Realestate.co.nz chief executive Sarah Wood told Morning Report for the first five years of the past decade, house prices were relatively flat, but increases were seen in the second half.
"It always comes down to supply and demand issues.
"There is always opportunity in every market, it's about being really prepared, doing your research and looking at what those opportunities are in the area that you're looking at, what sort of home you're looking to buy..."
She said it was hard to predict future prices but New Zealand needs to look at increasing affordable housing supply.
Average asking prices across the country
Waikato
Average asking prices in Hamilton City increased by 102 per cent, from $378,470 in 2011 to $763,446 in 2020.
South Waikato prices increased by 87 per cent and Otorohanga by 84 per cent.
Auckland
Waitākere saw the biggest increase, with prices rising 99 per cent over the past 10 years from $465,305 in 2011 to $926,889 by the end of 2020.
In Auckland City, asking prices rose 84 per cent, from $732,369 in 2011 to $1,348,769 in 2020.
Manukau rose 77 per cent and North Shore 74 per cent.
Bay of Plenty
The largest increase in asking prices throughout the country is in Kawerau, which saw a 132 per cent increase over the last 10 years.
The average asking price in 2011 in Kawerau was around the $151,000 mark. By the end of 2020, it reached $351,413.
The highest asking price in Bay of Plenty is in Western Bay of Plenty, reaching $992,948 in 2020.
Hawke's Bay
In Central Hawke's Bay, asking prices were $283,646 higher in 2020 than 10 years ago - a 108 per cent increase.
Napier asking prices were up 85 per cent, and in Hastings they went up 69 per cent.
Otago
The average asking price in Central Otago hit $795,287 in 2020, an increase of 96 per cent over a 10-year period.
In Queenstown, prices rose by 83 per cent, and Wanaka saw a 76 per cent increase.
- RNZ
