Australian Property Podcast

In this episode of the Australian Property Podcast, Pete Wargent and Chris Bates unpack a housing market that is trying to stabilise after the Budget shock, without much conviction that the hard part is over.

They start with the Reserve Bank holding the cash rate at 4.35%. Bond yields are off their peak, some fixed rates are edging lower, and buyers are asking whether confidence can rebuild. Pete and Chris explain why that does not guarantee a strong recovery while policy uncertainty, softer investor demand and weak sentiment still weigh on Sydney and Melbourne.

The episode then turns to what is changing on the ground. Investors are pulling back, upgraders are cautious, first-home buyers are getting a little more breathing room, and rents remain under pressure because vacancies are still tight. They also unpack stamp duty changes, buyer incentives and why mortgage stress is still more of a pressure story than a distressed-sales story.

Finally, they look ahead to late 2026 and 2027. If rates fall meaningfully, the market could find a new leg higher. If cuts stay modest, Australia may be heading into a slower, more balanced phase instead. It is a useful episode for buyers, investors and homeowners trying to work out what matters now and what noise to ignore.

Episode resources

– Ask a question (select the Property podcast)

Show partner resources

– Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit

Rask resources

– Pete's Buyers Agency

– Alcove mortgage broking

– Amy Lunardi Buyers Agency (Melbourne)

– All services

– Financial Planning

– Invest with us

– Access Show Notes

– Ask a question

– We love feedback!

Follow us on social media

– Instagram: @rask.invest

– TikTok: @rask.invest

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg

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First home buyers are finally getting a bit more breathing room, but that does not mean every scheme is a green light. In this Australian Property Podcast episode, Chris Bates sits down with Jack Elliott, National First Home Buyer Specialist at Alcove, to unpack what changed after the Budget and how buyers should think about grants, guarantees and shared-equity options in 2026.

Episode resources

– Ask a question (select the Property podcast)

Show partner resources

– Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit

Rask resources

– Pete's Buyers Agency

– Alcove mortgage broking

– Amy Lunardi Buyers Agency (Melbourne)

– All services

– Financial Planning

– Invest with us

– Access Show Notes

– Ask a question

– We love feedback!

Follow us on social media

– Instagram: @rask.invest

– TikTok: @rask.invest

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg

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In this episode of the Australian Property Podcast, Pete Wargent and Chris Bates step back from the panic that followed the federal Budget and ask what is actually changing in Australia’s housing market. The headlines have turned hard, sentiment has cooled quickly and buyers are suddenly hearing talk of weaker auctions, falling prices and a tougher road for investors.

Pete and Chris explain why the fear feels louder than the facts, why some owner-occupier markets may hold up far better than investor-led pockets, and why softer turnover can show up long before the national data fully catches up. They also discuss why first-home buyers may get a little more breathing room if investors retreat, but why that same shift could deepen rental pressure and make the supply problem worse.

The episode then moves from headlines to strategy. Pete and Chris unpack where capital may flow next, including commercial property and new apartments, and whether those pivots genuinely stack up for investors. They also weigh up the more constructive side of the story: ongoing housing undersupply, easing rate expectations and the chance some of the most dramatic policy fears get diluted over time.

Plus, they answer listener questions on land tax, retirement pressure and what a move to New Zealand could mean for Australians with property held across multiple structures. If you want a practical take on the post-Budget property reset, buyer opportunity and the risks hiding underneath the noise, this is a timely episode to queue up.

Episode resources

– Ask a question (select the Property podcast)

Show partner resources

– Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit

Rask resources

– Pete's Buyers Agency

– Alcove mortgage broking

– Amy Lunardi Buyers Agency (Melbourne)

– All services

– Financial Planning

– Invest with us

– Access Show Notes

– Ask a question

– We love feedback!

Follow us on social media

– Instagram: @rask.invest

– TikTok: @rask.invest

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg

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In this 2 Sense episode of the Australian Property Podcast, Pete Wargent and Chris Bates unpack what the post-Budget property reset is starting to look like in real time. The initial panic has eased, but the aftershocks are now showing up in buyer behaviour, lending conversations and market turnover.

Pete and Chris explain why first-home buyers are suddenly seeing less competition at open homes, why established-property investors are retreating, and why Sydney and Melbourne are leading the slowdown. They also dig into the pressure points underneath the headlines: softer sales volumes, weaker auction conditions, tighter serviceability, and the risk that lower turnover makes housing even less flexible for households and state budgets alike.

A big focus in this episode is the mismatch between policy intent and what may happen on the ground. New-build and off-the-plan inquiries have jumped, but that does not mean projects will stack up or convert into real sales. Pete and Chris talk through why build costs, borrowing limits, settlement risk and buyer caution still matter, and why some “solutions” may look better on paper than in practice.

They also cover rents, vacancies, buyer’s agents under pressure, the markets most exposed if investor demand keeps fading, and what listeners should watch next if they want to buy, hold or rethink a property plan. If you want a calm, practical read on where the market may be heading from here, this is a timely listen.

Episode resources

– Ask a question (select the Property podcast)

Show partner resources

– Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit

Rask resources

– Pete's Buyers Agency

– Alcove mortgage broking

– Amy Lunardi Buyers Agency (Melbourne)

– All services

– Financial Planning

– Invest with us

– Access Show Notes

– Ask a question

– We love feedback!

Follow us on social media

– Instagram: @rask.invest

– TikTok: @rask.invest

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg

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This episode was originally featured on the Australian Investors Podcast.

In this episode, Owen Rask sits down with Senator Andrew Bragg for a wide-ranging conversation about the Federal Budget, housing supply, tax, productivity and why so many Australians feel the country has become harder to get ahead in. Rather than getting stuck in party talking points, they focus on the practical questions investors, business owners and workers are asking right now: what happens when policy makes it harder to build homes, why does productivity matter so much for living standards, and how do taxes, regulation and incentives shape whether Australia creates more wealth or simply fights over what already exists?

Andrew explains why he believes cutting housing supply is one of the worst policy choices Australia can make, how rising rents, higher rates and broader cost-of-living pressure are changing the national mood, and why small business, private investment and simpler rules still matter if Australia wants to stay competitive. The conversation also touches on super, the role of large institutions, and why clearer economic thinking matters more when confidence is low.

Owen pushes on the bigger picture too: whether Australia has lost ambition, why the policy debate feels less honest than it should, and what needs to change if Australians want better opportunities over the next decade. If you want a plain-English discussion about housing, tax, productivity, competitiveness and the long-run direction of Australia, this is a timely episode to queue next.

Episode resources

– Ask a question (select the Property podcast)

Show partner resources

– Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit

Rask resources

– Pete's Buyers Agency

– Alcove mortgage broking

– Amy Lunardi Buyers Agency (Melbourne)

– All services

– Financial Planning

– Invest with us

– Access Show Notes

– Ask a question

– We love feedback!

Follow us on social media

– Instagram: @rask.invest

– TikTok: @rask.invest

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg

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In this 2 Sense episode of the Australian Property Podcast, Pete Wargent and Chris Bates unpack what the post-Budget property reset is starting to look like on the ground. Even before any policy changes are fully legislated, sentiment has shifted: investors are turning cautious, lenders are tightening around serviceability, asking prices are easing in parts of Sydney and Melbourne, and nervous sellers are starting to meet more patient buyers.

Pete and Chris explain why this could create a short-term window for owner-occupiers and first-home buyers, especially if they stay selective and focus on quality assets instead of compromised stock. They also dig into the second-order effects many people miss: weaker turnover, softer stamp duty receipts for state governments, a possible push toward broader land-tax reform, and the way confidence can return quickly once rates, policy or sentiment stabilise.

The episode also tackles the big debate around new builds. While tax settings may steer more investors toward fresh stock, Pete and Chris question whether the numbers really stack up once you factor in high build costs, elevated rates and the risk of owning something the next investor may not value the same way.

Plus, they answer listener questions on refinancing an existing investment property, when interest-only lending may still make sense, and whether downsizers in developer-heavy suburbs could benefit from the changing market.

Episode resources

– Ask a question (select the Property podcast)

Rask Resources

– Pete's Buyers Agency

– Alcove mortgage broking

– Amy Lunardi Buyers Agency (Melbourne)

– All services

– Financial Planning

– Invest with us

– Access Show Notes

– Ask a question

– We love feedback!

Follow us on social media

– Instagram: @rask.invest

– TikTok: @rask.invest

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg

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Chris Bates sits down with James O’Reilly to unpack what the latest Federal Budget proposals could mean for Australian property investors at three very different life stages: wealth accumulators, pre-retirees and retirees.

They break down how proposed changes to negative gearing, capital gains tax and trust taxation may change the numbers for investors who have relied on property for growth, cashflow and tax efficiency. From there, the conversation moves beyond headlines into practical strategy: whether younger investors may lean harder on shares, debt recycling and super, why new-build incentives can become a trap if the underlying asset is weak, and how upgrading or renovating the family home may stack up differently if CGT settings change.

For pre-retirees and retirees, Chris and James explore the line-in-the-sand moment many property owners could face before 1 July next year, including whether to hold, sell, add to super or rethink how wealth gets passed on. They also discuss SMSF property risks, why tax now matters more than ever in long-term modelling, and how good advice can help people avoid rushed decisions based on policy noise.

If you own property, want to buy, or are rethinking where your next dollar should go after the Budget, this episode offers a calm framework for weighing the trade-offs.

Episode resources

– Ask a question (select the Property podcast)

Rask Resources

– Pete's Buyers Agency

– Alcove mortgage broking

– Amy Lunardi Buyers Agency (Melbourne)

– All services

– Financial Planning

– Invest with us

– Access Show Notes

– Ask a question

– We love feedback!

Follow us on social media

– Instagram: @rask.invest

– TikTok: @rask.invest

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg

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Is property investing dead, or is Australia just entering an uncomfortable reset? In this 2 Sense episode of the Australian Property Podcast, Pete Wargent and Chris Bates unpack the post-Budget aftershocks now rippling through the housing market.

They start with the investor side of the equation. With Sydney auctions rattled, negative gearing changes looming, and Macquarie already cutting investor serviceability, Pete and Chris explain why many established-property buyers may step back fast. They discuss where demand could weaken first, why some investors may pivot to new builds or other asset classes, and why rental pressure could worsen if fewer investors keep stock in the market.

The episode also explores the flip side: could this finally be a better window for first-home buyers? The pair look at how reduced investor competition may change conditions on the ground, why strategy matters more than panic, and what buyers and sellers should be thinking about while the policy picture is still evolving.

They also answer listener questions on getting a home loan while working on contract, plus the risks of chasing offshore property opportunities in places like the UAE or New Zealand. If you want a calm, practical conversation about rents, borrowing power, first-home buyer opportunities and what the Budget could change next, this is a timely listen.

Episode resources

– Ask a question (select the Property podcast)

Rask Resources

– Pete's Buyers Agency

– Alcove mortgage broking

– Amy Lunardi Buyers Agency (Melbourne)

– All services

– Financial Planning

– Invest with us

– Access Show Notes

– Ask a question

– We love feedback!

Follow us on social media

– Instagram: @rask.invest

– TikTok: @rask.invest

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg

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In this 2 Sense episode of the Australian Property Podcast, Pete Wargent and Chris Bates react to a Federal Budget that could reshape Australia’s housing market faster than many investors expect.

Recording the morning after the announcement, they break down the headline changes: negative gearing being restricted to new builds from 1 July 2027, a tougher capital gains tax regime, and a new minimum tax rate on trusts. But the real focus is what those changes do to behaviour. Pete and Chris unpack why investor borrowing capacity could be hit, why established-property demand may soften, and why areas with heavy investor ownership could feel the pressure first.

The episode also looks at the flow-on effects for rents, first-home buyers and housing supply. With vacancy rates already tight and rates still elevated, the pair explain why the market could split further between scarce owner-occupier-grade assets and investor-led stock such as some apartments and regional hotspots. They also discuss the likely policy response, including a bigger role for the 5% deposit scheme as government tries to keep demand from falling too hard.

If you want a practical conversation about what the Budget could mean for prices, rents and property strategy from here, this is a timely episode to queue up now.

Episode resources

- Ask a question (select the Property podcast)

Rask Resources

- Pete's Buyers Agency

- Alcove mortgage broking

- Amy Lunardi Buyers Agency (Melbourne)

- All services

- Financial Planning

- Invest with us

- Access Show Notes

- Ask a question

- We love feedback!

Follow us on social media

- Instagram: [@rask.invest]

- TikTok: [@rask.invest]

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Why does it cost so much to build in Australia right now? In this week’s 2 Sense episode of the Australian Property Podcast, Pete Wargent and Chris Bates unpack a fresh construction squeeze just as the housing market heads into a Budget week that could reshape investor behaviour.

They break down the build-cost blowout, including the sharp rise in the cost of delivering a dwelling since 2019, and explain why higher diesel, concrete, piping, plumbing supplies and financing costs all matter. If feasible projects become marginal and marginal projects become unfeasible, the supply response Australia desperately needs gets pushed even further out.

The conversation then shifts to policy risk. Pete and Chris explore reported changes to capital gains tax and negative gearing, softer conditions in Sydney and Melbourne, stronger rental yields, and what tighter supply could mean for buyers, investors and rents.

The episode also answers listener questions on selling an investment property to buy ETFs, and how to balance property with shares for long-term retirement goals. It’s a practical, timely listen for anyone trying to read the next phase of the housing market.

Episode resources

Rask Resources

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DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg

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