Auction Markets Tumble Following Rate Rise

Following the RBA’s decision to raise official interest rates by 0.25% last week, the capital city auction clearance rates were mostly sharply lower at the weekend.

The national auction market reported a clearance rate of 71.3% — down on last weekend’s 73.1% and well below the 83.1% recorded over the same weekend last year. It was also the lowest national clearance rate reported for the year so far.

National auction numbers also fell sharply with just 1667 homes listed nationally across the weekend compared to the previous weekend’s 2231 and well short of the 2563 reported over the same weekend last year.

Sydney’s auction clearance rates were steady, with listings falling sharply, reporting just 577 homes for auction over the weekend — well below the 822 auctioned over last weekend and well below 2021’s corresponding weekend total of 1014 listings.

It saw the NSW capital post a clearance rate of 64.6% at the weekend — similar to the 64.5% recorded last weekend but lower than the 83.5% recorded over the same weekend last year.

Sydney recorded a median price of $1,630,000 for houses sold at auction at the weekend which was lower than the $1,765,500 recorded last weekend and now 1.2% lower than the same weekend last year’s $1,650,000.

Melbourne’s market suffered more greatly, with a year-to-date low of 66.4% clearance rate – falling from 71.8% recorded the year prior and significantly lower than the 80.7% of last year’s corresponding weekend.

The Victorian capital saw just 767 homes reported listed at the weekend — well below the 1116 reported over the previous weekend.

Melbourne recorded a median price of $1,075,000 for houses sold at auction at the weekend which was higher than the $1,051,000 reported last weekend and also 2.4% higher than the $1,050,000 recorded over the same weekend last year.

Data powered by Dr Andrew Wilson, My Housing Market.

The Australian housing market is rapidly evolving, with new research revealing changing activity in regional and city areas.

The latest Regional Movers Index from the Commonwealth Bank showed the exodus from Australian cities to the regions is significantly exceeding pre-COVID movements, sitting at 19.8 percent higher. Even more revealing is data which showed relocations are 1.8 percent up on the average recorded during the height of the lockdowns. At the same time, people in regional areas are staying put.

The report is a partnership between the Commonwealth Bank and the Regional Australian Institute. RAI CEO Liz Ritchie said the regions have become the permanent home of choice for more Australians.

“The inter-regional migration index —which tracks regional to regional relocations — has fallen by 5.1 percent, suggesting that more regional residents are content to stay where they are. With the continuing strong jobs market across regional Australia, increasing city property prices and ongoing cost-of-living pressures, it’s no surprise the regions remain desirable,” Ms Ritchie said.

She said this had significant implications for planners, with a better understanding of infrastructure needs required by planners.

“Regional Australia is truly the nation’s new frontier. There are so many opportunities in our regional communities, but likewise we know there are challenges. Housing for example remains a key ongoing concern in many communities,” she said. “Regional Australia is growing and for that to continue we need adequate foundations. The time to lay them is now.”

Among the areas to benefit from this shift over the past quarter was the Hunter Valley city of Maitland in NSW which saw a 3.4 percent increase in net migration from the cities and other regional areas. Long seen as the less desirable locale in the wine growing region, Maitland has attracted more buyers looking for an affordable home with lifestyle benefits. CBA Executive General Manager Regional and Agribusiness Banking Paul Fowler said it was an area on the rise.

“There is significant development happening around Maitland, with extensive land releases for residential, industrial, commercial and retail fuelling strong employment and construction industry opportunities,” Mr Fowler said.

“Maitland is also set to benefit from major investments in the area including the nearby Newcastle Airport which will welcome international flights from 2025, further enhancing the region’s accessibility and economic profile.”

And while Melbourne property prices continue to experience a lull, it’s a different story outside the capital, with regions closer to main city centres performing particularly well.

“A move to regional Victoria remains on trend among those relocating, with the state’s regional areas experiencing the largest surge in popularity in the 12-month period to September 2024, with its share of net regional inflows rising from 21 percent to 30 percent,” Mt Fowler said. “Trending scenic LGAs like Queenscliffe on the coast, as well as Moira, Wangaratta and Strathbogie located further north, offer attractive and more affordable lifestyle opportunities for many Australians.

“With more corporate employers setting up or relocating to Geelong, Queenscliffe’s proximity to Greater Geelong and the Melbourne CBD means more regional Australians can enjoy diverse employment opportunities while living in a beautiful location with enhanced lifestyle opportunities.”

Auction Markets Tumble Following Rate Rise

With auction numbers low across the country.

Buyers are moving there in their droves while existing residents know they’re on a good thing