What an alert level 3 change will mean for the Auckland property market

Auckland property buyers are waiting for a move to COVID-19 alert level 3 so they can arrange to view properties in person, real estate agents say.

Buyers who pushed back their property settlement date due to lockdown will be able to move house. And those who have signed agreements with conditions to be met can fulfill them.

This Wednesday marks the fourth week of the strictest lockdown for Auckland, the rest of New Zealand having moved to ‘Delta level 2’ on September 7. On Monday afternoon, Cabinet announced Auckland will stay in alert level 4 for another week, until 11.59pm on September 21. Following that, an in-principle decision has been made that Auckland will move to alert level 3.

Auckland real estate salesperson Wendy Sadd from Barfoot and Thompson told Newshub during lockdown, the level of buyer enquiry continues to be “very strong”.

Once the alert level changes Sadd anticipates a backlog of buyers waiting to view properties.

“On some properties I’ve got lists of up to twelve people…that’s already over a week’s worth of viewing,” Sadd said.