Australian Property Podcast

In this week’s episode of the Australian Property Podcast, Pete Wargent and Chris Bates unpack a volatile week in global markets and what it might mean for Australian housing. From oil price shocks and inflation fears to population shifts and investor behaviour, they explore why short-term uncertainty rarely changes the long-term structural drivers of property markets

Together, they discuss:

- Sudden oil price spikes briefly shake financial markets

- Global supply shocks, inflation pressures and potential interest rate hikes could influence housing sentiment without necessarily changing long-term property demand.

- Migration patterns are intensifying rental shortages and housing pressure in those states.

- Why investors approaching retirement are increasingly selling property assets, particularly negatively geared units that generate little cashflow in retirement.

- The growing divide between generations.

- How market uncertainty often reduces listings rather than demand

- The hidden costs of moving house in Australia.

- Listener Q&A

Resources for this episode

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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The market is splitting in two. Buyers who stay selective will do better.

Pete Wargent and Chris Bates break down why inflation risks are rising again after renewed global instability, how that’s feeding into rate expectations and buyer sentiment, and why construction is still failing to deliver enough supply. They also unpack the latest noise around negative gearing and capital gains tax, and what reforms might change — versus what just adds uncertainty — as the market shifts into a clear two speed cycle.

Together, they discuss:


Inflation risks returning as global instability pushes up energy costs, with fuel jumping quickly in parts of Australia 


Why the RBA may prefer waiting for quarterly data


Evidence of a two speed housing market


The on the ground reality for first home buyers at the lower end, including competition for scarce houses and buyers being pushed toward poorer assets amid FOMO 


Negative gearing and CGT reform chatter ahead of the budget


The core supply problem getting worse: building approvals down 


Why approvals are still not enough for the national target


Listener Q&A

Resources for this episode

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
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Inflation is still running hot. Construction can’t keep up. And the Olympics are coming.

Pete Wargent and Chris Bates unpack what is really driving Australian property in early 2026 — sticky inflation, renewed rate risk, construction bottlenecks and Olympic-driven labour demand. With approvals rising but delivery lagging, they examine how supply constraints, first-home buyer momentum and rising build costs are influencing prices and opportunity across the country.

Together, they discuss:

- Inflation came in hot and what another potential rate hike means for buyer confidence

- Why first-home buyers continue entering despite higher rates and tighter borrowing capacity

- The impact of the revamped 5% deposit scheme on bottom-quartile prices

- Why approvals are lifting but dwelling completions remain stubbornly low

- Olympic-driven labour demand in Brisbane 

- Infrastructure projects crowd out housing supply

- The rise in build costs and how higher replacement values are embedding price support

- Does regional outperformance reflect affordability, investor activity or structural shift?

- Listener Q&A: Downsizing strategies and how parents can structure support for children without compromising their own financial security

Resources for this episode

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
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Listings are tight. Rents are tighter. And policy might be about to test both.

Pete Wargent and Chris Bates to break down the forces shaping Australian property in 2026 — from capital gains tax reform chatter and rental market stress to financing resilience and where momentum still exists. The focus: what actually changes behaviour, and what just makes headlines.

Together, they discuss:

- Unemployment holding keeps the possibility of further rate hikes alive

- First-home buyers continue pushing ahead

- Record quarterly housing finance and lift in investor lending show capital is still active

- Winding back the CGT discount may reduce flipping but is unlikely to deter investors

-Vacancy rates near record lows

- Without investor participation, rental availability deteriorates further

- Seller behaviour matters more than headlines; listings remain historically tight

- Listener Q&A

Resources for this episode

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
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rates are higher. Supply is tighter. So where does that leave buyers and investors in 2026? Pete and Chris leads this first timely property and break down rising rates, sticky inflation, the expanded 5% first-home buyer scheme, and the structural supply gap driving pressure across the market.

Together, they discuss:


Who is feeling the pressure right now — renters, first-home buyers, investors, developers.


What higher-for-longer means for borrowing power, buffers and timing decisions.


How to think clearly when credit conditions stay tight.


The 5% First-Home Buyer Scheme


Whether lower deposits improve affordability or increase leverage.


Can Australia can realistically build its way out?


Where disciplined buyers and resilient borrowers are still finding opportunity.


Listener Q&A

Resources for this episode

⁠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
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices