Understanding The Australian Property Market

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%.

Probably the main determining factor in property prices will be employment. Only people who have a deposit will be able to purchase real estate and new builds if the unemployment rate continues to rise and some predict that unemployment rates will soar to as high as 8%, compared to 4.5% in 2008.

To help people meet their mortgage repayments, the Australian Reserve Bank, back in 2008 cut interest rates by a massive 3% to help people meet their mortgage repayments and with strict Government lending rules now in place, the amount of mortgages given to unqualified people has been significantly reduced.

These stricter lending rules have also reduced the amount of repossessions on the property market which has enabled the Australian property market to remain relatively stable in the last few years.

The Australian Government has also started a new grant available for first time buyers to help them get onto the property ladder although, again, only beneficial if people can keep up the repayments on their mortgages.

With debt levels, throughout Australia being at an all time high, more and more people are borrowing from banks and credit cards to keep their heads above water. If they want to purchase real estate then even more debt will have to be taken on, which they can ill afford.

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.

Another factor that will affect the property market in Australia is the world economy. Countries such as the USA, Japan and other European nations are suffering a recession and even the big player, China is experiencing a slow down. Every country, all over the world will be affected and Australia, unfortunately, will not be spared.

Although predicted to be generally weak in 2010, the property market in Australia should hold out for the first 6 months or so, and the result of the unemployment issues will be a major deciding factor on where property values goes in the next couple of years.

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