This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
AUSTRALIAN dwelling values have remained strong against two years of the biggest rate hiking cycle by RBA on record.
According to the latest figures from PropTrack, since the rate tightening cycle began in May 2022 national dwelling prices have increased 6.2%. Currently, economists are expecting the RBA will keep rates on hold at 4.35% until early next year.
“From mid-2022, as interest rates climbed and borrowing capacities fell many expected house prices to follow suit, but home prices have proved resilient in the two years since interest rate tightening began. However, performance has varied across the country,” said Eleanor Creagh, senior economist at PropTrack.
“Interest rates began to quickly rise in May 2022, and after 425 basis points of tightening, national home prices have cycled through their 17th consecutive month of growth, now up 6.2% since May 2022.”
“While rising interest rates can lead to lower home prices as borrowing capacities reduce and affordability deteriorates, like the mid and late-2000s, we’re now seeing that there are many other factors that determine the outcome for house prices aside from interest rates.”
Perth has recorded the greatest increase over the last two years, with a 28.5% boost to the median dwelling value, the only capital outpacing the previous two years’ 27.4%. While over the same period, Perth’s listings have fallen 36.0%.
Adelaide followed with a 21.0% increase to prices and a 11.6% decline in listings, with Brisbane seeing a 14.4% price lift and a 8.5% decline to listings and Sydney prices up 6.6% with listings also up 4.3%.
Darwin prices were down 1.0% with listings up 4.8%, Melbourne saw a 1.9% decline in prices with listings up 22.4%, ACT prices were down 3.6% and listings up 55.5% and Hobart’s prices were down 8.8% with listings down 69.4%.
“Strong population growth, tight rental markets, home equity gains, low stock on market and an undersupply of new homes have offset the significant reduction in borrowing capacities and deterioration in affordability that came with substantial interest rate tightening,” added Creagh.
“Stock for sale has consistently shrunk in the top performing markets which has driven more competitive market conditions amid stronger demand and continued to fuel price rises in 2024.”
