![ScreenHunter_31 Sep. 02 16.36](https://www.macrobusiness.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/ScreenHunter_31-Sep.-02-16.36.gif)
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has just released housing finance data for the month of October, which registered a seasonally-adjusted 1.0% increase in the number of owner-occupied finance commitments over the month:
![ScreenHunter_648 Dec. 10 11.31](https://www.macrobusiness.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/ScreenHunter_648-Dec.-10-11.31.jpg)
The number of owner-occupied housing finance commitments excluding refinancings registered a seasonally-adjusted 2.0% increase over the month to be tracking 8.1% above the five-year moving average level. The number of commitments were also up 13.2% on October 2012 (see next chart).
![ScreenHunter_649 Dec. 10 11.35](https://www.macrobusiness.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/ScreenHunter_649-Dec.-10-11.35.jpg)
The average loan size rose 1.8% over the month and was up 4.0% over the year. The below charts show the series on a 3-month moving average basis (in order to smooth volatility). Note the spike in average loan size after falling since the beginning of the year.
![ScreenHunter_650 Dec. 10 11.43](https://www.macrobusiness.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/ScreenHunter_650-Dec.-10-11.43.jpg)
![ScreenHunter_651 Dec. 10 11.44](https://www.macrobusiness.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/ScreenHunter_651-Dec.-10-11.44.jpg)
First home buyer (FHB) commitments rose by a non-seasonally adjusted 10% in October, but represented just 12.6% of total owner-occupied commitments – the second lowest share on record (see below charts).
![ScreenHunter_653 Dec. 10 11.50](https://www.macrobusiness.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/ScreenHunter_653-Dec.-10-11.50.jpg)
![ScreenHunter_652 Dec. 10 11.49](https://www.macrobusiness.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/ScreenHunter_652-Dec.-10-11.49.jpg)
Finally, if you’re wondering what’s primarily driving house price at the moment, look no further. While the ABS only provides the value of investor finance commitments, these were up by 8% in October, 29% over the year, and hit the highest level on record (see next chart).
![ScreenHunter_654 Dec. 10 11.52](https://www.macrobusiness.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/ScreenHunter_654-Dec.-10-11.52.jpg)