The figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) were better than expected, with economists forecasting a 10.0% drop. 

The fall in the number of dwellings approved in April was driven by a 28.6% drop in private sector apartments and townhouses. 

Looking to build a home? Below are a handful of low-rate construction loans in the market.

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LenderHome LoanInterest Rate Comparison Rate* Monthly Repayment Repayment type Rate Type Offset Redraw Ongoing Fees Upfront Fees Max LVR Lump Sum Repayment Additional Repayments Split Loan Option TagsFeaturesLinkComparePromoted ProductDisclosure
6.43% p.a.
6.68% p.a.
$2,679
Interest-only
Variable
$0
$530
80%
  • Interest only during construction period
  • Offset sub-account available after completion
  • Unlimited additional repayments after completion
 Disclosure
6.44% p.a.
6.79% p.a.
$3,141
Principal & Interest
Variable
$395
$null
95%
6.64% p.a.
7.03% p.a.
$2,767
Interest-only
Variable
$null
$720
90%
6.64% p.a.
7.10% p.a.
$2,767
Interest-only
Variable
$0
$530
80%
6.78% p.a.
6.82% p.a.
$2,825
Interest-only
Variable
$0
$450
80%
7.05% p.a.
6.24% p.a.
$3,343
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$1,212
70%
7.24% p.a.
8.01% p.a.
$3,017
Interest-only
Variable
$20
$644
90%
8.39% p.a.
8.72% p.a.
$3,806
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$0
75%
8.45% p.a.
7.71% p.a.
$3,521
Interest-only
Variable
$0
$1,212
90%
8.68% p.a.
8.75% p.a.
$3,909
Principal & Interest
Variable
$0
$900
80%
  • Interest only during construction period
  • Offset sub-account available after completion
  • Unlimited additional repayments after completion

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Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning

Base criteria of: a $400,000 loan amount, variable, fixed, principal and interest (P&I) home loans with an LVR (loan-to-value) ratio of at least 80%. However, the ‘Compare Home Loans’ table allows for calculations to be made on variables as selected and input by the user. Some products will be marked as promoted, featured or sponsored and may appear prominently in the tables regardless of their attributes. All products will list the LVR with the product and rate which are clearly published on the product provider’s website. Monthly repayments, once the base criteria are altered by the user, will be based on the selected products’ advertised rates and determined by the loan amount, repayment type, loan term and LVR as input by the user/you. *The Comparison rate is based on a $150,000 loan over 25 years. Warning: this comparison rate is true only for this example and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. Rates correct as of . View disclaimer.

Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning

Daniel Rossi, director of construction statistics at the ABS, said despite the drop, the aftermath of HomeBuilder meant there was still serious demand for new builds. 

"While there was a fall in overall approvals, the April result highlights the continued strong demand for detached housing, with private sector house approvals reaching a new record high in April, up 4.6%," Mr Rossi said.

"Since the introduction of HomeBuilder in June 2020, private house approvals have risen 84%, with South Australia hitting a new record high in April, and New South Wales reaching the highest level since December 1988."

HomeBuilder's expiry on April 14 didn't affect the April data from the ABS, as the building approval process typically occurs after the HomeBuilder application submission. 

Buildappapr01.JPG

Source: ABS

ANZ economists said they expected to see growth continue, with total annual approvals at their second highest level since November 2017. 

"We could see continuing growth in unit approvals as optimism about the labour market flows continues to flow through to investor lending," they said.

"In March, investor lending growth (54.3% y/y) converged with owner occupier lending growth (55.6% y/y) for the first time since the pandemic downturn.

"Very low interest rates (including strong forward guidance on interest rates by the RBA) and continued fiscal support for home buyers announced in the May budget are also supporting demand for housing, which is likely to keep supporting approvals past the effects of Homebuilder."

New South Wales was the strongest performer, where total dwelling approvals rose 12.3%, followed by Western Australia (5.5%), and South Australia (3.4%). 

Victoria recorded a 25.3% fall, with Queensland the next worst performer (-14.3%). 

The value of total building approved decreased 22.6%, in seasonally adjusted terms.

The value of total residential building fell 7.1%, driven by a 7.6% fall in new residential building and a 3.8% fall in residential alterations and additions.

The value of non-residential building fell 43.2%, mainly driven by a decrease in public sector approvals, following a record high reached in March.

Photo by Dakota Roos on Unsplash 



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