by Metros Marketing | October 28, 2026 8:33 am
With the general election approaching, property conversations often turn to political uncertainty, but for most Kiwis it’s largely business as usual. Our recent Trade Me Property research reveals that just 20 per cent of sellers and 22 per cent of buyers view the upcoming election as a primary factor in their decisions. For the vast majority, practical fundamentals like interest rate outlooks, school zones, and overall housing choice continue to outweigh election timing.
That pragmatic attitude is reflected in local price performance. While national average asking prices and those within Christchurch remained flat year-on-year, Canterbury prices grew 2.4 per cent annually in August.
Looking closer at property types in the city, family homes remain the standout performers. Traditional three and four-bedroom family homes have hit new highs in recent months, up around $50,000 on the same time last year. Entry-level 1-2 bedroom properties are tracking 3 per cent ahead year-on-year, providing accessible entry points for first-home buyers and downsizers.
While new listings across the region are up on last year, demand has dipped. We anticipate inventory to build further in the coming weeks, with 25 per cent of prospective vendors planning to list in October as advance election voting opens.
Canterbury’s rental market is showing similar resilience. As national rents recorded their first year-on-year increase in 18 months, Canterbury hit a record median weekly rent of $600. Record highs for 3-4 bedroom rentals, currently asking $665 per week, led the regional growth, reflecting sustained demand for family-sized accommodation.
Source URL: https://metropol.co.nz/rising-rents-trade-me-property-customer-director-gavin-lloyd/
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