Sydney Sees Strong Residential Growth
03.03.16
Sydney is set to see the strongest prime residential price growth in 2016, rising by 10% year-on-year according to Knight Frank’s Prime Cities Forecast. The report which assesses the performance of prime city markets in 2016 also predicts that three cities are expected to see a decline in prime property prices; Hong Kong (-5%), Singapore (-3.3%) and Paris (-3%) with Hong Kong overtaking Singapore as the weakest-performing luxury residential market in 2016.
Kate Everett-Allen Partner, Residential Research at Knight Frank comments; “Of the ten cities analysed in our forecast, Sydney is expected to come out on top. However, the pace of price growth is expected to slow from 15% year-on-year in 2015 to 10% in 2016. Australia’s economic slowdown, weaker stock market performance in recent months and the introduction of foreign investment fees explain the lower rate of growth in 2016. Only London, Paris, Geneva and Singapore are forecast to see stronger price growth - or a slower rate of decline in 2016 than 2015.”
The Forecast 2016:
- London: A marginal upturn is forecast here, from 1% in 2015 to 2% in 2016. A rise in transaction costs, political risk around the Mayoral election and on-going affordability concerns explain the muted forecast.
- Paris: The recent terrorist attack will undoubtedly affect buyer sentiment in Paris. The rate of decline in prices is forecast to lessen slightly from -5% in 2015 to -3% in 2016.
- Monaco: Its status as a private and secure retreat continues to appeal to the world’s wealthy. Prices here are expected to rise by 5% in 2016 due to constraints on supply and steady demand.
- Geneva: Switzerland as a whole has been characterised by uncertainty in recent years. However, we expect enquiries to strengthen in 2016. The high stock levels will keep prices from rising over the next 12 – 18 months, hence our forecast of 0% growth in 2016, but more stable trading conditions seem likely.
- Hong Kong: Forecast to be the weakest-performing luxury residential market in 2016. A number of new developments are due to come to the market; this new supply coupled with the strengthening HK Dollar will see prime prices soften.
- Singapore: We forecast the market will see marginal price growth from -3.5% in 2015 to -3.3% in 2016. The drop in price of luxury properties has presented pockets of investment opportunities.
- New York: In 2015, the demand for New York’s luxury homes cooled from the frenetic pace observed in 2013 and 2014 due to the strength of the US dollar and weaker economic conditions worldwide. We predict there will be growth in New York in 2016 of 5% similar to that of 2015.
- Miami: Predicted to see growth decline from 4% in 2015 to 2% in 2016. The performance of the dollar against key South American currencies and the euro will influence demand/capital flows.