House Value Index (HVI) beginning to turn, first home buyers down while investment property buyers up.

Written By Kim Manunui

February house prices show signs of recovery with a +0.3% increase nationally in February 2025 as noted in research house Corelogics latest House Value Index ( HVI ) released today 6th March.

Still some ups and downs region by region but after a cumulative decline of -4.1% from March to Sept 2024 with modest movements from Oct to Jan, an overall increase of +0.3% is the clearest sign yet that the mini downturn of 2024 has given way to moderate growth which is expected to continue through 2025.

Around the main centres in Feb results were - 

  • Auckland            +0.3%

  • Hamilton            +0.5%

  • Tauranga            - 0.2%

  • Wellington         +0.1%

  • Christchurch     +0.6%

  • Dunedin              +0.6%

Regionally stand outs were –

  • Queenstown     +0.8%

  • Invercargill         +0.9%

  • Hastings             -0.4%

  • Wanganui           -0.6%

 

A bit all over the place but overall improving.

While First Home Buyers ( FHB ) were at an all-time high last year with market share to Oct of 28%, that’s now reduced to 25% in Feb while property investors are starting to return with market share of 28% in Feb, the highest since the first quarter of 2021 driven by factors such as - falling interest rates – easing loan to value restrictions – the return of mortgage interest deductions – and reductions in the bright line test with the amount of ‘top up’ required to meet investment property mortgages reducing as rates abate.

The median national value now stands at $807,164, down -16.9% from the record highs in late 21 /early 22, but +17.1% above the pre-COVID figure of $689,353 in March 2020.

So all in all we’re right where we’ve been working to with steady growth the catchphrase for 2025 and its starting already.

With the resignation of Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr yesterday, he can go forward in the knowledge that himself and his team have done well to orchestrate a soft landing for the NZ economy to positive growth from here.

Click here for more on the Corelogic latest House Value Index ( HVI ) report.

Click here for more on the Corelogic Feb Housing Chart Pack re property investors.

Click on the link below for enquires to Infinance

Kim Manunui

Hi, I’m Kim and I work with a great team to help individuals, as well as small and not so small businesses get their message, product and services to the world using digital media and creating wonderful websites that don’t cost the earth.

I was born in Canada, and grew up around Vancouver and the mountains of British Columbia. My love of pristine environments led me to New Zealand and eventually to the mountains, lakes and rivers of the central North Island which is home. My family’s heritage is here, and it’s from here that Korio traverses the planet.

The digital world is never static and neither are we.

And I say ‘we’ because I work with an awesome group of talented people who I gather together as required to complete a project.  Whatever your business, not-for-profit or individual needs are we gather the best team to get the job done.

Collaboratively we are creative, share sustainable values and work hard for great outcomes because that’s the buzz of satisfaction that drives us.

If you have an audience and market to reach, we can make that happen. Creative design, words that work and smart behind the scenes stuff that cuts through the online noise. We’ll design your website and then build it. We’ll manage the content as well as all your hosting needs. We can handle your online advertising so you get noticed,
and we’ll manage your social media presence so you get the clicks, likes and engagement to grow your business. All within the budget you set, because none of this needs to cost the earth.  And the job doesn’t stop when your website goes live. We are your virtual business partner.

https://www.korio.co.nz
Previous

Better Finance joins our provider panel
Next

Finance Now and Infinance