The Perth Property Show

Host Trent Fleskens welcomes Devon Kelly back to the Perth Property Show for an updated suburb spotlight on Kewdale, revisiting their January 2020 episode and how the market has changed since. Devin shares personal history growing up in Kewdale and highlights Tomato Lake, the evolution of Kewdale High School into the Australian Islamic College, and differing precincts around the suburb. They discuss how Kewdale’s median has shifted from around $430,000 for a 3x1 in 2020 to roughly $1.1–$1.2 million today, pricing out many first-home buyers and attracting more second-home buyers and investors. Devin outlines current development activity, new townhouse and apartment pricing, buyer turnout fluctuations tied to news events, rising days on market, and forecasts Kewdale could reach about $1.25 million within 12 months.

Host Trent Fleskens welcomes UDIA WA CEO Tanya Steinbeck to discuss how recent state and federal budget policies will (or won’t) improve WA housing supply, separating meaningful initiatives from headline “pretend policies” and potential negative market impacts. Trent notes Perth listings have risen to around 5,000 but remain more than 50% below a balanced market, keeping sellers in control. They argue that while large infrastructure spending is welcome, the key constraint is workforce and delivery capacity, with competition from mining and the need for targeted skilled migration alongside apprenticeships. They highlight the Infrastructure Development Fund and Keystart’s pre-sale finance guarantee as important for apartment feasibility, criticise stamp duty as an inefficient tax (especially for first home buyers), and caution that federal negative gearing/CGT changes may shift investor demand toward new supply without increasing overall supply. They conclude delivery depends on improving approval culture and bureaucracy.

Host Trent Fleskens and guest Lachlan Delahunty discuss current Perth market conditions, discussing recent “noise” from media and federal budget changes is short-lived compared to slow-moving fundamentals. They note Perth is still growing at roughly 1% per month with around 5,000 listings versus a balanced 13,000, keeping sellers in control despite fewer home open attendees and offers. The biggest constraint is interest-rate-driven serviceability, with some investor deals falling over due to negative gearing changes in bank assessments, reshaping investor behaviour toward new builds and infill. They warn against spruiker-led outer-suburban/off-the-plan and SMSF pitches, and highlight Perth’s strong population growth and supply shortages. Strategies discussed include value-add subdivision/infill development, syndication for larger sites, and the “accidental landlord” approach to upgrading while keeping and renting an existing home.

Host Trent Fleskens and tax accountant Carlo Baudi unpack proposed budget changes affecting property investors, stressing they are not yet legislated. They explain the shift from the 50% CGT discount toward inflation indexation from 1 July 2027, with gains before that date effectively grandfathered and calculated via ATO pro‑rating or a 30 June 2027 market valuation. They highlight a new minimum 30% tax on capital gains and trust distributions, which they argue hits lower-income earners harder and reduces the benefits of trusts. On negative gearing, they discuss restricting deductions to new builds while grandfathering existing holdings, potentially diverting investment to house-and-land and apartments, reducing rentals in established suburbs, and lowering borrowing capacity. They suggest reviewing structures (personal vs company) and seeking tailored accounting advice.

Host Trent Fleskens interviews local agent Daniella Sparta for a Dianella suburb update, describing a noisy May 2026 backdrop (war, fuel prices, interest rates) but continued demand in Perth despite listings still below 5,000 and about 800 sales a week. They break Dianella into distinct pockets from St Andrews Estate’s multi‑million‑dollar homes to villas and units, noting recent sales from about $850k–$886k at the lower end to $1.75m and above, including older large homes near $1.95m and a first $3m sale. Home open attendance remains strong, but offers are fewer as affordability tightens and sellers’ expectations rise, suggesting a likely six‑month breather rather than price falls. They discuss why locals sell (downsizing/aged care), a $1.2m median after 22% growth, limited cash buyers, proposed development near Dianella Drive, and Dianella Plaza’s underwhelming retail.