Home values jump in March: RP Data

Capital city dwelling values rose in the month of March and in the March quarter following a flat February result, according to the RP Data-Rismark home value index.

Home values across capital cities rose by 2.3% in the month and gained 3.5% in the first quarter of the year.

Every capital city except Perth posted a lift in dwelling values in the quarter, the survey found.

RP Data research director Tim Lawless said half of Australia's capital cities are posting record high dwelling values, with Sydney recording the most substantial increase beyond the previous high.

"Sydney dwelling values are now 15.8% higher than their previous peak, substantially more than Melbourne where dwelling values are 4.7% higher than their previous peak," Mr Lawless said.

"Perth and Canberra values have risen to be 2.9% and 1.2% higher than their previous high point, respectively."

Over the month, Darwin values lifted by 3.3% , Brisbane by 2.9%, Sydney by 2.8% and Melbourne by 2.3%, with all capital cities gaining.

Meanwhile, over the quarter, Melbourne values rose by 5.4%, Sydney by 4.4% and Hobart by 4.7%, while Perth values fell by 0.6%.

Dwelling values have risen by a cumulative 15.8% since the growth cycle started in June 2012, with most of the growth occurring since June last year, Mr Lawless said.

"Over the long term, I don't believe such a strong pace of growth can be sustained -- we expect housing market conditions to cool down as the year progresses.

"If the pace of capital gains doesn't slow, we may see higher interest rates realised much earlier than previously expected."

March and September have a history of being comparatively strong seasonal months for changes in home values, RP Data said.