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Analysts predict the growth in Perth's property market will be the biggest of all capital cities next year, with its median house price expected to jump 5 to 7 per cent.
In its annual report on the capital cities, Australian Property Monitors forecasts the increase will be matched only in Darwin and the national rise will be lower at 3 to 5 per cent.
The report says the Perth market is set for a strong year from record immigration, housing shortages, steeply rising rents and one of the world's strongest economies.
The national median house price rose just one per cent in the 10 months to October.
"Darwin and Perth have the best prospects for price growth, while Sydney and Brisbane are also expected to achieve reasonable growth in the year," the report says.
APM senior economist Andrew Wilson said growth in the Perth median house price would be up to 4 per cent this year, setting the scene for further increases.
Dr Wilson said interest in the WA economy was putting pressure on residential resources and had already started to drive up prices.
The increases came after big rent rises, which pushed renters into the buying market.
"Perth still remains below its previous peak prices of two years ago but I expect it will start to get close to those previous peaks, if not surpass them, some time in 2013," Dr Wilson said. "I don't think it's unrealistic given we've got 4 per cent this year and we'll build on that to 5 per cent next year.
"I expect it will raise affordability issues for first-homebuyers as prices rise at the entry level, however I do think it reflects a long overdue lift in confidence in the housing market in Perth, which has been quite subdued for the last couple of years.
"A lot will, of course, depend on the economy continuing to strive forward."
Dr Wilson said the coming Federal election could create uncertainty among homebuyers and sellers.
He expected the rental market to continue to worsen but pressure could ease as people decided to buy.
Real Estate Institute of WA president David Airey said APM's predictions could be "a little too optimistic" and that 5 per cent growth at most would be more likely.
He said though WA had a robust economy and population growth, the Reserve Bank's decision to lower the cash rate to emergency levels suggested the economy faced tough times. |
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