Property sentiment up as Aussies expect price lifts: ME Bank

With Victoria’s second wave of infections behind us and the economy slowly returning to normal, findings from ME Bank show property market sentiment has almost bounced back to pre-COVID-19 levels.
According to its latest Quarterly Property Sentiment Report, 38% of Australians feel positive about the direction the market is heading, up from 29% in April and almost on par with October 2019 (42%).
So far, the market has proven to be remarkably resilient. Recent data from CoreLogic showed home values returning to positive month-on-month growth last month, with every capital city besides Melbourne posting an increase in values.
This has buoyed sentiment among homeowners, with 65% predicting house prices will increase or stay the same where they live, and a shrinking number (20%) expecting prices to decline over the next 12 months.
Attitudes towards housing affordability have also improved slightly, though Australia’s sky-high prices remain a concern for a majority (88%) of Australians.
Two-speed market forms as some adopt ‘wait-and-see’ approach
Though sentiment is showing improvement across the board, Australians with sights on the property market are divided on how soon they intend to act.
Among those surveyed by ME, 43% indicated they are looking to buy or sell a property as soon as possible. Meanwhile, 57% said they intend to delay any moves until the COVID-19 situation improves.
“Despite growing positivity and optimism for house prices, there’s still many buyers and sellers who will be more comfortable continuing a ‘watch and see’ approach,” said ME’s head of home loans, Andrew Bartolo.
“The cash rate cut at the start of the month may encourage some to make moves in the market – particularly first home buyers looking to take advantage of the record low interest rates, price falls and reduced investor activity.”
ME Bank found that those living in Victoria’s metro areas are most eager to get on the market, with 44% indicating they intend to buy in the next 12 months.
Confidence is also high among first home buyers. However, 58% of respondents expressed concerns about a lack of choice in the market, and an equal number admitted that COVID-19 has made it harder to save up a deposit.
For more insights into mortgage and lending trends, browse our home loan statistics page. And if you’re looking to enter the market yourself, head over to our home loan comparison page.
Home loan comparisons on Mozo - last updated 13 August 2022
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Variable Home Loan 70
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment3.10% p.a. variable3.12% p.a.Affordable home loan rate for buyers or refinancers.. No monthly or ongoing fees. Option to add an offset for 0.10%. Access to savings with unlimited redraws available. Minimum 30% deposit required.
CompareCompareVariable Home Loan 70
Affordable home loan rate for buyers or refinancers.. No monthly or ongoing fees. Option to add an offset for 0.10%. Access to savings with unlimited redraws available. Minimum 30% deposit required.
- interest rate
- 3.10% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 3.12% p.a.
- interest rate
- 3.10% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 3.12% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $520
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $0.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- yes
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 70.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $50,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $2,000,000
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Variable Home Loan 70
-
Unloan Variable
Owner Occupier, Refinance Only
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment3.14% p.a. variable3.06% p.a.For refinancers only. Built by CommBank, the Unloan is the first home loan with an increasing discount (conditions apply) for borrowers. No application or banking fees. No monthly account keeping or early exit fees. Apply in as little as 10 minutes.
CompareCompareUnloan Variable
For refinancers only. Built by CommBank, the Unloan is the first home loan with an increasing discount (conditions apply) for borrowers. No application or banking fees. No monthly account keeping or early exit fees. Apply in as little as 10 minutes.
- interest rate
- 3.14% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 3.06% p.a.
- interest rate
- 3.14% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 3.06% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $0
- Ongoing fees
- -
- Discharge Fee
- $0.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $10,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $3,000,000
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Unloan Variable
-
Featured Product
Neat Home Loan
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR <60%
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment3.64% p.a. variable3.66% p.a.Low variable rate No annual fees to pay. Unlimited additional repayments. Free redraw facility available. Fast digital application. 40% deposit required. Winner of Mozo Experts Choice Australia's Best Essential Bank 2022^.
CompareCompareNeat Home Loan
Low variable rate No annual fees to pay. Unlimited additional repayments. Free redraw facility available. Fast digital application. 40% deposit required. Winner of Mozo Experts Choice Australia's Best Essential Bank 2022^.
- interest rate
- 3.64% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 3.66% p.a.
- interest rate
- 3.64% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 3.66% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $250
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $300.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 60.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $80,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $5,000,000
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Neat Home Loan
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PAYG Home Loan
Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest, LVR<80%
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment3.29% p.a. variable3.33% p.a.Low variable rate. Ideal for new home buyers or refinancers. Unlimited additional repayments. Unlimited free redraw. Application completely online. Optional 100% offset can be added for $120 p.a.. 20% deposit required.
CompareComparePAYG Home Loan
Low variable rate. Ideal for new home buyers or refinancers. Unlimited additional repayments. Unlimited free redraw. Application completely online. Optional 100% offset can be added for $120 p.a.. 20% deposit required.
- interest rate
- 3.29% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 3.33% p.a.
- interest rate
- 3.29% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 3.33% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $840
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $500.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- Optional - $10 per month
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $250,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $3,000,000
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the PAYG Home Loan
-
Celebrate Variable Home Loan
<60% LVR, Owner Occupier, Principal & Interest
interest rate
comparison rate
Initial monthly repayment3.79% p.a. variable3.79% p.a.Fast and efficient online application. Automatic discounts as loan is paid down. Free extra repayments and redraw facility. Zero fees. Min 40% deposit required.
CompareCompareCelebrate Variable Home Loan
Fast and efficient online application. Automatic discounts as loan is paid down. Free extra repayments and redraw facility. Zero fees. Min 40% deposit required.
- interest rate
- 3.79% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 3.79% p.a.
- interest rate
- 3.79% p.a. variable
- comparison rate
- 3.79% p.a.
- Upfront fees
- $0
- Ongoing fees
- $0.00
- Discharge Fee
- $0.00
- Extra repayments
- yes - free
- Redraw facility
- yes - free
- Offset account
- yes
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 60.00%
- minimum borrowing amount
- $100,000
- maximum borrowing amount
- $2,000,000
- type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special Offers
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Celebrate Variable Home Loan
* WARNING: This comparison rate applies only to the example or examples given. Different amounts and terms will result in different comparison rates. Costs such as redraw fees or early repayment fees, and cost savings such as fee waivers, are not included in the comparison rate but may influence the cost of the loan. The comparison rate displayed is for a secured loan with monthly principal and interest repayments for $150,000 over 25 years.
** Initial monthly repayment figures are estimates only, based on the advertised rate, loan amount and term entered. Rates, fees and charges and therefore the total cost of the loan may vary depending on your loan amount, loan term, and credit history. Actual repayments will depend on your individual circumstances and interest rate changes.
^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Home Loan Awards
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