By Susan Edmunds • 4 min read • This month

Real estate

House buyers 'in the driver's seat' - QV

Home sellers face weaker demand as QV says buyers have the upper hand and the average New Zealand house value has slipped to $892,580.

By Susan Edmunds • 3 min read • This month

Construction

Youth unemployment at 'crisis level' and AI may mean recovery is tough, NZIER says

Recovery alone may not ease youth joblessness, with 15 to 19-year-olds facing 25.3 percent unemployment and AI adding uncertainty.

By Susan Edmunds • 3 min read • This month

Housing

Will the election have an impact on rents?

Rents are expected to stay subdued despite the election, as weak demand, ample supply and household finances continue to cap increases.

By Susan Edmunds • 4 min read • This month

Commerce Commission

Card fee regulations are here, so why are card surcharges more common than ever?

Consumers are still being hit by hefty card surcharges as retailers say lower interchange fees are hard to track and not yet filtering through.

By Susan Edmunds • 4 min read • This month

Real estate

Do you know how risky your home is?

Many buyers are overlooking flood and other hazard risks, leaving some homeowners exposed to higher premiums or uninsurable properties.

By Susan Edmunds • 4 min read • This month

Risk & Compliance

Reserve Bank kept interest rates low too long, Covid-19 review finds

The review says delayed tightening helped drive inflation to 7.3 percent, forcing sharper rate rises and weighing on growth and jobs.

By Susan Edmunds • 5 min read • Last month

Real estate

The rise of 'accidental landlords'

More homeowners are turning failed sales into rentals, as weak demand leaves thousands stuck with property they did not plan to let out.

By Susan Edmunds • 4 min read • Last month

Digital Transformation

Westpac approved to issue digital IDs

Business customers will soon be able to share bank details with fewer fraud risks, after the bank became the first in New Zealand cleared to issue digital IDs.

By Susan Edmunds • 3 min read • Last month