May 2024
- Opinion
- Opinion
Can $32 billion fix the housing crisis?
The Albanese government’s ambitious plan to boost housing supply might not make a difference before the next election. Is there a better solution?
- Robert Harley
April 2024
New housing starts sink to 11-year low; target behind by over a third
The latest figures show Australia’s largely market-driven system of housing development is falling further behind in meeting the country’s needs.
- Michael Bleby
February 2024
NSW to create youth agency as many young have ‘given up’ on a home
The announcement of a “youth voice” to represent Millennials and Gen Z came as a planning expert declared that Sydney no longer works for young people.
- Samantha Hutchinson
January 2024
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Time to cut through the planning nightmare
Housing is becoming a political headache, perhaps an intergenerational tragedy too. Yet there are things that are in the hands of politicians to change.
- The AFR View
Yes in my backyard: PM’s plea for housing density
Anthony Albanese said Parramatta Road, a key thoroughfare in his own electorate, was ripe for densification as he urged local governments to speed up approvals.
- Michael Read
- Opinion
- Population
Let’s not give away this growth card
Migration once again seems likely to keep Australia out of more serious economic trouble. That makes it all the more important to get housing right.
- The AFR View
August 2023
- Opinion
- Federal budget
We’ve got wall-to-wall Labor governments. They need to fix housing
Behind-the-scenes policy work on housing has to start paying off at Wednesday’s national cabinet meeting.
- Laura Tingle
Are we there yet? When will RBA reach the end of its inflation battle
The Reserve Bank’s big interest rate juggle has reached a critical moment.
- Michael Read
July 2023
The simple secret to getting the best price for your house
First impressions count when you are selling a house, according to this high-end real estate agent. And yes, the smell of freshly made coffee and baking bread helps.
- Bloomberg
June 2023
More height, floor space offered to NSW affordable housing developers
Premier Chris Minns is offering a suite of generous incentives to developers prepared to carve out chunks of new projects for affordable homes.
- Samantha Hutchinson
City views, a sense of community, and half the market rent
Meet Alice Anderson, a resident in a City West Housing building on land gifted by Transport NSW. But getting similar projects off the ground is getting harder.
- James Eyers
April 2023
Winner in world’s biggest housing boom defies short-seller noise
Perhaps no one has made more money off the world’s biggest housing boom than Canadian financier Stephen Smith.
- Ari Altstedter and Kevin Orland
January 2023
House prices will stop falling mid-year, but only if RBA pauses
Home owners can expect house prices to stop falling mid-year, but only after the Reserve Bank of Australia ends its fastest monetary tightening in 30 years, and they will have to wait longer before property prices start rising.
- Cecile Lefort
November 2022
Banks deploy Elula’s AI to stop mortgage customers switching away
A start-up founded by two ex CBA executives is helping 20 home loan lenders identify customers who might switch away and offering ways to get them to stay.
- James Eyers
October 2022
- Opinion
- Interest rates
Housing claims prominent role in policy’s pain threshold
The implied cash rate for mid-2023 suggests mortgages will be above 6 per cent by mid-next year. It’s difficult to envisage the RBA bowing to the bond market.
- Chris Dickman
September 2022
Premium paid for renovated property as buyers snub DIY
Valuers are reporting high demand for fully revamped homes across most markets, with buyers paying a premium to avoid upgrade work altogether.
- Duncan Hughes
August 2022
‘Easter’ quiet hits housing as auctions fall
Auction clearances rose slightly, but volumes fell to the lowest level since Easter in Sydney. And Ray White boss Dan White says buyers are cautious.
- Larry Schlesinger
January 2021
Why Hempton doesn’t have a Big Short on house prices any more
The hedge fund manager who was convinced Australian house prices were unsustainable has a more optimistic view now.
- Matthew Cranston
October 2020
- Analysis
- Property development
Now housing faces a demand problem
The HomeBuilder scheme has pulled forward demand; plummeting population growth means there will be less new demand coming through. Robert Harley investigates the 'gulch' opening in new home building.
- Robert Harley
July 2020
- Analysis
- Property investment
Is it time to sell inner-city apartments?
Nowhere has pandemic property pain been felt more keenly than in Sydney and Melbourne. Tenants are taking advantage but investors are taking a hard look.
- Robert Harley