About this episode

The episode discusses the impact of potential RBA rate hikes on the Australian property market this spring.

In this Australian Property Podcast episode, Pete Wargent and Chris Bates take stock of a property market that feels busier on the surface but weaker underneath. Open home traffic is picking up, yet buyers are hesitating, listings still look thin for spring, and another RBA hike is back in play after inflation and bond yields pushed higher. Pete and Chris unpack why sentiment has turned so quickly, from forecasts of a 10% peak-to-trough decline to the risk that higher-for-longer rates squeeze borrowing power, budgets and buyer confidence. They also explore how the current slowdown could hit different markets unevenly, why investor appetite remains fragile, and what weaker turnover might mean for prices through the rest of 2026. The bigger question is whether buyers get more choice this spring without getting much real confidence back. The episode also dives into the pressure building across construction and development. With costs permanently higher, credit harder to access and a major New South Wales builder collapse rattling confidence, the pair argue the biggest issue may not be demand alone but the supply crunch forming underneath it. If you want a practical read on spring…

People in this episode

Hosts: Pete Wargent, Chris Bates

Topics covered

• property market
• RBA hike
• buyer confidence
• construction
• market trends
• investor behavior

Keywords

• property market
• RBA
• buyer confidence
• construction costs
• investor appetite
• spring listings
• housing cycle

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Rask Group Pty Ltd, New South Wales

More episodes of Australian Property Podcast

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• Spring buyers' market or false dawn? Rents, listings and 40-year mortgages · August 29, 2026 · 51 min
• Property reset or buying window? Sydney, spring listings and the six-year rule · August 22, 2026 · 45 min
• Deposit bonds explained: how to buy property without an upfront cash deposit · August 18, 2026 · 34 min
• Is now a smart time to buy? RBA on hold, Melbourne and the next move · August 15, 2026 · 47 min
• How to make an offer on a property · August 11, 2026 · 55 min

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