January brought mixed fortunes for the housing market with sales up strongly for the month but prices in decline.
According to the latest Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) figures, 3774 residential properties were sold in January, up a solid 17.5% compared to January last year.
However, prices headed in the opposite direction with January's national median selling price coming in at $750,000. That was down $30,000 (-3.8%) compared to December last year, and -1.7% compared to January last year.
Auckland suffered a particularly savage fall in prices, with Auckland's January median of $949,000 declining by $51,000 compared to December (-5.7%) and -3,8% compared to January last year.
The REINZ's House Price Index was down -1.4% compared to January last year and -0.2% compared to December. See the table below for the regional figures.
The decline in prices was most likely helped by a strong increase in the number of properties for sale.
The REINZ recorded 8904 listings in January, which was a 10 year high for the month of January, and up 21.2% compared to January last year.
Properties were also taking longer to sell at an average of 54 days in January, compared to 51 days a year earlier.
"Buyers are still enjoying the choices on offer thanks to rising listing numbers and significant levels of property for sale," REINZ Chief Executive Jen Baird said.
"With vendors being realistic in their price expectations and meeting the market, there is a positive sentiment out there among agents," she said.
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Median price - REINZ
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Volumes sold - REINZ
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REINZ House Price Index - January 2025

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