Staying true
Dean McGuigan of Golden Homes encourages resilience in your decision-making.
When it comes to building a new home, timing can feel like everything. News headlines, global events and political changes often create uncertainty, prompting people to pause before making major decisions. But if history has shown us anything, it’s that the housing market, especially in regions like Canterbury, has proven remarkably resilient over the long term.
Think back over the past decade. We’ve experienced government elections, the global disruption of Covid-19, spikes in fuel prices and even significant events like the Christchurch earthquakes. At the time, each of these felt like a major turning point. Many buyers understandably hesitated, wondering whether it was the “right” time to commit to building. Yet, over time, these events became short-term disruptions rather than long- term barriers. Markets adjusted, confidence returned and people moved forward with their plans.
One consistent pattern is that no election result has caused an immediate, catastrophic change in the housing market. While policy adjustments may influence lending, supply or demand over time, housing has remained a long-term investment grounded in lifestyle, security and future value. Waiting for perfect certainty often means missing opportunities that only exist in the present.
Fuel prices provide another good example. We’ve seen sharp increases during global tensions – from the Ukraine invasion to current concerns involving Iran – and there will likely be future fluctuations as well. These changes can affect construction costs, transport and overall confidence in the short term. However, history suggests that build costs rarely move backward in a meaningful way. Labour, materials, compliance requirements and land values tend to increase over time. Delaying a decision in hopes of significantly cheaper build prices can often result in higher costs later.
One factor that has stood the test of time is the positivity within the Canterbury housing market. Despite external pressures, the region has shown resilience through growth, development and ongoing demand. People continue to be drawn to the lifestyle, infrastructure improvements and opportunities that new housing provides. Even after major disruptions, the market has recovered and continued to move forward.
Building a home is not just a financial decision, it’s a lifestyle decision. It’s about creating a space that suits your needs, supports your family and gives you certainty for the future. While short-term events can feel overwhelming, it’s important to step back and consider the bigger picture. Over the long term, the fundamentals that drive housing, population growth, lifestyle choices and the desire for stability remain strong.
Resilience in your decision-making means focusing on those long-term fundamentals rather than reacting to temporary uncertainty. The world will always present new challenges, whether economic, political or global. But historically, those who move forward with confidence, while making informed, sensible choices, are often the ones who benefit most in the long run. If building a new home aligns with your goals, lifestyle and financial position, it’s worth remembering that today’s uncertainties may simply become things of the past.
