The 7 must-know numbers of the week

The amount house prices fell nationwide in September, according to the latest RP Data-Rismark Hedonic Home Value Index. This was the smallest decline in seven months. “Housing market conditions are starting to show some green shoots now," RP Data research director Tim Lawless says. 

The percentage of new borrowers who chose fixed-rate mortgages in the month of October, according to Mortgage Choice. This was up from 17% in September and significantly higher than the 12-month average of 13.5%.

The amount by which the Reserve Bank cut interest rates on Melbourne Cup Day. Industry experts were quick to comment that the cut would be good for the economy and housing market.

The approximate price hopes for the former Pittwater home of Australian actor Chips Rafferty. It is set on a 2,538-square-metre block at Lovett Bay north of Sydney and includes Raffety’s display wall – complete with beer bottles, some bearing the date 1952.

The amount house prices in Hobart are down compared with their peak, according to RP Data. “It’s not attracting lifestyle buyers or prospective retirees. There are no tree changers coming to Hobart. The market has been dependent on them in the past,” says RP Data research director Tim Lawless.

The amount by which building approvals were down in September, according to the ABS. But HIA acting chief economist Andrew Harvey says approvals rose by 0.7% in the month of September in the core detached housing segment of the market.

The size of the block that Small House, Surry Hills' smallest residence, is built upon. The house, which belongs to Sydney architect Domenic Alvaro, has been awarded the World House of the Year at the prestigious 2011 World Architectural Festival award ceremony in Barcelona.