By Stuart Condie

SYDNEY--REA Group Ltd.'s Australian residential listings rose by 16% on year at the start of its fiscal 2022, but the property classifieds firm expects growth to ease through the remainder of a fiscal year that could include regulatory action to slow house-price inflation.

The ASX-listed firm said national residential listings grew by 11% in its fiscal first quarter, which ended on September 30. The pace picked up in October as lockdown restrictions eased in Australia's relatively densely populated southeastern states.

REA said listings would likely slow, particularly in the second half, when volumes will compare with a stronger prior performance period.

"Regulatory measures to slow house price inflation could impact listing volumes," REA said.

Financial regulators have already made mortgage lenders tighten loan serviceability assessments for borrowers, but analysts anticipate further action if home prices continue to soar.

REA is 61% owned by News Corp., which owns Dow Jones & Co., publisher of this newswire and The Wall Street Journal.

Write to Stuart Condie at stuart.condie@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

11-04-21 1750ET