For many Australians, getting into the property market has never been more challenging, so it’s no surprise that policies aimed at helping first-home buyers are gaining traction. According to Money.com.au, first-home buyer market could take until 2030 to return to peak levels following 5% deposit scheme expansion. First-home buyer (FHB) loans surged 9.7% in the…
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…
Low vacancy rates have continued to predictably drive house rents higher over April with most capital cities again reporting higher results. Unit rents however reported generally lower rents and higher vacancy rates reflecting the seasonal effects of the lengthy April holiday month. Hobart was the top performer with house rents up by 3.2% over the…
Stubbornly above-target inflation and the risk of pass-through from higher oil prices means this may not be the peak of the rate cycle. In line with expectations, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) hiked rates for the third time in 2026, lifting the cash rate to 4.35% (from 4.1% previously). This fully reversed the rate cuts…
After an extended period of strong growth, the latest data suggests Australia’s housing markets are beginning to move into a new phase, with the early signs of fatigue now becoming evident in Sydney and Melbourne. Australia’s two largest housing markets are showing clear signs of strain, with Sydney and Melbourne recording their first quarterly house…
It’s shaping up to be another uncomfortable week for borrowers, with most economists expecting the Reserve Bank to raise interest rates yet again. In this month’s Finder RBA Cash Rate Survey™, 36 experts and economists weighed in on future cash rate moves and other issues relating to the state of the economy. Three-quarters of the…
National home prices in April marks a turning point in the housing cycle according to PropTrack, which reports that national home prices fell 0.1% in April, marking the first monthly decline in 2026, and taking the national median home value to $910,000. However, prices remain 8.5% higher than a year ago, adding about $92,200 to…
Cotality’s national home value index rose 0.3% in April, the slowest pace of growth since January 2025, just ahead of last year’s rate-cutting cycle. The national result was dragged lower by Sydney and Melbourne, where values fell 0.6% over the month. Sydney home values are now 1.0% below their November peak, while Melbourne values are…
The latest inflation figures are a timely reminder that while the headline numbers grab attention, it’s what’s driving them beneath the surface that really matters for interest rates, household budgets, and ultimately property markets. According to the latest data, headline inflation jumped to an annual rate of 4.6% in March, up from 3.7%. ABS CPI…
Over the years, I’ve often said that when housing affordability deteriorates, Australians don’t just complain, they adapt. What we’re seeing now is another example of that adaptability, although this time it’s being driven less by choice and more by necessity. The traditional idea of moving out, gaining independence, and progressing through predictable housing stages is…
