The Property Market In Australia for 2010
Experts are struggling to know where the property market in Australia will head in 2010. Like other countries such as the United States, Canada and other European nations some experts predict a drop of more than 20% in property prices, whereas others predict an increase of between 5 and 8%.
One of the main determining factors, that will affect the property market, will be employment. If unemployment rates rise, then only people who have a deposit will be able to purchase real estate and newly built houses. Many predict the unemployment will soar to as high as 8% (compared to 2009 which was 4.5%) and this will decide the real estate price tags.
The Reserve Bank of Australia cut interest rates by a huge 3% back in 2008 which helped many people with mortgage repayments and the new strict lending rules, issued by the Australian Government, cut down the amount of mortgages given to people who would struggle to meet the repayments.
These stricter lending rules have cut down on the amount of repossessions on the market which has enabled the property market to remain fairly stable throughout the last few years.
To help first time buyers get onto the property ladder, the Australian Government now offers first time buyers a grant, however this is only really beneficial if people are able to keep up with their mortgage repayments.
Debt levels are at an all time high in Australia, with more and more people borrowing from banks and credit cards to keep their heads above water. To purchase new properties or new builds will mean taking on extra debt which they obviously can’t.
Thousands of home owners, throughout Australia are having a hard time keeping up with their repayments as many have lost their full time jobs and are now only working part time. A drop of over 44 thousand people in 2008, in full time employment was seen and an increase in part time employment of over 40 thousand in the same period.
The world economy is another determining factor that will affect the property market in Australia. Other countries such as European nations, the USA and Japan are all suffering a recession and even the big player, China is experiencing a slow down. All over the world will be affected and Australia will not be left out.
Overall, it will be the unemployment issues that will affect the property market in Australia and although predicted to be generally weak in 2010, it should hold out pretty well for the first 6 months or so but where it heads in the next few years is uncertain.
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