Thinking of selling? Why timing matters now.

Across our nationwide network, the majority of agents report more buyer activity than three months ago, 79% expect that to increase further in the next quarter. Vendor momentum is rising too, with more appraisals and noticeable rise in buyer activity.

This is a constructive phase of the cycle: buyers are engaged and purposeful, vendors are preparing to launch, and campaigns that are priced and presented with care are converting more quickly.

Listing into this early momentum puts your property in front of rising demand, before the seasonal rush.

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Prices: steady with a gentle lift

When asked how prices are tracking in their local markets, most agents describe them as stable or edging up, closely echoing the latest REINZ data. Several regions are showing consistent, measured gains.

For vendors, this is a meaningful signal. In a market finding its rhythm, you don’t need a boom to achieve a strong result. Buyers are motivated by value, presentation and pricing that reflects recent, relevant sales.

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What this means for your sale

In this environment, timing and execution go hand in hand:

• List into momentum
  Launch while enquiry is growing, before the market becomes more crowded. Early movers often attract more attention and stronger competition.

• Price to proof
  With broad price stability, homes that sell first are evidence-based, not speculative. Serious pricing invites serious offers.

• Present beautifully
  Buyers are selective. Good light, clean lines, and lifestyle-led marketing help buyers picture themselves in your home.

• Campaign with purpose
  Don’t market to everyone. Speak directly to the right buyer groups, using the right channels to create urgency.

"When momentum returns, the properties that launch early become the benchmark that subsequent listings strive to meet," says Clodagh Hall, Chief Operating Officer in Queenstown. 

"These vendors engage the most decisive buyers, set the tone for neighbourhood pricing, and enjoy a window of minimal competition before the seasonal uplift takes hold. Experience across multiple cycles shows that positioning your property at this stage of the cycle - paired with the right real estate brand and a highly targeted marketing campaign - consistently delivers exceptional outcomes," she adds.

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Who's in market

The Pulse confirms this is a needs-based market, not a speculative one. Buyer demand is driven by lifestyle and life-stage:

• Downsizers are seeking well-located, low-maintenance homes with amenities within walking distance

• First-home buyers are active where the value is clear and the process is simple

• Upsizers want ample living space, functional layout and to be within school zones

• Lifestyle buyers are looking for space and turnkey readiness

The Clubhouse Lane apartments at Jack's Point, Queenstown, are designed for functional yet premium living.

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A considered time to act

The New Zealand Property Pulse, reveals a market with quiet momentum. Buyer activity is lifting, vendor engagement is rising, and price trends are steady with gentle uplift. Urgency is considered, but real.

If you’re contemplating a sale, now is the time to meet the market with clarity, confidence and the right campaign. A New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty advisor can help you read the nuance in your local market and launch with a custom, targeted marketing strategy.