According to Domain, the median house price across all capital cities in the three months to 31 December 2020 was $852,940: a 5.8% increase on a year ago. 

This report comes after some economists predicted up to 30% price falls throughout 2020.

All but two capital cities - Darwin, and Perth - are at record high prices for houses.

Buying a home or looking to refinance? The table below features home loans with some of the lowest variable interest rates on the market for owner occupiers.

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LenderHome LoanInterest Rate Comparison Rate* Monthly Repayment Repayment type Rate Type Offset Redraw Ongoing Fees Upfront Fees LVR Lump Sum Repayment Additional Repayments Split Loan Option TagsFeaturesLinkCompare
6.04% p.a.
6.06% p.a.
$2,408
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$530
70%
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5.99% p.a.
5.90% p.a.
$2,396
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$0
80%
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  • No application or ongoing fees. Annual rate discount
  • Unlimited redraws & additional repayments. LVR <80%
  • A low-rate variable home loan from a 100% online lender. Backed by the Commonwealth Bank.
6.14% p.a.
6.16% p.a.
$2,434
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$250
60%
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  • Unlimited additional repayments free of charge
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Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning

Base criteria of: a $400,000 loan amount, variable, fixed, principal and interest (P&I) home loans with an LVR (loan-to-value) ratio of at least 80%. However, the ‘Compare Home Loans’ table allows for calculations to be made on variables as selected and input by the user. Some products will be marked as promoted, featured or sponsored and may appear prominently in the tables regardless of their attributes. All products will list the LVR with the product and rate which are clearly published on the product provider’s website. Monthly repayments, once the base criteria are altered by the user, will be based on the selected products’ advertised rates and determined by the loan amount, repayment type, loan term and LVR as input by the user/you. *The Comparison rate is based on a $150,000 loan over 25 years. Warning: this comparison rate is true only for this example and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. Rates correct as of . View disclaimer.

The results were more of a mixed bag for units, with Sydney's down 0.3% on the year, Brisbane's down 3.0%, and Canberra's units down 1.3%.

Adelaide and Darwin had the strongest gains, up 13.5% and 7.5% respectively, while Melbourne's gain of 4.4% over the quarter means unit prices in the cultural capital are now at a record high. 

Gap between unit and house prices widening 

The national 4.1% price gain over the December quarter for houses represents the steepest quarterly jump in four years, according to Domain's senior research analyst Dr Nicola Powell.

"The price gap between houses and units in Sydney is continuing to widen. Over the past three decades it is rare that house and unit prices move in opposite directions annually," she said.

"Weaker investor activity has disproportionately impacted unit prices because they tend to be the preferred property type. There are also particular locations with increased supply as a result of heightened development in recent years.

"Changed lifestyle preferences post-lockdown and the option of remote working has driven demand to outer suburban and regional locations as buyers seek affordability, liveability, space and greater value for money."

The report comes after the Australian Bureau of Statistics found various government initiatives to stimulate housing stemmed the new house cost rise, affecting the consumer price inflation index.

Dr Powell said Australia's handling of the pandemic and the associated economic fallout placed confidence in home buyers.

"Government support measures, a remarkable recovery in consumer confidence, successful containment of COVID-19 outbreaks and the pessimistic outlook for property prices failing to materialise have played a role in supporting market activity and prices," she said.

"Record low interest rates have spurred buyer activity with cheaper credit easing the affordability of mortgage repayments.

"This has ultimately created competition between buyers, driving house prices higher."

Earlier in the month, Domain found rents are at a seven-year low in the capital cities despite the price gains, with the median unit in Brisbane now more expensive to rent than the median in Melbourne.

Capital City Home Prices, December Quarter 2020

Capital City House Price Unit Price Year-On-Year Gain (House/Unit)
Sydney $1,211,488 $729,840 +6.7% / -0.3%
Melbourne $936,073 $569,677 +3.9% / +2.5%
Brisbane $616,387 $395,677 +5.6% / -3.0%
Adelaide $574,264 $350,122 +6.1% / +13.5%
Canberra $855,530 $485,410 +9.1% / -1.3%
Perth $563,214 $347,585 +6.3% / +4.4%
Hobart  $564,091 $432,552 +12.4% / +2.5%
Darwin $533,845 $285,539 +3.6% / +7.5%
National $852,940 $574,245 +5.8% / +0.9%

Source: Domain

Photo by Marc Sendra Martorell on Unsplash



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