PHOTO: Barfoot & Thompson
📈 Overview: A Busy Year for Auckland Property
According to the Barfoot & Thompson December 2025 housing market update, 2025 was one of the busiest trading years in Auckland in four years, with more homes sold, high listing numbers, and continued activity from first-home buyers and investors.
Here’s what the data reveals about the state of the Auckland market and what it really means for buyers, sellers and investors heading into 2026.
🏡 Sales Activity: Strong & Steady
In December 2025, Barfoot & Thompson reported:
📊 849 unconditional residential sales for the month — similar to recent Decembers but slightly lower than November.
🗓 For the 12 months to December 2025, the total was 11,014 properties sold, up from 10,080 in the previous year — a 9% increase in sales activity.
Key takeaway:
Despite seasonal constraints (December technically has only about three weeks of trading), the annual figures show renewed engagement from buyers — indicating demand has recovered from quieter periods earlier in the year.
💰 Prices: Steady, Not Surging
Barfoot & Thompson’s report shows prices in December were broadly stable, without dramatic rises or falls:
📍 Median price: $980,000 — slightly lower than November’s $995,000 but up compared with the three-month average.
📍 Average price: $1,140,501 — marginally higher than the previous three-month average.
What this means:
Prices aren’t skyrocketing, but they aren’t falling either. A stable median and average price at year end generally suggests:
Balanced supply/demand
Buyer confidence remains
Sellers aren’t being forced to drop prices drastically
This is consistent with independent figures showing broader New Zealand markets stabilising after earlier softness.
🏘️ Listings & Inventory: Still Lots to Choose From
Stock levels continue to play a big role in shaping Auckland’s market:
🏷️ New listings in December: 867 — a sharp drop from November (when listings were much higher).
📈 Total stock at month-end: 5,332 properties available — lower than earlier in the year but still historically significant.
Insight:
High stock levels earlier in the year have eased competition somewhat, giving buyers more choice — particularly with newly built townhouses, apartments and smaller homes in the market. That can temper price rises even when demand improves.
This aligns with broader coverage showing Auckland stock levels have been among the highest in years, suggesting supply remains a defining feature of the market.
👶 First-Home Buyer Visibility
One standout theme in Barfoot’s commentary is activity at lower price points:
🏠 More than 2,700 properties sold under $750,000 during 2025, which is nearly a quarter of all annual sales.
This points to a more accessible market for first-home buyers and investors focused on entry-level stock — which can be a key driver of volume even when higher-end sales cool.
🌳 Rural & Lifestyle Markets: Quiet but Positive
Barfoot also highlighted activity outside pure city centres:
🐄 Rural and lifestyle sales in Auckland and Northland finished 2025 strong, with total sales above $668 million — the highest in three years.
This shows buyers looking beyond inner city Auckland for space and lifestyle change, particularly in coastal or hinterland areas within driving distance.
📅 What the Numbers Don’t Say — But Suggest
A few broader themes emerge from the data:
🔹 Growing buyer engagement
Total annual sales up by 9% suggest many buyers feel conditions are right to move — especially on more affordable stock.
🔹 Prices stable, not spiking
Unlike boom markets, Auckland appears to have reached an equilibrium in late 2025 — steady rather than accelerating.
🔹 Choice still strong
Stock levels throughout the year — even if easing in December — have kept the market balanced. High inventory generally favours buyers but doesn’t crush pricing.
This balance is exactly what independent commentary has identified in recent months — an Auckland market that has recalibrated after pandemic-era volatility and is now responding to broader economic signals.
🧠 Expert Perspective
Barfoot & Thompson Managing Director Peter Thompson summarised the year as “positive and busy”, with property holding onto gains made in spring and sales volumes increasing compared with 2024.
This reflects a market that is steadying itself rather than overheating, which is generally positive for long-term confidence.
🔑 Summary: Where Auckland Stands Now
2025 wasn’t a year of explosive growth — but it wasn’t a slump either. What Barfoot’s December update tells us is:
📈 Auckland saw its busiest selling year in four years
💰 Prices are stable, not declining sharply
🧑💼 Entry-level homes drove much of the activity
📋 Inventory remains historically healthy
For buyers, this means a market with choice, price resilience, and opportunities — particularly for first-timers and lifestyle seekers.
For sellers, it suggests demand has returned in volume, even if prices aren’t rising rapidly.
And for investors, it signals a balanced market where timing and asset quality matter more than speculation.
SOURCE: www.barfoot.co.nz