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...
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Exposing Self-Proclaimed Property Experts on Social Media
Hotspotting
Social media is packed with self-proclaimed property gurus promising the “secret” suburbs set to boom in 2026. But how much of it can you actually trust? In this episode, we cut through the hype, exposing the telltale signs of fake property experts and showing you how to make smarter decisions when investing in Australian real estate. If you want to avoid costly mistakes and understand what really drives property growth, this is the guide you need. Tune in and learn why there are no shortcuts, no secrets, just proven strategies backed by real experience.
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The Hard Truth About Australia’s Record High Rents and Prices
Hotspotting
Australia’s housing crisis is at record highs, but why aren’t things improving? In this episode, we break down how government policies, constant law changes, and supply shortages are driving up house prices and rents. We explore why state and federal actions often make the problem worse, who really bears the cost, and what could actually help fix the affordability crisis. Tune in to get a clear, no-nonsense explanation of why homes are so expensive and what it means for renters, buyers, and investors across Australia.
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Why 2026 Could Be a Breakthrough Year for Australian Property
Hotspotting
Australia’s property markets are moving like never before. From Darwin to Melbourne, buyer demand and prices are rising across almost every major city and regional market. In this episode, we unpack the latest Price Predictor Index, reveal which markets are leading the charge, and explore why affordable housing is driving nationwide momentum. Whether you’re a buyer, investor, or property enthusiast, these insights will help you understand the unusual trends shaping Australian real estate as we head into 2026.
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The Property Forecasts From 2022 That Paid Off Big
Hotspotting
Three years ago, the National Top 10 Best Buys report highlighted Australian property locations expected to outperform over the long term. Now, the data shows just how powerful those location calls turned out to be. In this episode, we unpack how some investors achieved capital growth above $200,000 and in some cases close to $300,000 in just three years. You will hear why eight of the ten recommended locations delivered price growth of 50 percent or more, which suburbs surged by over 70 percent, and what separated the standout markets from the rest. We also discuss what these results reveal...
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Reflections & Projections Webinar Replay 2025 | What the Data Says About Property in 2026
Hotspotting
Each year, this is our most anticipated session — and for good reason. In this Annual Reflections & Projections Webinar, Hotspotting Founder Terry Ryder and Managing Director Tim Graham review how Australia’s property market actually performed in 2025, then use those insights to map what’s ahead for 2026 and beyond. This session cuts through the noise and headlines to focus on real data, real cycles, and real opportunities. 🔍 What we cover in this webinar: • A scorecard review of past National Top 10 Best Buys and how those markets performed • Why some markets surged — and...
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Sunshine Coast Property Growth Claims Exposed
Hotspotting
Think the top growth suburbs on the Sunshine Coast are what they seem? Most lists you see are misleading, based on tiny sales samples and distorted data. In reality, six of the top seven suburbs on a recent list were farcical nonsense. Don’t make property decisions based on bad data. Watch the full breakdown now and get the real story.
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Regional Victoria Property Market is Booming Again
Hotspotting
Regional Victoria is on the rise, and property investors are paying attention. After years of high taxes and strict real estate rules, sales activity is surging across towns like Bendigo, Geelong, Ballarat, Shepparton and the Latrobe Valley. In this episode, we break down the latest Price Predictor Index data and ABS property finance figures to reveal which markets are thriving, why investors are returning, and where home buyers are finding real value. If you’re curious about the strongest regional property markets since 2021, this episode is a must-listen.
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The Truth About Property Investing and Why So Many Fail
Hotspotting
Millions of Australians dive into property investment aiming for financial freedom or a secure retirement, but most never achieve it. In this episode, we explore why so many fall short and what separates the 1% who build sizeable property portfolios. Based on my new book Why Property Values Rise, we uncover the 12 rookie mistakes that slow investors down, from following the herd to ignoring expert advice. If you’re serious about property wealth, understanding these pitfalls could transform the way you invest. Tune in to discover practical strategies, insider tips, and the key mindset shifts...
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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...
info_outlineOne of the most significant housing stories in the past year has slipped under the radar of news media, with very little commentary.
The latest official data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that it now costs over $500,000 to build the average house in this country. That’s the cost of construction of the dwelling and doesn’t include the land price.
Given that the price of residential land is also escalating to record price levels, the reality is that the typical house and land package in a capital city is beyond the reach of most young buyers.
This, in simple terms, is the essence of the housing affordability problem that has created a national crisis.
Australia needs to build more homes – a lot more than the industry is currently able to build – but the obscenely high cost of building both houses and apartments is the largest single barrier to achieving it.
The latest ABS figures tell a very sad story. They show that the nation, in 2024, fell 70,000 home approvals short of the target set to fix the housing crisis – AND that home building costs have hit a grim new record high.
Latest Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show there were 170,719 homes approved in 2024, the second worst annual figure since 2012, with experts warning government efforts to address the housing crisis so far have failed to make a difference.
And affordability is getting worse, with the average cost of building a new house in Australia surpassing $500,000 for the first time in December, according to the ABS data, made worse by new requirements for sustainable builds.
Making a bad situation considerably worse is the soaring cost of home sites.
The Housing Industry Association says that surging land values are problematic for the struggling development sector, which is already battling soaring labour and materials costs.
Extreme housing block costs have also coincided with falling prices for established houses – making the significant premium on brand new homes a hard sell for builders.
Housing Industry Association figures showed the median price of land across Greater Sydney now stands at $2,000 per square metre. That means that even a tiny 300 square metre block of land costs $600,000.
Land prices are less – but still very expensive – in Melbourne, where that small block costs $320,000, and it’s similar in both Perth and Brisbane.
But that 300 square metre block is below the normal block size. In Sydney the median lot price is $710,000 compared to around $400,000 in both Melbourne and Brisbane.
Add on that typical cost for building a home – and it makes a new house on land over $900,000 in Brisbane and Melbourne – and around $1.2 million in Sydney.
Housing Industry Association economist Maurice Tapang said the dramatic extra costs of buying land and building, versus buying established homes, could squash demand for new homes. Tapang said the price of land was now the biggest constraint on new housing construction in Australia’s capital cities.
PropTrack economist Paul Ryan said: “It’s becoming increasingly hard to make new housing equations stack up. There’s lots of choice for established homes and the prices have gotten relatively more attractive compared to new homes, and that’s something we’ve heard a lot of from developers”.
The HIA-CoreLogic Residential Land Report showed that the median price of a capital city lot increased by 9.2% in the September quarter to $408,160 compared to a year earlier.
Tapang said: “Land prices have risen three times faster than the rate of growth in the ABS Consumer Price Index (CPI) and five times faster than growth in the cost of home building materials as measured by the Producer Price Index for the September quarter 2024.”
At the same time, the cost of building a house now averages $537,000 nationally, according to the ABS, following the hyperinflation of construction costs since the pandemic.
Add those two figures together – the median lot price and the average cost of building a house – and you have $945,160.
And that, in one sentence, is the affordability issue. But I haven’t heard a single politician in Australia, at any level, suggest a policy to deal with this ridiculously high cost for new homes.
And it begs the question: are politicians in government around Australia even aware that the cost of a new house on land is getting scarily close to $1 million?