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The market is heating up fast, forecasters tip major growth in 2026, but rising investor activity and tightened lending rules are already fueling fierce competition.
From ghost homes in Melbourne to land queues in WA and affordability plunging to record lows, this week’s headlines show a property market split between opportunity and pressure.
– The HomeGuru Team
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Auction Clearance Rates
Home Buyers Around the Country
Is a house or unit the best first property purchase? (AFR)
Inside the common trick that’s hurting home hunters in 2025 (REA)
‘We can fix it’: Housing affordability reaches worst levels yet (Domain)
New scheme burying Aussies in debt (News)
First-home buyers warned of Albo risk, Victoria leads nation’s arrears (REA)
Home ownership on hold: Buyers now face a decade of saving (SPI)
Help To Buy housing scheme starts in December (ABN)
One in ten homes purchased using first-home buyer support (REA)
Aussie with $13 million property portfolio exposes 'ridiculous' dilemma facing first-home buyers (Yahoo)
Housing affordability inches higher as prices and rates squeeze (ABN)
Dream of cheap home loans dead as major bank axes key mortgage rate (REA)
Aussie homes are selling without being listed in growing private trend facing 'desperate' buyers (Yahoo)
Australia’s housing crisis hits record levels: 12 to 35 years to save a deposit (ABN)
Mortgage holders brace for Christmas pain as high inflation fuels rate hike fears (REA)
Australian regions completely close the gap with cities as housing affordability hits record lows (Yahoo)
Where to downsize in NSW: Five hotspots with over-55s living on the rise (REA)
‘Cactus’: Why buying a home in Brisbane is impossible (News)
First-home buyer debt soars by up to $120k under guarantee scheme (REA)
‘Significant barrier’: Grim reality for homebuyers (News)
‘Underrated’: Where to find the most affordable, liveable suburbs (SMH)
Investors
Australian home prices set to surge in 2026 as rate cuts ignite market (REA)
Mortgage competition heats up as investors and first home buyers clash (SPI)
“There’s a kind of housing crisis on Sydney Harbour": Boats need homes, too (Domain)
Unusual scenes as people camp out to buy land in regional WA (ABC)
Qld property market to surge with double-digit price rises forecast for 2026 (REA)
How to overcome investors’ ‘3-property ceiling’ (SPI)
What’s driving WA’s property investment surge? (Domain)
Nicheliving directors' homes searched, laptops and phones seized (ABC)
Melbourne’s west tipped to lead home price boom as crime stats bite (REA)
NSW strata shake-up cuts red tape, boosts high-density profits (SPI)
Upgrading in next year's property market: brace yourself (Domain)
Revealed: Melb’s massive ‘ghost home’ blowout (News)
Commonwealth Bank issues stark warning for Australian economy in 2026: 'Expect more price pressure' (Yahoo)
How 2025’s rate cuts flipped sentiment and fuelled competition (Domain)
Interest rate wildcard to decide if Australian housing boom can continue into 2026 (REA)
Commonwealth Bank introduces new lending rule amid growing concern for Australian property (Yahoo)
New caps imposed on high-risk home loans (Domain)
Increased investor activity causing property prices to soar (ABN)
Perth developments stall as soaring construction costs bite (AFR)
Sydney and Melbourne luxury markets roar back as discounts fade (ABN)
Property Stat of the Week
Credit: Property Update
Property Chatter
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