Home price falls of 2022 ‘now fully reversed’
More stock coming to market has done little to dampen strong outcomes for vendors
2 min
The Australian property market has recovered all of its 2022 losses, with national home values reaching a new record high in the first month of the busy spring season. New PropTrak data reveals national home values rose by 0.35 percent last month to a median of $754,000.
National prices are up 3.75 percent over the past 12 months, with the combined capital cities recording a stronger rate of growth at 4.76 percent while the combined regions clocked up price gains of 1.28%. PropTrak senior economist Eleanor Creagh said the seasonal increase in the number of homes for sale this spring has done nothing to curtail price growth.
“Despite the uplift in the number of properties coming to market, national home prices have moved higher again, regaining 2022’s rapid price falls in entirety to reach a record high in September,” said Ms Creagh.
“While a sharp increase in the number of properties hitting the market in Sydney and Melbourne has been improving choice for buyers, strong demand has seen prices continue to lift.
“Choice for buyers remains limited in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, heightening competition and seeing prices hit fresh peaks in each of these markets in September.”
Strong buyer competition is keeping auction clearance rates high this Spring. CoreLogic data shows 2,436 capital city homes were taken to auction last weekend, with a preliminary clearance rate of 71 percent recorded. This time last year, the clearance rate was 60.6 percent.
The PropTrak report shows that among the capital city markets, price growth over the past 12 months has been strongest in Perth. Home values have risen 9.24 percent to a record median of $597,000. Adelaide prices are up 8.31 percent to a record median of $689,000, and Sydney prices are up 6.86 percent to a median of $1.057 million.
In the regions, annual growth has been strongest in regional South Australia, where the median price has risen 9.86% to a new peak median of $399,000. Regional Queensland prices are up 4.89 percent to a record $614,000, while regional Western Australia prices have risen 3.29 percent to $460,000. Ms Creagh said prices will continue rising, with the key drivers being record levels of net overseas migration, tight rental markets and an undersupply of housing.
“Looking ahead, interest rates have likely peaked and population growth is rebounding strongly,” she said. “Together with a shortage of new home builds, prices are expected to rise.”
The Federal Government is projecting a net increase of 715,000 migrants over the next two years at a time when Australia already has a housing deficit. The National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation estimates a shortfall of 106,300 homes over the next five years.
In the rental market, Domain chief of research and economics, Dr Nicola Powell said Australia needs 40,000 to 70,000 extra rentals to meet current demand and balance the market.
“That is like adding all of the dwellings in the LGA of Newcastle into the market,” she said.
Domain’s latest Rent Report reveals a record-breaking 10 consecutive quarters of growth in weekly house rents and nine consecutive quarters of growth in weekly apartment rents. CoreLogic data shows the pace of rental price growth is slowing in 2023 but it is still very difficult for tenants to find a rental, with the national vacancy rate now sitting at a record low of 1.1 percent.
Borrowers cannot control the Reserve Bank, but they can control how exposed their household budget is to its next decision. The RBA meets on 29 September with inflation concerns still elevated and major-bank economists increasingly bringing forward their rate-rise calls. Fixed mortgage rates have also been moving, reducing the value of waiting for perfect certainty. …
Continue reading “What mortgage holders should do before the next RBA decision”
Australian shares finished higher on Tuesday, September 22, as a technology rally and lower oil prices outweighed weakness in energy companies and continued anxiety about domestic interest rates. The S&P/ASX 200 closed 25.9 points, or 0.30 per cent, higher at 8,757.8. The All Ordinaries gained 0.36 per cent to 8,951.0, while the All Technology index …
Continue reading “ASX Wrap: Technology lifts the ASX as falling oil relieves inflation pressure”
2 minBorrowers cannot control the Reserve Bank, but they can control how exposed their household budget is to its next decision.
The RBA meets on 29 September with inflation concerns still elevated and major-bank economists increasingly bringing forward their rate-rise calls. Fixed mortgage rates have also been moving, reducing the value of waiting for perfect certainty.
The first task is to calculate the impact of another 0.25 percentage-point increase. Indicative Canstar figures reported earlier this month suggest that such a move would add about $91 a month to repayments on a $600,000 loan, $122 on $800,000 and $152 on $1 million, although actual changes depend on rate, term and loan structure.
The second task is to compare the current loan with the market. Borrowers should examine the interest rate, annual package fee, offset balance, redraw rules and the revert rate on any expiring fixed portion. A lower advertised rate is not necessarily a better deal after fees, lost features or refinancing costs.
Third, test the household budget at least one percentage point above the current rate. This is not a forecast; it is a resilience exercise. Include council rates, strata, insurance, maintenance, school costs and realistic discretionary spending. Investors should also allow for vacancy and repairs rather than assuming uninterrupted rent.
Fourth, contact the existing lender before lodging multiple applications. A borrower with a sound repayment history may be able to negotiate a discount without refinancing. If the offer is weak, obtain comparable quotes and seek advice on whether changing lenders will genuinely improve the position.
Fifth, preserve liquidity. Using every available dollar to reduce principal may feel prudent, but an offset account can provide interest savings while retaining access to cash. The right structure depends on tax position and loan purpose, particularly where owner-occupied and investment debt coexist.
Borrowers considering a fixed rate face a trade-off. Fixing can provide repayment certainty, but may restrict additional repayments, offsets or early exit. Splitting a loan can diversify rate exposure without removing risk.
The worst time to examine a mortgage is after repayments have become unmanageable. A review conducted now gives borrowers more choices: renegotiate, refinance, adjust spending or build a buffer while their record remains strong.
Borrower checklist
Calculate: Repayments after a 0.25 and one percentage-point increase.
Compare: Rate, fees, offset, redraw, cashback conditions and total cost.
Review: Fixed-rate expiry, interest-only expiry and remaining loan term.
Protect: Emergency liquidity and insurance.
Mirzaian is a senior director within CBRE’s Development NSW business, operating across the company’s Western Sydney and North Sydney offices
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