Heat is on Australian rental markets as would-be buyers opt out
New data reveals rents are accounting for greater percentages of household incomes
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Pressure on Australia’s rental market continues to mount, with rental affordability at its highest level in almost a decade, new research has found.
The ANZ CoreLogic Housing Affordability Report has revealed that rent now accounts for almost a third of household income for a median income household, the highest level since June 2014. The situation for lower income households is even more stressed with those at the 25th percentile income level spending 51.6 percent of their earnings on rent.
Sydney topped the list of least affordable places in the country with on average 51.6 percent of income going to service a new mortgage, while it would take 12 years to save for a 20 percent deposit. The result is more would-be homebuyers are being pushed out of the housing market and into rentals.
The report also found that rental vacancy rates are at 1.1 percent nationally, down from a decade average of 3 percent.
CoreLogic Australia head of research Eliza Owen said there was no relief in sight for renters anytime soon as the construction industry felt the impact of interest rate rises.
“As rents have risen sharply, the increase in the cash rate, and pressures in the construction sector have slowed the rate of dwelling completions. This has meant investor conditions are not ideal, and has stemmed the flow of new rental properties to the market,” Ms Owen said.
“Through February and March ABS lending data has shown signs of an increase in investment borrowing, but it will take some time for a supply response to ease pressures in the rental market.”
ANZ senior economist Felicity Emmett said uncertain conditions had also impacted on the amount of existing housing stock going to market.
“Heightened economic uncertainty has seen a decline in sales volumes in the private market and an increase in those seeking rental accommodation. Paired with a decline in social housing, rental demand pressures are being felt in all income brackets,” Ms Emmett said.
Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
Americans now think they need at least $1.25 million for retirement, a 20% increase from a year ago, according to a survey by Northwestern Mutual
Villa prices saw particularly strong growth, with capital values increasing by 33.4 percent year-on-year
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Dubai’s real estate market showed strong performance in the second quarter of 2024, with notable increases across the residential, office, and retail sectors, according to a new ValuStrat real estate report for Q2 2024.
Villa prices experienced particularly strong growth, with capital values rising by 33.4 percent year-on-year.
Haider Tuaima, Director and Head of Real Estate Research at ValuStrat said: “The Dubai real estate market has shown impressive growth and resilience in recent months. The ValuStrat Price Index for Residential Capital Values increased by 6.4 percent quarterly and 28.2 percent annually, reaching 178.2 points.
“Despite severe flooding caused by record rainfalls in April, the quick and effective response from developers and authorities helped to control the damage, ensuring that market activity and property valuations remained robust in the subsequent months.”
The office sector also performed well, with the VPI for office capital values surging by 31.7 percent annually and 9.4 percent quarterly, reaching 212.5 points—the highest quarterly increase in a decade.
In the retail sector, Emaar Properties reported 98 percent occupancy in their prime mall assets, while overall mall occupancy stood at 96 percent during the first quarter of 2024. The hospitality sector also saw growth, with total international guests reaching 8.12 million as of May 2024, a 9.9 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Hotel occupancy reached 81 percent, rising by 1.4 percent year-on-year.
Despite these positive indicators, Tuaima added, “The decline in transaction volumes calls for a closer examination of market dynamics as stakeholders navigate this evolving landscape.”
Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
Americans now think they need at least $1.25 million for retirement, a 20% increase from a year ago, according to a survey by Northwestern Mutual
