Our research would indicate there has been a continued strong demand for commercial retail investment properties, especially for prices under $1,500,000 to $2,000,000. The market has remained strong even through the downturn in the overall economy evident in the earlier months of the year 2008. Whereas commercial/industrial and commercial/office properties have seen a rise in capitalisation rates and yields generally around 1% to 2% over this period, commercial retail property yields have remained reasonably steady.

Market data over the last 2 years indicates that in the southern area of the previous Rodney District and the northern rural areas of the previous North Shore City there have been a number of lifestyle properties that have sold for at least $2,500,000 or in excess. To our knowledge there have been several major sales that were transacted last year. These properties include 60A Goldflats Lane, Coatesville which sold in March 2011 for $7,600,000 - an eight bedroom, larger 1,450 square metre home recently built with substantial inground pool on a 1.82 hectare site.

Recent sales information publicised by the Real Estate Institute in the latter months of the year 2009 report a number of good quality residential properties in the southern suburbs of Auckland's North Shore selling in excess of $2,500,000. Demand has returned to the marketplace and many of these properties have been offered for sale for some considerable time without attracting a successful purchaser. However it is noted to several real estate organisations actively marketing these expensive properties that there is a renewed level of enquiry and activity.