Trade Me survey reveals optimal buying conditions
A recent survey by Trade Me has revealed that buyer confidence in New Zealand’s property market is at its highest in two years, as recent trends suggest a potential stabilisation in the market.
The Trade Me survey, which included responses from more than 2,500 prospective buyers and 3,500 homeowners, indicated a strong positive shift in public sentiment towards buying property.
Buyer confidence soars to two-year high
Casey Wylde (pictured), Trade Me Property spokesperson, noted that 61% of respondents now see it as a good time to buy a property.
This marks a significant increase from 53% in October 2024 and 55% in March 2023. Wylde attributed this optimism to a combination of falling mortgage rates, an all-time high in property supply, and stable property prices, creating ideal conditions for buyers.
“With mortgage rates falling, supply at an all-time high and property prices stable, it’s a perfect storm for buyers,” Wylde said. “It’s no surprise that many Kiwis are getting ready to make their next move.”
2025 defies autumn slowdown with record property listings
Despite a typical slowdown in autumn, 2025 is defying trends with record-breaking property listings in February, continuing strong into March.
“As the temperature and leaves begin to drop in autumn, typically the market starts to slow but 2025 is bucking the trend as the number of properties for sale hit a new record in February and is showing no signs of slowing in March,” Wylde said.
Persistent challenges despite record listings
While listings are at a 10-year high, the “lack of suitable properties” remains the predominant concern among buyers, a sentiment echoed since October. Other major concerns include the cost of living and achieving desired selling prices on existing properties, Trade Me said.
Expectations split on NZ property prices in 2025
The Trade Me survey also highlighted expectations around property prices, with 49% of respondents anticipating a rise in property prices over the next 12 months, while 25% expect them to remain stable, and only 10% foresee a decrease.
“Most New Zealanders believe that property prices will increase in 2025 after they remained mostly unchanged over the past year,” Wylde said.
“With interest rates easing and a lot of buyers ready to make a purchase they could be right. However, with listings at an all-time high, this abundance of stock could keep prices stable for a few months yet.”
Trade Me survey methodology
The survey was conducted in February by Trade Me, gathering insights from 2,587 Kiwis actively searching for property and 3,629 homeowners registered with Homes.co.nz, providing a comprehensive overview of the current state of the property market in New Zealand.
