Bank stats show we're a nation buying houses

The number of home loans approved last week was up 33.6%  on the same week the year before, and the value of approvals was up 49.6%.

Loans issued last week were worth $1148 million, compared to $832 million for the same week in 2011.

But while up substantially on a year-on-year basis, last week’s loan value was down on the $1361 million issued in the week to June 29.