Brisbane and QLD property market update – September 2020

Off the back of the Queensland property market’s performance in September, we can enter the final quarter of 2020 with some optimism.

Following a mild decline of -0.1 per cent in value over August, last month Brisbane property prices bounced back into positive territory, posting +0.5 per cent gains. Regional Queensland has performed even better, recording a monthly change of +0.7 per cent.

It’s a fantastic result for the state, with overall numbers back in the black.

Consumer sentiment and market activity on the rise

According to Bill Evans, Chief Economist of Westpac, consumer sentiment in September was up +18 per cent compared to the previous month. This was reported in the Westpac-Melbourne Institute Index of Consumer Sentiment, which shows Australians are looking to the future with more optimism than one would expect.

Property analyst Michael Yardney also highlights that sales activity has risen sharply in the Brisbane market since July, up by an estimated +74 per cent since activity dropped in April. Moving forward other factors in the sunshine state’s favour include that:

  • It is less reliant on international migration than Melbourne and Sydney

  • Internal migration continues to be a strong driver for the local market

  • Its property market is comparatively affordable

And with no evidence of a second-wave in Queensland, we can expect that confidence will continue on a positive trajectory.

Here’s what’s happening in the Brisbane property market

Houses

$559,646
Monthly change: +0.4%
Units
$388,505
Monthly change: +0.7%

The Brisbane market grew +0.5 per cent over September, which leaves it level for the quarter and up +3.8 per cent for the year to date, with a median dwelling value of $504,902.

Both houses (+0.4 per cent) and apartments (+0.7 per cent) grew over the month for a median house price of $559,646 with units at $388,505.

There are a number of factors driving demand in Brisbane. Virus case numbers have remained low across the state, which has helped keep consumer confidence relatively positive. Most importantly – and unlike Melbourne – buyers and sellers have been able to transact normally for much of the pandemic.

Historically, value growth hasn’t followed the ‘boom’ behaviour seen in Melbourne and Sydney over the past five years. The upside to this is that property values have a lower base to fall from, which means you don’t see the bigger declines that bigger capital markets have experienced.

The underlying trend here is slow and steady, and as property analyst Michael Yardney points out affordability is a key driver for Brissie, pointing out that: “…Brisbane property prices are still about 55 per cent of Sydney’s, while household incomes are only around 12 per cent lower, underpinning the value of Brisbane real estate.”

Here’s what’s happening in the regional Queensland property market

Houses
$397,182
Monthly change: +0.5%
Units
$363,816
Monthly change: +0.5%

Overall regional Queensland property is up +0.5 per cent over the month, which brings it up +0.6 per cent for the quarter and +4.5 per cent annually. This mirrors the trend we’re seeing nationally, where regional parts of the country are faring relatively better than capital cities.

The median dwelling value here ($387,816) also highlights the affordability pull that the Sunshine State continues to have over regional NSW ($475,921) in particular. Units and houses both advanced +0.5 per cent over September, which is an improvement on August where these two were negative and flat respectively.

Interest from interstate buyers in particular is going to continue to be an important driver for this market.

Interest from interstate buyers in particular is going to continue to be an important driver for this market, and if you’re considering selling, Ray White Robina’s Matt Micallef believes that getting the marketing right for a property is critical to getting a top price. This is especially important early on in a campaign.

He also highlights that in the current market video is a critical component of your marketing push, especially if you are wanting to appeal to interstate buyers.

This article is republished from openagent.com.au under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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Craig Gibson

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