Spring Auction Markets Start On The Front Foot
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Spring Auction Markets Start On The Front Foot

Clearance rates rise given a lack of stock while Sydney goes on a tear.

By Kanebridge News
Mon, Sep 6, 2021 10:17amGrey Clock 2 min

The spring selling season commenced with most capitals continuing to record generally strong results for sellers.

The total national auction numbers fell sharply at the weekend as the market saw a steep decline in Melbourne listings. Only 1392 auctions were reported on Saturday – the lowest non-holiday weekend total since early February.

Auction listings were also lower in Adelaide (108, down from 114) and Canberra (64, down from 85) when compared the previous weekend.

As a result of a fall in listings, the national clearance rate was higher at the weekend – increasing from the previous Saturday’s 76.2% to 79.1%.

In Sydney, the auction market surged into spring with both higher clearance rates and auction numbers.

Recording a clearance rate of 85.5% at the weekend, Sydney was up on the previous weekend’s 83.3% result – ahead of the 67% recorded over the corresponding weekend last year.

Sydney saw a lift in auction number for the second consecutive week with 495 homes offered for sale compared to the previous weekend’s 488. The weekend auction listings were the highest reported opening of the spring selling season since 2018 – despite the lockdown measures.

Sydney recorded a median price of $1,635,500 for houses sold at auction at the weekend which was again lower than the $1,757,000 reported over the previous Saturday but 20.8% higher than the $1,354,000 recorded over the same weekend last year.

Melbourne’s auction market felt the strain of lockdown, recording a clearance rate of 72.6% – well above the previous weekend’s 48.2% but a reflection of significantly lower listing numbers.

The Victorian capital only recorded 624 listings, compared to the previous weekend’s 1427. The market saw a lower level of withdrawals – 32.5% of reported auctions were withdrawn compared to the previous weekend’s 62.2% – further boosting the clearance rate.

Melbourne recorded a median price of $918,000 for houses sold at auction at the weekend which was again lower than the $1,000,000 recorded over the previous weekend and 3.4% lower than the $950,000 recorded over the same weekend last year.

Data powered by Dr Andrew Wilson, My Housing Market.



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First time buyers determined to enter the Australian property market are taking creative approaches as interest rates steady

By Bronwyn Allen
Thu, Mar 28, 2024 2 min

Aspiring first home buyers are increasingly pooling their resources, adopting new strategies and making compromises to get themselves onto the property ladder, according to research from Westpac. About 56 percent of buyers surveyed are planning to buy their first property jointly with their partner compared to 40 percent three years ago. Three in four buyers say they are willing to compromise on location, up nine percent from three years ago, and 47 percent are willing to pay lenders mortgage insurance to buy their first home sooner.

Additionally, one in two first home hopefuls are considering ‘rentvesting’, whereby they purchase an investment property first ahead of a home for themselves. In this scenario, buyers typically continue renting in expensive lifestyle locations where they want to live and buy an investment property in more affordable locations, often on the outskirts of major cities or in regional areas.

The 2024 Westpac Home Ownership Report, released this month, is based on a survey of 2,015 Australians conducted in January. The report revealed increasing intentions to buy among all types of buyers, with 44 percent intending to buy in the next five years, up from 35 percent in July 2023. This may reflect expectations that interest rates have peaked, with the Reserve Bank keeping rates on hold since December.

Among first home buyers specifically, there was a slight decline in purchasing intention over the next five years, with 86 percent delaying buying a home due to cost-of-living pressures. The survey also found that more people are planning to buy an investment property, which is reflected in recent finance data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showing a 20 percent increase in the value of investor loans issued over the past year. Additionally, more people are planning to upsize their homes or renovate their existing homes.

Westpac managing director of mortgages Damien MacRae said first home buyers “are becoming more ruthless with their goals”. “They understand it’s a big task, but they are determined to break into the market and are willing to compromise to get there,” Mr MacRae said.

Buyers still prefer houses, but there has been a five percent decline in this preference since 2021 and a seven percent increase for apartments. Preference for a townhouse, or house and land packages, has increased markedly. “Buyers are casting their expectations wider, willing to compromise on location and are forgoing everyday luxuries like food delivery. They are also more inclined to relocate and move to apartment living.”

The latest Westpac-Melbourne Institute Consumer Sentiment Index released this week shows the ‘time to buy a dwelling’ index rose 4.9 percent to 77.8 out of 100 this month, which is a 15-month high, but still relatively weak overall. Buyer sentiment is notably stronger in Victoria at 84.3, with Westpac senior economist Matthew Hassan pointing to softening home values over the past four months.

In contrast, the NSW index is at 73.3 out of 100, likely reflecting affordability challenges in Australia’s most expensive market. “Nearly 70 percent of consumers expect housing prices to continue rising in the year ahead,” Mr Hassan added.

 

MOST POPULAR
11 ACRES ROAD, KELLYVILLE, NSW

This stylish family home combines a classic palette and finishes with a flexible floorplan

35 North Street Windsor

Just 55 minutes from Sydney, make this your creative getaway located in the majestic Hawkesbury region.

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