Is OneRoof or Homes.co.nz More Accurate in 2026? Choose NZ's Best Property Tool

What are the best free property websites in New Zealand?

The four most popular options for Kiwis are Homes.co.nz, OneRoof, PropertyValue, and Relab. Property information websites are free online tools that show estimated property values, sales history, council valuations, and neighbourhood data for homes across New Zealand.

Each one offers a property valuation estimate as its main feature, but they also include things like sales history, rental estimates, suburb data, and natural hazard insights. They’re widely used by buyers, sellers, investors, and curious neighbours alike.

It’s important to remember that the valuations you see are produced by an algorithm based on sales data, council valuations, and market trends. They’re a useful indication, but they may not reflect true market value, and they shouldn’t be used as the basis for your sum insured on a house insurance policy.

Don’t guess your cover based on a market estimate. Run a free Quashed Market Scan to see real-time house insurance quotes from leading NZ insurers, side by side.

How does Homes.co.nz work and who owns it?

Homes.co.nz is a free New Zealand property information website owned by Trade Me since 2021, that lets you check estimated home values (the “HomesEstimate”), view sales history, and explore neighbourhoods through a map-based interface. To use it, type in any property address and you’ll see a map of the home along with valuation data, recent sales, and nearby listings.

We think the information on homes.co.nz is excellent. Beyond the valuation, it provides rental estimates for some homes, strong historical pricing data, and estimates for ongoing costs like home loan repayments, electricity, and insurance. If you need a real estate agent, you can also search by location.

On Homes.co.nz, you can view:

• The market value of the property from homes.co.nz

• Information on Capital Valuation (CV)

• Past sales data for the property

• Property details from the council, such as floor area, land area, and number of bedrooms and bathrooms

• Estimated home loan payments

• Expected rental price and yield

• Potential solar power generation estimate

• A map showing nearby properties, including their valuations and whether they’re for sale or rent

• Real estate agents in the area

• Basic info about the neighbourhood, such as the number of schools and the distance to the CBD

Hot tip: Considering upgrades to a property you’re eyeing? Learn how renovations could affect your insurance premiums.

Who owns OneRoof and what does it offer?

OneRoof is a New Zealand property website owned by media company NZME, which also publishes the New Zealand Herald. It provides property valuations, sales history, mortgage rate estimates, and listings across residential, commercial, and rural property categories.

Compared to homes.co.nz, OneRoof gives users a bit less detail and lacks some of the extra features. That said, it still covers the essentials most home buyers need. A nice extra is the suburb overview, which shows demographics and property data, plus ongoing news on things like Reserve Bank Official Cash Rate decisions and what they could mean for mortgage rates.

OneRoof also stands out because it covers more than just residential property, including commercial properties, rural land, and businesses for sale. Like homes.co.nz, you can sign up to watch a specific property and get alerts when something changes.

On OneRoof, you can view:

• Market value of the property by OneRoof

• Registered Valuation (RV) details

• Previous sales data for the property

• Property information such as floor area and land area, but not as detailed as homes.co.nz

• Estimated home loan payments

• “About the area”, which displays flood zones, underground services (such as wastewater), school locations, and zoning

Flood risk pushing your insurance premiums up? Use the Quashed Market Scan to compare house insurance quotes from leading insurers in minutes.

What is PropertyValue.co.nz and is it free?

PropertyValue.co.nz is a New Zealand property information website owned by Cotality (formerly known as CoreLogic). Basic features are free, including estimated property value ranges and sales history, but more detailed reports like the Property Report and Title Details Report are available for an additional fee on the PropertyValue site (check there for current pricing).

This sets PropertyValue apart from homes.co.nz and OneRoof, neither of which sell paid property reports. Cotality is a global property information and analytics provider with operations across the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, so the underlying data is well-respected in the industry.

One key difference is that PropertyValue gives a price range for home values rather than a single number. For example, homes.co.nz and OneRoof might show a value like $1.33M or $1.47M. PropertyValue, on the other hand, shows a range like $1.3M to $1.4M.

PropertyValue puts more focus on data than user-friendly extras. Its Suburb Insights feature analyses market data including the median sale price, median rent, price changes over 12 months, and average days on market. Investors, sellers, and serious buyers who want to dig into the numbers may find it particularly helpful, though for everyday users we think homes.co.nz and OneRoof offer a smoother browsing experience.

On PropertyValue, you can view:

• An estimated range for the property’s market value by PropertyValue

• Details on Rating Valuation (RV)

• Basic property information (such as floor area and land area), with fewer details than other sources

• History of sales for the property

• Information about median sale price, price change, median rent, and average days on market

• Similar properties nearby that have sold or are for sale

• Optional paid Property Report and Title Details Report

What is Relab and how much does it cost?

Relab is an Auckland-founded property data platform (launched in 2016) that specialises in map-based property research tools. It offers a free version for REINZ members and a free 14-day trial for everyone else, with paid subscription plans available afterwards (current pricing is on the Relab website).

Relab tries to stand out from other NZ property websites with map-heavy features and tools aimed at professionals. A paid subscription unlocks advanced maps, subdivision potential details, and title information. These tools are particularly useful for property investors, developers, and real estate agents, although serious home buyers who like a data-heavy approach may also find it valuable.

Relab has grown rapidly in recent years and is now widely used across the New Zealand real estate industry.

On Relab, you can view:

• An approximate property market value (powered by QV)

• Information on council valuations and rates

• A rental estimate

• A map view of the area with options to show flood zones, services, and consents

• Details on past sales of the property

• A subdivision feasibility calculator

• Information on school zoning

• Demographic details about households, including income, age, education, ethnicity, housing, and employment

• Paid access to Market Analysis, Title and Planning reports

How accurate are property valuation websites in NZ?

NZ property valuation websites give a useful indication of property value but are not 100% accurate. Their estimates come from algorithms that pull on sales data, council valuations, and market trends, so they can’t fully account for every market factor. For an accurate valuation, you’ll need to engage a registered valuer.

That said, the estimates are still helpful as a starting point. In our testing, PropertyValue typically showed the smallest range, followed by homes.co.nz and OneRoof. The figures from the four sites were broadly similar, though there were some differences because each platform uses its own methodology and data sources. Valuing a property is not an exact science.

If you’re browsing for fun, the price estimates should be more than enough. But if you need accurate information for a buy/sell decision or for setting your sum insured, it’s worth checking several sites and considering professional help or a more in-depth report.

How can property data help me choose the right home insurance?

Property data helps you understand your home's market value and the natural hazards in your area, both of which feed into your insurance decisions. For your sum insured, you'll need a separate rebuild cost estimate from an insurer's online calculator or a registered valuer. Combining property information websites with insurer rebuild calculators can help you avoid being underinsured or overpaying.

Here’s how to put each piece of data to work:

What’s the difference between market value and rebuild cost?

Market value is what your home would sell for on the open market today, while rebuild cost is what it would cost to rebuild your home from scratch after a total loss. For house insurance, your sum insured should reflect rebuild cost, not market value.

To get a more accurate rebuild cost estimate:

• Use online rebuild cost calculators provided by insurance providers

• Get a professional valuation if you’re unsure

• Talk to your insurer to clarify your cover

Many Kiwi homeowners are underinsured because they set their cover based on market value rather than what it would actually cost to rebuild. Make sure your policy covers the full rebuild cost in case of a major event such as a fire or earthquake.

Want to see how your premiums stack up against current market rates? Compare house insurance with Quashed in minutes. Based on our latest Q1 2026 data, 67% of users find a cheaper house insurance policy with average savings of $908 a year.

How do I check natural hazard risks for a NZ property?

You can check natural hazard risks for any New Zealand property through the Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake (formerly EQC), your local council, and OneRoof’s “About the area” feature. These sources show flood zones, fault lines, and underground services that can affect both your insurance premiums and a property’s suitability.

Homes in high-risk areas, such as flood zones or near fault lines, usually attract higher insurance premiums. The Natural Hazards Commission (NHC) provides natural disaster cover as part of your home insurance policy, but it has limits, so it’s important to check whether you need extra cover.

It’s also worth checking police or government websites for accurate crime data in your area, as this is another factor insurers may consider when calculating your premium.

Should I rely on property data alone for insurance decisions?

No. Property data is a useful starting point, but insurers use more advanced risk models to set premiums. To make the best decision:

• Use property data to start conversations with insurers

• Get professional advice to understand what affects your cover

• Regularly review your policy to stay up to date with changes in rebuild costs and risks

By combining property insights with expert advice, you’ll be in a better position to choose the right home insurance, without overpaying or being caught short when it matters most.

How can I save money on house insurance in NZ?

The fastest way to save on house insurance in New Zealand is to compare quotes across multiple insurers at renewal. According to our latest Q1 2026 Quashed Index data, 67% of users find a cheaper house insurance policy through Quashed, with average savings of $908 a year. Across all three main policy types, Kiwis pay an average “loyalty tax” of $1,560 a year by not shopping around.

Here’s how the savings break down across all three personal insurance types:

• 67% of users find a cheaper house insurance policy, saving an average of $908 a year

• 76% find a cheaper contents insurance policy, saving an average of $275 a year

• 81% find a cheaper car insurance policy, saving an average of $377 a year

Other ways to keep your premiums down include increasing your excess (so you pay more out of pocket if you claim), making sure your sum insured reflects current rebuild costs, and reviewing your policy each year for any cover you don’t need.

How does the Quashed Market Scan work?

Quashed is a free New Zealand insurance comparison platform that runs a real-time Market Scan across leading insurers, so you can compare house, contents, and car insurance quotes side by side in minutes. Once you’ve used a property information website to research a home, you can use Quashed to find the best cover for it without paying more than you need to.

For example, say you discover a higher flood risk on a property using Relab, or check the recent sales history on homes.co.nz. With Quashed, you can quickly compare house, contents, and car insurance policies for that property, all in one place.

Join 100,000+ Kiwis who’ve made smarter insurance choices with Quashed. Sign up today and run a free Market Scan in minutes.

Further reading

Protecting your property goes beyond knowing its value, it’s about protecting that value for the long term:

• House Insurance: A Homeowner’s Guide: everything you need to know about house insurance.

• How to Compare House Insurance Quotes: tips for making smart comparisons.

• Why Are House Insurance Premiums Increasing?: the factors driving rising costs.

• Rising House Insurance Premiums and Climate Change: the impact of climate risks on your insurance.

• Average Cost of Car, House, and Contents Insurance NZ: our latest Q1 2026 Quashed Index data on what Kiwis are paying.

Frequently asked questions about NZ property tools and insurance

Why do property information websites show different valuations for the same property?

Property information websites show different valuations because they use different data sources and methodologies. Local councils determine a property’s Rating Value (RV) every three years, covering Capital Value, Land Value, and Value of Improvements, but the RV doesn’t necessarily reflect current market value.

When should I get house insurance during the home-buying process?

You should arrange house insurance well before settlement day, because most New Zealand lenders require proof of insurance for mortgage approval. Getting a head start is especially important for properties in higher-risk areas.

How do insurers determine my property’s risk level?

Insurers determine your property’s risk level by looking at natural hazard exposure, previous claims, and property characteristics. The Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake (formerly the Earthquake Commission) provides a Natural Hazards Portal with insights on risks like earthquakes and floods, and insurers may also use their own proprietary tools to assess risk.

What factors can increase house insurance premiums?

House insurance premiums can rise due to your property’s location, exposure to natural hazards, building materials, and any past insurance claims. According to our latest Q1 2026 Quashed Index, the average cost of house insurance in New Zealand is $2,949 a year, with Wellington homeowners paying significantly more at an average of $4,738.

Are online property valuation tools accurate for insurance purposes?

Online property valuation tools are not accurate enough for insurance purposes on their own. They give a general indication of market value, but they may not accurately reflect your home’s rebuild cost. For insurance, use an insurer’s rebuild cost calculator or consult a professional valuer.

What information do I need to get an insurance quote for a property?

To get a house insurance quote you’ll typically need the property address, details about the construction (materials, age, size), any special features, plus information on past claims and natural hazard risks. Be sure to check how your data is being used and stored in line with privacy regulations.

How can I compare house insurance policies easily?

The easiest way to compare house insurance policies in New Zealand is to use an independent comparison platform like Quashed, or to reach out to multiple insurers directly. Look at cover, exclusions, and premiums to find a policy that suits your needs. With the Quashed Market Scan, 67% of users find a cheaper house insurance policy with average savings of $908 a year.