Demand for detached homes stabilising
New research has suggested that demand for detached homes has stabilised, with an expert predicting slim chance of pick-up.
According to HIA chief economist Tim Reardon, new home sales, approvals and housing financing data all suggest that the demand for detached homes has stabilised, albeit well below levels of the past five years.
“Total lending is up from a low point in April 2019. This result is mirrored in new home sales data, which also shows April as the bottom of this cycle. The upturn since then has been very modest and best described as a stabilisation in conditions,” added Mr Reardon.
“We do not anticipate that the market will recover the ground lost over the past year. Rather, the market is calibrating to a new equilibrium consistent with demographic growth.
“Three cuts to interest rates, income tax cuts and the easing of APRA restrictions are having a positive impact on confidence. Even with the easing of lending restrictions, access to credit remains the biggest impediment to further improvements in home building activity.”
Mr Reardon noted the new detached home market is forecast to fall from 111,701 in 2018-19 to 102,126 in 2019-20, before a smaller contraction in 2020-21 to 101,087 to levels experienced in 2013-14.
“Apartment commencements are likely to pause until those apartments that are currently under
construction are completed and occupied,” he said.
“This will see multi-unit commencements fall from 85,108 starts in 2018-19 to 72,549 in 2019-20.”
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