Real Estate

Trends and updates on property markets, including residential and commercial sectors.

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Cotality: Australians reap record resales amid slowdown
Australian homeowners continued to benefit from years of strong property price growth during the March quarter, recording the highest resale profitability in more than two decades even as the housing market began to lose momentum under the weight of higher interest rates, affordability pressures and weakening buyer demand. New research from Cotality's latest Pain & Gain report found 96.0% of almost 101,000 residential property resales delivered a nominal profit during the March quarter, the strongest quarterly result since 2005. At the same time, a separate report from the property analytics firm showed Australia's housing downturn accelerated through June, with national home values recording their largest monthly decline in more than two years.Record resale profits despite slowing marketCotality found the median profit from residential property resales climbed to a record $377,000 during the March quarter, while the median loss remained steady at $45,000. The results reflected the substantial appreciation in Australian housing values over recent years rather than current market performance, with many owners benefiting from extended holding periods through multiple property cycles. Cotality Head of Research Gerard Burg
Residential
Australians face new housing era after budget shake-up
Australia's housing market is entering what economists describe as a generational transition following sweeping tax reforms unveiled in the Federal Budget, with forecasts pointing to weaker investor demand, slower house price growth and a significant shift in investment towards newly built dwellings. The changes, which include restrictions on negative gearing and reforms to capital gains tax concessions, represent the most substantial overhaul of housing investment incentives in decades and are expected to alter both the short-term trajectory and long-term structure of Australia's residential property market. According to recent analysis from Westpac, the combination of tax changes and rising interest rates is likely to trigger a 34% decline in new investor activity while reducing total housing turnover by around 20%. House price growth across the major capital cities is expected to stall during 2026, with Sydney and Melbourne forecast to record outright price declines.Credit: Dillon Hunt / PexelsEnd of an Era for Property InvestorsThe reforms seek to reduce the attractiveness of leveraged investment in existing residential property, a cornerstone of Australian wealth creation strategies for decades. Under the changes,
Residential
Aus dwelling approvals fall more than expected in March
Australian dwelling approvals fell by a larger-than-expected 10.5% in March, with apartment approvals plunging after February’s growth. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), 17,300 dwellings were approved in March. Westpac had estimated a 10.0% decline. “The fall in total dwellings approved was driven by a 26.0 per cent drop in private dwellings excluding houses, following a 101.1 per cent rise in this series in February,” said ABS head of construction statistics Daniel Rossi. Apartment approvals fell 30.2% to 3,768. This is well below the 191.2% surge seen in February, and is 2.7% under the 12-month average. Approvals for apartments had also fallen by nearly half in January, which Rossi said at the time was partly due to seasonal factors. Private sector house approvals were up 0.9% to 10,194. This is the highest level since November 2021, Rossi said. The improvement in private sector house approvals was driven by New South Wales, which posted a 9.5% rise. Queensland also recorded a 7.2% increase, while Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia declined. The value of total buildings approved dropped 19.4% to A$16.74 billion, down from February’s record high of $20.43 billion. Reside
Residential
US housing market pressured by low inventory, Iran war
The United States housing market has been under pressure in recent months, beset by both low inventory and economic stress from the Iran war. Existing-home sales fell by 3.6% month-over-month in March, per the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Median housing prices also rose for a 33rd consecutive month. Even before the Iran war began, 75% of surveyed Americans said they were hesitant to make a real estate move due to economic concerns, The Harris Poll found. Since then, inventory has continued to lag, and mortgage rates have spiked. However, the turmoil may persist throughout 2026, as proposed legislative solutions have stalled and the fallout of the Iran war has continued.The inventory strainThe U.S. housing market is struggling with a lack of inventory amid flagging construction. In March, inventory was 1.36 million units, or 4.1 months of supply. The inventory-to-sales ratio has remained below historical norms in recent years, according to NAR, with roughly another 300,000-500,000 houses needed to restore normal conditions. U.S. housing supply growth has slowed drastically since the Global Financial Crisis, per Goldman Sachs analysts. “The rental and homeowner vacancy rates—the share of the total housing s
Residential
US existing home sales drop in March; affordability falls
United States existing home sales fell by 3.6% in March amid low consumer confidence, limited inventory, and rising mortgage rates. Sales were down 1% year-over-year to 3.98 million during the month, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). “March home sales remained sluggish and below last year’s pace,” said NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun. “Lower consumer confidence and softer job growth continue to hold back buyers,” Yun said. Consumer confidence plummeted to a record low in early April, per the University of Michigan’s Surveys of Consumers. All regions posted a drop in existing home sales last month, with the Northeast seeing the largest percentage decrease at 8.5%. Median existing home sales prices also increased by 1.4% to a record US$408,800 in March. This was due to low inventory, according to NAR. “Inventory remains a major constraint on the market,” Yun said. “The inventory-to-sales ratio, or supply-to-demand ratio, is below historical norms. An additional 300,000 to 500,000 homes for sale would help bring the market closer to normal conditions and allow consumers to make purchase decisions without feeling rushed.” The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate climbed to 6.18% during the m

Real Estate

Residential

Cotality: Australians reap record resales amid slowdown

Australians face new housing era after budget shake-up

Aus dwelling approvals fall more than expected in March

US housing market pressured by low inventory, Iran war

US existing home sales drop in March; affordability falls

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