Australia's home prices rise at fastest clip in a year as rate cuts fuel demand

SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australian home prices increased at the fastest pace in a year in September, driven by rate cuts and record-low listings, property consultant Cotality said on Wednesday. National home prices increased 0.8% to a record median value of A$857,280 ($565,462) in September, marking the strongest monthly gain since October last year, according to figures from Cotality, formerly CoreLogic. For the quarter, prices were up 2.2%, compared with a 1.5% lift in the second quarter. The monthly gain was broad-based, led by a jump of 1.2% in Brisbane and a 1.6% surge in Perth. Sydney prices rose 0.8%, while Melbourne lagged a little at 0.5%. "The spring selling season is shaping up to be a strong one, with vendors claiming the driver's seat," Cotality said. "Low advertised stock levels and higher buyer demand are a recipe for solid selling conditions that will likely see prices lift further through spring and into the end of the year." Cotality said the strongest pace of growth had moved from the lower quartile of the market to the broad middle, likely a reflection of increased borrowing capacity thanks to lower interest rates. The Reserve Bank of Australia held interest rates steady at 3.60% on Tuesday, but has cut rates three times this year as inflation slowed. The central bank said recent data suggested inflation might be higher than forecast in the third quarter and the economic outlook remained uncertain. The Labor government's new policy of helping first home buyers to enter the market with just a 5% deposit will take effect from Wednesday. That is expected to further stoke demand. The rental market is also showing renewed signs of tightness, with national vacancy rates slipping to a record low. Rents rose 0.5% in September from a month earlier, taking the quarterly gain to 1.4%, the highest since June last year. ($1 = 1.5161 Australian dollars) (Reporting by Stella Qiu; Editing by Jamie Freed)

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