Housing demand strong in the Coromandel

Demand for housing is up in the Coromandel - as indicated by the record number of requests we've received for Land Information Memoranda (or LIMs) for the month of February.

LIM requests come from people who are interested in buying properties.

"The trend we're seeing is housing demand is exceeding supply - particularly in Thames," says Christine Harrison, Land Information Officer (LIM) for Thames-Coromandel District Council.

"We're getting multiple requests for the same property, which indicates that there is high demand - and there's a back-up in buyer demand," she says.

And builders and building supply shops can expect to be kept busy over the winter months.

"We also see a spike generally six months after this data in building and resource consent applications," Ms Harrison says.

"Those who buy a home are often prepared to spend additional money on renovations or do-up plans."

LIMs on properties contain information about things such as potential erosion, contamination, flooding, structural requirements, where the street water pipes and waste water pipes run, rates details, consents, zoning and more.

In February, we had 164 LIM requests. In February 2014 we had 108 and in 2013 we had 125.

January is normally our busiest month for LIM requests but this February has been the highest number we've had in any month since February 2006 - before the Global Financial Crisis and the recession in New Zealand - when there were 165.

March looks to be tracking the same.

While we've been super busy with requests our team is still getting an urgent LIM request out in two days and within 10 days for a standard LIM request.

There was a dip in LIM requests in August and September last year, before the General Election.

"We think people were sitting tight until after the election," says Ms Harrison.

To find out more about obtaining a LIM click here.

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