Steady Growth in a Shaky Season
Q: What happened to Australian property values in April 2025?
A: Property values went up for the third month in a row, rising by 0.3%. This added about $2,720 to the median home price.
Q: What caused this price increase?
A: Every capital city saw some growth in April. Darwin had the highest rise (1.1%), while Sydney and Melbourne each went up by 0.2%.
Q: Was the growth rate higher or lower than in March?
A: It was slightly lower. In March, the increase was 0.4%, but in April it slowed to 0.3%.
Q: Was the growth rate higher or lower than in March?
A: It was slightly lower. In March, the increase was 0.4%, but in April it slowed to 0.3%.
Q: Why did the growth slow down?
A: Experts say it's because buyer confidence dropped. Auction clearance rates also fell, and people were unsure due to the upcoming election and U.S. trade news.
Q: Did the RBA’s interest rate cut help the housing market?
A: Yes, the February rate cut boosted the market, but its impact seems to be wearing off.
Q: How did the upcoming federal election affect the market?
A: It made some buyers and sellers wait before making decisions, adding to the slowdown in market activity.
Q: Were there fewer auctions and listings in April?
A: Yes. Only 644 auctions were held during Easter week — the quietest since 2019 (except during COVID). Listings also dropped, with just 19,650 homes for sale.
Q: What’s expected to happen next?
A: If interest rates are cut again in May and the election brings more certainty, property values may keep rising modestly through 2025.
Q: Did all cities reach record-high home values in April?
A: No. Only Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth hit new peaks. Sydney and Melbourne are still below their previous highs.
Q: How did houses compare to units in terms of value growth?
A: Houses grew faster than units. In the last three months, house prices rose 1.1% in major cities, while unit prices only went up 0.5%.
Q: Which city showed the biggest gap between house and unit price changes?
A: Hobart. House prices rose 1.4%, but unit prices dropped 1.1%.
Q: How does April’s growth compare to last year?
A: Growth is slowing down. The annual growth rate was 3.2% — the slowest since August 2023.
Q: What does the future look like for property prices?
A: Growth is expected to stay modest. Even though prices rose after the February rate cut, the overall trend is slowing.