11:07 am today

Number of houses for sale hits decade high

11:07 am today
Stylised illustration of house for sale

Photo: RNZ

The number of houses listed for sale is the highest it has been in a decade, according to the latest figures.

Realestate.co.nz's report found the number of listings coming to market was even higher than expected at this time of year.

"There's 20 percent more houses on the market than there was at the same time in October last year," the site's chief executive, Sarah Wood, said.

And 32,000 homes were for sale.

"That actually brings us to the highest number of homes for sale in a decade so there certainly is a lot of choice," Wood said.

Recent and forecast drops in the Official Cash Rate were giving people confidence, she said.

"It has motivated people to come back into the market, which you'd expect coming into spring, but certainly has had a good jump over and above what we'd normally expect."

While searches and enquiries were up the big question remained, Wood said. "The question is how long will that take to flow through to an actual sale."

In Wellington there were 50 percent more homes for sale this October than in October 2023.

"There is certainly a lot of options for buyers in Wellington market."

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