April Building Approvals Rise in Parts, Fall in Parts, Generally Steady Overall

THE Australian Bureau of Statistics today released official building approval numbers.

They show the number of dwellings approved nationally fell by 1.3 per cent in April, after rising 8.6 per cent in March (seasonally adjusted).

Victoria held about steady, while New South Wales, Western Australia and Tasmania recorded major drops. By comparison, South Australia and Queensland reported notable rises.

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Australians Borrow Less for Second Successive Month: ABS

HIGHER interest rates, and a winding-down of government grants for new homes, have contributed to a contraction of housing finance, for the second successive month in November, 2009 (released January 2010).

Strong population growth, pent-up demand, and re-interest in real estate, by investors, is expected to result in the RBA increasing interest rates when it meets next month – making it an unprecedented fourth straight interest rate rise since late last year.

It’s been speculated interest rates could rise between 1 and 3 per cent this year.

According to the recent ABS statistics, the number of housing finance approvals fell 5.6 per cent (seasonally adjusted) in November from October.

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