Auckland Is All About Price; The Regions About Volume

Auckland Is All About Price; The Regions About Volume

Summary

• 7,989 dwellings sold in New Zealand in May 2015, up 21.6% on May 2014 and 10.4% on April 2015
• A national median price of $460,000, up $30,000 (7.0%) on May 2014 and $5,000 (1.1%) on April
• A rise in the national median price excluding Auckland of $9,000 compared to May 2014, and a fall of $4,000 compared to April
• A rise of 20% in Auckland’s median price, from $625,000 in May 2014 to $749,000 in May 2015
• Seven regions, including Auckland, with sales volume growth of more than 20% compared to May 2014
• Comparing May 2015 to May 2014, the number of Auckland sales with a sales price of $1 million or more has increased by 120% (384 vs. 843)

REINZ, the most up to date source of real estate data in New Zealand, announced today that there were 7,989 dwelling sales in May 2015, up 21.6% on May 2014 and up 10.4% compared to April.

The national median price was $460,000 for May, an increase of $30,000 or 7.0% compared to May 2014 and an increase of $5,000 or 1.1% from April. Excluding the impact of the Auckland region, the national median price was up $9,000 at $349,000 (+2.6%) compared to May 2014 and down $4,000 (-1.1%) compared to April.

Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) Chief Executive Colleen Milne says, “Auckland continues to dominate the real estate market in terms of price movements, with an annual increase of just under 20% for the 12 months to May. The Reserve Bank’s recently announced LVR (Loan to Value Ratio) measures may have some slowing impact on the rate of price increase, but it would take some months for this to take effect. The inventory situation in Auckland remains very tight and the number of sales by auction continues at near record levels.”

“Agencies across the upper North Island, which includes Whangarei through to Bay of Plenty, are reporting increased interest in residential properties from Auckland investors. There are also reports from leading agencies that some Auckland retirees are relocating to areas such as Taupo and Keirkeri where they can get better value for their money and funds for retirement. The Reserve Bank’s introduction of the 30% LVR for Auckland may have the effect of moving investors’ attention from Auckland to the regions. Sales volume across Auckland is expected to continue to increase if supply allows, with some buyers seeking to complete their purchases and obtain funding prior to the October 1st start of the new restrictions for Auckland.

“Across the rest of New Zealand the major theme is strong sales volume growth, with six regions showing more than 20% increases in sales in May this year compared to May last year, and a few showing strengthening prices. Regions such as Otago, Northland and Central Otago are all showing firm upward price trends, while Waikato/Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, Wellington and Hawkes Bay are showing some signs of firming prices. The prospect of more relaxed lending policies from the Reserve Bank will be heartening for first home buyers in these regions.”

Sales Volumes
REINZ data shows there were 7,989 unconditional residential sales in May, a 21.6% increase on May 2014 and an increase of 10.4% from April. On a seasonally adjusted basis the number of sales rose 4.0% from April to May, indicating that May sales were stronger than what would normally be expected for this time of year.

Sales volumes excluding Auckland were up 8.1% compared to April and 20.9% compared to May 2014. On a seasonally adjusted basis, Auckland’s sales volumes were up 2.0% compared to April, indicating that sales volume growth was stronger outside of Auckland.

Nine regions recorded increased sales volumes compared to April, with Hawkes Bay recording the largest of 20.4%, followed by Taranaki with 16.7% and Canterbury/Westland with 13.2%. Compared to May 2014, all regions bar one recorded increases in sales volume, with Taranaki recording the largest of 48.2%, followed by Waikato/Bay of Plenty with 35.3% and Northland with 28.3%.

Prices
The national median house price rose $5,000 (+1.1%) from April to May, to $460,000. In comparison with May 2014 the national median house price increased by $30,000 (+7.0%), with 10 regions recording increases. Excluding the Auckland region, however, the national median price fell $4,000 compared to April (-1.1%) and increased by $9,000 (+2.6%) compared to May 2014. On a seasonally adjusted basis the national median house price rose 1.5% compared with April and 6.8% compared to May 2014.

Auckland recorded the largest percentage increase in median price by comparison with both May 2014 and April 2015. May-to-May growth was 19.8% for Auckland, followed by Southland at 15.5% and Otago at 12.5%. April to May 2015 growth for Auckland was 4.0%, followed by Otago at 2.9% and Southland at 2.5%.

Auctions
There were 1,755 dwellings sold by auction nationally in May, representing 22.0% of all sales and an increase of 614 on the number for May 2014. The 15,705 sales by auction in the 12 months to May 2015 represented 19.7% of all home sales, compared to 20.3% (15,440 by number) for the year ending May 2014.

Transactions in Auckland again dominated the auction market in May, representing 77% of the national total of auction sales. 43% of all dwelling sales in Auckland were by auction in May, compared to 31% in May 2014. Sales by auction in Waikato/Bay Of Plenty accounted for 9% of the national total, Canterbury/Westland accounted for 8% and all other regions combined accounted for the remaining 6% of the national total in May 2015.

Further Data
Across New Zealand the total value of residential sales, including sections, was $4.845 billion in May, compared to $4.238 billion in April and $3.553 billion in May 2014. For the 12 months ended May 2015 the total value of residential sales was $45.037 billion, the largest ever value of sales in a 12 month period. The breakdown of the value of properties sold in May 2015 compared to May 2014 is:

ENDS

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