Hot Property: The biggest property headlines from week 19–23 February

To compile this list, not only do we consider the week’s most read stories and the news that matter most to you, but we also curate it to include stories from our sister brands that also have an impact on the Australian property landscape.

Here are the biggest stories of the week:

Prime Minister addresses Greens’ pressure on negative gearing

The future of Labor’s shared equity home buying scheme is in doubt as the legislation could be held up by the Greens.

McGrath eyes off Australia’s no. 1 agency spot

McGrath Estate Agents chief executive John McGrath has lofty plans for market share growth over the next five years.

SA to restrict rental increases from 1 March

The latest raft of South Australian tenancy reforms kicks in next month.

How the pandemic created a chasm between house and unit values

The roller-coaster of the past four years has impacted house and unit values in very different ways, according to new research.

Why it’s time to throw away the crystal ball

Sydneysiders are split on whether the city will see price growth this year, but are short-term predictions distracting property watchers from the real keys to success?

Most mortgagors are still ahead on repayments: Westpac

The banking group has confirmed that most Aussies are ahead of their mortgage repayments despite cost-of-living pressures.

Perth agency fined for failure to lodge $30k in tenancy bonds

A Perth area agency and its director have been handed penalties for delaying to lodge tenancy bonds with the state’s bond administrator.

Home loan arrears ticking up: NAB

Mortgage arrears are slowly rising at the major bank, but business lending arrears have improved, according to new NAB data.

Is Qld’s new housing plan fit for purpose?

The state government has been urged to reveal the “missing details” to the Homes for Queenslanders plan.

[Related: Hot Property: The biggest property headlines from week 12–16 February]