Taranaki sees increase in property inquiries amid lockdown

Agents compare market activity during current lockdown with last year's

Taranaki sees increase in property inquiries amid lockdown

Auckland is not the only region with plenty of property market activity, with Taranaki also seeing an increase in property inquiries when it moved into alert level 3 lockdown, according to real estate agents.

Last month, Auckland did not see any significant impact on its residential property sales despite remaining in lockdown due to COVID-19 concerns.

Meanwhile, in Taranaki, real estate agents shared that they continue receiving inquiries even from outside the region.

“Private viewings are starting to ramp up, although we have had more requests when we move to level 2,” said Harcourts Real Estate agent Janine Baldock, as reported by Stuff. “Especially from people outside the region as the restrictions between regions are still in place under level 3. It’s keeping everyone busy.”

Ray White New Plymouth licensee salesperson Jane Simonson added that this year’s transition from the level 4 lockdown had been busier than the first lockdown.

“We have been getting strong inquiries from all over the country with buyers actively looking to move to our region,” Simonson continued, as reported by Stuff.

Read more: How has the COVID-19 lockdown impacted Auckland’s housing market?

Remax New Plymouth agent Shannon Ryan explained that property buyers were uncertain during last year’s lockdown. However, the recent restrictions resulted in a surge of out-of-towners and expats wanting to move, boosting the property market.

“Just think to yourself how many people now will be shining an even brighter light on new Plymouth, given the current unfortunate situation Auckland finds itself in yet again,” Ryan said, as reported by Stuff.

“This time around, we have gone into lockdown in the midst of a market boom. However, with nowhere near enough homes to purchase or rent, our current local property demands are far from being [met].”

However, the agents stated that only two private viewings may commence per day at any property in Taranaki, and the sellers must not be home during that time. Moreover, only two people from the buyer’s bubble can attend a private viewing, along with one licensee.