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Bank's LVR move the right one, economists say

Monday 17th of November 2014

In last week’s Financial Stability Report, Reserve Bank Governor Graeme Wheeler said the time was not right to lift the LVR rules.

“We have always indicated that the LVR restrictions are a temporary measure. However, there remains a risk of a resurgence in house price inflation, particularly in light of strong immigration flows. Consequently, we do not consider it appropriate to ease the LVR speed limit at this time.”

Westpac’s chief economist Dominick Stephens said he had been arguing for some time that a rebound in the market was virtually a sure bet.

“The latest data is starting to vindicate that view. The most fruitful avenue for understanding the year-to-year cycles in the housing market is to watch financial conditions, including interest rates. Late last year fixed mortgage rates rose sharply, and at the same the RBNZ restricted high-LVR mortgage lending. The housing market promptly slowed (to the consternation of those who exclusively watch physical factors like construction shortages). But over recent months fixed mortgage rates have fallen hard, and that is sure to provide a tail-wind to the housing market.”

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