NZ Property Investor February 2020

Well, what a difference a year can make. It’s a sentiment I seem to be expressing regularly these days – due to the marked improvement in the outlook for the property market. In last month’s issue, our housing forecast canvased the changes and the predictions of the experts, including their view that 2020 could be a brighter one for investors. But now it turns out that the experts are not alone in their optimism. This month, in our lead article, we feature the results of the annual Squirrel NZ Residential Property Investment Survey, and they reveal quite a turnaround in investors’ perceptions of the market. Last year’s survey had 27.98% of respondents expecting property prices to increase. In stark contrast, 63.54% of this year’s respondents expect property prices to go…

It was just a few short months ago, prior to the Reserve Bank’s last Financial Stability Report (FSR) in November, that economists were suggesting the time was right for the LVRs to be relaxed further. However, as it turned out, the Reserve Bank opted to keep the LVRs on hold amid fears that record low interest rates “could lead to a resurgence in higher-risk lending”. Now a housing market resurgence is well underway and economists think the Reserve Bank could look to reign it in with the LVRs if need be. In one of their recent Weekly Focus publications, ANZ’s economists say a stronger housing market is a mixed blessing. On the plus side, a strong housing market supports sentiment and GDP growth but, on the downside, it’s not the…

Your monthly round up of property investment related events around the country. FEBRUARY PROPERTY INVESTOR NIGHT 6.30pm February 4, Ellerslie, Auckland and Christchurch; February 12, Tauranga; February 17, North Auckland; February 24, Dunedin and Wellington; February 26, Hamilton. Free to attend. Book at www.positiverealestate.co.nz/NZPI PROPERTY INVESTMENT AND EDUCATION SEMINAR Wednesday February 12 and Thursday February 20, 6.45pm, Auckland.Hosted by Gilligan Rowe & Associates. Free to attend. For more information and to register: https://www.gra.co.nz/property-investment-seminars HOW TO PROFIT FROM PROPERTY February 15 Five Knots, Auckland, 9am-3pm. Register at www.ronovationz.co.nz Waikato PIA, Hamilton February 12 Guest speaker Nick Gentle from iFind Property. $40. 7.30pm. Book at www.waikatopia.org.nz/events SOPHISTICATED PROPERTY INVESTOR - COMMERCIAL PROPERTY. February 16, Auckland. Cost $49, 9am-4pm. Book at www.eventbrite.com/e/sophisticated-propertyinvestor-tickets-89941753205. Please be there half an hour prior for registration. For more information…

1 The perils of leaving insulation late Leaving the insulation of a rental property for too long after the July deadline and then entering the premises without consent has earned some Auckland landlords a penalty of over $1,000. 2 Five things to look out for in 2020 Record low rates, a resurgent housing market, and avoiding capital gains tax ensured 2019 was a positive year for the property market. But what does 2020 have in store? 3 Strong market upturn picked for 2020 Expect price growth to hit 7% by April 2020 as the housing market continues its emphatic upturn, Westpac’s chief economist says. 4 Evidence needed to support Tribunal claims Landlord concerns about tenants angling for legal compensation for problems with their rental properties might be allayed a little…

Two Christchurch tenants have been ordered to pay their landlords $21,498 after causing extensive damage to their rental property. While the sum includes an order for abandonment and rental arrears, the bulk of it was for the damage. The fixed-term tenancy was due to end in November 2019, but the tenants, Phillipa Miscall and Aaron Cooper, abandoned it several months beforehand. The landlords, Yoomi Jung and Moonsung Jun, took possession of the premises in September. On doing so, they found there was damage to walls throughout the premises and to carpet in several rooms. The garage door and the bathroom basin surround were damaged. The toilet and seat were broken. The fridge was also damaged and a new one had to be purchased. Further, the premises were not left reasonably…

It hasn’t happened overnight, but it has happened. For some months now there have been strong hints that a stronger than expected housing market recovery might be on the cards. The question was not just if, but - if so - when. Those questions no longer remain. It seems the market has emerged from its slumber, soaring back to life to end 2019 on a high. The latest data reveals the spring momentum has carried through into summer’s market, with a noticeable increase in activity. Alongside the data, there’s a general change in atmosphere supported by anecdotal evidence and noticeably improved optimism among market participants. Most commentators are also presenting upbeat assessments, although there’s less unity when it comes to the specifics. The upshot? 2020’s market outlook is bright. STRONG…