Slowdown
More evidence of an orderly slowdown in the housing market, with new home sales following approvals higher again in recent months.
The November 2017 figures from the Housing Industry Association (HIA) showed that new homes sales were a moderate 6 per cent below where they were a year ago, following a record run through this cycle.
Building approvals remained relatively flat from a year earlier, as analysed here previously.
Source: HIA
Victoria has been the strongest of the main markets for new home sales, and Western Australia the weakest (partly in response to more restrictive policies for first homebuyers).
The HIA expects new home sales to cool further in 2018.
Fundamentals balanced
As for the other market fundamentals, they have generally been strengthening.
Fundamentals balanced
As for the other market fundamentals, they have generally been strengthening.
While dwelling commencements ease, immigration increased by 27 per cent in the 2017 financial year to a very strong +245,500, largely focused on Sydney and Melbourne.
Much of the increase in recent times relates to temporary visas.
Partly for that reason, internal migration trends are at least as important.
Meanwhile trend employment growth hit the highest level ever recorded this month at +371,000, helping New South Wales return to full employment already, as the other states improve.
That suggests only moderate levels of mortgage stress.
Wages growth has been very soft, but the bottom is likely in now.
I don't believe interest rates are going anywhere, but futures markets are pricing a hike by the first quarter of 2019.
Not much of a headline-grabber, but the fundamentals generally point towards balanced conditions in 2018.
Much of the increase in recent times relates to temporary visas.
Partly for that reason, internal migration trends are at least as important.
Meanwhile trend employment growth hit the highest level ever recorded this month at +371,000, helping New South Wales return to full employment already, as the other states improve.
That suggests only moderate levels of mortgage stress.
Wages growth has been very soft, but the bottom is likely in now.
I don't believe interest rates are going anywhere, but futures markets are pricing a hike by the first quarter of 2019.
Not much of a headline-grabber, but the fundamentals generally point towards balanced conditions in 2018.
