Wellington Property Trends

Nationwide values continue to increase

Nationwide residential property values continued to gradually increase according to the latest QV monthly index. Values have risen 1.1% over the past three months and are now 2.7% above the same time last year, and 3.3% below the previous market peak of late 2007.

“While national values are continuing to increase, this is not universal across the country. While the combined main urban areas and combined rural areas have increased over the past few months, the combined provincial areas have begun to slide back again” said QV.co.nz Research Director, Jonno Ingerson.

Ingerson said “there appears to be a little more market activity since the New Year, with signs that decisions made over the holiday break are now being put into action. However potential buyers remain cautious and calculated and are often unwilling to commit quickly”.

“The increase in values in many areas, particularly central Auckland, can in part be attributed to a lack of supply, with a shortage of desirable and well presented properties for sale. When quality properties come up for sale in these areas they are in high demand which is tending to push the price up” said Ingerson.

Wellington

Over the past year, values in the Wellington area first fell a few percent, then recovered most of those losses since mid 2011, leaving current values just 0.4% below the same time last year and 6.2% below the 2007 market peak.

“Despite increased market activity, prices are generally quite static throughout Wellington. Properties in the lower price brackets are meeting the greatest demand although it is still important for all sellers to present their properties well and to price them sensibly” said QV Valuer Kerry Buckeridge.

14/02/12 QV