Invest
Hot Property: Biggest headlines this week 3 - Sept 2020
Victoria’s COVID-19 restrictions have begun to lift as the rest of the country watches on: Here are the biggest property stories from this week.

Hot Property: Biggest headlines this week 3 - Sept 2020
Victoria’s COVID-19 restrictions have begun to lift as the rest of the country watches on: Here are the biggest property stories from this week.

Welcome to nestegg’s weekly round-up of the bricks-and-mortar stories that we think will be most relevant to you, whether as a first home buyer, a seasoned investor or anyone in between!
To compile this list, not only are we taking a look at the week’s most-read stories and the news that matters, but we are also curating it to include stories from our sister platforms that could have an impact on your buying, selling or investment journey, no matter where you find yourself on the property ladder.
Regional areas are on track to benefit the most, with lifestyle factors and an increasing ability to work from home touted as the most common reasons.
“[Not a lot of] data exists on the current dynamics between investors and landlords, which is becoming increasingly important as we approach the expiry of a moratorium on evictions, which has already been extended in some states,” said Eliza Owen, head of research at CoreLogic.
Almost a third of real estate professionals surveyed had seen an increase in requests for rent reductions. Over a quarter had seen an increase in rental delinquencies, and 8.8 per cent had noted an increase in evictions. Of those who had seen an increase in rental delinquencies, 56.8 per cent were based in Victoria, suggesting renewed restrictions across the state have impacted tenants’ ability to service rent, Ms Owen noted.
The recent passing of the Retail Leases Amendment Bill 2019 further proves the Victorian state government’s unwillingness to work with the real estate industry, according to the REIV.
In a statement issued to REB, CEO Gil King and president Leah Calnan said the passing of the bill follows a number of pleas “directly to the Premier, the Treasurer and other ministers to pull the bill from Parliament during the COVID-19 pandemic” going unanswered.
- Proposed policy to ‘cripple’ mum and dad investors
Small is the New Big co-founder Ian Ugarte said the NSW government’s proposed overhaul of existing planning provisions will spark negative consequences to housing affordability.
The housing commentator likened the proposed changes to a “sledgehammer to the existing polices when only a scalpel is needed”, noting the changes will “cripple the entire mum and dad investment sector, with the result being that only inefficient community housing providers or large profit-driven commercial property developers can operate in the sector”.
The COVID-19 pandemic has seen a correction in the housing market, with capital cities falling by $98 billion in total value, official figures have shown.
Numbers collated by the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed that dwellings across the capitals have fallen by 1.8 per cent in the three months until 30 June.
A new survey has found that almost half of Australians with property in their pocket are actively looking to expand their investment portfolio in the next six to 12 months.
According to the 2020 PIPA Annual Investor Sentiment Survey, which gathered insights from over 1,000 property investors during August, Australians remain largely optimistic about buying in the months ahead, with 44 per cent of investors are looking to purchase in the next six to 12 months.
- Where to now for the property market?
The recent COVID-19 outbreak in Victoria and, to a lesser extent, NSW highlights the extreme nature of this pandemic and how it is likely to remain part of our lives for many months or even years to come. So, what can we expect from the property market in the short, medium and long term as we deal with the fallout from COVID-19? Dominic Cavagnino asks.
The Victorian government has announced a $100-million support package to assist sole traders in the state, building on a $3-billion support package announced on the weekend to support businesses.
All 5,000 places allocated for participating non-major banks within the FHLDS have now been reserved for the 2020-21 financial year.
Property investors are urging the Australian government to change tax deductions for travel expenses related to their investment property as a way to stimulate the regional housing market.
According to the Property Club, over the past three years there has been a dramatic fall in property investment activity in regional markets, which started when then treasurer Scott Morrison banned travel expenses for property investors in the 2017 federal budget.
About the author

About the author


Property
Property prices boosted by housing policies: RBA
The central bank has outlined the “pervasive” impact that policy has on property. ...Read more

Property
Labor’s ‘Help to Buy’ scheme not without its risks
With Anthony Albanese sworn in as Australia’s 31st PM, home buyers are excited at the prospect of accessing the new ‘Help to Buy’ scheme, but a property expert has warned that the risks may be g...Read more

Property
Australia's housing market is entering a ‘broad-based correction phase’
Westpac believes the housing market downturn is now underway. ...Read more

Property
ANZ now expects house prices will end the year lower
With higher interest rates on the horizon, the bank is forecasting larger house price declines than previously expected. ...Read more

Property
Which capital cities are most attractive to property investors?
A new survey has suggested that investor attention is shifting away from Australia’s two largest capital cities. ...Read more

Property
Market uncertainty fails to discourage foreign property investors
While interest from foreign investors in Australian property has remained strong, HLB Mann Judd warned that tax increases could see demand shift to other markets. ...Read more

Property
Regional renters forced to spend more of their income than ever before
Renters in regional areas are spending nearly as much on rent as home owners are spending on mortgage repayments. ...Read more

Property
Aussie home buyers now need to save for over 11 years for a deposit
Since early 2020, the time needed to save for a deposit has increased by more than two years. ...Read more

Wrapping up an eventful 2021
Listen now

What Omicron means for property, and are units right for first-time buyers? What is equity crowdfunding? Are industry super funds tapping into member funds to save their skins?
Listen now

Will housing affordability improve in 2022? Will buy now, pay later become the norm? Why are Aussies staying in failing super products?
Listen now

Who really benefits from crypto ETFs? How will the RBA respond to rising inflation? Could a mandate help address unpaid super?
Listen now

Property
Property prices boosted by housing policies: RBA
The central bank has outlined the “pervasive” impact that policy has on property. ...Read more

Property
Labor’s ‘Help to Buy’ scheme not without its risks
With Anthony Albanese sworn in as Australia’s 31st PM, home buyers are excited at the prospect of accessing the new ‘Help to Buy’ scheme, but a property expert has warned that the risks may be g...Read more

Property
Australia's housing market is entering a ‘broad-based correction phase’
Westpac believes the housing market downturn is now underway. ...Read more

Property
ANZ now expects house prices will end the year lower
With higher interest rates on the horizon, the bank is forecasting larger house price declines than previously expected. ...Read more

Property
Which capital cities are most attractive to property investors?
A new survey has suggested that investor attention is shifting away from Australia’s two largest capital cities. ...Read more

Property
Market uncertainty fails to discourage foreign property investors
While interest from foreign investors in Australian property has remained strong, HLB Mann Judd warned that tax increases could see demand shift to other markets. ...Read more

Property
Regional renters forced to spend more of their income than ever before
Renters in regional areas are spending nearly as much on rent as home owners are spending on mortgage repayments. ...Read more

Property
Aussie home buyers now need to save for over 11 years for a deposit
Since early 2020, the time needed to save for a deposit has increased by more than two years. ...Read more