Auction clearance rates ease over May: Andrew Wilson

Auction clearance rates eased over May with all capitals except Canberra recording a fall in clearance rates over the month according to Domain's Andrew Wilson.

He said Melbourne recorded the highest May clearance rate with 75.1 percent followed by Canberra 72.8 percent, Sydney 71.6 percent, Adelaide 63.0 percent and Brisbane 46.5 percent.

"Although clearance rates were generally easier, auction volumes surged over May with the Melbourne and Sydney markets reporting record listings for the month," he said.

"Auction numbers were 29.5 percent higher in Sydney over the first five months of this year compared to the same period last year with Canberra up 15.9 percent, Melbourne up 14.3 percent and Adelaide up 8.2 percent.

"Auction volumes in Brisbane however are 12.9 per cent lower this year compared to last.

"Despite the surge in listings, auction prices increased over May reflecting seasonal impacts to some degree following the significant holiday’s distractions and lower volumes of the previous month.

"Median auction prices however have increased over the past year for all capitals with Melbourne the top performer up by 10.4 percent to $900,000, Sydney up 7.7 percent to $1,320,000, Canberra up 7.6 percent to $721,000, Brisbane up 2.5 percent to $772,000 and Adelaide up 1.7 percent to $595,000.

"Capital city home auction markets enter the typically quieter winter months with conditions still generally favouring sellers.

"Auction volumes are however likely to continue at record monthly levels over June which will continue to put downward pressure on clearance rates in an increasingly distracted mid-year market."