Australian residential lending figures in April indicate market is stable and show that interest rates should remain at their current levels: Real Estate Institute of Australia

Allison Oesterle

DEAKIN, Australia , June 10, 2014 (press release) – The Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) says the latest housing finance figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reflect a stable market.

The figures for April 2014 show, in trend terms, that the number of owner-occupied finance commitments increased by 0.1 per cent, following increases of 0. 1 per cent for the first three months of 2014.

If refinancing is excluded, in trend terms for April, the number of owner-occupied finance commitments fell by 0.1 per cent– the same as in March and the second consecutive drop.

REIA President, Peter Bushby says, “Increases were recorded in Queensland, Western Australia, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania with the ACT having the biggest rise, up 0.9 per cent. New South Wales fell by 0.9 per cent and the Northern Territory was flat.”

“In trend terms, the number of commitments for the construction of new dwellings climbed 1.1 per cent and the purchase of established dwellings increased by 0.1 per cent. However the purchase of new dwellings fell by 1.3 per cent.”

The value of investment housing commitments again increased but by a more moderate rate of 0.5 per cent in April, following over three years of consecutive monthly increases.

“The proportion of first home buyers in the number of owner-occupied housing finance commitments fell to 12.3 per cent compared to 12.6 per cent in March. This is the same as the historical low point of 12.3 per cent in November 2013 and is dramatically lower than the long-run average proportion of 19.9 per cent.”

“The April 2014 lending figures indicate a stable market, and signal a period in which interest rates should stay at their current levels,” concluded Mr Bushby.

The Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) is the national professional association for real estate agents in Australia. For further information or interview opportunities, please contact:

Peter Bushby
REIA President
0419 349 500

Amanda Lynch
REIA CEO
0419 123 862

Andrea Close
REIA Manager Communications
0403 298 685

* All content is copyrighted by Industry Intelligence, or the original respective author or source. You may not recirculate, redistrubte or publish the analysis and presentation included in the service without Industry Intelligence's prior written consent. Please review our terms of use.