Prime Cuts

The picture of last year's housing market, and what it might look like this year, is becoming a little clearer.  Two sets of figures are out showing the price falls of last year eased in the final few months of 2011.  Capital city home values fell 0.5% in the December quarter, an improvement on the 13% decline in the previous three months, according to RPData.  Australian Property Monitors figures found zero growth for the December three months.  With interest rates falling, optimism edged back in; that was until companies began cutting jobs straight after Christmas.  The upshot is a year of housing markets moving sideways.

Turi Condon, Property Editor, Weekend Property

The Weekend Australian