What's happening in the Australian property market, and plain-English guides for people buying a home.https://mapview.ai/en-auhttps://mapview.ai/news/where-four-rate-rises-are-biting-australia-s-mortgage-arrears-map/https://mapview.ai/news/where-four-rate-rises-are-biting-australia-s-mortgage-arrears-map/Loan arrears in parts of outer-suburban Melbourne and Sydney are running several times the national rate. Here is what the primary data actually shows, and the widely repeated claim about negative equity that does not hold up.Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTInterest Ratesinterest ratesmortgage stressarrearsproperty marketMelbourneSydneyhttps://mapview.ai/news/homes-sit-unsold-for-six-months/https://mapview.ai/news/homes-sit-unsold-for-six-months/More than a quarter of Australian homes for sale have been on the market for six months or more. Here is what is stalling the market, where listings are going stale fastest, and what buyers and sellers should do about it.Mon, 05 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTMarket Updateproperty marketdays on marketbuyerssellersinterest rateshttps://mapview.ai/news/home-affordability-half-say-the-property-dream-is-out-of-reach/https://mapview.ai/news/home-affordability-half-say-the-property-dream-is-out-of-reach/Housing affordability is now the nation's second biggest concern, and more than half of aspiring first home buyers say they have given up. Here is what the numbers show, and what buyers can still control.Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTFirst Home Buyersaffordabilityfirst home buyershousing marketcost of livinghttps://mapview.ai/news/auction-clearance-rate-19-week-high/https://mapview.ai/news/auction-clearance-rate-19-week-high/National clearance rates have hit their highest level in 19 weeks, with almost 60 per cent of homes clearing on early figures as spring stock and vendor price cuts draw buyers back. Experts warn the rebound could be wiped out if the RBA lifts rates.Tue, 15 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTAuctionsauctionsclearance ratesspring sellingRBAproperty markethttps://mapview.ai/news/cba-house-price-forecast/https://mapview.ai/news/cba-house-price-forecast/CBA now expects every capital city to fall peak-to-trough this cycle, Sydney down about 13%, Melbourne 12%, and Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth around 8%. Here's the full forecast, and why the mid-sized capitals are only just starting to turn.Thu, 03 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTMarket Updatehouse pricesforecastCBACotalityproperty markethttps://mapview.ai/news/australia-two-speed-market/https://mapview.ai/news/australia-two-speed-market/House prices fell for a fifth straight month in August, and Melbourne is now worth less than it was in 2021. Here's what's driving the split between falling capitals and resilient regions, and what it means for buyers, sellers and investors.Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTMarket Updateproperty markethouse pricesMelbourneSydneyPerthBrisbaneinvestorshttps://mapview.ai/news/buyer-s-market-big-time-spring-sellers-face-a-reality-check/https://mapview.ai/news/buyer-s-market-big-time-spring-sellers-face-a-reality-check/Auction clearance rates have slipped as spring approaches, and SQM Research's Louis Christopher says sellers who don't meet the market are going into Christmas unsold, a spring shaped by vendor expectations.Mon, 24 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMTMarket Updateproperty marketauctionshttps://mapview.ai/news/national-house-prices-enter-correction-sydney-clearance-rates-plunge-t/https://mapview.ai/news/national-house-prices-enter-correction-sydney-clearance-rates-plunge-t/Australia's housing market is in its sharpest downturn in decades, with Sydney auction clearance rates dropping to 53% and major banks forecasting price declines of up to 14.5% through 2027.Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMTMarket Updateproperty markethouse priceshttps://mapview.ai/news/investors-retreat-5-4-billion-exit-from-property-lending-as-downturn-d/https://mapview.ai/news/investors-retreat-5-4-billion-exit-from-property-lending-as-downturn-d/New ABS lending data reveals a sharp contraction in investor mortgage commitments, with $5.4 billion wiped from the market in a single quarter as falling prices and rising holding costs trigger portfolio sell-downs.Fri, 14 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMTInvestmentproperty marketinvestinghttps://mapview.ai/news/rba-holds-at-4-35-but-door-left-open-for-further-hikes-as-inflation-li/https://mapview.ai/news/rba-holds-at-4-35-but-door-left-open-for-further-hikes-as-inflation-li/The Reserve Bank kept the cash rate at 4.35% at its August meeting, but Governor Michele Bullock's post-meeting statement explicitly retained a hiking bias, citing sticky services inflation and a resilient labour market.Tue, 11 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMTInterest Ratesproperty marketinterest rateshttps://mapview.ai/news/suburb-spotlight-coburg-melbourne-s-inner-north-value-play-as-prices-c/https://mapview.ai/news/suburb-spotlight-coburg-melbourne-s-inner-north-value-play-as-prices-c/With Melbourne house prices declining 3–5% since May, Coburg emerges as a compelling value opportunity, offering inner-ring lifestyle at a 40% discount to neighbouring Brunswick and Pascoe Vale South.Mon, 10 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMTSuburb Spotlightproperty marketsuburb spotlighthttps://mapview.ai/news/q1-cpi-surprises-higher-third-rate-hike-on-the-table-for-may-rba-meeti/https://mapview.ai/news/q1-cpi-surprises-higher-third-rate-hike-on-the-table-for-may-rba-meeti/March-quarter inflation came in at 3.8% annual, materially above consensus, reviving the case for a third consecutive cash-rate hike when the RBA board meets on 5 May.Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTInterest Ratesproperty marketinterest rateshttps://mapview.ai/news/renters-find-rare-relief-as-vacancy-rates-tick-up-in-melbourne-and-syd/https://mapview.ai/news/renters-find-rare-relief-as-vacancy-rates-tick-up-in-melbourne-and-syd/Rental vacancy rates have edged higher in Australia's two largest capitals for the first time in three years, as investor selling and new apartment completions bring fresh supply to a market that's been running near capacity.Wed, 29 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTMarket Updateproperty markethouse priceshttps://mapview.ai/news/build-to-rent-pipeline-hits-record-32-000-units-victoria-leads-the-way/https://mapview.ai/news/build-to-rent-pipeline-hits-record-32-000-units-victoria-leads-the-way/Australia's build-to-rent pipeline has surpassed 32,000 units for the first time, with Victoria accounting for 48% of the national total.Sat, 18 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTNew Developmentsproperty marketnew developmentshttps://mapview.ai/news/nsw-government-fast-tracks-medium-density-housing-code/https://mapview.ai/news/nsw-government-fast-tracks-medium-density-housing-code/The NSW Government has introduced a new medium-density housing code allowing dual occupancies, terraces, and townhouses in R2 low-density zones across 31 LGAs.Sun, 12 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTPlanningproperty marketregulatoryhttps://mapview.ai/news/first-home-buyer-activity-surges-18-as-banks-ease-lvr-requirements/https://mapview.ai/news/first-home-buyer-activity-surges-18-as-banks-ease-lvr-requirements/First home buyer loan commitments rose 18% in the March quarter, driven by major banks lowering LVR requirements and the expanded Home Guarantee Scheme.Sun, 05 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTFirst Home Buyersproperty marketfirst home buyershttps://mapview.ai/news/melbourne-clearance-rates-hold-in-low-60s-amid-back-to-back-rate-hikes/https://mapview.ai/news/melbourne-clearance-rates-hold-in-low-60s-amid-back-to-back-rate-hikes/Melbourne's auction market has shown resilience through early 2026 despite two consecutive RBA rate hikes, with Cotality final clearance rates tracking in the low-to-mid 60s across March.Wed, 01 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTAuctionsproperty marketauctionshttps://mapview.ai/news/rba-hikes-twice-in-2026-cash-rate-now-4-10-as-inflation-rebounds/https://mapview.ai/news/rba-hikes-twice-in-2026-cash-rate-now-4-10-as-inflation-rebounds/The Reserve Bank has delivered back-to-back rate increases in February and March 2026, pushing the cash rate to 4.10% as renewed inflation pressures force a reversal of last year's easing cycle.Tue, 31 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMTInterest Ratesproperty marketinterest rateshttps://mapview.ai/news/victoria-fast-tracks-medium-density-housing-dual-occupancies-and-townh/https://mapview.ai/news/victoria-fast-tracks-medium-density-housing-dual-occupancies-and-townh/A suite of Victorian planning reforms is reshaping the development landscape, with faster approval pathways for dual occupancies and townhouses already in effect and a new mid-rise code launching April 2026.Sun, 29 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMTPlanningproperty marketplanninghttps://mapview.ai/news/melbourne-s-greenline-project-breaks-ground-what-it-means-for-cbd-prop/https://mapview.ai/news/melbourne-s-greenline-project-breaks-ground-what-it-means-for-cbd-prop/Construction has commenced on the $316 million Birrarung Marr to Bolte Bridge segment of Melbourne's Greenline project, set to reshape the northern edge of the CBD.Sat, 28 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMTNew Developmentsproperty marketnew developmentshttps://mapview.ai/news/suburb-spotlight-preston-melbourne-s-inner-north-value-play-in-2026/https://mapview.ai/news/suburb-spotlight-preston-melbourne-s-inner-north-value-play-in-2026/Preston's median house price sits at approximately $1.18–1.23M, offering genuine value against comparable inner-city suburbs while sharing the same infrastructure, amenity, and planning reform uplift.Fri, 27 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMTSuburb Spotlightproperty marketsuburb spotlighthttps://mapview.ai/news/brisbane-median-hits-1-07m-southeast-queensland-leads-national-growth/https://mapview.ai/news/brisbane-median-hits-1-07m-southeast-queensland-leads-national-growth/PropTrack's March 2026 data confirms Brisbane's median home price has crossed $1 million, with 17.7% annual growth cementing Southeast Queensland's position as Australia's strongest major property market.Wed, 25 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMTMarket Updateproperty markethouse priceshttps://mapview.ai/news/first-home-buyer-lending-rises-as-home-guarantee-scheme-goes-unlimited/https://mapview.ai/news/first-home-buyer-lending-rises-as-home-guarantee-scheme-goes-unlimited/ABS data for the December 2025 quarter shows a 6.8% rise in first home buyer loan commitments, as the Home Guarantee Scheme removes all place limits and income caps from October 2025.Mon, 23 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMTFirst Home Buyersproperty marketfirst home buyershttps://mapview.ai/news/brisbane-olympics-2032-infrastructure-pipeline-5-suburbs-to-watch/https://mapview.ai/news/brisbane-olympics-2032-infrastructure-pipeline-5-suburbs-to-watch/With the Queensland Government locking in $7.1 billion in Olympic infrastructure funding, these five suburbs are positioned for the strongest capital growth through 2032.Fri, 20 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMTNew Developmentsproperty marketnew developmentshttps://mapview.ai/news/regional-migration-boom-tree-change-hotspots-still-outperforming-capit/https://mapview.ai/news/regional-migration-boom-tree-change-hotspots-still-outperforming-capit/Regional Australia continues to attract record numbers of internal migrants, with 12 regional LGAs recording double-digit annual population growth through 2025.Thu, 12 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMTMarket Updateproperty marketsuburb spotlighthttps://mapview.ai/news/2025-in-review-rate-cuts-and-record-prices-reshape-the-housing-market/https://mapview.ai/news/2025-in-review-rate-cuts-and-record-prices-reshape-the-housing-market/Three RBA rate cuts improved borrowing conditions but were outpaced by price growth, leaving first home buyers better off on repayments but facing higher entry prices as the year closed.Sat, 20 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMTMarket Updateproperty marketfirst home buyershttps://mapview.ai/news/mapview-2025-update/https://mapview.ai/news/mapview-2025-update/We're excited to announce a major platform update including extended coverage, improved planning data and new mobile app features.Mon, 01 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMTNewsproduct updatefeaturescoveragehttps://mapview.ai/news/australia-s-rental-crisis-deepens-vacancy-rate-at-1-2-rents-up-43-over/https://mapview.ai/news/australia-s-rental-crisis-deepens-vacancy-rate-at-1-2-rents-up-43-over/National median weekly rents hit a record $650 in December 2025 as vacancy rates held near historic lows, with households now spending 33.4% of median income on rent.Wed, 12 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMTMarket Updateproperty markethouse priceshttps://mapview.ai/news/perth-leads-the-nation-in-price-growth-median-reaches-1m-as-investors-/https://mapview.ai/news/perth-leads-the-nation-in-price-growth-median-reaches-1m-as-investors-/Perth's median house price reached $1 million by end of 2025, backed by 17.9% annual growth, a near-zero vacancy rate, and investor loan commitments up 30% year-on-year.Sun, 05 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMTMarket Updateproperty marketinvestinghttps://mapview.ai/news/due-diligence-guide/https://mapview.ai/news/due-diligence-guide/A step-by-step guide to conducting property due diligence using MapView, covering planning checks, title searches, site history, environmental considerations, and infrastructure assessment.Mon, 22 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMTNewsdue diligenceguideplanningtitlesworkflowhttps://mapview.ai/news/adelaide-joins-the-million-dollar-club-fifth-capital-to-cross-the-thre/https://mapview.ai/news/adelaide-joins-the-million-dollar-club-fifth-capital-to-cross-the-thre/Adelaide's median house value crossed $1 million in April 2025, cementing a remarkable transformation from Australia's most affordable capital to a genuine peer of the eastern seaboard.Sun, 10 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMTMarket Updateproperty markethouse priceshttps://mapview.ai/news/custom-markers-collaboration/https://mapview.ai/news/custom-markers-collaboration/MapView now supports custom map markers, shared workspaces, and team annotations, bringing your property research out of spreadsheets and into a shared, map-based environment.Tue, 08 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMTNewscustom markerscollaborationteamsproduct updatehttps://mapview.ai/news/national-home-prices-hit-record-880-000-rate-cuts-reignite-buyer-deman/https://mapview.ai/news/national-home-prices-hit-record-880-000-rate-cuts-reignite-buyer-deman/Three RBA rate cuts across February, May, and August 2025 pushed the national median home price to a record $880,000 by year end, with auction clearance rates hitting a 12-month high of 74.7% in July.Sun, 15 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMTMarket Updateproperty markethouse priceshttps://mapview.ai/news/architects-planners-update/https://mapview.ai/news/architects-planners-update/A focused round of improvements to MapView for architects, urban designers, and town planners, including overlay visualisation upgrades, improved zone provisions access, and a new design constraints summary.Mon, 19 May 2025 00:00:00 GMTPlanningarchitectsplannersurban designplanningproduct updatehttps://mapview.ai/news/aerial-imagery-historical/https://mapview.ai/news/aerial-imagery-historical/MapView now provides access to historical aerial imagery dating back to the 1950s for thousands of Australian properties, letting professionals track land use change, development history, and environmental conditions over time.Mon, 20 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMTNewsaerial imageryhistorical datadue diligenceenvironmentalhttps://mapview.ai/news/site-analysis-tools/https://mapview.ai/news/site-analysis-tools/MapView's new site analysis and development opportunity tools help property developers screen thousands of sites against their own feasibility criteria in minutes.Thu, 03 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMTNewssite analysisdevelopmentfeasibilityproperty datahttps://mapview.ai/news/planning-permits-tracking/https://mapview.ai/news/planning-permits-tracking/MapView's planning permits dashboard now syncs permit status within hours of council updates, giving property professionals a live view of development activity across Australia.Wed, 10 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMTNewsplanning permitsreal-time datadevelopmentcouncilshttps://mapview.ai/news/heritage-overlays-victoria/https://mapview.ai/news/heritage-overlays-victoria/MapView has completed its Victorian heritage overlay dataset, giving property professionals complete coverage of heritage protections across every local government area in the state.Wed, 22 May 2024 00:00:00 GMTNewsheritage overlaysvictoriaplanningcoveragehttps://mapview.ai/news/site-alerts-launch/https://mapview.ai/news/site-alerts-launch/MapView's new Site Alerts feature lets you monitor any property in Australia and get notified the moment a planning application, permit, or zoning change is lodged.Fri, 15 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMTNewssite alertsplanningnotificationsproduct update