Media Release: 26 April 2018
Australia’s leading real estate investment advisory body has released analysis proving mortgages are more affordable now than they were in 1990.
The Property Investment Professionals of Australia (PIPA) said those arguing property’s lack of affordability haven’t studied the numbers properly.
“Many commentators use just two indicators to measure housing affordability – income and house prices,” PIPA Chairman Peter Koulizos said.
“This is a good measure to indicate how expensive housing is, but if you want to analyse affordability, you must also consider mortgage repayments.”
PIPA examined annual figures looking at the average size of a home loan, the standard variable rate, principal and interest loan repayments and the annual average wage from 1990 to today.
| YEAR | AVERAGE LOAN SIZE | STANDARD VARIABLE RATE | ANNUAL P & I LOAN REPAYMENTS | AVERAGE ANNUAL WAGES | % OF ANNUAL SALARY |
| 1990 | $66,300 | 17.0% | $11,340 | $23,600 | 48.1% |
| 1995 | $90,900 | 10.5% | $9,972 | $28,236 | 35.3% |
| 2000 | $139,700 | 6.8% | $10,932 | $31,928 | 34.2% |
| 2005 | $210,800 | 7.1% | $17,004 | $39,728 | 42.8% |
| 2010 | $300,200 | 5.6% | $20,676 | $49,712 | 41.6% |
| 2011 | $304,200 | 7.4% | $25,272 | $51,896 | 48.7% |
| 2012 | $296,100 | 7.8% | $25,584 | $53,820 | 47.5% |
| 2013 | $305,200 | 6.6% | $23,388 | $56,212 | 41.6% |
| 2014 | $316,900 | 5.5% | $21,588 | $57,928 | 37.3% |
| 2015 | $332,900 | 5.5% | $22,680 | $58,708 | 38.6% |
| 2016 | $365,500 | 5.4% | $24,624 | $59,592 | 41.3% |
| 2017 | $363,300 | 5.1% | $23,676 | $60,528 | 39.1% |
| 2018 | $389,000 | 5.1% | $25,344 | $61,984 | 40.9% |
Sources: ABS, www.tradingeconomics.com, loansense.com.au, NAB
“The key figure to look at is the last column – the percentage of an average person’s income needed to make the mortgage repayments,” Mr Koulizos said.
Mr Koulizos said, based on this realistic analysis, home loans are as affordable now as they were in 2010, and actually more affordable than 28 years ago.
“In 2018 figures, you need 40.9 per cent of the average annual salary to pay the mortgage,” he said.
“Compared to 1990 when you needed 48.1 per cent of the average annual salary, property owners are in a better position.”
He said interest rates played a major role in driving affordability, and our current low rate environment was keeping property price-accessible.
Mr Koulizos said in 1990, when home loan interest rates were 17 per cent, it required 48.1 per cent of the average person’s salary to make the mortgage repayments.
Five years later, you only needed 35.3 per cent of the average salary to make the mortgage repayments.
“Why such an improvement in affordability in such a short period of time? It’s due mainly to markedly lower interest rates in 1995 as compared to 1990.”
Mr Koulizos said rather than the ability to service a loan, it was the initial deposit that seems to stump most potential first buyers.
“There little doubt it can be tough saving for a deposit, although many first timers are using innovative strategies such as rentvesting and buying in more affordable locations as well as buying with family and friends to get a foot on the real estate ladder.”
Mr Koulizos suggests buyers need to ensure they are relying on expert advice from a qualified property investment professional as well as seeking the best possible finance deal.
“Shop around and use a reputable mortgage broker and professional property investment advisor,” he said.
**ENDS**
NOTE TO EDITORS
CONTACT
For more information or to organise an interview with Peter Koulizos, please contact:
Bricks & Mortar Media
E: media@bricksandmortar.com.au
M: 0417 793 447
About PIPA
The Property Investment Professionals of Australia (PIPA) is a not-for-profit association established by industry practitioners with the objective of representing and raising the professional standards of all operators involved with property investment.
Since its inception, PIPA has developed codes of ethics and conduct and professional standards of accreditation and education for the property investment industry, including a Property Investment Adviser Accreditation Course.
PIPA is actively lobbying the federal government to bring property investment advice into a regulatory framework. Until such regulation is introduced, PIPA will continue to provide the public with warnings about working with ethical and professional industry practitioners.
For more information visit www.pipa.asn.au