Urban planning in Australia is often built on shaky assumptions. Myths perpetuate. This post covers three such urban myths. Myth 1 – Higher densities mean less traffic The theory is that higher densities around existing public transport networks will see a lift in public transport use and fewer cars on the road. Public transport accounts…
What’s the Australian housing market likely to do in fiscal 26? And are we staring down the barrel of a recession? I get asked about the R word a lot these days. Increasingly so. So, let’s tackle both, because the two are more intertwined than most think. The recession question First things first. Are we…
Aussies like their space. Always have. In fact, according to the latest data from World Population Review, Australia ranks number one in the world when it comes to average house size, coming in at a whopping 214 square metres. That’s bigger than the average home in the United States (201 m²), Canada (181 m²), or…
Not all cheap areas are good buys, and a housing boom isn’t just about affordability – it’s about a mix of key factors. Here are seven indicators that signal potential growth: 1. Population Growth – A booming market must attract more residents. If an area’s growth rate exceeds its 10-year average, it’s a positive sign….
Australia is experiencing historically low fertility rates, with the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) dropping to 1.5 babies per woman in 2023 – a record low. While various factors contribute to this decline, the relationship between housing patterns – particularly the prevalence of apartment living – and fertility rates warrants closer examination. Fertility and housing in…
For mine, the Australian housing market is about to boom. Why? I think we are heading towards a bout of stagflation. Job creation is about to tank and, whilst inflation will rise and remain above the RBA target range for some time to come, interest rates will fall. My modelling suggests that every time mortgage…
A select few areas in Australia generate most of our wealth. Whilst some are often a very long commute from where many Australians live, in general more people want to live closer to these economic generators, hence the rising attraction for more compact living. But most cannot fit into or afford to live in a…
A few years ago, I was asked what I would do if I was the Federal Housing Minister. This is what I outlined. So, what would I do if I was the Federal Housing Minister? At present over 60% of our domestic credit goes to housing-related activities and just over 30% goes to business. A…
I like to use three boxes to explain most things residential. They are known as The 4’s. 4W 4Q 4P The Four W’s. We originally these here and it’s the What, Who, When, and Where 1. What Here, four things matter most – without wanting to place catchy caps on everything – I call…
Strong population growth will increase housing demand, both to buy and rent. Australia’s population growth rose by some 550,000 last year. This likens to a 10,000 increase in the country’s population per week. This is 50% more than the annual average population increase over the past five years. The big winners – when comparing the…
