Australian Property Monitors' house price report for the December quarter shows the median house price grew 2.3 per cent to $588,242, while units fell 0.7 per cent to $419,675.

The surprising rise in growth helped the capital to an annual increase in median house price of 3 per cent, while units grew by 1.1 per cent.

While Canberra had the second-smallest house price growth of capital cities, the senior economist at Australian Property Monitors, Andrew Wilson, said the figures presented a reason for optimism in the local housing industry, with the situation much more positive than six months ago.

He said Canberra house prices had experienced a "roller-coaster ride" during the past two years and 2013 had proved quite volatile. The effects of a declining economic climate, fears over job security and cost cutting had affected sentiment, but the ACT was now showing more resilience.

Dr Wilson said the undersupply of properties in Canberra compared with the high demand for houses was a factor towards the end of the year.

"I don't think Canberra is set for any strong growth on house prices … however I expect it to continue to show resilience despite negative aspects," he said.

"There will be some more fiscal consolidation occurring and that generally makes its way into consumer confidence."

Dr Wilson predicted the ACT market would not grow much more in 2014 than it did last year and median house prices would increase by 3-5 per cent.

Nationally, 2013 was the strongest year for house price growth since 2009, with the median house price increasing by almost 10 per cent.

The report said the Sydney housing market was a significant contributor to national house price growth, with the city recording a 15 per cent increase in median price - the strongest calendar rise since 2003.

It predicts that Canberra, along with Adelaide and Hobart, would record most activity in the first two quarters of 2014.

Figures issued by RP Data on Wednesday showed that Canberra was one of three capital cities to record an abundance of unit approvals in 2013. More than 60 per cent of dwelling approvals in the ACT were for units.

Real Estate Institute of the ACT president Michael Kumm said while there was an oversupply of units, these would eventually be taken up.

He said there was quite low housing stock for sale, while the number of properties on the rental market had been increasing.

Canberra was the only capital city to record a fall in rental rates for both houses and units during 2013.

Mr Kumm said the industry was much more positive in 2014 and expected the boom in Sydney to spread towards the territory.