BORROWERS will not be spared a fourth consecutive interest rate rise next month, despite a bigger-than-expected fall in housing finance commitments, economists say.
Housing finance commitments for owner-occupied housing fell 5.6 per cent in November, seasonally adjusted, to 59,516, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said.
The median market forecast was for housing finance commitments to have fallen 0.5 per cent in November.
ICAP economist Adam Carr said the fall was the result of first home buyers falling away from the market, and that a February rate rise by the Reserve Bank still was likely.
“It was weaker than I was expecting, although it was not a complete surprise to see lending growth slow,” Mr Carr said.
“It would be (that) first home buyers are being priced out of the market with the grants winding up.
“I don’t think the RBA is going to be worried about this number, not at all. I certainly don’t think it will rule out a rate hike in February.”