With some of the country’s highest sunshine hours and a growing wave of city buyers, the Top of the South is having a moment – and a spring auction campaign is looking to capitalise.
Attracted by a slower, more relaxed way of life, growing numbers are leaving big cities like Auckland and Christchurch for the sunny climes of the Marlborough and Tasman region at the top of the South Island.
“Kiwis are increasingly realising this is a desirable place to live, and we are noticing that more are expressing interest in buying properties here,” says Glenn Dick, director at real estate company Bayleys Top of the South.
To take advantage of this heightened interest, Bayleys are running a Spring into Sold auction campaign.
Supported by a $35,000 OneRoof promotion through NZME’s media network including radio, The New Zealand Herald and OneRoof Digital, properties will go under the hammer at a series of auctions in Marlborough and Nelson until December 17.
Those signing up their property will receive a $2200 auction boost towards the costs of the auctioneer, property marketing and profiling, and go into a draw to win $6000 cash. Anyone attending an auction can win one of four $500 cash prizes.
Dick says the campaign brings motivated residential and lifestyle property buyers and sellers together at a time of increased market activity.
“The region offers an enviable lifestyle, stunning natural surroundings and outstanding property value,” he says.
“I would say to anybody who has never visited to shout themselves trip and take a look at our beaches, walks, cycling trails, cafes, golf courses and seaside towns.
“We have a lot on offer here and our hot, dry climate is perfect for outdoor living.”
Two of its regions, Nelson and Blenheim, are consistently in the top three to four areas in New Zealand for sunshine hours – Nelson ranking highest with up to 2676 hours of sunshine every year.
“We have over 25% of New Zealand’s coastline in the Top of the South, meaning we have an endless number of waterways, coves and bays to explore, as well as holiday homes in the Marlborough Sounds, Picton and Kaiteriteri, which has some of the best beaches anywhere in the world,” Dick says.
“There are more than 40 golf courses across the region, providing plenty of variety for golfing enthusiasts; bikers are spoilt for choice of trails; while we are known as the land of food and wine, the area being rich in wineries, cafes and restaurants.
“With three national parks, there are bountiful tramping and nature walking opportunities too.”
The Kahurangi National Park is New Zealand’s second largest national park, while the Abel Tasman National Park is famous for its golden beaches, lush rainforests and the renowned Abel Tasman Coast Track, which runs for 60km from Marahau to Wainui Bay and is typically completed in three to five days.
The third national park, Nelson Lakes, is located less than a two-hour drive away from both Blenheim and Nelson.
For cyclists, the Great Taste Trail, which winds through Tasman’s most beautiful coastal and inland areas, is a must, while the soon-to-be completed Whale Trail traversing 210km and connecting Picton to Kaikōura will also be top of the bucket list for many.
“With viticulture and horticulture covering our fertile lands, there is a large range of fresh, locally grown produce to sample and enjoy,” Dick says.
“Arguably New Zealand’s best aquaculture is grown here too, with mussel, king salmon and oyster farming all thriving in our waterways.”
As spring approaches, Dick says interest in the region is growing among buyers from around New Zealand. In one week alone recently, Bayley’s 60 Top of the South agents carried out 201 property inspections with potential buyers – a number he says is definitely at the high end.
“We’ve got interest from people in many of New Zealand’s larger centres, particularly Auckland, Tauranga and Christchurch. Typically, they are people who have careers in a big place but are looking for a slower lifestyle out of the rat race.
“With our local expertise and national reach we are well able to connect motivated buyers with quality properties while at the same time help vendors achieve exceptional results.”
Bayleys operate six Top of the South offices and Dick, who is based in Blenheim, has worked in the region for 22 years.
He says an auction is the oldest and most transparent way to sell a property, while Bayleys’ nationwide research shows it is also an effective way to sell. After 28 days on the market, properties which have gone to auction are 93% more likely to have unconditionally sold than those marketed using other methods, the research reveals.
He says the Spring into Sold campaign is designed to get more buyers in the door while giving people the chance to win cash for Christmas (the cash prizes will be drawn under police supervision).
Although the first auctions have already been held, Dick says the campaign will really ramp up from October. At the time of writing this article, 34 properties had signed up for the campaign.
In Marlborough, auctions are to be held on October 8 and 29, November 19 and 27, and December 17. In Nelson they will take place on October 15, November 26 and December 10.
For more information, visit bayleys.co.nz or nelson-tasman.bayleys.co.nz