NZ property values rise 4.9% in 2014, sales volumes dwindle

NZ property values rise 4.9% in 2014, sales volumes dwindle
By Paul McBeth Jan. 14 (BusinessDesk) - New Zealand property values rose 4.9 percent last year, less than half the pace in 2013, as low-equity loan restrictions, rising interest rates, and the uncertainty of a general election saw sales volumes drop. National average property values rose to $488,674 in December 2014 from $466,022 the same month a year earlier, according to state-owned valuer Quotable Value, and slowing from 2013's 10 percent gain. Auckland continued to drive the higher property values, rising 9.8 percent in December 2014...