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. 

 
READ ARTICLE

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.

Read more on Auction

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.

Number of Sales September 2025

Number of Sales October 2025

Average Number of Days to Sell*

Average Sale Price* $710,000

Nelson

66

93

35 Down 5

$656,500 -0.5%

Tasman

66

77

35 Down 10

$791,500 ^1.5%

Marlborough

85

73

50 Down 11

$681,500 -11.4%

Source: REINZ – New Zealand Property Report, October 2025 *Compared to October 2024, REINZ Monthly Property Report Published November 2025

While price movement varies across the regions, buyer activity remains healthy. Owner-occupiers and first home buyers continue to lead the market, with REINZ also reporting a slight increase in investor activity in Nelson.

REINZ notes that most vendors are approaching the market with realistic expectations, helping facilitate smoother negotiations. Open home attendance is also up—particularly for lower-priced properties in the first two weeks of marketing.

More properties are now being listed for auction, with strong clearance rates recorded for those selling under the hammer. This sits alongside broader shifts in market sentiment, influenced by:

REINZ Chief Executive Lizzy Ryley notes that local salespeople are cautiously optimistic heading into summer, with expectations that the improving momentum will help move older stock that has been on the market for some time.

At Summit Real Estate, we’re seeing these trends reflected on the ground. With rising engagement and a more confident buyer base, now is a great time to position your property for the season ahead.

With six Summit Real Estate offices across the region, expert advice is never far away. Our sales team is ready to guide you, answer your questions, and help you make confident moves in today’s market.

Get in touch or explore the latest listings exclusively marketed by Summit Real Estate

Summit Property Management are helping spread kindness where it’s needed most.

Summit Property Management are proud to support the Whakatū Refuge Trust in their annual Christmas donation drive — bringing hope, comfort, and joy to local women, teens, and children who have engaged with the Trust’s services this year.

We can make a real difference this festive season by donating non-perishable food, gift cards, or presents for families in need.

Donation drop-off boxes are located at all Nelson Tasman Summit Real Estate and Summit Property Management offices, including;

Office

Address

Summit Property Management Nelson

60 Rutherford Street, Nelson 7010

Summit Property Management Stoke

506 Main Road Stoke, Stoke 7011

Summit Property Management Richmond

203 Queen Street, Richmond 7020

Summit Property Management Motueka

102 High Street, Motueka 7120

Together, we can show that our community cares — because even Santa needs a little help sometimes. #SleighthisSeason!

Summit Property Management Proudly supporting Whakatū Refuge Trust.

The rental market across Nelson, Tasman, and Marlborough is showing signs of renewed strength — and both landlords and tenants are starting to benefit.

After several challenging years, steady demand and key policy changes have breathed fresh confidence into the investment market. For landlords, improved financial conditions and greater regulatory clarity are helping restore balance. For tenants, higher property standards and better communication are becoming the norm.

Summit Property Management General Manager Stewart Henry says tenants today are looking for far more than just a roof over their heads.

“Tenants want long-term security of tenure, compliant homes that are warm and dry, respectful treatment, and transparency around rent reviews and inspections,” says Stewart.

Connectivity has also become essential.

“Fast broadband and reliable mobile coverage are now non-negotiable. With more people working remotely, if a property doesn’t have good connectivity, it’s less attractive,” he adds.

Recent policy shifts have also turned the tide for property investors. The reinstatement of interest deductibility, lower borrowing costs, and the return of the 90-day no-fault termination have made property ownership more appealing again.

“Being a landlord is more attractive now than it was a few years ago,” Stewart says. “That change has brought more investors back into the market.”

However, he notes that supply challenges remain, especially for affordable single-person dwellings. Studio flats and compact units continue to be in high demand but are under-built across the region.

With more than 2,000 homes managed from Picton to Motueka, Summit Property Management has a clear view of regional rental trends. While demand still outweighs supply in many areas, the market has shown signs of seasonal easing.

“This winter we’ve seen more stock available, and rents have flattened out. We’re not facing the same vacancy issues as Auckland or Wellington, but properties need to present well and be competitively priced to rent quickly,” says Stewart.

Certain areas — such as Motueka, Mapua, Brightwater, and Richmond — remain hotspots, with strong competition for three-bedroom family homes and continued growth in both business and housing activity.

Increased compliance under the Healthy Homes Standards has been another positive driver. The push for higher standards in insulation, ventilation, and heating has prompted many landlords to upgrade their properties.

“Leading up to July, there was a flurry of improvements to properties — including vapour barriers, insulation, and extractor fans,” Stewart explains.
“For tenants, this has reduced the prevalence of damp, poorly maintained rentals. For landlords, it reinforces the need to treat their property as a business asset that meets modern standards.”

Alongside legislative compliance, Summit has continued to invest in its people — ensuring property managers are trained not only in the Residential Tenancies Act but also in effective communication and conflict resolution.

“It’s important property managers have the ability to find common ground between landlords and tenants,” says Stewart. “If we can keep tenants satisfied and housed for longer, that’s a win for everyone.”

For over 33 years, Summit Property Management — part of the Summit Real Estate Group — has provided results-focused, professional property management across the Top of the South. The company remains committed to supporting landlords, protecting assets, and fostering positive, long-term tenancies.

Learn more or speak with your local Summit Property Manager

Article expert by Bernadette Cooney | Business South: Volume 34 | Issue 8 | November 2025