The days are stretching out, the garden is stirring, and thoughts are turning to spring. If selling your Kāpiti home is on the agenda, now is a good time to get moving.
Despite the gloomy headlines, there are encouraging signs worth paying attention to.
First-home buyers accounted for more than 28% of purchases nationally in the second quarter, a record share, according to Cotality figures reported in July. That matters for sellers: someone buying their first home can help the next household move up the ladder.
Affordability is also improving. Cotality’s August report puts typical mortgage repayments at 40% of gross household income, down from 54% at the late-2021 peak. Kāpiti’s property-value-to-income ratio and deposit-saving measures are now below their own long-term averages, making the buying equation more manageable.
There is competition, though. REINZ reported 33,252 properties available nationally in July, up 9.3% on a year earlier. Buyers have choice, and homes are taking longer to sell. Presentation, realistic pricing and effective marketing all count.
My advice? Don’t automatically wait until September/October because that’s when you expect spring to get busy. Listing sooner gives you the opportunity to reach buyers already looking, before any additional spring competition arrives.
For Kāpiti sellers, the opportunity is to make your home stand out: finish those small jobs, get the paperwork ready and launch with a clear strategy. A well-planned start beats a last-minute scramble.
Call me, Andrea Corrigan, on 021 488 267 today to book your free, no-obligation appraisal and tailored sales proposal.
Let’s get your home ready, your options clear and your spring move underway.
Have you considered buying or selling a property? Or do you know of a family member, friend or colleague who is considering buying or selling a property? Contact Andrea Corrigan to experience next level service.
