Business Research & Insights

Sentiment in Australian commercial property markets softened a little, but remains well above long-term average levels. Despite some pull back, CBD hotels and office markets continue leading the way, with NSW still at the forefront by state and WA floundering.

Despite an overall improvement in commercial property market sentiment, the survey reveals that fewer developers are planning to start new works in the short-term.

Office property re-emerges as the strongest commercial property sector. Overall sentiment in Australian commercial property markets has moderated a little, but it remains at elevated levels and continues to vary widely across sectors and states.

More positive signs emerge as NAB’s Commercial Property Index rises for the second consecutive quarter. Encouragingly, sentiment is now positive in all commercial property market segments, but remains very divergent across states.

Positive signs emerge as NAB’s Commercial Property Index climbs to a 4-year high with a notable pick up in confidence among property developers.

NAB’s Residential Property Index rises as stronger house price growth offsets falling rents. Sentiment is up in all states except WA which remains deeply negative. Foreign buyers are more active in NSW (1 in 5 new sales) and are now at similar levels to Victoria.

Sentiment in commercial property markets softened in Q4 after September’s promising gains. Retail sentiment (and to a lesser extent industrial) buck the trend, offset by falls in CBD hotels and office. Forward indicators are painting a mixed picture of the market.

NAB Residential Property Index falls as house price expectations pared back and rents weaken. Sentiment softer in all states (and still deeply negative in WA). Almost 10% of all property is being purchased by first home buyers as an “investment”.

Overall sentiment in Australian commercial property markets turns positive for the first time since early-2011, but WA continues to weaken. NAB Group Chief Economist Alan Oster said "NAB’s Commercial Property Index rose to +2 points in Q3, its first positive read since March 2011.”

NAB Residential Property Index unchanged with stronger house price expectations offset by weaker rental prospects. Sentiment continues to soften in WA (an all time low). Big pick-up in foreign buying activity in new property (especially VIC) and tipped to rise further.

NAB Commercial Property Index fell -3 to -6 points in Q2 and continues to track below business confidence. NAB Group Chief Economist Alan Oster said: “Sentiment was weaker in all market segments, except CBD hotels, and also negative in all states, especially in WA.”

Housing market sentiment falls as house price growth slows and rental pressures continue to weaken. Local investors step up and foreign buyers less prevalent.