The forecasts for property forecast for 2021 are starting to come in thick and fast and they're all very positive.
The latest is from SQM's Louis Christopher who suggests that Australian capital city dwelling prices will rise in 2021 as a result of this year’s aggressive government stimulus, interest rate cuts and the upcoming changes to responsible lending laws. 
This is in line with the forecasts made by all our major banks who over the last few weeks have sheepishly been forced to do a long overdue 180 degree turn, conceding that our property markets have remained resilient and they all now expect property prices to rise in 2021 and 2022.
The economics communities have not exactly covered themselves in glory when it comes to predicting the future of Australia's biggest asset class.
In his Housing Boom and Bust Report 2021 released today Christopher's base case forecast is for dwelling prices to rise between 5% to 9% .
| ACTUALS | 2021 Scenario 1 (base case) |
2021 Scenario 2 |
2021 Scenario 3 |
2021 Scenario 4 |
|
| City/Region | · 12 months to 22-Nov-2020All DwellingsSource: Corelogic |
· Cash Rate unchanged at 0.1%
· QE Expands · 3rd COVID-19 wave contained via more lockdowns · JobKeeper extended to Sept Qtr 2020 · Progressive roll out of Covid vaccine |
· JobKeeper phased out as planned (March)
· JobSeeker returned to base · QE unchanged. Rates unchanged · Progressive roll out of Covid vaccine · 3rd COVID-19 wave contained via more lockdowns |
· Better than expected roll out of Vaccine in 1st half of year
· Bounce in employment · No more lockdowns, State borders remain open, regional hub open · JobKeeper phased out as planned · QE scaled back after mid-year |
· No Vaccine released in 2021
· International/State borders remain closed · Negative cash rate · JobKeeper/Seeker extended to end of year |
| Perth | +0.8% | +8% to +12% | +8% to +12% | +10% to +15% | +3% to +6% |
| Brisbane | +3.5% | +4% to +8% | +4% to +7% | +5% to +9% | +3% to +6% |
| Darwin | +2.8% | +6% to +9% | +3% to +6% | +3% to +6% | +6% to +9% |
| Melbourne | +0.7% | +2% to +6% | -5% to 0% | -1% to +4% | -3% to +3% |
| Sydney | +6.1% | +7% to +11% | 0% to +4% | +3% to +7% | +4% to +8% |
| Adelaide | +4.4% | +6% to +10% | +1% to +4% | -2% to +2% | +4% to +8% |
| Hobart | +6.4% | +3% to +7% | -2% to +3% | +3% to +6% | +1% to +3% |
| Canberra | +6.8% | +5% to +9% | +5% to +9% | +4% to +7% | +2% to +6% |
| Capital City Average (weighted) | +3.5% | +5% to +9% | 0% to +4% | +2% to +6% | +2% to +6% |
Source: Christopher’s Housing Boom and Bust Report 2021
Christopher's base case forecasts assume ongoing support from the Federal Government and the Reserve Bank of Australia over 2021.
The forecasts also assume a progressive rollout of a Covid-19 Vaccine and the potential for a 3rd wave of the virus.
Importantly, an extension of JobKeeper is regarded as essential for the ongoing momentum of the housing recovery, which appears to have formed from the end of the September Quarter 2020.
If JobKeeper is scaled back too prematurely, the housing market recovery in Sydney and Melbourne could stall.
- Also read:The latest Corelogic Rental Market Report
- Also read:The Boom and Bust of our Property Cycles: A Journey Through the Investor’s Mind
- Also read:Perth housing market update | April 2024
- Also read:Latest property price forecasts for 2024 revealed. What’s ahead in our housing markets in the next year or two?
- Also read:Sydney housing market update | April 2024
Leading indicators such as auction clearance rates and asking prices for the Sydney property market are suggesting a forming recovery in the middle and outer rings. Inner city units continue to record price falls for which we do not expect this trend to change.
The overall Sydney forecast is for a 7% to 11% dwelling price increases.
The proposed NSW Stamp Duty/Land Tax opt-in for home buyers will be stimulatory to the housing market next year.
The Melbourne property market is forecast to rise at a rate of 2% to 6% due in part to the extended lockdowns in 2020, destroying many small businesses and so likely delaying a jobs recovery.
The ongoing international border closures combined now with evidence of current interstate migration outflows will also put Melbourne at a disadvantage.
Nevertheless, rate cuts as well as State and Federal Government stimulus will put a floor underneath the Melbourne market for houses. Melbourne CBD units are expected to record ongoing price declines says Christopher.
Perth is forecast to rise between 8% to 12% on the back of an ongoing recovery in the base commodities market, further encouraging mining-based project investment.
There now exists a significant shortage of Perth rental properties which translated into a greater than 9% rise in market rents over 2020.
This shortage is very likely to translate into even faster rent increases and stronger buyer activity in 2021.
Louis Christopher, Managing Director of SQM Research said:-
“As 2020 draws to a close, the national housing market has responded to the unprecedented economic stimulus packages as well as record low lending rates.
Auction clearance rates have lifted since mid-year and various dwelling price measurements have started to record price rises. It is likely that the housing market will gain further momentum on the back of increased investor activity, especially from those who seek some sort of income yield.
“However, we have some misgivings on the longer-term consequences of these new stimulatory policies.
If housing is regarded as an asset class that is not allowed to fall, Australia could have some rather serious social issues surrounding home ownership rates over the long term.
In the meantime, risks have risen that this new recovery will be one of the more speculative rises seen in some time.
Let’s keep in mind unemployment remains elevated and net migration is expected to be negative next year.
We have a surplus of inner-city units in our two largest cities.
And if there was another negative macro event in 2021, there is not much room left to cut lending rates further.
“Many in the community are starting to think they cannot ever lose on housing. That the Government will always be there to step into the housing market, if need be. And that is a scary idea...”
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