Battered investor market shows more signs of improvement

“While the worst of the market downturn appears to be behind us, the results of the September 2018 quarter reveal conditions are favourable for buyers and investors,” Mr Collins said.

Median prices  

Mr Collins said REIWA data shows Perth’s median house price should settle at $505,000 for the September 2018 quarter.

“This is 1.9 per cent lower than the June 2018 quarter median and 1 per cent lower than last year’s September quarter,” the president added.

“While quarterly median figures can be more subject to stock composition changes, the fact that the annual change is only 1 per cent lower suggests that we are at or near the bottom.

“It was a similar story for the unit market, with the median expected to settle at $395,000, which is 1.3 per cent lower than the June 2018 quarter and 2.5 per cent lower than the September 2017 quarter.”

Mr Collins said that while the overall market experienced a decline in median house price during the quarter, 57 suburbs bucked this trend.

“The top-performing suburbs for median house price growth were Swan View, East Cannington, Como, Hillarys and Cottesloe.

“In the unit market, Maylands, Midland, Tuart Hill, Fremantle and Claremont were the suburbs with the strongest price growth.”

Sales

Mr Collins said that there were fewer sales in the September 2018 quarter than there were during the June 2018 quarter.

He said REIWA data showed 6,428 sales for the quarter, which was 4.9 per cent lower than last quarter.

“It’s not uncommon to experience a decline in sales during the September quarter, with West Australians typically less inclined to search for property during winter.

“We tend to see activity slow during the winter months before increasing again as the weather warms up.”

Mr Collins said that the share of house sales in Perth has increased, with REIWA data showing houses now comprise 74 per cent of all sales, compared to 65 per cent at the same time last year.

It found that Perth’s top-selling suburbs for house sales during the September 2018 quarter were Baldivis, Canning Vale, Morley, Dianella and Gosnells, while the suburbs to record the biggest improvement in house sales activity were Cooloongup, The Vines, Alexander Heights, Mirrabooka and Wattle Grove.

“It’s a good time to buy, which is reflected in the fact a higher proportion of houses are now being sold,” Mr Collins said.

“This shift in the composition of sales (houses, units and land) indicates buyers are more inclined to purchase a house than they might have otherwise been. This can be attributed to housing affordability improving across the metro area, which has made buying a house a more attainable property purchase.

“We’ve also seen an increase in activity between the $350,000 and $500,000 price range during the September quarter, which is pleasing as it indicates first home buyers remain an active component of the Perth market.”

Listings

Mr Collins said that there were 13,850 properties for sale in Perth at the end of the September 2018 quarter.

He also said that stock levels across the metro area had declined by 3.7 per cent during the quarter.

“It’s pleasing that, although there were fewer sales this quarter, listing stock continues to be absorbed.

“This is the third consecutive quarter we’ve seen listings for sale decline, which is a positive step forward in the market’s recovery.”