http://www.smh.com.au/business/borrowers-hit-brick-wall-on-refinancing-20121016-27ob3.html
Negative equity on the rise
The motive for the crackdown by regulators can be seen in data provided to the JPMorgan from house price research group RP Data, which shows that the share of homes worth less than their mortgages has increased fourfold since the global financial crisis, rising from 2.9 per cent before 2008 to 12.5 per cent.
The share of homes with only a 0-10 per cent price rise has increased, from 3 per cent before 2008 to 23.1 per cent.
JPMorgan banking analyst Scott Manning said the figures showed that those who "entered the market as house prices rose again through 2009, as first home owner stimulus got capitalised in better expectations for home prices", had not really benefited from rising home prices since then.
"Home prices haven't really changed since then, so that hasn't really been a long enough opportunity for people to create equity in their house," he said.
Mr North noted that the Gold Coast and Tasmania were among the worst areas for mortgages falling below the purchase price.
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