Mr Kusher predicted modest growth for Adelaide and Brisbane, slowing to moderate growth for Canberra (2-4 per cent), and Hobart to remain the strongest market, albeit slower than its double-digit hike in 2017. He believes some of the strongest markets will be outside the capitals, especially in "sea change" and "tree change" regions along the east coast and Tasmania, with retiring baby boomers "100 per cent" a "big driving force" behind the price jumps in some regional areas.
Managing director of SQM Research, Louis Christopher, is more optimistic about the short-term market outlook, particularly for Sydney, and is forecasting a stronger national average of 4-8 per cent growth. "There will be some variation there," he said. "Our most bullish scenario for a capital city is Hobart, where we believe the market will rise somewhere between 8-13 per cent."
He is forecasting modest to moderate price growth everywhere else: Adelaide 0-4 per cent, Perth 1-4 per cent, Darwin 1-4 per cent, Brisbane 3-7 per cent, Melbourne 7-12 per cent and Sydney 4-8 per cent.
