The REIQ says last month’s pause in interest rate hikes proved to be a short-lived relief for mortgage holders with the RBA once again hiking the cash rate by 25 basis points to 3.85% – the highest level since April 2012.
REIQ’s Dean Milton said the RBA’s decision to forge ahead with its aggressive tightening cycle would weigh heavily on homeowners and investors.
“We have seen regulatory chaos from State and Federal Governments, and whiplashing back to another interest rate rise only adds to this pain,” Mr Milton said.
“There’s barely been time for the market to absorb the lagged impact of the previous 10 consecutive rises and reassess the approach based on this.
“Equally, it’s difficult to see how would-be buyers can catch a break when their borrowing capacity has been on such unsteady footing.”
Mr Milton said economic conditions were already stifling future supply and pushing the dream of home ownership further out of reach for many.
“Building approvals in Queensland for houses are down which will have impacts on short-to-medium term supply, and lending statistics are also showing buyer activity is continuing on a downward trend,” he said.
“Inflation is being driven by inelastic goods and services such as electricity up 32.5% and health up 6% for the quarter, which interest rates do nothing to quell.
“It’s now time for state, federal and local governments to do their part in fighting inflation.”
