Autumn Selling Season Officially Begins

Home auction markets have commenced the autumn selling season with solid results despite reporting generally lower than February.

Severe weather events also distracted activity in some markets — particularly Brisbane — with listings and clearance rates well down on the week before in the Queensland capital from 78.7% the weekend prior to 65.3%.

The national auction market reported a year low clearance rate of 73.5% at the weekend, well down on the previous weekend’s 77.9% and significantly below the 88.5% recorded over the same weekend last year.

National auction volume was also down with 2377 reported listed compared to the previous weekend’s 2627 but well ahead of the 1232 listed the same Saturday last year.

The Sydney auction market reported yet another strong clearance rate despite weather distractions.

Clearance rates have continued to track above the results recorded at the end of 2021 despite record level early-season listings.

The NSW capital recorded a clearance rate of 76.6% at the weekend — lower than the 78.8% reported over the previous weekend and below the 86.6% record over the same weekend last year.

Sydney reported 841 auction listings which, although below the previous weekend’s February record of 965, was well ahead of the 665 reported for the same weekend last year.

Sydney recorded a median price of $1,915,000 for houses sold at auction at the weekend which was higher than the $1,755,000 reported over the previous weekend and 12.4% higher than the $1,704,000 recorded over the same weekend last year.

In Melbourne, the capital reported a clearance rate of 73.8% on Saturday — higher than last weekend’s 71.4% but well below the 80.6% recorded over the same weekend last year.

Melbourne reported 1210 homes listed for auction at the weekend, lower than last weekend’s 1288 but predictably significantly higher than the 405 auctioned over the same weekend last year, which was a Labour Day holiday weekend.

The Victorian capital recorded a median price of $1,170,000 for houses sold at auction at the weekend which was lower than last weekend’s $1,187,000 but 6.4% higher than the $1,100,000 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.”

Autumn Selling Season Officially Begins

Solid auction returns mark the start of the new season.

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