General elections have a habit of making property decisions feel more complicated than they are, says Daniel Coulson, Ray White New Zealand Chief Executive.
Tax proposals, housing announcements and changing polls can encourage homeowners to believe the market will look fundamentally different once the votes are counted. Some then delay selling, expecting November to deliver certainty – or a better price.
However, elections tend to influence confidence and the timing of decisions more than the underlying reasons people transact.
“An election may cause buyers and sellers to pause, but it doesn’t suspend the market,” he says.
“Employment, finance, household formation and the availability of suitable property continue to drive decisions, regardless of what is happening on the campaign trail.