House sales slide as Iran war, fuel costs and rate fears hit buyers

NZ Herald14 May, 2026 05:00 PM3 mins to readApril marked the first clear sign of cost-of-living pressures weighing on house-buying activity. Photo / Ted BaghurstApril marked the first clear sign of cost-of-living pressures weighing on house-buying activity. Photo / Ted BaghurstHouse sales slid in April as rising living costs, fuel prices and the prospect of higher interest rates weighed on buyers, according to new figures.The Real Estate Institute of New Zealand’s (REINZ) latest Property Report shows national sales in April fell 7.9% year on year.

The monthly sales count