Buying a house wasn't part of the plan – until it suddenly was
Nearly one in four New Zealanders have bought a house without intending to, a new survey reveals, highlighting a growing trend of spontaneous property purchases across the country.
According to new research from property platform realestate.co.nz, 24% of respondents admitted they had at some point “accidentally” purchased a home. Of those, 8% made their unplanned purchase within the past year.
While it may sound unusual for someone to ‘accidentally buy a house,’ Vanessa Williams, spokesperson for realestate.co.nz, said the data shows it is more common than many might expect.
“Kiwis have a real affinity with property; browsing listings is almost a national pastime,” Williams said. “Attending an open home or an auction can quickly turn from casual interest to serious investment when the right property catches your eye and the price feels within reach.”
The findings suggest a strong emotional connection to homeownership remains embedded in Kiwi culture, with lifestyle appeal often overtaking financial planning. Williams noted that for many buyers, choosing a property means choosing a way of life – and that emotional pull can drive decision-making.
Realestate.co.nz has been tracking this trend since 2020, and the latest figures show a resurgence in “accidental buying” not seen since April 2022, a period that followed a hot housing market.
The research also indicates a strong link between impulsive purchases and financial capacity. Those who bought without prior intent over the past 12 months reported earning 54% more than the national average. Most accidental buyers were men (66%) and had an average age of 30.2.
Auckland emerged as the epicentre for these spontaneous acquisitions, with 51% of respondents in the city reporting they had made an impulse buy – a rate far higher than the national average of 31%.
Williams noted that income is likely a factor. However, Auckland’s diverse and active market may also be fuelling these spur-of-the-moment decisions.
“While it’s important to have a property investment plan that works for you and your personal circumstances, the property market can provide numerous opportunities for those with an open mind – something a fairly significant portion of the population seems to already know well.”
