The Shocking Impact Of Bureaucracy On Housing Prices
Hotspotting
Australia has a housing crisis—but it’s not what you think. Builders are ready, investors are ready, yet homes remain scarce and unaffordable. The real culprit? Government red tape, restrictive zoning, and endless approval delays driving up costs by hundreds of thousands. In this episode, we unpack how policy barriers are choking housing supply, what the Productivity Commission and OECD are saying, and why cutting bureaucracy could finally make homes more affordable. Tune in to hear the real story behind Australia’s housing shortage and what it will take to fix it.
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The Greens Versus Reality On Housing Affordability
Hotspotting
Australia’s rental crisis keeps getting worse, yet the same housing policies keep getting recycled. So who is really to blame? In this episode, we unpack the Greens’ approach to housing and rentals, why property investors are being singled out, and whether policies like scrapping negative gearing, increasing capital gains tax and capping rents would actually fix affordability or make the shortage worse. We look at the data behind rising rents, ultra low vacancy rates and the real drivers of housing demand. If you want a clear eyed, evidence based discussion on Australia’s housing...
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Why Building New Homes Is No Longer Financially Viable
Hotspotting
When even the NSW Government cannot make housing projects financially viable, what does that say about the real state of Australia’s housing market? In this episode, we unpack why Landcom has scrapped major housing developments across western Sydney and what that reveals about construction costs, feasibility pressures, government housing targets and the growing gap between political promises and commercial reality. If you follow Australian property, housing affordability, real estate trends or market analysis, this episode cuts through the noise and gets to the numbers that actually matter.
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Australia’s Growth Leaders of 2026 Revealed
Hotspotting
Australia’s property markets are set for growth in 2026 – but not in the way most experts think. In this episode, we dive into the Growth Leaders 2026 report from Hotspotting and Finance Better to uncover which cities and regions are poised for the biggest price increases. From capital cities to regional hotspots, even the markets thought to be “weaker” are showing strong signs of upward movement. We explore six key metrics that reveal the real drivers behind property value growth – beyond interest rates and media speculation. Tune in to discover where smart buyers and investors...
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Red Tape and Taxes Are Killing Housing Supply
Hotspotting
Australia’s housing crisis isn’t a mystery – it’s the result of government choices. In this episode, we dig into why Victoria is making home ownership harder than ever, from excessive red tape and slow approvals to punitive taxes that push costs through the roof. We break down the numbers, explore the real impact on buyers and developers, and uncover the structural barriers keeping new homes out of reach. If you’ve ever wondered why supply isn’t meeting demand or why building a home is so expensive, this episode explains it all. Tune in to get the full picture behind Australia’s...
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What the Headlines Are Getting Wrong About Home Building in 2026
Hotspotting
Australia’s home building “recovery” is dominating headlines — but does it actually stack up? In this episode, we unpack the latest building approvals data and explain why a single strong month does not signal a genuine turnaround in Australia’s housing market. We explore the real gap between approvals, commencements and completions, why so many approved projects never get built, and how construction costs, labour shortages and government red tape are constraining housing supply in 2026. If you care about housing affordability, property markets, real estate trends or policy reform,...
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The Housing Market Myth the Media Pushes Every New Year
Hotspotting
Every January, the Australian media dusts off the same story. A single month of housing data is framed as a turning point for the property market and a warning sign for the year ahead. This episode unpacks why December housing figures are routinely misunderstood, how seasonal slowdowns skew the data, and why mainstream commentary often mistakes noise for insight. We examine what actually drives Australian house prices, from chronic housing undersupply and population growth to infrastructure investment, and why interest rate speculation is so often used as a lazy explanation. If you want a...
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Red Tape and Taxes Are Killing Housing Supply
Hotspotting
Australia’s housing crisis isn’t a mystery – it’s the result of government choices. In this episode, we dig into why Victoria is making home ownership harder than ever, from excessive red tape and slow approvals to punitive taxes that push costs through the roof. We break down the numbers, explore the real impact on buyers and developers, and uncover the structural barriers keeping new homes out of reach. If you’ve ever wondered why supply isn’t meeting demand or why building a home is so expensive, this episode explains it all. Tune in to get the full picture behind Australia’s...
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Small Cities and Regional Markets Driving Big Growth in 2026
Hotspotting
2026 is set to shake up the Australian property market, and the winners might surprise you. While the usual capitals have led growth in recent years, this year it’s the small cities and overlooked regional markets stepping into the spotlight. Join us as we explore why Darwin, Hobart and Canberra are on the rise, and uncover the hidden hotspots across Tasmania, Victoria and New South Wales that investors are starting to notice. If you want to stay ahead of the market and spot the property growth leaders before everyone else, this episode is a must-listen.
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The Property Hotspots Everyone Loves That We Said No To
Hotspotting
In this episode, we unpack the property markets that didn’t make our National Top 10 Best Buys 2026 — and why those omissions are just as important as the locations we included. Markets like Perth, Adelaide, the Gold Coast, Darwin and parts of regional Queensland have delivered standout growth. But we explain why being hot today doesn’t always translate to strong future returns, and how competitive conditions can make buying well far more difficult. You’ll hear how we identify early-cycle markets, why we avoid locations that have already had their best run, and where we believe the...
info_outlineInvestors come to property markets in many different shapes and sizes, but our observation is that most are seeking a level of affordability.
The official data shows that most Australians seeking to buy investment properties are not wealthy, with most having incomes below $100,000, and most have just one property or are buying a rental property for the first time.
This dictates, for many, a purchase somewhere in the range from $400,000 to $600,000.
Fortunately, there continue to be options in regional Australia where buyers can access houses in this price range in locations which have good prospects for future capital growth.
Our day-to-day research shows that investors can buy in regional areas at affordable prices, achieve above-average rental yields and look forward to good price growth.
That old attitude that you have to make a choice between strong capital growth or high rental yields is one of the great misconceptions of residential real estate.
If you choose your location well, you can have a good combination of both.
Those seeking to buy in that price range between $400,000 to $600,000 can still find possibilities for houses in the cheaper areas of some of our capital cities – and, increasingly, investors who are aware of the current trends can find good options in the market for units and townhouses.
In cities like Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne, you can buy units in inner-city areas in that affordable price range.
The rise and rise of apartments and townhouses as the dwelling of choice for many important cohorts has meant that attached dwellings are increasingly challenging detached dwellings on capital growth, while providing cheaper buy-in prices and higher rental yields.
So, how can you find out more about the possibilities?
By reading our new Cheapies with Prospects reports.
We have two editions of the Cheapies reports – the city edition and the regional edition – and in these reports the key criteria are that the locations have affordable options and the credentials for capital growth.
The new editions are available now and provide clues to the places you can look to find that precious combination of affordability, good rental yields and potential for growth.