On this week's Financial Services Online podcast, Paige Estritori discusses the rising Australian property market with predictions for a 6.9% increase in house prices in 2026 due to high demand and limited supply. However, this could make home ownership unmanageable for first-time buyers despite government plans to construct over a million homes by 2030. The Reserve Bank of Australia holds the official cash rate at 3.60%, indicating steady loan and mortgage rates. Meanwhile, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) will limit new high-ratio home loans, a measure backed by the Australian Banking Association and Treasurer Jim Chalmers for responsible lending. These regulatory changes will affect both homebuyers and investors, emphasizing the need to closely monitor the Australian housing market.n