Property update – July 2020

According to CoreLogic, each of the five largest capital cities recorded a decline in home values over the month, ranging from a drop of 1.1% in Melbourne and Perth to 0.2% in Adelaide. The indices for Hobart, Canberra and Darwin each recorded a subtle rise in values over the month.

Despite values being down in June, estimates of market activity showed a further improvement from the April low.  After a (revised) 21.5% surge in sales activity through May, CoreLogic’s estimate of home sales in June was up a further 29.5%.

CoreLogic head of research, Tim Lawless, said “The downwards pressure on home values has remained mild to-date, with capital city dwelling values falling a cumulative 1.3% over the past two months.  A variety of factors have helped to protect home values from more significant declines, including persistently low advertised stock levels and significant government stimulus.  Additionally, low interest rates and forbearance policies from lenders have helped to keep urgent sales off the market, providing further insulation to housing values.”

Recent value falls represent an interrupted upswing across most regions, reflected in high annual growth rates.  “The twelve month change in home values remains in positive double digit territory across Sydney (13.3%) and Melbourne (10.2%). The only capitals where values show declines on an annual basis are Perth and Darwin, but even across these cities, home values were early into a recovery phase pre-COVID.” Mr Lawless said.

Although the decline in home values has been fairly mild since April, the longer term outlook remains highly uncertain. “While it is encouraging to see lenders have recently hinted at an extension in their repayment leniency policies, the government stimulus will eventually taper and banks will require borrowers to repay their loans.  The longer term outlook for the housing market is largely dependent on how well the economy is tracking when these support measures are removed,” Mr Lawless said.

Source: CoreLogic

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