HouseMe’s Perspective on the Transportable Housing Market – A Strong 2024 and a Big Year Ahead

If 2024 was about resilience, then 2025 is about momentum. Last year, like many in our industry, we faced challenges head-on, refining our processes, sharpening our focus, and ensuring we were fit for the future. The result? A business that's leaner, stronger, and more efficient, ready to take on thh year ahead.

A Market That's Moving

While the market has been a tough battleground, the demand for transportable homes remains strong. We saw this firsthand with a record September, closing 48 orders and deposits - our third strongest month in history. That momentum has carried through into 2025, with February rounding out at 35 new orders and deposits. It's a clear indicator that buyers are seeking well-built, compliant, and high-quality housing solutions, and HouseMe is leading the charge.

Innovation in Finance Driving Demand

February also saw the introduction of our No Deposit Finance promotion—a game-changer in unlocking homeownership for more Kiwis. The response has been phenomenal, with a surge in enquiries and orders. It reinforces what we’ve always known: affordability remains the biggest hurdle for many buyers, and finding ways to bridge that gap is key.

Stepping Into Larger Modular Homes

Transportable housing has always been our bread and butter, but we’re ready to take things up a notch. Enter HouseMe Modular - our next step in delivering high-quality, cost-effective housing at a larger scale. With our first piece of land secured, we’re now refining the offering, aiming to bring high-quality modular homes up to 110sqm to market. It’s an exciting shift that aligns with our mission to provide innovative and practical housing solutions for New Zealanders.

Agriculture Sector Bouncing Back

One trend we’ve been keeping a close eye on is the agricultural sector and the signs are promising. Over the past three months (December–February), 30% of our orders have been for farmworker accommodation. Given HouseMe’s strong connection with the rural community, it’s great to see confidence returning to a sector that remains the backbone of New Zealand.

Growing our Footprint

Expansion has been a major theme for us, with new opportunities across the country:

Christchurch Expansion: In July 2024, we opened our Christchurch branch, an exciting but humbling challenge. Launching in a new region often feels like starting from scratch, but our team has done an incredible job building awareness, and we’re now seeing solid traction.
Waikato Growth: Cambridge is next on the map, with Olivia Reihana relocating from our Auckland HQ to spearhead the region. With Waikato's growing demand for affordable, high-quality housing, we’re confident this will be another stronghold for HouseMe.

Minor Dwelling Reforms – A Big Opportunity for Those Ready to Move

Another major shift on the horizon is the Minor Dwelling 'Granny Flat' Reforms. While these new regulations will undoubtedly provide a much-needed boost to the industry, the real opportunity will be for those who are prepared and ready to grab it by the horns. The key will be having compliant, high-quality homes available quickly, something HouseMe has been laser-focused on for years.

We've also heard whispers that more announcements are just weeks away. Of course, we’ll wait and see because ultimately, as always, the devil will be in the detail. But one thing is certain: for companies that are agile, compliant, and customer-focused, this could be a significant tailwind.

Looking Ahead

The demand for transportable, compliant, and cost-effective housing solutions continues to grow. With HouseMe’s solid market position, expanding regional presence, and new product developments, 2025 is shaping up to be a big year. We remain committed to pushing the boundaries, adapting to market needs, and providing Kiwis with homes that meet today’s challenges while setting the standard for tomorrow.

Bryce Glover
General Manager – Sales & Marketing
HouseMe