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Boom Expected in New Zealand's Commercial Property Market Due to Chinese Investment Posted: 31 Aug 2015 05:25 PM PDT The commercial property market in New Zealand has long been buoyant, but a huge boom is expected in the industry due to lucrative new investment from the Chinese market. But why is this boom expected now? And what impact will it have on our already successful real estate markets? A Release of Chinese Equity The second phase of the Qualified Domestic Individual Investor (QDII2) programme implemented by the Chinese Government will come into effect this month. This programme removes certain restrictions that were placed on Chinese citizens and businesses from purchasing and investing in property overseas. As a result of this, it is expected that savvy Chinese individuals and businesses drawn to New Zealand will pour an incredible US$10.9 billion into the New Zealand commercial and residential real estate markets. Whilst this figure seems huge it is based on the wealthy Chinese individuals set to benefit from this programme investing just 10 per cent of their assets into international commercial and residential property. Whilst this 10 per cent investment will be shared across several countries, this forecast is based on New Zealand attracting approximately 3.3 per cent of that property-specific investment, as it has in the past when similar percentages of the Chinese affluent have chosen to invest in property abroad. The Importance of Being Welcoming With such potentially lucrative property investments set to be made in the country, those working with the commercial property and real estate sectors are being cautioned on the importance of being welcoming to potential Chinese investors. This welcome should be implemented on both the small and the large scale: from employing realtors who are able to communicate in Chinese, to lobbying government to make the country more appealing to Chinese investors. It has been recommended by experts in the field that, to ensure that US$10.9 billion floods into the New Zealand economy rather than being diverted and invested elsewhere, the government and big business should look to make relevant improvements to the national education system as well as increasing the number of direct flights to China available from many of the country's most investible major cities. Other companies and business types related to the property market, such as those offering the protection of home insurance or lawyers specialising in commercial and residential property law may well also be wise to adapt their business models and practices to appeal to the impending influx of expected Chinese buyers and investors. It is important to remember that whilst this huge number of Chinese investment dollars is expected make its way into our economy, competition amongst other investible countries to secure the money freed up by the latest stage of the Qualified Domestic Individual Investor (QDII2) programme is fierce. New Zealand certainly isn't the only country in the world whose economy could benefit from a huge cash injection: but it is more than simply the revenue this investment will bring that is important. This will create new jobs, new construction, and as commercial, industrial, retail and residential properties are all forecast to be targeted by this new investment it will have massive and positive effects across all areas of the New Zealand property market. The Other Side of The Coin Not everyone is happy about this potentially huge influx of Chinese investment. Other commentators have suggested that New Zealand's infrastructure simply isn't set up for such huge property focus and development, nor is it in a position to change that in the immediate future. There is also concern about the impact that such a huge amount of property purchases from overseas investors will have on a property market that is already overstretched in some areas, and how this will impact New Zealand citizens and existing residents that are looking to find properties of their own. Both of these concerns are valid, but they are also concerns that can be overcome. What is clear is that this new Chinese investment is coming to New Zealand, and by being prepared for their arrival, now is the ideal time for commercial and residential property developers and realtors to benefit significantly from this influx. |
Asking prices for properties across New Zealand reach record highs in August with new national average high of $568,215 Posted: 31 Aug 2015 04:28 PM PDT New highs in average asking price reached in Auckland, Waikato, Wellington and CanterburyAUCKLAND, 1 September 2015 – The seasonally adjusted average asking price for homes for sale in New Zealand in August was $568,215. This reflects an increase of 5.5% in just one month, since the previous record high national asking price of $538,484 set in July. Data analysis by Realestate.co.nz, New Zealand's largest property listing website, reveals that the surge in property prices is not limited to Auckland, where a new record asking price of $832,613 was reached (up from the previous record $820,016 in June 2015). Eight of the nineteen regions across the country achieved record high average asking prices in August. These include Wellington, where the average asking price was $479,399 (up from the previous record of $469,487 set in March 2014); Canterbury, with an average asking price of $475,066 (up from $473,011 in June 2015); and Waikato, with an average asking price of $403,640 (up from $398,251 in July 2015). Significantly higher prices were also recorded in the Bay of Plenty, the Central North Island and Hawkes Bay. "The pressure on the Auckland market is clearly being felt in neighbouring regions as well, especially Waikato and Bay of Plenty," says Brendon Skipper, CEO of Realestate.co.nz. Low inventory of homes for sale "The low inventory does not mean that there are fewer homes on the market, but rather that the turnover is faster," says Skipper. "In fact, listings nationally are up 12.8% compared to a year ago." In conjunction with the record prices nationally, the inventory of properties for sale is at its lowest level since January 2007, when Realestate.co.nz started tracking this metric. Inventory is a measure of supply and demand that indicates how long it would take, in theory, for all the current properties on the market to be sold at the current average rate of sales. The national inventory in August was a mere 17 weeks, compared to the long-term average of 35 weeks. The shortage of inventory is most acute in the major centres – 9 weeks in Auckland, 12 weeks in Wellington, 14 weeks in Waikato and 18 weeks in Canterbury. The only region where the inventory is above the long-term average is West Coast, where there is 230 weeks of inventory, compared to a long-term average of 129. About Realestate.co.nz Realestate.co.nz offers buyers the shortest path to the perfect property. As the official website of the New Zealand real estate industry, Realestate.co.nz is dedicated to property and has the country's most comprehensive selection of real estate listings online. The site presents more than 97% of all residential, commercial and farm properties currently marketed by real estate professionals. Being focussed exclusively on people in need of property, Realestate.co.nz offers superior functionality, including accurate search, school zone data and a mobile app. |
