Let’s be honest, the more things change, the more the same bad habits pop up. In 2026 the property market feels like a different beast compared to a few years ago, but beneath rising prices, shifting borrowing rules and demographic-driven demand, the core traps remain familiar. I’ve spent decades watching investors trip over the same…
Depending on who you believe, Australian dwelling values rose by just under 9 % last year. That made 2025 the strongest annual result since 2021, helped along by modest interest rate cuts and the Federal Government’s expanded first home buyer schemes in the second half of the year. As always, the averages hid a wide…
![Melbourne housing market update [video] | February 2025](https://cdn.propertyupdate.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/melbourne-1-270x200.jpg)
Melbourne’s housing market showed a marginal recovery at the start of 2026, with home values inched 0.1% higher in January. This subtle uptick partially reversed the 0.2% decline recorded in December, though the city continues to trail the stronger growth seen in mid-sized capitals. Despite the slight gain, Melbourne values remain 0.7% below the record…
It’s always fascinating to look forward a decade and imagine what Australia’s property markets might look like. Of course, we can’t predict the future with precision, but we can look at the big demographic, social and economic trends already in motion today. And when you connect the dots — population growth, the passing of wealth…
Many people struggle with working out how to invest their money. Do they upgrade their home, contribute more to super, buy an investment property, invest in the share market, or something else? In fact, this common challenge was the reason that I decided to write my book, Investopoly. I knew that if people understood the…
The Australian housing market started the year on a positive note, with national home values rising by 0.8% in January. This represents a slight acceleration from the 0.6% increase seen in December. While growth remains broad-based, with every capital city and rest-of-state region recording gains, the market is showing signs of a “multi-speed” dynamic as…
There is a dangerous assumption circulating among investors right now – the belief that 2026 will simply be a repeat of 2025, just with lower interest rates. They couldn’t be more wrong, meaning that if you’re relying on the same strategy that worked for you in 2025, you’re in for a rude shock—the ‘easy money’…
What really drives property prices in Australia? Ask 10 people and you’ll get 12 opinions, most shaped by headlines, hip-pocket pressure, or political spin. But property markets don’t run on noise. They’re powered by a complex web of economic levers, social trends, and psychological triggers. We are now at the beginning of a new year…
While the rest of Melbourne’s property market is in the first stages of recovery and growth, the Melbourne CBD unit market continues to struggle. The Melbourne CBD unit market is the second largest in Australia, with over 28,000 units, but it’s also in trouble, with prices falling by 10% over the last five years. There’s…
Australia’s middle-ring suburbs are undergoing a significant transformation, driven by a combination of state-led rezoning initiatives, the introduction of medium- and high-density developments, and a strategic shift towards creating “20-minute neighbourhoods.” This evolution presents both opportunities and challenges for existing homeowners and investors. Embracing the ‘missing middle’ in urban planning The term “missing middle” refers…
