The Silent Shift Reshaping Australia’s Property Market | Simon Kuestenmacher
Property Investment & Wealth Creation Australia | The Michael Yardney Podcast
Release Date: 02/18/2026
Property Investment & Wealth Creation Australia | The Michael Yardney Podcast
Most property investors don’t have a strategy. They think they do. But buying a property is not a strategy. Renovating is not a strategy. Chasing a hotspot is definitely not a strategy. Today, Brett Warren, National Director of Property at Metropole and I explain the difference between buying a property and having a strategic property plan. We’ll also discuss when value-add strategies like renovations and developments actually make sense, and when they’re a dangerous distraction. Takeaways ...
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Is 2026 the year Australia’s housing market splits in two? We’ve had another interest rate rise. There’s talk of tax reform. Global political instability is back on the radar. And yet, in some cities, entry-level property prices are still surging at double-digit rates. So what’s really going on? Are we heading for a slowdown… or are supply shortages and strong demand about to push prices higher again? Today I’m joined by Dr Nicola Powell, Chief of Research & Economics for Domain, and while we’ll unpack their latest First Home Buyer Report, this...
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Have you ever noticed that some investors seem to move forward every year, while others stay stuck, despite reading the same books and listening to the same podcasts? Have you ever wondered why two people can earn similar incomes, buy similar properties, and yet one builds real wealth while the other just stays busy? And what if the difference isn’t the market… but something else? At the end of today's show you'll understand exactly what it is because today’s episode is a special one. This year marks the 20th anniversary of Wealth Retreat, so Brett Warren and...
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What if the next big housing reform doesn’t fix housing affordability at all? What if it doesn’t lower property prices, doesn’t deliver much extra money to the government for years, but it scares investors out of the market and makes renting even harder? Because that’s exactly what could happen if Australia changes the Capital Gains Tax discount - and it’s back on the political agenda again. Today one of Australia’s leading taxation minds, Ken Raiss and I unpack what’s really going on. Supporters of the change are saying it’s about fairness....
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Every time rents rise, affordability worsens, or housing shortages make headlines, one group is dragged into the spotlight. Property investors. They’re called greedy. Accused of hoarding homes. Blamed for locking younger Australians out of the market. But is that actually true… or just a convenient narrative? After more than five decades in property investment, I’ve noticed a pattern. When housing gets hard, governments deflect. Media simplify. And investors become an easy target. But here’s the real question we need to ask: If property investors...
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Interest rates are rising again. Inflation isn’t backing off. Sydney and Melbourne’s property markets are a little wobbly. And yet… National house prices are up more than 10% over the past year, and some capitals are still delivering boom-time results. So what’s really going on in Australia’s property markets right now? That's what I discussed today with Australia's leading housing economist, Dr Andrew Wilson, Chief Economist at My Housing Market, to unpack his latest housing market report and there are some fascinating contradictions. ...
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The property rules have changed… again. What worked five years ago won’t work the same way in 2026. The winners won’t be the loudest, the fastest, or the most aggressive – they’ll be the most strategic. So today, Brett Warren and I unpack exactly what’s changed, what still works, and how smart investors can position themselves to win in the next phase of the property cycle. We discuss the evolving landscape of property investment, emphasising the need for strategic planning and adaptability in response to changing market conditions. We explore the impact of...
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Inflation has eased… except where it hasn’t. Interest rates were meant to be heading down… until they weren’t. And suddenly everyone’s blaming government spending. But is Canberra really the culprit - or is that just a convenient headline? Today, Ken Raiss and I unpack what’s actually driving Australia’s sticky inflation, why the RBA is worried about “capacity constraints”, and what policy makers could do that would genuinely take pressure off prices - without smashing households and without sabotaging the property market. Now you've probably read about inflation and heard...
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What if I told you that one of the most significant demographic shifts shaping our cities, our housing markets, and even our social lives over the next few decades… isn’t migration, isn’t birth rates, and isn’t ageing? It’s something far more personal. In today’s show, Simon Kuestenmacher and I are talking about a silent revolution - the rise of the single-person household. More Australians than ever are living alone, and it’s not just retirees or Gen Zs in tiny apartments. From the newly single at 54 to the solo 29-year-old navigating life on their terms,...
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What if the biggest obstacle between you and the life you want isn’t the market, the economy or your upbringing... but your programming? What if your money habits, your emotional reactions and even your results as a property investor are simply the byproducts of a mindset you inherited rather than chose? And what if you could rewrite that programming? In today’s show Tom Corley and I discuss how early life experiences shape our habits and beliefs, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness, gratitude, continuous learning, and building relationships. We also...
info_outlineWhat if I told you that one of the most significant demographic shifts shaping our cities, our housing markets, and even our social lives over the next few decades… isn’t migration, isn’t birth rates, and isn’t ageing?
It’s something far more personal. In today’s show, Simon Kuestenmacher and I are talking about a silent revolution - the rise of the single-person household.
More Australians than ever are living alone, and it’s not just retirees or Gen Zs in tiny apartments.
From the newly single at 54 to the solo 29-year-old navigating life on their terms, this trend is redrawing the blueprint of modern life and reshaping the housing market in a way most people aren't even noticing.
Our conversation highlights how modern living is evolving, with more individuals choosing to live alone and the need for appropriate housing solutions to accommodate these changes.
Takeaways
- The rise of single-person households is reshaping the housing market.
- Younger generations are delaying traditional milestones like marriage and homeownership.
- Older generations are increasingly living alone due to longer life expectancies.
- Loneliness can have serious mental health implications for single individuals.
- International students contribute to the demand for single-person housing.
- The housing market needs to adapt to the growing number of single households.
- Communal living options are emerging but face management challenges.
- Demographic trends are crucial for understanding future housing demands.
- Investors must consider these demographic shifts in their strategies.
- The future of living arrangements will likely be more flexible and individualistic.
Links and Resources:
Answer this week’s trivia question here - https://www.propertytrivia.com.au/
• Win a hard copy of How to grow a multi-million dollar property portfolio in your space on.
• Every entry receives a copy of a fully updated Michael Yardney Property Report.
Join Michael Yardney, plus a team of experts, at Wealth Retreat 2026 on the Gold Coast in May. Find out more about it here and register your interest www.wealthretreat.com.au It's Australia's premier event for successful investors and business people.
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Simon Kuestenmacher: Australia’s leading demographer and partner in the Demographics Group
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About The Michael Yardney Podcast | Property Investment And Wealth Creation Australia
The Australian property market doesn’t move in isolation - it’s shaped by demographics, economic forces and long-term structural trends.
The Michael Yardney Podcast dives into:
Australian economic outlook
Demographic trends shaping housing demand
Population growth and migration impacts
Housing affordability debates
Interest rates and inflation
Supply shortages and construction cycles
Government policy and property markets
Future trends in Australian real estate
Strategic property investment planning
If you want to understand what’s really driving property prices in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and around Australia, and how to position your portfolio for the future, this podcast delivers data-driven insights and practical strategy.
Explore more at:
https://propertyupdate.com.au
https://metropole.com.au