Weekly RP Data house price update

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ScreenHunter_02 Feb. 13 11.55

By Leith van Onselen

In the week ended 18 July 2013, the RP Data-Rismark 5-city daily dwelling price index, which covers the five major capital city markets, recorded a 0.20% increase. It was the sixth consecutive weekly rise in values (see next chart).

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Gains were recorded in all major capitals, except Adelaide (see next chart).

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ScreenHunter_08 Jul. 19 07.12

Values are up 0.94% so far in July, with all major capitals, except Adelaide, recording rises (see next chart).

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Since the end of last year, home values have risen by 3.95% at the 5-city level, with all markets experiencing gains (see next chart).

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Over the past 12 months, values have risen by 4.27% at the 5-city level, with all major markets experiencing increases (see next chart).

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ScreenHunter_11 Jul. 19 07.20

The next chart plots the daily movements on a 14-day moving average, in order to smooth volatility. As you can see, the uptrend continues, driven primarily by strong gains in Perth and Sydney (see next chart).

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Values are down 2.0% since peak at the 5-city level, with all major capitals except Sydney in negative territory (see next chart).

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However, major capital home values have now gained 5.9% since bottoming in May 2012, with all capitals rebounding (see next chart).

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Note: readers are advised not to read too much into short-term movements in the RP Data daily index. This index is incredibly volatile and not seasonally adjusted, hence it can give false readings when interpreted over a shorter-term timeframe. There is also evidence suggesting the RP Data daily index is a lagging indicator for the quarterly ABS house price series (see here). Caveat emptor.

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About the author
Leith van Onselen is Chief Economist at the MB Fund and MB Super. He is also a co-founder of MacroBusiness. Leith has previously worked at the Australian Treasury, Victorian Treasury and Goldman Sachs.