Buying a property at auction can feel fast paced and unfamiliar — but with the right preparation, it can also be one of the clearest and most confident ways to purchase.

Whether you’re a first home buyer, investor, or returning to the market, preparation is everything. Here’s what you need to know before auction day so you can bid with confidence.

With the right preparation and guidance, buying at auction can be a fast, transparent, and rewarding way to secure your next property.

If you’re thinking about bidding, talk to a financial adviser at Mortgage Money, who work closely with the experienced team at Summit Real Estate. From pre-approval through to unconditional finance, we’ll help you understand your options, stay within budget, and bid with confidence on the day.

Buyers Guide to Auction
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Number of Sales December2024

Number of Sales December2025

Average Number of Days to Sell*

Average Sale Price

Nelson

68

87

33 vs 35 in December 2024

$718,00

Tasman

46

74

30 vs 30 in December 2024

$810,000

Marlborough

73

70

30 vs 30 in December 2024

$660,000

Source: REINZ – New Zealand Property Report, December 2025  *Compared to December 2024, REINZ Monthly Property Report Published January 2026.

Nelson saw the median price decrease 4.3% year-on-year, settling at $718,000.
Marlborough experienced an uplift, with the median price up 6.5% year-on-year to $660,000.
Tasman recorded a slight softening, with the median price down 1.6% year-on-year to $810,000.

Across the region, first home buyers remain the most active segment, providing consistent momentum. Some overseas buyer activity was noted in Nelson, while the Marlborough Sounds saw a reduction in buyers operating above the $1 million price point.

Vendor expectations continue to adjust to current market conditions. As supply has begun to outweigh demand in some areas, many sellers are adopting a more realistic and pragmatic approach to pricing.

Open home attendance varied, with stronger turnout at selected properties, though overall numbers remained modest. Auction activity also differed by location. In Nelson, auctions are increasingly being used as a sales strategy by agents, while Blenheim saw limited auction attendance and lower seller confidence in auctions as a preferred method of sale.

Encouragingly, market sentiment is improving, driven by increased buyer interest, steady sales volumes, and growing positivity among participants. Local salespeople expect the market to remain a buyer’s market in the near term, with optimism that sales volumes will lift as both local and visiting buyers re-enter the market.

The Top of the South average days to sell currently sits at 35 days, reflecting a market that is active but still measured — rewarding well-presented, well-priced properties.

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Renters across the Nelson Tasman region are heading into 2026 with significantly more choice than this time last year, as new data reveals one of the largest increases in rental listings anywhere in New Zealand.

Figures from realestate.co.nz show that new rental listings in Nelson and Bays jumped 92.6% in December 2025, compared with December 2024. A total of 52 properties were listed during the month, up from just 27 a year earlier.

This surge was reflected in the overall availability of rental homes, with total rental stock in the region rising 88.5% year-on-year to 49 properties. Nelson and Bays ranked as one of the strongest-performing regions nationally for new rental supply, second only to Wairarapa.

According to Summit Property Management General Manager, Stew Henry, the increase has been driven by several factors.

“We’ve seen a higher number of tenants purchasing homes over summer, which means existing rental stock needs to be re-let,” says Henry.

“The properties new to the rental market are a mix of investors and people moving out of town who wish to retain ownership of their homes.”

Henry says Summit experienced a particularly strong end to the year, with a bumper letting month in December, signing 52 new tenancies across Nelson and Marlborough.

Nationally, realestate.co.nz data shows new rental listings rose 19.8% year-on-year in December to 5,349 properties, up from 4,464 in December 2024. The national average asking rent also declined, falling 2.4% year-on-year to $626 per week, with 13 of New Zealand’s 19 regions recording price decreases.

Realestate.co.nz spokesperson Vanessa Williams says the increase in listings is shifting the balance for renters.

“A nearly 20 percent increase in new listings certainly provides more choice for renters, and in some regions, that choice has doubled,” Williams says.

“With stock building and competition among landlords rising, renters will continue to find themselves in a stronger position to negotiate on price or lease terms in 2026.”

The data highlights a rental market entering 2026 in a very different position to previous years—particularly in regions like Nelson Tasman, where supply has rebounded strongly.

Source: Kate Russell, Top South Now
Read the original article here.

Thank you to everyone throughout the Nelson, Tasman & Marlborough communities, where our people work. We are very grateful for the tremendous support we receive and are proud to be the region’s most preferred real estate agency.

We are blessed to live in such an outstanding part of the world, with numerous diverse beaches to walk on, parks, gardens, and three stunning National Parks: Abel Tasman, Nelson Lakes, and Kahurangi, all within a short drive away.

Without wanting to sound like something from the interview section of the movie Miss Congeniality, we sincerely hope that 2026 brings peace to Ukraine, Sudan, Palestine and other areas of conflict including Bondi Beach in Australia recently.

All our Summit Offices Close 2pm 23rd December 2025, and Open 8.30am 6th January 2026.

The latest REINZ figures for November 2025 show a mixed but steady picture across the Top of the South, with price growth continuing in Nelson and Marlborough, while Tasman recorded a year-on-year softening.

While price growth remains strong in Nelson and Marlborough, the Tasman market reflects a more cautious buyer response, likely influenced by broader market conditions and increased choice.

First home buyers and owner-occupiers were the most active groups across the region in November. Investor enquiry remained lower, reflecting continued caution around yields and lending conditions.

Vendors were largely realistic with their pricing expectations, which has helped maintain solid engagement for well-presented homes. Open home attendance was strongest for new listings, with good momentum often carrying through into the second and third weeks of a campaign when the property met buyer expectations.

Auctions are becoming a more commonly used sales method across the region. However, results under the hammer have been mixed, highlighting the importance of accurate pricing, presentation, and buyer competition.

Overall market sentiment continues to be influenced by:

Sales volumes were down 10.9% compared to October, reinforcing the measured pace of the market.

Despite the current lack of urgency, there is cautious optimism among local salespeople. The summer months are expected to bring an uplift in activity, particularly as overseas visitors return following the Christmas period — a trend that traditionally supports buyer confidence in the Top of the South.

“First home buyers and owner-occupiers were the most active buyer groups across the region… broader choice in available properties continues to contribute to a lack of urgency.”
– Lizzy Ryley, REINZ Chief Executive

For sellers, realistic pricing and strong presentation remain key to generating competition. For buyers, the current market offers choice and time — but well-positioned properties continue to attract strong interest.

If you’re considering a move or would like a tailored view of how these figures apply to your property, the Summit team is here to help with local insight and honest advice.

Talk to a Local Summit Sales & Marketing Consultant

Article excerpt from the Nelson Mail.  Nina Hindmarsh • Reporter. Image supplied by Christel Yardley • Waikato Times
 
Recent Tenancy Tribunal decisions in Tākaka and Motueka have highlighted a major issue for landlords: a mismatch between insurance meth contamination standards and tenancy law. 

At present, most insurers still require remediation if meth residue exceeds 1.5 micrograms per 100cm², a standard introduced in 2017. However, the Tenancy Tribunal, Kāinga Ora and the Real Estate Authority apply a much higher threshold of 15 micrograms, based on scientific advice from Sir Peter Gluckman. 

This gap has real financial consequences. In two Tasman cases, landlords were required by insurers to clean properties and pay $2,500 excesses, but the Tribunal ruled tenants were not liable, as the properties were not legally considered contaminated under tenancy law. 

In one Motueka case managed by Summit Property Management, initial testing suggested elevated levels, but room-by-room testing showed no area exceeded the legal 15mcg limit. Despite this, the landlord was still unable to recover the insurance excess. 

The result? Confusion, unnecessary remediation, and landlords left out of pocket. 

General manager Stewart Henry said the split standards were creating confusion. 

“Owners look at that and think, ‘it’s contamination’, because that’s what the insurance company and tester are telling them,” he said. 

Henry said low-level residue could often be dealt with using simple cleaning. 

“But some owners are obviously thinking, well, it’s a contamination because it’s above the 1.5 [micrograms] which is what the meth tester and the insurance company are telling us.” 

He said the uncertainty had made property management “a landmine”. 

“Once the new rules come in, it’ll mean far fewer unnecessary claims and far less confusion. 

The Government has confirmed new regulations coming in 2026, which will: 

Until then, landlords are navigating a tricky landscape where insurance requirements and legal obligations don’t always align. 

Low-level meth residue can often be addressed through targeted cleaning, not full remediation. Professional property management is critical to: 

At Summit Property Management, we stay across regulatory changes so our landlords don’t have to—and we’ll be ready well before the new rules take effect. 

 
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This week, the Summit Property Management team had the pleasure of recognising two remarkable students from Waimea College’s Special Education Department. Each term, we present Achievement Awards to acknowledge dedication, progress, and personal success — and Term 4 was no exception.

Congratulations to Seqouia-Marie Hill and Hamish Wilson (pictured), the well-deserved recipients of this term’s awards. Both students have shown outstanding commitment to their learning and continue to inspire those around them.

We’re proud to support our local schools and celebrate the achievements of young people in our community.

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Searching for a rental home when you have pets can sometimes feel daunting — but the good news is that with the right preparation and a proactive approach, you can greatly increase your chances of securing a property that suits both you and your furry companion. Here’s how to put your best foot (and paw) forward.

Before submitting any applications, make sure the property is genuinely suitable for your pet. Consider:

A Pet Profile helps landlords feel confident about approving your pet. Include:

This small step goes a long way in showing responsibility and transparency.

If you’ve rented before with your pet, ask your previous landlord or property manager to confirm that:

Positive references can significantly strengthen your application.

Find out more here Tenant Support & Guides

At Summit Real Estate, investing in our team is key to delivering better results for our clients. This month, our sales team spent a full day with Andrew Gibbons from Marshall White’s Hawthorn office in Melbourne—an industry leader in high-performance auction campaigns. 

The session reinforced why auctions continue to be one of the most effective sale methods in today’s market: 

“It’s the best way to get an unconditional deal on your property within a short campaign—sold under the hammer with no waiting on conditions.” 
— Tracy Beer, Sales & Marketing Consultant 

Emma McCashin says the training highlighted how auctions consistently bring out strong competition and clear buyer engagement, benefiting vendors while providing buyers with full visibility of the process. 

Another key takeaway from the session as noted by Summit Sales & Marketing Consultant Dwayne Lohmann was the power of auction psychology. Auctions create a high-intensity, competitive environment where multiple bidders can become emotionally invested—often pushing beyond their initial limit to secure the property. Once the hammer falls, the sale is unconditional, giving clients complete certainty. Vendors also maintain control over important terms, including the reserve price and settlement date.

Glyn Delany reinforced the structural strength of this method, adding that auctions offer sellers a disciplined, predictable process. In the current market, many conditional sales fall over during due diligence -however, with auctions, buyers complete all due diligence beforehand.

“When the hammer drops, you have a guaranteed, unconditional sale”.
— Glyn Delany, Sales & Marketing Consultant 

As we head into the busy Summer season, Summit Real Estate is set to roll out more auction campaigns across the region—backed by refreshed training, proven strategy, and a team committed to delivering premium outcomes.

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Meet our Summit Auctioneers

A safe, secure home isn’t just about the walls—it’s also about protecting what’s inside. Most households have around $60,000 worth of belongings, often without realising it. Fires, theft, water damage, accidents, and natural disasters can happen unexpectedly, and replacing everything can be costly. Contents insurance helps cover your personal items and gives you peace of mind.

Remember: Your landlord’s insurance does not cover your belongings. Having your own cover ensures you’re protected financially if something goes wrong.

Learn how we can support you every step of your tenancy. For guidance on tenancy responsibilities and keeping your home safe, visit My Rental Resources or check out our Tenant Handout from Summit Property Management.

For official information, visit Tenancy Services.