The housing market had a disastrous start to spring this year with the lowest number of sales in September for 12 years.
According to the Real Estate Institute of NZ, 4943 residential properties were sold throughout the country in September, down 10.9% compared to September last year.
In Auckland sales were down 15.8% compared to a year ago and in the rest of the country excluding Auckland sales were down 20.0%.
The last times sales were below 5000 in the month of September was 2010.
Prices also continued to slide.
The REINZ House Price Index (HPI) , which adjusts for differences in the mix of properties sold each month, was down 0.7% nationally in September compared to August and is now down 12.6% from its peak.
In Auckland the HPI declined 1.3% in September and is now down 17.3% from its peak.
The HPI for the Wellington Region was down 0.9% in September and -19.8% from its peak, while the Canterbury HPI was down 1.3% for the month and is now down 7.0% from its peak (the HPI table below shows the trends in all regions).
However the national median house price rose slightly in September, to $811,000 from from $800,000 in August (+1.4%)
The fact that the median price rose while the HPI declined suggests there was a change in the mix of properties being sold, with properties in the upper price brackets selling more readily than those at the lower end.
Properties are also staying on the market for longer, with the median days to sell rising to 47 in September which was 10 days more than in September last year.
"Following an exceptional period of growth last year, spurred by government stimulus and closed borders seeing Kiwis invest locally, the property market is moderating," REINZ Chief Executive Jen Baird said.
"Owner-occupiers remain a strong buyer pool and agents in some areas report seeing more first home buyers, enticed by easing prices and less competition.
"However property prices are still unaffordable to many, particularly in larger hubs such as Auckland and Wellington.
"Agents also report seeing an increase in open home and auction attendance, which we would expect to see as we move into the warmer months.
"However, the September data, and reports from agents, indicates that the expected spring uplift is not as strong as anticipated," she said.
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REINZ House Price Index - September 2022
Volumes sold - REINZ
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Median price - REINZ
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