One of the reasons we invest in property is because well located properties give us “wealth producing” rates of return.

They grow in value faster than inflation and at the same time give us a rental return to help pay the mortgage.

But not all properties beat inflation.

According to recent figures provided by Corelogic “real” (inflation adjusted) property values have gone backwards in most capital cities over the past decade.

As seen in the chart below real property values only rose in Sydney (+43.3%) , Melbourne (+38.7%) and Hobart (+6.4%) over the last decade

CoreLogic’s analyst Cameron Kusher recently undertook analysis of the recent March 2018 quarter CPI data which confirmed that in inflation adjusted terms, dwelling values are now lower in most capital cities.

The results showed that national dwelling values fell by -1.0% and were -0.7% lower over the past 12 months, however, Hobart was the only capital city where real values increased over the quarter (+3.0%) with Sydney recording the largest quarterly fall (-2.2%).

Over the past twelve months, only Melbourne (+3.4%), Hobart (+10.9%) and Canberra (+1.0%) have seen dwelling values outpace inflation.

The largest decline over the year was recorded in Darwin (-9.3%) followed by Perth (-4.3%) and Sydney (-4.0%).

Over the past decade, only Sydney (+43.3%) Melbourne (+38.7%) and Hobart (+6.4%) have recorded ‘real’ growth in dwelling values, Mr Kusher said…

“These latest figures really highlight just how narrow value growth has been in the national housing market over the past decade. It also highlights that low mortgage rates alone have not been the key driver of value growth – mortgage rates are the same in Sydney as they are in Perth yet the former has recorded real growth of 43.3% while the latter has seen values fall by -25.0%.”

With dwelling values dropping over recent months, all capital cities, except Hobart, now have real values which sit below their previous peak.

Nationally, values are -2.0% lower than their June 2017 peak and across the combined capital cities values are a slightly greater -2.5% lower.

Let’s take a look at how dwelling values have tracked in inflation adjusted terms across each capital city.

Sydney – values are 5.3% lower than their June 2017 peak.

– values are 5.3% lower than their June 2017 peak. Melbourne – after peaking in December 2017, values are currently -0.9% lower.

– after peaking in December 2017, values are currently -0.9% lower. Brisbane – values peaked back in March 2008 and are currently – 12.5% lower.

– values peaked back in March 2008 and are currently – 12.5% lower. Adelaide – values currently sit -7.4% below their June 2010 peak.

– values currently sit -7.4% below their June 2010 peak. Perth – the city has seen values fall by -28.5% from their peak in December 2006. dwelling values.”

– the city has seen values fall by -28.5% from their peak in December 2006. dwelling values.” Hobart – with values increasing a further 10.9% over the past year, it is the only city where real dwelling values are currently at their peak.

– with values increasing a further 10.9% over the past year, it is the only city where real dwelling values are currently at their peak. Darwin – real dwelling values peaked in March 2013 and have since fallen by -28.2%.

– real dwelling values peaked in March 2013 and have since fallen by -28.2%. Canberra – dwelling values are -6.8% lower than their June 2010 peak.

Mr Kusher said, that although the rate of inflation is quite slow and remains below the Reserve Bank’s target range of 2% to 3% annually, value growth is now broadly slower and is expected to remain that way over the coming quarters.