prowest 
Low interest rates, relaxed lending conditions and improved buyer confidence have seen the property market make a
dramatic turnaround over the last few months, but will it continue?
Figures from October’s CoreLogic Home Value Index showed a 1.2 per cent national property price increase, making it the fourth
month in a row of rising values.
Sydney and Melbourne have been leading the property charge, with prices up 1.7 per cent and 2.3 per cent for the month,
respectively.
The last few months have seen buyer confidence return in spades. First homebuyers have been trying to get their foot on
the property ladder and investors are returning too. There have also been a lot of sellers coming into the market.
Will things settle over Christmas?
The property market typically slows down over the Christmas and New Year period, as a lot of buyers and sellers will take a
break for the holidays.
However while there may be a couple of weeks with less market activity than usual, it won’t come to a complete standstill.
Serious buyers will still be out in force hoping to snatch a property while there is less competition, and there will still be
sellers keen to lock in a sale.
Those hoping to get into the market may actually want to use the Christmas period as a good time to get in before prices heat
up next year.
There are widespread expectations of another rate cut in 2020 and this will likely lead to further price increases, and there will
also be the introduction of the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme on January 1, which will stimulate certain parts of the market.
Keep your eye on the property pulse
The property market never truly sleeps so don’t get complacent as we get to the end of another year. There’s no time like the
present to make the first steps, whether it’s to buy or sell a property, if you’re ready to do so.
