The sun is shining, lambs are being born and flowers are starting to bloom. They're signs that spring is well and truly here, which means summer must be just around the corner. The springtime also
Rotorua property market driven by affordability, but agents say there's a shortage of listings
![Zoe Hunter](https://s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/nzme/088e0187-6d27-467c-870a-f8b6b3b20ce9.png)
Zoe Hunter
Rotorua's median house price jumped 7 per cent to $450,000 in the last year. Photo / File
James Wilson, Valocity director of valuation and innovation, said Rotorua's property market had remained buoyant.
Wilson said the majority of properties (19.9 per cent) sold between the $400,000 to $500,000 price bracket.
"The comparative affordability continues to be one of the main drivers of Rotorua's popularity, appealing to first home buyers in particular."
First-home buyers represented nearly a quarter (24.3 per cent) of all new registrations last month.
![Simon Anderson, chief executive of Realty Group, which operates Eves and Bayleys. Photo / File](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/YFC2PQCL3VUGNPPEQ6KDOUWEGA.jpg?auth=de4bc07f25e7421d1414174052c08773db4e96624b6f0fb4f236da246eea5006&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
Simon Anderson, chief executive of Realty Group, which operates Eves and Bayleys, said a shortage of listings had continued to be the biggest challenge in Rotorua.
"There is a sheer lack of properties on the market at that affordable level."
Tremains Real Estate Rotorua manager Malcolm Forsyth said properties in the $350,000 to $500,000 price bracket were most popular.
"Rotorua is a very affordable market . . . But there is a real shortage of stock.
"We have had a real purge on that $350,000 to $500,000 market. That is probably what has helped keep prices up."
![Tremains Real Estate Rotorua manager Malcolm Forsyth. Photo / File](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/C566TCRQFIKI4NZCU5QKKZK56U.jpg?auth=acc86988f22213d62a31ce4caafc229ccf02511ecd47362ad8db6b9b84aff469&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
First National principal and Rotorua REINZ spokeswoman Ann Crossley was disappointed there had not been a spring lift in listings.
"It means the spring market is going to remain tight. People are going to have to make decisions if they want to buy property."
![First National principal and Rotorua REINZ spokeswoman Ann Crossley. Photo / File](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/TLSU5EABTLW7QYUL77E5WFIRKY.jpg?auth=b235fe9bdc25607a2d94ea88ae29b38a855e7c2b32da182428bdf75212c985c5&width=16&height=10&quality=70&smart=true)
Rotorua's hot suburbs for sale price growth:
Glenholme 37.4 %
Owhata 31.5 %
Fenton Park 16.2 %
Ngongotaha 15.9 %
Victoria 15.2 %
Source: OneRoof Valocity