Blaming NIMBYs Won’t Fix Broken Housing Policy

Hotspotting

#Trading #Business #Firsthomebuyer #Smsfpropertyinvestment #Superannuationpropertyinvestment #Terry Ryder #Tim Graham #Terry Ryder And Tim Graham #Propertyinvestment

24:35

It’s the very first episode of The Big Pitch with Jimmy Carr and our first guest is Phil Wang! And Phil’s subgenre is…This Place is Evil. We’re talking psychological torture, we’re talking gory death scenes, we’re talking Lorraine Kelly?! The Big Pitch with Jimmy Carr is a brand new comedy podcast where each week a different celebrity guest pitches an idea for a film based on one of the SUPER niche sub-genres on Netflix. From ‘Steamy Crime Movies from the 1970s’ to ‘Australian Dysfunctional Family Comedies Starring A Strong Female Lead’, our celebrity guests will pitch their wacky plot, their dream cast, the marketing stunts, and everything in between. By the end of every episode, Jimmy Carr, Comedian by night / “Netflix Executive” by day, will decide whether the pitch is greenlit or condemned to development hell! Listen on all podcast platforms and watch on the Netflix Is A Joke YouTube Channel . The Big Pitch is a co-production by Netflix and BBC Studios Audio. Jimmy Carr is an award-winning stand-up comedian and writer, touring his brand-new show JIMMY CARR: LAUGHS FUNNY throughout the USA from May to November this year, as well as across the UK and Europe, before hitting Australia and New Zealand in early 2026. All info and tickets for the tour are available at JIMMYCARR.COM Production Coordinator: Becky Carewe-Jeffries Production Manager: Mabel Finnegan-Wright Editor: Stuart Reid Producer: Pete Strauss Executive Producer: Richard Morris Executive Producers for Netflix: Kathryn Huyghue, Erica Brady, and David Markowitz Set Design: Helen Coyston Studios: Tower Bridge Studios Make Up: Samantha Coughlan Cameras: Daniel Spencer Sound: Charlie Emery Branding: Tim Lane Photography: James Hole…

23 days ago 5:09

MP3•Episode home

Scapegoating has become Australia’s unofficial national sport — and nowhere is this more obvious than in the commentary surrounding our housing crisis.

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the latest wave of finger-pointing, where so-called NIMBYs (Not In My Back Yard) and Baby Boomers are being blamed for everything from unaffordable housing to stalled development.

But is the narrative that older Australians are refusing to downsize or that local residents are blocking new homes actually backed by evidence? Or is it a convenient distraction from deeper, more uncomfortable truths?

Tune in as we cut through the noise, challenge the conventional media narrative, and call for a more honest, evidence-based conversation about housing supply, planning, and political accountability.

Key topics covered:

The myth of downsizing as a supply solution
How NIMBY scapegoating distracts from systemic problems
Why development isn’t happening in many suburbs — and it’s not because of residents
The true barriers to building new homes in Australia
What needs to change for real housing reform to happen

If you're tired of the blame game and ready for a more informed look at the housing crisis, this episode is for you.

109 episodes

Blaming NIMBYs Won’t Fix Broken Housing Policy

Hotspotting

16 subscribers

published 23 days ago

MP3•Episode home

Scapegoating has become Australia’s unofficial national sport — and nowhere is this more obvious than in the commentary surrounding our housing crisis.

Tune in as we cut through the noise, challenge the conventional media narrative, and call for a more honest, evidence-based conversation about housing supply, planning, and political accountability.

Key topics covered:

The myth of downsizing as a supply solution
How NIMBY scapegoating distracts from systemic problems
Why development isn’t happening in many suburbs — and it’s not because of residents
The true barriers to building new homes in Australia
What needs to change for real housing reform to happen

If you're tired of the blame game and ready for a more informed look at the housing crisis, this episode is for you.

109 episodes

#Trading #Business #Firsthomebuyer #Smsfpropertyinvestment #Superannuationpropertyinvestment #Terry Ryder #Tim Graham #Terry Ryder And Tim Graham #Propertyinvestment

All episodes

Hotspotting

1
Australia’s Fastest Growing Cities and What It Means for Property 4:20

1 day ago4:20

4:20

Australia is one of the most urbanised nations on earth, but how is its population growth reshaping the map? New data from .id reveals surprising trends across the country’s fifty largest cities and towns. Some regional centres are surging ahead while others are slipping behind. The Sunshine Coast has quietly become the fastest growing city in the nation, just ahead of Perth. Geelong, Ballarat and Hervey Bay are rising fast, while places like Whyalla tell a very different story. Melbourne has overtaken Sydney again, and a small but booming area in Lake Macquarie has broken into the top fifty for the first time. What do these population shifts reveal about the future of Australia’s property market? And which cities could be the next major investment hotspots?…

Hotspotting

1
The High Yield Towns We DON’T Recommend - 20 No-Go Zones With The Allure of High Rental Returns 3:24

3 days ago3:24

3:24

What do some of the highest rental yields in Australia have in common with some of the biggest property busts? In this episode, we explore the darker side of high yield towns and why some locations that promise strong returns can become financial traps. From Moranbah to Port Hedland, the history of boom and bust in resource-driven towns is littered with painful lessons. Why are some towns offering yields above 12 percent while their property values plummet? What really lies beneath the glossy headlines and impressive statistics? And why are so many of these markets cheap for a reason? This episode unpacks the data and the real stories behind twenty towns investors should think twice about.…

Hotspotting

1
The Hidden Costs Driving Up Australian House Prices 4:12

5 days ago4:12

4:12

Why does it now cost nearly a million dollars to build a basic home in Australia? The latest NAB Residential Property Survey reveals some uncomfortable truths. Construction costs are soaring, government taxes and delays are adding layers of expense, and productivity in the building sector has fallen dramatically over the past 30 years. Yet investors are still being blamed for rising prices, even though they make up just a quarter of buyers. So what is really driving the housing crisis? If you want to understand the forces shaping property prices, affordability and supply across the country, and what the media is not telling you, listen to this episode today.…

Hotspotting

1
The Election Is Over but Housing Policy Is Still a Mess 5:05

9 days ago5:05

5:05

🎙️ Why the Election Won’t Fix the Housing Crisis Australia has voted — but will the Federal Election result change anything for the housing crisis? For real estate consumers, the answer is... probably not. In this episode, we cut through the political noise and unpack what the election outcome really means for home buyers, investors, renters, and the property industry. While the re-election of the Albanese Government may provide short-term relief for homeowners, it offers little hope for renters or first-home buyers — because, quite simply, the government still doesn’t understand the root causes of the housing crisis. We discuss: ✅ Why the Greens’ wipeout is actually good news for the housing sector ✅ How both major parties have failed to present real solutions ✅ The continuing imbalance between housing demand and supply ✅ And why the promise to build 1.2 million homes is already off-track We also outline what’s actually needed to fix the housing crisis — from tax reform and trade shortages, to meaningful incentives for investors and builders. If you're tired of the political spin and want to hear what really needs to change, this episode is for you.…

Hotspotting

1
🏅 Brisbane 2032 Olympics – What It Means for Property Investors - Webinar Replay 1:05:27

10 days ago1:05:27

1:05:27

This was one of the most highly anticipated and highly attended webinars of the year — and for good reason. In this exclusive session, Hotspotting founder Terry Ryder and iBuyNew CEO Daniel Petersen explore the powerful impact the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games will have on property markets across South East Queensland. ✔ Learn from case studies of past Olympic host cities, including Sydney, Athens, London, and Tokyo ✔ Discover how infrastructure, population growth, and legacy planning have driven real estate booms ✔ Understand why Brisbane is poised to outperform every other Australian city over the next decade ✔ See the key suburbs and property types set to benefit most ✔ Preview real investment opportunities in Kangaroo Point and Milton, Brisbane Whether you’re a first-time investor or building a portfolio, this session will help you understand why the time to act is before the Olympic flame is lit. 🔗 Book a 1:1 discovery session with the iBuyNew team to discuss tailored investment options: https://calendly.com/d/crbh-mzr-ztc/brisbane-olympic-investment-opportunity For more information on iBuyNew and to connect with Dan and his team, you can visit: www.ibuynew.com.au…

Hotspotting

1
What the Real Data Says About the State of the Perth Market 4:36

11 days ago4:36

4:36

🎙️ Perth Property: Boom or Bust? Cutting Through the Noise In the confusing world of real estate commentary, how do you know who to trust? In this episode, we unpack the conflicting headlines surrounding the Perth property market — with some claiming the boom is still raging, while others say it’s well and truly over. So, who’s telling the truth? We expose the dangerous influence of vested interests in property media and explain why so much of what gets published is little more than PR spin. You'll hear why independent analysts from CoreLogic (Cotality), PropTrack, and Domain are painting a very different picture from industry groups like REIWA — and why that matters to you as a property investor or buyer. We also share Hotspotting's current view on Perth and Western Australia: ✔️ Why the broader Perth boom has likely peaked ✔️ Where genuine opportunities still exist (think apartments and key regional hubs) ✔️ And why you should always dig deeper than the headlines This is a must-listen for anyone serious about making informed real estate decisions — and tired of being misled by hype.…

Hotspotting

1
Where to Find the Best Cashflow Deals According to Our Top 10 Report 3:05

13 days ago3:05

3:05

🎙️ The Positive Cashflow Property Myth Busted Think high interest rates mean goodbye to positive cashflow? Think again. In this episode, we break down why smart investors are still finding strong cashflow opportunities right now across Australia. We explore the truth behind the long-held myth that you can’t have high rental yields and capital growth — and reveal why this old idea no longer holds water. From booming regions like South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland, to overlooked gems like Darwin (the nation’s most affordable capital), there are markets offering: ✅ Affordable entry prices ✅ Gross yields above 6% (and even 7%+) ✅ Strong prospects for capital growth We also talk about how attached dwellings — like units and townhouses — are emerging as serious contenders for investors looking for strong returns, lifestyle appeal, and lower maintenance. Tune in to discover why the trifecta of affordability, yield, and growth is more achievable than ever — and why our Top 10 Positive Cashflow Hotspots report is flying off the shelves.…

Hotspotting

1
Debunking the Link Between First-Home Buyer Support and Price Surges 4:10

18 days ago4:10

4:10

Government support for first-home buyers always seems to spark the same criticism: that it drives up prices and does more harm than good. But where’s the evidence? In this episode, we unpack the recurring claims that FHB schemes like deposit guarantees and grants inflate property values — and ask why these arguments persist despite a lack of supporting data. We explore how media narratives often miss the mark, focusing blame on young buyers instead of tackling the real issues: supply constraints, high construction costs, and planning bottlenecks. If helping first-home buyers is always the “wrong move,” what’s the alternative? In this episode: The myth that FHB support causes price spikes What the data actually says (and doesn’t say) Why the supply-side crisis is the real problem How policy debates are missing the point This episode is for anyone who’s ever wondered whether helping first-home buyers is hurting the market — and wants an evidence-based perspective instead of a political spin.…

Hotspotting

1
Perth Slows Down but WA Still Holds Promise 3:32

20 days ago3:32

3:32

After several years of standout growth, Perth’s housing market is starting to cool — but that doesn’t mean it’s headed for a fall. In this episode, we break down the latest indicators showing that Perth’s price growth has slowed, even as the state’s economy remains one of the strongest in the country. We also look beyond the capital to Regional WA, where several markets continue to perform strongly, and explore what investors should watch for next. In this episode: Why Perth’s growth has passed its peak The latest data on price movement and sales activity How strong economic fundamentals are supporting WA markets Opportunities that still exist in units and regional areas If you're tracking the next move in WA’s property cycle, this episode gives you the data and context to stay ahead.…

Hotspotting

1
Blaming NIMBYs Won’t Fix Broken Housing Policy 5:09

23 days ago5:09

5:09

Scapegoating has become Australia’s unofficial national sport — and nowhere is this more obvious than in the commentary surrounding our housing crisis. In this episode, we take a deep dive into the latest wave of finger-pointing, where so-called NIMBYs (Not In My Back Yard) and Baby Boomers are being blamed for everything from unaffordable housing to stalled development. But is the narrative that older Australians are refusing to downsize or that local residents are blocking new homes actually backed by evidence? Or is it a convenient distraction from deeper, more uncomfortable truths? Tune in as we cut through the noise, challenge the conventional media narrative, and call for a more honest, evidence-based conversation about housing supply, planning, and political accountability. Key topics covered: The myth of downsizing as a supply solution How NIMBY scapegoating distracts from systemic problems Why development isn’t happening in many suburbs — and it’s not because of residents The true barriers to building new homes in Australia What needs to change for real housing reform to happen If you're tired of the blame game and ready for a more informed look at the housing crisis, this episode is for you.…

Hotspotting

1
The Housing Crisis Scapegoat No One Should Believe 6:37

29 days ago6:37

6:37

In this episode, we challenge the growing media and political narrative blaming older Australians for the housing crisis. With new data from Australian Seniors and PropTrack, we unpack why the push to guilt Baby Boomers into downsizing is not only misguided — it's deeply unfair and factually wrong. We expose the lazy policy thinking behind the idea that empty nesters are hoarding homes, and explain why the real culprits are chronic supply shortages, failed planning systems, outdated pension rules, and a political class allergic to real reform. From rising relocation costs to a lack of suitable alternatives, we examine the complex reasons why downsizing isn't the easy fix the headlines claim. This is a must-listen for anyone tired of shallow blame games and looking for real solutions to Australia’s housing crisis.…

Hotspotting

1
The Surprising City Outperforming Australia’s Major Markets 4:23

4 weeks ago4:23

4:23

In this episode, we dive deep into one of Australia’s most remarkable and resilient property markets—Adelaide. While other cities like Perth are losing momentum, Adelaide continues its upward trajectory, now entering its sixth year of steady growth. Backed by data from Hotspotting’s latest Price Predictor Index, we unpack why buyer demand remains high, which LGAs are leading the charge, and how Adelaide’s long-dismissed real estate market has evolved into a national frontrunner for capital growth. We’ll explore the suburbs showing the strongest signs of continued price increases, the economic drivers supporting the boom, and why Adelaide has surpassed even Melbourne in median dwelling prices. Whether you're an investor or just fascinated by real estate trends, this episode reveals why Adelaide remains a hot market worth watching.…

Hotspotting

1
Beyond the Hype: Terry Ryder’s National Top 10 Best Buys | The Property Playbook 12:09

5 weeks ago12:09

12:09

With over 15,000 suburbs across Australia, how do you know where to invest next—and which markets are set to outperform? In this episode of The Property Playbook, host Tim Graham sits down with Australia’s leading property analyst, Terry Ryder, to reveal the latest insights from Hotspotting’s National Top 10 Best Buys report. Unlike media-driven “hotspots,” these locations have been handpicked for their long-term growth potential, strong local economies, and critical infrastructure investment. 🎯 In this episode, you’ll learn: Why the best investment markets aren’t the ones booming now, but the ones poised for their next surge The key traits shared by Australia’s future growth markets Why Darwin has re-emerged as a major opportunity for investors How second-wind markets like the Sunshine Coast and Launceston are making a comeback Why Melbourne and regional Victoria are primed for smart investors How to use the Top 10 Best Buys to find locations that match your investment goals and budget 📚 Ready to stop chasing headlines and start investing smart? Access the full National Top 10 Best Buys report with an exclusive discount—use coupon code TICKER. 👤 Guest: Terry Ryder – Founder of Hotspotting.com.au 🎙️ Host: Tim Graham 📺 Catch more episodes of The Property Playbook here: https://tickernews.co/shows/the-property-playbook/ 🌐 Get the Report: https://www.hotspotting.com.au/product/national-top-10-best-buys/…

Hotspotting

1
Political Smoke & Mirrors: The Truth Behind the Housing Crisis Debate 7:11

5 weeks ago7:11

7:11

As the federal election approaches, housing policy has finally hit the spotlight — but not for the right reasons. In this episode, Terry Ryder cuts through the spin and dive into the political theatre playing out between major parties over Australia's housing crisis. From vote-chasing tax perks to demand-boosting band-aid schemes, he unpacks why both Labor and the Coalition are missing the mark — and how their policies could actually make things worse. Plus, he takes aim at the Greens’ rental rhetoric and ask the question no one seems to be answering: where are the real structural reforms? If you’re tired of housing headlines full of sugar and no substance, this one’s for you.…

Hotspotting

1
Election Promises vs. Housing Reality | Tim Graham on TickerNews 6:08

5 weeks ago6:08

6:08

With housing affordability now a key battleground in the federal election, Tim Graham, Managing Director of Hotspotting, joins Ahron Young on TickerNews to unpack what the major parties are promising—and whether those policies will make any real difference. In this episode, Tim explains why most policies on offer are short-term, demand-side sugar hits that fail to address the root of Australia’s housing crisis: supply. 🎯 In this episode, you’ll learn: Why tax deductions and super-for-housing schemes may push prices up The unintended consequences of government stimulus for first-home buyers The critical need for supply-side reform and planning overhauls Why medium-density housing and cutting red tape are key to solving the crisis The reality behind housing announcements that never get delivered Why developers are avoiding Victoria—and how to turn that around 📢 A straight-talking look at what’s broken, what’s needed, and how to really fix housing in Australia. 👤 Guest: Tim Graham – General Manager, Hotspotting.com.au 🎙️ Host: Ahron Young – Anchor, TickerNews 🌐 Catch more episodes of Ticker at: https://tickernews.co/shows/the-property-playbook/ ----------…

Hotspotting

1
Landlords Aren’t Winning — They’re Bleeding Cash 6:31

5 weeks ago6:31

6:31

In this episode, Terry Ryder dismantles the media myths surrounding landlords and reveals a far more sobering reality — most investors aren’t profiting, they’re bleeding cash. With 65% operating at a loss and many forced to sell, Ryder explores why the rental market is under serious threat. From rising interest rates to hostile policies, he exposes how the system is pushing mum-and-dad investors to the brink — and why that spells trouble for renters too. If you're a property investor, tenant, or just someone trying to make sense of Australia's housing mess, don’t miss this episode. Subscribe now, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear the truth behind the headlines. The facts matter — and Terry Ryder is here to set the record straight.…

Hotspotting

1
Changing of the Guard: Perth’s Peak and the New Property Leaders 9:45

7 weeks ago9:45

9:45

Perth's Property Market at its Peak: Tim Graham discusses the shift in Perth's property market as it reaches its peak. He shares insights from Hotspotting's Price Predictor Index, explaining how rising sales activity often leads to price growth, and how Perth's market is now experiencing a slowdown due to decreasing sales. Why Perth Was Doing Well: The strength of Perth's recent growth can be attributed to a proactive state government, affordability, and a resurgence after many years of stagnant prices. Tim highlights how the state's openness to investors has played a key role in this boom. The Emergence of New Market Leaders: With Perth cooling down, other markets are emerging as leaders. Tim explains that Melbourne, despite economic challenges, is showing positive rankings in many suburbs. With a correction in its market and its relative affordability compared to Sydney, Melbourne is attracting new investment. The Impact of Affordability on Investment: Tim shares his thoughts on why people are moving to more affordable areas, not just due to COVID, but as part of a broader trend of seeking better lifestyle options. The ongoing affordability factor in Melbourne and other markets is a key driver of growth. Infrastructure Projects and Market Impact: Tim discusses how infrastructure developments, like the Westgate Tunnel project in Melbourne, are expected to influence property prices, particularly in the city's west. However, he questions whether these infrastructure projects will be a game changer for the market. Interest Rates and Housing Affordability: The conversation touches on the possible future of interest rates in Australia. Tim explains that the biggest challenge in real estate isn't interest rates but the lack of housing, which continues to drive prices up despite rate changes. overnment Policy and the Housing Shortage: The interview wraps up with a discussion about the Victorian government's efforts to alleviate housing affordability, including stamp duty discounts. Tim points out the unintended consequences of these policies, suggesting that the focus should be on helping developers to start new projects.…

Hotspotting

1
📈 Australia’s Property Market Is Moving – Here’s Where the Growth Is Happening Now! 5:06

7 weeks ago5:06

5:06

In this update, Tim Graham from Hotspotting breaks down the key insights from the Autumn 2025 edition of the Price Predictor Index — revealing which Australian property markets are rising, which are steady, and which are slipping into decline. We analyse 14 major jurisdictions across the nation — from capital cities like Darwin, Melbourne, and Adelaide to regional powerhouses like Regional South Australia, Regional Queensland, and Regional Victoria. With detailed suburb-level insights and sales activity trends, this update highlights the suburbs and towns with real momentum behind them. 📍 Highlights Include: Darwin’s surge to the top: 79% of markets showing growth Melbourne’s strongest recovery in years Regional SA’s quiet dominance Sydney and Canberra’s rising unit markets Brisbane, Hobart, and Adelaide’s ongoing stability Where Perth is finally showing signs of slowdown Underrated regional markets worth watching Whether you’re an investor, a buyer’s agent, or a real estate professional, this video gives you the edge in identifying where the next wave of growth is happening — before the rest of the market catches on. 📘 Grab a copy of the Autumn 2025 Price Predictor Index report here: 👉 https://www.hotspotting.com.au/product/price-predictor-index/…

Hotspotting

1
$1 Million Homes: Australia’s Housing Crisis 5:33

14 weeks ago5:33

5:33

One 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?…

Hotspotting

1
Sydney’s Boom Suburbs Revealed! 3:40

15 weeks ago3:40

3:40

Price data for Sydney provides a striking example of why it’s so important not to generalise about property markets. According to the big-name research sources, Sydney prices grew only a few percent overall in the past 12 months, but individual precincts within Greater Sydney have recorded price growth at boom levels. Unfortunately for people trying to make informed real estate decisions, economists and journalists like to speak about “the Australian property market” and forecast what will happen with “Australian house prices” in the year ahead. This is not only worthless information for Australians consumers, but it shouts very loudly that the economists and journalists making those generalisations know very little about residential real estate. Even data on “Sydney house prices” is misleading and next to useless, because it tells us nothing about what’s happening in the Northern Beaches suburbs or in the many locations within the Canterbury-Bankstown LGA or out at Blacktown or further west at Penrith. Because some of the individual precincts within the Greater Sydney metropolitan area have booming property markets. According to PropTrack data, Sydney’s median house price grew just 2.5% in the past 12 months, but Hotspotting analysis shows that most of the suburbs in the City of Canterbury-Bankstown rose by 12-15% and some suburbs increased more than 20%. Several of the unit markets in this LGA have also recorded double-digit growth in their median prices. It’s because this precinct is an out-performer within the Greater Sydney area that we have been featuring it as one of our main recommendations for Sydney over the past 12 months or so. In the Bayside LGA, another market we have recommended in our Top 5 Sydney Hotspots report recently, many suburbs have recorded median price growth well above 10% in the past year – and this includes both house and unit markets. It’s worth remembering that more than half of all sales across Greater Sydney now are attached dwellings – units, townhouses, apartments. The market share of houses on land has been falling steadily over the past 12-18 months and now attached dwellings dominate. Several of the unit markets in the Bayside LGA, including some that have median prices in the $700,000s, have recorded double-digit annual price growth in defiance of the average results for Greater Sydney. It's true also of the Inner West LGA, which is increasingly dominated by attached dwelling sales. The median house price in most suburbs is well above $2 million, but many suburbs have median unit prices in the $800,000s and $900,000s – and some of those have recorded median price growth in the 7% to 12% range in the past year. Again, this is well above Sydney averages – and it highlights the key message, that real estate is local in nature and that buyers should be focusing on the areas that are likely to perform city norms. And 2025 will be no different.…

Hotspotting

1
NSW's Work-From-Home Shift 4:42

16 weeks ago4:42

4:42

The trend we have dubbed the Exodus to Affordable Lifestyle is one the key reasons we expect Regional NSW to deliver strong residential property markets in 2025. The trend, of course, is not new – with big cities like Sydney losing population to internal migration for the past 10 years. But the trend remains strong and has not slowed down or reversed, despite forecasts by some economists that there would be a movement of people back to the cities - with big businesses demanding that workers return to the office rather than work remotely. The latest vacancy rate data for office space around Australia shows that the “return to the office” movement is not happening in a major way. The Property Council of Australia, which represents the big end of town including major developers and owners of office buildings, is trying to put a positive spin on it, but the reality is that office vacancies overall are not improving in Australia as the work remotely trend continues to impact the top end office market. The new Property Council report show than more offices were empty across the country in January than six months ago as the work from home trend continues to create headaches for Australia’s big-city landlords. Australia’s office vacancy rate nudged up from 14.6% to 14.7% over the six months to January, the latest figures from the Property Council show. That’s a very small rise – but the expectation was that vacancies would be falling significantly by now, as people move back to the cities and return to the CBD office buildings. In Sydney, home to many finance, insurance and tech workers, the vacancy rate jumped from 11.6% to 12.8%, while the number of empty floors in Melbourne remained unchanged, at a historic high of 18%. Indeed, office vacancy rates are between 9% and 18% in seven of the eight state and territory capital cities. The highest at 18% is Melbourne which is the basket case among the nation’s economies and property markets of all kinds. The Property Council called for “Active leadership” from the Victorian State Government to turn around the fortunes for Melbourne, which has Australia’s second largest CBD, the Property Council says. The AFR reported that major companies last year issued mandates for their staff to return to the office, but these figures show it’s not happening in any major way – and both Melbourne and Sydney continue to have huge vacancies. The movement of people from the biggest cities to regional areas is all about affordability and lifestyle, but enabled by technology which allows more people to work remotely – which is why office vacancies are so high. Sydney, with a median house price around $1.2 million, has been steadily losing population and a proportion of that has been relocating to regional NSW, where the median house price is about $750,000 and plenty of regional cities and towns have houses on offer for less than $500,000. This is a key reason why Regional NSW outperformed Sydney on price growth recently. In the past 12 months Sydney’s median prices have risen 1.9% for houses and 1.1% for units, while Regional NSW has managed 3% for both houses and units – with a number of individual regional markets doing considerably better than those averages. Many suburbs of Wollongong have increased 7-9%, and a number of Newcastle suburbs have recorded double-digit growth in their median house prices, as have some of the Albury locations and several of the suburbs of Tamworth. A recent analysis conducted by Hotspotting ranked the eight capital cities and six state regional markets – a total of 14 major jurisdictions – from 1 to 14 based on a series of different metrics and Regional NSW ranked 6th out of 14 for price growth prospects in 2025. At Hotspotting, we expect 2025 to be a solid year overall in Regional NSW markets – but you need to see our Top 5 Regional NSW Hotspots report to find out which locations will perform the best and out-perform market norms – this year and beyond.…

Hotspotting

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Loans Surge in 2025 3:13

16 weeks ago3:13

3:13

Prospects for strong buyer demand in 2025 look good, with the latest data released by the Reserve Bank indicating a significant rise in loans for home buyers, investors and businesses. This challenges earlier predictions of a slowdown by economists, who continue to be obsessed with interest rates as the big factor that determines everything in real estate – despite all the mountains of evidence to the contrary. Loans to residential property investors are the highest for two years, while loans to home buyers are the highest in 18 months. The official data shows that, as at the end of December, annual business credit growth had reached 8.9%, marking the highest growth rate since May 2023. Similarly, growth in investor loans for residential property reached 5.1% in December 2024, up from 4.7% in November, achieving its highest growth rate since December 2022. Owner-occupied mortgage lending also grew, maintaining an annual growth rate of 5.7%, the highest since April 2023. These increases have occurred despite stubbornly high interest rates and notwithstanding the forecasts from major economists that real estate demand and prices would fall because interest rates have remained unchanged at those high levels since November 2023. Strong demand has continued because the national population has been rising strongly, boosted by high levels of migration from overseas; because the labour market has been quite strong and wages have risen; because most people got a tax cut in the middle of last year – and overall borrowing capacity has been pretty good. In addition to those national factors, there have been myriad local factors which have caused individual property markets to boom. Perhaps the biggest single factor is that there is an unprecedented level of infrastructure development – over $500 billion in projects under way in the past year and more in planning – and this creates high levels of economic activity and employment, which translates into demand for real estate. It all bodes well for a solid year in residential real estate, with further impetus likely to come from reductions in interest rates – and possibly a change in federal government, which looks increasingly likely. But keep in mind that real estate is local in nature – and there will be out-performers in 2025, as there were last year and indeed in every year in recent memory.…

Hotspotting

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Perth Slows, Regions Surge 2:24

16 weeks ago2:24

2:24

Hotspotting has been forecasting, recently, changes in the pecking order of price growth among the major markets of Australia – and the latest research data confirms it. Regional real estate and apartment markets are the out-performers in the latest figures from CoreLogic – which also show that Perth is no longer leading the nation on price growth. For some time now, regional Australia has been showing better growth on average than capital city Australia and the latest figures to the end of January show that this, generally speaking, is still the case. In January the average situation for the capital cities was a small decline of 0.2% in the median house price, but a 0.4% rise for the combined regions. In the past quarter, capital cities have dropped 0.7% while the combined regions have risen 1%. It’s a similar story with apartments: the capital cities on average dropping a little but the regions delivering solid growth. With house prices, looking across the 15 major market jurisdictions (eight capital cities and seven state and territory regional markets), 9 of the 15 have recorded increased their house prices. And, similarly, 9 of the 15 have lifted their apartment prices. One of the key factors revealed by this new price data is the Perth growth rates are dropping sharply. After leading the nation on house price growth over the past two years, Perth is no longer at the top of the charts. In January, the leading capital cities for house price growth were Adelaide and Darwin – and in the past three months it’s been Darwin, Adelaide and Brisbane, all ahead of Perth. The regional markets of South Australia, Queensland and Tasmania have also done better than Perth in the latest quarter.…

Hotspotting

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Infrastructure Development 4:31

17 weeks ago4:31

4:31

One of the fundamental factors we look for at Hotspotting when assessing locations is infrastructure. We want to know that a location has good basic infrastructure – schools, shops, government services, public transport and recreation amenities. If there is also a major factor in the market like a university campus or a hospital, this can be significant as a big generator of demand for real estate. In addition is good existing infrastructure, one of the big game-changers we look for is major new infrastructure under construction or in planning. A $500 million or $1 billion infrastructure project is a big generator of economic activity and employment in an area while under construction – and, with certain types of infrastructure, when completed and operational. And this means strong demand for dwellings, both to buy and to rent. This is one of key factors that has kept many property markets across Australia busy and vibrant during times of high inflation, high interest rates and economic uncertainty. And here’s the key factor: the level of infrastructure investment currently occurring in the nation is unprecedented, in my experience, which is more than 40 years researching and writing about real estate issues. Projects under way or completed in 2024 across Australia totalled well over $500 billion, with another $370 billion worth in advanced stages of planning. These projects include hospitals, universities, airports, motorways, rail links, ship-building enterprises and major energy projects like wind and solar farms. Partly at least, the level of construction of big infrastructure developments was inspired by the economic damage caused by the Covid lockdown periods and a desire by governments to bring on big ticket projects to generate economic activity and jobs to avoid recession. These developments can have huge impacts on property markets, because they create demand for workers and for businesses that provide products and services. And the impacts can be long-lasting. If a new $1 billion hospital is proposed, it may create 3,000 or 4,000 jobs in construction – but have even bigger impact after it is completed, because there are often as many as 6,000 jobs in the operation of this major facility. I recently conducted an analysis of infrastructure investment in the capital cities and regional areas of Australia on a per capita basis – in other words, the level of spending relative to the population of the city or regional jurisdiction. And the places with the biggest impacts from current and planned infrastructure were Darwin, Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne among the capital cities, and the regional areas of Queensland and South Australia. Some of the big ticket infrastructure projects currently happening, with direct and indirect impacts on real estate markets are … the $31 billion Inland Rail Link, which is connecting Melbourne to Brisbane via regional NSW; the new Western Sydney airport, which includes new road and rail links, as well as education, medical and commercial precincts, totalling many tens of billions of dollars in investment; and major new hospital developments in regional cities like Toowoomba, the Gold Coast and Bundaberg in Queensland; Wollongong and the Tweed region in NSW: Albury-Wodonga at the NSW border with Victoria; and several of our capital cities. Many of these hospital projects will each cost over $1 billion and will be massive generators of economic activity and employment, and from that demand for real estate. It's a key factor to look for when considering good places to buy for future capital growth. A location with a big program of infrastructure developments will always have rising prices.…

Hotspotting

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The Property Playbook - EP9: Smart Money Habits for First-Time Buyers with Glen James 13:06

17 weeks ago13:06

13:06

Owning your first home might feel like a distant dream, but the right financial habits can bring it closer than you think. In this episode of The Property Playbook, host Tim Graham sits down with Glen James—creator and host of the Money Money Money podcast and founder of the Glen James Spending Plan. Glen shares practical tips on saving smarter, spending wisely, and investing confidently to help first-time buyers achieve their property dreams. What You'll Learn in This Episode: The most common financial mistakes that hold first-time buyers back and how to avoid them. Glen's top strategies for saving a deposit while balancing other financial priorities. Practical tips for staying financially resilient in a high-interest-rate environment. Advice for singles re-entering the property market after a separation. How the Glen James Spending Plan helps people take control of their money and get onto the property ladder. Guest Bio: Glen James is a retired financial adviser with over 10 years of experience. As the creator of the Glen James Spending Plan and the Money Money Money podcast, Glen is dedicated to helping people spend, save, and invest with confidence through simple, actionable advice. Follow Glen James: Website: https://www.moneypodcast.com.au/ Podcast: Money Money Money Spending Plan: The Glen James Spending Plan Follow The Property Playbook: Website: www.hotspotting.com.au Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timgraham_hotspotting/…

Hotspotting

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Transform Your Property Portfolio into a Reliable Retirement Income - Webinar Replay 59:56

18 weeks ago59:56

59:56

In this insightful recording, Tim Graham of Hotspotting is joined by Sam Wakefield, Director of Optalife Financial Planning, to uncover actionable strategies to turn your property portfolio into a steady income stream for retirement. Whether you’re planning for retirement or looking to maximise your current investments, this session provides practical advice to help you achieve financial security through smart property decisions. What You’ll Learn: Debt Reduction Strategies: Learn how to free up cash flow by managing and reducing unnecessary debt. Tax Minimisation Tips: Discover effective ways to keep more of your hard-earned money with clever tax planning. Smart Selling Decisions: Understand when to hold, when to sell, and how to maximise the value of your property investments. This recording is packed with practical insights and expert advice, offering you the confidence to take control of your property portfolio and make it work harder for your retirement. 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe to our channel for more webinars, tips, and updates on property investment insights! 👉 If you’re ready to learn more and connect with Sam and his team, please visit www.optalife.com.au…

Hotspotting

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Perth Market 3:40

18 weeks ago3:40

3:40

All the key indicators suggest that the Perth boom is past its peak and subsiding. Our analysis of all the major market jurisdictions across Australia, using a range of different performance metrics, indicates that Perth will not be the leading performer on price growth in 2025 – or anything close to it. After two consecutive years as the national leader on price growth, we feel confident in predicting that Perth is unlikely to repeat that performance in 2025. Perth was undoubtedly the national leader on price growth in 2023. Its median house price rose 16 percent (the national average was 8.6 percent) and its median unit price increased 12 percent (national average was 6.4 percent). In 2024 Perth repeated the performance, leading on both house prices (up 17 percent) and unit prices (up 19 percent), both more than three times national averages – but challenged in both categories by Brisbane and Adelaide. But it was evident in the latter part of the year that the rate of growth for Perth was slowing month by month. Earlier in 2024, the annual growth rate for houses was well above 20 percent. With each passing month, the annual growth rate is smaller, although it still appears to be impressive. And, indeed, there is a growing list of forward indicators which say Perth is on the wane. Perhaps most significant is that sales activity has declined, even though stock on the market has risen steadily since the middle of 2024. In this regard, Perth is the weakest of the major cities and regional markets, with activity steadily waning. Vacancy rates are also easing and rents are no longer rising rapidly. Indeed, according to the REIWA, there has been little rental growth in Perth since March 2024. With so many investor purchases in the past 2-3 years, rental supply has risen – changing the supply-demand equation. Other sources indicate a slowdown in population growth and less demand from investors. The buyer frenzy is subsiding, which is confirmed by our conversations with real estate professionals at the coalface of the Perth market. For those still interested in buying in the Perth market, a key trend is that more buyers are pivoting to attached dwellings. One of the main catalysts for the Perth boom of recent years was its cheap houses, but now the city’s median house price is similar to Melbourne and Adelaide. The relative bargains are now being found in the unit market and there are a number of good options there. But home buyers and investors considering the Perth market need to be aware that the peak of the market has passed and the stellar price growth of 2023 and 2024 is unlikely to be repeated.…

Hotspotting

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Adelaide Ascends 2:46

19 weeks ago2:46

2:46

If you’re confused about what’s happening with rents in Australia, you can be forgiven. That’s especially so if you use news media as your main source of information about residential real estate. The information – or perhaps more correctly, misinformation – in news media is highly confusing and in many cases contradictory, with one headline saying the complete opposite to another. Here are two headlines that appeared on the same day, the 10th of January: The worst is over: slowest rise in rents in four years Affordability crisis: tenants feel the pinch as rents surge So, as usual, Australian real estate consumers need to look elsewhere, somewhere other than mainstream media, to find out what’s really happening in housing markets. One of the strange things about residential rents, which pops up regularly in news media, is the bizarre notion that if the latest stats suggest that the rate of growth in rents is slowing, then tenants across the nation are celebrating. They’re apparently popping champagne corks because the rate of rental growth currently is less than it was last year. Let’s be clear: the greatest wish of tenants is NOT slower growth in rents. It’s NOT for rents to stop growing. And contrary to the apparent belief of The Greens, they don’t want a rental cap. What they want is for rents to FALL. People who rent in Australia, about a third of households, want to see a bigger choice of places to live in – in other words, they want higher vacancies. And they want rents to come down. There are two main reasons why that isn’t happening and cannot happen: (1) because vacancies are at historic lows, as they have been now for three years, and there are no remedies in sight; and (2) because interest rates are persistently high and the owners of rental properties need high rents to cover their costs. Having said that, it’s clear that - in some locations - rents have reached a ceiling and are unlikely to go much higher in the short term. Tenants cannot keep paying higher and higher rents – and higher and higher proportions of their incomes – on rental accommodation. That is why the rate of growth in rents has slowed in SOME – but certainly not all – locations across Australia. But the true wish among tenants – for rents to decline – is highly unlikely to happen any time soon. SNIPPET: There’s a lot of confusing and conflicting information in mainstream media about what’s happening with residential rents. Some headlines have declared that the worst is over for tenants because the rate of growth in rents is slowing down – as a national average. But other headlines have claimed that rents continue to surge higher and tenants continue to be in a world of pain. The reality is that rents are still rising, although in SOME locations the rate of growth is slowing down. But with vacancy rates continuing to be at historic lows in most places across Australia, and interest rates stubbornly high, we don’t have the conditions for rents to fall any time soon – particularly as there are no solutions in sight for the shortage which is causing rents to be high and rising.…

Hotspotting

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Rent Confusion 3:04

19 weeks ago3:04

3:04

Hotspotting

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Albanese Housing Denial 4:48

19 weeks ago4:48