SYDNEY (Reuters) – House prices in New Zealand rose slightly in October, as falling interest rates inspired confidence among buyers, the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) said on Thursday.
Seasonally adjusted median house prices rose 1% in October from the previous month, and by 0.7% on the same time last year, data from REINZ showed.
“There seems to be light at the end of the tunnel. Although challenges like the cost of living remain, positive signs are emerging. Falling interest rates, increased inventory in the market, and greater activity during open home events are all reflected in the data for October,” REINZ Chief Executive Jen Baird said in a statement.
New Zealand’s central bank cut its benchmark rate in August, the first decrease since March 2020, and slashed rates by another 50 basis points last month.
(Reporting by Alasdair Pal in Sydney; Editing by Kim Coghill)
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