Property valuer Quotable Value believes the prices of properties in Christchurch that have not been quake-damaged could pick up again due to increased demand.
Research director Jonno Ingerson says sales slowed after the 4 September earthquake for a couple of weeks then improved at a startling rate.
Mr Ingerson said the damage from the February earthquake was on a different scale, but the factors that pushed sales back up were the same.
People will be looking to buy and rent houses in the least-affected areas, including those arriving to help with recovery efforts, he says.