New data from Victoria’s Department of Families, Fairness and Housing shows a drop of more than 20,000 active bonds in the state over the 12 months to June 2024.

Historically, house values have risen at a faster rate than units, but with affordability pressures, units are being preferred by many homebuyers.

While the pace of rent-price growth has slowed and rental stock has improved over the past year, weekly rents are at record highs and supply is scarce. The tough conditions may be driving renters to look for other options.

This spring, an influx of investors and first-home buyers has sparked heightened activity in the property market

It takes almost 50% longer to build a house now than it did four years ago, and build times for all home types are at their longest since records began in 2010, recent data shows.

Australia’s home prices reached new heights in October with buyers out in force at the height of the spring selling season. Though price growth had been slowing, the stronger October rise of 0.26% marks a reacceleration after slowing through winter and early spring.

After a closely watched race that ended Labor's nine-year reign in Queensland, the new Liberal National Party (LNP) government now has the difficult task of making good on its ambitious housing election commitments.

More than 40% of Australians support high-rise apartment development so long as it is not in their neighbourhood, a new survey has revealed.

Amid a bumper 2024 spring selling season, analysis of selling prices shows why: November is the best month for sellers, with national prices 0.78% higher than the average throughout the year.

Following a period of increased rental supply from early to mid-2024, available rentals are once again on a decline.

Nearly two-thirds of first-home buyers are feeling pessimistic about the current property market, with 56% citing the cost of living crisis as affecting their plans to purchase a home, new research shows.

This week the Victorian government announced a significant reduction in the stamp duty payable on off- the-plan apartments, units, and townhouses – a move designed to stimulate development at a time when boosting housing supply could not be more critical.

Accessing Australia’s housing market is incredibly challenging for first-home buyers, but one state is emerging as somewhat of a haven for first-home buyers, with several factors helping to buoy first-home buyer activity.

Higher interest rates have impacted the borrowing capacity of most buyers, yet demand for homes has remained strong and home prices have continued to rise, especially in affordable suburbs.

Spring has begun with a bang this year, with new listings hitting their highest September numbers since 2015, boosting the number of properties going to auction.

Searches for property are rising despite high borrowing rates and increasing home prices, with the volume of searches jumping substantially across a number of suburbs over the past year.

Customer churn is a constant challenge, especially during significant life changes like moving house, when customers are more likely to switch providers. For industries like telecommunications, gas and energy retailers, insurance, and debt recovery, retaining customers during this transitional period is key to reducing churn and driving profitability.

Negative gearing is very common among Australian investors. In most years, the majority of investors spend more on their investment properties than they earn in rent: that is, they lose money on their investment, which makes them what we call “negatively geared”.

Negative gearing is very common among Australian investors. In most years, the majority of investors spend more on their investment properties than they earn in rent: that is, they lose money on their investment, which makes them what we call “negatively geared”.

Property prices in the capital cities have become so high that many buyers have been priced out of the market, but there are more choices for those who are prepared to move to the regional areas of Australia.

Changes to land tax thresholds in 2024 increased costs significantly for investors in Victoria, but how many of them have responded by selling their rental properties?

The share of buyers enquiring on residential property interstate has jumped in 2024, with some states attracting more interest than others.

New data shows that population trends are starting to shift in one state, with more Australians and migrants choosing to settle there. Home and rent prices may be a major drawcard.

The journey to homeownership is increasingly challenging for first-home buyers in Australia, as the time needed to save a deposit has increased significantly.

New apartment builds are popular for many reasons; in particular, they offer modernity, convenience, and lifestyle advantages that cannot always be attained in an older property.

New homebuyers face challenges as affordable housing supply dwindles, and the disparity between available properties and buyer preferences increases.

Typically, units cost less than houses and can provide a more affordable entry point into property ownership compared to houses for many homebuyers.

Housing affordability is now at the worst level on record, according to PropTrack's Housing Affordability Index.

Sydney has long commanded a house-price premium over Melbourne but that premium has recently hit historic extremes.

Spring is typically the busiest time of year for Australia’s real estate market for both buyers and sellers alike, as sellers prefer to list their properties when gardens are looking their best, and buyers are awakening from the cooler months.

With home prices rising, purchasing a property close to the city is becoming more challenging for families.

One in two renters are struggling to make ends meet in Australia due to higher rents, as households continue to feel the cost-of-living squeeze across the country.

New data has revealed there are more buyers concerned that now is not a good time to purchase a property compared to last year.

More property owners think now is a good time to sell-up than a year ago, as strong price-growth buoys confidence, a recent survey has revealed.

Family homes with three or four bedrooms can still be found at relatively affordable prices in suburbs between 8 and 25 kilometres of a CBD, new data shows, despite Australia's rapidly rising property prices.

National home values have now increased for 20 consecutive months, reaching a record high.

There has been a persistent flow of people moving to Queensland from southern states, in part to take advantage of more favourable housing affordability.

The PropTrack Home Price Index shows national home prices increased a further 0.22% across the country in August, now cycling through 20 consecutive months of growth, although the pace of growth has slowed through the seasonally quieter period.

With home prices increasing, it is becoming more difficult to secure an affordable home, especially close to the CBD. However, there are still a number of suburbs near the city where houses are priced competitively for their location.

First-home buyers and those on a tight budget face slim chances of finding a house for less than $1 million across more than 500 suburbs in Australia, according to the most recent data.

In a development that has sent the education sector spinning, this week the federal government announced legislation that would put a cap on new international student commencements.

The number of properties for sale has increased annually resulting in less competition and more options for buyers. In some areas, new listings have increased by more than 30%.

Australian properties attracted more views from afar last month, as property searchers in the United States led the boost in overseas interest in the run-up to the hotly contested presidential election.

Searches for Australian properties from the United States have skyrocketed as election discourse heats up.

The property market typically slows during the winter months, with activity picking up again at the start of spring.

Investors are re-entering the market to capitalise on rising weekly rents and yields driven by increased rental demand and a shortage in supply. In select suburbs, they will find great returns from their investments with rental incomes covering the cost of mortgage repayments.

The short-term rental market is contributing to the ongoing housing shortage and pushing up weekly median rents for long-term renters, according to the latest research.

The rise in home prices is contributing to the decline in housing affordability across the country. Home ownership has become a more difficult goal, particularly for young adults, with new data revealing how these pressures may be causing more of them to remain at home.

The market is currently going through a period of high interest rates and high median prices, making it difficult for many people to buy property.

Properties across the country are selling for record prices and surpassing previous top sales within their suburb.

The rental market is tight, fuelling competition between renters and elevating rent prices. In some suburbs, properties are being leased almost twice as fast as they were 12 months ago.

Serious concerns that the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) would raise rates on Tuesday did not eventuate, as they were kept at the same level they have been since November last year.

The performance of home values across capital cities and regional areas varies significantly, indicating a multi-speed market with some areas accelerating and others falling behind.

The PropTrack Home Price Index shows that home prices increased a further 0.08% across the country in July, a slower pace of growth than has been seen this year, which is not uncommon in winter.

Australia is in the grips of rental crisis which has shown no signs of abating until recently.

Melbourne has long been one of Australia's strongest property markets alongside Sydney, thanks to its robust job market, high migration from overseas and interstate, and its reputation as one of the world's most liveable cities.

Rental demand appeared to ease in June, with the average number of rental property enquiries per listing falling by 4.6%, compared to the same time last year.

Despite rising home prices and declining housing affordability, there are many suburbs that are still drawing in buyers across the country.

State governments have started unveiling their home building plans to play their part in the Australian government's ambitious Housing Accord target to build 1.2 million new, well-located homes by mid-2029.

Home prices are rising despite higher interest rates and an increase in listings on the market. They are now at their peak in half the regions in our country.

Winter is typically a quieter period for the property market, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne, which experience the most activity but are also significantly influenced by seasonal changes.

The retirement living sector is expanding rapidly, driven by Australia's aging population, which has increased the demand for aged care facilities.

Despite fluctuations, the Australian property market remains one of the world's most resilient, with prices in most capital cities and regional areas currently at an all-time high.

We're excited to share that PropTrack has been selected as a finalist in not one, but three categories at the 2024 Proptech Awards!

Based on the past decade's average yearly median growth, up to 166 suburbs could reach the $1 million club in the next 12 months if this growth continues.

Property prices are forecast to rise in the next 12 months, but at a slower or similar rate to the previous 12 months. The best performers will likely be in our smaller capital cities where growth has been exceptionally strong.

Analysis across Australian regions suggests positive housing market conditions are enabling upgrades sooner than expected, rather than financial stress forcing owners to sell.

Australia is currently in the midst of a rental crisis with few signs of improvement.

Whether a person is looking to buy or rent, chances are it’ll cost significantly more compared to just a year ago.

The Federal Government’s Housing Accord target of 1.2 million new, well-located homes officially starts today and runs until the end of June 2029.

The PropTrack Home Price Index shows national home prices lifted 0.18% to a new peak in June, despite recording the slowest pace of monthly growth since December 2022.

From mid-2022, as interest rates climbed and borrowing capacities fell many expected house prices to follow suit, but home prices have proved resilient in the two years since interest rate tightening began.

At the end of 2023 there had been a noticeable deceleration of home price growth. At the time, interest rates had just increased but were expected to have reached their peak, and the stock of new listings coming to market and total listings for sale was increasing.

Home prices have surged in recent years, mortgage rates have moved higher and growth in household incomes hasn’t kept up.

Stamp duty discounts can help first-home buyers purchase their first home more quickly, but the substantial increase in home prices across Australia in recent years have made fewer homes eligible for exemptions and concessions.

Renting a room in shared accommodation has surged in popularity due to the shortage of available rental properties across Australia and the record high cost of renting.

The growth in auction clearance rates reflects strong demand from buyers and positive news for sellers, with almost 9 in 10 properties in some suburbs successfully selling at auction.

Demand for new homes has surged in 2024, with growth in views and enquiries for new development listings outpacing that of all properties for sale on realestate.com.au.

Securing a home has become increasingly difficult in recent years as prices continue to peak and borrowing capacities have reduced. Recent analysis indicates that people may be opting for more affordable properties as a result.

The Australian housing market has weathered significant challenges over the past five years, showing remarkable resilience despite a global pandemic, multiple interest rate hikes, and high inflation.

New data has revealed that four out of five borrowers have had to tighten their budgets to keep up with home loan repayments as a result of high interest rates.

As some states prepare for the chill of the winter months, others bask in year-round sunshine, offering an attractive retreat for buyers and renters seeking coastal escapes.

Home prices have surged dramatically over the past year, forcing potential buyers to either increase their budgets or compromise on the size and location of properties.

With home prices rising, confidence in the market has grown. In some suburbs, scheduled auctions have increased substantially as a result.

The housing crisis continues to put pressure on many Australians, particularly renters, with typical rents up 9.1% over the past year. But new data on construction across the country shows that rents have grown less

The PropTrack Home Price Index shows national home prices lifted 0.30% to hit a new record in May, bringing prices up 2.73% year-to-date.

Crisis conditions have gripped the nation's rental markets in recent years, and affordable rentals are few and far between.

Buyers are more concerned about current property market conditions than those looking to sell, a new survey from realestate.com.au shows.

Renters in Australia are facing significant difficulties in securing properties due to a severe lack of stock and rising affordability issues.

New home listings are getting snapped up at greater speeds, especially in the capital cities, as increasing buyer confidence and a shortage of new listings drives down the time spent on market.

Overseas search volumes fluctuate with seasonal trends but continue to surpass previous years.

The 2024 federal budget has unveiled a range of initiatives aimed at tackling Australia's housing issues head-on, but it's also provided billions of dollars to build more infrastructure across the country.

Housing was a major focus of the 2024 federal budget, with a 42 page statement devoted to ‘Meeting Australia’s Housing Challenge’.

Every month, millions of potential buyers click on property listings online, revealing the suburbs that are most in-demand.

First-home buyers are doing it tough - interest rates are high, real wage growth is negative and with property prices at record highs, it has never been more difficult to scrape together a deposit.

Home prices are hitting new peaks in most regions and fewer homes are being sold below asking price, but many regions are experiencing a rise in homes being sold at a discount.

Planning and zoning restrictions have made it tough to deliver on the number of homes we need in the right locations. But reforms alone won't address the acute challenges that are contributing to persistent undersupply.

High income earners are squeezing lower income earners in the rental market, highlighting the urgent need for more affordable housing.

Rental affordability has hit an all-time low, making it exceedingly challenging for low-income earners or those reliant on benefits to secure housing, according to the latest analysis.

The PropTrack Home Price Index shows national home prices have cycled through 16 months of consecutive growth after lifting 0.23% to hit a new record in April. Prices are now 6.60% above April 2023 levels.

Gross rental yields have increased across the country as a result of rent growth exceeding home price growth over the past 12 months, with yields in some suburbs increasing by more than 30%.

Australia’s population continues to grow strongly after the decline during the pandemic, with the increase in some regions outpacing others, and their home price growth also surpassing the average.

The national rental market has remained challenging for renters over the first quarter of 2024.

Recent data indicates that only a handful of regions remain within reach for households earning a median or lower income.

A new resource for first-home buyers, the PropTrack Affordability Hotspot Report was launched today.

Rent prices have grown substantially four years on from the start of the pandemic, with heightened demand and shortfalls in supply more than doubling rents in some suburbs since March 2020.

The ongoing rental crisis across the nation persists, presenting challenges for renters in their quest to find a home.

The housing crisis continues, with both buyers and renters facing the worst affordability conditions on record.

Australia is facing a prolonged housing crisis, with projections indicating a shortfall of more than 110,000 homes from the country's target of building 1.2 million new homes by mid-2029.

Following 14 months of consecutive home price growth and the recent pause on interest rates, investor and first-home buyer activity is rising and is showing a marked increase from the previous year.

The typical Aussie household has changed considerably over the past few decades and what we need from our homes has evolved along the way.

In the four years since the pandemic began, home prices around the country have staged a remarkable feat.

The PropTrack Home Price Index shows national home prices hit a new record high in March, lifting 0.34%. That brings prices up 1.57% so far this year to sit 6.79% above March 2023 levels.

Rental availability has fallen to a record low making it extremely difficult for renters. However, some regions are defying the trend and are seeing improvements in the availability of rentals.

Energy-efficient homes are no longer just for the environmentally-conscious, with the latest research showing the significant value Australians place on sustainable properties.

Deteriorating housing affordability is shifting the character of Australia's capital cities, as a smaller share of young people choose to live in inner-city suburbs.

More home sellers believe it's a good time to put their property on the market, which has led to an influx of new home listings across the country.

There are some suburbs where property owners have put down roots and never want to leave.

Australia’s property market accelerated in February, with a strong month of new listings coming to market. Nationally, there were 16.6% more new listings year-on-year.

Rents have surged immensely in the past few years making the situation for renters the most difficult it has been in almost two decades.

The number of offshore buyers looking to pick up Aussie real estate is increasing, supported by high migration, a lower Australian dollar and a positive outlook for prices.

Rental affordability has hit its worst level in at least 17 years, when records begin, according to the PropTrack Rental Affordability Index – a new and comprehensive way to measure the share of advertised rentals that households of all incomes can afford to rent.

Home buyers increasingly see it as a good time to buy a home despite predictions that property prices will continue to rise this year, according to the latest data from realestate.com.au.

Home prices are growing strongly again after a slowdown in recent months. In some regions, prices are more than 20% higher than a year ago.

Property prices have reached another record high across the country, with some unlikely contenders now snapping at the heels of their pricier rivals.

National home price growth slowed at the end of 2023, however growth has accelerated with summer drawing to a close.

Stamp duty is a significant cost for Australians looking to buy and move home. To buy a median-priced home, stamp duty costs half a year’s worth of income in Sydney and Melbourne.

A buyer in Melbourne today is paying 6.1 times as much stamp duty, relative to their income, as a buyer in the early 1980s to buy a median-priced home.

Our nation has become more popular than ever with overseas property seekers, with searches for properties to buy or rent hitting a record high in 2023.

New data has revealed where buyers can save money by identifying the most affordable area of the most expensive suburbs.

Unit prices have soared as much as 30% in some suburbs over the past year as buyers seek out more affordable options in the capital cities.

Demand for share accommodation has reached new heights as cost-of-living pressures and a lack of supply push many renters into the share house market.

While new building approvals are on a downward trend, there is a growing demand for new developments, according to the latest data.

Recent analysis shows the pandemic-era trend towards bigger homes is reversing, with people now looking for and choosing to rent smaller properties.

Weekly rents have surged over the past year for both houses and units, but growth in unit prices has significantly outpaced that of houses.

The current housing shortage is a result of both strong demand and an insufficient supply of new homes. However, there are some suburbs seeing a high volume of building approvals.

The small proportion of affordable suburbs in Australia’s priciest capitals makes it difficult for first-home buyers to get on the property ladder, but buyers in some cities have much better chances.

The stamp duty that buyers today pay is far higher than what previous generations paid.

The property market is off to a strong start in 2024, with Melbourne and Sydney having their busiest January in over a decade.

When owning a property, it can be easy to focus on the short-term changes in value and forget that over many years of ownership, prices are likely to rise. 

Rental affordability has improved in some Australian suburbs, but it doesn't mean property seekers will be able to find a rental.

Australia is in the midst of a rental crisis that could very well worsen over the course of this year.

Rental stock is at a historic low following investor departures and construction challenges, and while it remains difficult to secure a rental in most suburbs, conditions are improving in some.

Living the beach life while still in the city can be a reality for property seekers on all budgets if they know where to look.

Home prices have started 2024 slowly, with prices flat in capital cities and up only slightly in regional areas.

In 2023, the rental market was characterised by low supply and strong demand. These conditions made it difficult for renters to find accommodation and saw landlords increase rents, a trend likely to continue in 2024.

Rising interest rates have put a lot of pressure on Aussie households with a mortgage, as increased borrowing costs greatly outpaced any increase in incomes.

Home prices grew 5.5% across 2023. While nowhere near as a quick as the multi-decade-record growth in 2021, it was still a reasonably solid year.

Low vacancy rates have pushed up asking rents and improved returns for investment properties, with gross rental yields as high as 9% in some suburbs.

Renters and homeowners are turning to the share accommodation market to alleviate the affordability pressures brought on by high rents and interest rates.

Property market activity slowed sharply in December, as buyers and sellers took the usual end-of-year break.

Tight market conditions are encouraging more investors into the market, with the number of rental properties growing again - though at a slower rate than seen before the pandemic.

Which cities and regions outperformed in 2023, and what can we expect to see in 2024?

Rents in the capital cities surged over the past year, led by Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, while regional renters enjoyed a reprieve, with rents remaining flat since June.

Capital city prices have fallen for the first time in 2023, while growth in regional areas has maintained home values at peak levels in December.

For housing, the big question on everyone's mind is whether the property price gains seen in 2023 will continue in 2024.

As we approach the traditionally quiet holiday period for the property market, there are many uncertainties facing homebuyers, investors and renters in 2024.

Investors looking to buy property in the new year have received a helping hand from a panel of property experts amid a hand-selected list of 100 suburbs set to outperform in 2024.

Demand for properties is high and in some suburbs homes are getting snapped up in under a fortnight.

Industry experts have predicted the suburbs set to outperform next year in the annual realestate.com.au Hot 100. We reveal the cheapest suburbs on the list.

Property prices are continuing to defy expectations across the country, and while the pace of growth has started to slow, prices are still rising much faster than in 2022.

Property prices are continuing to defy expectations across the country, and while the pace of growth has started to slow, prices are still rising much faster than in 2022.

Property markets slowed a little in November to end the spring selling season following their usual October seasonal peak. The number of new listings nationally on realestate.com.au was down 3.5% month-on-month in November – consistent with the typical end-of-spring decline. Even so, activity was still 4.7% higher than the pace seen last year amid the slower conditions of spring 2022.

The latest API release from PropTrack introduces the Auction Results API to the API suite, surfacing the latest auction results from national sales as well as complimenting the other 16 APIs already in market.

The property market has made a strong recovery in 2023, with sales up on last year and capital city prices at an all-time high.

The strength and pace of Australia’s market rebound despite surging interest rates surprised many this year.

Sweeping reforms in NSW aimed at unlocking more housing supply in key locations could improve affordability - it's already working across the ditch.

Home prices are hitting new peaks despite recent increases in interest rates as demand and confidence rise.

Home values have remained resilient to higher interest rates this year, and this continued in November with prices continuing to lift and hitting fresh record highs in many markets, although the pace of growth has slowed due to the increase in properties coming to market.

With the cost of living higher than it has been in decades, homeowners and renters are looking for ways to reduce bills and save some money.

Australia’s rental market has been through a tough year, tightening further amid sustained strong demand to rent and a critical shortage in available rentals

For homebuyers, and first-home buyers in particular, the question of whether to buy or rent a home is complex, with many costs and benefits to consider, both financial and emotional.

Prices are rising again following declines in 2022, with affordable homes becoming more difficult to find. However, in some suburbs, home prices are still fairly modest despite their proximity to their city centres.

Home prices in regional areas have grown slower than in the capitals this year, but the latest data shows the regions are starting to catch up.

Property markets have been much busier this spring after a quiet year last year, particularly in our largest capitals.

The share of enquiries from buyers to purchase residential property interstate has jumped significantly in 2023, with some states attracting more interest than others.

Demand for housing is strong and home prices are hitting new peaks as a result. In some suburbs, property listings are receiving close to 100 enquiries from prospective buyers.

Property markets surged in October for the typical mid-spring peak in activity.

Finding an affordable rental has become much more challenging as the number of properties listed for $400 or less per week has decreased by nearly half compared to last year.

House sharing demand has soared amid the worsening rental crisis.

While there have already been some signs of slowing price growth over recent months, prices are still rising. But can it continue?

New home developers are increasingly focusing on the luxury apartment market as the cost of construction continues to rise.

Homeowners have been refinancing their home loans in record numbers over the past year and a half, but is the refinancing boom coming to an end?

Perth is the most competitive housing market in the country right now and whether you’re buying or renting there’s a shortage of stock on the market.

The PropTrack Home Price Index shows the home price upturn is firmly entrenched and prices hit fresh record highs in many markets in October.

Rental conditions are extremely tough in the capital cities, with more demand, fewer available properties and rising prices. However, some suburbs are seeing far less competition.

Analysis of selling prices shows that November is the best month for sellers, with prices 0.80% higher than the average throughout the year.

The rental market remains extremely challenged, with renters facing significant competition for the limited stock available. This has pushed the cost of renting much higher over the past year.

Rental properties are leasing quicker than ever, with the time it takes to lease a rental property in Australia reaching its lowest level in 2023.

Interest from overseas property seekers is skyrocketing as migration has returned to pre-pandemic volumes.

Demand for rentals is at a heightened level and in some suburbs, enquiries from renters have increased by more than two-fold in the past 12 months.

Build-to-rent (BTR), a fairly new concept in our property landscape, has been brought up as a possible method to increase housing supply and alleviate housing shortages. So, what does it involve and what is its current state in Australia?

Following a year of interest rate rises and property price falls, 2023 has been a year of recovery with many suburbs clawing back last year's losses and some even hitting new highs.

Given the speed at which Australia’s population is growing, there’s no question that a lofty new housing target is justified. But is it realistic? Probably not.

Rent prices are set to increase further as vacancy rates continue to tumble. However, there are still some suburbs close to the CBD where median rents are considerably lower than their capital city average.

Across the country, renters are struggling to find somewhere to live as demand for properties reaches an all-time high and the number of available properties hits an all-time low.

The property market had a busy start to spring with new listings sitting 4.5% higher year-on-year.

Australian home prices reached a new record high in September, with regions even recording double-digit growth this year.

Australia is in the midst of a population boom, driven by a surge in net migration following pandemic border closures. But with record low vacancy rates and deteriorating affordability, will we be able to house everyone?

Australia is in the midst of a population boom, driven by a surge in net migration following pandemic border closures.

Throughout 2022, the share of homes that sold for less than asking price increased following interest rate hikes and falls in home prices.

Interest in Australian property from overseas has never been higher, and some locations are more desirable than others.

House rents have remained flat for six months, while unit rents have continued to rise. We expect the price gap will continue to narrow in the coming months.

Renters are facing extremely low availability of rentals and buyers are facing the worst affordability in at least three decades.

National home prices reached a record high in September, entirely regaining the price falls of 2022 despite an uplift in the number of properties coming to market.

Despite higher interest rates, the share of homes being sold below the asking price has fallen over 2023, signalling a strengthening of market conditions.

The spring selling season has arrived, and there's good news for buyers who have faced limited options for much of this year.

The persistent undersupply of properties available to rent is pushing vacancy rates lower, and with rental demand outstripping supply, weekly rents are still increasing rapidly.

The housing market has been unexpectedly resilient this year in the face of significant increases in mortgage interest rates.

The proportion of property owners who consider it a good time to sell has increased from the lows seen at the start of the year, as buyer demand heats up for spring.

Property markets around the country ramped up in August, led by Sydney and Melbourne, which both recorded their busiest end to winter in more than a decade.

The number of investor loans has risen over recent months; however, one state is attracting more investors than others.

Property market activity has been unseasonably high over the past few months, with higher listings and sales in many capital cities.

A large share of properties hitting the market this year were owned for three years or less, but the reason why isn't what it might initially seem.

Housing affordability is at its worst level in decades, and it is more challenging than ever for first-home buyers to get their feet on the property ladder.

The PropTrack Housing Affordability Index is a new state-of-the-art measure of Australian housing affordability.

Housing affordability is now at its worst level in at least three decades, according to the PropTrack Housing Affordability Index, a new comprehensive measure of the share of homes that households can afford to purchase across the whole income distribution.

The PropTrack Home Price Index shows that national home prices jumped a further 0.28% in August as the spring selling season approaches.

Conditions are tough for renters. There are very few vacant homes and rents are rising. But in some regions finding a rental is significantly easier.

With only four months remaining of the year, the ‘fixed-rate cliff’ as has been colloquially termed is passing the halfway point, with more than $100 billion in fixed rate mortgages set to expire by the end of the year.

Analysis shows fewer new listings are associated with higher home price growth, after accounting for other factors. In particular, recent new listings – those 1-2 months ago – have the highest correlation with home price growth.

National property prices increased 2.3% over the first six months of 2023, signalling a shift in the housing market and reversing the declines experienced in the prior six months. Despite the better-than-expected price growth, home prices declined 0.1% over the financial year.

Demand for properties for sale was unseasonably high in July, but enquiries for new developments in particular have increased significantly.

Older Australians are far more likely to own an investment property than younger Australians, a trend that has been growing over time.

The latest construction industry data shows that the pace of building cost increases has slowed.

Strong rental competition in the capital cities is prompting prospective tenants to offer more than the advertised price, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne.

Australia’s biggest property markets are warming ahead of spring, with both Sydney and Melbourne busier than usual for July.

Finding a rental property continues to be difficult across the country, even with a lift in the number of available homes in recent months.

Despite signs of slowing inflation, there's no such relief for tenants as official data shows rents grew at the fastest pace in 25 years during the June quarter.

Our New Zealand neighbours are eyeing up Aussie properties as trans-Tasman migration increases.

The PropTrack Home Price Index shows that home prices in July continued to recover. July marked the seventh consecutive month of national home price growth, reversing much of the falls recorded over 2022, with national home prices returning to positive annual growth to sit 1.36% higher than a year ago.

After three tough years for regional renters, it looks like conditions might finally be starting to ease.

Winter is traditionally a quiet period for the property market, but stronger sales volumes and unseasonably high buyer demand in some cities and regions suggest that sellers are in prime position in the coming months.

A detailed analysis of sale prices for homes sold off-market, compared to those listed on realestate.com.au, has found that homeowners who choose to sell their homes off-market achieve lower selling prices.

New loan commitments increased by 4.8% in May 2023 to $25 billion, signalling property buyers are becoming increasingly active even after 12 interest rate rises since May 2022.

National home prices have risen for the sixth consecutive month following a decline in the latter half of 2022. However, in some regions, prices have not wavered in the past year, growing by as much as a tenth in value.

Sellers in prime winter position as supply remains limited amid solid demand.

It was just a little over a year ago that interest rates rose for the first time in over a decade, spelling an end to a boom that had seen property prices grow at close to the fastest rate in history.

National home prices have increased for six consecutive months, rising by a further 0.3% in June. As a result, national home values are now only 0.1% lower than a year ago.

The trend is clear - the gap between the price of houses and units is widening.

Ever since I began working in the property sector, people have mentioned the adage that property prices double every seven to ten years. Despite the strong price growth through the pandemic, this hasn’t been the case lately.

The PropTrack Home Price Index shows that home prices continued to recover in June. Sydney has led the recovery, with prices up 4.5% since their trough in November last year; but most other capitals have also seen prices start to recover over 2023. This recovery has helped lift prices across the combined capital cities to be back in line with where they were a year ago.

Over the past 3-5 years, home prices have experienced tremendous growth. Though interest rate hikes dampened prices from mid-2022, some metro suburbs have had values double in less than two years.

Vacancy rates have fallen to very low levels across the country since the pandemic. That means that available rentals are in short supply, and conditions are tough for renters.

While we need more homes, data on planned development in our major cities shows they are not being prioritised where people want to live.

Property listings jump in May, but 2023 remains quieter than 2022.

Over the first five months of 2023, national property prices increased by 1.5%. Aside from Darwin, all capital cities saw prices rise in May, with Adelaide and Perth sitting at peaks.

The latest PropTrack Home Price Index showed the current price rebound continued in May, with price rises becoming more widespread across markets.

Low vacancy rates and strong demand for rentals has led to a surge in rent prices, with some suburbs seeing increases of over 30% in the past 12 months.

In the past year, we’ve seen regional rental markets start to ease a bit. They’re still very tight, but things are starting to improve.

The current price rebound continued in May with price rises becoming more widespread and broadening across markets. National home prices increased for the fifth consecutive month, rising 0.33% in May, now up 1.55% year to date. This continued lift in May brings national home prices up 1.03% over the past quarter, the strongest pace of quarterly growth since the March quarter of 2022 when prices peaked.

Rental conditions worsen in our largest capital cities but there is some relief for the regions

April was a quieter month than March across the nation’s property markets, as is usually the case due to the Easter and Anzac Day public holidays.

Sydney, Melbourne and Perth face toughest rental market conditions in the country; rental supply improves in smaller capitals and regional areas.

While the government has committed to increasing housing stock, construction industry headwinds and fast population growth may hamper plans to provide a prompt solution to the housing crisis.

Home prices fell over 2022 following persistent interest rate rises and falling buyer demand. But in recent months there have been signs of recovery, with certain regions leading the rebound in prices.

ANALYSIS: Amid a national rental crisis, fast recovering population growth, and constrained housing supply, measures to address the housing shortage and worsening affordability featured prominently in this year’s budget.

Rent increases are putting a big financial strain on many Australians. But a closer look at the data reveals which households are feeling the most pain.

National home prices increased again in April and have now risen for four consecutive months. The 0.14% growth in April brings the cumulative 2023 increase to 0.75%. Tight supply continues to underpin prices, alongside stronger housing demand, which is offsetting the impact of interest rate rises.

The national rental market was extremely tight over the first quarter of 2023. Rental vacancy rates were edging lower due to exceptionally strong demand for rental accommodation and an ongoing shortage of supply.

The dip in home prices experienced in 2022 pales in comparison to the surge experienced during the pandemic when interest rates hit record lows. Looking back over a longer horizon, over the past 10 years, almost all suburbs have experienced price growth, with some even tripling in value.

Overseas interest in Aussie properties has surged to record levels as migration hits highest point in three years.

National property prices declined over the second half of 2022, along with sales volumes. Despite a low volume of new listings, the total volume of properties available for sale has trended higher as properties are taking longer to sell.

The national rental market remains tight, characterised by strong demand and low supply, resulting in properties leasing rapidly. While conditions are still tight, rental price growth slowed significantly over the final quarter of the year, with no change nationally. Median advertised rents were recorded at $480 per week at the end of 2022. Over the 2022 calendar year, national rents rose by 6.7%, up from a 4.7% increase the previous year.