Key points
  • The Australian property market continues to rebound, with 35% of suburbs recording growth in March.
  • Sydney and Perth were the capital cities that saw the largest increase to property values.
  • Rural areas, particularly the lower end of the market price wise, were prominent among the biggest growers.

Contrary to expectations, the past few weeks have seen a rise in dwelling values across Australia.

CoreLogic's home value index has lifted 0.9% since early March, defying predictions that high interest rates would mean 2023 would see the property market drop by as much as 10%.

The second half of 2022 saw a large decline to property prices, as the rising cash rate constricted demand.

CoreLogic puts this down to sheer lack of supply and stock on the market, promoting more competition for the available listings.

CoreLogic is suggesting property owners are willing to wait the downturn out before selling, which has meant prices have held up strongly.

In her appearance on the Savings Tip Jar Podcast, CoreLogic head of research Eliza Owen also suggested an increase in overseas migration and a tight rental market could have contributed to the overperforming market.

"We actually saw a record volume of net overseas migration to Australia in the September quarter of last year," Ms Owen said.

"We think that with the rental market, in particular, becoming even tighter with the return of overseas migrants, that could be pivoting some decisions to maybe the purchasing market as well."

More than a third (34.6%) of Australian suburbs recorded growth in the three months to March '23, compared to 19% over the December quarter and just 16.5% in the three months to October '22.

Portion of suburbs rising.JPG

The areas driving growth

Both capital cities (up 32.6%) and regional markets (up 37.4%) were represented in the upswing.

Sydney (up 43.9%) and Perth (up 57.3%) were the capital cities that saw the most substantial growth.

However, Eliza Owen says that the growth dynamics in the two cities are very different.

"Sydney dwellings are showing signs of a rebound, following a peak-to-trough decline of around -14% over the year to January," Ms Owen said.

Meanwhile, growth in Perth is part of a broader, more consistent growth trend over the past few years.

"If Sydney is leading capital cities out of a downswing, Perth has yet to go through one," Ms Owen said.

Capital CityNo. of Suburbs where values rose% of suburbs with rising value
Sydney27143.9%
Melbourne7519.3%
Brisbane4814.2%
Perth16957.3%
Adelaide11234.5%
Hobart25.1%
Darwin1227.9%
Canberra1111.1%

Best performing suburbs nationally

Regional suburbs dominated Core Logic's list of the suburbs that recorded the biggest growth in March.

Notably, the price level in many of these suburbs is well below the national median.

The five suburbs from capital cities all came from prestige markets in Sydney, where the median price is above $1 million.

These affluent Northern Sydney suburbs tend to have a higher than average owner occupied rate compared to the rest of Sydney.

Over three quarters (76%) of Northern Shores and Northern Sydney suburbs are owner occupied, compared to 63% for the whole of Greater Sydney.

The top ten

SuburbAreaMedian valueQuarterly change
RobeRest of SA$569,5018.3%
Dinner PlainRest of Vic.$1,052,1218.0%
TrangieRest of NSW$228,3717.4%
Werris CreekRest of NSW$275,2747.1%
Kalbarri EastRest of WA$327,9066.9%
KillaraGreater Sydney$3,483,2716.8%
CervantesRest of WA$414,1016.6%
Port DouglasRest of Qld$496,8236.6%
Middle CoveGreater Sydney$3,353,2266.4%
WarraweeGreater Sydney$2,439,9416.4%

Hobart, once the property darling is no more

CoreLogic reported that Hobart is generally defying trends seen in other capital cities, undoing some growth seen over the past few years.

"Hobart had just two suburbs that saw dwelling value increases in the quarter, as the city has moved through a steep peak-to-current decline of -12.9%," Ms Owen said.

"Steep price falls in the city follow more than seven years of almost un-interrupted growth, so it is somewhat unsurprising to see such an extended, broad-based decline."


Advertisement

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

Update resultsUpdate
LenderHome LoanInterest Rate Comparison Rate* Monthly Repayment Repayment type Rate Type Offset Redraw Ongoing Fees Upfront Fees Max LVR Lump Sum Repayment Extra Repayments Split Loan Option TagsFeaturesLinkComparePromoted ProductDisclosure
5.94% p.a.
5.98% p.a.
$2,978
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$530
90%
  • Owner Occupier
  • Variable
  • Principal & Interest
  • 10% Min Deposit
  • Redraw
  • Extra Repayments
  • More details
  • Available for purchase or refinance, min 10% deposit needed to qualify.
  • No application, ongoing monthly or annual fees.
  • Dedicated loan specialist throughout the loan application.
Disclosure
5.89% p.a.
5.80% p.a.
$2,962
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$0
80%
  • Built and funded by CommBank
  • Owner Occupier
  • Variable
  • Principal & Interest
  • 20% Min Deposit
  • Redraw
  • More details
  • 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.
Disclosure
5.99% p.a.
6.02% p.a.
$2,995
Principal & Interest
Fixed
$0
$0
60%
  • Owner Occupier
  • Fixed 3 Years
  • Principal & Interest
  • 40% Min Deposit
  • Redraw
  • More details
  • Competitive rates to help you save
  • A Dedicated Relationship Manager
  • Certainty of repayments with a fixed rate term
Disclosure
5.93% p.a.
5.93% p.a.
$2,975
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$395
70%
  • Owner Occupier
  • Variable
  • Principal & Interest
  • 30% Min Deposit
  • Redraw
  • More details
Disclosure
More home loans
Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning
Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning