When we think of spring, we often think of September 1st and a flood of new listings. But in my experience, November is often a very high sales-count month, so my number one tip is to consider launching in September or early October. 

Why? Because in a buyer’s market, you’re not just competing for buyers - you’re competing with other sellers. Launching your property before one or two similar homes hit the market in your price bracket and immediate location could help you stand out. 

Get into the garden.
Give everything a hard prune now, allowing time for gardens to bounce back and look their best. 

Think about pollen.
Our region's spring pollen can be a real pain when trying to keep a home looking pristine, so plan your launch timing carefully. 

Check everything works.
Walk through your home and test lights, taps, doors, appliances, heating and those little things you may have stopped noticing. 

Get a second opinion.
Ask an agent or trusted friend to walk through your home and give you an honest assessment. When you live somewhere, you become blind to things a fresh set of eyes will immediately notice. 

And something else you may not have thought about… 

Are you ready to buy? 
Have you spoken to your mortgage broker? Do you know what you can afford? Have you worked out your wish list and purchasing strategy? 

Spring is likely to bring a large influx of listings, so being prepared could put you in a much stronger position when the right property comes along. 

Request an Appraisal

 
Article by;

Callum Gilchrist 
Stoke Sales Manager  
027 332 2689
[email protected]

There was a time when marketing without a price generated curiosity and encouraged buyers to make contact. In a booming market, where demand often outweighed supply, buyers were prepared to enquire first and ask questions later.

Today's market is different.

Buyers remain active, but they are also far more cautious. Higher living costs, interest rates, and general economic uncertainty have created a market where people are much more conscious of how and where they spend their money. Before they even arrange a viewing, many buyers want to know whether a property fits comfortably within their budget.

When a home is advertised with a clear asking price, buyers can quickly determine whether it is worth pursuing. It provides transparency, sets expectations, and often leads to stronger online engagement because buyers don't feel they are wasting their time enquiring about a property that may ultimately be beyond their reach.

That isn't to say there is no place for marketing without a price. Unique properties, development opportunities, or homes with limited comparable sales can still benefit from methods such as Tender or Auction, where the market is invited to determine the value.

The key is matching the sales method to the property and the current market conditions.

In today's environment, confidence is still rebuilding. Buyers are doing their homework, comparing value carefully and making considered decisions. Providing clear pricing where appropriate can remove uncertainty, encourage more enquiry and ultimately help achieve the best possible result.

Article by;

Rob Ilott
Picton Branch Manager
027 345 2806
[email protected]

Homes that are correctly priced and well marketed over winter can sell just as fast, and often achieve a premium price. Here's why...

Less Competition Buyers have fewer homes to choose from right now, so yours stands out instead of getting lost in the crowd.

Motivated Buyers Winter buyers are serious. They need to move, or they're getting ahead of the queue before the spring "feeding frenzy" kicks off.

Steady Interest Rates With rates maintaining stable levels, buyers are more likely to purchase now rather than wait.

Faster Results Fewer sales moving through the system means mortgages and settlements can happen quicker and smoother - good news for everyone at the table.

Marketing Never Sleeps Almost 90% of buyers start their search online, especially when it's too cold to be out driving around open homes. Your listing works just as hard in August as it does in February.

Plus, our Summit Weekly reaches the buyers who aren't even looking yet. Every week, Summit's listings are showcased in the Summit Weekly, delivered to over 39,000 homes across Nelson and Tasman. That's the neighbour who's been thinking about upsizing but hasn't opened a property app, or the retiree scanning the paper over breakfast rather than scrolling a phone. Passive buyers don't find themselves - the Summit Weekly puts every listing in their hands.

The 2026 Election Factor There's one more thing worth factoring into timing this year: New Zealand goes to the polls on 7 November 2026. Election years can bring a period of hesitation later in the year, as buyers and sellers wait to see how policy settles before committing to major decisions. Selling over winter means you're dealing with a settled market and genuinely motivated buyers, rather than competing for attention once election-year uncertainty sets in.

The Bottom Line Winter isn't the real estate dead zone it's made out to be. With the right price, the right marketing, and a bit of local know-how, it can be one of the smartest times of year to sell.

If you'd like to discuss how to get a great price for your own property this winter, get in touch and we'll find a time to meet for a no-obligation, confidential chat.

Find out more on why you should sell with Summit

BOOK APPRAISAL

In today's market, where buyers are more conscious of money than ever before, I believe pricing a property has become increasingly important. Modern buyers are doing extensive re-search before they even step through the front door. They are comparing properties online, assessing value and carefully considering their budgets. With higher living costs and tighter lending conditions, purchasers are protecting their money and focusing their attention on homes that clearly fit within their price range.

When a property is marketed without a price, there is a risk that buyers simply move on. Many prospective purchasers set search parameters online and prefer to know immediately whether a property is within their reach. If they can't quickly determine value, they may choose not to enquire at all.

A well-considered price provides transparency and gives buyers confidence to engage. Rather than creating a barrier, a realistic price can encourage more inspections, more conversations, and ultimately more competition. It helps buyers emotionally connect with a property because they can immediately see a pathway to ownership.

Of course, pricing is not about underselling a home. It is about positioning it correctly within the current market. A professional appraisal considers recent sales, market conditions, buyer behaviour and the unique features of the property to determine a pricing strategy that maximises interest.
The reality is that buyers dictate the market. In a climate where every dollar is scrutinised, providing clear pricing can be the difference between attracting strong enquiry and being overlooked.

The properties generating the best results today are often those that offer buyers certainty, value, and a clear understanding of where they stand from day one.

Article by;

Rob Ilott
Picton Branch Manager
027 345 2806
[email protected]

The latest REINZ Monthly Property Report, shows the property market across Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough continues to track steadily, with buyer caution and longer selling periods remaining key themes.

Data compared to April 2025 highlights a market that remains active, particularly among first-home buyers, while higher-end market activity has softened due to reduced movement in the lower to mid-range sectors.

Across the region, the median days to sell increased to 39 days, sitting slightly above the 10-year April average of 37 days.

Median prices across the Top of the South saw year-on-year decreases:

Local salespeople reporting that most vendors entered the market with realistic expectations around pricing and competition. Open home attendance remained steady, driven largely by local owner-occupiers and first-home buyers.

Auction activity produced mixed results; however, properties not sold under the hammer were often placed under conditional contract shortly afterwards, showing continued buyer engagement despite more cautious decision-making.

Market sentiment continues to be influenced by longer days to sell, fewer listings and ongoing discussion around interest rates. As the cooler months approach and election year uncertainty builds, industry professionals are not anticipating any significant uplift in activity in the short term.

For buyers, current conditions continue to provide more choice and time to make informed decisions. For sellers, presentation, pricing and strong marketing remain critical in achieving successful outcomes in today’s market.

Source: REINZ Monthly Property Report, Published May 2026. Data compared to April 2025.

For property owners considering their next move, understanding where your property sits in today’s market is more important than ever.

Get in touch for a free, no-obligation appraisal with one of our local property experts.

Market Reports

Summit recently celebrated its 34th Annual Summit Awards alongside the annual Summit Conference at the Rutherford Hotel, bringing together staff from across Nelson, Tasman, and Marlborough for a memorable evening of recognition and connection.

The theme running throughout both events focused on the idea that excellence in real estate does not happen by accident. It is built through daily habits, intentional action, teamwork, and a commitment to continually improving the service we provide to our clients and communities.

The evening recognised outstanding achievements across sales, property management, administration, and support services, while also celebrating long-serving team members whose dedication has helped shape Summit over many years.

A huge congratulations to all award winners and long service recipients. Your consistency, professionalism, and commitment to continual improvement truly represent the values that make Summit what it is today.

Summit would also like to acknowledge the incredible efforts of our sales consultants, property managers, realty services teams, mortgage and insurance advisers, and administration staff across the region. Our success is built on strong teamwork and the depth of local experience we are fortunate to have throughout the organisation. Having experienced professionals and mentors available locally allows our teams to collaborate, share knowledge, and ultimately achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients.

As a locally owned and independent business, Summit is proud that choosing Summit means supporting local people, local businesses, and reinvesting directly back into the communities we all call home.

AWARDS CATEGORY

RECIPIENT(S)

10 Years’ Service Awards

Emma Barton
Tori Nalder

25 Years’ Service Awards

Diane Taylor
Dwayne Lohmann

Summit Rookies

Brian Sangster & Steph Monopoli

Runner Up Property Manager

Avei Douglas

Top Property Manager of the Year

Fiona Harris

Top Property Management Office

Marlborough Property Management Team

Sales Top Office

Richmond Office

Real Estate Excellence Award

Emma McCashin

Summit Champions 2025/2026

1st Glyn Delany

2nd Emma McCashin

3rd Michelle Westrupp

4th Callum Gilchrist

5th Liam Boshoff

6th Dwayne Lohmann

Excellence, experience, and community - that’s the Summit difference.

Find out more on the People who make the Difference

New data from realestate.co.nz shows weekly average rents rose by 7.8% in Nelson and Bays, with new listing and stock also seeing an increase. Rents in Nelson have hit a record high, with demand continuing to push prices up despite a broader easing across the country.

New data from realestate.co.nz shows the average weekly rent in Nelson and Bays rose to $617 in April, up 7.8% from $573 a year earlier.

The increase highlights ongoing pressure in the local rental market, with Nelson one of just two regions, alongside Waikato, to record a new average rent high.

Realestate.co.nz spokesperson Vanessa Williams said the figures reflected strong demand in the region.

“While many parts of the country are seeing some relief, Nelson continues to show strong demand for rental housing,” she said.

Local rental supply has also lifted slightly. In Nelson, total rental stock rose 7% in April compared to a year earlier, increasing from 84 to 90 listings, and was up 15% on March.

New listings increased 13.6% year-on-year, from 59 to 67, although they were down 19.3% compared to the previous month.

Williams said the increase was “technically defying the laws of supply and demand” given a healthy number of homes were coming onto the market.

“When you look at the types of properties coming on, there are some really quite nice homes, and I wonder if that’s tipped the average over the edge.”

She said rents had been trending upwards for some time, and it was always important to watch for a trend.

 Realestate.co.nz spokesperson Vanessa Williams said the increase was “technically defying the laws of supply and demand”.

“This hasn’t come out of nowhere,” she said. “I wouldn’t say it’s a one-off. It’s been building over the year.”

She said the increase could also reflect changing behaviour in the market.

“There may be a combination of people continuing to see value in the rental market, or perhaps selling homes and moving into rentals, which could also be pushing up the average.”

Despite the increase in available properties, supply remains relatively tight, with demand continuing to support higher prices.

Nationally, rents had eased slightly, with the average weekly rent falling 1.4% to $631 — almost $30 below the peak recorded in May 2024.

Williams said the shifting figures showed how quickly conditions could change.

“For renters, it’s a noticeable change from the pressure we were seeing at the peak, but it also shows how quickly market conditions can move,” she said.

She said demand for quality rental housing remained strong, even in regions where prices had softened.

Nina Hindmarsh • Reporter [email protected]
May 7, 2026
Photo credit: Braden Fastier / Nelson Mail

Read more

The latest data from the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) shows a steady but cautious market across the Top of the South. 

Mar-26

Feb-26

Mar-25

Nelson

710,000

738,768

650,000

Tasman

794,000

674,000

655,000

Marlborough

710,000

860,000

851,000

Nel/Marl/Tas Region

749,000

760,000

738,000

Source: REINZ, Data Compared to March 2025, REINZ Monthly Property Report Published April 2026.

Properties are selling faster, with the average days to sell now at 38 days. Four days quicker than March 2025. Sales activity also increased 32.4% from February, reflecting a lift as buyers returned to the market after summer. 

Median prices dipped slightly, down 1.4% from February, but are up 1.5% compared to March last year, indicating overall price stability. 

The market continues to be driven by owner-occupiers and first home buyers, with less activity from investors and the top end. At the same time, higher stock levels are seeing vendors price more realistically to meet the market. 

Open home attendance has remained consistent throughout campaigns. While fewer auctions were held, those that did take place achieved solid clearance rates. 

Market sentiment remains cautious. Buyers are active but more considered in their decisions, influenced by wider economic factors. With stock levels still elevated, both buyers and sellers are approaching the market carefully. 

Overall, conditions are balanced. Well-presented and well-priced properties continue to attract interest and achieve results. 

Read more Property Reports 

If you’re searching for professional property management for your investment property, you’re not alone. Many landlords across Nelson, Tasman, and Marlborough are looking for a more reliable, stress-free way to manage their rentals and maximise returns.

Whether you’re dealing with poor communication, unreliable tenants, or the time pressure of self-managing, the right property management team can make all the difference.

That’s where Shift to Summit comes in.

Your investment property should be working for you — not creating unnecessary stress.

A professional property management service helps you:

For many landlords, making the move to a trusted property management company is the key to protecting and growing their investment.

At Summit, we provide a full-service property management solution designed to give landlords complete peace of mind.

Our experienced team offers:

With over 30 years of experience and the strength of the region’s largest real estate network, we connect your property with the right tenants and deliver consistent results.

One of the most common concerns we hear is:
“Is switching property managers difficult?”

The answer is no.

With Shift to Summit, we make the process simple and seamless. Our team handles:

You can enjoy better service — without the hassle.

Shift to Summit is ideal for:

No matter your situation, our goal is to make property ownership easier and more rewarding.

To help you get started, we’re offering 3 months free property management fees when you make the shift.

It’s a great opportunity to experience the benefits of professional management while improving the performance of your investment.

Terms & Conditions: Summit requires a minimum 12-month management term. The 3 months free fees offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotion or discount.

If you’re ready to move to a more professional, proactive property management service, now is the time.

Book your free rental appraisal or learn more here

Or speak to your local Summit Property Management team about how we can support your investment goals.

Summit Property Management is proud to be part of a community that looks out for one another, and that means supporting important research to help shape the future of housing in our region.

Age Concern Nelson Tasman is currently running a housing survey to better understand the experiences and future needs of older residents across Nelson and Tasman. This is valuable work and we encourage the community to get involved.

Who can participate?

The survey is open to two groups:

Each survey takes around 5 minutes to complete, and your responses will help inform future housing planning and decision-making right here in our community.

Plus - You Could Win!

As a thank you for your time, participants who wish can optionally provide their contact details to go in the draw to win a $100 PAK'nSAVE voucher. This is entirely optional and won't be linked to your survey answers.

Be Quick - Surveys Close 19 April 2026.

If you or someone you know fits either of the above groups, we'd love for you to take five minutes to share your experience. Every response counts toward building a better picture of what our older residents need now and in the future.

👉 Homeowners aged 55 and over 👉 Renters aged 65 and over

At Summit Property Management, we believe good housing outcomes start with listening to our community. Thank you for helping to make that possible!