If you’re hoping to sell your home in 2025, one of the biggest questions you might be facing is whether now is the right time. Fluctuations in market conditions have been
prevalent over the past couple of years, with many homeowners facing uncertainty around housing prices in the aftermath of the COVID property boom and mortgage rate rises.
Will there be significant change in 2025, and how will this affect property prices? Should you hold off on selling your house or forge ahead, making the best of the current market conditions? Let’s delve into some of the context around what to expect from property prices in NZ at the moment and what you can do to maximise profit on the sale of your home.
In a broad sense, what we are currently experiencing in New Zealand is what is commonly termed a “buyer’s market”. This essentially means there are more homes
for sale than there are buyers, resulting in greater negotiating power for buyers, and the tendency for more stable (and sometimes decreased) sales prices.
However, it is important to note that for the most part, any significant decreases that we are seeing can likely be viewed as an inevitable market correction following the
unrealistic and unsustainable post-COVID property price boom. External factors such as increases in mortgage rates over the past couple of years, and rising unemployment are also having an impact on market activity.
Despite the stabilisation of property prices, listing numbers and market activity are on the up in 2025. Buyer sentiment is currently favouring the perception of greater affordability in comparison to previous years, where extreme pricing pushed home ownership seemingly out of reach for many. However, due to greater financial constraints and economic uncertainty, experts believe that the current buyer-friendly market will remain consistent for the time being.
Forging ahead into the remainder of 2025 and into 2026, the only thing that is certain is that the New Zealand property market is expected to encounter some minor turbulence. Perhaps boosted by anticipation of falling mortgage rates, yet discouraged by rising unemployment and increased living costs, whatever the case, we are expecting the market to adjust accordingly with an overall net gain of buyers (which is good news for sellers), but perhaps with a more slow-burn or cautious approach than in the more recent past.
So what does this mean if you are trying to sell? It’s important to remember that even in a buyer’s market, there are always things you can do to stand out from the competition. Here’s what you should be thinking about if you’re hoping to sell your home in the months ahead.
Marketing your property is more than just putting up an ad, it’s about highlighting your home’s best attributes and enticing buyers into building an emotional connection to your property.
Getting the marketing right is where hiring a professional real estate agent has the advantage. Real Estate agents are the experts in knowing where and how to advertise your property. Whether it’s the agent’s own website, social media or TradeMe Property, listing your property for sale in the right places will make all the
difference in attracting the right buyers.
While many aspects of the sale may be out of your control, working on presenting your home at its very best is something you can take ownership of! Whether it's
investing in professional home staging, getting in professional landscapers, decluttering or just tidying up the front lawn, presentation of your home is, and will always be, your number one priority when selling your home.
Getting a fresh perspective is a good place to start as often these things are difficult to spot when constantly exposed to them. Ask friends, family and your real estate agent to give their unbiased opinion on what could be improved or tidied up in preparation for selling the property – don’t get offended, just get busy!
Getting an accurate idea of what your property is worth can be tricky in a buyers’ market, you can get a rough idea by searching comparable properties online, but paying a property valuer for a registered valuation is likely to be more accurate (this will cost approximately $1200-$1500). Or, you could make the most of your real estate agent’s insider knowledge and ask for a free Current Market Appraisal (CMA)!
Keep in mind, even though understandably you want to get the maximum possible amount when selling your house, it is advisable to avoid overly inflating price expectations as this will only drive potential buyers away – don’t forget they have done their homework too!
While there is a lot of debate around which is better, buying first then selling or, selling first then buying – the reality is the decision will most likely be determined by your personal circumstances at the time.
However, in uncertain economic times, it is common to see the sell-then-buy mentality take precedence as this provides greater certainty around available funds, making the process not only less risky but less stressful too! This approach also helps avoid any uncertainty around the time it takes to sell and the increased pressure to sign on the dotted line for a less-than-satisfactory amount, which can be a significant factor in traditional buyers-market conditions.
The internet makes it easy to quickly search and find real estate agents in your area and learn a little about their expertise. But it doesn’t give you a sense of what they
are like to work with or their professionalism in the industry.
Always meet any prospective agents in person before making your decision. For best results, prepare some specific questions you would like to ask to gain a better understanding of whether or not they will be a good fit for the role – the right agent can mean the difference between a good sale price and a great one! See here for more on what to ask a real estate agent when selling your property.
Deciding on the best sales method for your property is a tricky one sometimes. You might prefer the hassle-free option of an auction, or your agent might suggest a fixed
price or negotiation – so which is best? Again, this one can come down to personal preference, but it is always advisable to listen to your real estate agent as they have
the experience and current market insight to know what will work best for the type of property and your price expectations.
Generally speaking, auctions are great for high-demand properties where multiple buyers are interested (works best in a competitive market). Fixed price sales are good when you have a specific amount in mind and don’t want to muck around, and price by negotiation is perfect if you are interested in giving the buyers some flexibility and letting the market determine the price.
The key to making the most of a buyer’s market is being flexible. On-the-spot adaptability will mean you can capitalise on opportunities as they arise, attracting more buyers and ultimately gaining a better end result. This might mean scheduling open homes during the week in the evenings, adjusting price expectations to match market indications, carrying out repairs/upgrades or improvements based on feedback from buyers, offering greater flexibility around settlement dates/conditions, and even vacating the property faster than anticipated to suit the buyer’s requirements.
Considering selling your property in Christchurch, particularly in the Bishopdale area or its neighbouring suburbs? Look no further than Karen and Barry Ellis at Ray White Bishopdale. Our in-depth knowledge of the Christchurch real estate market means we are well-equipped to guide you through every step of the sales process. Contact us today for a no-obligation discussion about your property goals and discover how our expertise and personalised approach can help you achieve the best results when selling your home.
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