Current Market Insights

Hosts Ciaran O'Brien and Peter O'Malley dissect the RBA’s controversial decision to hold rates during the federal election—despite inflation now sitting comfortably within target bands and business conditions described as “putrid” across multiple sectors. With Sydney auction clearance rates collapsing to 44%, high vendor withdrawals, and predictions of a 0.5% cut in May, we explore wheth...

On this week's Current Market Insights - Harris Partners' Peter O'Malley joined 'Ugly Phil' O'Neil on 2GB Nights to discuss all things property. In this insightful chat, they discuss market trends over this Easter/ANZAC Day holiday period, the role of the Bank of Mum & Dad in the housing market and the risks in friends pooling together to purchase a property. You...

Hosts Ciaran O'Brien and Peter O'Malley take a hard look at the NSW Government’s underquoting reforms, which have resulted in just 95 fines—each a mere $2,200—doing little to curb misleading price guides in Sydney’s high-stakes market. With buyers now instinctively adding 10–25% to quoted prices, transparency is collapsing, and trust is eroding. We break down why the current system enabl...

Hosts Ciaran O'Brien and Peter O'Malley unpack the global trade tensions rattling the Australian economy as Trump-era tariffs hit allies like Australia with a 10% sting—and China even harder. We explore how this “generational reset” in trade is stirring uncertainty across the property market and why the RBA may be forced into multiple emergency rate cuts. From volatility in the prestige...

Hosts Ciaran O'Brien and Peter O'Malley break down the Federal Government’s Budget and its ambitious housing plan, which aims to address Australia’s housing crisis by increasing supply beyond what the private sector can deliver alone. With targets for 1.2 million new homes, increased social housing investment, and changes to planning and infrastructure, we explore what this means for buy...

Hosts Ciaran O'Brien and Peter O'Malley reveal how every listing, price change, and failed auction creates a permanent digital record that can impact your property's value. With property data companies storing this information indefinitely, sellers must be strategic about pricing, timing, and online exposure. We discuss how failed auctions, underquoting risks, and even unrelated onl...

Hosts Ciaran O'Brien and Peter O'Malley analyse the impact of the recent RBA interest rate cut on Sydney’s property market, where premium properties are attracting intense buyer interest while generic listings struggle. We break down shifting stock levels, auction clearance rates, and the rental market’s renewed tightening. With investment properties moving to owner-occupiers and immigra...

Hosts Ciaran O'Brien and Peter O'Malley dive into the impact of strata levies on property purchases, sharing personal experiences and industry insights on managing these shared costs wisely. We explore the rising costs of strata fees—particularly due to insurance—why reviewing strata reports is essential for buyers, and the importance of trusted advisors in the purchasing process. From i...

Peter O'Malley recently joined John Stanley on 2GB to examine the latest auction clearance rates and how buyer confidence is affected by recent interest rate changes. He guides you through the implications of rising land values amidst economic fluctuations. • Review of recent auction results with a 71% clearance rate  • Discussion on how interest rate cuts impact buyer behaviour  • Examinatio...

Hosts Ciaran O'Brien and Peter O'Malley analyze the RBA’s recent rate cut and its impact on the Australian property market. We explore the central bank’s strategy for managing inflation, the likelihood of further cuts, and the government's evolving stance on foreign investment in housing. We break down key economic perspectives on the timing of future cuts, the cautious optimism sur...

Hosts Ciaran O'Brien and Peter O'Malley explore the rise of the indifferent buyer in today’s property market and how emotional decision-making can lead to costly mistakes. Peter provides key insights on navigating market dynamics, understanding buyer psychology, and making informed purchasing decisions. We discuss the risks of impulsive buying out of frustration, the advantage for creati...

Hosts Ciaran O'Brien and Peter O'Malley break down the latest trends in the Sydney property market as buyers navigate stricter lending limits and persistently low auction clearance rates. While new listings have surged, genuine buyer interest remains subdued, with many waiting on the RBA’s next move. We analyze the impact of rising listings outpacing sales, shifting dynamics in the renta...

Hosts Ciaran O'Brien and Peter O'Malley explore how to navigate the fluid and often unpredictable property market at the start of a new year. Peter shares expert advice on making informed decisions despite limited data in January and February, uncovering strategies to understand shifting market conditions and avoid relying on outdated metrics. We examine the challenges buyers face during...

Hosts Ciaran O'Brien and Peter O'Malley explore the potential ripple effects of a Trump presidency on the Australian economy and its implications for Sydney's 2025 property market. Peter analyses why the market is off to a surprisingly strong start despite recent downturns, with interest rate cuts speculated amidst falling inflation, low unemployment, and a volatile Australian dolla...

SQM Research's Managing Director Louis Christopher recently joined us to offer a detailed overview of what buyers, sellers, tenants and landlords can expect in 2025. In this wide ranging discussion, Mr Christopher outlines the process the RBA will go through before cutting rates how the Sydney market is likely to perform with and/or without a rate cut in Q1 2025 the impact a Federal Election...

This week Peter explores the evolving real estate market, examining key trends and insights as we wrap up 2024. With an emphasis on the impact of interest rates, evolving buyer preferences, and market performance, we discuss predictions for 2025. • Examination of the year in real estate, highlighting two distinct halves  • Growth in property prices with variations across segments  • Significant in...

In this insightful discussion, we discuss:  the strong performance of Sydney apartments in 2024  population trends across the country and the role they play in property prices  the annual growth of Sydney compared with other capital cities  the risks and opportunities posed by the market conditions heading into 2025  the subtle decline in rental prices  the moderation in the performance of prestig...

Hosts Ciaran O'Brien and Peter O'Malley delve into the latest changes to New South Wales land tax thresholds, dissecting how this "stealth tax" could reshape the property market by impacting investors, landlords, and renters. With a fixed threshold until 2027, Peter examines the potential wave of new taxpayers in a climbing market and the uncertainties of future assessments. We...

Peter O'Malley joins 2GB Nights host John Stanley for a property market update. They discuss the low auction clearance rates, flailing (and sailing) sales campaigns, and the outlook as we steam towards Christmas in 2024. Send us Fan Mail As always if there is a specific topic you would like for us to cover, please reach out and let us know!    

Hosts Ciaran O'Brien and Peter O'Malley uncover the untold realities of Sydney’s property market, where luxury sales dominate headlines, but the middle and lower segments face growing challenges. With auction clearance rates dropping below 50% since August and buyer demand softening despite rising auction listings, we explore the financial impacts of failed campaigns and the silent marke...

Hosts Ciaran O'Brien and Peter O'Malley unpack the potential ripple effects of Donald Trump’s election victory on Australia’s economy. We explore how tariffs on China could reshape economic ties with the US and China, and what it means for Australia’s future. We break down the Reserve Bank’s latest moves and shares insights on how global and local markets intersect in this evolving lands...

Hosts Ciaran O'Brien and Peter O'Malley dive into Australia's mortgage landscape with Todd Coleman from Mortgage Choice Inner West. We unpack the crucial role mortgage brokers play in connecting home buyers with diverse lending options, often beyond what single banks can offer. Todd discusses how “best interest duties” have reshaped the broker-client relationship post-Royal Commissi...

Hosts Ciaran O'Brien and Peter O'Malley unpack the latest quarterly inflation figures with the value back within the target range for the RBA, we discuss data leaks and the ever thinning (and conflicted) line between sellers and buyers agents, and finish with our weekly market wrap. Send us Fan Mail As always if there is a specific topic you would like for us to cover, please reach out a...

Hosts Ciaran O'Brien and Peter O'Malley discuss a Victorian real estate agents federal court charges, the global impacts of the upcoming US election, and finish with our weekly market wrap. Send us Fan Mail As always if there is a specific topic you would like for us to cover, please reach out and let us know!    

This week on Current Market Insights we discuss the topic of housing density and the need for a mindset shift in Australia off the back of commentary by renowned finance expert, Alan Kohler. We also look at the plummeting auction clearance rate in a piece by Channel 7 and Corelogic Head of Research, Eliza Owen, and as always, finish up with our weekly market wrap. Send us Fan Mail As always if the...