Owning a home in Australia is a major wealth generator.
That’s the conclusion of a new report by Aussie Home loans andCoreLogic RP Data which found that the average property is now worth almost double the amount of debt against it.
That means Aussie property owners with a mortgage have an average of 48.4% equity in their home, or $242,642.
Not bad for a country of mortgagees burdened by debt!
Unsurprisingly, NSW tops the country with the average property owner now holding more equity in their property than debt, or 56.6% equity worth $358,763.
Tassie home owners have the lowest equity in their homes, but at a still healthy 32.7 per cent worth $95,427.
Average level of home equity – state by state in percentage and dollar values
Looking at the capital cities, Sydney and Melbourne’s recent capital growth spurts have seen these cities top the equity leaderboard, with the ACT taking third position with Brisbane hot on its heels.
Average level of home equity – city by city in percentage and dollar values
Sydney’s Hunters Hill took top spot in percentage equity at 72.3% worth $878,481, while Ku-ring-gai council topped it in equity value with close to $1 million in equity.
But not all property is the same
Clearly the recent housing boom has given home owners in Sydney and Melbourne a bigger boost than other states.
As you’ll see from the graphic below, council areas across the Sydney property market dominate a list of the top 20 regions ranked nationally by average level of home equity.
The only two non-Sydney council areas in the top 20 were Boroondara (66.3 per cent) and Whitehorse (64.9 per cent) in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.
Top 20 and Bottom 20 council regions – nationally in percentage and dollar values
What does this all mean?
Well, it means that the situation isn’t quite as dire as some ‘experts’ would like us all to believe.
It goes against the grain of much of the sensationalism about property bubbles and Australians being burdened by massive mortgages.
It also means that many Australian’s have a large amount of equity that could you help achieve other goals, like property investment and that they have a financial buffer that will see them through lean times, meaning they won’t have to sell up their homes causing a property crash like the doomsayers have been predicting.
Source: Aussie Home Loans

Subscribe & don’t miss a single episode of Michael Yardney’s podcast
Hear Michael & a select panel of guest experts discuss property investment, success & money related topics. Subscribe now, whether you're on an Apple or Android handset.
Need help listening to Michael Yardney’s podcast from your phone or tablet?
We have created easy to follow instructions for you whether you're on iPhone / iPad or an Android device.

Prefer to subscribe via email?
Join Michael Yardney's inner circle of daily subscribers and get into the head of Australia's best property investment advisor and a wide team of leading property researchers and commentators.
'Australians own more equity in their homes than you think' have no comments
Be the first to comment this post!