NZ property values extends gains in August QV

NZ property values extends gains in August QV
By Hannah Lynch Sept. 11 (BusinessDesk) - New Zealand property values extended their gains in August, as first-home buyer interest picks up, interest rates remain low and banks relax lending criteria, according to government valuer Quotable Value. National property values rose 1.6 percent in the three months ended Aug. 31 and have increased 4.8 percent over the past year, to be 0.4 percent off the market peak in 2007. National trends include a shortage of listings, more first-home buyers as a result of low interest rates, investors back in...