Sales rise, prices fall, says Barfoot & Thompson

The Auckland housing market has embarked on 2025 with a guarded yet optimistic beginning.
Despite a traditional slowdown in January, there is a noticeable uptick in activity, particularly in more affordable price segments.
“As is customary, the Auckland housing market quietly edged into 2025 with January sales prices and sales numbers below where they were at in December,” said Peter Thompson (pictured above), managing director of Barfoot & Thompson.
Auckland market: Sales trends and pricing adjustments
In January, the median sales price fell to $950,000, a 5% decrease from December, while the average price saw a more significant reduction of 11.2%, landing at $1,053,446.
The sales volume also dropped by 16% to 700 properties. Although these figures represent a typical post-holiday decline, a closer look reveals a more dynamic market.
“A fall in January compared to December is a trend that has occurred over the past five years,” Thompson said.
Robust sales in lower price ranges
Despite the overall downturn, January’s sales figures were robust, marking a 38.9% increase compared to January.
This surge in sales activity, particularly in properties priced under $1 million, which comprised 56% of all transactions, suggests a shift in buyer focus towards more affordable housing options, Barfoot & Thompson reported.
“This is the second year in a row that January’s sales numbers have increased January-on-January, and in the last nine years, our January sales have only exceeded 700 on two previous occasions,” Thompson said.
Inventory and market listings
January also saw an influx of new property listings, with 1,361 new additions, bringing the total to 5,383 homes available by month’s end.
While this number is slightly below the 2024 monthly average, it is the highest January figure since 2021, indicating a healthy supply that could encourage future market activity.
Rural and lifestyle market overview
The rural and lifestyle segments of the market, having achieved a 31-month peak in December, experienced a quieter January.
Nonetheless, sales turnover reached $42.6m, marking a 9.8% increase from the previous year, reflecting continued interest in these areas despite the broader market’s slow pace.
The Auckland housing market’s cautious yet promising start to the new year reflects a resilient demand, particularly in more accessible price ranges, setting a foundational tone for potential growth and stability as the year progresses.
Read the Barfoot & Thompson media release.