OPPORTUNITY APLENTY
Given consensus amongst New Zealand’ s analysts that the RBNZ’ s easing cycle will end by Christmas, the next three-to-six months represent a narrow but attractive window of opportunity, Coulson says.
“ Buyers are benefiting from lower serviceability costs; sellers are meeting a market where cash flow has returned. By the second half of 2026, rates are forecast to lift again – meaning this summer may prove to be the moment between trough and acceleration.”
Across the Ray White network, this turning point is visible. Open homes are fuller, auction livelier, and enquiry levels across regional offices are strengthening.
The South Island continues to lead the housing recovery, with values in Southland up four per cent year-on-year and other provincial centres posting gains of between one-and-two per cent.
In the north, Auckland and Wellington remain flat, but steady, suggesting their correction phase has likely run its course.
“ This balance, stable prices, active buyers, and available supply – is what defines a strategic selling market. From history, we know those making a move now aren’ t chasing the top of the cycle, they’ re leveraging predictability while it still exists.”
RAY WHITE NOW NEW ZEALAND | 9