With federal elections approaching, the perennial promises of housing affordability solutions are back in the spotlight. Stevan Bubalo and Josh Wapshott cut through the political noise to examine what these proposals might actually mean for Australian homebuyers and property investors.

The hosts meticulously break down Labor's flagship "Help to Buy" scheme, which would allow the government to take up to 40% equity in properties for first home buyers, significantly reducing the deposit and repayment burden. They also explore Labor's plans to remove income caps from first home guarantee schemes and commit $10 billion toward building 100,000 new affordable homes over eight years.

Turning to the Liberal Party's proposals, they analyse the potential impact of mortgage interest tax deductions for new builds, which could save homeowners up to $60,000 over five years, and the controversial plan to allow access to up to $50,000 of superannuation savings for home deposits. Both approaches aim to tackle the deposit hurdle that keeps many Australians from entering the property market.

What sets this discussion apart is the historical perspective. Looking back at promises from previous elections, the hosts reveal a sobering reality—most housing initiatives announced during campaigns were either abandoned or significantly watered down after the votes were counted. The numbers tell the story: since 2015, the national median home price has jumped 44%, price-to-income ratios have worsened from 6x to 8-9x average income, and mortgage stress has more than doubled from 20% to 45% of borrowers.

For listeners wrestling with property decisions during election season, the advice is refreshingly practical: "If you can't buy where you want to live, rent where you want to live and buy somewhere else." The hosts suggest that while government schemes may help some buyers, developing a personal property strategy remains the most reliable path to homeownership in Australia's challenging market.

Whether you're a first-home buyer hoping these policies might be your ticket to ownership, an investor analysing market impacts, or simply a voter trying to make sense of housing promises, this episode provides the context and analysis you need for informed decisions. Have questions about your specific property situation? We're here to help—reach out anytime.