PHOTO: Australian house prices

A sharp fall in house prices should not  trouble mortgage bond investors but further price declines in Sydney and Melbourne are likely, according to securitisation analysts that have tracked house prices relative to the earnings of full-time workers.

The analysis prepared by National Australia Bank’s corporate finance staff for clients showed that while nationwide house prices were in line with average multiples of full-time earnings, Sydney and Melbourne prices would need to fall further to correct to what is considered an average level.

“With price-earnings multiples in the major Sydney and Melbourne markets still above their 10-year averages and comfortably above their bottom 25 per cent quartile levels, further declines should probably be expected,” National Australia Bank director Ken Hanton said in a note to clients.

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