Property Market Update

By Tony Marshall - Financial Expert

The property market, you will probably know that we don’t often comment on residential property. Due to it being such a heterogeneous asset class (the opposite to homogenous) there are pockets performing differently everywhere. However, given that most of us will have some exposure, we have included some observations from SQM Research to update you on the broader market.

Source: SQM Research

Perth and Darwin prices are the only ones showing year on year falls. We recall only 2 years ago being offered apartments in booming Darwin to ‘sell’ to our clients. Our scepticism and avoidance of conflicts of interest kept us well away from that disaster.

Over the month of June, Sydney prices are showing a small decline, though year on year was strong. Melbourne too was a standout, with even bigger gains than Sydney. Hobart off a low base showed strong gains as well.

While we are not local market experts in each suburb, we do caution that a lot of those rises have come from availability of credit, and ultra-low interest rates. With the APRA edict to limit interest only loans, the banks are taking the opportunity to re-price those loans to a much higher level. If they execute that well, then there will be extra profits for the banks, and not too much pain for residential investors. We hope!

To speak with Tony please call (02) 6684 2502 or visit our website www.wdnicholls.com.au to learn more about what we do and how we can help you reach higher.