Invest
Is 2021 a great year to buy property? Aussies think so
2021 is tipped to be one of the busiest years for property ever as money remains cheap and readily accessible, with a majority of Aussies agreeing that now is a good time to buy.
Is 2021 a great year to buy property? Aussies think so
2021 is tipped to be one of the busiest years for property ever as money remains cheap and readily accessible, with a majority of Aussies agreeing that now is a good time to buy.
Optimistic home buying sentiment has reached a pre-pandemic high in Australia, according to new research, which found that as many as 67 per cent of Aussies believe that now is a good time to buy, up from just 42 per cent in April 2020.
Back in April, consumer sentiment crumbled as Aussies braced for the worst recession since the Great Depression, but today, sentiment is well and truly on the rebound with Aussies looking to put their money in property, Finder’s latest research suggested.
Graham Cooke, insights manager at Finder, said the recent uptick in buyer confidence is a good sign for the economy.
“This rebound in buyer confidence is indicative of increased economic activity over the past few months, along with an optimistic outlook for 2021.
“Not only did the Australian government do a better job than most at restricting the spread of COVID-19, but federal and state economic support measures helped prop up the property market.
“Now we’re seeing that house values in every capital city bar Melbourne are higher than they were compared the same time last year,” Mr Cooke said.
But consumers are not alone in predicting a boom, with 86 per cent of economists telling Finder that they expect prices to fully recover nationally this year.
According to CoreLogic data from December 2020, house values in Sydney are up 3.95 per cent year-on-year, with Brisbane values also up by 4.57 per cent during the same time period.
Mr Cooke said that prospective buyers should consider the pros and cons before taking the plunge in the current market.
“Low interest rates and government assistance packages like the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme put buyers in a strong position. The potential removal of stamp duty in NSW will be another boon for buyers and may spread to other states,” said Mr Cooke.
The Reserve Bank has confirmed that the cash rate will remain steady for three years, giving Aussies a high degree of confidence, but nevertheless economists are urging caution given the unpredictability of the COVID virus.
In a recent blog, Rich Harvey, buyer’s agent and CEO of propertybuyer.com.au, said that while buyers need to consider the “wobbles” – the unintended consequences that put the economy off track – they mustn’t let these throw their property plans off track.
He noted that while some commentators are suggesting there will be large volumes of mortgage defaults, the evidence is very scant.
“Savvy buyers think far more about the long term.
“They consider what the world will look like post-COVID and after the wobbles have passed,” Mr Harvey concluded.
About the author
About the author
Property
Property prices boosted by housing policies: RBA
The central bank has outlined the “pervasive” impact that policy has on property. ...Read more
Property
Labor’s ‘Help to Buy’ scheme not without its risks
With Anthony Albanese sworn in as Australia’s 31st PM, home buyers are excited at the prospect of accessing the new ‘Help to Buy’ scheme, but a property expert has warned that the risks may be g...Read more
Property
Australia's housing market is entering a ‘broad-based correction phase’
Westpac believes the housing market downturn is now underway. ...Read more
Property
ANZ now expects house prices will end the year lower
With higher interest rates on the horizon, the bank is forecasting larger house price declines than previously expected. ...Read more
Property
Which capital cities are most attractive to property investors?
A new survey has suggested that investor attention is shifting away from Australia’s two largest capital cities. ...Read more
Property
Market uncertainty fails to discourage foreign property investors
While interest from foreign investors in Australian property has remained strong, HLB Mann Judd warned that tax increases could see demand shift to other markets. ...Read more
Property
Regional renters forced to spend more of their income than ever before
Renters in regional areas are spending nearly as much on rent as home owners are spending on mortgage repayments. ...Read more
Property
Aussie home buyers now need to save for over 11 years for a deposit
Since early 2020, the time needed to save for a deposit has increased by more than two years. ...Read more
Wrapping up an eventful 2021
Listen now
What Omicron means for property, and are units right for first-time buyers? What is equity crowdfunding? Are industry super funds tapping into member funds to save their skins?
Listen now
Will housing affordability improve in 2022? Will buy now, pay later become the norm? Why are Aussies staying in failing super products?
Listen now
Who really benefits from crypto ETFs? How will the RBA respond to rising inflation? Could a mandate help address unpaid super?
Listen now
Property
Property prices boosted by housing policies: RBA
The central bank has outlined the “pervasive” impact that policy has on property. ...Read more
Property
Labor’s ‘Help to Buy’ scheme not without its risks
With Anthony Albanese sworn in as Australia’s 31st PM, home buyers are excited at the prospect of accessing the new ‘Help to Buy’ scheme, but a property expert has warned that the risks may be g...Read more
Property
Australia's housing market is entering a ‘broad-based correction phase’
Westpac believes the housing market downturn is now underway. ...Read more
Property
ANZ now expects house prices will end the year lower
With higher interest rates on the horizon, the bank is forecasting larger house price declines than previously expected. ...Read more
Property
Which capital cities are most attractive to property investors?
A new survey has suggested that investor attention is shifting away from Australia’s two largest capital cities. ...Read more
Property
Market uncertainty fails to discourage foreign property investors
While interest from foreign investors in Australian property has remained strong, HLB Mann Judd warned that tax increases could see demand shift to other markets. ...Read more
Property
Regional renters forced to spend more of their income than ever before
Renters in regional areas are spending nearly as much on rent as home owners are spending on mortgage repayments. ...Read more
Property
Aussie home buyers now need to save for over 11 years for a deposit
Since early 2020, the time needed to save for a deposit has increased by more than two years. ...Read more
