Perth property market confidence dwindles: Herron Todd White

The Perth property market remains in a trough with supply outweighing demand, continuing to place pressure on values, according the the September Month in Review from Herron Todd White.

The review stipulates newly-released residential apartment projects have struggle to achieve pre-sales due to concerns over the construction phase from potential buyers.

"A further complicating factor for investors is that the rental market has softened considerably with rental listings increasing substantially and average weekly rental values falling," it noted.

"Locations which are of the greatest concern are in areas where a small six to ten pack walk up multiple dwelling development is a new concept, where the locations are not well suited to this style of development due to limited infrastructure.

"In the northern suburbs, these are locations such as Balga, Westminster and Nollamara with the most recent evidence showing multiple dwelling (end unit) values in these locations falling by circa 10% to 15% from 12 months ago. Rivervale, Cloverdale and Belmont have also been saturated with small walk up type developments and local agents are reporting very low volumes.

"Our involvement and discussions with agents for new residential development within the inner ring of Perth (three kilometres from the GPO comprising Perth, Northbridge, East Perth, Highgate, North Perth and Leederville) reveal pre-sale interest still exists, albeit at much lower levels relative to 2013 and 2014."

and amenity in the area. 

stock and should all of this product be developed, an oversupply may well result. Noting the slowing pre- sale market however, there is potential that many of these projects will not proceed in the current market due to an inability to meet pre-sale covenants, unless alternative funding sources are secured.