SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australian home prices increased at the fastest pace in a year in September, driven by rate cuts and record-low listings, property consultant Cotality said on Wednesday. National home prices increased 0.8% to a record median value of A$857,280 ($565,462) in September, marking the strongest monthly gain since October last year, according to figures from Cotality, formerly CoreLogic. For the quarter, prices were up 2.2%, compared with a 1.5% lift in the second quarter. The monthly gain w ...

By Devayani Sathyan BENGALURU (Reuters) - Australia's home prices will rise around 5-6% over the next two years as lower borrowing costs provide a fillip to home sales, although affordability pressures may cap gains, according to a Reuters poll of property analysts. While a 5% rise pales in comparison with past booms, any sustained growth in house prices will make it harder for first-time buyers to get a foothold in Australia's already expensive housing market - the median home price is nearly eight time ...