There’s an endless stream of news articles discussing the economic factors that influence property prices: interest rates, unemployment, the supply of new homes, rezoning, and population growth – just to name a few. Having followed the property market closely for more than two decades, I have two observations to share. First, I’d love to have…
Do you feel richer? There is no doubt that many Australians are suffering from a cost-of-living crisis but overall, Australia’s household wealth has reached new heights, with the average household net worth climbing to an impressive $1.58 million. This milestone secures Australia’s position as one of the top five wealthiest nations globally in terms of…
Where interest rates head in Australia next year and beyond depends not on inflation per se but on what happens with new job creation. This impacts the unemployment rate and, in most situations, the level and direction of inflation. So looking forward it is all about jobs. Our first chart shows that the annual rate…
It’s no secret that Australia’s major cities are facing a housing crisis. With affordability at an all-time low and the dream of homeownership becoming more elusive for many, there’s one crucial piece missing from our housing puzzle – the “missing middle.” This term refers to medium-density housing options like townhouses, duplexes, and low-rise apartments, which…
Australia’s middle class is no longer the robust backbone it once was. Over the past few decades, it has been hollowed out, squeezed by economic forces, structural changes, and policy decisions. What was once a bell curve society—dominated by a thriving middle class—is now becoming a U-shaped structure, with more people slipping into the lower…
Are we still the “lucky country,” or are we seeing a steady erosion of our living standards? According to Shane Oliver, Head of Investment Strategy and Chief Economist at AMP Investments, the answer might not be so clear-cut. In a recent Oliver’s Insight, he warns that “falling real wages and a surge in tax and…
It seems that the Australian dream of homeownership slipping away for first-home buyers. For many Australians, the dream of homeownership is a symbol of stability and success. But in 2024, that dream is becoming increasingly elusive for first-home buyers. According to Canstar’s First Home Buyer Survey 2024, the average savings rate for first home buyers…
The sky is falling! The experts have started switching their property market predictions from boom to gloom, pointing to the current market slowdown as the first sign of an imminent collapse which threatens to bring down prices everywhere. I want to explain why they are completely wrong. These doom and gloom forecasts are guilty of…
It seems everybody I bump into has an opinion on our property markets. They’re reading all the news, and while some believe our property markets are going to perform well moving forward, there are still many property pessimists who believe high inflation and interest rates and affordability challenges will lead to a housing market collapse….
Imagine living on a street where the median house price rivals the GDP of a small nation. Now, picture the breathtaking harbour views, iconic mansions, and prestige that come with it—welcome to Australia’s most expensive streets. Australia’s elite real estate hotspots From Sydney’s shimmering coastline to Melbourne’s leafy enclaves, certain streets are synonymous with wealth,…
