ABS data highlights the value of new loan commitments to investors rose 3.8%, reaching an all-time high of $10.1 billion in November. 

This increase amounts to an 86.9% yearly change on new investor borrower-accepted loan commitments.

ABS head of Finance and Wealth Katherine Keenan said investor lending has grown for the past 13 months accounting for around one-third of the value of new housing loan commitments in November 2021.

"The previous investor lending peak in April 2015 accounted for 46% of new housing loan commitments," Ms Keenan said. 

Increases in investor loan commitments were strongest in New South Wales up 7.8%, Queensland up 5.0% and Victoria up 3.6%.

HomeLoanCommitmentsNovember.jpg

Source: ABS

Owner-occupiers rebound

The total value of new loan commitments for housing rose 6.3% to $31.4 billion, backed by a 7.6% rebound for owner-occupiers following three months of falls.

"This rise was the first since May 2021 and the largest since January 2021," Ms Keenan said. 

"Owner-occupier loan commitment increases were strongest in New South Wales, rising 9.6% and Victoria, rising 9.7% corresponding with restrictions easing in those states in October and November.”

Nationally, the average loan size for owner-occupier dwellings rose to an all-time high of $596,000.

First-home buyers bite the bullet before year's end

New loan commitments for owner-occupier first home buyers increased 1.9% in November, breaking a constant trend of declines since January 2021. 

Yet the number of these commitments was 17.4% lower compared to a year ago, showing first-home buyers more broadly are willing to wait for signs of the property market cooling down.

"Victoria had the strongest rise of 12.3% in the number of owner-occupier first home buyer loan commitments," Ms Keenan said.

"The number of these commitments was 6.7% lower than a year ago, after falling from record highs seen earlier in the year.”

CommBank Senior Economist Kristina Clifton said while November showed a bounce, new lending is below its recent peak.

"We expect affordability constraints, slow population growth and higher lending rates will see a much softer housing market in 2022 compared to 2021," Ms Clifton said.

Buying an investment property or looking to refinance? The table below features home loans with some of the lowest interest rates on the market for investors.

Update resultsUpdate
Filters
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
6.19% p.a.
6.58% p.a.
$2,589
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$530
90%
 Featured 90% LVR
  • You MUST already have Solar or a documented plan to install within 90 days to be eligible for this loan
  • Available for refinance or purchase
  • No monthly, annual or ongoing fees
6.29% p.a.
6.20% p.a.
$2,473
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$0
80%
 Featured Apply In Minutes
  • A low-rate variable investment home loan from a 100% online lender. Backed by the Commonwealth Bank.
6.19% p.a.
6.23% p.a.
$2,447
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$595
80%
6.34% p.a.
6.59% p.a.
$2,486
Principal & Interest
Variable
$248
$350
70%
  • $0 application fee
  • Fast turnaround times
  • Estimate your borrowing power in as little as 1 minute
6.39% p.a.
6.41% p.a.
$2,499
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$250
80%
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.

Image by Maximillian Conacher via Unsplash.



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