The real estate market hasn't slowed down under lockdown.

Agents have reported a spike in enquiries for property listings, and sales are still going strong – such as entire blocks of townhouses in Wellington.

Jen Baird, chief executive at the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ), says lockdown has given people more time to house-hunt, coupled with “a sense of confidence" in the market's future.

But which are the most popular houses? Here are Trade Me's most-viewed listings since lockdown started on August 18 – the five most sought-after (or at least, the most wish-listed) properties in the country.

The original Bank of New Zealand

This historic property was the original Bank of New Zealand built in the 1880s and has been many things over its lifetime, including a private residence, a restaurant and a bar.

The five “king-size” bedroom, two-bathroom building at 21 Ross Place in Clutha, Otago is a sprawling private residence with 334 square metres of floor space.

This historic property was the original Bank of New Zealand built in the 1880s and has been many things over its lifetime, including a private residence, a restaurant and a bar.

The five “king-size” bedroom, two-bathroom building at 21 Ross Place in Clutha, Otago is a sprawling private residence with 334 square metres of floor space.

There are two spacious living areas, as well as a new scullery kitchen, a separate laundry, and a new outdoor workshop (ideal for any future lockdowns).

Naturally, the building is packed with beautiful heritage features – avert your eyes from all those bright wooden floors to check out the door frames. We especially love the circular arch in one of the smaller bedrooms, and the cut-out detailing of the door in the main hallway.

A classic stairwell leads down to what would have originally been the safe. Instead of gold and wads of cash, you might like to fill it with other sorts of valuables – like wine, the fridge in the listing photo suggests.

“Listings that offer unique points of difference garner more attention and a great real estate agent knows how to use a home's uniqueness to get attention,” Baird said.

The property was last sold in October 2020 for $285,000, and homes.co.nz puts its current CV at $385,000.

The listing is billing the property as the opportunity to start an accommodation business, with its location in Lawrence central to both Dunedin and Central Otago, with the Catlins only 45 minutes away.

The median sale price for Otago in July 2020 was $551,000, according to REINZ. By July 2021, this had jumped by 21.6 percent year-on-year to $670,000.

For those interested, the good news is median price is actually down from what it was three months ago, when it peaked at $700,000 in April.

In the hills

The property with the second most views is an “urban retreat” in Christchurch's Cashmere Hills.

The listing bills this property – to be bought off the plans – as a “rare opportunity to secure a fixed price house and land package in one of the best spots available on the hill".

The 2949-square-metre section is located in a private lane with North/North-East facing “sweeping city views and beautiful morning sun".

It’s only a 10-minute drive to the city centre, with cafés, bike trails, and all the offerings of the Port Hills essentially on its doorstep.

Harcourts auctioneer Mark McGoldrick, who has been running online auctions from his kitchen bench, said that houses in the hills have been among most sought-after in Christchurch.

“Weatherboard homes in Summerfield are going off. The nice, leafy areas are sought-after. But people really love the hill,” he said.

Award-winning architects COMMON have drawn up concept plans to capitalise on the best aspects of the site. The resulting design is a single-level, 170-square-metre family home including a mezzanine floor (19sqm) with an additional carport (38sqm).

The home features communal areas, sheltered outdoor living and a near-flat backyard for kids to play on.

Inside, the “no compromise” plans, which are subject to council approval, include a master suite with a generous bathroom and walk-in-wardrobe, and two additional double bedrooms.

The modern living space has an easy open flow between the living, dining and kitchen, as well as a separate family bathroom and laundry.

The upstairs mezzanine level could be a work-from-home office, a kid’s play area, a guest room – basically whatever you want.

The architectural features worth noting are floor-to ceiling doors and windows, the iron cladding with ply detailing and the pitched, ply-lined ceiling over main living area.

The price is fixed from $1.42 million (dependent on the buyer’s specifications). The median sale price for a house in Christchurch City this July was $600,000, according to REINZ. That's up 22.2 per cent year-on-year from 2020, when it was $491,000.

Done up > do up

Further south is 17 Fifield Street, in Roslyn, Dunedin - this fully renovated four-bedroom, two-bathroom villa is not what it appears from the street.

What you can't see from the face of the roughcast villa and romantic-style garden, is that prior owners have completed a modern add-on to the back of the house that includes an open-plan living, dining, and a modern kitchen, as well as two large living areas that make a combined floor area of 200 square metres.

“This property has it all,” reads the listing. “A premium location, the romance and history of a villa, but also the space and warmth of a new home, courtesy of a large modern extension."

The property last sold in July 2019 for $950,000, well above the median sale price for Otago in 2020 of $510,000.

The CV is now somewhere around $1.33m, according to homes.co.nz.

The vendors are a blended family who have adored having two lounges.

One can be closed off, while two steps lead up to a second living space with a polished concrete floor and large windows, creating a light and bright space.

Doors from all living areas lead outside to the patio, a functional space for summer barbecues and alfresco living.

“This is a well-executed landscape surrounded by established raised gardens. There is plenty of space for adding additional elements such as a spa pool or trampoline for kids,” the listing says.

All bedrooms have built-in wardrobes and there are additional cupboards in the hallway and in the separate laundry for a family's storage needs.

You'll be cosy in a southern winter, with double-glazed windows, full insulation, and multiple heat sources including a woodburner, heat pumps, and wall mounted heaters.

Why so many eyes on South Island homes? “It is possible that people may be looking outside of Auckland due it being the centre of the latest Covid-19 outbreak,” said Baird of three properties receiving the most attention.

“But I would also wager that this lockdown has reinforced that real estate work can be effectively delivered online and many people are getting on with it – this too will pass.”

Auckland City outskirts

Back in Auckland, a dainty three-bedroom with fresh, bright interiors makes it into fourth place.

The property at 37c Saxon Street, Waterview, was listed on August 18.

“There's something pleasurable about leaving the rat-race behind and arriving home to peace and quiet, pouring a glass of wine, and taking to the outdoors to have a moment or two to wind-down," says the listing.

The "stylish, contemporary" 87 square metre home on the outskirts of the city sits in a secluded position at the end of the cul-de-sac.

The property has an RV of $790,000, and it was last sold for $946,000 in November 2017. But the current homes.co.nz estimate for it is $1.35m.

The property would be ideally suited to business couples or young families, the listing says, because of its sociable private living area and sun-soaked deck, perfect for hosting in summer.

“This home is easy to maintain and is much more spacious than first appears, as the multi-level living offers many areas to accommodate everyone," it says.

“This home also offers a twist on minimalist modern versus country, with nice wooden touches throughout but clean lines, a neutral palette and tiled kitchen and bathroom."

Mid-Century resort

Mid-Century houses are the apple of Auckland’s eye at the moment, and 48 Daffodil Street, Titirangi, is no exception.

The family property in Waitakere City was listed on August 18. It has five bedrooms, two bathrooms and two off-street parks, with 210 square metres of space, plus a study and a second lounge.

“Families looking to escape the stress of the city will adore this stylish and classic architectural block and timber clad home with sweeping city views... and stunning resort-style pool complex,” the listing reads.

The home is perched high above the street, the light-filled main living, dining and generous modern kitchen zone on the upper level.

The master suite on the upper level is a serene space, sporting a large ensuite bathroom including separate bath and shower, and a city view over the treetops.

The house last sold for $1.18m in July 2017, and homes.co.nz places its current estimate at $.1.6m.

Sliding doors open out onto an elevated deck that runs the length of the living space, and looks out onto a peaceful bush vista. The price is by negotiation.