Australian Property Podcast

Hosted by Rask

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332

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Oct 2026

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Australian Property Podcast by Rask is on a mission to be Australia's most trusted property podcast. Join over 30,000 unique listeners. The Australian Property Podcast all about buying, managing and investing in Australian property. If you like property, or just plan to buy, tune in weekly. The Australian Property Podcast is hosted by four of Australia's top property investors and/or financial educators, including: Pete Wargent, six-time author and buyer's agent. Chris Bates, mortgage broker and founder of Alcove. Amy Lunardi⁠, buyer's agent and founder of Amy Lunardi Property. Owen Rask⁠, founder of The Rask Group and investment analyst. Find our show notes here and ask a question here.

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October 27, 202630 min

Buy now or wait? Chris Bates on the property choices that matter

Should you buy a home while Australian property prices soften, or wait for a clearer signal? On the Australian Property Podcast, Owen Rask talks with Chris Bates of Alcove about the decisions facing first-home buyers and upgraders. Their starting point: there is no single Australian housing market, and a cheaper asking price does not automatically make a property a better buy. Chris explains why Sydney and Melbourne may move differently from Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, and why investor-heavy apartments or regional hotspots deserve a closer look. He and Owen discuss the difference between broad market headlines and the street, building and home you actually want to own. Building costs, housing supply and borrowing capacity all complicate the idea that falling prices instantly solve affordability. If you are upgrading, they explore why the price gap between your current home and the next one may matter more than either price on its own. For first-home buyers, Chris suggests starting early: understand your borrowing options, gather documents and bank statements, and work out which property compromises you can live with before a desirable home appears. They also explain why a well-located, broadly appealing home may still draw competition in a quieter market. This conversation is not a call to buy immediately or wait indefinitely. It is a practical way to think through your budget, local supply, the quality of a property and the choices you can make before you are under pressure to act. ~~ Disclaimer ~~ This podcast contains general financial information only, issued by The Rask Group Pty Ltd, and shouldn't be relied upon. This podcast shouldn't be relied upon because it does not consider your needs, goals or objectives. Speak to your financial adviser first. Read Rask's FSG at www.rask.com.au/fsg to learn more about us. Always read the PDS and TMD before acquiring any financial product mentioned in this video. Past performance is not always indicative of future performance. Episode resources – Ask a question (select the Property podcast) Show partner resources – Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit – Whatever comes next for your business, power it with Stripe 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 The information in this episode is provided by The Rask Group Pty Ltd and contains general financial product advice only. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting, consider whether the information is appropriate for you and consider seeking personal advice from a licensed financial adviser. You can read our Financial Services Guide at www.rask.com.au/fsg. If a financial product is mentioned, consider the relevant PDS and TMD, where applicable, before making any financial decision. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Returns are not guaranteed and capital may be at risk. The Rask Group Pty Ltd is a Corporate Authorised Representative No. 1280930 of Rask Licensing Pty Ltd, AFSL 563 907. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

October 24, 202646 min

Is the property market nearing a bottom? Brisbane, Perth and the signals to watch

Are Australian property prices nearing a bottom—or is the harder part of the downturn still ahead? In this Australian Property Podcast episode, Pete Wargent and Chris Bates compare what they are seeing on the ground with the latest housing, lending and employment reports. Brisbane and Perth are in focus, but the answer may look different across cities and price brackets. Pete and Chris start with a spring selling season that has not brought the usual rush of new listings. They discuss softer new-home inquiries, the pressures facing smaller developers and a housing pipeline that may look plentiful in the near term yet thinner further out. Chris explains why a buyer who wants to refinance should understand their options before a change in work or borrowing capacity makes that harder. They then ask whether bond yields and interest-rate expectations could signal a turn for property. Pete explores the possibility of a market bottom, while both hosts are careful about how difficult it is to identify one in real time. A fall in prices can mean different things for an investor, a first home buyer or someone selling one home to buy another. Listener questions bring the discussion back to practical signals: days on market, local sales, clearance rates, affordability, borrowing conditions and whether good properties start moving again. Chris argues that watching your own suburb can reveal a shift before a national headline does. It is a useful framework for thinking about the next property cycle, not a promise about where prices go next. Episode resources – Ask a question (select the Property podcast) Show partner resources – Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit – Whatever comes next for your business, power it with Stripe 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 The information in this episode is provided by The Rask Group Pty Ltd and contains general financial product advice only. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting, consider whether the information is appropriate for you and consider seeking personal advice from a licensed financial adviser. You can read our Financial Services Guide at www.rask.com.au/fsg. If a financial product is mentioned, consider the relevant PDS and TMD, where applicable, before making any financial decision. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Returns are not guaranteed and capital may be at risk. The Rask Group Pty Ltd is a Corporate Authorised Representative No. 1280930 of Rask Licensing Pty Ltd, AFSL 563 907. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

October 17, 202641 min

Is the spring property market at a turning point? Pete Wargent and Chris Bates

Is the spring property market offering buyers a window — or is the real test still ahead? On the Australian Property Podcast, Pete Wargent and Chris Bates look past the headlines to ask what is actually listing, selling and sitting unsold as the year draws towards Christmas. Chris explains why the next few weeks could matter for sellers who are considering when to list. Pete weighs the buyer’s side of a softer market: more choice and room to negotiate can coexist with uncertainty about borrowing capacity and where prices go next. They discuss why first-home buyers and upgraders may be making very different decisions, and why confidence can change faster than the supply of good homes. The conversation also looks at the housing construction pipeline. Pete and Chris consider the gap between dwellings under construction now and the projects that may struggle to get built later, with financing, feasibility and developer risk all part of the picture. They discuss proposed migration cuts and why rental demand does not necessarily move in step with demand from home buyers. In the listener Q&A, the hosts compare price movements across cities and property types, then turn to the choices facing people approaching retirement with multiple properties. Their message is to review cash flow, potential transaction costs and the role of super before making a major decision — not to rush because of a headline. For buyers, sellers and property investors, this episode offers practical questions to ask about timing, local supply and the quality of the asset in front of you, rather than a one-size-fits-all call on the market. ~~ Disclaimer ~~ This podcast contains general financial information only, issued by The Rask Group Pty Ltd, and shouldn't be relied upon. This podcast shouldn't be relied upon because it does not consider your needs, goals or objectives. Speak to your financial adviser first. Read Rask's FSG at www.rask.com.au/fsg to learn more about us. Always read the PDS and TMD before acquiring any financial product mentioned in this video. Past performance is not always indicative of future performance. Episode resources – Ask a question (select the Property podcast) Show partner resources – Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit – Whatever comes next for your business, power it with Stripe 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 The information in this episode is provided by The Rask Group Pty Ltd and contains general financial product advice only. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting, consider whether the information is appropriate for you and consider seeking personal advice from a licensed financial adviser. You can read our Financial Services Guide at www.rask.com.au/fsg. If a financial product is mentioned, consider the relevant PDS and TMD, where applicable, before making any financial decision. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Returns are not guaranteed and capital may be at risk. The Rask Group Pty Ltd is a Corporate Authorised Representative No. 1280930 of Rask Licensing Pty Ltd, AFSL 563 907. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

October 10, 202645 min

Is this a buyer’s market? Rates, listings and the next property move

Is a softer Australian property market finally giving buyers the upper hand, or are good homes still hard to find? On the Australian Property Podcast, Pete Wargent and Chris Bates unpack what higher interest rates, weaker prices and a shortage of fresh listings mean for the months ahead. Pete examines how the downturn differs by city and price bracket, with more expensive homes under pressure while affordable parts of the market have held up better. Chris explains why a cheaper-looking apartment or a well-known suburb is not enough: building quality, strata costs, location and the individual property still matter. Their views on a possible Melbourne recovery and the outlook for Brisbane and Perth are scenarios, not certainties. They also tackle a property-market puzzle. Some homes have sat unsold for months, yet new listings remain scarce. Does that create genuine bargaining power, or just a standoff between buyers and sellers? Pete and Chris discuss what might turn a slowdown into a buyer’s market, including motivated vendors, interest rates and the supply of desirable homes. Two listener questions bring the conversation back to decisions families face now: how parents can help a daughter prepare for home ownership, and what an inner-west Sydney buyer should look for when prices soften but stock stays tight. Expect a practical discussion of earning power, money habits, negotiating room and why the market bottom is usually clearest only in hindsight. Episode resources – Ask a question (select the Property podcast) Show partner resources – Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit – Whatever comes next for your business, power it with Stripe 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 The information in this episode is provided by The Rask Group Pty Ltd and contains general financial product advice only. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting, consider whether the information is appropriate for you and consider seeking personal advice from a licensed financial adviser. You can read our Financial Services Guide at www.rask.com.au/fsg. If a financial product is mentioned, consider the relevant PDS and TMD, where applicable, before making any financial decision. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Returns are not guaranteed and capital may be at risk. The Rask Group Pty Ltd is a Corporate Authorised Representative No. 1280930 of Rask Licensing Pty Ltd, AFSL 563 907. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

October 3, 202649 min

Are higher rates breaking the property market? Pete and Chris on buying in a downturn

Are higher interest rates finally testing the Australian property market—or creating a window for patient buyers? In this episode of the Australian Property Podcast, Pete Wargent and Chris Bates discuss what rising mortgage costs and stubborn household expenses mean for buyers, borrowers and investors. Recorded ahead of an RBA decision, their conversation examines the prospect of another rate rise rather than assuming its outcome. They look at why some households cannot refinance despite holding equity, how tighter borrowing capacity is changing the plans of first-home buyers and upgraders, and why a weaker market does not affect every suburb or price point equally. Pete and Chris also explore the pressures facing builders and developers, and the tension between falling prices today and constrained housing supply tomorrow. Is property still worth investing in during a downturn? They weigh the appeal of well-located, established homes against higher holding costs, uncertain rates and the risk of buying new property on shaky assumptions. In the listener Q&A, they consider how a property developer approaching retirement might plan a portfolio sell-down, the trade-offs of rentvesting in different markets, and whether a Melbourne homeowner should keep cash in an offset account, buy another home or investigate commercial property. Along the way, they stress the importance of debt, cash flow and property quality over easy predictions. If you're deciding whether to buy, upgrade, invest or wait, this conversation offers a grounded look at the choices shaping the next stage of Australia's housing cycle. Episode resources – Ask a question (select the Property podcast) Show partner resources – Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit – Whatever comes next for your business, power it with Stripe 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 The information in this episode is provided by The Rask Group Pty Ltd and contains general financial product advice only. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting, consider whether the information is appropriate for you and consider seeking personal advice from a licensed financial adviser. You can read our Financial Services Guide at www.rask.com.au/fsg. If a financial product is mentioned, consider the relevant PDS and TMD, where applicable, before making any financial decision. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Returns are not guaranteed and capital may be at risk. The Rask Group Pty Ltd is a Corporate Authorised Representative No. 1280930 of Rask Licensing Pty Ltd, AFSL 563 907. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

September 26, 20261 hr 4 min

Young people and property - is it possible?

Can young Australians still buy a home, or is property ownership slipping further out of reach? In this Australian Property Podcast livestream, Owen and Milli unpack the challenge of buying property in your 20s and 30s, while still building wealth through shares and super. They cover practical ways to save a deposit, including high-interest savings accounts, investing and the First Home Super Saver Scheme. You’ll learn how FHSS contributions, withdrawals and deemed earnings work, plus the risks of investing money you may need for a home purchase. The discussion also explores how parents and grandparents can help with a deposit through gifts, loans, co-borrowing or co-ownership, and why the legal structure matters. Owen and Milli then turn to debt recycling: what it is, why more Australians are asking about it, and how interest rates, investment returns and tax treatment can affect the strategy. Plus, they tackle listener questions on family loans and asset protection, the changing capital gains tax landscape, HSBC’s retreat from Australian retail banking, and the difficulty retirees can face when applying for a new credit card. Stay until the end for “What am I?” Episode resources – Ask a question (select the Property podcast) Show partner resources – Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit – Whatever comes next for your business, power it with Stripe 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 The information in this episode is provided by The Rask Group Pty Ltd and contains general financial product advice only. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting, consider whether the information is appropriate for you and consider seeking personal advice from a licensed financial adviser. You can read our Financial Services Guide at www.rask.com.au/fsg. If a financial product is mentioned, consider the relevant PDS and TMD, where applicable, before making any financial decision. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Returns are not guaranteed and capital may be at risk. The Rask Group Pty Ltd is a Corporate Authorised Representative No. 1280930 of Rask Licensing Pty Ltd, AFSL 563 907. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

September 19, 202649 min

Property prices down 10%: is this the upgrader opportunity?

Are higher global bond yields and the prospect of more RBA rate hikes about to push Australian property prices lower — or create a rare window for buyers ready to upgrade? In this episode of the Australian Property Podcast, Pete Wargent and Chris Bates examine the most uncertain housing conditions they can remember. They connect surging bond yields, broad-based inflation and expectations for further rate rises with the decisions facing first-home buyers, upgraders, investors and renters. Pete and Chris unpack Cotality data showing higher-value Sydney and Melbourne homes have already fallen by more than 10%, while cheaper properties and units have held up better. That gap could favour households selling a resilient starter home and buying into a larger property at a much bigger discount. However, listings are drying up, investors remain cautious and another rate hike could quickly erase the market’s early signs of stabilisation. The discussion also turns to Australia’s supply problem: the gap between apartment approvals and commencements, data centres competing for construction capacity, developer stress and the risk that investor exits make rental conditions even tighter. They explain why low supply could eventually create a sharp rebound when buyer confidence returns. The episode finishes with practical listener questions on whether Airbnb can still produce worthwhile income and when a 40-year mortgage might make sense. You’ll hear why short-term rentals are far from passive, how loan terms affect repayments, and which trade-offs matter when deciding whether to buy, wait or upgrade. Episode resources – Ask a question (select the Property podcast) Show partner resources – Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit – Whatever comes next for your business, power it with Stripe 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 The information in this episode is provided by The Rask Group Pty Ltd and contains general financial product advice only. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting, consider whether the information is appropriate for you and consider seeking personal advice from a licensed financial adviser. You can read our Financial Services Guide at www.rask.com.au/fsg. If a financial product is mentioned, consider the relevant PDS and TMD, where applicable, before making any financial decision. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Returns are not guaranteed and capital may be at risk. The Rask Group Pty Ltd is a Corporate Authorised Representative No. 1280930 of Rask Licensing Pty Ltd, AFSL 563 907. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

September 12, 202642 min

Is this a genuine buying window in Sydney and Melbourne?

Buyer demand has gone quiet, auctions are being pulled and another interest rate rise could be coming. Is this a genuine buying window, or are Sydney and Melbourne only halfway through the correction? In this episode of the Australian Property Podcast, Pete Wargent and Chris Bates examine what they are seeing on the ground as investors step back, buyer enquiry dries up and confidence deteriorates. They discuss why falling turnover is hurting agents and state stamp duty revenue, how another RBA hike could affect borrowing capacity and sentiment, and why weak development economics and private credit stress may deepen Australia’s housing shortage. Pete and Chris also unpack a proposal to let renters and mortgage holders redirect part of their compulsory superannuation towards housing costs. Could early access help Australians buy a home or reduce mortgage debt, or would it risk repeating the inflationary effects of COVID-era withdrawals? Finally, they answer the practical question facing buyers now: should you wait for another 5% to 10% fall, or act when a scarce, well-located property appears? The answer depends on serviceability, time horizon, property quality and how quickly competition could return when sentiment turns. If you are buying, upgrading, investing or simply trying to understand this unusual property cycle, this episode offers a clear look at the risks, opportunities and decisions that matter next. Episode resources – Ask a question (select the Property podcast) Show partner resources – Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit – Whatever comes next for your business, power it with Stripe 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 The information in this episode is provided by The Rask Group Pty Ltd and contains general financial product advice only. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting, consider whether the information is appropriate for you and consider seeking personal advice from a licensed financial adviser. You can read our Financial Services Guide at www.rask.com.au/fsg. If a financial product is mentioned, consider the relevant PDS and TMD, where applicable, before making any financial decision. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Returns are not guaranteed and capital may be at risk. The Rask Group Pty Ltd is a Corporate Authorised Representative No. 1280930 of Rask Licensing Pty Ltd, AFSL 563 907. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

September 5, 202653 min

Will another RBA hike freeze the 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 listings, mortgage competition, investor behaviour and the next phase of Australia’s housing cycle, this is a timely episode to catch. The information in this episode is provided by The Rask Group Pty Ltd and contains general financial product advice only. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting, consider whether the information is appropriate for you and consider seeking personal advice from a licensed financial adviser. You can read our Financial Services Guide at www.rask.com.au/fsg. If a financial product is mentioned, consider the relevant PDS and TMD, where applicable, before making any financial decision. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Returns are not guaranteed and capital may be at risk. The Rask Group Pty Ltd is a Corporate Authorised Representative No. 1280930 of Rask Licensing Pty Ltd, AFSL 563 907. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

September 1, 202646 min

Do you need a buyer's agent in a buyer's market?

In this Australian Property Podcast episode, Chris Bates and Amy Lunardi unpack a question more buyers are asking in softer conditions: do you still need a buyer's agent when the market feels like it has swung in your favour? The answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no. Amy explains why a good buyer's agent is not just there to chase off-market listings or bid at auction. The real value often sits in strategy, due diligence, negotiation and filtering out wasted time, especially when buyers think a softer market means every vendor is suddenly desperate. Chris and Amy compare buyer's markets and seller's markets, explain why the psychology changes in each, and show how poor framing, lowball offers and bad process can quietly ruin a deal. They also dig into what separates true advisory-led buyer's agents from louder operators built on marketing promises. From off-market access and agent relationships to knowing when to push, when to pause and when to walk away, this episode is a practical guide for home buyers and investors trying to make better property decisions without getting caught by FOMO, false confidence or the wrong advice. It also tackles one of the biggest traps in a buyer's market: assuming more time automatically means more leverage, when the best properties and best opportunities can still disappear quickly. Episode resources – Ask a question (select the Property podcast) Show partner resources – Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit – Whatever comes next for your business, power it with Stripe 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

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