While ‘delta’ disruptions are clearly having an impact on the number of transactions happening in our property markets, there seemed to be no impact on the auction markets.
The Sydney auction market returned another boom time result despite being in lockdown for twelve weeks, with very little stock available to satisfy the strong demand for good properties.
While the number of properties taken to auction in Sydney was understandably low this weekend (559) the number of properties auctioned each weekend are slowly picking up. Last weekend 511 Sydney properties were put to auction, with 493 and 488 the previous 2 weekends.
This weekend 51 properties being withdrawn from sale, yet the preliminary clearance rate was a boom time level of 85.1%.
In Melbourne where inspections were not being allowed until today 434 properties were still put up for auction and 56 properties were withdrawn from sale and, of course, withdrawn properties are counted the same as a “pass in” therefore lowering the reported auction clearance rates.
Dr. Andrew Wilson of My Housing Market was tracking 1,272 auctions in the major capitals this weekend, a few more than last weekend’s 1,152.
As lockdowns and difficulty inspecting properties persist we can expect the number of properties going to auction to remain low moving forward.
Canberra was the stand-out performer with a preliminary auction clearance rate of 94.1% – but only 30 properties were put up for sale by auction in the nation’s capital.
Other preliminary clearance rates (as reported by Dr. Andrew Wilson’s Auction Insider) were:-
- Brisbane – 83.7%
- Melbourne – 72.3%
- Sydney – 85.1%
- Adelaide – 89.2%
Sydney:
Sydney has been in lockdown for 12 weeks now, yet the preliminary auction clearance rate was a “boom time” 85.1% (much the same as last weekend) and, of course, this will be revised lower to around the low 80%’s as the remaining auction results are collected.
Clearly, online auctions are now an accepted selling method in Sydney, and Harbour City only hosted 5569 auctions, around half the number that would normally be seen at this time of year.
Last week, a final clearance rate for Sydney as reported by Domain was 79.5%.
This weekend 51 that were planned to be auctioned this weekend were withdrawn from sale.
Realestate.com.au reported that there were also 1,570 private sales in New South Wales over the last week, much the same as the 1,560 private sales reported the week before; a great result considering Sydney’s lockdown and of course, many off-market sales would not have been reported.
The following chart from Dr. Andrew Wilson of My Housing markets shows the Sydney auction clearance trends:
Dr. Andrew Wilson commented:
The Sydney weekend home auction market remain red hot producing another booming result on Saturday despite increasing listings.
Sydney recorded preliminary auction clearance rate of 85.1% which was similar to the previous weekend and well ahead of the 72.2% recorded over the same weekend last year.
Sydney has now recorded seven consecutive weekends with clearance rate above 80% and remarkably the last three weekends above 8.5%.
Melbourne:
In Melbourne 434 properties were scheduled for auction this week – around one-third of the number that would normally occur at this time of year.
These were originally planned 5 to 6 weeks ago, before Melbourne’s lockdown and of course, Melbourne’s extended lockdown has affected the market with property inspections not permitted until today
The preliminary auction clearance rate for Melbourne was 72.3% but will be revised lower to the high 60%’s once the remaining auction results are collected.
Last week the final clearance rate for Melbourne as reported by Domain was 76.1%.
56 properties were withdrawn from sale this weekend and these are counted as “passed in” meaning this will bring down the overall auction clearance rate.
The Melbourne market should start moving again now that property inspections are allowed and it is likely that more vendors will now put their properties to auction.
Realestate.com.au reported that there were also 985 private sales in Victoria in the last week; much like the previous week’s 948 – still a great result due to the limitation of inspections due to lockdown.
The following chart from Dr. Andrew Wilson of My Housing markets shows the long term trend of Melbourne’s auction clearance rate:
Here are the preliminary auction clearance rates as reported by Dr. Andrew WIlson
As always there will be lower by mid week when the auction results that are not yet reported are taken into account.
Auction markets are remaining resilient in the face of Covid uncertainty and stricter constraints in some Capitals.
Strong underlying buyer appetite continues to be a positive force although restricted by current Covid conditions.
The following charts from NAB and Corelogic also show the long-term auction clearance rate trend for our combined capital cities.
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'This weekend’s auction clearance results Saturday September 18th – Another weekend of strong auction results' have 18 comments
July 21, 2020 Michael
Do you know where the final auction results are published. I can only find the totally misleading preliminary results.
July 21, 2020 Michael Yardney
The final results are published on both Domain’s and realestate.com.au websites on a Thurday
May 31, 2020 James
Hi Michael, can you help explain the preliminary auction clearance rates that get reported by Domain each week?
Using Sydney’s figures as an example.
Total 367
Confirmed: 219
Sold: 166
Withdrawn: 49
Passed In: 53
65% from (166/[166+49+53]) or 166/268 = 61.9%
I understand how the % has been calculated but what happened to the other 99 properties? It’s almost 30% of the results not being reported?
Then looking back at Domains previous weeks they are the same
23rd May – The results say 67% but missing 60 (24%) of the results
16th May – 75% but missing 58 (38%) of the results
09th May – 68% but missing 49 (34%) of the results
When do the figures catch up and are no longer ‘preliminary’ results?
If 30-40% of the results are never included, whats the point of tracking it?
June 1, 2020 Michael Yardney
You are right James and that’s why these are marked as preliminary auction results and final auction results are released on Thursday each week when many of the unreported sales are taken into account.
That’s why I have suggested in my commentary that auction clearances will end up significantly lower than those initially reported
March 1, 2020 Steve
Hi Michael,
I have a Sydney investment property on the Northern Beaches worth approx $2M, with $1M in equity. Am i better off to sell it and use the $1M of equity to buy multiple properties in other states / locations to diversify, spread risk and increase the chances of capital growth and cash flow?
I already have another Sydney investment property worth similar, so pay a hefty land tax bill every year.
Regards
Steve
March 1, 2020 Michael Yardney
I understand your concern, no one likes paying land tax, it is a wealth tax but it is also necessary part of becoming wealthy through Real Estate. You should see my land tax bill:-)
I can’t answer your question without a lot more information, but this is exactly what we do as part of our modelling when we build a Strategic Property Portfolio plan for our clients. It takes into account your time frames, the capital growth of your current property, the potential capital growth of other properties, the costs involved in buying and selling and over what time period you would make a bigger profit. You can read more about our service here. Why not book in for a time delivers build a Strategic plan for you plan for you
December 16, 2019 Cheshire Fili
Hi Michael, what are your thoughts on Dualdwelling properties and the rental guarantees that some agencies offer. pros and cons pls.
Thanks in advance
December 16, 2019 Michael Yardney
Steer clear of them they must be terrible investments for the developer to nee dto offer you this type of incentive.
There is SO much written about this on the internet – I’ll do an article on this as well – but I’m glad you asked – don’t even consider either
November 24, 2019 Raj
Hi Michael, would you help people from NZ to invest in the residential property or your services are only limited to Australians?
Thanks Raj.
November 24, 2019 Michael Yardney
Raj
Yes we help New Zealanders and we understand the special regulations that pertain to them – we’d love to help you – please leave your details here
October 7, 2019 Shirley Lee
Hi Michael
Thank you very much for your insight!
I am looking for an apartment in Clayton for investment with a budget of $550,000. I plan to rent it to the students in Monash University. Do you consider it as a good investment?
Please give me some comments!
Shirley
October 7, 2019 Michael Yardney
Shirley – Clayton is not on my radar and students are not the best tenants – that’s a good budget – you could do a lot better
September 29, 2019 Trish Walls
Are there any statistics collected or reported for the Gold Coast anywhere?
September 29, 2019 Michael Yardney
Trish – sorry not that I know of
September 2, 2019 Jeff Wright
Thank you for this regular information re Auctions and auction clearance rates.
But why do you continually leave Perth out !?
September 2, 2019 Michael Yardney
Jeff becuase of the very few auctions occuring in perth – the main providers of statistics don’t report Perth auctions
February 2, 2020 Jason
HI Michael,
With a total purchase of $3 million in Sydney, how many properties would you recommend with this budget and purchase for each (ie $1 million each for 3) and would you stick to apartments only?
Thank you
February 2, 2020 Michael Yardney
Jason. It really depends on your circumstances, your investment goals etc. At that budget you couldmeither buy a block of apartments or 2 houses