Just when many borrowers thought the worst of the rate hiking cycle might be behind them, Westpac has thrown a curveball, signalling we could be heading into a far more prolonged and painful phase of tightening than most expected. Well, Westpac has upped its cash rate forecast for the year, tipping the RBA will deliver…
Capital city home prices have continued to rise over March despite another increase in official interest rates and growing uncertainty over the outlook for inflation and the global economy. The national capital city median house price increased by a solid 0.9% over the March quarter to $1,296,402 compared to the February quarter, according to the…
A drawn-out war in the Middle East could add an extra 5% to existing inflation in Australia, our new modelling shows. We looked at the likely impacts of two different scenarios: a moderate disruption with the war ending in mid-April, and a drawn-out war ending by September. We found higher fuel costs would affect freight,…
Australian housing resale profits strengthened in the December quarter, with the share of properties selling at a gain rising to its highest level in more than two decades. Of the 102,000 resales analysed in Cotality’s Pain & Gain report, 95.9% recorded a profit, up slightly from 95.6% in the previous quarter and the strongest result…
Australia’s housing loan market is facing potential headwinds, particularly in the investor segment, amid speculation around changes to the Capital Gains Tax (CGT) discount for investors and a cap on negative gearing. Despite that, according to Money.com.au’s latest State-by-State Mortgage Insights Report, home lending growth is forecast to hit 7% in 2026 (to 594,279 loans),…
For many Australians, Saturday mornings during the property selling season follow a familiar pattern. Buyers move from open home to open home, then gather outside properties, waiting for the auction to begin: hopeful, nervous, and often optimistic. But for too many potential buyers, those Saturdays end in frustration. Not simply because they lost the auction, but…
If a picture paints a thousand words, then this collection of charts should do a pretty good job of painting the landscape as it affects our economy and our property markets. Each month the RBA summarises macroeconomic and financial market trends in Australia by providing a detailed chart pack. World Economy Australia’s economy doesn’t operate in…
![Perth housing market update [video] | March 2026](https://cdn.propertyupdate.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Perth-city-270x200.jpeg)
Perth continues to lead the nation in capital growth, with housing values surging by 2.3% in February alone. This remarkable monthly jump added more than $22,500 to the median dwelling value. While other major capitals like Sydney and Melbourne have flatlined, Perth remains the standout performer, fueled by a severe shortage of available housing and…
Australia’s inflation rate could peak in “the high 4s or even higher” this year, according to Treasury modelling, Treasurer Jim Chalmers says. The latest modelling comes as Anthony Albanese prepares to meet state and territory leaders in a national cabinet hook up on Thursday to discuss the fuel crisis and announce a national coordinator-general to…
![Adelaide housing market update [video] | March 2026](https://cdn.propertyupdate.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/adelaide-270x200.jpg)
Adelaide’s property market has maintained a steady upward trajectory in early 2026, with dwelling values rising 1.3% in February. While the pace of growth has moderated slightly from previous peaks, the city continues to outperform the larger eastern capitals. On a rolling quarterly basis, Adelaide values have climbed 4.3%, driven by a persistent imbalance between…
