The RBA minutes, released today, have several paragraphs on the housing sector, yet seem to be quite selective in their narrative. So we have laid out our own perspectives alongside the words from the RBA.
We think the housing risks are higher for one simple reason. Debt enables households to bring forward purchases, to be paid for from later income. But with income rising so slowly, and debts still growing fast, how will the debts be repaid?
| RBA Minutes Says | DFA Says |
| Household consumption growth had moderated in the June quarter. This was driven by a decline in the consumption of goods, consistent with low growth in retail sales volumes, while growth in the consumption of services had remained around average. More timely indicators of household consumption had been mixed: although growth in retail sales had been low over the few months to July, households’ perceptions of their personal finances had remained above average. Members noted that future consumption growth would largely depend on growth in household income. Members observed that the household saving ratio had been little changed in the June quarter but remained on a gradual downward trend, in line with earlier forecasts. | Why no mention of the rising household debt ratio? It is now higher than ever it has been. With income growth so low, whilst serviceability of large loans at current interest rates is manageable by many, how will the capital value of the loan be paid off?
The proportion of households who are property inactive continues to rise, as more are excluded on affordability grounds. |
| Dwelling investment had been increasing more rapidly than housing credit, suggesting that households were increasing their housing equity at a relatively strong rate. Indeed, private dwelling investment had continued to grow at an above-average rate in the June quarter. The large amount of work in the pipeline and the high level of building approvals in July and August were expected to support a high level of dwelling investment for some time, although the rate of growth in dwelling investment was expected to decline over the forecast period. | Investment loans were the only growth area in the August ABS data- up 1%. Lenders are very willing to lend to this sector. We think stronger macro-prudential policies are needed. Demand for investment property remains strong, on the expectation of continued future home price growth.
The growth of home prices is not matched to growth in rental incomes, in fact they are slower than they have been for years. This creates a further risk in the investment sector. We know many households are not covering the costs of their rental property from rent received, relying on tax breaks and offsets, especially in VIC and NSW, whilst hoping for capital growth. |
| In the established housing market, conditions had eased relative to a year earlier, although there had been some signs that conditions had strengthened a little more recently. Housing price growth in Sydney and Melbourne had increased in recent months and auction clearance rates in these two cities had risen. In contrast, turnover and housing credit growth had been noticeably lower than a year earlier and the value of housing loan approvals had been little changed in recent months. Conditions in the rental market had continued to soften, particularly in Perth, where population growth had been easing and the rental vacancy rate had risen. | There is debate as to the rate of real growth in home prices, but they are still rising, especially in VIC and NSW. High auction clearance rates show demand remains strong. Home prices could well continue to rise, enabling more lending. We need DSR and LTI macro-prudential measures. LVR measures do not help much in a rising market. |
| Conditions in the housing market had been mixed over prior months. The effects of tighter lending standards had been apparent in indicators such as the shares of interest-only loans and loans with high loan-to-valuation ratios in new lending, both of which had declined over the past year. Turnover had declined and housing credit growth had been steady at a noticeably lower rate than a year earlier. Although the rate of increase in housing prices had been lower than a year earlier, growth in housing prices and auction clearance rates had strengthened in Sydney and Melbourne in the months leading up to the meeting. Members noted that considerable supply of apartments was scheduled to come on stream over the next couple of years, particularly in the eastern capital cities. Overall, members assessed that while the risks associated with rapid growth in housing prices and lending had receded over the past year, developments would need to be monitored closely. | Interest only loans are actually rising again according the APRA’s latest data, as investment loan growth continues. Several lenders are offering attractive discounts now. Household have high levels of debt. The risks are quite high now, and would become severe if interest rates were to rise |
