Australian home prices are set to surge 22% this year according to economists at Westpac, amid continuing discussion around how to reign in the inflated market. This marks an upgrade on its previous forecast of 18%. Prices across major cities are on track to jump 1.5% this month, Westpac said in a research note on Thursday, as Sydney and Melbourne ease their lockdown restrictions. “We expect reopening boosts to more than offset any initial drags from recently announced macro-prudential measures,” Westpac economists said this week. “This strong momentum will carry into 2022. However, the pace of gains is expected to ... (full story)