Sydney property goes cold as 'Chinese capital flows fall'

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Rapidly cooling house prices in Sydney and the sudden withdrawal of Chinese investors from the property market may lead the Reserve Bank to cut interest rates, according to investment bank Credit Suisse.
Key points:
Chinese capital flows closely correlated to Sydney property and point to an on-going cooling of prices
Sydney clearance rates now at the break even point where prices fall
Credit Suisse argues the RBA may be under pressure to cut rates if Sydney property falls as expected

Research conducted by Credit Suisse's economics and equity teams found Chinese capital flows are tightly correlated to Sydney housing prices, with movements impacting property demand 12 months down the track.
"Over the past few months, the Sydney housing market has not only cooled down, but has arguably turned cold," Credit Suisse wrote.
"Over the past year, Chinese capital flows have fallen considerably, in part reflecting the impact of stricter capital controls.
"This fall foreshadows weakness in NSW housing demand in the year ahead."
Auction clearance rates are at price tipping point
In recent months, preliminary auction clearance rates have drifted lower to 60-65 per cent from about 75 per cent last year.
More importantly revised auction clearance rates — accounting for late reported results — have even dipped below 60 per cent.
"This is a significant development because recent RBA analysis suggests that a 60 per cent clearance rate is typically the break-even point for house price inflation," Credit Suisse noted.
"In other words, house prices tend to fall when the clearance rate is below 60 per cent."
While it is difficult to pin-point the exact impact Chinese buyers have on price, Credit Suisse said its modelling found that Chinese capital flows and real interest rates predict roughly three-quarters of the variation in NSW property transfers since 2010.


(Source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation )

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