National residential property listings increased in March 2020 by 3.7% from 296,770 in February to 307,847.
Compared to 12 months ago, listings were down by 13.2%. 
All capital cities experienced increases in property listings over the month with the largest increase in Darwin of 15.6%, followed closely by Canberra with a 11.0% increase and Sydney a 10.5% increase.
Hobart had the smallest increase of 2.4% increase in listings.
Listings that have been on the market for between 30 to 60 days surged by 74%, suggesting sales activity did slow during March.
Year-on-year listings show declines for all capital cities with Sydney recording a significant decline of 22.8% and Hobart an 18.5% decline this time last year.
Key Points
- National residential property listings increased in March by 7% from 296,770 listings in February 2020 to 307,847. Compared to 12 months ago, listings were down by 13.8%.
- All capital cities experienced increases in property listings over the month with the largest increase in Darwin of 6%, followed closely by Canberra with an 11.0% increase.
- There was a surge in listings that have been on the market between 30 to 60 days, suggesting a drop in sales activity for the month.
- Capital City asking prices increased by 7% for houses and increased 0.6% for houses, over the month to 31st March 2020. Unit asking prices are now at $577,000 and houses $990,500.
- Compared to a year ago, the capital city asking prices posted increases of 8% for houses and 2.1% increase for units.
Stock on Market Table:
| City | March 2019 Total | February 2020 Total |
March 2020 Total | Monthly change % | Yearly change % |
| Sydney | 37,813 | 26,435 | 29,209 | 10.5% | -22.8% |
| Melbourne | 42,001 | 34,163 | 36,125 | 5.7% | -14.0% |
| Brisbane | 33,815 | 28,867 | 29,992 | 3.9% | -11.3% |
| Perth | 28,114 | 21,737 | 23,591 | 8.5% | -16.1% |
| Adelaide | 17,370 | 15,441 | 16,042 | 3.9% | -7.6% |
| Canberra | 4,928 | 3,755 | 4,169 | 11.0% | -15.4% |
| Darwin | 2,047 | 1,485 | 1,717 | 15.6% | -16.1% |
| Hobart | 2,503 | 1,994 | 2,041 | 2.4% | -18.5% |
| National | 354,459 | 296,770 | 307,847 | 3.7% | -13.2% |
Residential property listings are starting to increase and accumulate.
I note the surge of stock that has been on the market between 30 and 60 days.
This may reflect the start of a capital city housing market downturn due to the health and economic impact of COVID-19.
I also note though the rise in asking prices for the month, so quite a number of vendors have not really adjusted their pricing expectations as yet.
Days on Market Tables:
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March 2020
February 2020 |
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| City | < 30 days | 30-60 days | 60-90 days | 90-180 days | > 180 days | Total Listings | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sydney | 13,450 | 1,792 | 1,201 | 4,241 | 5,751 | 26,435 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Melbourne | 15,802 | 2,111 | 2,109 | 6,561 | 7,580 | 34,163 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brisbane | 8,140 | 3,352 | 2,615 | 6,798 | 7,962 | 28,867 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Perth | 5,504 | 2,219 | 2,076 | 4,572 | 7,366 | 21,737 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adelaide | 4,511 | 1,682 | 1,595 | 3,211 | 4,442 | 15,441 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Canberra | 1,339 | 244 | 184 | 809 | 1,179 | 3,755 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Darwin | 173 | 75 | 47 | 175 | 1,015 | 1,485 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hobart | 605 | 173 | 268 | 306 | 642 | 1,994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| National | 72,151 | 20,411 | 22,261 | 55,716 | 126,231 | 296,770 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 2019 | ||||||
| City | < 30 days | 30-60 days | 60-90 days | 90-180 days | > 180 days | Total Listings |
| Sydney | 12,752 | 6,464 | 2,201 | 7,424 | 8,972 | 37,813 |
| Melbourne | 13,826 | 6,471 | 2,365 | 10,079 | 9,260 | 42,001 |
| Brisbane | 8,087 | 6,218 | 3,306 | 7,589 | 8,615 | 33,815 |
| Perth | 6,484 | 4,306 | 2,475 | 6,269 | 8,580 | 28,114 |
| Adelaide | 5,168 | 2,710 | 1,337 | 3,508 | 4,647 | 17,370 |
| Canberra | 1,607 | 841 | 352 | 1,113 | 1,015 | 4,928 |
| Darwin | 208 | 160 | 111 | 249 | 1,319 | 2,047 |
| Hobart | 659 | 336 | 233 | 571 | 704 | 2,503 |
| National | 73,470 | 42,711 | 22,722 | 73,812 | 141,744 | 354,459 |
Asking Prices
Capital City asking prices increased by 0.7% for houses and increased 0.6% for houses, over the month to 31st March 2020.
Unit asking prices are now at $577,000 and houses $990,500. 
Compared to a year ago, the capital city asking prices posted increases of 8.8% for houses and 2.1% increase for units.
Over the month, most capital cities recorded asking price increases, with Darwin and Hobart both recording the highest increases for houses of 3.1%.
Highest price increase in units was Sydney and Perth with 0.8% increase.
Brisbane was the only capital city to record decreases in both house and unit prices – 0.1% for houses and 0.5% for units.
Canberra and Hobart posted declines in house unit prices of 2.2% and 3.5% respectively but recorded increases in house prices of 0.4% and 3.1% respectively.
Adelaide posted declines in house prices of 0.9% but increased 0.3% for unit prices.
