Otago housing market hot in September
HOUSE prices in Dunedin and Queenstown both increased during September as Otago’s median house prices hit a record high.
The latest Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) figures show the highest number of properties were sold in September across the country compared with the past 42 months.
In September last year, the median house price in Otago was $489,000. Last month that figure increased by more than 20% to $590,000.
Dunedin’s median price increased to $568,000 — a record high for the city and 17% up on last year.
Sales volumes increased slightly on last year, REINZ regional commentator for Dunedin Liz Nidd said.
‘‘There are more investors in the market than the same time last year as they are taking advantage of the low interest rates from the banks.
‘‘Activity levels are expected to remain high through until the end of the year, particularly after the election where we normally see an increase in properties coming to the market.’’
In Queenstown, the median house price reached $1,059,000 — up 12.7% on last year.
‘‘There continues to be strong
interest from outoftown purchasers, looking for a holiday home, particularly in the upper end of the market,’’ REINZ regional commentator for Queenstown Lakes Gail Hudson said.
‘‘The shortage of available listings is expected to maintain
prices. Generally, we see a slowdown in activity before an election. However, that hasn’t been the case this year and activity levels have remained buoyant.’’
The most costly house sold in Otago last month was a $5.4 million property in Arrowtown.
Nationally, the housing market was bucking the trend, REINZ chief executive Bindi Norwell said.
While prices and volumes usually paused before an election, there had been record volumes and prices last month.
‘‘Normally, one month out from an election, people start to take a waitandsee approach and sales volumes begin easing off,’’ Ms Norwell said.
She cited three factors: recordlow interest rates, consumers having additional cash available because they could not go overseas, and an uplift in the market from returning expats.
She pointed to the 53% rise in Auckland house sales during September, which was ‘‘the highest in 52 months and the highest annual increase in sales volumes in 11 years’’.
‘‘The number of residential properties sold in September across New Zealand increased by 37.1% from the same time last year, from 6112 to 8377 – the highest number of properties sold in a month in New Zealand for 42 months since March 2017 and the highest number of properties sold in a September month for 14 years,’’ REINZ said.
The REINZ House Price Index for New Zealand, which measures the changing value of property in the market, increased 11.1% annually to 3145, a new high and the first time the index for New Zealand has gone over the 3100 mark. — Additional reporting The New