![ScreenHunter_12 Sep. 23 12.54](https://www.macrobusiness.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/ScreenHunter_12-Sep.-23-12.541.gif)
By Leith van Onselen
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has released housing finance data for the month of April, which registered a 0.1% seasonally-adjusted rise in the number of owner-occupied finance commitments over the month:
The result was roughly in line with analysts’ expectations, who had expected a 0.2% increase in finance commitments over the month.
The number of owner-occupied housing finance commitments, excluding refinancings, fell by a seasonally-adjusted 0.3% over the month to be tracking 8% above the five-year moving average level. They were also up by 5.7% on April 2013 (see next chart).
![ScreenHunter_2815 Jun. 10 11.34](https://www.macrobusiness.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/ScreenHunter_2815-Jun.-10-11.34.jpg)
The average loan size rose by 1.3% over the month and was up by 7.2% over the year. The below chart shows the series on a 3-month moving average basis (in order to smooth volatility). Note the recent weakening after spiking in the final quarter of 2013.
![ScreenHunter_2816 Jun. 10 11.45](https://www.macrobusiness.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/ScreenHunter_2816-Jun.-10-11.45.jpg)
First home buyer (FHB) commitments fell by a non-seasonally adjusted 7.3% in April and represented just 12.3% of total owner-occupied commitments – the equal lowest share on record. The number of commitments were also down 12.7% over the year (see below charts).
![ScreenHunter_2817 Jun. 10 11.48](https://www.macrobusiness.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/ScreenHunter_2817-Jun.-10-11.48.jpg)
![ScreenHunter_2818 Jun. 10 11.48](https://www.macrobusiness.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/ScreenHunter_2818-Jun.-10-11.48.jpg)
Finally, investor finance commitments rose by 2.3% (seasonally-adjusted) in April to a new record high. They were also up by 30% over the year (see next chart).
![ScreenHunter_2819 Jun. 10 11.49](https://www.macrobusiness.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/ScreenHunter_2819-Jun.-10-11.49.jpg)
Investors’ share of total mortgages (ex-refinancings) also rose to an equal record high 46% in April, confirming that investors are well and truly the key driving force in the housing market (see next chart).
![ScreenHunter_2821 Jun. 10 11.52](https://www.macrobusiness.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/ScreenHunter_2821-Jun.-10-11.52.jpg)