Volumes nudge up, prices stay subdued

February delivered a small but encouraging shift in the REINZ data. Nationally, 6,523 properties sold — up 0.3% year-on-year. It's a modest move, but it broke the run of negative-year prints and hinted that buyer engagement was beginning to recover.

What REINZ reported

• National sales: 6,523 (up 0.3% year-on-year)
• Price tone: still subdued — broader commentary noted prices remained soft
• Buyer sentiment: gradually firming but not transformed

How it played out on the Shore

On the North Shore, the picture was selective. Well-presented family homes in the $1.5M–$2.5M bracket attracted genuine interest, while overpriced or compromised properties continued to sit. The activity was uneven by suburb — some pockets buzzed while others remained quiet.

A useful suburb reference point

It's worth knowing the spread across the North Shore right now. According to current Opes Partners data, Stanley Point is the most expensive suburb on the Shore at around $2,370,000, while Birkdale is the most affordable at around $952,000. That ~$1.4M gap tells you everything about how stratified this market currently is.

Strategy notes

Selling: Price competitively from day one. February's data confirmed that buyers will wait — they will not chase. The successful campaigns this month were ones launched with realistic expectations and sharp marketing.

Buying: Use the time. With sellers absorbing the reality of the market, there is room to negotiate terms — not just price. Settlement timing, conditions, and chattels are all live conversations again.

If you'd like a private read on where your suburb actually sits — based on recent comparable sales rather than headlines — get in touch.