Homes become more affordable

Home affordability increases for the first time in 12 months.

Wednesday, January 17th 2001, 6:38AM

New Zealand home affordability improved by 0.4 percent over the December 2000 quarter as a drop in fixed interest rates offset a slight rise in the median dwelling price, according to the latest AMP Banking Home Affordability survey.

The small improvement in the New Zealand index was the first recorded in over 12 months. The New Zealand median dwelling price lifted 2% over the quarter, increasing from $170,000 to $174,000. The Real Estate Institute has reported an increase in dwelling sales during November, following the lows recorded during September/October. Dwelling sales volumes were 18% down for the year 2000, at 65,491 compared to 80,098 for 1999.

AMP Banking Marketing Manager, Karen Clough said the news is good for potential home owners. "The combination of improved affordability and the current lowering of mortgage interest rates makes it an opportune time for people to buy a property or renew their mortgage."

Five regions reported a quarterly improvement in home affordability. Otago recorded the highest improvement (6.7%) followed by Hawke's Bay (4.2%), Waikato/Bay of Plenty (2.2%), Canterbury/Westland (1%) and Auckland (0.8%).

Six regions out of the 11 regions surveyed recorded quarterly affordability declines. Taranaki showed the steepest decline (13.8%) followed by Manawatu/Wanganui (13.5%) and Northland (12.2%). The smallest quarterly declines were reported by Wellington (0.8%) followed by Southland (4.3%) and Nelson (5%). Median dwelling prices lifted over the quarter in all regions except for Hawke's Bay, Otago and Southland, each of which recorded a fall.

The December index for New Zealand reflected a home affordability decline of 27.1% over the past 12 months. Declines in home affordability were reported for all regions. Northland recorded the steepest twelve monthly decline (43.6%) followed by Wellington (41.7%), and Taranaki (33.6%).

Wellington's median dwelling price continued an upward trend already evident over the past year. Seven of the 11 regions recorded a lift in median dwelling prices over the past 12 months. Exceptions were Waikato/Bay of Plenty, Canterbury/Westland, Otago and Southland. The smallest twelve monthly home affordability declines were recorded by Waikato (20.5%) followed by Southland (21.3%) and Auckland (25.7%).

Graham Crews, Senior Lecturer in Real Estate at Massey University said, "The significant driver in twelve monthly home affordability decline has been the increase in interest rates over the period. Home buyers will welcome the softening trend which is now evident in interest rates."

Percentage Change in Mortgage Affordability in the last quarter			Percentage Change in Mortgage Affordability in the last 12 months
Region	Improvement	Decline	Improvement	Decline
Northland	-	12.2%	-	43.6%
Auckland	0.8%	-	-	25.7%
Waikato/Bay of Plenty/ Gisborne	2.2%	-	-	20.5%
Hawke's Bay	4.2%	-	-	27.7%
Manawatu/Wanganui	-	13.5%	-	28.8%
Taranaki	-	13.8%	-	33.6%
Wellington	-	0.8%	-	41.7%
Nelson	-	5.0%	-	26.5%
Canterbury/Westland	1.0%	-	-	27.3%
Otago	6.7%	-	-	27.1%
Southland	-	4.3%	-	21.3%
New Zealand	0.4%	-	-	27.1%