Newcastle & Lake Macquarie 2026: Which Suburbs Will Explode in Value?
In this episode of Talk Property To Me, hosts Brad East and Aaron Downie break down the Australia property market outlook for 2026, with a deep dive into Newcastle and Lake Macquarie. We analyse suburb-level data, long-term price trends, and the key infrastructure projects shaping growth over the next few years — including transport upgrades, hospital expansion, rezoning changes, and population growth drivers. Rather than broad national headlines, this episode focuses on where the real opportunities are forming and why some suburbs will outperform others as we move into 2026. 🔍 Key Topics Covered ✔️ Australia property market forecast for 2026 ✔️ Newcastle vs Lake Macquarie growth trends ✔️ Why suburb selection matters more than city averages ✔️ Infrastructure projects driving future price growth ✔️ Best areas for owner-occupiers vs investors ✔️ Affordability, interest rates & long-term demand ✔️ Risk profiles and sustainable growth strategies If you're considering buying, investing, or simply want a clear, data-driven view of what's next, this episode will help you understand where growth is coming from and why.
Buying a Home in Australia? This Is What Banks REALLY Look At
In this episode of Talk Property To Me, hosts Brad East and Aaron Downie break down what banks really look at when approving a home loan in Australia — and why having a big deposit alone is no longer enough. If you're planning to buy a home in 2025 or 2026, this episode is essential viewing. We explain how lenders assess your spending habits, credit score, borrowing power, and financial behaviour, and why so many buyers are shocked when their loan is rejected. In this episode, we cover: Why banks rely on the Household Expenditure Measure (HEM) How your spending habits impact borrowing capacity Why credit behaviour matters more than your deposit The hidden impact of credit cards & Buy Now Pay Later How loan enquiries can damage your credit score Why speaking to a mortgage broker can dramatically improve approval odds Whether you're a first home buyer, upgrading, or planning your next investment, this episode will help you avoid costly mistakes and understand how lenders really think. 🔍 Key Topics Covered ✔️ Mortgage approval process in Australia ✔️ Credit score requirements explained ✔️ Borrowing power & household expenses ✔️ Why banks reject home loans ✔️ How to improve your loan approval chances
Australia Property Market 2026: Inflation High, Rates Stuck—Now What?
In this episode of Talk Property To Me, hosts Brad East and Aaron Downie break down why the RBA has held interest rates, why inflation remains stubbornly high, and what this really means for Australia's property market moving into 2025 and 2026. We unpack the key drivers behind the RBA's decision, including rising electricity prices, cost-of-living pressures, and why rate hikes don't always fix inflation. The discussion also dives into the latest APRA changes, including debt-to-income (DTI) limits, tighter trust lending rules, and how these policies could impact investors, first-home buyers, and affordability across Australia. 🏠 If you're buying, investing, or refinancing, this episode gives you a clear, no-nonsense breakdown of what's changing — and what actually matters. 🔍 Key Topics Covered 📌 Why the RBA held interest rates again 📌 Inflation explained – electricity prices & cost-of-living pressure 📌 APRA's new debt-to-income rules (DTI caps) 📌 Trust lending crackdown & investor risk 📌 Help to Buy scheme & shared equity risks 📌 What this means for first-home buyers & investors 📌 Australia property market outlook for 2025–2026
Australia Property Market 2026 Predictions: Price Boom or Slowdown?
In this episode of Talk Property To Me, Brad East and Aaron Downie break down Australia's 2026 Property Market Forecast using the latest SQM Research Boom & Bust Report. We analyse population growth, supply shortages, dwelling completions, and city-by-city price predictions to explain what buyers and investors should expect in 2026. Australia is heading into another major year for real estate, with 390,000 new migrants, tight vacancy rates, and a national housing shortage continuing to shape prices. In this episode, we unpack why Perth, Brisbane, Darwin, Adelaide and the Sunshine Coast are forecast to lead the country — and why Sydney and Melbourne may lag behind. Whether you're a first-home buyer, investor, or simply watching the market, this breakdown gives you clear, data-driven explanations behind the expected 4%–14% price growth for 2026. 🔍 Key Topics Covered ✔️ Australia Property Market Forecast 2026 ✔️ Population growth impact on housing prices ✔️ Housing supply shortage & dwelling completions ✔️ City-by-city predictions: Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney ✔️ Vacancy rates, rental demand & investor activity ✔️ Supply vs demand imbalance explained ✔️ Why units may outperform houses in major cities ✔️ Inflation, interest rates & possible RBA cuts ✔️ Worst-case, base-case & best-case growth scenarios ✔️ What buyers and investors should watch in 2026 🏙️ City Forecast Highlights 🏆 Perth: 12–16% growth expected — strongest market in Australia 🔥 Brisbane: 10–15% growth, record-low listings 📈 Adelaide: Strong demand with limited supply Darwin: Major rebound driven by infrastructure projects 🏖️ Gold Coast & Sunny Coast: 7–15% growth 🏚️ Sydney & Melbourne: Slower growth due to affordability pressures
Units vs Houses in 2026: The Investment Trend No One Is Talking About
In this episode of Talk Property To Me, hosts Brad East and Aaron Downie break down one of the biggest debates in the Australia property market 2026: Are houses still outperforming units, or has the market completely shifted? With affordability tightening, inflation rising, and lifestyle preferences changing across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and regional areas, many buyers and investors are rethinking where real long-term value actually is. In this episode, we analyse why units and townhouses are now outperforming houses in multiple LGAs, what's driving this shift, and how buyers can protect themselves from bad assets and identify high-performing opportunities. 🔍 Key Topics Covered ✔️ Houses vs Units in 2026 — what the data really says ✔️ Why units are outperforming in key LGAs ✔️ Affordability crisis: how inflation & income stagnation are reshaping demand ✔️ Capital growth vs rental yields — where the numbers win ✔️ Boutique developments vs high-density towers ✔️ How remote work and infrastructure are changing buyer behaviour ✔️ Scarcity: the #1 rule for picking a winning property ✔️ First-home buyers in 2026 — why units may be the smarter choice ✔️ What to avoid: risks, strata reports, build quality & supply saturation ✔️ What's next for the Australian property market?