House sales jump in November

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November real estate figures provide conclusive evidence that the Reserve Bank’s interest rate medicine is reviving the housing market.

Tuesday, December 18th 2001, 8:32PM

by Jenny Ruth

The number of homes sold in November jumped to 7,881, the highest level of activity in that month since 1996, Real Estate Institute figures show. November sales were worth $1.69 billion, well up on 6,666 worth $1.44 billion sold in October and the 5,810 worth $1.23 billion sold in November last year.

The Reserve Bank has cut its official cash rate, which directly influences variable mortgage rates and indirectly affects longer-term rates, five times this year from 6.5% to 4.75% with the most recent cut on 14 November.

Institute president Rex Hadley says the low interest rate environment is a large factor in the rise in sales.

"The lower interest rates currently available have allowed a lot more first home buyers to enter the property market, it’s incredibly satisfying to see more New Zealanders be able to fulfil their dream of owning their own home," Hadley says.

"The institute has always said that home ownership is a large part of the New Zealand culture and I think November’s figures reflect that. I personally don’t believe that many people prefer to rent," he says. Floating mortgage rates now range between 6.24% and 6.90%

Reserve Bank Governor Don Brash should also be pleased that the increased activity hasn’t had an inflating effect on house prices.

The national median house price actually fell from $179,000 in October to $176,200 in November. That was still above the $174,000 median house price in November last year.

The institute’s figures show that of the 11 regions measured, activity improved in November in all compared with October and in all except Northland compared with November last year. There were 193 homes sold in Northland in November last year compared with 157 this year.

The median price figures were more ambiguous. Compared with October, prices rose in five of the 11 regions and fell in the other six. Compared with November last year, prices rose in eight regions, fell in two and were unchanged in Manawatu/Wanganui.

TOTAL DWELLINGS MEDIAN PRICE

COMPARISONS FOR OCTOBER 2000-2001

 

REGION	OCT 00	SEPT 01	OCT 01
Northland	155,500	135,000	160,000
Auckland	233,000	249,000	258,000
Waikato/BOP/Gisborne	155,000	158,000	163,500
Hawkes Bay	135,500	132,500	130,000
Manawatu/Wanganui	112,000	107,000	105,000
Taranaki	100,000	105,000	100,000
Wellington	190,000	185,000	195,000
Nelson/Marlborough	149,500	150,000	147,000
Canterbury/Westland	142,500	142,000	141,000
Otago	95,500	92,500	110,500
Southland	90,000	83,000	89,000
NZ Total	$170,500	$173,000	$179,000

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