Canterbury Property Market - April 2026 Update

We are now in the middle of Autumn, but that hasn’t stopped both buyers and vendors from being cautiously optimistic about the local property market. Open homes are seeing plenty of traffic, and buyers are benefiting from vendors pricing their properties in line with market conditions. 

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Who’s in the market right now?

Throughout March, all buyer types were active across the Canterbury region. We’ve been seeing this for a while now, and it generally shows a healthy level of confidence in the local market.

We are seeing very realistic pricing from vendors right now. Often, sellers are looking to secure their next home before selling their current one, which means they are more open to market pricing and conditions to ensure a smooth transition.

Real estate agents report that open homes remain steady, and well-presented homes are attracting the most interest. We’ve also noticed a rise in requests for virtual walkthroughs, something for potential sellers to keep in mind when preparing a listing. Auctions also continue to be a popular method of sale, with strong clearance rates and good attendance both in-person and online.

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Canterbury sales statistics

The median house price in the Canterbury region for March sits at $712,000. This is a slight dip of 0.8% from February (from $717,500) but represents a 3.2% increase (from $690,000) compared with March 2025.

In Christchurch City, the median house price is $710,000, down 2.1% from February’s peak, but still up 1.4% year-on-year.

Below are the median house prices for the districts in March 2026 compared with March 2025.

Ashburton District – median house price sits at $560,000, up 1.8% on this time last year.

Hurunui District – median house price sits at $735,000, up 33.6% on this time last year.

Kaikōura District – median house price sits at $740,000, down 1.6% on this time last year.

Mackenzie District – median house price sits at $585,000, down 29.1% on this time last year.

Selwyn District – median house price sits at $810,000, up 1.2% on this time last year.

Timaru District – median house price sits at $531,500, up 10.7% on this time last year.

Waimakariri District – median house price sits at $715,000, down 0.6% on this time last year 

Waimate District – median house price sits at $421,500, up 1.6% on this time last year 

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Regional sales info

Across the Canterbury region, there were 1,391 properties sold in March 2026. This is a notable lift from February (with 1,159 properties sold) and on par with March 2025 (with 1,358 sold). 

In Christchurch City, there were 868 properties sold in March, a healthy bounce back from the 721 sales recorded in February and aligned with March 2025, when 877 were sold.

The average Canterbury property took 38 days to sell in March. While this is down significantly from the 52 days we saw in February, it reflects the usual seasonal uptick as the market gains momentum after the summer break.

Overall, the market remains steady. There are a few lingering pressures to be aware of, including the rising cost of living and fuel price concerns. Anyone looking to buy a home should factor these into their long-term budget. While we don't expect to see any major spikes in house prices in the immediate future, the market is likely to continue the gentle fluctuations we’ve seen over the past year.

For those looking to buy, it’s a great time to act, provided you have your "ducks in a row" regarding lending capacity. This is where the team at Loan Market Agile comes in. We can help you run the numbers, factor in current living costs, and ensure you have a clear picture of your borrowing power before you start making offers.

Get in touch for a no-obligation chat with our Canterbury-based mortgage advisers today.

Source: REINZ