Hot Property: The biggest property headlines from the week 14-18 February

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

Here are the biggest property stories of the week:

NSW touts scheme to reduce first home deposit

The NSW government has announced it is “considering a new approach” to reduce the deposit required for first home buyers, in a bid to aid the affordability crisis.

ABS lists indicators of regulatory impacts on housing

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has suggested a number of metrics that could be monitored to measure the link between land-use regulation and housing supply.

Almost 1 in 4 PMs intend to leave the profession

A new report has revealed the concerning chasm that exists between Australia’s property managers and their employees – leading to heightened concerns for the turnover of property management teams across the country.

Big four bank expects drop in house prices

The growth of Australia’s property market is expected to flatten within months before prices start to fall later this year, according to updated forecasts from Westpac.

Clearance rates and auction volumes still on the rise

Australia’s capital cities have recorded the highest preliminary clearance rate since late November 2021, sustaining the upward trend despite above-average auction volumes.

NSW rental property market begins to regain lost ground

Residential rental vacancy rates are improving in NSW, according to a January 2022 report of the Real Estate Institute of NSW (REINSW).

Housing supply needs to be more flexible: RBA governor

The supply of “well-located” land needs to be addressed to improve housing affordability, the governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia, Philip Lowe, has said.

4 industry veterans throw their weight behind Homely

The property platform has added four heavyweights of Western Australia’s real estate industry to its list of backers. 

[Related: Hot Property: The biggest property headlines from the week 7-11 February]