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at a glance

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Sector information summarises trends and developments in the building and housing sector. 

older reports

Previous versions of  the building and housing sector trends reports are available on request.

Housing market activity

Updated: 20 December 2011

Sale volumes hold steady

There were 6,008 houses sold in November 2011 compared with 5,007 in October and 5,235 in September, according to the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ). The number of houses sold increased by 16.9% from 5,138 in November 2010.

House sale numbers in November 2011 were:

  • 2,266 in Auckland, a 26.7% rise from 1,789 in November 2010
  • 657 in Wellington, a 1.94% fall from 670 in November 2010
  • 816 in Canterbury/Westland, a 19.3% rise from 684 in November 2010

Note: as of November 2009, the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand no longer represents all real estate agents. 

 Figure 12a: National residential property sales (three-monthly to November 2011). Source: Real Estate Institute of New Zealand.

Figure 12b: Regional residential property sales (three-monthly to November 2011). Source: Real Estate Institute of New Zealand.

Selling times

The median time taken to sell a property in November 2011 was 35 days, compared with 35 days in October and 37 days in September. This is down from 40 days in November 2010.

Median numbers of days to sell in November 2011 were:

  • 33 in Auckland, down from 35 in November 2010
  • 34 in Wellington, down from 36 in November 2010
  • 31 Canterbury, down from 41 from November 2010

Figure 13: Days to sell a residential property (three-monthly to November 2011). Source: Real Estate Institute of New Zealand.