Does an Election Really Slow Down the Property Market?

With the General Election approaching, it's a commonly held belief that buyers and sellers put their plans on hold until the votes are counted. But how much of this is perception, and how much is reality?

New research from realestate.co.nz suggests that while elections do influence buyer confidence, the actual impact on the property market is surprisingly modest.

Here's what the research reveals:

• House sales fall 5–10% – Some buyers take a temporary step back in the lead-up to an election.

• New listings barely change – Listing volumes differ by only around 1%, suggesting sellers largely carry on as usual.

• Properties for sale increase by around 5% – Fewer buyers and steady listing activity mean slightly more choice for purchasers.

• Days to sell remain largely unchanged – Despite more properties being available, selling times aren't significantly affected.

• House prices remain stable – No statistically significant election-related impact on property values.

• Activity recovers afterwards – Buyers return to the market once election uncertainty passes.

The bottom line? Elections may affect how people feel about the property market, but the statistics tell a less dramatic story. Interest rates, affordability and personal circumstances remain far more important than the political calendar.

Source: realestate.co.nz – How much does the NZ election affect the housing market?