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Sydney House Prices Continue to Climb

Sydney’s house prices have defied even bullish forecasts to post strong gains at the start of 2010, led by the Eastern Suburbs, Inner West and Lower North Shore, with many predicting the momentum will flow through to the rest of the year and into 2011. Buyers are being urged to enter the market now before prices move further away from them.

“What were considered bullish forecasts of ours six months ago have turned out to be on the light side,” said Harley Dale, chief economist at the Housing Industry Association (HIA). “Things are going even more strongly than we have forecast. On both fronts (activity and prices) it’s clear that, yes, we are in the midst of a housing recovery in Sydney.”

According to REX data, Sydney’s median house price rose 5.63 per cent to $525,000 in the past rolling quarter, while the Property Price Index, which factors in repeat sales, rose 3.92 per cent to $523,496 . It has outstripped gains in other NSW cities, including Wollongong where median prices were up 3.7 per cent to $362,950 and Newcastle where prices gained 1.54 per cent to $330,000. Sydney has also outperformed other capitals such as Brisbane where median prices rose 1.32 per cent. [More]

Aussies Rekindle Love Affair with Beach Property

Australians are rekindling their love affair with beach property with coastal areas along the nation’s Eastern Seaboard experiencing strong price recoveries. Beach areas were hard hit during the global financial crisis, but buyers are flocking back into the market with industry players predicting further strong gains throughout 2010.

According to an analysis of REX data, house prices gains in major coastal areas such as the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Tweed and Port Macquarie are accelerating.

“There are more buyers than stock at the moment,” said Michael Knights, sales associate at RE/MAX Property Associates in Mooloolaba on Queensland’s Sunshine State. He says the market – particularly for houses below $1 million – is being driven by second, third and fourth home buyers; and over-fifties looking to cash up and downsize and move to the coast for lifestyle. “They’re selling big properties to buy smaller ones; they’re definitely back in the market. Buyers are coming from all over Australia.” [More]