Paul Yianakis, Harcourts Wellington City

19/09/2026

2026: THE ULTIMATE FIRST HOME BUYER’S WINDOW
Want to buy a house this year, but not sure if the timing’s right? Seasonally, it may actually be a better time to buy than you expect.
This is one of the best windows for first-home buyers in the Wellington market in years, though it comes with some local economic risks.

Why it is an excellent time?
• Peak Buyer Power: Prices have dropped roughly 20% from their historic highs, giving you maximum negotiating power.
• No Competition: Property investors have largely pulled back, meaning you aren't being outbid at auctions and can take your time.
• Easier Bank Approval: Deposit restrictions (LVR rules) have loosened
• Favourable Choice: High stock levels mean you can be highly selective about layout, sun, and quality.

Looking at interest rates right now
• Stop waiting for rates to plummet, and instead focus on what you can afford today.
• While mortgage rates are much lower than their 2024 peaks, they are currently in a choppy, sideways "tug-of-war" phase rather than a smooth downward trend.

The Interest Rate Reality Check
• Rates are Sticky, Not Falling: Don't expect a return to ultra-low 3% or 4% interest rates anytime soon. Expect rates to fluctuate stubbornly between 4.9% and 5.6% for the foreseeable future.
• Banks are Hungry for Your Business: Because the Wellington property market is quiet, banks are aggressively competing for high-quality buyers. Never accept the first "advertised" rate you see. Use a mortgage broker to negotiate a discounted rate.

The Risks to Keep in Mind
• Local Economy: Public sector job cuts mean employment security is tighter in the capital.
• Ownership Costs: Council rates and earthquake insurance premiums are rising rapidly in the Wellington region.

Bottom Line
• If you have secure employment and a steady deposit, you are stepping into a rare buyer's paradise.
• Rather than trying to wait for the absolute bottom of the market, focus on finding a quality property you can afford to hold for the next 5 to 10 years.
• Marry the house, but only date the rate. If you find a quality property at a heavily discounted price, buy it—provided your budget can comfortably handle a 6.5% test rate (the higher interest rate banks use to ensure you can survive a financial squeeze).
• Have a chat to your friendly mortgage broker.

14/09/2026

EASY-CARE KILBIRNIE LIVING
Enquiries Over $685,000
Looking for a tidy, low-maintenance home in one of Wellington's most convenient locations?
This well-presented two-bedroom townhouse delivers easy-care living with the added bonus of an internal-access garage — ideal for those wanting a comfortable home without the upkeep of a large property.
The location makes everyday living incredibly easy. Walk to Kilbirnie Shopping Centre, Pak'nSave, cafés, buses and the Aquatic Centre, while Wellington Airport, the hospital and C*D are all within easy reach.
PROPERTY HIGHLIGHTS
• Two comfortable bedrooms
• Internal-access garage
• Flat, easy-care setting
• Low-maintenance living
• Ideal lock-and-leave
• Walk to Kilbirnie shops, supermarket, cafés and buses
• Minutes to the Aquatic Centre
• Handy to Wellington Airport, hospital and C*D
• Fully insured development
• Enquiries Over $685,000
Whether you're downsizing, investing, looking for a Wellington base or simply want the convenience of townhouse living, this is a property worth seeing.
PURCHASER INFORMATION
Purchasers should be aware that a final Code Compliance Certificate was not issued for the development. Wellington City Council documentation relating to this is available on request.
This may affect conventional bank lending, and purchasers should satisfy themselves regarding finance and undertake their own legal and property due diligence.
Come along to the open home and discover just how convenient Kilbirnie living can be.

14/09/2026

According to the latest Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) data and market reports for August 2026, the Wellington property market continues to experience a buyer’s market characterized by softer prices, elevated inventory, and a slower, more deliberate pace of sales.

Want to know more about what's happening in your suburb and have a chat about your real estate goals? Call Paul on 021 959510.

14/09/2026

WHY SPRING GIVES SELLERS THE ADVANTAGE
Homeowners looking to sell usually want three things: plenty of interested buyers, strong offers, and a short timeline. Spring is the season that most often delivers all three.

So, if a move has been on your mind this year, this is the window where momentum tends to work in your favour. Here’s what makes this season so powerful for sellers.

1. More Buyers Will Be Looking
Typically speaking, in the housing market, there’s no more popular time to move than the Spring.

2. You May Get More Offers
Spring typically brings out more buyers who are ready to make a move before summer. Listings see more views, showings and offers during this season.

3. Homes Usually Sell Faster
There’s one more predictable pattern that happens pretty much every Spring based on research.

Since homes have been taking longer to sell lately, listing your house during what’s usually the most active time of the year means you’re setting yourself up to move as quickly as possible. And isn’t that what sellers really want? The faster your home sells, the earlier you can move onto what's next for you. If you’re eager to go on to your next chapter, need to downsize, or you're run out of space, Spring may be the best time to sell.

Bottom Line
Spring doesn’t guarantee a sale. Strategy still matters. But this season gives you something valuable: momentum.

More buyers. More activity. More opportunity. The real question is: If you're going to sell this year, why not do it when the odds are in your favour. Reach out and talk to Paul Yianakis on 021 959510 about what selling this season could mean for your house and your timeline.

14/09/2026

YOUR REMOTE ROLE COULD UNLOCK HOME OWNERSHIP
For most first-time buyers, the hardest part of buying a home is making the numbers work. You budget, you save, and the finish line still feels far away.

But your salary is only half the equation. Where you live shapes what you can afford just as much. And if you can work remotely, you have an advantage a lot of buyers don't.

You’re not tied to living where the jobs are, so you can look where your money goes further.

Remote job openings are on the rise. Remote and hybrid work remains popular across New Zealand, with 34% of employed Kiwis regularly working from home according to Stats NZ data.

Growing Demand: Recent RNZ census figures show that nearly 20% of employed adults work mostly from home—a 60% jump from 2018.

Driving Forces: Surging fuel prices and general living costs lead many Kiwi job seekers to prioritize remote or hybrid options to save money

Top Regions: The Tasman region recorded the highest proportion of home-based workers at 20.8%, closely followed by Northland, while major hubs like Wellington and Auckland saw the biggest overall increases in worker numbers.

Industry Breakdown: Tech, IT, insurance, and sales roles offer the highest rates of remote flexibility, whereas hospitality, retail, and trades require on-site attendance.

More remote roles mean more people can choose a home base around the life they want to build. Remote employees, freelancers, consultants, entrepreneurs, and business owners have the flexibility to choose a home base based on the life they want to build, whether that means more space, a lower cost of living, better access to nature, or simply somewhere new.

Bottom Line
With remote work, where you live can be your decision instead of your employer's. And that puts more affordable places within reach. Want to explore where that could take you? Connect with Paul Yianakis, your local real estate agent to see what's possible.

12/09/2026

EASY-CARE KILBIRNIE LIVING
Enquiries Over $685,000
Looking for a tidy, low-maintenance home in one of Wellington's most convenient locations?

This well-presented two-bedroom townhouse delivers easy-care living with the added bonus of an internal-access garage — ideal for those wanting a comfortable home without the upkeep of a large property.

The location makes everyday living incredibly easy. Walk to Kilbirnie Shopping Centre, Pak'nSave, cafés, buses and the Aquatic Centre, while Wellington Airport, the hospital and C*D are all within easy reach.

PROPERTY HIGHLIGHTS
• Two comfortable bedrooms
• Internal-access garage
• Flat, easy-care setting
• Low-maintenance living
• Ideal lock-and-leave
• Walk to Kilbirnie shops, supermarket, cafés and buses
• Minutes to the Aquatic Centre
• Handy to Wellington Airport, hospital and C*D
• Fully insured development
• Enquiries Over $685,000

Whether you're downsizing, investing, looking for a Wellington base or simply want the convenience of townhouse living, this is a property worth seeing.

PURCHASER INFORMATION
Purchasers should be aware that a final Code Compliance Certificate was not issued for the development. Wellington City Council documentation relating to this is available on request.

This may affect conventional bank lending, and purchasers should satisfy themselves regarding finance and undertake their own legal and property due diligence.

Come along to the open home and discover just how convenient Kilbirnie living can be.

05/09/2026

KILBIRNIE VALUE - IF YOU'VE GOT THE FUNDS, TAKE A LOOK!
Enquiries Over $685,000

Here's an opportunity that won't suit every buyer - but for the right one, it could make a lot of sense.

If you're a cash buyer or have alternative finance available, this well-presented two-bedroom townhouse gives you the chance to secure an easy-care home in one of Wellington's most convenient locations.

Set within Kilbirnie Villas, it's tidy, practical and refreshingly low maintenance. There's an internal-access garage, two comfortable bedrooms and an easy-care setting that makes it ideal for anyone wanting a lock-and-leave lifestyle without giving up location.

And the location is hard to beat.

Walk to Kilbirnie Shopping Centre, Pak'nSave, cafés, buses and the Aquatic Centre, with Wellington Airport, the hospital and C*D all within easy reach.

WHY IT'S WORTH A LOOK

• Enquiries Over $685,000
• Two-bedroom townhouse
• Internal-access garage
• Flat, easy-care setting
• Low-maintenance lock-and-leave lifestyle
• Walk to shops, supermarket, cafés and buses
• Minutes from the Aquatic Centre
• Handy to the airport, hospital and C*D
• Fully insured development
• Ideal for cash buyers or purchasers with suitable alternative finance

SO, WHAT'S THE CATCH?

Kilbirnie Villas does not have a final Code Compliance Certificate (CCC). The original certifying authority ceased trading during construction and a final CCC was not issued.

The development is fully insured, and Wellington City Council documentation relating to the property is available to interested purchasers.

The absence of a final CCC means conventional bank lending may not be available. Purchasers should undertake their own independent due diligence and obtain appropriate legal and financial advice.

That's why we're talking directly to buyers who can make this property work.

If you're a cash purchaser, investor, downsizer or have alternative funding available, don't automatically dismiss this one because it's outside the usual lending box.

At Enquiries Over $685,000, come through, see the property for yourself and decide whether the numbers stack up for you.

You've got the funds. We've got the opportunity.

04/09/2026

430 Hawkins Hill Rd, Brooklyn

01/09/2026

29/08/2026

$685K+ | 2-BEDROOM KILBIRNIE TOWNHOUSE | GARAGE
Easy-care living | Cash or alternative finance
Looking for easy-care living in a highly convenient Kilbirnie location?
This well-presented two-bedroom townhouse offers easy-care living, an internal-access garage and a low-maintenance lifestyle, with shops, cafés, buses and the Aquatic Centre all close by.
Why you'll love it:
• Two comfortable bedrooms
• Internal-access garage
• Flat, easy-care setting
• Ideal lock-and-leave lifestyle
• Walk to Kilbirnie Shopping Centre, Pak'nSave, cafés and buses
• Minutes to the Aquatic Centre
• Handy to Wellington Airport, hospital and C*D
• Enquiries Over $685,000
IMPORTANT PURCHASER INFORMATION
Kilbirnie Villas is a fully insured development. A final Code Compliance Certificate was not issued because the original certifying authority ceased trading during construction.

Wellington City Council documentation is available for interested purchasers, and buyers are encouraged to undertake their own independent due diligence and obtain appropriate legal and financial advice regarding the property's status and suitability.
Conventional bank lending may not be available for this property. It is therefore best suited to purchasers with cash or suitable alternative funding arrangements.

If you have the funding in place and are looking for easy-care living in a highly convenient location, come and see it for yourself.
If you have funding in place and are looking for a low-maintenance home in a superbly convenient location, come and see it for yourself