Real estate agents in Northland are reporting a resurgence in the property market after a long spell in the doldrums.
They say sales over summer have been at their highest level in four years, and cashed-up Aucklanders are increasingly among the buyers.
Northland recorded a 37 % rise in property sales in December, the highest in the country.
Real estate agents say that trend has continued over January, with coastal homes in the $1 million price bracket selling again after a long period of weak demand.
Murray Coop of Ray White Real Estate says he is seeing a strong demand from Auckland buyers for investment properties.
"A lot of people are out there looking for homes at a surprisingly high purchase price as rental properties."
Agents say Auckland retirees who have sold their family homes for high prices, and New Zealanders still working overseas are among those who have boosted sales figures this summer.
One says he's hoping the resurgence means that more Aucklanders are seeing the north as a place where they can afford to be pensioners and still own a good house.
