Property prices in the nation’s capital cities

Sydney

According to Domain, the harbour city’s steepest downturn since 1980 is over, with both houses and unit prices jumping in the September quarter.

The median house price grew by 4.8 per cent to $1,079,491, while units grew by 2.6 per cent for a new median price of $694,480.

According to Domain’s senior research analyst, Dr Nicola Powell, “houses have regained almost one-third of the price falls that occurred during the recent downturn, and units have regained roughly one-fifth of the price lost over the recent slump”.

Melbourne

Not to be outdone by its east coast neighbour, Melbourne has had its second consecutive quarter of growth, also marking the end of the steepest slowdown in decades.

Houses have now regained almost half of the price falls that occurred during the slowdown, with the median house price in Melbourne costing investors $855,428.

Unit prices reached a record high, growing by 3.7 per cent, with the median apartment costing $520,940.

“Houses have now regained almost half of the price falls that occurred during the recent downturn. Prices tumbled 10.7 per cent from the December 2017 record high to the trough reached at the beginning of the year. Prices are now just 5.9 per cent below the peak,” Dr Powell said.

Brisbane

Brisbane was one of only two capital cities to record house price falls over the quarter and year, with unit investors being able to purchase properties at a six-year low.

Housing in Brisbane fell by 1 per cent to a new median price of $562,847.

Unit prices fell by 5.6 per cent over the year, making it the steepest annual drop in just over 18 years. The median unit price in Brisbane is now $375,179.

“Greater Brisbane property prices continued to decline in the September quarter, but the fall in house prices was marginal relative to the ongoing decline for units. Brisbane is now the fourth most affordable unit market of the Australian capital cities,” Dr Powell explains.

Adelaide

After hitting a record high last quarter, Adelaide has fallen slightly in the last quarter. However, the capital city has made modest annual gains since 2013.

The median house price in Adelaide is now $538,550, falling by 0.6 per cent.

A unit in Adelaide will set investors back $302,756, which is also falling, down 5.2 per cent.

“South Australia’s weaker jobs market has weighed on demand: unemployment has been rising for more than a year – the second highest rate behind Queensland. The state’s economic growth has also waned, largely tied to declines in government expenditure,” Dr Powell continues.

Perth

Perth remains firmly a buyer’s market, with house prices falling 14.4 per cent and unit prices falling 18.2 per cent from their record highs in 2014.

The pace of falling has slowed, with median houses falling by 1 per cent and now costing $527,107.

The median price for a unit has increased by 2.8 per cent over the September quarters, costing investors $344,672.

“There are several indicators that point to improved conditions across the housing market, and the WA economy more broadly. New house construction is below the long-run average, and new development has settled to its long-run level,” Dr Powell explained.

Hobart

Hobart remains the best-performing city for annual capital growth, pushing prices to record highs.

The median house price is now $482,960, which is up by 1.3 per cent.

Units prices continue to show growth and are now the fourth most expensive in Australia behind Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra, with a median cost of $395,715, up 1.7 per cent.

“Hobart remains the best-performing city for capital growth. Both house and unit prices experienced the strongest annual gain compared to the mainland cities, which had pushed prices to new highs. In fact, Hobart unit prices overtook Brisbane for the first time this year,” Dr Powell said.

Canberra

Canberra slid for the September quarter, but prices remained strong in the nation’s capital.

Houses have fallen by 0.7 per cent for houses, with the median price being $734,864.

Units had a sharper reduction, falling by 4.4 per cent for the quarter, with median prices being $432,252.

“Despite prices falling over the quarter, the median Canberra house and unit prices remain the third highest of the capital city markets,” Dr Powell said.

Darwin

House and unit prices continue to fall year-on-year in the nations north; however, the rate of decline has eased.

House prices grew for the September quarter by 1 per cent, setting a new median price of $521,651.

Units in the capital fell by 3.3 per cent for the quarter, with the median apartment costing $294,951.

“Population growth continues to drag on the housing market. The decline in migrants from interstate and overseas may have reached a trough at the end of 2018, but economic data remains very subdued. As a result, any upswing in the Darwin property market may still be a while away,” Dr Powell concluded.