The weekly round-up of the biggest news stories from across Momentum Media’s property brands from the week ending 30 October.
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.
All 4 major banks now tipping November hike as inflation jumps
Both the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) and National Australia Bank (NAB) have rewritten their cash rate calls, stating they now expect the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) to lift the cash rate on Tuesday (3 November), joining Westpac and Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ).
Mortgage repayments claim more than 50% of family income
Families face a record mortgage burden as larger loans and higher rates significantly deepen affordability pressures.
Australian families now need 50.9 per cent of their income to meet monthly mortgage repayments, according to real estate group PRD’s latest Australian Economic and Property Report.
3 in 4 Brisbane auctions fail: ‘Decline much higher than has been portrayed’
More Brisbane home owners are heading to auction, but just 25.2 per cent of homes sold, the weakest result among the capitals. One buyer’s agent says the slump runs deeper than the data suggests, though he sees the bottom end recovering within just months.
ATO warns investors over inflated property valuations in Big Brother tax crackdown
Property investors face heightened ATO scrutiny ahead of next July’s CGT discount changes, with the regulator targeting inflated valuations designed to avoid the full sting of the reforms.
NSW underquoting laws to leave vendors trapped
NSW’s looming underquoting crackdown could leave vendors trapped, with proposed reforms potentially preventing sellers from advertising a lower price than a previously rejected offer, even when financial hardship, personal tragedy, or longer listing periods force them to slash their expectations.
Plummeting listings and steady clearance rates have paved the way for Melbourne’s price growth in 2027, with the entry-level market already said to have reached the other side of the downturn.
Coalition pledges to scrap Help to Buy scheme
The federal opposition has pledged to abolish the Help to Buy shared-equity scheme if elected in a $31 billion budget package intended to finance income tax reform.
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor outlined the plan in Canberra on Monday (26 October), with shadow treasurer Tim Wilson identifying $4.7 billion in proposed savings across housing measures.
Chinese resi investment approvals plunge $1.7bn in 2 years
Approved Chinese investment in Australian homes has collapsed by about 65 per cent in two years, but one industry figure says the official data hides the true scale of overseas demand.
Stocking full of coal: Home owners could lose 40% of value by Christmas
With four interest rate rises already in the books in 2026 and another potentially on the way, an economist said the Australian housing market was teetering on the edge of its largest-ever downturn.
Coolabah Capital Investments founder and chief investment officer Chris Joye said the market’s current trajectory could see house prices plummet by up to 40 per cent in some suburbs at the market downturn’s deepest point.
[Related: Hot Property: The biggest property headlines from the week 19–23 October]
Want to see more stories from trusted news sources?
Make The Adviser a preferred news source on Google.
Click here to add The Adviser as a preferred news source.
