'Worrying' confidence hit from home prices

Consumer confidence has dipped for the first time in seven weeks, with homeowners apparently worried about falling house prices combined with high debt.

For sale signs outside an apartment block in Canberra

Consumer confidence has taken a hit, with homeowners apparently worried about falling house prices. (AAP)

Consumer confidence has taken a "worrying" tumble, with homeowners apparently concerned about falling house prices in Sydney and Melbourne.

The ANZ-Roy Morgan Australian Consumer Confidence index dipped by 3.2 per cent last week, falling for the first time in seven weeks.

ANZ's head of Australian economics, David Plank, said the fall was "a little worrying" and was likely driven by mortgage holders' concerns about existing debt combined with falling house prices in the largest capitals.

Forecasts of lacklustre wage growth in the near future may have also had an effect, he said.

"That said, despite the recent decline, views towards both current and future financial conditions remain above their long term averages," Mr Plank said.

Sydney and Melbourne house prices have fallen 2.3 per cent and 1.3 per cent respectively since the start of the year, according to CoreLogic.

Across the five capital cities combined, prices are down 1.4 per cent.

The rate of properties sold at auction remains near a five-year low amid weak selling conditions with a clearance rate of 59.7 per cent, the property group said this week.


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Source: AAP

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