Prices increase, volumes down
Wet weather coupled with public and school holidays meant fewer homes were put on the property market and it took longer for them to sell.
But overall in April, median property prices in the Waikato increased by 22 per cent, or $89,2000, when measured against the same month in 2016.
Median prices in Matamata-Piako increased by 39 per cent compared to the same month last year.
The median price for a property in MatamataPiako for April was $486,000, compared to $430,750 in March and $349,000 for April 2016.
The figures were part of REINZ’s May 2017 report, which reviewed details of the market for April.
While prices increased, sales volumes in April fell 29 per cent across the Waikato, when compared to March, and fell by 38 per cent when compared to April 2016.
The number of days to sell a property in April eased by three compared to March, from 34 to 37. The number of days to sell eased by six compared to April 2016.
Harcourts Morrinsville residen- tial sales consultant John Petry said while regional property volumes were down, in Morrinsville it ‘‘was stable’’.
‘‘It’s normal during winter to have a down turn, it’s also got to do with media (reporting on the property market) a little bit and a shortage of houses for people to buy.
‘‘People are also reluctant to either come on to the market or sell, or drop their prices at the moment.’’
Petry said there was still interest from out-oftown buyers looking to move into Morrinsville.
‘‘We’re getting some people from Hamilton because the prices over there have jumped up so much.
‘‘We still had a 20 per cent increase in prices in Morrinsville in the last six months but it’s not what people are paying in Hamilton.’’
First-home buyers, families and individuals were among those registering their interest in the Morrinsville market.
‘‘A lot of people are moving here for employment and commuting to Hamilton. We have have people who are looking to retire or later-in-life living, where they want to be close to decent facilities.’’