![In this special episode of Property Insights, host Mark Bouris is joined by auctioneer Damien Cooley and property analyst Louis Christopher (SQM Research) for a sharp assessment of the Australian housing market.<br /><br />Heading into 2026, the panel tackles the big questions on every future homeowner's & investor's minds:<br /><br />- The Block & Market Prices: Are the massive prices paid on The Block an anomaly, or a sign of an overheating market?<br /><br />- Melbourne's Moment: Why has Melbourne underperformed, and does its record-high rental yield (approaching 5%) mean it's now the best value capital city?<br /><br />- The Supply Crisis: How are crushing Stamp Duty costs limiting housing stock and penalising downsizers? The panel argues that lower transaction taxes are key to fixing supply.<br /><br />- Investment Strategy: Louis Christopher shares his data-driven strategy for identifying low-risk regional growth areas and using gearing for maximum return.<br /><br />- RBA Prediction: A final debate on the likelihood of an interest rate movement from the Reserve Bank on Melbourne Cup Day. <br /><br /><br />[recorded prior to the RBA's Nov 4th cash rate decision]<br /><br />[00:01] Introduction: Current Property Landscape<br />[00:45] The Block Auctions: Big Prices and Investor Buyers<br />[04:51] Are The Block Prices Representative of the Market?<br />[06:44] Property as a Long-Term Investment and Market Normalisation<br />[07:58] Analysis: Why Melbourne's Property Market Has Underperformed<br />[11:37] Is the Property Market Too Frothy? (Auction Clearance Rates)<br />[17:48] The Downsizer Dilemma: How High Transaction Costs Hurt Supply<br />[22:23] The Case for Lowering Stamp Duty to Increase Liquidity<br />[25:59] Gearing and Risk: Why Real Estate is a Great Asset Class<br />[31:07] SQM Research's Guide to Assessing Risk in Regional Areas<br />[43:53] Auctioneer's Insight: Gauging the Room and Sydney Buyer Influence<br />[52:26] The Gold Coast Boom: Supply Constraints and Population Growth<br />[53:07] Louis Christopher's Investment Strategy and Airlie Beach Example<br />[01:03:06] Signs of a Melbourne Market Turning Point<br />[01:05:37] RBA Interest Rate Prediction for the Melbourne Cup Day Meeting<br />[01:11:22] The Best Time to Buy Property Before Year-End<br />--<br />Catch up on more episodes in the Property Insights podcast: https://yhomeloans.com.au/property-insights/<br />Chat with a YBR Broker: https://ybr.com.au/refinance-flagship-campaign-rates/<br />Get in touch with Yellow Brick Road: https://ybr.com.au/enquiry/<br /><br />Yellow Brick Road was founded by Mark Bouris to help Australians on the road to their hopes and dreams. We offer competitive rates, an all-encompassing portfolio of mortgage broking services and a network of trusted home loan experts all over Australia. For more information, visit www.ybr.com.au or call 1800 927 927.<br />#markbouris #yellowbrickroad #homeloans](https://yhomeloans.com.au/wp-content/plugins/youtube-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
In this special episode of Property Insights, host Mark Bouris is joined by auctioneer Damien Cooley (Cooley Auction) and property analyst Louis Christopher (SQM Research) for a sharp assessment of the Australian housing market.
Heading into 2026, the panel tackles the big questions on every future homeowner’s & investor’s minds:
– The Block & Market Prices: Are the massive prices paid on The Block an anomaly, or a sign of an overheating market?
– Melbourne’s Moment: Why has Melbourne underperformed, and does its record-high rental yield (approaching 5%) mean it’s now the best value capital city?
– The Supply Crisis: How are crushing Stamp Duty costs limiting housing stock and penalising downsizers? The panel argues that lower transaction taxes are key to fixing supply.
– Investment Strategy: Louis Christopher shares his data-driven strategy for identifying low-risk regional growth areas and using gearing for maximum return.
– RBA Prediction: A final debate on the likelihood of an interest rate movement from the Reserve Bank on Melbourne Cup Day.
[recorded prior to the RBA’s Nov 4th cash rate decision]
[00:01] Introduction: Current Property Landscape
[00:45] The Block Auctions: Big Prices and Investor Buyers
[04:51] Are The Block Prices Representative of the Market?
[06:44] Property as a Long-Term Investment and Market Normalisation
[07:58] Analysis: Why Melbourne’s Property Market Has Underperformed
[11:37] Is the Property Market Too Frothy? (Auction Clearance Rates)
[17:48] The Downsizer Dilemma: How High Transaction Costs Hurt Supply
[22:23] The Case for Lowering Stamp Duty to Increase Liquidity
[25:59] Gearing and Risk: Why Real Estate is a Great Asset Class
[31:07] SQM Research’s Guide to Assessing Risk in Regional Areas
[43:53] Auctioneer’s Insight: Gauging the Room and Sydney Buyer Influence
[52:26] The Gold Coast Boom: Supply Constraints and Population Growth
[53:07] Louis Christopher’s Investment Strategy and Airlie Beach Example
[01:03:06] Signs of a Melbourne Market Turning Point
[01:05:37] RBA Interest Rate Prediction for the Melbourne Cup Day Meeting
[01:11:22] The Best Time to Buy Property Before Year-End
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