Auckland house sales slow

Auckland house sales were slow during August, but prices increased marginally, says real estate firm Barfoot & Thompson.

The firm said it sold 502 properties in the month, which it said was low compared to an average of around 900 sales per month during 2006 and 2007.

It said the average sale price of $524,248 was up 5.4 percent on July, although down $28,000 on average prices in August 2007.

Barfoot & Thompson managing director Peter Thompson said the most noticeable feature of the month was the low number of new listings signed up - 1078 compared to an average of about 1500 per month to date this year.

Meanwhile the firm reported that property rents had remained static for the month with the average weekly rental at $384.

- © Fairfax NZ News