Simon Upperton Borders Real Estate Northland

23/09/2026

High-quality build, centrally located Kerikeri with big views & sunny position.
https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/property/residential/sale/northland/far-north/kerikeri/listing/6093884609

23/09/2026

Home or invest in Kerikeri's most successful subdivision. 18 lots walking distance to town. House & land packages available.

22/09/2026

https://www.stuff.co.nz/home-property/361036342/survey-reveals-how-many-property-sellers-are-letting-election-affect-their-decisions?utm_source=newsletters&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=stuff_daily

17/09/2026

Monthly Property Update: Kerikeri / Waipapa / Waimate North
Total sales came in at a rather miserly 18 for the month of August, down from a revised 30 for July. The breakdown was 16 house sales either residential or lifestyle and three bare lots. The median house price was also jolted lower at $828k, with the average being $916k. The highest price paid was $1.515M for a house on 2ha and there were six sales above $1M.

Looking at sales volume, which is been down across the country in 2026, locally in 2025 there were 333 sales in total or 27.75 per month, in the last 12 months we have had 320 sales or 26.7 per month. So we are pretty much tracking as we did in 2025, and in fact just this month’s lower result dropped the average sales per month by one, so we would have been pretty much flat compared to 2025.

If you had asked me at the end of 2025 if we would have flat sales compared to last year? I would have said no, I expect volume to increase, but the war put an end to that. More recently, say in the last 2 – 3 months, we have noticed a marked pick-up in activity compared to the first six months of the year. I expect this activity to translate into higher sales as we head into summer and once we have the election out of the way.

Stock levels, as per the chart attached, have remained pretty much flat for the last circa 12 months. We are yet to see the flurry of listings we normally see in spring and maybe this can be put down to the election. I have always thought an election should never be held close to Christmas, as effectively momentum stalls in the lead up and then the country is about to head into holiday mode and doesn’t really start up fully again until February.

The Federal Reserve voted unanimously to increase interest rates overnight, Japan is expected to follow as global inflation is starting to rear its ugly head on the back of global oil prices. This will apply some pressure to our own Reserve Bank that meets again towards the end of October. The commercial banks have already factored in most of any increase, so it may not impact lending too much.

As we do expect the market to improve incrementally over time and we have a few properties sold or under contract we are very eager to get more houses listed either lifestyle or residential on our books. Save money on commission, get a very powerful marketing campaign, so please do get me in for an appraisal if you are looking to sell.

Until next time, Simon
Disclaimer: These are the writer’s personal views and should not be considered advice. Follow me on Facebook

11/09/2026

Get your free Husqvarna Robot mower with your section purchase! T&Cs apply. Offer closes 24th Dec 2026
https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/property/residential/sections-for-sale/northland/far-north/kerikeri/listing/5543955026

04/09/2026

OPEN DAYS 12th & 13th SEPTEMBER 12PM - 2PM. 16 new sections released at 73 Kerikeri Road. Four show homes on display, bbq fired up, coffee cart cranking, treats for the kids. Come on down & check out the sections & house & land packages.

04/09/2026

If you haven't checked out this fantastic new resource for things to do & see around Kerikeri, take a look. So well done Our Kerikeri for getting this up & going.

https://kerikeri.co.nz

With sheltered inlets, winding rivers and the beautiful Bay of Islands on our doorstep, Kerikeri is a natural base for boating, fishing, kayaking and days spent exploring the coast.

02/09/2026

https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/news-and-events/news/2026/09/ocr-increased-by-25-basis-points-to-2-75

Monetary Policy Statement media release and the MPC’s Record of Meeting, which summarises the committee's discussions.

31/08/2026

Get your property in front of more buyers.
As we do periodically, we look back at our listings and compare the number of viewings other listings have received that were listed around the same time and in a similar price bracket. My listing has received 25,785 views, the average of the other six listing it was compared to was 6,751 views. Or 23 per day versus 85. That's an audience of 3.67 times the average!
List with Borders, get better results.

28/08/2026

Monthly Property Update: Kerikeri / Waipapa / Waimate North
Total sales came in at 28 for July, slightly above the 12 month moving average of 27. June sales were revised up from 28 to 32, so who knows if we will see the same sort of revision for July next month. It’s the first time since November we have had a month of sales above 30 and only the 3rd time in the last 12 months.

Considering it’s the middle of winter, an election year and all the global uncertainty, increasing sales is quite impressive, although not unexpected. Of the 28 sales, 22 were houses either residential or lifestyle, 2 bare lots, sections or lifestyle and 4 horticulture or large grazing blocks. The highest sale was $2.575M for a horticulture block. Two sales took out the highest house sale, both at $1.65M. The median house price was $936k and the average $998k.

The steady increase in sales is a reflection of what we have been seeing over the last two months or so, with a marked pick-up in activity and contracts written. There still seems to be a disparity between what buyers want to pay and sellers are comfortable with, but less so than before and with buyers tending to come back with a more realistic offer. I have noticed this particularly with large lifestyle blocks with the price of beef skyrocketing, vendors are less willing to be overly negotiable.

We have also had an increase in out of region buyers as I suspect we aren’t the only region that is showing signs of improvement, especially those with strong dairy and beef production. We have been targeting these areas with our marketing with some success, and I expect this will continue.

Our first Australian marketing campaign also displayed obvious signs of success, with a noticeable increase out of Australia coming through. We will continue to offer this marketing channel for free to our vendors as a differentiator and thank you for being with Borders Real Estate.

The Reserve Bank meets again next week to decide on rates. The OCR is still at a historically low level of 2.5%. I suspect they will raise rates again, as inflation remains firmly outside its 1 – 3% target band. It’s a difficult balancing act for the Central Bank as we have rising unemployment, a weak housing market and major centres like Auckland and Wellington struggling.

Such is the blunt monetary tools available in the absence of fiscal stimulation. We are seeing a few election lollies now being rolled out, but as they say, that was the campaign, not necessarily what the reality will be, especially with MMP coalition negotiations to come.

Until next time, Simon Disclaimer: These are the writer’s personal views and should not be considered advice. Follow me on Facebook