Homes are becoming more affordable across the country - driven largely by declining mortgage rates

A Massey University report suggests numbers improved in all regions in the past year - with an overall 19 per cent improvement.

It says the most significant gains were recorded in the West Coast, Marlborough, Wellington, Waikato, and Canterbury regions.

Business School Senior Lecturer Arshad Javed says low interest rates and modest income growth makes it a great time for first home buyers.