Invercargill & Southland Property Market Set For Busy Winter

• Property listings have grown in Invercargill and Southland, reflecting strong buyer interest.
• Buyers are moving quickly as Southland’s rate of sale is faster than national average.
• Low mortgage rates are encouraging first-home buyers and creating more movement across the market.

Invercargill and Southland are seeing a noticeable lift in property activity as the national market shows signs of renewed energy. According to the latest data from realestate.co.nz, housing stock across New Zealand was up 6.2 percent in April compared to the same month in 2024.

At the end of April, 35,924 properties were available for sale nationwide. Southland followed the trend closely, with stock rising 5.9 percent to 615 listings.

The pace of sales in the region is another strong indicator of market health. Properties in Southland are taking only 15 weeks to sell, which is much faster than the national average of 22 weeks and well below the region’s long-term average of 25 weeks.

However, while stock levels are higher, new listings tell a different story. Across New Zealand, new listings in April 2025 dropped by 11.6 percent compared to the previous year, with just 8,518 new properties entering the market. Southland experienced a smaller decrease of 2.2 percent.

Mortgage and Insurance Supply Southland owner Mandy Jordan says it is an exciting time for the local market.
“Most mortgages are taken out for around 20 years – with rates being offered that start with a 4, we know this is likely to be below the 20-year average,” Jordan said.
“This rate makes properties more affordable for those looking to get onto the ladder, which keeps the entry-level bracket moving and stimulates the rest of the market.”

Jordan encouraged borrowers to take advantage of the low rates.
“The key with rates being low is to pay above the minimum if you can to repay principal faster. Many of our conversations are not just about the rate, but also about the rate the lending is paid off and the best structure for our clients to do that.”

Signs of a hot market are already visible.
"We’re seeing multi-offers for properties, we’re seeing excitement for clients, we’re seeing existing clients upgrading and we’re seeing the need for pre-approvals from banks again before clients put in offers on properties," she said.
"The Invercargill market seems hot – knowledge is power and with the right team around you, it can be an exciting time to make one of the biggest moves in life."

Across the country, Gisborne recorded the highest growth in stock year-on-year at 75 percent, while Canterbury grew by 14.5 percent. Other areas such as Manawatū-Whanganui and Wairarapa saw slight declines.

New listings varied widely between regions. Gisborne surged by 60.6 percent, while Auckland and Wellington saw significant falls of -21.7 percent and -19.1 percent respectively.

With strong buyer demand and more affordable mortgage rates, Southland and Invercargill look set for a lively winter property season.