tally

n. reckoning, score, total; something on which an account or score is kept; mark made to keep record of a number of items

A near-record month for home lending in December has seen the housing and real estate industry turn into 2006 with wind in its sails and record numbers of people taking out loans to buy their own homes.

The Bureau of Statistics reported yesterday that the total amount lent for housing in December was the second highest on record. After seasonal adjustment, Australians borrowed $18.9 billion for housing, up 3 per cent on November's tally, and 11 per cent more than a year ago.

The only month to exceed it was when the rental investment frenzy peaked in October 2003, when investors borrowed $7.5 billion. But, while investor borrowing is now well below those levels, borrowing by owner-occupiers is setting records every month.

[ Housing market is reheating ]