Despite the rise of online tools, most Kiwis still see the value of working with real estate professionals, a new LJ Hooker study reveals.

The findings reveal key shifts in how buyers navigate the property market, balancing affordability challenges with innovative solutions.

Key insights from the research include:

• less than a quarter of older Kiwis consider selling their home without a real estate agent, though nearly half (44 per cent) of Gen Z would
• face-to-face meetings remain the preferred way to communicate with agents, despite advances in technology
• co-ownership is gaining traction, with 33 per cent of New Zealanders open to buying a property with a friend or sibling – and 45 per cent of Gen Z.
• 31 per cent of homebuyers have parents open to providing them financial assistance, reflecting the challenges of saving for a deposit in the current market.

As standalone homes become less attainable in major cities, younger generations are rethinking their path to homeownership. Forty five per cent of Gen Z and 40 per cent of Gen Y would consider co-owning a home with a friend or sibling, compared to just 22 per cent of Baby Boomers.

Forty per cent of New Zealanders are open to apartment living, with younger buyers leading this trend (48 per cent of Gen Z vs 37 per cent of Gen X).

“Kiwis still see property ownership as a key path to financial security, but affordability challenges mean that more people are open to alternative options like co-ownership or apartment living,” Campbell Dunoon, LJ Hooker head of network NZ, says.

He advises those considering co-ownership to take a structured approach: “If you’re buying with a friend or family member, ensure you have a formal agreement in place outlining each party’s responsibilities and an exit strategy in case circumstances change.”

Parents continue key role

Despite the rise of KiwiSaver, many young buyers rely on financial support from family to secure a home deposit. Thirty one per cent of homebuyers have parents open to providing them financial assistance.

Parental support is even more common among younger generations, as affordability challenges persist. Eighty nine per cent of parents are open to helping their children enter the property market.

“Parents who have built wealth through homeownership understand its long-term benefits,” Dunoon says.

“Many are eager to support their children in achieving the same goal, even though the path to home ownership has changed over the years.”