The house price-to-income ratio in Australia was ***** as of the fourth quarter of 2024. This ratio, calculated by dividing nominal house prices by nominal disposable income per head, increased from the previous quarter. The price-to-income ratio can be used to measure housing affordability in a specific area. Australia's property bubble There has been considerable debate over the past decade about whether Australia is in a property bubble or not. A property bubble refers to a sharp increase in the price of property that is disproportional to income and rental prices, followed by a decline. In Australia, rising house prices have undoubtedly been an issue for many potential homeowners, pricing them out of the market. Along with the average house price, high mortgage interest rates have exacerbated the issue. Is the homeownership dream out of reach? Housing affordability has varied across the different states and territories in Australia. In 2024, the median value of residential houses was the highest in Sydney compared to other major Australian cities, with Brisbane becoming an increasingly expensive city. Nonetheless, expected interest rate cuts in 2025, alongside the expansion of initiatives to improve Australia's dwelling stock, social housing supply, and first-time buyer accessibility to properties, may start to improve the situation. These encompass initiatives such as the Australian government's Help to Buy scheme and the Housing Australia Future Fund Facility (HAFFF) and National Housing Accord Facility (NHAF) programs.

Portugal, Canada, and the United States were the countries with the highest house price to income ratio in 2024. In all three countries, the index exceeded 130 index points, while the average for all OECD countries stood at 116.2 index points. The index measures the development of housing affordability and is calculated by dividing nominal house price by nominal disposable income per head, with 2015 set as a base year when the index amounted to 100. An index value of 120, for example, would mean that house price growth has outpaced income growth by 20 percent since 2015. How have house prices worldwide changed since the COVID-19 pandemic? House prices started to rise gradually after the global financial crisis (2007–2008), but this trend accelerated with the pandemic. The countries with advanced economies, which usually have mature housing markets, experienced stronger growth than countries with emerging economies. Real house price growth (accounting for inflation) peaked in 2022 and has since lost some of the gain. Although, many countries experienced a decline in house prices, the global house price index shows that property prices in 2023 were still substantially higher than before COVID-19. Renting vs. buying In the past, house prices have grown faster than rents. However, the home affordability has been declining notably, with a direct impact on rental prices. As people struggle to buy a property of their own, they often turn to rental accommodation. This has resulted in a growing demand for rental apartments and soaring rental prices.

Australia Standardised Price-Income Ratio: sa data was reported at 149.268 Ratio in Dec 2024. This records a decrease from the previous number of 152.371 Ratio for Sep 2024. Australia Standardised Price-Income Ratio: sa data is updated quarterly, averaging 82.643 Ratio from Mar 1970 (Median) to Dec 2024, with 220 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 153.422 Ratio in Jun 2024 and a record low of 62.554 Ratio in Sep 1983. Australia Standardised Price-Income Ratio: sa data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Australia – Table AU.OECD.AHPI: House Price Index: Seasonally Adjusted: OECD Member: Quarterly. Nominal house prices divided by nominal disposable income per head. Net household disposable income is used. The population data come from the OECD national accounts database. The long-term average is calculated over the whole period available when the indicator begins after 1980 or after 1980 if the indicator is longer. This value is used as a reference value. The ratio is calculated by dividing the indicator source on this long-term average, and indexed to a reference value equal to 100.

Housing Index in Australia increased to 183.90 points in the fourth quarter of 2021 from 175.60 points in the third quarter of 2021. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - Australia House Price Index - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Australia’s real house price index fell to ***** in the fourth quarter of 2024. House prices fluctuated over the reported period compared to the base year of 2015, experiencing a sharp increase throughout 2021, with the country’s house price index peaking in the first quarter of 2022 at ***. Prospective homeowners priced out of the market Recent house price increases reflect the ongoing challenges of housing affordability in Australia. Property prices largely outpace income growth, reigniting discussions about whether the country is stuck in a property bubble, a topic that has been debated for over a decade. The country’s house price-to-income ratio hit ***** in the second quarter of 2024, the highest ratio recorded over the past five years, making it increasingly difficult to get on the property ladder. Unaffordable rental conditions Australia’s rental market has also seen challenges, with the rent price index continuing to climb throughout 2024 into the first quarter of 2025, making the prospect of renting less appealing. As of March 2025, the average weekly house rent price in Sydney stood at *** Australian dollars, the highest across the country’s major cities. Canberra, Darwin, and Perth were the next most expensive markets for house rents, while Hobart was the most affordable capital city for both house and unit rent prices.

Sydney had the highest median house value compared to other capital cities in Australia as of April 2025, with a value of over **** million Australian dollars. Brisbane similarly had relatively high average residential housing values, passing Canberra and Melbourne to top the pricing markets for real estate across the country alongside Sydney. Housing affordability in Australia Throughout 2024, the average price of residential dwellings remained high across Australia, with several capital cities breaking price records. Rising house prices continue to be an issue for potential homeowners, with many low- and middle-income earners priced out of the market. In the fourth quarter of 2024, Australia’s house price-to-income ratio declined slightly to ***** index points. With the share of household income spent on mortgage repayments increasing alongside the disparity in supply and demand, inflating construction costs, and low borrowing capacity, the homeownership dream has become an unattainable prospect for the average person in Australia. Does the rental market offer better prospects? Renting for prolonged periods has become inevitable for many Australians due to the country’s largely inaccessible property ladder. However, record low vacancy rates and elevated median weekly house and unit rent prices within Australia’s rental market are making renting a less appealing prospect. In financial year 2024, households in the Greater Sydney metropolitan area reported spending around ** percent of their household income on rent.

Housing Affordability Index: South Australia: Adelaide data was reported at 126.200 Index in Jun 2010. This records a decrease from the previous number of 138.200 Index for Mar 2010. Housing Affordability Index: South Australia: Adelaide data is updated quarterly, averaging 182.084 Index from Sep 1984 (Median) to Jun 2010, with 104 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 308.743 Index in Sep 1997 and a record low of 113.400 Index in Jun 2008. Housing Affordability Index: South Australia: Adelaide data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Housing Industry Association. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Australia – Table AU.EB019: Housing Affordability Index: Based on Commonwealth Bank of Australia Home Price (Discontinued). Rebased Index. Replacement series ID: 305195901

In the fourth quarter of 2024, the house price-to-rent ratio in Australia was estimated at *****, marking a decrease from the same quarter of the previous year. An indicator of how strong the property market is, the house price-to-rent ratio was calculated by dividing nominal house prices by rent price indices. Within the given period, after reaching a peak in the first quarter of 2022, the price-to-rent ratio decreased each quarter until the second quarter of 2023. From then on, the house price-to-rent ratio fluctuated, but largely trended downwards. Is Australia in a property bubble? Many industry experts believe the country is in a property bubble, indicated by the rapid increase in Australian property market prices to the point that they are no longer relative to incomes and rents, followed by a decline. The house price-to-income ratio was on an upward trend between the third quarter of 2022 and the second quarter of 2024. Nonetheless, after hitting its peak, it declined to ***** in the fourth quarter of 2024. Rental property demand In March 2025, the rental vacancy rate, which indicates how many properties are available for rent out of all the rental stock, was relatively high in Melbourne, Canberra, and Sydney. That year, the average weekly rent prices varied across the country depending on the city, with the highest average weekly rents for houses and units in Sydney. Hobart, on the other hand, had the most affordable rental properties across Australia's capital cities.

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Home Equity Lending Market Size 2025-2029

The home equity lending market size is forecast to increase by USD 48.16 billion, at a CAGR of 4.7% between 2024 and 2029.

The market is experiencing significant growth, fueled primarily by the massive increase in home prices and the resulting rise in residential properties with substantial equity. This trend presents a lucrative opportunity for lenders, as homeowners with substantial equity can borrow against their homes to fund various expenses, from home improvements to debt consolidation. However, this market also faces challenges. Lengthy procedures and complex regulatory requirements can hinder the growth of home equity lending, making it essential for lenders to streamline their processes and ensure compliance with evolving regulations.
Additionally, economic uncertainty and potential interest rate fluctuations may impact borrower demand, requiring lenders to adapt their strategies to remain competitive. To capitalize on market opportunities and navigate challenges effectively, lenders must focus on enhancing the borrower experience, leveraging technology to streamline processes, and maintaining a strong regulatory compliance framework.

What will be the Size of the Home Equity Lending Market during the forecast period?

Explore in-depth regional segment analysis with market size data - historical 2019-2023 and forecasts 2025-2029 - in the full report.
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The market continues to evolve, shaped by various economic and market dynamics. Fair lending practices remain a crucial aspect, with entities ensuring borrowers' creditworthiness through rigorous risk assessments. Economic conditions, employment history, and credit score are integral components of this evaluation. Mortgage insurance (PMIs) and mortgage-backed securities (MBS) are employed to mitigate risk in the event of default. Verification of income, property value, and consumer protection are also essential elements in the home equity lending process. Housing prices, Homeowners Insurance, and property value are assessed to determine the loan-to-value ratio (LTV) and interest rate risk. Prepayment penalties, closing costs, and loan term are factors that influence borrowers' financial planning and decision-making.

The regulatory environment plays a significant role in shaping market activities. Consumer confidence, financial literacy, and foreclosure prevention initiatives are key areas of focus. real estate market volatility and mortgage rates impact the demand for home equity loans, with cash-out refinancing and debt consolidation being popular applications. Amortization schedules, mortgage broker involvement, and escrow accounts are essential components of the loan origination process. Market volatility and housing market trends continue to unfold, requiring ongoing risk assessment and adaptation.

How is this Home Equity Lending Industry segmented?

The home equity lending industry research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD million' for the period 2025-2029, as well as historical data from 2019-2023 for the following segments.

Source

  Mortgage and credit union
  Commercial banks
  Others


Distribution Channel

  Offline
  Online


Purpose

  Home Improvement
  Debt Consolidation
  Investment


Loan Type

  Fixed-Rate
  Variable-Rate


Geography

  North America

    US
    Mexico


  Europe

    France
    Germany
    Italy
    UK


  Middle East and Africa

    UAE


  APAC

    Australia
    China
    India
    Japan
    South Korea


  South America

    Brazil


  Rest of World (ROW)

By Source Insights

The mortgage and credit union segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period.

In the realm of home equity lending, mortgage and credit unions emerge as trusted partners for consumers. These financial institutions offer various services beyond home loans, including deposit management, checking and savings accounts, and credit and debit cards. By choosing a mortgage or credit union for home equity lending, consumers gain access to human advisors who can guide them through the intricacies of finance. Mortgage and credit unions provide competitive rates on home equity loans, making them an attractive option. Consumer protection is a priority, with fair lending practices and rigorous risk assessment ensuring creditworthiness. Economic conditions, employment history, and credit score are all taken into account during the loan origination process.

Home equity loans can be used for various purposes, such as home improvement projects, debt consolidation, or cash-out refinancing. Consumer confidence plays a role in loan origination, with interest rates influenced by market volatility and economic conditions. Fixed-rate and adjustable-rate loans are available, each with its a

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