ASB Housing Confidence Survey

Tuesday, 20 February 2018, 9:50 am
Press Release: ASB

Game of two halves

• Fewer people think now is a bad time to buy a house.
• South Island house price expectations more optimistic than in the North Island.
• Most people expect interest rates to rise over the next year.

House price expectations sit at a six-and-a-half year low according to the latest ASB Housing Confidence Survey. Meanwhile, the number of people who think now is a bad time to buy a house has reduced, particularly in Auckland.

ASB Chief Economist Nick Tuffley says the change in attitude is most likely due to Auckland’s softening house prices, where sentiment about whether it’s a good time to buy a house is at the highest level since January 2013.

“Price expectations have fallen to an eight-year low in Auckland as we continue to see the Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s (RBNZ) speed limits taking effect,” Tuffley says.

North/South divide

While national house price expectations are trending downwards, the latest survey reveals a difference in sentiment between North Island and South Island respondents.

Price expectations in the South Island have lifted, led by Canterbury (net 11 per cent from 8 per cent previously). On the other hand, price expectations continued to ease in the North Island.

Annual price growth rates have slowed sharply in North Island centres such as Auckland, Tauranga and Hamilton. In contrast, price growth rates remain around 10 per cent per annum in the South Island beyond Canterbury.

At the same time, fewer respondents now view it as a bad time to buy with sentiment lifting most notably in Auckland. Canterbury remains the only region where the majority of respondents think it’s a good time to buy.

Mr Tuffley says despite the lift in overall sentiment to buying property, upcoming housing policy changes may further ease house price expectations.

“There is a degree of uncertainty around the potential impact of policy changes so investors and home owners are likely to remain cautious and not rush into any major decisions.

“The market will continue to be constrained by population growth and low housing supply for some time,” Tuffley says.

Interest rates expected to rise

Most respondents expect interest rates to rise over the next 12 months but with less conviction than in previous surveys.

Mr Tuffley says muted inflation pressures have pushed out ASB’s forecast for Reserve Bank of New Zealand rate hikes.

“We now expect the RBNZ to start lifting the Official Cash Rate in August 2019, though in the meantime offshore interest rate increases could see mortgage rates start to creep up.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media

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