Mark Harrison - Loan Market, Northern Rivers

f you felt like the property market had a mind of its own last year, you were right. Nationally, median prices surged by about 12% in 2025, a level of growth we haven’t seen outside of a pandemic boom in over two decades.

According to Ray White Chief Economist Nerida Conisbee, the growth wasn't driven by the "top end" of the market. Instead, the middle and entry-level segments took the lead, fuelled by:

🛡️ Deposit guarantees and stamp duty concessions. Which kept competition fierce for affordable homes.

👷 Construction costs are so high that in many areas, it’s now more expensive to build a new home than to buy an existing one.

💼 While living costs rose, unemployment stayed low. History shows that as long as people feel secure in their jobs, they keep buying.

Facebook & GMB : What’s the 2026 Outlook? Read the full article here
https://broker.loanmarket.com.au/mark-harrison/blog/what-shaped-property-prices-in-2025-and-what-comes-next/

You know the importance of having a financial buffer, but are you doing it the hard way?

Using an equity line of credit instead of cash reserves can be a great way to protect your portfolio. It can mean you aren't dipping into your personal savings or selling off assets when a vacancy hits or a major repair pops up. Speak to us to see if it is the right strategy for you.