Investors eschewing property could have further ramifications on tight rental market
Harry O'Sullivan | Mar 28, 2023 17:30
Ten months prior, 21,663 new loans were issued for the purchase of investment property, but a steep decline since has seen this figure fall to just 11,485.
Key points
- CoreLogic report finds the number of new investors in property is dwindling in 2023, even with rental rates at record highs.
- Escalating mortgage repayments, low confidence in the long term future of property and prohibitive legislation are the likely causes.
- This is likely to result in rental problems across the country escalating.
- CoreLogic believes increased social housing is a necessary short term solution.
- This is despite near record low national vacancy rates and the number of new rental listings down about 36% from the five year average, driving rental rates up at a record pace, and making rentals a landlord's market.
Since September 2020, median rent values in Australia have gone from $455 to $564, nearly a 24% increase.
At the same time though, the median weekly payments on a variable rate investment loan went from $443 to $738, up over 66%.
Rental rates and shortages have become a national crisis, particularly in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane where the bulk of an expected surge in migration is expected to fall.
Why are investors pulling out?
While the previous boom means property prices remain relatively high, consumer confidence in the property market is low.
CoreLogic reported a 0.3% rise to housing values throughout the first half of March, contradicting popular belief that continued downturn is inevitable.
This coincided with a drop in listings, down 19.9% from the previous five year seasonally adjusted average, indicating property owners are holding out while prices are lower.
Australian property values are up 57% over the past 10 years, but CoreLogic head of research Eliza Owen says this shift in the economy could be a sign to investors that the next decade may not see such robust growth.
Increased regulation is a factor that many property analysts say is dissuading prospective property investors.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said last week the state government was considering caps on rental increases to address soaring rates in the state.
On Tuesday it became more official, with increases to be capped at one per year.
The notion of caps was critiqued heavily by the property industry, including Real Estate Institute of Queensland CEO Antonia Mercorella, who said it shows "a government with seemingly no grasp on basic economics".
Limits to rental increases would prevent rental rates fully reflecting increases to mortgage repayments, which is likely to translate to further losses for investors.
Propertyology research found with increases to the average rates of expenses like land tax and insurance means the typical landlord's annual loss has risen by over $11,000.
Get The App
Propertyology head of research Simon Pressley has warned that the deficit of investors and subsequently squeezed rates could trigger a "national eruption of widespread rage".
Many investors negatively gear their properties- making a net loss - and hold out for capital gains once they sell.
In the 2019/20 financial year, ATO data indicated 53.7% of properties were operating on a loss.
However, the trade-off between negative gearing and capital gains has been tested over the past year.
The average sale price of Australian homes fell 8.40% from May 2022 to the start of this year, the steepest decline on record.
What's the solution?
Ms Owen called for more social housing, or more funding for providers, to help protect the most vulnerable low income households in the country.
"As the proposition of individually-owned investment property in the market becomes less attractive, Australians need a new source of investment in rental accommodation," Ms Owen said.
Propertyology's head of research Simon Pressley has been intensely critical of nationwide policies over the last few years that he says are 'forcing a dire shortage of rental supply', and believes a supportive environment for rental suppliers is the only way to address the housing crisis.
"Investors eschewing property could have further ramifications on tight rental market " was originally published on Savings.com.au and was republished with permission.
Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.