Housing loans declined slightly in February: Pete Wargent
Staff reporterApril 8, 2020
EXPERT OBSERVER
Housing conditions were strong up until the end of February, the last of the pre-Coronavirus data series showed.
Total housing lending was fairly steady at $19.5 billion, representing an increase of +13.1 per cent from a year earlier, mainly driven by homebuyers.
First homebuyer commitments rose to the highest level since 2009.
At the state level, homebuyer loans (ex-refi) in Queensland and Western Australia were strong, while New South Wales and Victoria saw a partial retracement, although volumes in these states remained +15 per cent and +20 per cent higher than a year earlier respectively.
For home buyers purchasing existing dwellings the average loan size was steady at a near-record high.
There was some variation around the states, partly impacted by refinancing activity.
The wrap
Overall, lending volumes were considerably stronger than a year earlier up until February 2020, but transaction activity is now expected to drop sharply through March and April as movements are restricted.
Overall, lending volumes were considerably stronger than a year earlier up until February 2020, but transaction activity is now expected to drop sharply through March and April as movements are restricted.
PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of AllenWargent property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and blogger.
