Real Estate – Housing market momentum returns

The real estate market across Mangawhai and Mangawhai Heads is picking up noticeably as we head towards the summer season.

After a quieter, more conservative period earlier this year, local property activity has lifted significantly over the past six weeks, marking a clear turn in buyer confidence and market momentum.

Earlier this year, broader economic conditions and global uncertainties led many local households to take a cautious, wait-and-see approach. Open home attendance dropped across the board, and sales activity slowed in our coastal community. Prospective buyers took their time, resulting in a temporary pause in overall market movement.

That dynamic has now changed. “Sold” signs are appearing far more frequently throughout the region. At St James + Co, we have felt this shift directly, recording a substantial increase in appraisal requests as homeowners prepare to put their properties on the market for the summer selling period.

Recent market activity highlights two key local trends.

Sales volume rebounds: While property values have held steady, overall transaction numbers are moving again as buyers take up current market opportunities.

Older stock moving: A significant portion of recent sales includes properties that had previously sat on the market for six to 12 months or longer. Buyers are recognising genuine value in properties already on the market and choosing to move forward with confidence.

With the election approaching, buyers and sellers frequently ask whether political cycles will stall local real estate activity. While pre-election lulls can occur, local history shows a different pattern. Following the 2023 election, Mangawhai and Mangawhai Heads sales picked up rapidly, reaching an average pace of one property sold per day. With current momentum already building nicely, we expect strong activity to carry straight through the election period and into summer.

For sellers, motivated and capable buyers are actively making decisions on realistically priced properties. For buyers, stable pricing conditions and a strong selection of properties available offer excellent opportunities to secure a property before the summer rush begins.

– Stephyn St James