Australian Property Podcast

Why does it cost so much to build in Australia right now? In this week’s 2 Sense episode of the Australian Property Podcast, Pete Wargent and Chris Bates unpack a fresh construction squeeze just as the housing market heads into a Budget week that could reshape investor behaviour.

They break down the build-cost blowout, including the sharp rise in the cost of delivering a dwelling since 2019, and explain why higher diesel, concrete, piping, plumbing supplies and financing costs all matter. If feasible projects become marginal and marginal projects become unfeasible, the supply response Australia desperately needs gets pushed even further out.

The conversation then shifts to policy risk. Pete and Chris explore reported changes to capital gains tax and negative gearing, softer conditions in Sydney and Melbourne, stronger rental yields, and what tighter supply could mean for buyers, investors and rents.

The episode also answers listener questions on selling an investment property to buy ETFs, and how to balance property with shares for long-term retirement goals. It’s a practical, timely listen for anyone trying to read the next phase of the housing market.

Episode resources

Ask a question (select the Property podcast)

Rask Resources

Pete's Buyers Agency

Alcove mortgage broking

Amy Lunardi Buyers Agency (Melbourne)

All services

Financial Planning

Invest with us

Access Show Notes

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Instagram: @rask.invest

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DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg
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Most buyers approach property search the same way regardless of what the market is doing. Pete Wargent and Amy Lunardi argue that this is exactly where buyers go wrong.

In this episode of the Australian Property Podcast, they break down how to identify the market you are actually in and how your strategy needs to change when conditions shift. Rather than relying on broad headlines, they explain how to zoom in on the signals that matter most: auction clearance rates, days on market, vendor discounting, stock levels and real buyer depth at inspections and auctions.

In hot markets, they cover the need to move quickly, complete due diligence early, set a hard ceiling before negotiations begin and avoid the emotional exhaustion that leads buyers to overpay or drift from their brief. In cooler markets, they unpack how to spot a genuinely motivated vendor, when to make an offer before being invited, how to think about off-markets and EOI campaigns, and why waiting for the perfect bottom can become its own costly mistake.

The result is a practical guide for first-home buyers, upgraders and investors who want to buy well in any environment. There may never be a perfect market, but there is a smarter way to buy in the one you have.

Resources for this episode

Ask a question (select the Property podcast)

Rask Resources

Pete's Buyers Agency

Alcove mortgage broking

Amy Lunardi Buyers Agency (Melbourne)

All services

Financial Planning

Invest with us

Access Show Notes

Ask a question

We love feedback!

Follow us on social media:

Instagram: @rask.invest

TikTok: @rask.invest

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg
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This episode was originally featured on The Australian Finance Podcast.

Discover why the traditional path to buying your first home no longer works, the trade-offs modern buyers must make, and how to rethink home ownership in today’s market.

In this Australian Property Podcast episode, your host Gemma Mitchell is joined by Lucinda Hartley, author of Finding Home, to unpack what’s really changed when it comes to buying your first home. They cover:

– Why the traditional “rulebook” no longer applies

– How first home buyers need to rethink what “home” means

– The key trade-offs you must understand before buying

– How to approach home ownership in a way that fits your life today

Topics Covered

– Why the First Home Buyer Rulebook is Outdated

– Then vs Now: What’s Changed in the Property Market

– Rethinking What “Home” Means

– The First Question Buyers Should Ask Themselves

– Housing as “Success” vs Housing as “Security”

– Is “Worst House, Best Street” Still Relevant?

– Suburb vs Property: What Matters More Today

– Changing Buyer Preferences (Apartments, Location, Lifestyle)

– The Impact of Government Grants & Incentives

– Is the 30% Housing Rule Still Realistic?

– The Trade-Off Triangle Explained

– The 10 Lifestyle Trade-Off Lenses

– Common Trade-Offs Buyers Regret

– Defining Your Non-Negotiables Before Buying

– Credit Scores: What Actually Matters

– Final Advice for First Home Buyers

Resources for this episode

⁠Connect with Lucinda: Finding Home – Lucinda Hartley⁠

⁠Buy Gemma’s book “The Money Reset”⁠

⁠Speak with the Rask Advice team⁠

Ask a question (select the Property podcast)

Rask Resources

Pete's Buyers Agency

Alcove mortgage broking

Amy Lunardi Buyers Agency (Melbourne)

All services

Financial Planning

Invest with us

Access Show Notes

Ask a question

We love feedback!

Follow us on social media:

Instagram: @rask.invest

TikTok: @rask.invest

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg
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Pete Wargent and Chris Bates break down what potential changes to capital gains tax and negative gearing could mean for investors and renters, then zoom out to the bigger forces shaping the property market.

Key topics:

Possible CGT and negative gearing reforms, and the flow-on to investor demand, rents and buyers

Oil prices, bond yields, sticky rents, and shaky confidence in Sydney and Melbourne

The role of immigration and supply in ongoing housing pressure

Listener Q&A on refinancing, fixed vs variable rates, and whether to wait or back high-quality assets

Rask Resources

Pete's Buyers Agency: https://allenwargent.com.au

Alcove mortgage broking: https://raskmedia.com.au/services/mortgage-broking

Amy Lunardi Buyers Agency (Melbourne) https://amylunardi.com.au

All services: https://bit.ly/R-services

Financial Planning: https://bit.ly/R-plan

Invest with us: https://bit.ly/R-invest

Access Show Notes: https://bit.ly/R-notes

Ask a question (select the property podcast): https://bit.ly/R-quest

We love feedback! https://raskau.typeform.com/to/ZbfHy6IP

Follow us on social media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rask.invest

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rask.invest

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg
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Pete Wargent and Chris Bates unpack how long the Sydney and Melbourne property downturn could last, why build costs may rise again, and what buyers, sellers and investors should do next.

They cover weak auctions, slowing construction, tight rental markets, and the practical decisions facing first-home buyers, upgraders and investors in a softer market.

Resources for this episode

Ask a question (select the Property podcast)

Rask Resources

Pete's Buyers Agency

Alcove mortgage broking

Amy Lunardi Buyers Agency (Melbourne)

All services

Financial Planning

Invest with us

Access Show Notes

Ask a question

We love feedback!

Follow us on social media:

Instagram: @rask.invest

TikTok: @rask.invest

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices