November 13, 2013

Quarterly Australian Commercial Property Survey – Q3, 2013

Commercial property market sentiment improved slightly in Q3, in line with a modest pick-up in confidence also seen in NAB’s Quarterly Business Survey. However, NAB’s Commercial Property Index is still deeply negative (-13) and below its long-term average (-7).

Commercial property market sentiment improved slightly in Q3, in line with a modest pick-up in confidence also seen in NAB’s Quarterly Business Survey. However, NAB’s Commercial Property Index is still deeply negative (-13) and below its long-term average (-7). The index was weighed down by a weaker office market (weakest overall). Sentiment improved in other markets (but still negative for retail and industrial) and edged up in most states (bar WA and Queensland). Victoria is set to overtake NSW as the most optimistic state in 2 years time, with WA the least optimistic. Expectations for capital and rental growth in the next 1-2 years improved in all markets (except office). More developers are looking to start new projects in the near term (mostly residential). Improved debt and equity funding and lower average pre-commitments to meet external funding requirements suggest financing conditions have improved. Consumer confidence is still seen as the key challenge for property firms, but stock availability now also a big issue.

  • NAB’s Commercial Property Index rose to -13 in Q3 (-16 in Q2). The overall Index was weighed down by further weakening in office sentiment. Measured optimism seen in NAB’s Q3 Business Survey may have spilled over into commercial property markets, with property professionals in all markets (bar office) raising their expectations for capital and income growth in the next 1-2 years. As a result, NAB’s Commercial Property Index is now expected to rise to +27 by Q3’14 and +47 in Q3’15.
  • Sentiment edged up in most states in Q3. WA and Queensland were the exceptions with weaker sentiment likely impacted by slower mining investment activity. Sentiment improved most in Victoria, but overall was highest in NSW. Survey participants in most states are more confident about the next 1-2 years, with Victoria to overtake NSW as the strongest state in 2 years time. Expectations were scaled back heavily in WA, which is now the least optimistic state over the next 1-2 years.
  • Capital values grew for CBD hotels (0.4%) in Q3, but were down for industrial (-0.5%), retail (-0.5%) and office (-0.7%). CBD hotels to lead capital returns with stronger growth of 2.8% and 3.8% forecast for the next 1-2 years. Property professionals also see stronger capital returns for industrial (1.5% and 2.8%) and retail (0.3% and 1.3%) property, but have scaled back their expectations for capital growth in the office market to 0.6% and 2.1% in next 1-2 years.
  • Gross rents fell in all markets in Q3. The rate of decline slowed for industrial (-0.4%) and retail (-1.6%) property, but accelerated for office (-2%), Average industrial rents are forecast to grow 1.3% in the next year, but fall for retail (-0.9%) and office (-0.8%). National industrial rents are expected to rise 2.2% in the next 2 years, with growth also resuming for retail (0.4%) and office (0.6%). Incentives remain very important in the office and retail leasing markets.
  • Supply conditions have softened in office and retail property markets, but tightness is evident in the CBD hotel market. Vacancy rates climbed in all market segments in Q3, with the office market under most pressure.
  • More property developers are planning to commence works in the near-term, with most seeking to develop residential property (especially in NSW and Victoria). The majority of developers entering the market are looking to cash in on land banked stock, but more developers are now also chasing new acquisitions.
  • The ability of property developers to access debt and equity funding improved further in Q3. The survey results indicate that the average pre-commitment requirement to meet external funding requirements for new developments has now also fallen to its lowest level since early-2011. Consumer confidence continues to be seen as the main challenge facing property businesses in the next year, but concerns over stock availability have also risen sharply, especially in WA.

For further analysis download the summary or full report.