Marlborough home values edge up despite flat national trend

Marlborough’s housing market has held steady this summer, with home values lifting 1.2% over the past three months despite nationwide stagnation.

The latest QV House Price Index shows the average home in Marlborough is now worth $700,296. That follows a flat summer across much of the country, with national values rising just 0.2% on average.

QV Nelson/Marlborough manager Craig Russell said the region continued to feel the effects of slow economic recovery and the high cost of living, which had suppressed confidence across the upper South Island.

While Marlborough and Tasman both recorded small gains, Craig said buyers were still favouring the lower to mid‑price brackets.

“Most of the buyer activity is in the $500,000–$800,000 price bracket, which is predominantly the first‑home buyer market,” Craig said.

He said demand remained strongest for tidy modern homes rather than properties requiring major work.

Nationally, QV spokesperson Simon Petersen said the housing market remained “steady as she goes”, with balanced listings and demand keeping values largely static.

However, he noted signs of growing optimism as the wider economy slowly improves, even while global volatility keeps the outlook uncertain.