Property Investment, Success & Money | The Michael Yardney Podcast

Today, Simon Kuestenmacher and I examine the evolving landscape of home ownership in Australia.
 
 For generations, owning a home has been at the heart of the Australian dream. In 1966, nearly three-quarters of Australian households owned their home, either outright or with a mortgage.
 
Fast-forward to the 2021 Census, and that figure had slipped to just 63 per cent.
 
For younger Australians, the drop has been even steeper. And while renting is far more common today, the cost of entry into home ownership has never been higher.
 
So what's driving this change? Is it just the market doing what markets do, or have we set ourselves on a path where home ownership becomes an exclusive club?
 
Takeaways
 
Home ownership rates have significantly declined over the decades.
Demographic shifts, particularly among millennials, are impacting home ownership.
Economic factors, such as income growth lagging behind housing prices, are crucial.
The wealth gap between homeowners and renters is widening.
Political priorities are influenced by the home ownership status of voters.
Current policies may inadvertently push housing prices higher.
A balanced property market is essential for economic stability.
Gradual policy changes are preferred over drastic measures.
The future of home ownership in Australia is uncertain without intervention.
Community engagement is vital for shaping housing policies.
 
Links and Resources:
 
Answer this week's trivia question here - https://www.propertytrivia.com.au/
·        Win a hard copy of How to grow a multi-million dollar property portfolio in your space on.
·        Every entry receives a copy of a fully updated Michael Yardney Property Report.
 
Join Michael Yardney plus a team of experts, at Wealth Retreat 2026 on the Gold Coast in May. Find out more about it here and register your interest www.wealthretreat.com.au It's Australia's premier event for successful investors and business people.
 
Michael Yardney
 
Get the team at Metropole to help build your personal Strategic Property Plan. Click here and have a chat with us
 
 
Simon Kuestenmacher: Australia's leading demographer and partner in the Demographics Group.
 
Get a bundle of eBooks and Reports at: www.PodcastBonus.com.au 
 
Also, please subscribe to my other podcast Demographics Decoded with Simon Kuestenmacher – just look for Demographics Decoded wherever you are listening to this podcast and subscribe so each week we can unveil the trends shaping your future.

At its first meeting for 2026, the Reserve Bank lifted the cash rate to 3.85%, as most economists expected.
 
That move officially ends the shortest and most modest rate-cutting cycle since the RBA began inflation targeting back in 1993.
 
So what does this really mean for property investors, home buyers, and Australia's housing markets?
 
That's what I'm going to unpack, along with Dr Andrew Wilson's latest housing market data for January.
 
Now, let me give you a quick spoiler alert.
 
Yes, this rate rise will take some heat out of buyer demand in the short term. But in my view, it's also creating a genuine window of opportunity for those who are finance-ready.
 
Despite what the headlines will tell you, I believe housing markets are going to keep rising through 2026, just as they did last year when interest rates were at similar levels. And that's because the real drivers of property prices aren't interest rates alone – they're the underlying structural forces, which I'll explain shortly.
 
Takeaways 
 
RBA reverses course to regain control over inflation, but a single hike is unlikely to alter the housing market balance. This marks the end of the shortest and most modest rate cutting cycle since the RBA started inflation targeting in 1993.
The outlook for the cash rate remains somewhat clouded. Given the underlying supply and demand pressures in the Australian housing sector, it is unlikely that a single rate hike will substantially alter the market balance.
January is typically a quiet month for property sales.
Perth's housing market is showing strong growth compared to other regions.
Unit prices in Brisbane have seen substantial increases over the past two years.
The local economy plays a crucial role in housing market performance.
There is a persistent low supply of properties in the market.
First home buyer incentives are influencing market dynamics.
Capital growth remains a key factor for homeowners and investors.
Market predictions indicate potential interest rate cuts in the future.
Understanding regional differences is essential for property investment strategies.
 
Links and Resources:
 
Answer this week's trivia question here - https://www.propertytrivia.com.au/
·        Win a hard copy of How To Grow A Multi-Million Dollar Property Portfolio In Your Spare Time. Everyone wins a copy of a fully updated property report.
·        Everyone wins a copy of a fully updated property report – What's ahead for property for 2026 and beyond.
 
Get a bundle of eBooks and Reports at: www.PodcastBonus.com.au 
 
Get the team at Metropole to help build your personal Strategic Property plan. Click here and have a chat with us.
 
 
Michael Yardney – Subscribe to my Property Update newsletter here.
 
 
Join Michael Yardney plus a team of experts, at Wealth Retreat 2026 on the Gold Coast in May. Find out more about it here and register your interest www.wealthretreat.com.au It's Australia's premier event for successful investors and business people.
 
Also, please subscribe to my other podcast Demographics Decoded with Simon Kuestenmacher – just look for Demographics Decoded wherever you are listening to this podcast and subscribe so each week we can unveil the trends shaping your future.

Today's show is going to hit close to home for a lot of Australians.
 
Because despite living in one of the richest countries on the planet, the vast majority of Aussies are quietly battling something uncomfortable – the inability to actually build their wealth.
 
We're working harder than ever. We're earning more than ever. But most households still feel like they're running on a treadmill.
 
Why is that? Well, it's rarely about income. It's rarely about intelligence. It's rarely about effort.
 
Today I'm joined by Australia's leading property tax strategist, Ken Raiss, to help you understand why Australians struggle to accumulate wealth and what the wealthy do differently.
 
Takeaways 
 
·         Most Australians feel financially insecure despite living in a wealthy country.
·         Mindset plays a crucial role in determining financial success.
·         Wealth creation requires strategic planning and a clear roadmap.
·         Investors often limit their potential due to outdated beliefs.
·         The importance of having a strong 'why' behind financial goals.
·         Asset ownership and structuring can significantly impact wealth accumulation.
·         A holistic approach to wealth creation is essential for long-term success.
·         Inheritance and estate planning require careful consideration and strategy.
·         Successful investors think long-term, often planning decades ahead.
·         Collaboration with a wealth strategist can enhance financial outcomes.
 
Chapters 
 
00:00 Why Australians struggle to build wealth despite high incomes.
04:50 Planning, education and the missing roadmap to wealth.
09:00 Wealth stages: growth, consolidation and preservation differ.
12:40 Using peak earning years to accelerate long-term outcomes.
16:10 Ownership structures, trusts and protecting accumulated wealth.
20:00 Why successful investors think long-term and work with strategists.
 
Links and Resources:
 
Answer this week's trivia question here - https://www.propertytrivia.com.au/
·        Win a hard copy of What Every Property Investor Needs To Know About Finance, Tax And The Law
·        Everyone wins a copy of a fully updated property report – What's ahead for property for 2026 and beyond.
 
Join Ken Raiss and Michael Yardney, plus a team of experts, at Wealth Retreat 2026 on the Gold Coast in May. Find out more about it here and register your interest www.wealthretreat.com.au It's Australia's premier event for successful investors and business people.
 
Get a bundle of eBooks and Reports at: www.PodcastBonus.com.au
 
Michael Yardney
 
Get the team at Metropole Wealth Advisory to create a Strategic Wealth plan for your needs. Click here and have a chat with us
 
 
Ken Raiss, Director of Metropole Wealth Advisory
 
Also, please subscribe to my other podcast Demographics Decoded with Simon Kuestenmacher – just look for Demographics Decoded wherever you are listening to this podcast and subscribe so each week we can unveil the trends shaping your future.

Have you ever looked at today's property prices and wondered, How is this even possible?
How can values keep climbing when interest rates are still high, affordability is stretched to breaking point, and so many Australians feel locked out of the market?
 
You're not alone. It feels counterintuitive. It feels unfair.
 
And for many, it feels completely unsustainable. But here's the uncomfortable truth about our housing market - and it's the part most people don't want to hear.
 
Property prices don't rise because the average Australian can afford them. They rise because the marginal buyer – the person actually able to transact today – can.
 
And right now, that marginal buyer looks very different from the one we had even a decade ago.
 
Takeaways 
·         Property prices are rising due to the marginal buyer's ability to transact.
·         Wealthy buyers are dominating the market, driving prices up.
·         Downsizers are reshaping the market by purchasing debt-free properties.
·         Government incentives are pushing more buyers into the market.
·         Buyers are adapting by compromising on location and property type.
·         Structural under supply is a significant factor in rising prices.
·         Affordability issues are sidelining some buyers but not all.
·         The Bank of Mum and Dad is a major influence in property transactions.
·         Investors need to focus on quality assets in gentrifying suburbs.
·         Long-term market predictions indicate continued price growth despite challenges.
 
Chapters 
00:00  Why prices keep rising despite poor affordability.
04:30  Who the real marginal buyers are today.
08:20  Downsizers, cash buyers and the Bank of Mum & Dad reshape demand.
12:30  First-home-buyer incentives push prices, not affordability.
16:00  Behaviour shifts: units, townhouses, rent-vesting.
19:30  Structural undersupply ensures ongoing price growth in 2026.
 
Links and Resources:
 
Answer this week's trivia question here - https://www.propertytrivia.com.au/
·        Win a hard copy of How To Grow A Multi-Million Dollar Property Portfolio In Your Spare Time. Everyone wins a copy of a fully updated property report
·        Everyone wins a copy of a fully updated property report – What's ahead for property for 2026 and beyond.
 
Michael Yardney
 
Get the team at Metropole to create a Strategic Wealth plan for your needs. Click here and have a chat with us
 
 
Get a bundle of eBooks and Reports at: www.PodcastBonus.com.au 
 
Join Michael Yardney and a team of experts, at Wealth Retreat 2026 on the Gold Coast in May. Find out more about it here and register your interest www.wealthretreat.com.au It's Australia's premier event for successful investors and business people.
 
 
Also, please subscribe to my other podcast Demographics Decoded with Simon Kuestenmacher – just look for Demographics Decoded wherever you are listening to this podcast and subscribe so each week we can unveil the trends shaping your future.

If you could see one number that reliably predicts where property prices are heading next, would you want to know what it is?
 
Well, today, you're about to find out — and it's not what you think.
 
You see…most investors think population growth drives property prices… but today I'm joined by Stuart Wemyss, financial strategist and founder of ProSolution Private Clients, who's done some fascinating analysis showing that the real driver of housing price growth is lending volumes — not population growth or money supply.
 
Our conversation highlights the need for long-term strategies and a focus on fundamentals to achieve sustainable growth in property investments.
 
Takeaways 
·         Property price growth is influenced by various factors, not just population growth.
·         Lending volumes can be a better predictor of property price movements than population growth.
·         Investors should be cautious of markets driven primarily by speculation.
·         Consumer sentiment plays a crucial role in lending and property prices.
·         Economic factors like interest rates significantly impact lending volumes.
·         A high proportion of investors in a market can signal potential risks.
·         Understanding market cycles is essential for long-term property investment success.
·         Focus on long-term fundamentals rather than short-term trends.
·         Successful property investment requires a coordinated strategy across financial services.
 
Chapters 
 
01:46 – Why the Last Five Years of Property Data Can Mislead Investors 
04:40 – Lending Volumes vs Population Growth: What Really Drives Prices 
08:20 – Cash Buyers, Investor Ratios and Market Stability 
11:38 – Sentiment, Employment and the Factors Behind Borrowing Power 
15:23 – State-by-State Differences and Why Markets Move Out of Sync 
17:55 – How Lending Trends Predict Cycles and Help Time Your Entry
 
Links and Resources:
 
Michael Yardney – Subscribe to my Property Update newsletter here
 
 
Stuart Wemyss – Prosolution Private Clients
 
 
Read Stuart's article here: https://prosolution.com.au/why-property-investors-shouldnt-trust-the-last-5-years-of-price-data/
 
Stuart's Book – Rules of the Lending Game & Investopoly
 
Get a bundle of eBooks and Reports at: www.PodcastBonus.com.au
 
Also, please subscribe to my other podcast Demographics Decoded with Simon Kuestenmacher – just look for Demographics Decoded wherever you are listening to this podcast and subscribe so each week we can unveil the trends shaping your future. Or click here: https://demographicsdecoded.com.au/