Australia rate cuts favour home owners, buyers

Home buyers in Australia are seen benefitting from the 25 basis points rate cut imposed by the Reserve Bank on Tuesday

“Home-owners always like to see interest rates go down. This cut means the average loan repayment is reduced from $2,155 to $2,105 or by $50 per month,” according to Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) President, Ms Pamela Bennett in reaction to the RBA’s decision this afternoon.

Ms Bennett said in an issued statement that the 0.25 percentage point reduction will be a relief for home owners and potential buyers.

The previous rate cuts have favourably taken effect with the latest research released by latest RP Data Rismark Home Values Index, which shows home prices rising 1.4% in September.

Across Australia's eight state and territory capitals, house and apartment prices rose the highest since March 2010.

Home prices in Australia has risen for the fourth consecutive month in September, in what could be a confirmation that the rate cut is finally taking effect. 

In the latest RP Data Rismark Home Values Index released on Tuesday by the property research firm RP Data, across Australia's eight state and territory capitals, house and apartment prices jumped 1.4 per cent in September from a month ago, the highest since March 2010.

Home price gains were recorded in Adelaide at 2.4%, Perth at 1.6%, Sydney at 1.5%, Melbourne at 1.4%and Brisbane at 1.1%.

"It's no coincidence that housing market conditions bottomed out at the end of May, after the Reserve Bank cut the official cash rate by 50 basis points," Tim Lawless, research director at RP Data, said in a statement.