Australian home prices rose in August at their fastest pace since 2017, CoreLogic says
2019-09-10
Australian home prices rose in August at their fastest pace since 2017, CoreLogic says
• Home prices across capital cities rise 1 per cent, 0.8 per cent for the country as a whole
• Sydney market rises 1.6 per cent, Melbourne adds 1.4 per cent
Reuters
Published: 7:00pm, 2 Sep, 2019
Sydney prices are still down 6.9 per cent year on year, but that is a major improvement from the double-digit annual declines seen earlier this year. Photo: AFP
Australian house prices boasted their biggest monthly gain since 2017 in August, as the hard-hit markets of Sydney and Melbourne came roaring back on record low interest rates and looser lending rules.
The bounce marks an end to two years of constant declines, which ate away at household wealth and confidence, undermining consumption and slowing the entire economy. Government figures due this week are expected to show the economy expanded by just 1.4 per cent in the year to June, according to a Reuters poll, the slowest annual pace in a decade.
A revival in prices could also prove a blessing for the construction sector, which has seen a severe downturn in new home approvals, particularly for the once red-hot flat sector.
Monday’s data from property consultant CoreLogic showed home prices across the capital cities rose 1 per cent in August, while values for the nation as a whole gained 0.8 per cent. That was the largest increase since April 2017, and the first rise in the national market since October of that year.
The Sydney market saw a jump of 1.6 per cent and Melbourne added 1.4 per cent, gains more reminiscent of the bubble days of 2016.
Home auction demand rises in Australia, raises hopes of market turnaround
Sydney prices were still down 6.9 per cent year on year and Melbourne 6.2 per cent, but that was a major improvement from the double-digit annual declines seen earlier this year.
“The significant lift in values over the month aligns with a consistent increase in auction clearance rates and a deeper pool of buyers at a time when the volume of stock advertised for sale remains low,” said CoreLogic research director Tim Lawless. “It’s likely that buyer demand and confidence is responding to the positive effect of a stable federal government, as well lower interest rates, tax cuts and a subtle easing in credit policy.”
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) cut interest rates in both June and July to an all-time low of 1 per cent and has pledged to do more if needed. Markets are wagering it will ease twice more to 0.5 per cent, likely by March next year.
Australia’s property market has the right catalysts for a rebound
The improvement in August reflects a revival in clearance rates at property auctions, a popular method of sale in Australia’s major cities, which are again at their highest levels since early 2017. The number of properties listed is still down on a year ago, though that may change as spring comes to Australia.
“On listings, both markets are starting to see a clear rise heading into the spring selling season, which officially starts next weekend,” said Westpac senior economist Matthew Hassan. “That said the uplift is only slightly stronger than the typical seasonal rise – with new listings coming from an extremely low starting point that suggests supply will remain relatively tight unless there is a sudden lift in the next few weeks.”
While a revival in the housing market could help lift consumption in Australia’s A$1.9 trillion (US$1.28 trillion) economy, any frothiness would pose a policy challenge for both the RBA and the country’s banking regulator.
• Home prices across capital cities rise 1 per cent, 0.8 per cent for the country as a whole
• Sydney market rises 1.6 per cent, Melbourne adds 1.4 per cent
Reuters
Published: 7:00pm, 2 Sep, 2019
Sydney prices are still down 6.9 per cent year on year, but that is a major improvement from the double-digit annual declines seen earlier this year. Photo: AFP
Australian house prices boasted their biggest monthly gain since 2017 in August, as the hard-hit markets of Sydney and Melbourne came roaring back on record low interest rates and looser lending rules.
The bounce marks an end to two years of constant declines, which ate away at household wealth and confidence, undermining consumption and slowing the entire economy. Government figures due this week are expected to show the economy expanded by just 1.4 per cent in the year to June, according to a Reuters poll, the slowest annual pace in a decade.
A revival in prices could also prove a blessing for the construction sector, which has seen a severe downturn in new home approvals, particularly for the once red-hot flat sector.
Monday’s data from property consultant CoreLogic showed home prices across the capital cities rose 1 per cent in August, while values for the nation as a whole gained 0.8 per cent. That was the largest increase since April 2017, and the first rise in the national market since October of that year.
The Sydney market saw a jump of 1.6 per cent and Melbourne added 1.4 per cent, gains more reminiscent of the bubble days of 2016.
Home auction demand rises in Australia, raises hopes of market turnaround
Sydney prices were still down 6.9 per cent year on year and Melbourne 6.2 per cent, but that was a major improvement from the double-digit annual declines seen earlier this year.
“The significant lift in values over the month aligns with a consistent increase in auction clearance rates and a deeper pool of buyers at a time when the volume of stock advertised for sale remains low,” said CoreLogic research director Tim Lawless. “It’s likely that buyer demand and confidence is responding to the positive effect of a stable federal government, as well lower interest rates, tax cuts and a subtle easing in credit policy.”
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) cut interest rates in both June and July to an all-time low of 1 per cent and has pledged to do more if needed. Markets are wagering it will ease twice more to 0.5 per cent, likely by March next year.
Australia’s property market has the right catalysts for a rebound
The improvement in August reflects a revival in clearance rates at property auctions, a popular method of sale in Australia’s major cities, which are again at their highest levels since early 2017. The number of properties listed is still down on a year ago, though that may change as spring comes to Australia.
“On listings, both markets are starting to see a clear rise heading into the spring selling season, which officially starts next weekend,” said Westpac senior economist Matthew Hassan. “That said the uplift is only slightly stronger than the typical seasonal rise – with new listings coming from an extremely low starting point that suggests supply will remain relatively tight unless there is a sudden lift in the next few weeks.”
While a revival in the housing market could help lift consumption in Australia’s A$1.9 trillion (US$1.28 trillion) economy, any frothiness would pose a policy challenge for both the RBA and the country’s banking regulator.
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