Trade Me analysis shows quakes' impact

In its latest Property Focus report, the bank said the quakes had caused a lot of section sales on the outskirts of Canterbury, as residents of the city went in search of new homes.

But in comparison with the rest of the country, and not include Canterbury, the Queenstown-Lakes area has a higher proportion of section and apartment sales, the report said. Also high on the list were Buller and Westland.

It said these markets were more vulnerable because section and apartment prices are more volatile than standalone houses.

Its report also showed the contribution universities have to rental markets.

The number of houses listed on Trade Me to rent is about a quarter of the number listed for sale.

Wellington, however, has a ratio double that and Auckland sits on 37 per cent. Manawatu-Whanganui and Otago also have proportions that exceed the average.

Nationwide, there were 13.1 houses for sale on Trade Me per 1000 people, up from 11.9 in March 2010 and 8.4 five years ago.

At 44.2 per 1000, the West Coast is a standout and Northland is not far behind at 39.7 listings per 1000.

The report’s authors said this could not be put down to the size of the regions because Gisborne only had 6.7 listings per 1000.