Get Fully Briefed with Yahoo Finance, delivered straight to your inbox.
Interest rate rises have reduced how much money buyers are able to borrow, and experts are predicting major falls in property prices.
This will place greater pressure on first home buyers juggling the difficult decision of when to enter the property market, financial comparison site Canstar said.
The latest house price predictions from NAB and ANZ forecast total property price falls of around 20 per cent across the capital cities by April 2023 – from their peak in April this year.
Also read: The new property hotspot: Where Aussies are flocking to live
Also read: Property prices drop $175k: Aussies face ‘mortgage prison’
Also read: Aussie property prices fall for 5th straight month
Westpac predicted a fall of 16 per cent, while Commonwealth Bank expected prices to fall around 15 per cent.
Canstar finance expert Steve Mickenbecker said the decision to buy while house prices were predicted to fall would be adding to the pressures for first home buyers and he cautioned buyers to weigh up all the risks before choosing the right time to buy.
“A move to buy too soon will see first home buyers’ equity plummet alarmingly and leave them with a large debt,” Mickenbecker said.
“Conversely, being conservative may see them miss out if price projections have been too alarmist.
“Price uncertainty is undoubtedly adding greater pressure to the decision for first home buyers, who can alleviate some of the fears by setting their own price target for buying.”
If the 20 per cent decline in property prices came to a head, prices in Sydney could decline as much as $144,876 by Christmas 2023.
With the median house price falling from $1,053,131 to $908,255.
Prices in Melbourne could fall as much as $135,906 – bringing the median price from $774,531 to $638,625.
Those looking to buy in Brisbane would see prices drop $105,019, from $746,017 to $640,998.
In Adelaide, property prices were expected to fall $112,307 from $649,983 to $537,676.
Perth was expected to see a drop of $87,438 from $558,879 to $471,44.
Finally, property prices in Hobart were predicted to fall ​​$143,445 from $705,079 to $561,634.
Property price falls don’t just impact potential buyers but also those who already own, Mickenbecker said.
“Housing price falls too will pass and borrowers who can afford repayments can wait it out, even if it may take years before they are ahead of their buying price,” he said.
“But borrowers who aren’t able to meet their repayments and who have low equity, can’t expect generous patience from their lender.”
Follow Yahoo Finance on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter, and subscribe to the free Fully Briefed daily newsletter.
Australian streaming service Binge will roll out ads next year. Here’s what to expect.
Find out how to get an interest rate discount on your mortgage, with one simple form.
DHL customers have been warned about a scam email trying to steal your personal details. Here’s what to look out for.
Sydney property ‘The Abbey’ is back on the market, with many comparing its gothic architecture to the Batman’s Wayne Manor. Take a peek inside.
Most teenagers have a lack of understanding when it comes to investing or building assets. Here are three investments that will fast track young people to success.
The local market is expected to fall this morning after US stocks sank overnight. This is your Friday morning wrap.
Instagram endorsements are big money for celebrities. Here are the stars who are really making bank on the platform.
2023 is set to be the year Australian workplaces change forever. Find out more here.
Woolworths shoppers have been left upset after this supermarket favourite has been wiped from the shelves.

source