Research released today by property listing website, Realestate.co.nz debunks the theory that summer and spring are the best times to list your property, revealing that sales are actually less susceptible to the seasons than some may think.

 The number of new properties listed on the market in February surged by 47% from January to 15,129, the highest level since April 2008.

For the first time in four years the number of new properties listed for sale in January was less than that of December, confirming the sluggish state of the New Zealand property market.

2009 closes with 17% fewer new listings than 2008

AUCKLAND - 23 December 2009 - Fallout from the recession caused a huge boost in 2009 house-hunters searching for mortgagee sales as opportunistic Kiwis looked to take advantage and find a bargain.

Figures released today in the latest NZ Property Report, show the main cities of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch continue to see upward trends in price expectations and an ongoing shortage of properties listed.

Real estate listings in October have continued to grow on previous months but the traditional surge in new listings in the lead up to Christmas has failed to come about.

Asking price expectations of vendors rose by 6% in the month of September to $419,841 as the New Zealand property market shows the first signs of recovery following six months of subdued price expectation.

A shortage of residential listings in the three main centres, just ahead of the traditional spring upturn in real estate activity, indicates home sellers currently have the upper hand over buyers in the property market.

Property vendors in New Zealand are turning away from private sales and are choosing to engage more with real estate agents, according to the fourth annual Nielsen Online Property Market Trend Report sponsored by realestate.co.nz.