The number of properties listed for sale has dropped in every capital city.

New analysis by SQM Research shows listings are down 3.6% in April to 242,425 properties being offered for sale. Listings are down the most in Sydney and Canberra (7%), while Melbourne is down 4.5% and Hobart is down 3.5%. Brisbane listings dropped 3.3% in April, Adelaide is down 3%, Perth is down 2.9% and Darwin is down 2.8%.

Despite the monthly drops, listings are higher in Sydney, Perth, Canberra and Hobart than they were at the same time last year. SQM Research managing director, Louis Christopher, says low listings, persistently low housing supply and strong population growth are continuing to push prices up. He says the April results are skewed by the Federal Election, Easter and Anzac Day holidays so it will be interesting to see the results next month. “Going forward, with the election behind us and a majority government in place, I expect a large uplift in new listings for May as well as a pick-up in auction clearance rates,” he says.