By Michael Yardney April 14, 2021

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This is why FOMO is driving up property prices.

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This is why FOMO is driving up property prices.

Our property markets have been surging this year with double-digit growth in sight for all our capital cities.

And now that more Australians feel secure about our economy in general, and their jobs in particular, this will only place more impetus under our markets.

I recently heard someone suggest our housing markets are on a Mexican wave.

You know, like what happens at the cricket or football when they used to allow people to go to the MCG.

One person starts and another joins until the whole crowd has their hands in the air and the circular intensity builds and builds.

And this is showing itself as FOMO (fear of missing out) - when homebuyers and investors are scared the market is running away from them.

They feel they must get into the market and this is showing with even secondary properties selling well above their vendor’s expectations.

Normally at the beginning of the property cycle, there is a flight to quality – people remember the type of properties that held their values well during the downturn and avoid secondary properties.

But currently, I’m seeing some home buyers so worried the market is going to pass them by that they are compromising their selection criteria just to get into this market.

Unfortunately, we’ve seen how do you send up when the market eventually slows down, and it’s not always a pretty sight.

This chart explains why there is so much FOMO in the market

The strength in our housing markets is underpinned by a disconnect between supply and demand. Just look at the charts above.

Corelogic reports national total listings – the stock of properties for sale on the market - over the four weeks to the end of March was 25.5 per cent below the five-year average.

This is because buyer demand is so intense that it is outstripping the ability of sellers to put their properties on the market.

The ratio of sales to new listings is tracking at around 1.1, implying for every new listing added to the market, 1.1 homes are sold.

This in turn keeps the overall inventory levels low, fuelling a sense of FOMO amongst buyers.

Don't get caught out

I can understand why buyers are concerned with the markets running away so quickly.

Especially first home buyers who are not bringing a "trade-in" to the market.

However, established homebuyers are also usually sellers and will benefit as the value of their existing home increases.

So don't get caught out and make some of these mistakes I'm seeing buyers make because of FOMO

Compromising on Location – desperate to get into a particular suburb, some buyers are now looking at buying on or too close to main roads or train lines or flood-prone areas, rather than buying in an adjoining suburb they can afford.
Overspending - FOMO is causing some buyers to take financial risks by exceeding their budgets or spending their last cent to get into this market and they have nothing left over for the inevitable expenses that occur when moving home.
Avoiding Due Diligence – in a rush to beat the competition, some buyers are waiving cooling-off periods or not conducting essential building and pest inspections or strata searches.
Ignoring Repairs and Defects – other buyers are biting off more than they can chew and end up purchasing properties with structural issues that are likely to lead to problems they should have avoided, and potential huge repair bills.
Buying off the Plan – despite knowing new and off the plan apartments make poor investments, some buyers are hoping the market continues to rise to cover the premium they paid for buying this type of secondary property.

This is a great time to remember the quote from Rod Warren Buffett – "Wealth is the transfer of money from the impatient to the patient."

Now is the time to take advantage of the opportunities the current property markets are offering.

Sure the markets are moving on, but not all properties are going to increase in value. Now, more than ever, correct property selection will be critical.

You can trust the team at Metropole to provide you with direction, guidance, and results.

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About Michael Yardney Michael is the founder of Metropole Property Strategists who help their clients grow, protect and pass on their wealth through independent, unbiased property advice and advocacy. He's once again been voted Australia's leading property investment adviser and one of Australia's 50 most influential Thought Leaders. His opinions are regularly featured in the media.