Australian house prices rose by the most in more than three years in the second quarter as home buyers responded to a series of interest rate cuts by the central bank since November 2011.

Home prices across Australia’s eight major cities jumped 2.4 percent in the three months to June 30 after a revised 0.8 percent gain in the first three months of the year, according to an index of established homes released by the statistics bureau. The rise was the biggest since the first quarter of 2010, beating the median estimate of 15 economists surveyed by Bloomberg News of a 1 percent increase, and sent the index to the highest level since it was established in March 2002.

The Reserve Bank of Australia, which today continued its easing cycle with a 25 basis-point cut of its benchmark interest rate to a record-low 2.5 percent, is rebalancing the economy toward industries including residential construction as the mining investment boom fades. The cuts have boosted housing demand, with the number of homes available for sale in the biggest cities falling 2.5 percent in July from a year ago, according to real estate data provider SQM Research Pty.

“This is further confirmation that the housing market is starting to stir,” said Matthew Hassan, senior economist at Westpac Banking Corp. (WBC) “Lower interest rates have been the key catalyst, with the improvement in June, July and August coming after the last interest rate cut in May.”

Mortgage Rates

National Australia Bank Ltd. (NAB) said it will reduce its variable mortgage rate by 25 basis points to 5.88 percent from Aug. 12, following the central bank’s decision today. Westpac Banking Corp. and Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) are reviewing their rates, and Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. will consider its loan rate on Aug. 9, according to the respective spokesmen at the banks. A basis point is 0.01 percentage point.

Australian House Prices Jump Most in 3 Years on Rate Cuts – Bloomberg.