ABSA House Price Index – SA House price growth at its lowest level in 7 years

According to the latest Absa House Price Index, nominal year-on-year (y/y) growth in house prices in the middle-segment of the market (see explanatory notes) slowed to a level of 11,2% in December 2007 (12,5% y/y in November), which brought the average price of a house to almost R964 000 at year-end. This was the lowest price growth since December 1999, when it was 9,3%. House prices were up by 14,5% in nominal terms in 2007 compared with 15,2% in 2006 and 22,6% in 2005.

Real year-on-year price growth was only 3,8% y/y in November (5,3% in October) – the lowest real growth since the 4,2% recorded in December 2002. In the first eleven months of 2007, real growth in house prices averaged 7,5% y/y. The real growth rate is based on the headline consumer price index (CPI).

On a month-on-month basis, nominal house price growth slowed further to 0,3% in December from 0,4% in November. In real terms, house prices were unchanged in November from October.

On the back of exchange rate and oil and food price movements in recent months, inflationary pressures in the economy have mounted further, causing the CPIX inflation rate to rise to a level of 7,9% in November last year, which is well above the 6% upper limit of the inflation target range. This was the highest CPIX inflation rate recorded since the 8,5% of April 2003. Inflation is expected to remain under upward pressure over the short term in view of an oil price of just below $100/barrel and the rand exchange rate edging on R6,90 to the US dollar. These developments may lead to a further increase in fuel prices next month on the back of the current under-recovery in both petrol and diesel prices. Against this background, CPIX inflation is forecast to peak at a level of well above 8% in the first quarter of 2008, which does not bode well for the interest rate outlook over the short term.

Growth in nominal house prices is forecast to taper off somewhat further in 2008 after the downward trend in price growth accelerated towards the end of 2007. Nominal growth in house prices may drop to as low as 9% in 2008, largely driven by the tightening of monetary policy since mid-2006, the impact of the National Credit Act on the growth in credit extension to consumers, as well as an expected slower pace of economic expansion and lower growth in real household disposable income during the course of the year.

Courtesy Jacques du Toit Senior Economist ABSA Bank

Explanatory Notes:

The Absa House Price Index is based on the total purchase price of houses in the 80m2 – 400m2 size category, valued at R2,7 million or less in 2006 (including improvements), in respect of which loan application were approved by Absa. Prices are smoothed in an attempt to exclude the distorting effect of seasonal factors and outliers in the data. As a result, the most recent index figures may differ materially from previously published figures.

Disclaimer:

The information in this publication is derived from sources which are regarded as accurate and reliable, is of a general nature only, does not constitute advice and may not be applicable to all circumstances. Detailed advice should be obtained in individual cases. No responsibility for any error, omission or loss sustained by any person acting or refraining from acting as a result of this publication is accepted by Absa Group Limited and/or the authors of the material.