Paul Beazley of L J Hooker in Whangarei said the median prices for Northland were not surprising given the fact February was typically one of the busiest months of the year for property sale and purchase.
"I know sales across the region have been good but I didn't expect the median house price to be that level but it shows demand is strong and Northland properties are fairly priced compared to other areas."
He said investment in Northland rental properties - mostly by Aucklanders - has slowed down since the Reserve Bank imposed lending restrictions late last year that required a 40 per cent deposit to purchase investment properties.
That has given an opportunity for first home buyers to get on to the property ladder, he said.
Mr Beazley said houses valued at between $350,000 and $400,000 were highly sought after as well as new builds.
REINZ figures show median prices rose 96 per cent in Dargaville, 31 per cent in rural Whangarei and 23 per cent in Otamatea between February last year and February 2017.
The number of days to sell houses decreased from 53 in January to 48 days in February. REINZ chief executive Bindi Norwell said an expensive Auckland housing market meant buyers looked at houses in surrounding regions such as Northland and Waikato.