New year, new listings! ??

Trust you all had a relaxing and enjoyable holiday break. For me, this January has been one of the busiest in recent years, with six fantastic properties already launched to market and another four set to follow in the coming weeks. From my conversations with building inspectors, home stagers, and photographers, it’s clear that everyone is hitting the ground running for what’s shaping up to be a very busy year.

?? Market snapshot

Christchurch

• Median sale price: $700,000 (up 4.5% year-on-year).
• Sales activity: 602 properties sold in December, up from 579 last year.
• Average days to sell: 37 days, slightly longer than usual but still reflective of an active market.

Selwyn

• Median sale price: $799,500 (steady year-on-year).
• Sales activity: 108 properties sold (down slightly from 115 last December).
• Average days to sell: 49 days, reflecting cautious decision-making from buyers.

Waimakariri

• Median sale price: $731,000 (up 6.7% year-on-year).
• Sales activity: 90 properties sold, compared to 76 the previous year.
• Average days to sell: 41 days, unchanged from last December.

Listings update

December saw a 26% increase in new listings across greater Christchurch on Trade Me, providing buyers with more choice. While lower interest rates are stimulating buyer activity, the higher volume of listings is keeping prices stable. Increased sales activity suggests buyers are making offers, and sellers are meeting the market.

Every one of our listings so far this year has received multiple offers. In a market like this, our role as agents is clear: ensuring properties are well-positioned, effectively marketed, and ready to capture the attention of serious buyers.

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??? Suburb profile: Papanui

In this month’s episode of Suburbs of Christchurch, we explore Papanui. Known for its bustling retail and hospitality scene, Papanui offers a wide variety of housing options across all price points, making it a popular choice for families, professionals, and retirees alike.

If you live in Papanui, I’d love to hear what you love most about the area! Drop a comment or share this on your socials.

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?? A Titanic thank you!

A big thank you to everyone who attended and supported my partner, Dan, in The Complete Voyage of the RMS Titanic in 90 Minutes. Whether you joined us for the special dress rehearsal or one of the other shows, your support helped make the event a huge success. Over 11,000 attendees came along over the past two and a half weeks!

??Case study: How we sold a townhouse for $20,000 above asking price in a buyer's market

Selling in a competitive market can be a challenge, but with patience and strategic preparation, success is always within reach.

For the owners of 6/17 Warwick Street, a rental property in a crowded townhouse market, we focused on:

• Presentation: Fresh paint, updated tapware, and cosmetic improvements. I also supplemented the existing furniture with some of my own staging items to elevate the property’s presentation.
• Marketing: The sellers invested $3,200 into their marketing campaign which included photography, video, a platinum upgrade on Trade Me and social media boosts.
• Pricing strategy: After launching with a deadline sale, we priced the property at $559,000. When we still hadn’t received any offers after two weeks, we adjusted the price down to $540,000, which sparked buyer interest.

The result? Multiple offers and a sale price of $560,000!

• Key stats: 8,441 views on Trade Me, 32 enquiries, 33 inspections, and 45 days on market.
• Buyer profile: Interest from both first-home buyers and investors, with 30% of online viewers from out of town.

This case study highlights the importance of staying adaptable in pricing, investing in presentation and marketing, and just a bit of patience! If you happen to own a townhouse in Christchurch that you're thinking of selling, feel free to contact me for a chat.

?? Ready to make your move?

To discuss any of the above or start your real estate journey, feel free to:

• Schedule an appraisal
• List your property
• Book a discovery call

Selling

?? 7 Gracefield Avenue, Christchurch Central

3 bed, 1 bath, single garage

?? 17 Hart Street, Woolston

3 bed, 1 bath, carport

?? 41 Merrington Crescent, Aranui

3 bed, 1 bath, double garage

?? 63 Vardon Crescent, Shirley

3 bed, 1 bath, double garage

?? 154 Harewood Road, Papanui

5 bed, 3 bath, double garage

?? 30A Wilson Street, Islington

2 bed, 1 bath, single garage

?? 154 Bower Avenue, New Brighton

3 bed, 1 bath, carport

?? 177B Palmers Road, New Brighton

4 bed, 1 bath, single garage

Sold

?? 6 / 17 Warwick Street, Richmond

3 bed, 3 bath, 1 car park

$560,000

?? 447B Mairehau Road, Parklands

3 bed, 1 bath, single garage

$675,000

?? 24 South Belt, Rangiora

3 bed, 1 bath, carport

$590,000

?? 92 Bridge Street, South New Brighton

3 bed, 1 bath, double garage

$700,000

?? 110 Bridge Street, South New Brighton

3 bed, 1 bath, workshop

$580,000

Coming soon

?? 146 Shortland Street, Aranui

3 bed, 1 bath, 2 garage

?? 1 / 149 Wairakei Road, Bryndwr

2 bed, 1 bath, single garage

?? 45 Ashwood Street, Parklands

3 bed, 1 bath, single garage

?? 27 Cridland Place, Halswell

4 bed, 2 bath, double garage

?? 35 Ashbourne Street, Burnside

4 bed, 2 bath, double garage