Rising rents, more buyer choice, and a Help to Buy boost
Rents are rising, buyers have more breathing room, and government policies keep evolving. Here is what the latest changes could mean if a property move is on your horizon.
Capital city rents rose 2.9% in a single quarter
Rental prices are climbing faster again, which affects both renters and buyers. Domain's latest data for the June quarter showed median house rents across the combined capitals rose 2.9%, while unit rents rose 0.7%.
The timing looks significant. As proposed housing investment policy changes became clearer through April and May, many landlords appear to have lifted asking rents sooner rather than later, and recent rate rises added pressure on investors to recover higher holding costs. Rather than rising gradually, rents adjusted quickly.
For renters that can mean paying more, and for aspiring buyers it can make saving a deposit harder. It can also strengthen the case for buying, especially if mortgage repayments start to look competitive against rising rent. A clear picture of your borrowing power helps you act when the right opportunity appears.
A cooling market means more choice and less pressure
A slower market does not automatically mean wait. It often means buyers have more time to make better decisions. National property prices fell 0.4% in June, the largest monthly decline since December 2022, according to Cotality. Prices fell in three capital cities, were flat in a fourth, and rose more slowly elsewhere.
The bigger change is supply. More homes are listed for sale and they are taking longer to sell, giving buyers a wider selection and less pressure to make snap decisions. The strongest buyers are usually the ones who know their borrowing capacity, have finance organised, and can move confidently when the right property appears.
Nearly 70% of Help to Buy applicants are single
Help to Buy is often associated with young couples, but the early numbers tell a different story. Since the scheme launched in December 2025, almost 70% of applications have come from single applicants. With 10,000 new places allocated for the 2026 to 2027 financial year and higher income caps, the scheme is now open to more Australians than before.
If you are eligible, a few things are worth checking:
- Confirm the income and property price limits before applying.
- Compare Help to Buy against other purchasing options.
- Consider the long term impact of sharing future capital growth with the government.
- Do not assume you need help from family. Many applicants have entered the market on their own.
Residential SMSF borrowing has ended
If you were planning to invest in property through super, recent rule changes may have altered what is possible. Australians can no longer use borrowed funds to buy residential property through a self managed super fund. SMSFs can still buy residential property using existing super balances, and borrowing remains available for commercial property, but the leveraged residential pathway has now closed.
Property is still part of the wealth building conversation. Some people invest in residential property outside super, others focus on growing their super balance or pursue different strategies. The key is understanding how any purchase fits your overall position, borrowing capacity, and goals.
Property decisions do not happen in isolation, especially as market conditions and government policies keep evolving. If you are planning ahead, book a free appointment and we will talk through your next steps with confidence.