Brisbane hits new median house price as Queensland growth continues: REIQ

Brisbane recorded a 14th consecutive quarter of growth with its median house price reaching $632,000 in the December quarter of 2015, according to REIQ's latest Market Monitor for Queensland.

The Brisbane house market was once again the strongest market, with a new median house price and a six percent increase in total listings. The days on market edged out to 78 days from 73 last year, however, vendor discounting is the same, 5.1 per cent.

REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella said the market’s consistency was its strength and meant that it was probably the most stable capital city.

“Our market has avoided the pitfalls of a boom and bust cycle, performing consistently over the past 14 quarters, which is more than three years of sustained growth.

“I know some property owners in Sydney and Melbourne who envy that record,” she said.

Brisbane’s new median represents an increase of 1.6 per cent for the quarter, a rise of 6.1 per cent on 12 months ago and an increase of 14.2 per cent on five years ago.

In the southeast corner, eight out of nine LGAs recorded either a median house price increase or static price when compared with the previous quarter.

The housing market, statewide, was reasonably positive with increases in most markets. The exceptions to those were Fraser Coast (-7.3 per cent) and Mackay (-3.7 per cent).

The Mackay market continues to struggle to find certain ground. The median house price slid 3.7 per cent compared with the September quarter.

“We are watching Mackay very closely and our hope is that the government infrastructure projects will create jobs and lead to more vigour in the local economy,” Mercorella said.

“Mackay has a diverse local economy and it is our hope that markets such as sugar and education can help create some revenue for local businesses,” she said.

The apartment market in Mackay recorded a 64 per cent increase in activity and a 12 per cent increase to the median apartment price, to $280,000, however, this was off a very small base of 22 sales last quarter, rising to 36 sales in the December quarter. Almost all of the additional sales were within one project, which settled in December.

In the regional centres, Gladstone and Townsville defied expectations to record increases in their respective median house prices.

Gladstone lifted by 3.2 per cent to $359,500, while Townsville lifted by 2.1 per cent to $350,000.

These results were surprising, considering December’s traditionally quiet trend. However, local agents reported “flurries” of activities in the final days of December that has obviously lifted these results in both markets.

Sales volumes in the apartment market softened throughout the state in the December quarter, even in the apartment powerhouse market of the Gold Coast, where activity was down nine per cent.

However, even with fewer sales, the Gold Coast recorded a median price increase of 2.6 per cent to $374,500.

The Sunshine Coast also increased its median apartment sale price, up 1.0 per cent, to $365,000.

Outside the southeast corner, Townsville once again surprised all with a 5.1 per cent lift in median apartment price to $290,000.