Invest
Apartment market shows signs of recovery
Despite the number of new projects dropping in recent months, a director says there may be some indication the apartment market is on track for recovery.
Apartment market shows signs of recovery
Despite the number of new projects dropping in recent months, a director says there may be some indication the apartment market is on track for recovery.
According to data derived from the Urbis Apartment Essentials Report, when it comes to new apartment supply, new project launches continued to decline in quarter two, with just 23 new projects launched nationally. In comparison, 60 projects launched for the corresponding period in 2019.
“Data for the first half of 2020 follows a continued downward trend. If the current rate of launches were to continue for the remainder of 2020, this would bring the annual total to around half the volume of projects launched in 2019, which was already half the average of the previous four years,” the tracker found.
“With the volume launching, in marketing and under construction all diminishing, market attention switches to absorbing newly completed stock. This offers buyers the advantage of viewing the finished product and suits those residents seeking a move in the short term. Owner-occupiers were the most active purchaser group in each state surveyed in the quarter.
“Across all projects, there is an overall reduction in volume selling of 8 per cent compared to this time last year, with further reductions in volume to come given the declining launch rate.”
Mark Dawson, director at Urbis, said the COVID-19 pandemic impacts were clearly felt in Q2 2020.
“Clearance of available inventory dropped from 15 per cent in Q1 to 10 per cent of available stock selling in Q2. The slowing speed of sales was very much expected given uncertainty in the economy and limited movement of people nationally.”
“In the short term, we expect to see more volatility and variation in the data as different states emerge, submerge and re-emerge in different pathways out of COVID-19-related restrictions.”
“Demand remains restricted, and when this happens, the market typically balances itself by diminishing supply, which supports prices.”
“With fewer projects launching and taking longer to sell, this flows through to total housing supply approved and delivered in years to come. We need to be careful this does not drop to levels detrimental to Australia’s recovery from the pandemic. Current jobs and future liveability and affordability are on the line, so we do need to find ways to sustain the pipeline. This could be targeted stimulus, like HomeBuilder, but for off-the-plan infill development or supporting Build to Rent to plug the gap in housing supply at risk.”
That being said, Mr Dawson said he remains optimistic.
“The development sales and marketing industry is very well equipped to reach buyers remotely. The off-the-plan industry has successfully presented virtual 3D apartment displays and fly throughs of future developments and precincts for a number of years,” he said.
“As the economy opens up and movement of people resumes, there will be continued demand for a range of housing densities throughout our cities. The drivers of demand for apartments that were there before the pandemic: affordability, views, high levels of walkability, multiple transport options and convenient local living will be just as relevant.
“We expect design and management of apartments will continue to evolve with customer preferences. This could mean more flexible spaces within apartments, but also within buildings to promote healthy and practical lifestyles ready to deal with a changing environment.”
Property
3 reasons why Australia’s booming housing market won’t last long-term
Despite Australia’s property market growing at a pace not seen for three decades, a leading economist suggests there are warning signs that the property boom could be short-lived. ...Read more
Property
FHB surge as ‘it’s now cheaper to buy than rent’
Record-low interest rates mean that it is now cheaper to buy than rent, with first home buyers taking advantage, doubling their participation in the market, a big four bank CEO has said. ...Read more
Property
New home sales continue to soar in March
A strong level of building activity is expected in 2021 and 2022, given a strong spike in home sales during the year to March. ...Read more
Property
HomeBuilder extension announced
One of the government’s most successful schemes, HomeBuilder, has been extended, bringing the total level of expected government support for the construction sector to $2.5 billion. ...Read more
Property
Policy failures see houses become unattainable for young Australians, minister says
Australia’s booming house prices are the result of the government’s failed policies, with the younger generation now unable to afford what their parents could, a minister has said. ...Read more
Property
House prices to grow by 25% over 3 years
New research is predicting a large gain in property prices of around 25 per cent through to the end of 2023, driven mainly by low interest rates. ...Read more
Property
Strict cap on short-term rentals delayed following criticism
Following widespread criticism from councils and online rental companies, the introduction of NSW’s planned holiday rental code of conduct has been pushed back by three months. ...Read more
Property
Melbourne becomes Australia’s 2nd most affordable rental market
While most capital cities saw house rents soar to new record highs over the first quarter of 2021, Melbourne continued to lag behind – becoming the second most affordable capital city to rent in Aus...Read more
Is the market overheating; should ETFs take your fancy, and what’s happening to the low and middle income tax offset?
Listen now
Home values up 30% (or are they); NFTs taking the world by storm, and why Keating thinks Aussies will be ‘poor’ in retirement
Listen now
Raging floods, the tech stock bubble and the ongoing SG debate
Listen now
Meet the Manager with Trilogy’s Philip Ryan: RBA rates and property price growth
Listen now
Property
3 reasons why Australia’s booming housing market won’t last long-term
Despite Australia’s property market growing at a pace not seen for three decades, a leading economist suggests there are warning signs that the property boom could be short-lived. ...Read more
Property
FHB surge as ‘it’s now cheaper to buy than rent’
Record-low interest rates mean that it is now cheaper to buy than rent, with first home buyers taking advantage, doubling their participation in the market, a big four bank CEO has said. ...Read more
Property
New home sales continue to soar in March
A strong level of building activity is expected in 2021 and 2022, given a strong spike in home sales during the year to March. ...Read more
Property
HomeBuilder extension announced
One of the government’s most successful schemes, HomeBuilder, has been extended, bringing the total level of expected government support for the construction sector to $2.5 billion. ...Read more
Property
Policy failures see houses become unattainable for young Australians, minister says
Australia’s booming house prices are the result of the government’s failed policies, with the younger generation now unable to afford what their parents could, a minister has said. ...Read more
Property
House prices to grow by 25% over 3 years
New research is predicting a large gain in property prices of around 25 per cent through to the end of 2023, driven mainly by low interest rates. ...Read more
Property
Strict cap on short-term rentals delayed following criticism
Following widespread criticism from councils and online rental companies, the introduction of NSW’s planned holiday rental code of conduct has been pushed back by three months. ...Read more
Property
Melbourne becomes Australia’s 2nd most affordable rental market
While most capital cities saw house rents soar to new record highs over the first quarter of 2021, Melbourne continued to lag behind – becoming the second most affordable capital city to rent in Aus...Read more
More articles
Website Notifications
Get notifications in real-time for staying up to date with content that matters to you.
