There has been a significant drop in the number of house sales.

Last month 5670 houses were sold nationwide.

That was a 20.2% drop from last April, and a 22.5% decrease from March.

But in the last 12 months the average price of houses sold has increased by about $42,000.

The Real Estate Institute of New Zealand says the sharp fall in sales volumes has impacted on all areas of the country.

And last month's sales were the seventh lowest on record.