The volume of property sales in the Western Bay of Plenty during July has bucked national trends by decreasing from levels recorded in June, according to the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand.
Recent figures released by REINZ show the residential real estate market across New Zealand has generally held firm in the past month, with July prices and turnover tracking June figures almost exactly.
In the Western Bay of Plenty there were 47 houses sold in July, compared to 65 in June.


The number of houses sold in the Western Bay in July compared to June is lower than the national average.

But the median price of a Western Bay house in July increased to $380,000 from $365,000 in June.
The median price for a house in the Mount Maunganui/ Papamoa area dropped to $361,500 in July, from $390,000 in June and $412,500 in July 2008.
Although prices have dropped, demand for properties in the two coastal areas appears to be strong.
There were 74 houses sold in July, up from 71 in June and 51 in July 2008.
The median house price in Tauranga decreased in July to $340,000 from $367,000 in June and $350,000 in July 2008.
There were 149 houses sold in Tauranga during July, down from 153 in June but up on the 97 in July 2008.REINZ president Mike Elford says the housing market appears to be recovering from the lows of mid 2008.
'You wouldn't call it brilliant, but there are positive signs such as more listing stock. I think we'll see some improvements with the seasonal adjustment going into the spring months,” says Mike.