Inside Australia’s Housing Crisis
Hotspotting
Almost everyone agrees Australia is in a housing crisis — but why can’t we agree on what’s causing it? In this episode, we unpack a revealing Macquarie University study that shows the nation is united on the problem, yet divided on the reasons behind it. We dive into what Australians think is driving the crisis — from population growth and interest rates to housing supply and taxes — and why the usual media scapegoats like foreign buyers and investor tax breaks don’t rank as highly as you’d expect. You’ll also hear why misinformation, mixed messaging and a lack of political...
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Price Growth Differences
Hotspotting
Property prices are rising… or falling… depending on who you ask. With major data sources reporting completely different results, it’s no wonder Australians are confused about what’s really happening in the market. In this episode, we break down the latest numbers from PropTrack and Cotality to uncover where the data aligns, where it clashes, and why “official” figures aren’t always as solid as they seem. From Darwin’s conflicting unit prices to the quiet strength of regional markets, we dig into the rubbery numbers shaping big investment decisions. If you want a clearer,...
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AI Meets Conveyancing: The Future of Property Law
Hotspotting
Guest: Ian Perkins, Co-Founder & Director, Lawlab What if reviewing your property contract was as simple as uploading a file and letting AI do the rest? In this episode of The Property Playbook, Tim Graham sits down with Ian Perkins of Lawlab, one of Australia’s most innovative property law firms, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the world of conveyancing. Founded in 1899 and reinvented for the digital age, Lawlab has revolutionised property transactions with secure, streamlined technology—making the process faster, smarter, and more transparent. Ian unveils their...
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Do Australians Actually Want More Affordable Housing?
Hotspotting
While housing affordability dominates political debate, most Australians don’t actually want prices to drop. In this episode, we unpack new data showing strong confidence in the property market and explore how government policies, limited supply, and buyer sentiment are keeping prices on the rise. We also look at why politicians talk about affordability but rarely act — and what this means for buyers, renters, and investors across Australia.
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The Pulse Highlights The Winning Trifecta For Investors
Hotspotting
What if the suburbs with the best rental returns were also the ones skyrocketing in value? In this episode of The Pulse, we uncover the most surprising trend in Australian real estate — the same locations we picked for their high yields are now leading the nation in capital growth. We dive into the data from past editions and reveal how many of these 50 hotspots have doubled in value in less than five years. From Perth to Queensland to South Australia, these affordable, high-performing markets are delivering a true investor’s dream — strong cash flow, rapid price growth, and long-term...
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Why Property Values Rise
Hotspotting
Every investor wants to know the secret to finding Australia’s next property growth hotspots — but how do you actually predict where values will rise next? In this episode, we dive into the key drivers behind property growth and unpack the metrics and indicators that reveal which locations are set to outperform. Forget backward-looking data — this is about reading the signs of the future. Based on insights from the new book Why Property Values Rise, you’ll learn how to spot tomorrow’s top-performing suburbs today and make smarter, future-focused investment decisions.
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The Truth About High-Yield Locations Every Investor Needs to Know
Hotspotting
High-yield property markets are disappearing fast — so where are investors still finding strong returns in 2025? In this episode, we unpack Australia’s shifting property landscape and reveal the locations that still offer solid rental yields and room for growth. We also explore how savvy investors are using depreciation to lift their returns and stay cashflow positive, even as yields tighten nationwide. If you’re serious about property investing, this episode will help you spot the opportunities others are missing and make smarter moves in today’s market.
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How Property Made Millions of Australians Wealthy
Hotspotting
Australia’s wealth keeps breaking records — but is it all built on property? The latest ABS data shows total household wealth has hit $17.76 trillion, with residential real estate making up the bulk of it. Meanwhile, a global report ranks Australia as the second wealthiest country in the world, behind only Luxembourg. In this episode, we unpack what’s really driving Australia’s growing prosperity, why property plays such a massive role, and what this means for the future of the housing market. Tune in for a grounded look at the numbers behind the headlines — and what they reveal...
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The Truth Behind Those “Cheap Property” Lists in Australia
Hotspotting
You’ve probably seen the headlines claiming you can still buy a home in Australia for under $300K — but is it really that simple? In this episode, we dig into the truth behind those “cheap property” lists and why they often mislead buyers and investors. We’ll unpack how these headlines get made, what they leave out, and why chasing a bargain in the wrong place could cost you more than you think. Tune in for real talk on the Australian property market, smart investing, and how to separate solid advice from clickbait.
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Are You Being Misled About the Best Places to Buy Property in Australia?
Hotspotting
Not all property research is what it seems. Too often, so-called “groundbreaking studies” and “top suburbs to buy” lists are nothing more than clever publicity stunts dressed up as data. In this episode, we unpack one of these high-profile reports making waves in the media and reveal why it could send investors down the wrong path. You’ll learn how to see through the spin, spot misleading property advice, and focus on the real drivers of growth in the Australian property market.
info_outlineOne of the greatest misconceptions in the housing market is that property investors are the people who cause property prices to rise.
The evidence confirms that this is a major piece of misinformation but some sections of politics and news media love to perpetuate this fiction.
And, as an extension, use it as justification for advocating the end to negative gearing.
Some people appear to believe that eliminating negative gearing tax benefits will fix all the problems in the property market: rising prices, housing affordability generally, the shortage of new homes, the rental crisis, pretty much everything.
And, like so much of the debate about housing issues, it’s patently false and nothing more than an expression of the politics of envy.
So let’s look at the reality of who has influence in our housing markets and in particular in causing prices to rise over time.
My view over time, supported by the research evidence, is that the largest and most powerful cohort in the residential real estate industry comprises home buyers other than first-home buyers – i.e. owner-occupiers buying their next home, whether up-grading or downsizing.
They are the largest group of buyers numerically, they have the greatest market share and they have the greatest borrowing capacity and ability to pay higher prices than any other group in the market – they’re older, have higher incomes, have equity in their existing homes, they’re aspirational and they have borrowing capacity, far more so than first-home buyers or the average investor.
The latest edition of the NAB Residential Property Survey tends to confirm that view.
The report states that buying activity in the established property market is, and I quote, “dominated by owner-occupiers net of FHBs” – which means home buyers other than first-home buyers.
The NAB report says they comprise 44% of buyers in the Australian housing market and comments: “These buyers account for the lion’s share of established home sales in all states.”
The next biggest buyer cohort is first-home buyers, who comprise 34% of buyers in the market.
Australian investors are just 18% of buyers and foreign investors around 4%.
So the people constantly blamed for prices rising and causing poor housing affordability, Australian property investors, have a market share of just 18%.
More than three-quarters of buyers out there in the market are home-buyers – and they have massive advantages over investor buyers.
They have lower interest rates, they have lower levels of stamp duty, they have lower council rates and lower rates of insurance, and they don’t have to pay land tax or capital gains tax.
If they’re first-home buyers they also receive government grants and other assistance measures, including stamp duty concessions.
The only advantage that property investors can access is negative gearing, which around half of property investors can use to reduce their tax.
The research shows that the typical property investor is young, on an income below $100,000 and restricted on what they can pay by their borrowing capacity, which is less than a home buyer on the same income because the investor has to pay higher interest rates and stamp duty.
What many politicians and journalists want us to believe is that a cohort which is just 18% of the buyers in the market and restricted in their borrowing capacity by numerous factors somehow overpowers the 78% of buyers who are owner-occupiers - and therefore, apparently single-handedly cause house prices to rise.
It simply isn’t so.
The myth of the advantaged and privileged property investor is the greatest lie in real estate.