Is property investing dead? What the Budget means for buyers, rents and prices

About this episode

The episode discusses the implications of the recent Budget on property investing in Australia, focusing on investor behavior and opportunities for first-home buyers.

Is property investing dead, or is Australia just entering an uncomfortable reset? In this 2 Sense episode of the Australian Property Podcast, Pete Wargent and Chris Bates unpack the post-Budget aftershocks now rippling through the housing market. They start with the investor side of the equation. With Sydney auctions rattled, negative gearing changes looming, and Macquarie already cutting investor serviceability, Pete and Chris explain why many established-property buyers may step back fast. They discuss where demand could weaken first, why some investors may pivot to new builds or other asset classes, and why rental pressure could worsen if fewer investors keep stock in the market. The episode also explores the flip side: could this finally be a better window for first-home buyers? The pair look at how reduced investor competition may change conditions on the ground, why strategy matters more than panic, and what buyers and sellers should be thinking about while the policy picture is still evolving. They also answer listener questions on getting a home loan while working on contract, plus the risks of chasing offshore property opportunities in places like the UAE or New Zealand…

People in this episode

Hosts: Pete Wargent, Chris Bates

Topics covered

• property investing
• housing market
• first-home buyers
• rental pressure
• investor competition
• Budget impact

Keywords

• property investing
• Budget
• housing market
• first-home buyers
• rental pressure
• investor competition
• negative gearing
• home loan
• offshore property

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Macquarie

Places: Sydney, UAE, New Zealand

More episodes of Australian Property Podcast

• What the post-Budget property reset means for buyers and new builds · June 6, 2026 · 47 min
• Senator Andrew Bragg on housing, tax and Australia’s productivity problem · June 1, 2026 · 1h 2m
• Budget fallout for property: buyers, investors and the new-build gamble · May 30, 2026 · 56 min
• Budget changes: What property investors, pre-retirees and retirees should do next · May 26, 2026 · 38 min
• Budget shock for property investors, rents and house prices · May 14, 2026 · 55 min
• Why does it cost so much to build in Australia? Plus Budget risks for housing · May 9, 2026 · 55 min