[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":1825},["ShallowReactive",2],{"published-cities":3,"post-negative-equity-2026-five-percent-deposit-buyers-australia-dev":86,"blog-posts-shared":1077,"blog-data-negative-equity-2026-five-percent-deposit-buyers-australia-dev":1670},[4,13,22,30,35,41,49,55,63,68,75,82],{"slug":5,"name":6,"state":7,"stateName":8,"vernacular":9,"agentCount":10,"averageRating":11,"totalReviews":12},"sydney","Sydney","NSW","New South Wales","buyers agent",68,4.88,6522,{"slug":14,"name":15,"state":16,"stateName":17,"vernacular":18,"agentCount":19,"averageRating":20,"totalReviews":21},"melbourne","Melbourne","VIC","Victoria","buyers advocate",46,4.96,6906,{"slug":23,"name":24,"state":25,"stateName":26,"vernacular":9,"agentCount":27,"averageRating":28,"totalReviews":29},"brisbane","Brisbane","QLD","Queensland",33,4.94,3713,{"slug":31,"name":32,"state":25,"stateName":26,"vernacular":9,"agentCount":33,"averageRating":20,"totalReviews":34},"gold-coast","Gold Coast",15,1101,{"slug":36,"name":37,"state":25,"stateName":26,"vernacular":9,"agentCount":38,"averageRating":39,"totalReviews":40},"sunshine-coast","Sunshine Coast",13,4.97,788,{"slug":42,"name":43,"state":44,"stateName":45,"vernacular":9,"agentCount":46,"averageRating":47,"totalReviews":48},"perth","Perth","WA","Western Australia",11,4.87,1472,{"slug":50,"name":51,"state":7,"stateName":8,"vernacular":9,"agentCount":52,"averageRating":53,"totalReviews":54},"newcastle","Newcastle",9,4.98,704,{"slug":56,"name":57,"state":58,"stateName":59,"vernacular":9,"agentCount":60,"averageRating":61,"totalReviews":62},"adelaide","Adelaide","SA","South Australia",8,4.45,589,{"slug":64,"name":65,"state":7,"stateName":8,"vernacular":9,"agentCount":66,"averageRating":53,"totalReviews":67},"central-coast","Central Coast",5,491,{"slug":69,"name":70,"state":71,"stateName":72,"vernacular":9,"agentCount":66,"averageRating":73,"totalReviews":74},"canberra","Canberra","ACT","Australian Capital Territory",4.76,163,{"slug":76,"name":77,"state":78,"stateName":79,"vernacular":9,"agentCount":80,"averageRating":66,"totalReviews":81},"hobart","Hobart","TAS","Tasmania",3,182,{"slug":83,"name":84,"state":16,"stateName":17,"vernacular":18,"agentCount":80,"averageRating":66,"totalReviews":85},"geelong","Geelong",53,{"_path":87,"_dir":88,"_draft":89,"_partial":89,"_locale":90,"title":91,"description":92,"image":93,"date":94,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":97,"category":103,"reading_time":104,"body":105,"_type":1070,"_id":1071,"_source":1072,"_file":1073,"_stem":1074,"_extension":1075,"sitemap":1076},"/blog/negative-equity-2026-five-percent-deposit-buyers-australia","blog",false,"","Negative Equity in Australia 2026: The 5% Deposit Risk","How far can prices fall before a 5% deposit buyer is underwater? On paper 6.1%, in practice 2.6%. The negative equity arithmetic for Australia's scheme buyers.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1758523418820-a492bf647c63?q=80&auto=format","2026-09-06","Anderson Aguiar","https://i.imgur.com/btHZbrU.jpeg",[98,99,100,101,102],"first-home-buyer","home-loans","market-analysis","2026-market","affordability","First Home Buyers","16 min read",{"type":106,"children":107,"toc":1048},"root",[108,116,121,128,133,138,143,149,154,159,337,346,351,357,362,376,382,387,487,495,500,505,511,541,547,552,565,570,576,581,649,655,660,774,782,794,807,813,818,886,892,897,902,907,913,920,925,931,936,942,947,953,958,964,969,974,995,999,1005],{"type":109,"tag":110,"props":111,"children":112},"element","p",{},[113],{"type":114,"value":115},"text","Eighty-seven. That is how many of the roughly 48,000 households who bought under the expanded First Home Guarantee, marketed as the 5% Deposit Scheme, since October 2025 are underwater, on analysis of Housing Australia and PropTrack data published on 17 August 2026. The national picture is calmer still: Reserve Bank Governor Michele Bullock put households in negative equity at \"under 1 per cent\" on 11 August, and said RBA scenarios put it at only about 5% even if prices fell 20%. The number that complicates both: 48% of that scheme cohort hold 5% equity or less, and national dwelling values have now fallen for five consecutive months.",{"type":109,"tag":110,"props":117,"children":118},{},[119],{"type":114,"value":120},"Most coverage of this gets it wrong in both directions, either by calling 87 households a crisis or by treating a 5% deposit as 5% of protection. Neither survives the arithmetic. A 95% borrower a year into the loan does not go underwater until prices fall about 6.1%, but stops being able to sell and clear the debt at about 2.6%, and the second number is the one that decides anything.",{"type":109,"tag":122,"props":123,"children":125},"h2",{"id":124},"what-is-negative-equity-and-how-is-it-measured",[126],{"type":114,"value":127},"What is negative equity, and how is it measured?",{"type":109,"tag":110,"props":129,"children":130},{},[131],{"type":114,"value":132},"Negative equity means your loan balance is larger than your property is worth. Owe $600,000 on a property that would sell for $580,000 and you have negative equity of $20,000, and that is the entire definition. Nothing is attached to the state itself.",{"type":109,"tag":110,"props":134,"children":135},{},[136],{"type":114,"value":137},"The RBA counts negative equity net of offset and redraw balances, which is why private survey estimates always run higher than the official ones. A borrower with $40,000 sitting in an offset account is counted as better placed by the RBA and can still fail a lender's own loan-to-value test, because the two measure different things.",{"type":109,"tag":110,"props":139,"children":140},{},[141],{"type":114,"value":142},"For scale, the RBA's March 2026 Financial Stability Review reported less than 1% of households in negative equity, a lower share than before the pandemic, and that even under a severe 40% price decline around 80% of mortgaged households would still hold positive equity. That 40% figure is the RBA's published stress scenario. The 20% scenario quoted at the top came from the Governor's August media conference, not the Review. Much commentary has merged the two.",{"type":109,"tag":122,"props":144,"children":146},{"id":145},"how-far-do-prices-have-to-fall-on-a-5-deposit",[147],{"type":114,"value":148},"How far do prices have to fall on a 5% deposit?",{"type":109,"tag":110,"props":150,"children":151},{},[152],{"type":114,"value":153},"You buy at $700,000 with a 5% deposit of $35,000, borrowing $665,000 over 30 years at 6.19%, the average rate on outstanding owner-occupier principal-and-interest loans in June 2026 in RBA statistics.",{"type":109,"tag":110,"props":155,"children":156},{},[157],{"type":114,"value":158},"Your repayment is about $4,068 a month. After twelve months your balance is roughly $657,100, so you have paid down about $7,900 of principal and everything else went to interest. Strict negative equity (loan balance exceeding property value) therefore begins at a price fall of about 6.1%, more headroom than the \"5% deposit means a 5% fall\" shorthand suggests. But that is the wrong threshold to care about. The one that matters is whether you could sell and clear the debt.",{"type":109,"tag":160,"props":161,"children":162},"table",{},[163,197],{"type":109,"tag":164,"props":165,"children":166},"thead",{},[167],{"type":109,"tag":168,"props":169,"children":170},"tr",{},[171,177,182,187,192],{"type":109,"tag":172,"props":173,"children":174},"th",{},[175],{"type":114,"value":176},"Price fall from purchase",{"type":109,"tag":172,"props":178,"children":179},{},[180],{"type":114,"value":181},"Property value",{"type":109,"tag":172,"props":183,"children":184},{},[185],{"type":114,"value":186},"Loan balance",{"type":109,"tag":172,"props":188,"children":189},{},[190],{"type":114,"value":191},"Equity on paper",{"type":109,"tag":172,"props":193,"children":194},{},[195],{"type":114,"value":196},"Cash position after selling costs",{"type":109,"tag":198,"props":199,"children":200},"tbody",{},[201,230,257,284,310],{"type":109,"tag":168,"props":202,"children":203},{},[204,210,215,220,225],{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":206,"children":207},"td",{},[208],{"type":114,"value":209},"0%",{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":211,"children":212},{},[213],{"type":114,"value":214},"$700,000",{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":216,"children":217},{},[218],{"type":114,"value":219},"$657,100",{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":221,"children":222},{},[223],{"type":114,"value":224},"+$42,900",{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":226,"children":227},{},[228],{"type":114,"value":229},"+$17,700",{"type":109,"tag":168,"props":231,"children":232},{},[233,238,243,247,252],{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":234,"children":235},{},[236],{"type":114,"value":237},"2.6%",{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":239,"children":240},{},[241],{"type":114,"value":242},"$681,800",{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":244,"children":245},{},[246],{"type":114,"value":219},{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":248,"children":249},{},[250],{"type":114,"value":251},"+$24,700",{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":253,"children":254},{},[255],{"type":114,"value":256},"$0",{"type":109,"tag":168,"props":258,"children":259},{},[260,265,270,274,279],{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":261,"children":262},{},[263],{"type":114,"value":264},"5%",{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":266,"children":267},{},[268],{"type":114,"value":269},"$665,000",{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":271,"children":272},{},[273],{"type":114,"value":219},{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":275,"children":276},{},[277],{"type":114,"value":278},"+$7,900",{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":280,"children":281},{},[282],{"type":114,"value":283},"-$16,400",{"type":109,"tag":168,"props":285,"children":286},{},[287,292,297,301,305],{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":288,"children":289},{},[290],{"type":114,"value":291},"6.1%",{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":293,"children":294},{},[295],{"type":114,"value":296},"$657,300",{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":298,"children":299},{},[300],{"type":114,"value":219},{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":302,"children":303},{},[304],{"type":114,"value":256},{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":306,"children":307},{},[308],{"type":114,"value":309},"-$23,900",{"type":109,"tag":168,"props":311,"children":312},{},[313,318,323,327,332],{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":314,"children":315},{},[316],{"type":114,"value":317},"10%",{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":319,"children":320},{},[321],{"type":114,"value":322},"$630,000",{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":324,"children":325},{},[326],{"type":114,"value":219},{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":328,"children":329},{},[330],{"type":114,"value":331},"-$27,100",{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":333,"children":334},{},[335],{"type":114,"value":336},"-$50,600",{"type":109,"tag":110,"props":338,"children":339},{},[340],{"type":109,"tag":341,"props":342,"children":343},"em",{},[344],{"type":114,"value":345},"Assumes a $700,000 purchase at 95% LVR, 6.19% over 30 years, twelve months in. Selling costs are a modelling choice: a 2.5% agent commission, the midpoint of the 2% to 3% national range, plus $7,700 of marketing, conveyancing and mortgage discharge fees, the midpoints of the ranges set out below.",{"type":109,"tag":110,"props":347,"children":348},{},[349],{"type":114,"value":350},"Read the last two columns against each other. You are not technically in negative equity until prices fall 6.1%, but you can no longer sell and clear the debt once they fall about 2.6%. The gap between \"underwater\" and \"cannot get out\" is about three and a half percentage points of price, and the second number arrives first.",{"type":109,"tag":122,"props":352,"children":354},{"id":353},"why-selling-costs-move-the-line-the-other-way",[355],{"type":114,"value":356},"Why selling costs move the line the other way",{"type":109,"tag":110,"props":358,"children":359},{},[360],{"type":114,"value":361},"A lot of published advice gets this backwards. Agent commission typically runs 2% to 3% nationally, from roughly 1.99% in South Australia to 2.96% in Tasmania. Marketing on a property in this bracket runs $3,750 to $7,500, conveyancing $800 to $2,200, and discharge and lender fees $150 to $1,000. On a $700,000 sale at the midpoints that is about $25,200, more than two thirds of the original deposit, gone before any price movement. Those costs do not raise the point at which you are underwater. They lower the point at which selling stops working.",{"type":109,"tag":110,"props":363,"children":364},{},[365,367,374],{"type":114,"value":366},"A separate figure of roughly 8% to 10% gets confused with this one: the round-trip cost of buying and selling, stamp duty going in and commission and legals coming out. That is the growth you need before a purchase breaks even, and first-home buyers using stamp duty concessions have a smaller round trip than most. It answers a different question. If you are weighing a purchase rather than living with one, the ",{"type":109,"tag":368,"props":369,"children":371},"a",{"href":370},"/blog/buying-in-a-falling-market-australia-2026-buyers-guide",[372],{"type":114,"value":373},"buyer's guide to a falling market",{"type":114,"value":375}," covers the other side.",{"type":109,"tag":122,"props":377,"children":379},{"id":378},"who-is-most-exposed-to-negative-equity-in-australia",[380],{"type":114,"value":381},"Who is most exposed to negative equity in Australia",{"type":109,"tag":110,"props":383,"children":384},{},[385],{"type":114,"value":386},"The exposure does not sit with the average owner. It sits with people who bought recently, with a small deposit, in markets that have since fallen. The RBA attributes the rise in high-LVR lending directly to the scheme: since the expansion took effect in October 2025, very high LVR borrowing has increased while borrowing at an LVR of 80% or below has decreased. Geography accounts for most of the variation from there.",{"type":109,"tag":160,"props":388,"children":389},{},[390,406],{"type":109,"tag":164,"props":391,"children":392},{},[393],{"type":109,"tag":168,"props":394,"children":395},{},[396,401],{"type":109,"tag":172,"props":397,"children":398},{},[399],{"type":114,"value":400},"Region",{"type":109,"tag":172,"props":402,"children":403},{},[404],{"type":114,"value":405},"Average equity held by scheme buyers",{"type":109,"tag":198,"props":407,"children":408},{},[409,422,435,448,461,474],{"type":109,"tag":168,"props":410,"children":411},{},[412,417],{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":413,"children":414},{},[415],{"type":114,"value":416},"Queensland - Outback",{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":418,"children":419},{},[420],{"type":114,"value":421},"14.2%",{"type":109,"tag":168,"props":423,"children":424},{},[425,430],{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":426,"children":427},{},[428],{"type":114,"value":429},"Western Australia - Outback (North)",{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":431,"children":432},{},[433],{"type":114,"value":434},"12.7%",{"type":109,"tag":168,"props":436,"children":437},{},[438,443],{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":439,"children":440},{},[441],{"type":114,"value":442},"South Australia - Outback",{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":444,"children":445},{},[446],{"type":114,"value":447},"12.2%",{"type":109,"tag":168,"props":449,"children":450},{},[451,456],{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":452,"children":453},{},[454],{"type":114,"value":455},"Mornington Peninsula",{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":457,"children":458},{},[459],{"type":114,"value":460},"2.0%",{"type":109,"tag":168,"props":462,"children":463},{},[464,469],{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":465,"children":466},{},[467],{"type":114,"value":468},"Melbourne - Inner East",{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":470,"children":471},{},[472],{"type":114,"value":473},"1.9%",{"type":109,"tag":168,"props":475,"children":476},{},[477,482],{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":478,"children":479},{},[480],{"type":114,"value":481},"Sydney - Eastern Suburbs",{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":483,"children":484},{},[485],{"type":114,"value":486},"0.8%",{"type":109,"tag":110,"props":488,"children":489},{},[490],{"type":109,"tag":341,"props":491,"children":492},{},[493],{"type":114,"value":494},"Housing Australia and PropTrack Home Price Index data, reported 17 August 2026. Regions are ABS SA4 areas. Estimates exclude funds held in offset accounts.",{"type":109,"tag":110,"props":496,"children":497},{},[498],{"type":114,"value":499},"Regional scheme buyers have generally done well, because the expansion pushed competition into price-capped suburbs. Cotality, the data business formerly known as CoreLogic, found homes valued below the caps rose 6.7% between October 2025 and March 2026, against 3.6% for homes valued above them. Buyers near the caps in expensive capital city markets have almost nothing behind them.",{"type":109,"tag":110,"props":501,"children":502},{},[503],{"type":114,"value":504},"None of that is happening against a helpful backdrop: Cotality's August 2026 Home Value Index recorded a 0.9% national fall, the fifth consecutive monthly decline, with Sydney down 1.4% in the month and 93% of capital city suburbs falling over winter, up from 45.8% in autumn. Check the date on any suburb-level figure before you rely on it, because the winter falls have overtaken most of the numbers still doing the rounds.",{"type":109,"tag":122,"props":506,"children":508},{"id":507},"how-to-check-if-you-are-in-negative-equity",[509],{"type":114,"value":510},"How to check if you are in negative equity",{"type":109,"tag":512,"props":513,"children":514},"ol",{},[515,521,526,531,536],{"type":109,"tag":516,"props":517,"children":518},"li",{},[519],{"type":114,"value":520},"Get your current loan balance from internet banking, and use the balance owing rather than the balance net of redraw.",{"type":109,"tag":516,"props":522,"children":523},{},[524],{"type":114,"value":525},"Note any offset balance separately, because the RBA counts it and your lender's LVR test may not.",{"type":109,"tag":516,"props":527,"children":528},{},[529],{"type":114,"value":530},"Estimate the property value from three comparable sales in the last 90 days on your street or in your estate, not a portal automated estimate, which lags a falling market.",{"type":109,"tag":516,"props":532,"children":533},{},[534],{"type":114,"value":535},"Divide the loan balance by that value. Above 100% is negative equity. Above about 95% means selling costs alone would leave you short.",{"type":109,"tag":516,"props":537,"children":538},{},[539],{"type":114,"value":540},"Order a bank valuation only if you are actually transacting. A formal valuation in a falling market locks the worst number available onto your file.",{"type":109,"tag":122,"props":542,"children":544},{"id":543},"what-happens-to-you-day-to-day",[545],{"type":114,"value":546},"What happens to you day to day",{"type":109,"tag":110,"props":548,"children":549},{},[550],{"type":114,"value":551},"Nothing.",{"type":109,"tag":110,"props":553,"children":554},{},[555,557,563],{"type":114,"value":556},"A performing loan is a performing loan. Your lender does not revalue your property annually, and nothing in your contract triggers off your valuation. The conditions that end your scheme cover are behavioural: you stop living there, you rent it out, you borrow more, you refinance away, you sell. Renting it out is the trap, because it looks like a way to hold on and is the fastest way to end your cover. If that is the direction you are drifting, read the trade-offs on ",{"type":109,"tag":368,"props":558,"children":560},{"href":559},"/blog/rentvesting-in-2025-buy-where-you-can-afford-live-where-you-want",[561],{"type":114,"value":562},"rentvesting",{"type":114,"value":564}," first.",{"type":109,"tag":110,"props":566,"children":567},{},[568],{"type":114,"value":569},"Bullock said as much on 11 August: negative equity \"only matters if you are a distressed seller and you need to get rid of the property because you lose your job or for family breakdowns or things like that\". Economist Saul Eslake put it more bluntly in June 2026: \"Now, that's only a problem if you're planning to sell it.\" Curtin University's Steven Rowley adds the history: Perth fell about 17.5% between 2014 and 2019, then doubled. His advice is \"sit tight, pay down that mortgage and wait it out\".",{"type":109,"tag":122,"props":571,"children":573},{"id":572},"when-negative-equity-becomes-a-real-problem",[574],{"type":114,"value":575},"When negative equity becomes a real problem",{"type":109,"tag":110,"props":577,"children":578},{},[579],{"type":114,"value":580},"Four things convert a paper position into a real loss.",{"type":109,"tag":512,"props":582,"children":583},{},[584,611,621,631],{"type":109,"tag":516,"props":585,"children":586},{},[587,593,595,601,603,609],{"type":109,"tag":588,"props":589,"children":590},"strong",{},[591],{"type":114,"value":592},"Forced sale.",{"type":114,"value":594}," Job loss, illness, relationship breakdown, or a relocation you cannot decline. This is the main one, and it is why the risk is really a labour market risk wearing a housing costume. RBA research on mortgage defaults finds that negative equity alone rarely produces default: it usually takes an income shock and falling prices together. Job loss concentrates geographically and so do arrears, and the ",{"type":109,"tag":368,"props":596,"children":598},{"href":597},"/blog/mortgage-delinquency-hotspots-understanding-australias-payment-stress-map",[599],{"type":114,"value":600},"mortgage stress map",{"type":114,"value":602}," shows where. If a forced sale does happen and you have to buy back into the same falling market, the only agent in the room working for you is one you pay yourself, and ",{"type":109,"tag":368,"props":604,"children":606},{"href":605},"/gomatch",[607],{"type":114,"value":608},"GoMatch",{"type":114,"value":610}," filters buyer's agents by price bracket.",{"type":109,"tag":516,"props":612,"children":613},{},[614,619],{"type":109,"tag":588,"props":615,"children":616},{},[617],{"type":114,"value":618},"Refinancing or borrowing more.",{"type":114,"value":620}," A borrower in negative equity cannot refinance to a mainstream lender, because the new loan's LVR would exceed 100%. Cash-out refinancing is typically capped at 80% LVR without lenders mortgage insurance, so at 95% that door is shut too.",{"type":109,"tag":516,"props":622,"children":623},{},[624,629],{"type":109,"tag":588,"props":625,"children":626},{},[627],{"type":114,"value":628},"Fixed-rate rollover.",{"type":114,"value":630}," The pandemic mortgage cliff is over. It ran through 2023 and 2024, and blogs recycling it in 2026 are recycling a dead story. The honest current version is smaller: borrowers who fixed in the second half of 2025, when the cash rate sat at 3.60%, rolling onto rates priced against a 4.35% cash rate. Nobody has published a credible estimate of how many.",{"type":109,"tag":516,"props":632,"children":633},{},[634,639,641,647],{"type":109,"tag":588,"props":635,"children":636},{},[637],{"type":114,"value":638},"Thin liquidity.",{"type":114,"value":640}," Cotality reports home sales tracking 15.5% below the same period last year, with Brisbane, Perth and Sydney each down more than 20% year on year. Few buyers means your realised price is worse than the index suggests. Anyone considering ",{"type":109,"tag":368,"props":642,"children":644},{"href":643},"/blog/trading-up-falling-market-2026-bridging-loans-low-valuations",[645],{"type":114,"value":646},"trading up in a falling market",{"type":114,"value":648}," should model that gap.",{"type":109,"tag":122,"props":650,"children":652},{"id":651},"does-the-5-deposit-scheme-cover-negative-equity-or-lmi",[653],{"type":114,"value":654},"Does the 5% Deposit Scheme cover negative equity or LMI?",{"type":109,"tag":110,"props":656,"children":657},{},[658],{"type":114,"value":659},"You will read advice telling scheme buyers to protect the lenders mortgage insurance they have already \"sunk\". That advice is wrong on its face. Scheme buyers paid no LMI at all, which was the point of the guarantee, and the RBA puts the value of what they avoided at 1% to 5% of the loan amount. There is nothing sunk to protect. The exposure is all ahead of you.",{"type":109,"tag":160,"props":661,"children":662},{},[663,684],{"type":109,"tag":164,"props":664,"children":665},{},[666],{"type":109,"tag":168,"props":667,"children":668},{},[669,674,679],{"type":109,"tag":172,"props":670,"children":671},{},[672],{"type":114,"value":673},"Action",{"type":109,"tag":172,"props":675,"children":676},{},[677],{"type":114,"value":678},"Effect on your scheme cover",{"type":109,"tag":172,"props":680,"children":681},{},[682],{"type":114,"value":683},"Consequence if LVR is still above 80%",{"type":109,"tag":198,"props":685,"children":686},{},[687,705,722,740,757],{"type":109,"tag":168,"props":688,"children":689},{},[690,695,700],{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":691,"children":692},{},[693],{"type":114,"value":694},"Keep making scheduled repayments",{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":696,"children":697},{},[698],{"type":114,"value":699},"Cover continues until principal reaches 80% of original value",{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":701,"children":702},{},[703],{"type":114,"value":704},"None",{"type":109,"tag":168,"props":706,"children":707},{},[708,713,718],{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":709,"children":710},{},[711],{"type":114,"value":712},"Refinance to another participating lender, same amount and term",{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":714,"children":715},{},[716],{"type":114,"value":717},"Cover continues",{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":719,"children":720},{},[721],{"type":114,"value":704},{"type":109,"tag":168,"props":723,"children":724},{},[725,730,735],{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":726,"children":727},{},[728],{"type":114,"value":729},"Refinance to a non-participating lender",{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":731,"children":732},{},[733],{"type":114,"value":734},"Benefit of the scheme is lost entirely",{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":736,"children":737},{},[738],{"type":114,"value":739},"Lender may impose LMI or other costs",{"type":109,"tag":168,"props":741,"children":742},{},[743,748,753],{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":744,"children":745},{},[746],{"type":114,"value":747},"Increase the loan amount or extend the term",{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":749,"children":750},{},[751],{"type":114,"value":752},"Eligibility affected, cover can end",{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":754,"children":755},{},[756],{"type":114,"value":739},{"type":109,"tag":168,"props":758,"children":759},{},[760,765,770],{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":761,"children":762},{},[763],{"type":114,"value":764},"Rent the property out",{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":766,"children":767},{},[768],{"type":114,"value":769},"Cover ends",{"type":109,"tag":205,"props":771,"children":772},{},[773],{"type":114,"value":739},{"type":109,"tag":110,"props":775,"children":776},{},[777],{"type":109,"tag":341,"props":778,"children":779},{},[780],{"type":114,"value":781},"Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme For First Home Buyers Information Guide, sections 4.3 and 4.4, edition dated 1 July 2026.",{"type":109,"tag":110,"props":783,"children":784},{},[785,787,792],{"type":114,"value":786},"The 80% test runs on your ",{"type":109,"tag":341,"props":788,"children":789},{},[790],{"type":114,"value":791},"scheduled",{"type":114,"value":793}," repayments. Prepayments you can redraw are not counted.",{"type":109,"tag":110,"props":795,"children":796},{},[797,799,805],{"type":114,"value":798},"The guarantee protects your lender, not you. Housing Australia covers the lender's shortfall, and only once the property has been sold. It covers nothing you still owe after that. Anyone telling you the government covers your negative equity has not read the guide. The eligibility rules and price caps are set out in the ",{"type":109,"tag":368,"props":800,"children":802},{"href":801},"/blog/first-home-guarantee-2026-5-percent-deposit-scheme-explained",[803],{"type":114,"value":804},"scheme explainer",{"type":114,"value":806},".",{"type":109,"tag":122,"props":808,"children":810},{"id":809},"what-to-do-if-you-are-close-to-the-line",[811],{"type":114,"value":812},"What to do if you are close to the line",{"type":109,"tag":110,"props":814,"children":815},{},[816],{"type":114,"value":817},"What follows is general information about how the mechanics work, not personal advice. A licensed broker, a financial adviser or your own lender can tell you what applies to your loan.",{"type":109,"tag":512,"props":819,"children":820},{},[821,831,849,859,869],{"type":109,"tag":516,"props":822,"children":823},{},[824,829],{"type":109,"tag":588,"props":825,"children":826},{},[827],{"type":114,"value":828},"Panic selling rarely helps.",{"type":114,"value":830}," The table above is the argument. Selling at a 5% fall converts a $7,900 paper equity position into a $16,400 cash shortfall you still owe. You cannot sell your way out of a small negative position, only crystallise it. There is a real exception. If the property is genuinely wrong for you, if a move is coming anyway, or if the holding costs over the next few years exceed the loss you would crystallise today, selling early can beat selling later. The argument here is against selling because of a number on a valuation, not against selling.",{"type":109,"tag":516,"props":832,"children":833},{},[834,839,841,847],{"type":109,"tag":588,"props":835,"children":836},{},[837],{"type":114,"value":838},"Refinancing at the trough has a cost.",{"type":114,"value":840}," A revaluation now locks in the worst number available, and leaving a participating lender can trigger LMI you have never paid. If your rate is genuinely uncompetitive, ask a ",{"type":109,"tag":368,"props":842,"children":844},{"href":843},"/mortgage-brokers",[845],{"type":114,"value":846},"mortgage broker",{"type":114,"value":848}," about staying inside the participating lender panel rather than chasing a headline rate outside it.",{"type":109,"tag":516,"props":850,"children":851},{},[852,857],{"type":109,"tag":588,"props":853,"children":854},{},[855],{"type":114,"value":856},"Many borrowers build a cash buffer before making extra principal repayments.",{"type":114,"value":858}," Extra principal improves a number you only realise on sale. Cash in an offset improves your ability to keep paying, which decides whether the paper number ever becomes real, and because the RBA measures equity net of offset balances it lifts your measured position too. On that reasoning the buffer comes before extra principal, though whether it is right for you depends on your rate, your tax position and how secure your income is.",{"type":109,"tag":516,"props":860,"children":861},{},[862,867],{"type":109,"tag":588,"props":863,"children":864},{},[865],{"type":114,"value":866},"Talk to your lender early.",{"type":114,"value":868}," Under section 72 of the National Credit Code a hardship notice can be given verbally or in writing, so a phone call counts. The options worth asking for are a repayment pause, a period of interest-only repayments, a longer loan term, or capitalising arrears, and the lender must consider each on its merits. Scheme borrowers already use this channel, with 0.9% having accessed hardship support as at 30 June 2025.",{"type":109,"tag":516,"props":870,"children":871},{},[872,877,879,885],{"type":109,"tag":588,"props":873,"children":874},{},[875],{"type":114,"value":876},"Know your serviceability position.",{"type":114,"value":878}," APRA's buffer remains 3 percentage points above the loan rate, which at current pricing means first-home buyers are assessed at around 9% or higher. See what that does to ",{"type":109,"tag":368,"props":880,"children":882},{"href":881},"/blog/borrowing-capacity-2026-rate-hikes-what-you-can-borrow",[883],{"type":114,"value":884},"borrowing capacity in 2026",{"type":114,"value":806},{"type":109,"tag":122,"props":887,"children":889},{"id":888},"what-these-negative-equity-estimates-cannot-tell-you",[890],{"type":114,"value":891},"What these negative equity estimates cannot tell you",{"type":109,"tag":110,"props":893,"children":894},{},[895],{"type":114,"value":896},"Aggregates are not your property. Cotality, PropTrack and the RBA publish index-level estimates, and an index is an average of a market you do not own. Your street, build quality and buyer pool can put you well above or below the regional average. Only a valuation tells you which.",{"type":109,"tag":110,"props":898,"children":899},{},[900],{"type":114,"value":901},"The equity figures here exclude offset balances, as PropTrack economist Luc Redman noted. The bases also differ: the sub-1% national share is measured across all households, while the 80% stress-scenario figure is measured across mortgaged households only. Housing Australia's detailed data on LVR, arrears and postcodes describes the cohort to 30 June 2025, the pre-expansion group, not the roughly 48,000 who bought after 1 October 2025. There is no 2025-26 report yet.",{"type":109,"tag":110,"props":903,"children":904},{},[905],{"type":114,"value":906},"Forecasts move constantly. ANZ shifted to a peak-to-trough fall of 14.5% in Sydney and about 10% across the capital cities on 11 August 2026. Numbers like that are revised monthly and the published range across the major bank forecasters is wide, so treat any single one as a view rather than the view. None of this is personal advice.",{"type":109,"tag":122,"props":908,"children":910},{"id":909},"faq-negative-equity-and-low-deposit-loans",[911],{"type":114,"value":912},"FAQ: negative equity and low-deposit loans",{"type":109,"tag":914,"props":915,"children":917},"h3",{"id":916},"how-far-do-house-prices-have-to-fall-before-a-5-deposit-buyer-is-underwater",[918],{"type":114,"value":919},"How far do house prices have to fall before a 5% deposit buyer is underwater?",{"type":109,"tag":110,"props":921,"children":922},{},[923],{"type":114,"value":924},"On a $700,000 purchase at 95% LVR, a year of repayments at 6.19% leaves you owing about $657,100, so strict negative equity starts at a fall of roughly 6.1%. The threshold that matters is about 2.6%, where sale proceeds after commission and legal fees stop covering the loan.",{"type":109,"tag":914,"props":926,"children":928},{"id":927},"can-i-sell-my-house-if-i-am-in-negative-equity",[929],{"type":114,"value":930},"Can I sell my house if I am in negative equity?",{"type":109,"tag":110,"props":932,"children":933},{},[934],{"type":114,"value":935},"You can list and sell, but the sale will not clear the debt. At a 5% price fall on a $700,000 purchase, the proceeds leave you about $16,400 short after commission and fees, and that shortfall becomes an unsecured debt you still owe, which the lender can pursue like any other. Selling does not remove a small negative position, it converts it into cash you have to find.",{"type":109,"tag":914,"props":937,"children":939},{"id":938},"can-i-refinance-my-home-loan-if-im-in-negative-equity",[940],{"type":114,"value":941},"Can I refinance my home loan if I'm in negative equity?",{"type":109,"tag":110,"props":943,"children":944},{},[945],{"type":114,"value":946},"Realistically, no. A mainstream lender needs the new loan secured by sufficient property value, and in negative equity the new LVR would exceed 100%. Cash-out refinancing is generally capped at 80% LVR without LMI, and APRA has told banks that policy exceptions must stay prudent and limited. Staying put is usually the only option.",{"type":109,"tag":914,"props":948,"children":950},{"id":949},"does-the-5-deposit-scheme-guarantee-cover-me-if-my-home-is-worth-less-than-my-loan",[951],{"type":114,"value":952},"Does the 5% Deposit Scheme guarantee cover me if my home is worth less than my loan?",{"type":109,"tag":110,"props":954,"children":955},{},[956],{"type":114,"value":957},"No. The guarantee protects your participating lender, not you. Housing Australia covers the lender's shortfall, capped at 15% of the property value, and only once the property has been sold. Whatever is left after that is an ordinary unsecured debt in your name, and the lender can pursue it like any other.",{"type":109,"tag":122,"props":959,"children":961},{"id":960},"negative-equity-in-2026-where-this-leaves-you",[962],{"type":114,"value":963},"Negative equity in 2026: where this leaves you",{"type":109,"tag":110,"props":965,"children":966},{},[967],{"type":114,"value":968},"The policy question underneath all this is whether a scheme that put 48,000 households into the market at 95% LVR, then watched the entry-level suburbs it helped bid up fall for five straight months, has transferred risk or merely postponed it. The RBA's answer is that the cohort is too small to threaten the financial system, and the guarantee absorbs the lender's share in any case. That is an answer about the system. Nobody has given one about the household, which is why the buffer is your job and not Canberra's.",{"type":109,"tag":110,"props":970,"children":971},{},[972],{"type":114,"value":973},"What is true is narrower and still worth taking seriously. Nearly half the post-October 2025 cohort hold 5% equity or less, the entry-level markets that ran hardest during the expansion are now falling, and a buyer near the caps in Sydney or inner Melbourne has almost no margin. If that is you, the position is uncomfortable without being dangerous, and it turns dangerous only through a forced sale.",{"type":109,"tag":110,"props":975,"children":976},{},[977,979,985,987,993],{"type":114,"value":978},"The standard advice is unglamorous: keep paying, build cash you can reach, leave the valuation alone, and ring the lender at the first sign of trouble rather than the last. Australians hold the average dwelling for eight to ten years on Cotality's resale data, and a monthly price index is a poor guide to a decision measured in years. The ",{"type":109,"tag":368,"props":980,"children":982},{"href":981},"/blog/two-speed-property-market-australia-2026-entry-level-rising",[983],{"type":114,"value":984},"two-speed market",{"type":114,"value":986}," that pushed entry-level values up in late 2025 is the same mechanism unwinding now. For the deposit maths behind this cohort, ",{"type":109,"tag":368,"props":988,"children":990},{"href":989},"/blog/the-168000-deposit-reality-mortgage-brokers-helping-first-home-buyers-5-percent-down",[991],{"type":114,"value":992},"the $168,000 deposit reality",{"type":114,"value":994}," is the companion read.",{"type":109,"tag":996,"props":997,"children":998},"hr",{},[],{"type":109,"tag":914,"props":1000,"children":1002},{"id":1001},"sources",[1003],{"type":114,"value":1004},"Sources",{"type":109,"tag":512,"props":1006,"children":1007},{},[1008,1013,1018,1023,1028,1033,1038,1043],{"type":109,"tag":516,"props":1009,"children":1010},{},[1011],{"type":114,"value":1012},"Reserve Bank of Australia, \"Media Conference: Monetary Policy Decision\" (transcript, Governor Michele Bullock). 11 August 2026.",{"type":109,"tag":516,"props":1014,"children":1015},{},[1016],{"type":114,"value":1017},"Reserve Bank of Australia, \"Financial Stability Review, Chapter 2: Resilience of Australian Households and Businesses\" (March 2026), and Statistical Table F6 Housing Lending Rates, series FLRHOOP, outstanding owner-occupier principal-and-interest loans (June 2026).",{"type":109,"tag":516,"props":1019,"children":1020},{},[1021],{"type":114,"value":1022},"Reserve Bank of Australia, Research Discussion Paper, \"The Determinants of Mortgage Defaults in Australia\". 2020.",{"type":109,"tag":516,"props":1024,"children":1025},{},[1026],{"type":114,"value":1027},"Elite Agent, \"Regional first-home buyers under 5% deposit scheme post double-digit equity gains\", reporting Housing Australia and PropTrack Home Price Index data. 17 August 2026.",{"type":109,"tag":516,"props":1029,"children":1030},{},[1031],{"type":114,"value":1032},"Housing Australia, \"Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme For First Home Buyers, Information Guide\" (edition dated 1 July 2026), and \"Home Guarantee Scheme Trends & Insights Report 2024-25\" (released 2025).",{"type":109,"tag":516,"props":1034,"children":1035},{},[1036],{"type":114,"value":1037},"Cotality, \"Home Value Index results for August 2026\" (31 August 2026), and analysis of dwelling values against the 5% Deposit Scheme price caps (23 April 2026).",{"type":109,"tag":516,"props":1039,"children":1040},{},[1041],{"type":114,"value":1042},"The Conversation, Steven Rowley, \"Why most homeowners don't need to lose sleep over negative equity\" (17 August 2026); ABC News, economist Saul Eslake on negative equity (4 June 2026); Australian Financial Review, \"ANZ forecasts Sydney housing prices to fall by as much as 14.5pc\" (11 August 2026).",{"type":109,"tag":516,"props":1044,"children":1045},{},[1046],{"type":114,"value":1047},"Canstar, real estate agent commission and selling cost guidance, citing Open Agent data (2026), and ASIC Moneysmart, \"Problems paying your mortgage\", covering National Credit Code section 72 (current at September 2026).",{"title":90,"searchDepth":1049,"depth":1049,"links":1050},2,[1051,1052,1053,1054,1055,1056,1057,1058,1059,1060,1061,1067],{"id":124,"depth":1049,"text":127},{"id":145,"depth":1049,"text":148},{"id":353,"depth":1049,"text":356},{"id":378,"depth":1049,"text":381},{"id":507,"depth":1049,"text":510},{"id":543,"depth":1049,"text":546},{"id":572,"depth":1049,"text":575},{"id":651,"depth":1049,"text":654},{"id":809,"depth":1049,"text":812},{"id":888,"depth":1049,"text":891},{"id":909,"depth":1049,"text":912,"children":1062},[1063,1064,1065,1066],{"id":916,"depth":80,"text":919},{"id":927,"depth":80,"text":930},{"id":938,"depth":80,"text":941},{"id":949,"depth":80,"text":952},{"id":960,"depth":1049,"text":963,"children":1068},[1069],{"id":1001,"depth":80,"text":1004},"markdown","content:blog:72.negative-equity-2026-five-percent-deposit-buyers-australia.md","content","blog/72.negative-equity-2026-five-percent-deposit-buyers-australia.md","blog/72.negative-equity-2026-five-percent-deposit-buyers-australia","md",{"loc":87},[1078,1080,1093,1105,1114,1120,1128,1135,1142,1149,1159,1166,1175,1184,1191,1199,1208,1218,1226,1234,1242,1251,1260,1269,1279,1289,1300,1307,1315,1323,1330,1338,1346,1353,1360,1367,1374,1383,1397,1405,1412,1419,1427,1435,1443,1458,1466,1476,1488,1496,1503,1511,1518,1527,1535,1541,1548,1556,1563,1570,1578,1585,1592,1599,1606,1613,1620,1627,1634,1641,1648,1657,1664],{"_path":87,"title":91,"description":92,"image":93,"date":94,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1079,"category":103,"reading_time":104},[98,99,100,101,102],{"_path":1081,"title":1082,"description":1083,"image":1084,"date":1085,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1086,"category":1091,"reading_time":1092},"/blog/land-tax-australia-2026-state-by-state-holding-costs","The Holding Cost Nobody Budgets For: Land Tax by State in 2026","Land tax thresholds run from $50,000 in Victoria to $1,075,000 in NSW, and the Northern Territory has none. A state-by-state guide for Australian property buyers.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1631557777232-a2632ae3c67d?q=80&auto=format","2026-09-05",[1087,1088,1089,101,1090],"property-investment","policy","investment-strategies","due-diligence","Property Investment","10 min read",{"_path":1094,"title":1095,"description":1096,"image":1097,"date":1098,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1099,"category":1103,"reading_time":1104},"/blog/builder-insolvency-2026-house-and-land-due-diligence","If Your Builder Goes Under: Due Diligence Before You Sign a Build Contract in 2026","A record 3,490 construction firms failed in one year and costs are rising again. What home warranty insurance covers, what it does not, and how to vet a builder.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1785585508606-36e0b82f4887?q=80&auto=format","2026-09-04",[1100,1090,1101,1102,101],"property-guides","new-builds","buying-guide","Property Guides","11 min read",{"_path":1106,"title":1107,"description":1108,"image":1109,"date":1110,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1111,"category":1103,"reading_time":1104},"/blog/buying-withdrawn-passed-in-stale-listings-australia-2026","The Homes Nobody Bought: How to Buy Withdrawn, Passed-In and Stale Listings","One in five auctions was withdrawn in June 2026 and clearance sits in the forties. The unsold stock is where buyer leverage lives, if you know how to find it.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1579678929710-862f8e01c0b2?q=80&auto=format","2026-09-03",[1100,1102,1112,1113,101],"negotiation","auction-clearance",{"_path":643,"title":1115,"description":1116,"image":1117,"date":1118,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1119,"category":1103,"reading_time":1104},"Trading Up in a Falling Market: Bridging Loans, Low Valuations and the Order You Do It In","Upper quartile values fell 3.2% in three months while entry-level homes rose. For upgraders that is a discount, if you survive the bridging finance and the valuation.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1600725935160-f67ee4f6084a?q=80&auto=format","2026-09-02",[1100,1102,99,101,1090],{"_path":1121,"title":1122,"description":1123,"image":1124,"date":1125,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1126,"category":1127,"reading_time":1092},"/blog/underquoting-laws-2026-nsw-victoria-what-buyers-need-to-know","The Underquoting Crackdown: What the 2026 Laws Change for Property Buyers","NSW lifts underquoting penalties to $110,000 and Victoria forces reserve prices into the open a week before auction. What the 2026 reforms mean for buyers.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1725379448168-e33c5e09d47e?q=80&auto=format","2026-09-01",[1088,1113,1102,1090,1100],"Policy Analysis",{"_path":881,"title":1129,"description":1130,"image":1131,"date":1132,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1133,"category":1134,"reading_time":1104},"Borrowing Capacity in 2026: Why Cheaper Houses Are Not Making Buying Easier","Three RBA hikes took the cash rate to 4.35% and stripped tens of thousands from buyer budgets. What Australians can actually borrow in 2026, and how to protect it.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1554224155-6726b3ff858f?q=80&auto=format","2026-08-31",[100,99,98,101,1102],"Market Analysis",{"_path":1136,"title":1137,"description":1138,"image":1139,"date":1140,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1141,"category":1127,"reading_time":1092},"/blog/aml-id-checks-property-buyers-australia-2026","New ID Checks on Every Property Purchase: What Australia's 2026 AML Rules Mean for Buyers","From 1 July 2026, agents, conveyancers and buyer's agents must verify your identity and source of funds on every property purchase. Here is what buyers need.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1454496406107-dc34337da8d6?q=80&auto=format","2026-08-30",[1088,1090,1102,1100,101],{"_path":1143,"title":1144,"description":1145,"image":1146,"date":1147,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1148,"category":1103,"reading_time":1104},"/blog/five-market-signals-every-property-buyer-should-read","Five Market Signals Every Property Buyer Should Learn to Read","Property market signals explained for Australian buyers: how to read auction clearance rates, listings, days on market, vendor discounts and yields.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1551288049-bebda4e38f71?q=80&auto=format","2026-08-12",[1100,100,1102,1090,1113],{"_path":1150,"title":1151,"description":1152,"image":1153,"date":1154,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1155,"category":1127,"reading_time":1104},"/blog/short-stay-rules-australia-2026-airbnb-levy-property-investors","Short-Stay Rules in 2026: What the Airbnb Crackdown Means for Property Investors","Short-stay rules in 2026, state by state: Victoria's 7.5% levy, NSW's 180-day cap, WA's register, Hobart's crackdown, and the investor maths compared.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1763382737724-74f4a01ca817?q=80&auto=format","2026-08-11",[1156,1157,1087,1088,1158],"short-term-rental","short-stay-levy","rental-income",{"_path":1160,"title":1161,"description":1162,"image":1163,"date":1164,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1165,"category":1134,"reading_time":1104},"/blog/melbourne-best-value-capital-city-2026","Is Melbourne Australia's Best-Value Capital City in 2026?","Is Melbourne Australia's best-value capital city in 2026? We weigh the Sydney price gap, investor exit, land tax, concessions and forecasts for buyers.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1758382850717-8dcb01bd1fc0?q=80&auto=format","2026-08-10",[14,101,102,1087,100],{"_path":1167,"title":1168,"description":1169,"image":1170,"date":1171,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1172,"category":1091,"reading_time":1104},"/blog/investor-exodus-2026-what-landlords-selling-means-buyers-renters","Landlords Are Selling: What the 2026 Investor Exodus Means for Buyers and Renters","Investor exodus 2026: why landlords are selling, what ex-rental stock means for buyers, and what 1.3% vacancy and 5.9% rent growth mean for renters.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1643804926339-e94f0a655185?q=80&auto=format","2026-08-09",[1087,1173,1174,101,98],"rental-market","negative-gearing",{"_path":1176,"title":1177,"description":1178,"image":1179,"date":1180,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1181,"category":1134,"reading_time":1104},"/blog/regional-property-boom-splitting-2026-where-values-still-rising","The Regional Property Boom Is Splitting: Where Values Are Still Rising in 2026","The regional property boom is splitting in 2026: Cotality data shows regional NSW, VIC and QLD cooling while regional SA and WA values are still rising.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1783427118514-38389319a8ee?q=80&auto=format","2026-08-08",[1182,101,100,1183,1087],"regional-property","lifestyle-buyers",{"_path":981,"title":1185,"description":1186,"image":1187,"date":1188,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1189,"category":103,"reading_time":1104},"Australia's Two-Speed Property Market: Why Entry-Level Homes Keep Rising in 2026","Australia's two-speed property market explained: why entry-level homes keep rising in 2026 while the top end falls, and how first home buyers can respond.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1772326530280-55f4ded4e23c?q=80&auto=format","2026-08-07",[101,98,1190,102,100],"first-home-guarantee",{"_path":370,"title":1192,"description":1193,"image":1194,"date":1195,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1196,"category":1134,"reading_time":1104},"Buying in a Falling Market: How to Use Australia's 2026 Downturn to Your Advantage","Buying in a falling market in 2026: what Cotality's July data shows, how to price off recent sales, negotiate conditions back in and win passed-in homes.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1760129745103-91c4022ed5fb?q=80&auto=format","2026-08-06",[101,1197,1102,1112,1198],"market-downturn","buyers-agent",{"_path":1200,"title":1201,"description":1202,"image":1203,"date":1204,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1205,"category":1091,"reading_time":1104},"/blog/granny-flats-second-dwellings-australia-2026-add-value-income","Granny Flat Rules in 2026: How to Add Value or Rental Income","Granny flat rules explained for 2026: what a secondary dwelling is, NSW size and lot limits, CDC vs DA approval, renting it out, and why rules vary by state.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1763303251296-feb1a07a7dd0?q=80&auto=format","2026-07-06",[1206,1207,1087,1158,101],"granny-flat","secondary-dwelling",{"_path":1209,"title":1210,"description":1211,"image":1212,"date":1213,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1214,"category":103,"reading_time":1217},"/blog/stamp-duty-explained-australia-2026-state-by-state-first-home-buyer","Stamp Duty in Australia 2026: A State-by-State Guide for Buyers","Stamp duty Australia 2026: a clear state-by-state guide. How transfer duty works, NSW, VIC and QLD first home buyer concessions, and how to estimate yours.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1734328819658-0c3ceef27c46?q=80&auto=format","2026-07-05",[1215,98,1216,1100,101],"stamp-duty","property-costs","12 min read",{"_path":1219,"title":1220,"description":1221,"image":1222,"date":1223,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1224,"category":1103,"reading_time":1092},"/blog/how-to-buy-at-auction-australia-buyers-playbook","How to Buy at Auction in Australia: A Buyer's Playbook","How to buy at auction in Australia: the no cooling-off rule, your 10% deposit, pre-auction homework, what passed in means, and when to use a buyer's agent.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1610165437422-16d6f9b9d063?q=80&auto=format","2026-07-04",[1225,1102,1100,1198,98],"property-auction",{"_path":1227,"title":1228,"description":1229,"image":1230,"date":1231,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1232,"category":1103,"reading_time":1092},"/blog/buying-off-the-plan-australia-2026-risks-rewards-tax-advantage","Buying Off the Plan in Australia, 2026: Risks, Rewards and the New-Build Tax Advantage","Buying off the plan in Australia in 2026: the real risks, rewards, Victoria's stamp duty concession and the 2027 new-build negative gearing edge explained.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1485083269755-a7b559a4fe5e?q=80&auto=format","2026-07-03",[1233,1100,1101,1087,101],"off-the-plan",{"_path":801,"title":1235,"description":1236,"image":1237,"date":1238,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1239,"category":103,"reading_time":1092},"First Home Guarantee 2026: How to Buy With a 5% Deposit and No LMI","First Home Guarantee 2026 explained: buy with a 5% deposit and no LMI, plus the new no-income-cap and unlimited-places rules, price caps and eligibility.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1580709430621-697349bd4bb9?q=80&auto=format","2026-07-02",[98,1190,1240,1241,101,1100],"5-percent-deposit","government-schemes",{"_path":1243,"title":1244,"description":1245,"image":1246,"date":1247,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1248,"category":103,"reading_time":1104},"/blog/co-buying-property-australia-2026-teaming-up-to-beat-affordability","Co-Buying Property in Australia: How to Team Up to Beat Affordability (Without Risking the Friendship)","Co-buying property in Australia is rising fast. Compare ownership structures, the joint liability trap, co-ownership agreements and exit planning first.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1758523671071-4e3c43d055e6?q=80&auto=format","2026-07-01",[1249,102,98,1100,1250],"co-buying","ownership-structures",{"_path":1252,"title":1253,"description":1254,"image":1255,"date":1256,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1257,"category":1103,"reading_time":1092},"/blog/home-insurance-affordability-crisis-australia-2026-what-buyers-need-to-know","The Home Insurance Affordability Crisis: What Australian Property Buyers Need to Know in 2026","Home insurance affordability in Australia is in crisis in 2026. Premiums up 51%, flood and bushfire risk biting. Check risk and get a quote before you buy.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1657069343999-39722b95f1d8?q=80&auto=format","2026-06-30",[1258,1259,1100,98,1090],"home-insurance","climate-risk",{"_path":1261,"title":1262,"description":1263,"image":1264,"date":1265,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1266,"category":1091,"reading_time":1104},"/blog/build-to-rent-boom-australia-2026-renters-and-buyers","Build-to-Rent Australia Hits $40 Billion: What the 2026 Boom Means for Renters and Buyers","Build-to-rent Australia just passed $40 billion and 51,000 apartments. See what the 2026 BTR boom means for renters chasing security and buyers watching supply.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1534655610770-dd69616f05ff?q=80&auto=format","2026-06-29",[1267,1173,1087,1268,101],"build-to-rent","apartments",{"_path":1270,"title":1271,"description":1272,"image":1273,"date":1274,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1275,"category":1134,"reading_time":1092},"/blog/foreign-buyer-ban-extended-2029-what-it-means-for-australian-buyers","Australia's Foreign Buyer Ban Extended to 2029: What It Means for Local Buyers","Australia's foreign buyer ban is now extended to 2029, blocking established-home purchases. See who's captured, who's exempt and what it means for buyers.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1666000346172-8e7e87547d2a?q=80&auto=format","2026-06-28",[1276,1277,1278,98,101],"foreign-investment","policy-analysis","property-market",{"_path":1280,"title":1281,"description":1282,"image":1283,"date":1284,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1285,"category":1127,"reading_time":1217},"/blog/negative-gearing-cgt-changes-2026-budget-what-it-means-for-property-buyers","Negative Gearing Changes 2026: What the Budget CGT Reforms Mean for Australian Property Buyers","Negative gearing changes 2026 explained: who's grandfathered, the new CGT discount and 30% minimum tax, and what the 2027 reforms mean for property buyers.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1672886974518-2549f2f98e5a?q=80&auto=format","2026-06-27",[1174,1286,1087,1287,1288,100],"capital-gains-tax","tax-reform","2026-budget",{"_path":1290,"title":1291,"description":1292,"image":1293,"date":1294,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1295,"category":1103,"reading_time":1299},"/blog/what-does-a-buyers-agent-do-in-australia","What Does a Buyer's Agent Do? A Complete Guide for Australian Property Buyers","Learn exactly what a buyer's agent does in Australia, how they help you purchase property, what services they provide, and why thousands of Australians use them to buy homes and investment properties.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1560518883-ce09059eeffa?q=80&auto=format","2026-04-16",[1296,1297,98,1298],"buyer-agents","property-buying","property-professionals","8 min read",{"_path":1301,"title":1302,"description":1303,"image":1131,"date":1294,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1304,"category":1103,"reading_time":1306},"/blog/how-much-does-a-buyers-agent-cost-in-australia","How Much Does a Buyer's Agent Cost in Australia? 2026 Fee Guide","Complete breakdown of buyer's agent fees in Australia for 2026. Understand fixed fees, percentage-based pricing, what's included, and whether the cost is worth it for your property purchase.",[1296,1297,1305,1298],"fees","7 min read",{"_path":1308,"title":1309,"description":1310,"image":1311,"date":1294,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1312,"category":1103,"reading_time":1314},"/blog/do-i-need-a-buyers-agent-to-buy-property-in-australia","Do I Need a Buyer's Agent? When It's Worth It (and When It's Not)","Honest assessment of whether you need a buyer's agent in Australia. We break down the scenarios where a buyer's advocate adds real value and when you can confidently go it alone.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1582407947304-fd86f028f716?q=80&auto=format",[1296,1297,98,1313],"advice","6 min read",{"_path":1316,"title":1317,"description":1318,"image":1319,"date":1320,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1321,"category":1103,"reading_time":1092},"/blog/find-buyer-agent-sydney-guide","How to Find a Buyer Agent in Sydney: Your Complete 2026 Guide","Find the right buyer agent in Sydney with our comprehensive guide. Compare verified buyers advocates, understand fees, and get matched with local experts across Sydney's competitive property market.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1506973035872-a4ec16b8e8d9?q=80&auto=format&fit=clip","2026-03-20",[1296,1322,1298,98],"nsw",{"_path":1324,"title":1325,"description":1326,"image":1327,"date":1320,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1328,"category":1103,"reading_time":1092},"/blog/find-buyer-agent-melbourne-guide","How to Find a Buyer Agent in Melbourne: Your Complete 2026 Guide","Find the right buyer agent in Melbourne with our comprehensive guide. Compare verified buyers advocates, understand fees, and get expert help navigating Melbourne's auction-heavy property market.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1514395462725-fb4566210144?q=80&auto=format&fit=clip",[1296,1329,1298,98],"vic",{"_path":1331,"title":1332,"description":1333,"image":1334,"date":1320,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1335,"category":1103,"reading_time":1092},"/blog/find-buyer-agent-brisbane-guide","How to Find a Buyer Agent in Brisbane: Your Complete 2026 Guide","Find the right buyer agent in Brisbane. Compare verified buyers advocates, understand fees, and get expert help navigating Brisbane's fast-growing property market in 2026.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1711080222192-cab50dc56ff6?q=80&auto=format&fit=clip",[1296,1336,1298,1337],"qld","investment",{"_path":1339,"title":1340,"description":1341,"image":1342,"date":1320,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1343,"category":1103,"reading_time":1345},"/blog/find-buyer-agent-perth-guide","How to Find a Buyer Agent in Perth: Your Complete 2026 Guide","Find the right buyer agent in Perth. Compare verified buyers advocates and get expert help navigating Western Australia's resurging property market with confidence.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1629522244811-97becb53a9c4?q=80&auto=format&fit=clip",[1296,1344,1298,1337],"wa","9 min read",{"_path":1347,"title":1348,"description":1349,"image":1350,"date":1320,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1351,"category":1103,"reading_time":1345},"/blog/find-buyer-agent-adelaide-guide","How to Find a Buyer Agent in Adelaide: Your Complete 2026 Guide","Find the right buyer agent in Adelaide. Compare verified buyers advocates and get expert help buying property in South Australia's affordable and growing market.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1659624192447-1a7ece00ff52?q=80&auto=format&fit=clip",[1296,1352,1298,98],"sa",{"_path":1354,"title":1355,"description":1356,"image":1357,"date":1320,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1358,"category":1103,"reading_time":1345},"/blog/find-buyer-agent-canberra-guide","How to Find a Buyer Agent in Canberra: Your Complete 2026 Guide","Find the right buyer agent in Canberra. Compare verified buyers advocates and get expert help buying property in the ACT's unique leasehold market.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1672264597620-d792bb6de88d?q=80&auto=format&fit=clip",[1296,1359,1298,98],"act",{"_path":1361,"title":1362,"description":1363,"image":1364,"date":1320,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1365,"category":1103,"reading_time":1299},"/blog/find-buyer-agent-hobart-guide","How to Find a Buyer Agent in Hobart: Your Complete 2026 Guide","Find the right buyer agent in Hobart. Compare verified buyers advocates and get expert help buying property in Tasmania's growing capital city.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1582539934730-cdf1770948d2?q=80&auto=format&fit=clip",[1296,1366,1298,1337],"tas",{"_path":1368,"title":1369,"description":1370,"image":1371,"date":1320,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1372,"category":1103,"reading_time":1299},"/blog/find-buyer-agent-darwin-guide","How to Find a Buyer Agent in Darwin: Your Complete 2026 Guide","Find the right buyer agent in Darwin. Compare verified buyers advocates and get expert help buying property in the Northern Territory's unique tropical market.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1637245057059-bc7c9df9e333?q=80&auto=format&fit=clip",[1296,1373,1298,1337],"nt",{"_path":1375,"title":1376,"description":1377,"image":1378,"date":1379,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1380,"category":1134,"reading_time":1092},"/blog/how-ai-and-proptech-are-changing-the-way-australians-buy-property","How AI and PropTech Are Changing the Way Australians Buy Property in 2026","Discover how AI valuations, virtual inspections, and PropTech tools are transforming Australian property buying. Learn which tools deliver real results and why human expertise still matters.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1671417722838-3fbaa7f66203?q=80&auto=format","2026-03-04",[1381,1087,1296,1382,100,98],"technology","gomatch",{"_path":1384,"title":1385,"description":1386,"image":1387,"date":1388,"author_name":1389,"author_avatar":1390,"tags":1391,"category":1396,"reading_time":1299},"/blog/wealth-creation-through-property-investment-and-passive-income","Wealth Creation Through Property Investment and Passive Income","Discover how diversified income streams alongside property investment strategies can secure sustainable financial success. Brisbane professionals share insights on debt recycling, negative gearing, SMSFs, and retirement planning for Australian investors.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1622996965411-3ba635423d49?q=80&auto=format","2026-03-02","Lauren Jones Buyers Agency","https://i.imgur.com/DN7klm6.png",[1087,1392,1393,1336,1394,1395],"investment-strategy","finance","property-strategy","planning","Investment Strategies",{"_path":1398,"title":1399,"description":1400,"image":1109,"date":1401,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1402,"category":1134,"reading_time":1217},"/blog/australia-12-trillion-property-milestone-house-unit-price-gap-2025","The $12 Trillion Milestone: Understanding Australia's Record Property Wealth Divide Between Houses and Units","Australia's residential real estate has hit a historic $12 trillion valuation, but the gap between house and unit prices has widened to a record $363,000. Discover what's driving this divide, where units offer better value, and how to make strategic property decisions in 2025.","2025-12-05",[100,1087,98,102,1403,1404,1268],"2025-market","units",{"_path":1406,"title":1407,"description":1408,"image":1409,"date":1410,"author_name":1389,"author_avatar":1390,"tags":1411,"category":1134,"reading_time":1306},"/blog/australias-housing-crisis-brisbane-vacancy-rates-warning-sign","Australia's Housing Crisis: Brisbane's Vacancy Rates Are the Warning Sign","Brisbane's ultra-low vacancy rates reveal the depth of Australia's housing crisis. Learn how vacancy rates impact renters and buyers, and strategies to navigate the competitive market with expert insights.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1608094920984-5b54ce1bb792?q=80&w=2670&auto=format&fit=crop&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D","2025-10-04",[100,1173,98,1087,1336,102,1403,1296],{"_path":597,"title":1413,"description":1414,"image":1415,"date":1416,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1417,"category":1134,"reading_time":1092},"Mortgage Delinquency Hotspots: Understanding Australia's Payment Stress Map","Navigate Australia's mortgage stress landscape with our comprehensive suburb analysis. Discover which areas face the highest delinquency rates, understand the economic factors driving payment stress, and learn strategies to assess mortgage risk before buying.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1670154843956-c583b8bb984b?q=80&auto=format","2025-09-16",[100,1087,98,1418],"mortgage",{"_path":1420,"title":1421,"description":1422,"image":1423,"date":1424,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1425,"category":1091,"reading_time":1217},"/blog/7-star-energy-revolution-nathers-changes-transform-australian-home-values","7-Star Energy Revolution: How NatHERS Changes in 2025 Will Transform Australian Home Values","Discover how Australia's new 7-star energy rating requirements and the expansion of NatHERS to existing homes in 2025 are reshaping property values, creating green loan opportunities, and saving homeowners thousands in energy costs.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1603093879014-7a64a851033b?q=80&auto=format","2025-09-09",[1087,1426,100,98],"sustainability",{"_path":1428,"title":1429,"description":1430,"image":1431,"date":1432,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1433,"category":103,"reading_time":1434},"/blog/help-to-buy-vs-going-solo-navigating-australias-shared-equity-landscape-2025","Help to Buy vs Going Solo: Navigating Australia's New Shared Equity Landscape in 2025","With the federal Help to Buy scheme launching late 2025, discover how shared equity could help you buy with just 2% deposit, the pros and cons of government co-ownership, and whether it's better than traditional home buying paths.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1695686566301-ec088e031128?q=80&auto=format","2025-09-08",[98,1241,1393,1087],"13 min read",{"_path":989,"title":1436,"description":1437,"image":1438,"date":1439,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1440,"category":103,"reading_time":1092},"The $168,000 Deposit Reality: How Mortgage Brokers Are Helping First-Home Buyers Break In With 5% Down","With median house prices requiring $168,000 deposits, discover how mortgage brokers are leveraging government schemes, low deposit loans, and strategic financing to help first-home buyers enter the property market with as little as 5% down in 2025.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1626178793926-22b28830aa30?q=80&auto=format","2025-09-04",[98,1441,1442,1393],"mortgage-broker","mortgages",{"_path":1444,"title":1445,"description":1446,"image":1447,"date":1448,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1449,"category":1457,"reading_time":1434},"/blog/tiktok-vs-rea-group-social-media-disrupting-4000-property-ads","TikTok vs REA Group: How Social Media is Disrupting $4,000 Property Ads","Agents like Luke Saville are bypassing expensive traditional advertising ($4,000 REA, $1,500-$3,000 Domain) by using free TikTok and Instagram. His Hawthorn apartment achieved 325,000 views and sold above asking price in just 5 days.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1723705027411-9bfc3c99c2e9?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=M3w3Njg5ODR8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw4fHxUaWtUb2slMjBwaG9uZSUyMHJlYWwlMjBlc3RhdGUlMjBwcm9wZXJ0eSUyMG1hcmtldGluZyUyMHNvY2lhbCUyMG1lZGlhfGVufDB8MHx8fDE3NTY2Njg5NDh8MA&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=80&w=1080","2025-09-01",[1450,1451,1452,1453,1454,1455,1456],"social-media","property-marketing","tiktok","real-estate-innovation","marketing-strategy","cost-effective","digital-disruption","Marketing Innovation",{"_path":1459,"title":1460,"description":1461,"image":1462,"date":1463,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1464,"category":1091,"reading_time":1465},"/blog/newcastle-million-dollar-suburb-surge-5-investment-hotspots-2025","Newcastle's Million-Dollar Suburb Surge: 5 Investment Hotspots for 2025","Newcastle's property market delivers impressive 5.37% growth with record 1.4% population increase. Discover Mayfield's 9.3% growth, Waratah's 12.2% surge, and why experts predict 5-7% gains in premium Merewether.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1607420116175-7fcc2100f14a?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=M3w3Njg5ODR8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwyfHxOZXdjYXN0bGUlMjBBdXN0cmFsaWElMjBjaXR5JTIwc2t5bGluZSUyMHByb3BlcnR5JTIwaW52ZXN0bWVudHxlbnwwfHx8fDE3NTUzOTgzMTF8MA&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=80&w=1080","2025-08-31",[50,1087,100,1322,1392,1182,1403],"14 min read",{"_path":1467,"title":1468,"description":1469,"image":1470,"date":1471,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1472,"category":1127,"reading_time":1217},"/blog/australia-housing-tax-reform-policy-debate-growing-calls-for-change","Australia's Housing Tax Reform Debate: Growing Calls for Policy Change in 2025","Leading economists argue Australia has become a 'home owners' welfare state' as calls grow for housing tax reform. Explore the debate over negative gearing, capital gains discounts, and their $190 billion cost over the next decade.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1672264597620-d792bb6de88d?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=M3w3Njg5ODR8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxfHxhdXN0cmFsaWElMjBwYXJsaWFtZW50JTIwaG91c2UlMjBnb3Zlcm5tZW50JTIwcG9saWN5JTIwdGF4JTIwcmVmb3JtfGVufDB8fHx8MTc1NTM1MjUyMHww&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=80&w=1080","2025-08-19",[1287,1088,1174,1473,1474,100,1475],"capital-gains","housing-affordability","government-policy",{"_path":1477,"title":1478,"description":1479,"image":1480,"date":1481,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1482,"category":1103,"reading_time":1217},"/blog/australia-11-major-real-estate-associations-comprehensive-guide-2025","Australia's 11 Major Real Estate Associations: Your Complete Guide to Professional Standards in 2025","Discover Australia's 11 leading real estate associations from REINSW to REBAA. Learn about membership benefits, professional standards, and how these associations protect your property interests.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1613155961736-d0782a58f170?q=80&auto=format","2025-08-18",[1483,1296,1484,1485,1486,1298,1487],"professional-standards","real-estate-associations","licensing","accreditation","industry-standards",{"_path":1489,"title":1490,"description":1491,"image":1492,"date":1493,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1494,"category":103,"reading_time":1299},"/blog/first-home-buyer-exodus-q1-2025-why-government-schemes-arent-working","The First Home Buyer Exodus: Why Government Schemes Aren't Stopping the Q1 2025 Decline","First home buyer lending drops to 29.0% in Q1 2025, the lowest since 2022 despite government support. Discover why investors are winning the battle for entry-level properties and what this means for aspiring homeowners.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1736319666684-a0f1f6b679cc?q=80&auto=format","2025-08-16",[98,100,102,1241,1403,1087,1495],"lending",{"_path":1497,"title":1498,"description":1499,"image":1500,"date":1501,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1502,"category":1091,"reading_time":1217},"/blog/climate-resilient-property-investment-energy-efficiency-as-the-new-value-driver","Climate-Resilient Property Investment: Energy Efficiency as the New Value Driver","Discover how energy-efficient properties are commanding 14.5% premiums in 2025. Learn about climate risks, NatHERS ratings, and government incentives shaping Australia's sustainable property market.","https://images.unsplash.com/flagged/photo-1566838803980-56bfa5300e8c?q=80&w=2070&auto=format","2025-07-22",[1087,1426,1403,1392,100,1393],{"_path":1504,"title":1505,"description":1506,"image":1507,"date":1508,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1509,"category":1091,"reading_time":1510},"/blog/the-regional-renaissance-work-from-home-property-goldmines-beyond-capital-cities","The Regional Renaissance: How Work-From-Home Is Creating Property Goldmines Beyond Capital Cities","Discover how remote work is driving unprecedented property growth in regional Australia. Explore investment opportunities, market trends, and strategic insights for capitalising on Australia's regional property renaissance in 2025.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1606989254570-02aa0d7ea083?q=80&w=2070&auto=format&fit=crop&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&ixid=M3w3Njg5ODR8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxfHxzdWJ1cmJhbiUyMGhvdXNlcyUyMHJlZ2lvbmFsJTIwdG93bnxlbnwwfDB8fHwxNzUyNzE4NTcxfDA","2025-07-17",[1182,1087,100,1392,1403,1173],"15 min read",{"_path":1512,"title":1513,"description":1514,"image":1515,"date":1516,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1517,"category":1103,"reading_time":1217},"/blog/nsw-strata-law-reforms-2025-what-apartment-buyers-need-to-know","NSW Strata Law Reforms 2025: What Apartment Buyers Need to Know Before Purchasing","Comprehensive guide to the significant NSW strata law changes effective 1 July 2025, explaining how these reforms impact apartment buyers, investors, and owners in terms of transparency, governance, and financial obligations.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1545324418-cc1a3fa10c00?q=80&w=2070&auto=format","2025-07-12",[1322,1298,98,1337,102,1395],{"_path":1519,"title":1520,"description":1521,"image":1522,"date":1523,"author_name":1389,"author_avatar":1390,"tags":1524,"category":103,"reading_time":1314},"/blog/understanding-your-home-loan-options-before-you-borrow","Understanding Your Home Loan Options Before You Borrow","Expert insights into home loan structures, from basic vs package loans to variable vs fixed rates. Learn what you need to know before borrowing with tips from industry professionals.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1559067096-d109b66fd5af?q=80&w=2531&auto=format&fit=crop&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D","2025-07-10",[99,1442,98,1393,1087,1525,1526],"borrowing","interest-rates",{"_path":1528,"title":1529,"description":1530,"image":1531,"date":1532,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1533,"category":1134,"reading_time":1299},"/blog/baby-boomers-hidden-opportunities-first-time-buyers","How Baby Boomers Are Creating Hidden Opportunities for First-Time Buyers","Discover how Baby Boomers' downsizing trends are creating unprecedented opportunities for first-time buyers in Australia's property market, and how buyer's agents can help you capitalise on these emerging trends.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1728022161206-ac10882e94f3?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=80&w=1080","2025-06-29",[98,100,1296,1394,1534],"downsizing",{"_path":559,"title":1536,"description":1537,"image":1538,"date":1539,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1540,"category":1091,"reading_time":1510},"Rentvesting in 2025: Buy Where You Can Afford, Live Where You Want","Discover how rentvesting lets you enter the property market while maintaining your lifestyle. Learn strategies, tax benefits, and 2025 market opportunities for smart property investment.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1724482606633-fa74fe4f5de1?q=80&w=2070&auto=format&fit=crop&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D","2025-06-23",[562,1087,98,1392,1173,1296],{"_path":1542,"title":1543,"description":1544,"image":1545,"date":1546,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"reading_time":1299,"tags":1547,"category":103},"/blog/from-sydney-to-regional-affordable-first-home-buyer-areas-2025","From Sydney to Regional: Where First Home Buyers Can Still Afford to Buy in 2025","With Sydney deposits taking 8 years to save and Melbourne 5.5 years, discover the affordable regional towns and commuter areas where first home buyers can still enter the market in 2025.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1687586370709-9aec4143d89a?q=80&w=2070&auto=format&fit=crop&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D","2025-06-21",[98,1182,102,1403,1322],{"_path":1549,"title":1550,"description":1551,"image":1552,"date":1553,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1554,"category":103,"reading_time":1217},"/blog/why-now-is-the-sweet-spot-for-first-home-buyers-before-interest-rates-drop","Why NOW is the Sweet Spot for First Home Buyers (Before Interest Rates Drop)","Discover why first home buyers should act now before interest rates drop. Learn about current market opportunities, reduced competition, and strategic advantages in Australia's property market.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1456574808786-d2ba7a6aa654?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=80&w=1080","2025-06-15",[98,1526,1555,1394,1322,1329,1336,1296],"market-timing",{"_path":1557,"title":1558,"description":1559,"image":1560,"date":1561,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1562,"category":1134,"reading_time":1510},"/blog/should-you-buy-now-or-wait-2025-market-trends-explained","Should You Buy Now or Wait? 2025 Market Trends Explained","Navigate Australia's property market with confidence. Expert analysis of 2025 trends for Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth buyers. Make informed decisions with real data and professional insights.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1609126808708-17b84d5a61c1?q=80&auto=format","2025-06-04",[100,1322,1329,1336,98,1337,1296],{"_path":1564,"title":1565,"description":1566,"image":1567,"tags":1568,"category":1103,"reading_time":1217,"date":1569,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96},"/blog/introducing-gomatch-propertygo-revolutionary-buyer-agent-matching-system","Introducing GoMatch: PropertyGo's Revolutionary Buyer Agent Matching System","Discover how PropertyGo's GoMatch feature uses AI-powered technology to connect you with the perfect buyer agent in under 24 hours. Say goodbye to endless research and hello to smart, data-driven agent matching.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1547190027-9156686aa2f0?q=80&auto=format",[1296,1298,1381,1382],"2025-05-24",{"_path":1571,"title":1572,"description":1573,"image":1438,"tags":1574,"category":1576,"reading_time":1092,"date":1577,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96},"/blog/how-to-use-loan-repayment-calculator-to-plan-your-mortgage","How to Use a Loan Repayment Calculator to Plan Your Mortgage","Learn how to use a loan repayment calculator to understand your mortgage costs, compare scenarios, and plan your finances effectively. Estimate your monthly home loan repayments with PropertyGo's calculator.",[1418,1393,1575,1395,99],"calculators","Calculators","2025-05-23",{"_path":1579,"title":1580,"description":1581,"image":1582,"date":1583,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1584,"category":1103,"reading_time":1434},"/blog/finding-the-right-buyer-agent-how-propertygo-simplifies-your-search","Finding the Right Buyer Agent: How PropertyGo Simplifies Your Search","Discover how PropertyGo's innovative matching service eliminates the frustration of finding the perfect buyer agent. Learn about common challenges in the search process and how our data-driven approach connects you with agents who match your specific property requirements.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1660165458059-57cfb6cc87e5?q=80&auto=format","2025-05-07",[1296,1298],{"_path":1586,"title":1587,"description":1588,"image":1589,"date":1590,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1591,"category":1134,"reading_time":1345},"/blog/foreign-investment-trends-return-of-chinese-buyers","Foreign Investment Trends: The Return of Chinese Buyers","Explore the resurgence of Chinese buyers in Australia's property market in 2025. Learn what's driving renewed interest, how local markets are responding, and what this means for investors and homebuyers.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1554623515-3b2f224b92f2?q=80&auto=format","2025-05-05",[1337,100,1322,1329,1336],{"_path":1593,"title":1594,"description":1595,"image":1596,"date":1597,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1598,"category":1134,"reading_time":1299},"/blog/the-great-housing-shortfall-australia-1-2-million-homes-target","The Great Housing Shortfall: Can Australia Meet Its 1.2 Million Homes Target?","With Australia facing a projected shortfall of 300,000 homes by 2029, this article explores the causes, government strategies, and the implications for investors, developers, and homebuyers.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1491357492920-d2979986a84e?q=80&auto=format","2025-05-02",[100,102,1337,98],{"_path":1600,"title":1601,"description":1602,"image":1603,"date":1604,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1605,"category":1103,"reading_time":1217},"/blog/navigating-australias-housing-affordability-crisis-in-2025-strategies-for-first-home-buyers","Navigating Australia's Housing Affordability Crisis in 2025: Strategies for First-Home Buyers","Explore the challenges of housing affordability in Australia for 2025 and discover practical strategies, government schemes, and expert tips to help first-home buyers enter the property market.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1516503424803-708327384b90?q=80&auto=format","2025-04-26",[102,98,1296,100],{"_path":1607,"title":1608,"description":1609,"image":1610,"date":1611,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1612,"category":1396,"reading_time":1510},"/blog/the-rise-of-sustainable-housing-in-australia-investment-opportunities-and-market-trends-for-2025","The Rise of Sustainable Housing in Australia: Investment Opportunities and Market Trends for 2025","Explore how sustainable housing is reshaping Australia's property market in 2025, with insights into green building trends, investment opportunities, government incentives, and how eco-friendly features are driving property values across major cities and regional areas.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1542601906990-b4d3fb778b09?q=80&auto=format","2025-04-21",[1426,1337,100,1322,1329,1336],{"_path":1614,"title":1615,"description":1616,"image":1617,"date":1618,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1619,"category":1103,"reading_time":1465},"/blog/do-i-really-need-a-buyers-agent-answering-the-big-questions-before-you-commit","Do I Really Need a Buyer Agent? Answering the Big Questions Before You Commit","Explore whether you truly need a buyer agent for your property purchase. Get expert answers to common questions about buyer agents, their value, and when they're worth the investment in today's competitive real estate market.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1609643242070-c69786a76c30?q=80&auto=format&fit=clip","2025-04-13",[1296,1298,98],{"_path":1621,"title":1622,"description":1623,"image":1624,"date":1625,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1626,"category":1103,"reading_time":1092},"/blog/property-buying-in-australia-exploring-different-types-and-their-pros-and-cons","Property Buying in Australia: Exploring Different Types and Their Pros and Cons","A comprehensive guide to the different property types available in the Australian market, including commercial, owner-occupier, investment, and rural properties. Discover the advantages and disadvantages of each to make an informed decision for your next property purchase.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1625432808071-25f649c4a0b0?q=80&auto=format&fit=crop","2025-04-12",[1337,98,1298],{"_path":1628,"title":1629,"description":1630,"image":1631,"date":1632,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1633,"category":1134,"reading_time":1510},"/blog/top-10-suburbs-to-buy-property-in-australia-in-2025-expert-predictions-and-tips","Top 10 Suburbs to Buy Property in Australia in 2025: Expert Predictions and Tips","Discover the top 10 suburbs across Australia predicted to experience significant growth in 2025, with expert insights on median prices, growth rates, and rental yields to help you make informed property investment decisions.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1515861461225-1488dfdaf0a8?q=80&auto=format","2025-04-09",[1337,100,1322,1329,1336,98],{"_path":1635,"title":1636,"description":1637,"image":1638,"date":1639,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1640,"category":1103,"reading_time":1217},"/blog/top-5-things-to-look-before-deciding-the-best-buyer-agent","Top 5 Things to Look for Before Deciding on the Best Buyer Agent","Discover the essential factors to consider when choosing a buyer agent. Learn about experience, local knowledge, communication style, fee structures, and track record to ensure you select the best buyer agent for your property purchase.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1560518883-ce09059eeffa?q=80&auto=format&fit=clip","2025-04-01",[1296,1298],{"_path":1642,"title":1643,"description":1644,"image":1645,"date":1646,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1647,"category":1103,"reading_time":1217},"/blog/should-you-hire-a-buyer-agent-in-2025-expert-insights-and-benefits","Should You Hire a Buyer Agent in 2025? Expert Insights and Benefits","Discover whether hiring a buyer agent in 2025 is worth the investment. Learn about the key benefits, potential cost savings, and expert insights to help you make an informed decision in today's competitive property market.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1732717566587-f5a155bd8dea?q=80&auto=format&fit=clip","2025-03-06",[1296,1298,98,1337],{"_path":1649,"title":1650,"description":1651,"image":1652,"date":1653,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1654,"category":1656,"reading_time":1299},"/blog/top-10-best-property-buyer-agents-in-nsw-august-2024","Top 10 Best Property Buyer Agents in NSW (August, 2024)","A comprehensive guide to the most trusted and highly reviewed property buyer agents in New South Wales, offering expert advice and services to help you navigate the property market with ease.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1523482580672-f109ba8cb9be?q=80&auto=format","2024-08-10",[1296,1322,1655,1298],"reviews","Buyer Agent Reviews",{"_path":1658,"title":1659,"description":1660,"image":1661,"date":1662,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1663,"category":1656,"reading_time":1299},"/blog/top-10-best-property-buyer-agents-in-qld-august-2024","Top 10 Best Property Buyer Agents in QLD (August, 2024)","A curated list of the top property buyer agents in Queensland, recognized for their expertise, professionalism, and client satisfaction. These agents are the best in the industry, offering comprehensive services to help you navigate the property market with ease.","https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1607309843659-f4ad95cf3277?q=80&auto=format&fit=clip","2024-08-09",[1296,1336,1655,1298],{"_path":1665,"title":1666,"description":1667,"image":1327,"date":1668,"author_name":95,"author_avatar":96,"tags":1669,"category":1656,"reading_time":1299},"/blog/top-10-best-property-buyer-agents-in-vic-august-2024","Top 10 Best Property Buyer Agents in VIC (August, 2024)","An in-depth look at the top property buyer agents in Victoria, known for their expertise, client satisfaction, and exceptional service. 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