Agency hits sales high

Auckland house sale prices achieved by the city's largest real estate agency have hit a new high.

Barfoot & Thompson sales last month showed a new average of $469,000, up more than $17,000 on August and 13 per cent ahead of prices the previous September. Barfoot sold 1071 properties last month, a 16 per cent volume increase on the same month last year. Almost half the properties were for $500,000 or more and 22 per cent went for more than $750,000.

Barfoot director Peter Thompson said the record-breaking average price indicated there was still plenty of buoyancy in the Auckland property market.

"We continue to see a shortage of listings, which is undoubtedly helping to fuel Auckland house prices," he said. "There is still plenty of keen buyer interest in the market and not enough stock to satisfy demand. Those that are in the market to buy are showing that they are prepared to pay good prices to secure the properties they want."

On the rental front, last month's results showed an average weekly of $334 a week. This was down slightly from $338 in August but ahead of the same time last year.

Quotable Value figures released this week revealed average growth nationally in house values of 14.9 per cent.