Ray White Now | 3 Aug 2020 Vol. 12 | Page 8

IF I AM CONSIDERING SELLING, WHY SHOULD I GO TO MARKET NOW? SUMMARY • List now to sell in spring. • Avoid potential risks that may arise in the market. • Home values are protected now. The fundamentals of the Australian housing market are intact despite the economic upheaval caused by the COVID-19 lockdown. The two biggest drivers of the residential property market have been low mortgage rates and credit growth. The state of the housing market has been a key barometer of economic health and is keenly watched by all levels of government and Treasury. The property market is functioning at a high level with very benign price adjustments if any at all. Statements by Macquarie Group last week reminded us of the uncertain economic outlook. The Australian-based global investment bank advised it was unable to provide “meaningful earnings guidance at this point... the first time since the global financial crisis”. The investment bank warned current levels of government support have likely “masked” higher unemployment and a deeper economic slump. “We’re in a particularly uncertain time,” chief executive Shemara Wikramanayake said last Thursday about the difficult environment. “It’s more difficult than other times during our history to forecast how things are going to play out,” she said. If Macquarie Group are unable to give earnings guidance, how can anyone be expected to give any firm estimate or predication as to what might happen to the real estate market in the year ahead? “By listing your property now, you would most likely achieve a sale in early September, which historically has no difference in median price to sales that occur later in the spring and early summer.” Again, we remind our customers that as current real estate market conditions are broadly very favourable, they can avoid any future economic uncertainty by transacting now. By listing your property now, you would most likely achieve a sale in early September, which historically has no difference in median price to sales that occur later in the spring and early summer. The key reason to list now is to remove as much risk as possible as to what might happen later in the year. There are many economists predicting property prices will decline over the next year or so. As mentioned earlier there are two basic fundamentals that drive property prices, supply and demand. Many suggest that supply will outweigh demand in the next six to 12 months and possibly longer, creating conditions less favourable for sellers. What many economists are saying that the next 12 months may hold: • JobKeeper and JobSeeker support limited; • Mortgage deferment support extended by all the major banks; • Significant rise in unemployment; and • Therefore the number of properties for sale will increase and there may be less buyers looking to purchase property. 8 The information is general information only, not financial advice, and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs.