Brisbane Property Market Update – February 2020

Brisbane’s upper quartile values are 2.2 per cent higher over the last 12 months compared with the lower quartile, up by just 1.3 per cent, so the trend shows stronger performance across premium markets. This may be attributed to the dominance of owner-occupiers during the last 12 months (rather than investors).

From a rental perspective, during February gross rental yields compressed slightly from 4.6 per cent to 4.5 per cent in Brisbane, according to Corelogic data. This can possibly be attributed to house values rising slightly more rapidly than rental rates, but it may also be due to seasonal factors.

Keep in mind, mortgage rates are also trending lower, with some three-year fixed rate loans now being offered for an investor for as low as 3.14 per cent, so depending on an investor’s deposit amount and mortgage structure, there are still a lot of neutrally geared or positively geared property investment opportunities in Brisbane.

Looking ahead, there are a few things we are monitoring to determine the potential impact on property values in Brisbane. Broadly speaking, the primary factors supporting the steady price growth in Brisbane remain in place. These include the low cost of debt and improved borrowing capacity.

Additionally, Brisbane remains affordable, with a median house price $369,669 cheaper than in Sydney and $185,823 cheaper than in Melbourne, so affordability pressures are less likely in our city. Also, population growth is still 2.3 per cent greater than the decade average, economic growth is up by 21.2 per cent above the “normal” decade average level of output and jobs growth is trending higher and unemployment is reducing, with the lowest trend jobless rate in 10 months, according to the CommSec State of the States economic performance report (January 2020). 

Of course, we can’t predict with certainty what impact the coronovirus may have on property values, if any. There certainly may be supply chain issues for the construction industry, slowing down the delivery of an already lacklustre level of new housing supply due to falling construction commencements over the last 12 months.

Foreign investment has already plunged by 58 per cent year-on-year in the 2017–18 fiscal year to the lowest level in a decade, so foreign buyers have already exited the market in years prior. Perhaps there may be some impact to properties associated with tourism (e.g. hotels and motels) and also student accommodation; again, it is too early to tell.

Of course, we can’t estimate the impact that it may have on consumer confidence or economic growth, but looking back on the SARS outbreak in 2003, there was a sharp slowing of output growth in China for a few months, before a sharp bounceback as the outbreak was controlled and economic stimulus measures were introduced.

So, while we are entering a period where some may see uncertainty, Brisbane is still poised to report robust growth based on the fundamentals outlined above. With continued signs of strength across many locations in Brisbane, it is a great time to secure your next home or investment property in Brisbane.

Melinda Jennison is the managing director of Streamline Property Buyers.

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