Use quarterly housing indices to understand direction, then compare the exact neighbourhood, area basis, condition and transaction evidence.
HomeHNI labels the NHB assessment-price index with its April-June 2026 reporting period.
Why it matters
A city-wide measure combines properties with different locations, sizes and stages. A neighbourhood asking-price sample answers a different question from a lender-assessment index or registered transaction value. Record the source, period and definition beside every number in your comparison. Avoid using a national change as an automatic mark-up for a particular property.
Build a comparison around the actual home
Begin with a narrow group of genuinely comparable properties: similar locality, building age, area definition, floor, parking and possession status. Record the date and whether each figure is an asking price, negotiated indication or documented transaction. Do not combine these as if they were the same measure.
Work out the complete cost and the usable area for each property. A lower price per advertised square foot can hide a different area basis or larger mandatory charges. Note condition, expected repairs and recurring maintenance as separate fields.
Use the city index as context
An index summarises change in its defined sample and reporting period. It helps frame a question about the market; it does not inspect the building you want to buy. A city can show growth while individual micro-markets or properties behave differently.
For example, compare two homes in the same locality after adjusting for area basis, condition and major inclusions. Then use the city’s dated index movement as background, rather than multiplying either asking price by that percentage. Keep the evidence for your final comparison alongside the calculation.
Before you decide
Compare similar homes using the same area basis and cost inclusions, and keep dated supporting evidence.
- Record locality, date, area definition and condition.
- Distinguish asking prices from documented transactions.
- Include repairs, recurring charges and mandatory costs.
- Use the same comparison basis for each shortlisted property.