Bay of Plenty real estate agents are feeling "lucky" to be able to do business under alert level 3, which has not hindered potential buyers' appetite for property.
Despite being able to show only two groups through a property daily, some agents were getting "constant inquiries" on houses and evenmulti-offers in the middle of lockdown.
But although level 3 made life a little more free for agents, some were holding out hope for a move down alert levels this week.
Simon Anderson, managing director of the Realty Group, which operates Eves and Bayleys, said activity levels were "strong" despite the current alert level setting.
"We are coming into spring you see, which is traditionally a very busy time. From a listing point of view, it is going to be very strong," he said.
He said the agencies were trying to keep operations "as normal as possible" while respecting guidelines.
Realty Group managing director Simon Anderson. Photo / NZME
"Online auctions are working really well, our appraisals are working well. We are trying to make it as much business as usual, under the guidelines," he said.
Despite limitations around property inspections, Anderson said the sector was "fortunate" compared to those in other industries unable to operate.
He said a move to level 2 would mean an increase in property viewings, along with providing vendors with more "confidence about going into the market".
First National Rotorua principal Ann Crossley said stock levels were "quite low" as they were unable to list properties at alert level 4.
"The problem is level 3 happened at the start of spring, there should be a momentum of listings at the moment.
"We already had really low stock levels, so it is going to take some time to get that level back up."
First National Rotorua principal Ann Crossley. Photo / NZME
She had her fingers crossed the region would move to alert level 2 this week, which would make business "so much easier".
"Level 2 means that it is much easier to get to a property, sit down in front of some vendors and have a conversation about listings."
Tremains Bay of Plenty managing director Anton Jones said despite business being a "little bit slower" after coming out of level 4, he expected it to pick up in the coming weeks.
"It is a matter of getting those listings live that had been put on hold. Things just took a bit of a pause while level 4 was in place," he said.
Tremains Bay of Plenty managing director Anton Jones. Photo / NZME
"There is a lack of listings in general, they are sort of at the lowest levels they ever have been.
"The market will be okay, it will just take a few weeks to get things going again."
He said the rule around only being able to show two groups of people one property per day "hampers" the process of making a sale.
"It's not easy. Level 2 will definitely be more beneficial, provided we are allowed to do open homes."
Meanwhile, First National Real Estate business manager Cameron Hooper said it was "a real positive" work was able to continue at alert level 3.
"We are pretty lucky that the legislation has given us the ability to appraise, and finish off contractual obligations within a sales and purchase agreement.
The agency had managed to list "quite a few" properties at the current alert level, and buyer interest was still strong.
There had also been multiple sales under lockdown conditions, with a multi-offer being made on one property.
"These people had all viewed the property prior to lockdown, and we had seven offers on that property as a deadline sale," he said.
Hooper expected potential buyers to "take a breather and wait" during lockdown, but he said this had not happened.
"Due to the low levels of stock, any property we do have is getting good interest, because there is not a lot of choice for people out there."
The Real Estate Authority website states that at alert level 3 private viewings were permitted, with the written consent of the vendor. All health requirements had to be met.
Only two visits per day, per property, were permitted.
Visits to properties by professionals to support the real estate transaction process and to complete pre-sale conditions were also allowed.
It said real estate work should occur remotely wherever possible.
