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Kiwi Choose Property Over Passion, New Survey Reveals

A new survey's confirmed NZ's love affair with property, revealing some prefer browsing listings to romance

Last updated: 10 October 2025

Our latest Trade Me Property survey found that a surprising 13 per cent of Kiwi would rather browse for their dream home than have sex. The obsession with property also trumps the search for a partner, with more than half (55%) admitting they prefer scrolling through real estate listings to swiping on a dating app.

Trade Me Property spokesperson, Casey Wylde, said the findings from over 2,500 New Zealanders prove that our passion for property is a core part of the national psyche.

Trade Me Property spokesperson, Casey Wylde

"It’s clear our passion for property runs deep - so deep that more than 300 of those surveyed say it’s more appealing than romance," said Ms Wylde. "Scrolling through listings has become a national sport, whether we’re seriously looking or just dream scrolling."

From Daydreams to Deals

While many enjoy imagining a life of luxury, the survey revealed a significant shift towards more realistic browsing habits. The number of people browsing for properties well outside their budget has dropped to 38 per cent, down from 59 per cent last year.

"It's not all fantasy," explained Ms Wylde. "While it’s fun to imagine winning Lotto and buying a mansion, it seems Kiwi are being more pragmatic this year. The top reason we browse is still a practical one: to check sale prices and see what homes are selling for."

Despite this practical turn, escapism remains a key driver, with 30 per cent of respondents admitting they use 'dream-scrolling' as an escape from reality.

A Nation of Nosy Neighbours

One habit that remains unchanged is our collective curiosity. The survey found that our tendency to be a "nosy neighbour" is as strong as ever.

"We just can't help ourselves," laughed Ms Wylde. "Thirty-two per cent of us have looked up our friends' homes online, and 30 per cent have checked out a neighbour's place. It’s part of our DNA to want a peek over the fence, and property sites make that easier than ever."

Our favourite scrolling spots also reveal the private nature of this obsession. While the couch is the top spot (64%), many confess to browsing in bed (39%) and even on the toilet (10%).

"When you hear that two-fifths of us would rather look at property than watch the rugby, and one in eight prefer it to sex, it really puts our national obsession into perspective," Ms Wylde added. "It seems a lovely three-bedroom bungalow can be more exciting than a try at Eden Park for some of us."

More Survey Highlights

Better Behaviour at Work: Only 14% of Kiwi admit to browsing property at their desks, a drop from 20% last year.

Aspirational Goals: Almost half (47%) find looking at property aspirational and see it as a goal to work towards.

The Ultimate Dream: A lifestyle block is the most popular type of dream property (25%), followed closely by a beach house (23%).

The Property Rabbit Hole: Nearly a quarter of people (24%) have lost an hour or more of their time after getting sucked into browsing for homes online.

This survey of 2,506 New Zealanders was conducted by an external research agency in August 2025.