December quarter housing data roundup: Four sets of statistics give divergent outlooks
With the release of the of ABS December quarter capital city house price indices, property investors now have four sets of data to benchmark the recent performance of these key markets.
Researchers use different methodologies and data to compile their figures, and not surprisingly the results diverge.
As an example, RP-Data Rismark says Melbourne house prices are down 6.8% for the year to a median of $485,000, while Australian Property Monitors says they’re down only 3.1% for the year to a median of $538,000. Different again, Residex puts the Melbourne median at $485,000.
To help investors get the full picture, Property Observer has compiled a roundup of property price research undertaken by RP Data-Rismark, Australian Property Monitors (APM), the ABS and Residex for the eight capital city markets.
The ABS says house prices are down 1% for the December 2011 quarter and down 2.7% for the year to a median of $595,000^.
Residex says house prices decreased by 0.24% in December, are down 1.78% for the quarter and down 2.54% for the year to a median of $656,000.
RP Data-Rismark says house prices increased by 0.5% in December, are up 0.7% for the quarter and down 0.9% for the year to a median of $535,000.
APM says house prices are unchanged for the quarter and down 1.3% for the year to a median of $637,000.
The ABS says house prices are down 1.6% for the quarter and down 6.1% for the year to a median of $500,000^.
Residex says house prices decreased by 0.1% in December to be down 1.01% for the quarter and down 3.28% for the year to a median of $574,000.
RP Data-Rismark says house prices decreased by 0.7% in December, are down 1.8% for the quarter and down 6.8% for the year to a median of $485,000.
APM says house prices are up 1.1% for the quarter and down 3.1% for the year to a median of $538,000.
The ABS says house prices are down 1.3% for the quarter and down 6.7% for the year to a median of $442,000^.
Residex says house prices decreased by 0.49% in December, are down 2.54% for the quarter and are down 6.7% for the year to a median of $427,500.
RP Data-Rismark says house prices decreased by 0.5% in December, are down 1.1% for the quarter and are down 6.8% for the year to a median of $435,000.
APM says house prices fell 1.2% for the quarter and are down 7.5% for the year to a median of $426,000.
The ABS says house prices are up 0.5% for the quarter and down 4.9% for the year to a median of $485,000^.
Residex says house prices decreased by 1.11% in December, are up 0.41% for the quarter and down 3.76% for the year to a median of $469,000.
RP Data-Rismark says house prices decreased by 1.2% in December, are down 1.6% for the quarter and fell 4.3% for the year to a median of $465,000.
APM says house prices are down 1.2% for the quarter and are down 5.2% for the year to a median of $522,000.
The ABS says house prices are down 1.6% for the quarter and down 6.4% for the year to a median of $395,000^.
Residex says house prices increased by 0.79% in December, fell 0.43% for the quarter and declined 3.17% for the year to a median of $395,500.
RP Data-Rismark says house prices decreased by 0.5% in December, are down 1.5% for the quarter and fell 5.3% for the year to a median of $385,000.
APM says house prices are up 0.5% for the quarter and are down 3.9% for the year to a median of $438,000.
The ABS says house prices are down 1.4% for the quarter and down 5.4% for the year to a median of $500,000^.
Residex says house prices increased by 1.7% in December, are down 1.25% for the quarter and fell 6.11% for the year to a median of $484,500.
RP Data-Rismark says house prices decreased by 0.5% in December, are down 1.6% for the quarter and fell 2.2% for the year to a median of $490,000.
APM says house prices are down 0.5% for the quarter and down 7% for the year to a median of $579,000.
The ABS says house prices are up 0.7% for the quarter and down 2.6% for the year to a median of $540,000^.
Residex says house prices increased by 0.51% in December but are down 1.84% for the quarter and down 2.03% for the year to a median of $526,500.
RP Data-Rismark says house prices decreased by 1.5% in December, are down 1.5% for the quarter and fell 2.5% for the year to a median of $535,000.
APM says house prices are down 0.6% for the quarter and declined 3.5% for the year to a median of $552,000.
The ABS says house prices are up 0.8% for the quarter and down 4% for the year to a median of $330,000^.
Residex says house prices increased by 2.81% in December, are up 1.14% for the quarter and up 0.32% for the year to a median of $389,000.
RP Data-Rismark says house prices decreased by 2.4% in November*, are up 0.4% for the quarter and down 8.7% for the year to a median of $340,000.
APM says house prices are up 0.5% for the quarter and down 5% for the year to a median of $323,000.
*RP Data-Rismark most recent Hobart data
^ABS median prices are up until June 2011 quarter
