NZ house sales flat in July as Auckland market settles, prices gain

NZ house sales flat in July as Auckland market settles, prices gain
Paul McBeth
By Paul McBeth Aug. 15 (BusinessDesk) - New Zealand house sales were largely flat in July as activity in the dominant Auckland market settled down in what's typically the quietest winter month.  The number of houses sold across the country rose to 5,661 in July from 5,619 in the same month a year earlier. Turnover in Auckland was up 2.1 percent to 1,712 on the same basis, the Real Estate Institute said. The house price index rose 4.9 percent to a new national record, and excluding Auckland climbed 8 percent as the country's largest proper...