REDnews.
Welcome to REDnews, Westpac New Zealand's source for insights, opinions and helpful stories on topics such as property, business, personal finance and community initiatives.
![Property](/assets/Rednews/Images/Untitled-design-7__FillMaxWzM4MCwyNDdd.png)
OPINION: Housing Market Challenges May Well Be Behind Us
Cuts to the OCR are likely to accelerate the housing market's recovery, says Barfoot & Thompson's Peter Thompson.
![Untitled design 2 v2](/assets/Rednews/Images/Untitled-design-2-v2__FillMaxWzM4MCwyNDdd.png)
Maximise your backyard - five outdoor upgrades
We've looked at five backyard luxuries - from firepits to pools - that will help you get the most from your backyard – as well as add value to your…
![Houses for rent Row of houses](/assets/Rednews/Images/housesforrent__FillMaxWzM4MCwyNDdd.png)
OPINION: Let's create a win-win for landlords and tenants
No sector of the property market has come under greater scrutiny in the past 18 months than the residential rental market, writes Barfoot and Thompson's Peter Thompson
![Ashlei McMahon Ashlei McMahon](/assets/Rednews/Images/Ashlei-v2__FillMaxWzM4MCwyNDdd.png)
Shared equity and leasehold could be pathway for 152,000 - report
Up to 152,000 lower- and middle-income Kiwi households could be eligible for affordable shared equity and leasehold pathways to help them into their own home, new research shows.
![Key to house A key in a lock with a miniature house keyring](/assets/Rednews/Images/housekey__FillMaxWzM4MCwyNDdd.png)
By negotiation? Tender? Deadline sale? What all those different sales methods mean
House sale methods - set price, by negotiation, auction, tender, deadline sale, and expressions of interest - what do they all mean and what are their pros and cons.
![Older woman working Older woman working at desk in office](/assets/Rednews/Images/Older-woman__FillMaxWzM4MCwyNDdd.png)
Seven top jobs for over 65s
You might start receiving superannuation at age 65, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re ready to retire.
![Reno A woman drilling a board](/assets/Rednews/Images/Reno__FillMaxWzM4MCwyNDdd.png)
Five low-budget renovations that deliver big value
These five renovation projects deliver outsized returns for your investment – especially if you’re prepared to do some of the work yourself.
![Untitled design 7 v2 The front of a one story house](/assets/Rednews/Images/Untitled-design-7-v2__FillMaxWzM4MCwyNDdd.png)
OPINION: All not doom in the housing market
Is the housing market really a gloom and doom story? Barfoot and Thompson's Peter Thompson thinks not
![Kids in care An adult guides a young person in theor studies](/assets/Rednews/Images/Kids-in-care__FillMaxWzM4MCwyNDdd.png)
Improving access to banking for kids in care
Westpac has made it easier for kids in the care of Oranga Tamariki to open bank accounts and gain important access to the economy
![Otautahi Community Housing Trust Otautahi Community Housing Trust houses at sunset](/assets/Rednews/Images/OCHT__FillMaxWzM4MCwyNDdd.png)
Innovative housing development provides first home buyer pathway
Brand new affordable homes for first home buyers through innovative Ōtautahi Community Housing Trust development
![NZ Property aerial Aerial shot of NZ coastal property](/assets/Rednews/Images/nzproperty__FillMaxWzM4MCwyNDdd.png)
OPINION: Small glimmer of positivity for housing market
Barfoot and Thompson's Peter Thompson saw a glimmer of hope in the Reserve Banks's May OCR statement
![Couple reviewing mortgage options A trendy young couple looking at a laptop](/assets/Rednews/Images/MortgageOptions__FillMaxWzM4MCwyNDdd.png)
Offset vs revolving home loans: what are they and what's the difference?
Offset and revolving credit loans - what are they and what’s the difference between them?