The trend estimate for the total value of dwelling finance commitments excluding alterations and additions rose 0.3%. Investment housing commitments rose 1.5%, while owner occupied housing commitments fell 0.5%.

In seasonally adjusted terms, the total value of dwelling finance commitments, excluding alterations and additions fell 0.2%.

In trend terms, the number of commitments for owner occupied housing finance fell 0.9% in October 2016.

In trend terms, the number of commitments for the purchase of established dwellings fell 1.0%, the number of commitments for the construction of dwellings fell 0.7%, and the number of commitments for the purchase of new dwellings fell 0.3%.

In original terms, the number of first home buyer commitments as a percentage of total owner occupied housing finance commitments rose to 13.7% in October 2016, from 13.1% in September 2016. This rise was driven by a fall in the number of non-first home buyer commitments; the number of first home buyer commitments fell slightly.