Housing activity surges in Adelaide

Adelaide was the capital that saw the most growth in sales volumes last year, according to CoreLogic RP Data.

The number of house sales grew 6.9 per cent to 20,418, while the number of unit sales grew 6,498 to 5.7 per cent.

Melbourne was the only other city to post growth in both categories, with house sales up 5.1 per cent to 61,613 and unit sales up 1.0 per cent to 27,872

Darwin house sales fell 4.8 per cent to 2,042, however unit sales jumped 24.2 per cent to 1,247.

Hobart enjoyed an 8.0 per cent rise in house sales to 3,522, but this was offset by a 1.0 per cent decline in unit sales to 1,044.

Brisbane house sales increased 8.9 per cent to 34,861, while unit sales decreased 2.6 per cent to 14,696.

Sydney saw house sales climb 3.4 per cent to 60,396 as unit sales fell 13.8 per cent to 38,881.

The final two capitals experienced declines in both categories.

Canberra house sales fell 2.7 per cent to 4,258 and unit sales fell 14.5 per cent to 2,845.

The drop-off was more severe in Perth, where house volumes dropped 9.4 per cent to 31,363 and unit volumes dropped 16.1 per cent to 6,623.

CoreLogic RP Data said although house sales were generally higher in 2014 than in 2013, most capitals experienced an easing in transactions over the second half of 2014.

Melbourne and Hobart were the only cities where sales volumes continued to trend higher.