QV figures show house values in Central Hawke's Bay have increased 22.7 per cent from a year ago, making it challenging for buyers who don't want to blow the budget.
Kim Mullany and her family, who had been living and working on a dairy farm, have spent about a year searching for a house in town after a change in job and in that time had seen for themselves the jump in prices.
This was particularly the case in the last six months when they intensified their search for a four bedroom house with a good-sized section that was within their price range, she said.
"We were seeing good-sized sections but with the wrong-sized house, or they were out of our price range.
"We had to balance getting what we wanted without leaving it too long as the prices are going up all the time - we eventually found what we wanted in Waipawa."
In the meantime they had been renting, which was another challenge with few rental properties on the market, but they were lucky enough to have friends who could offer them something, Mrs Mullany said.
In addition, they were competing with other buyers, with a lot of people attending open homes, so it was a relief to have finally found something, Mrs Mullany said.
With the market picking up steam, in July this year the average house value in Central Hawke's Bay was listed by QV as $286,339, an increase on June this year when it was $281,208.
QV valuer Michelle Drinkrow said although prices were rising in CHB, it was still more affordable than Hastings or Napier, and the district was benefiting from that.
"In a trend not seen since prior to the previous peak in 2007, Central Hawke's Bay is now reaping the benefit of people moving from Napier and Hastings in search of more affordable property within commuting distance of the main centres," Mrs Drinkrow said.