Have the lending floodgates really opened?

/ Loanscape/
Have the lending floodgates really opened?

n June the Australian Prudential and Regulation Authority (APRA) announced its first relaxation of credit controls imposed on the banks since its imposition of much tighter controls in 2017. These had been imposed to wind back a ramp in lending to property investors, to put a ceiling on interest-only lending, and to force the banks to more thoroughly consider individual borrower’s living expenses.

From APRA’s perspective, this has had the intended effect on the property market. The rampant growth in capital city property prices was controlled, and risks to the financial system implicit in highly geared investors, and even owner-occupiers holding interest-only loans in a property market “bubble”.

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Market Essentials - September 2019

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Market Essentials - September 2019

Two interest rate cuts by the Reserve Bank during the winter months seem to be having an effect on the market already. CoreLogic data shows that combined house prices in Australia’s five largest capital cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide) have increased by 0.75% over the last three months. Many analysts are tipping interest rates to fall even further before the end of the year.

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Market Essentials - July 2019

/ LOANSCAPE/
Market Essentials - July 2019

According to a just released report from ANZ and Core Logic, Australia’s housing affordability is the best it’s been since 2016, helped by recent falls in property values in the Sydney and Melbourne markets. Sydney property prices have recorded the most significant decrease, dropping by 14.5% since their 2017 peaks.

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Market Essentials - June 2019

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Market Essentials - June 2019

In news this month, we begin to see the property market through a post-election lens. SQM Research chief executive Louis Christopher says there has been a confidence boost to forecasts thanks to three factors: the Coalition’s election victory, a Reserve Bank interest rate cut for June to 1.25%, and the APRA proposing a relaxation of lending restrictions.

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The brutal truth on housing. Someone has to lose in order for first homebuyers to win

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The brutal truth on housing. Someone has to lose in order for first homebuyers to win

Housing costs are a big problem for young people. Home ownership is falling fast in Australia, especially among the young and poor. Fewer than half of 25-34 year olds own their home today. Home ownership among the poorest 20% of that age group has fallen from 63% in 1981 to 23% today. At this rate almost half of retirees will be renters in 40 years time.

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Market Essentials - May 2019

/ LOANSCAPE/
Market Essentials - May 2019

In news this month, discussion continues to circulate about the upcoming election and the effect that policy changes could have on the property market. According to Nerida Conisbee, chief economist of REA Group, modelling by independent consultants and both sides of government predict negative gearing restrictions will cause continued falling prices while rents will rise.

It hasn’t been a good month for Sydney and Melbourne housing values, with CoreLogic data revealing median housing prices have dropped around $50K in each of the two capitals. However, Melbourne’s market overall does continue to hold up better than Sydney’s.

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