First Realty Newsletter December 2025

27 December 2025

The numbers in the REINZ report do not accurately reflect the rapid changes that are taking place in the market. We have just sold 3 Falkirk Street in Blockhouse Bay. We had over 10,000 enquiries for the property, over 100 enquiries, three offers within two weeks and a back-up offer. It sold and settled within 6 weeks. There are three reasons for this:

The high level of interest was due to how we positioned the property in our marketing.
The number of first home buyers, investors and flippers entering the market is very high.
The vendor was willing to meet the market.

Our job is to create interest with a strategic marketing plan and reach the widest audience of potential buyers. Once that interest has been created, the property will be sold.

If you are thinking of selling, talk to us about what our strategic marketing plan will be. Talk to other professionals as well. Then choose the plan that makes the most sense.

As we approach 2026, it might be useful to reflect on the year gone by.

As you will see in the graph we have presented below, house prices in Auckland have remained flat all through 2024 and 2025. While I’m wary of making any predictions I personally do not expect much to change in 2026.

As far as rents go, there has been a significant fall in rents in 2025 compared to 2024. It has prompted the minister for housing to say on national TV that tenants should renegotiate rents at a lower level with their landlords. As I’ve been saying in my previous newsletters, supply continues to outstrip demand as far as rental property is concerned.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all our tenants and landlords for their cooperation and support this past year. I want to especially acknowledge two of my tenants who are celebrating Christmas with a fantastic display of lights and decorations, photos of which are displayed below.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

Yours truly,

Mohijit

Tenant: Lance Tolson

Tenants: Annie Dean-Gounder and Manendra Gounder

Buyers are taking their time

As per the latest REINZ November 2025 property report, the data shows a 2.1% increase in the Auckland median sale price, compared to the same period last year and a 6.6% decrease in the sales count. Compared to the previous month, the Median Price is up 1.6% and Sales Count is down 5.5%. As per the report, “Local salespeople cautiously predict a busy January, followed by a steady, mostly static market.”

To view the full REINZ report, click here.

Property Investor Insights November 2025

Economist Tony Alexander shares his insights in his latest Property Investor report, which compiles the response he has received from 259 property investors. The results show the following:

Tenant availability has become even poorer with a record net 43% of landlords saying they are finding it difficult to secure a good tenant.
Landlords are becoming less worried that house prices may be falling but more worried about potential changes in tenant legislation.
Fewer investors are planning to hold their properties for at least ten years or never to sell.

To view the full report, click here.

NZHL Property Report November 2025

Economist Tony Alexander shares his insights in his latest NZHL Property report, which compiles the response he has received from 184 real estate agents. The results show the following:

For the first time since the start of 2024 the proportion of agents saying buyers are displaying some fear of missing out (FOMO) exceeds the proportion saying they are concerned about prices falling after making a purchase – FOOP or fear of over-paying.
The market continues to be driven by first home buyers with minor purchasing interest from some investors being met by stronger selling plans by others.
Nevertheless, a solid buyer’s market remains in place.

To view the full report, click here.