Optimism in the housing market is increasing

The latest ASB Housing Confidence survey shows 28 percent of net respondents think it's a good time to buy.

That's the highest number since 2011.

That figure is highest for people in the North Island, excluding Auckland and lowest for Cantabrians.

ASB Chief Economist Nick Tuffley says house prices fell for a while and are now levelling off.

He says there's a lot of supply and not much competition.