QV September 2011 - the regions

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Auckland remains on the up, while Wellington values level off after a sustained period of price and sales falls.

Wednesday, October 12th 2011, 12:00AM

by The Landlord

Auckland

 

QV's Residential Price Index for September shows that property values in the Auckland region are 3.4% higher than the same time last year. Values are continuing to increase.

Glenda Whitehead of QV Valuation said; "Values in the Auckland Region have continued to grow in the residential housing market.  All areas are at a higher level compared to a year ago. As reported in previous months, former Auckland City continues to lead the movement. We are also seeing favorable movements in the North Shore and parts of Manukau, for vendors at least.

"While spring listing levels also appear to be increasing, supply and demand are yet to be in equilibrium for many areas," said Whitehead.

"Focusing across the region, the Auckland Central area, which includes Pt Chevalier, Grey Lynn, Ponsonby, Herne Bay, the CBD and Parnell have seen the largest upward shift, some 6% year-on-year.   Within this area our valuers have seen many properties going to auction, with some achieving values well above expectation. Another trend, is that a number of properties do not make it to auction day, instead selling prior, under multi-offer situations.

"The area from Avondale, through Mt Albert, Mt Eden and across to Onehunga has also seen a 4.2% increase in values over the past year.

"The North Shore has been another area that has performed well. The suburbs from Devonport and going north along the coast up to Torbay are up 3.2%, as well as those in and around the Albany basin, which have increased by 3.9%. Quality built homes and those with good access to motorways and the commercial areas appear to be in most demand" Ms Whitehead said.

Within Manukau, the best performing area includes Bucklands Beach, Pakuranga, Howick and going south to Meadowlands, which are up 3.8%.While quality properties in these areas sell quickly and at healthy levels, the area has many properties on the market that don’t meet buyer expectations. This is due to quality of presentation or they are built of less desirable building materials. Values in Manurewa, Weymouth and across to Wattle Downs are marginally above levels a year ago, at 1.1%. Our valuers confirm that whilst activity is increasing, value movements seem marginal" Whitehead said.

QV's Residential Price Index is calculated using sales data from the three months leading up to the month being reported. It is not the same as the average sales price, which fluctuates in line with the mix of properties selling in upper or lower price brackets. The average sales price for the Auckland region in September was $529,028.

 

Wellington

 

QV's Residential Price Index for September shows that property values in the Wellington region are 2.0% lower than the same time last year. Values are looking to flatten.

Kerry Buckeridge of QV Valuations said; "The last two-three months have seen the Wellington market levelling off. For the moment property prices appear to be steady after a sustained period of decline in both price and sales.

"There is a good level of affordability due to the reasonable prices and low interest rates. This is resulting in a lot of activity, primarily by first home buyers. In my work I have seen a number of young Wellington City based professionals making the choice to purchase in the more modestly priced Hutt Valley.

"In the middle segments of the market, purchasers continue to be quite cautious.  The negotiation skills of agents are paramount in order to finalise a sale. It is important for properties to be well presented, problem free and sensibly priced.

Buckeridge said "Over the last few months, we have also seen a number of good $1million plus sales.

"There appears to be quite limited activity from residential investment buyers. Rental yield continues to be of prime importance as buyers no longer rely on capital gain occurring.

QV's Residential Price Index is calculated using sales data from the three months leading up to the month being reported. It is not the same as the average sales price, which fluctuates in line with the mix of properties selling in upper or lower price brackets. The average sales price for Wellington in September was $433,714.

 

 

Hamilton

QV's Residential Price Index for September shows that property values in Hamilton are 1.2% lower than the same time last year. Values continue to be flat.

Richard Allen of QV Valuations said: "Values in Hamilton City have moved in a positive direction especially in comparison to the first half of the year. They are currently 1.2% lower than last year.

"There was positive growth in all areas other than the North East. Despite property values growing in the rest of the city this month, the average sale price decreased slightly. Evidence suggests this is due to a lot of the sales in the city being in the lower to mid price range. Whilst the market has been subdued in Hamilton over the past couple of months, there are suggestions that demand is increasing.

QV's Residential Price Index is calculated using sales data from the three months leading up to the month being reported. It is not the same as the average sales price, which fluctuates in line with the mix of properties selling in upper or lower price brackets. The average sales price for Hamilton in September was $336,577.

 

 

Tauranga

QV's Residential Price Index for September shows that property values in Tauranga are 0.1% lower than the same time last year. Values have increased slightly.

Shayne Donovan-Grammer of QV Valuations said; "The residential property market in the region has remained stagnant. Investors haven't played an active role in the market for quite some time.

"The majority of investors in Tauranga buy primarily for capital gains rather than the rate of the return. With little prospect of capital gain in the immediate future investors are staying on the sidelines. Some investors are leaving the market as they see no sense in topping up their rentals while values continue to level out.

"With low interest rates and a good number of serious sellers this market favours the first home buyers who are prepared to do their research. We suggest that the buyer look at a lot of properties to gauge value, choose a location that is improving or has a proven track record as well as get sound, independent advice."

QV's Residential Price Index is calculated using sales data from the three months leading up to the month being reported. It is not the same as the average sales price, which fluctuates in line with the mix of properties selling in upper or lower price brackets. The average sales price for Tauranga in September was $421,326.

 

 

 

Christchurch

QV's Residential Price Index for September shows that property values in Christchurch are 2.1% higher than the same time last year. Values continue to increase, driven by activity in the unaffected districts.

Brendon Bodger of QV Valuations said; "Demand continues for property throughout the wider Christchurch area. However, as expected it is stronger in the relatively undamaged suburbs, particularly in the South West to North West.

"A strong demand has continued for property and vacant sections in the wider Canterbury area, namely within the Selwyn and Waimakariri districts. We are also aware of demand for Eastern suburb properties by people who want to remain in the area.

"The number of property listings hasn't increased significantly this month, as we would have expected with spring arriving. Real Estate agents are still reporting multi offer situations, particularly at the entry level end of the market. Higher valued properties are also attracting interest, however these properties are taking longer to sell.

"I think that it is also important to remember that we are looking at the market in the context of low sales volumes at the moment, especially when compared to the volumes at the peak of the market."

QV's Residential Price Index is calculated using sales data from the three months leading up to the month being reported. It is not the same as the average sales price, which fluctuates in line with the mix of properties selling in upper or lower price brackets. The average sales price for Christchurch in September was $380,374.

 

 

Dunedin

QV's Residential Price Index for September shows that property values in Dunedin are 2.0% lower than the same time last year. Values continue to be volatile in a narrow band.

Tim Gibson of QV Valuations said; "The Dunedin residential property is starting to see an increase in activity and improved values. Traditionally this occurs over the spring period.

"There appears to be improved demand for houses in the lower valued bracket. This is resulting in a decrease in selling times and some growth in values after a sustained period of stagnant growth. The higher demand appears to be both a mixture of first home buyers and investment purchasers. The higher proportion of sales occurring within the lower valued property has also caused the average sales price to decrease over the past month.

"It is too soon to say that the market is in a period of sustained growth, as some uncertainty still remains.  This is evident with the patchy demand in relation to higher valued dwellings.

"Overall the market is still 7.1% below the market peak of July 2007" Mr. Gibson said.

QV's Residential Price Index is calculated using sales data from the three months leading up to the month being reported. It is not the same as the average sales price, which fluctuates in line with the mix of properties selling in upper or lower price brackets. The average sales price for Dunedin in September was $266,073.

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