The interest in New Zealand real estate from Americans has seen a significant increase following the return of US President Donald Trump to office.
Comparing the period between Trump’s inauguration on January 20 and Monday with the same timeframe a year prior, traffic from the United States to realestate.co.nz has surged by 75.4%.
Virginia leads the states with the highest increase in traffic at 77.6%, followed by California with an 87% rise, and Colorado with a staggering 500% increase.
The cities of Auckland and Canterbury are the most sought-after areas by American house hunters.
Sarah Wood, the CEO of realestate.co.nz, noted a rise in interest during the Covid lockdowns as well.
“There were Americans who previously held NZ residency and had temporarily returned during the Covid period, only to come back once it was over,” she said.
Wood added that while there is interest from Americans exploring their options, the actual migration data will provide a clearer picture of whether this interest translates into action.
BNZ chief economist Mike Jones mentioned an increase in discussions regarding potential US residents moving to New Zealand.
“If we do see a rise in arrivals, it may not heavily impact the housing market due to the current oversupply,” Jones explained.
Ed McKnight, an economist at Opes Partners, highlighted the challenges Americans may face in moving to New Zealand.
“Becoming a resident and establishing ordinary residency are initial steps before being able to purchase a home here. While the interest is evident online, the actual relocation process may deter many from moving to escape political climates,” McKnight said.
