 What Australians search for when house-hunting often says more than price charts alone. Search data from realestate.com.au (see below) reveals how buyer priorities have evolved, highlighting features people are actively filtering for as affordability shapes what’s realistic. These trends offer useful signals for anyone planning a purchase in 2026. The takeaway isn’t that buyers want more – it’s that they’re choosing more carefully. As budgets tighten, shoppers are weighing lifestyle features against location, size and long-term running costs. This matters because every feature choice has a borrowing impact. Compromises around layout, location or inclusions often determine whether a purchase stays comfortable once repayments begin.  Planning with intent
Understanding what buyers are prioritising can help you decide where to compromise and where not to. That’s especially important when borrowing limits, deposits and buffers are all in play. If you’re planning a purchase this year and want to line up expectations with borrowing power, contact me and I’ll help you sense-check the trade-offs before you commit.  More buyers are clustering at the lower end of the market – and the data shows it’s no coincidence. After the federal government expanded the 5% Deposit Scheme in October 2025, Cotality analysis shows homes priced under the scheme’s caps have generally outperformed higher-priced stock. In the December quarter, median prices rose 3.6% below the cap compared with 2.4% above it.  What’s interesting is timing. This trend appeared even before the scheme officially launched, suggesting some buyers moved early to secure properties before competition intensified.
Two forces are likely at play. Anticipation of extra demand brought buyers forward, while serviceability constraints continue to steer households towards homes that feel manageable week to week. Before you chase a ‘below-cap’ property
 Whether you’re renting or investing, the rental market is sending some clear signals right now. Cotality data shows rental conditions remain tight nationwide. Rents rose 5.2% in 2025, up from 4.8% the year before (see table below), as limited supply continues to underpin demand. Listings tell the story. National rental listings in the December quarter were 11% lower than a year earlier and 17% below the five-year average. With fewer homes available, competition among tenants remains strong and asking rents are holding firm.  What this means in practice
For renters, steady rent rises can change the rent-versus-buy decision faster than expected. What feels manageable now may look different after another lease renewal, especially if wages lag. For investors, tight vacancy supports demand and cash flow, even as borrowing costs and yields shift. The interaction between rent growth, loan structure and buffers matters more than headline yields alone. If rising rents are making you think about housing certainty, or you’re weighing up an investment under current conditions, contact me and I’ll help you map realistic options based on today’s numbers.  A key change to home lending is on the way – and it may influence how much some borrowers can access in 2026.
From 1 February, banks will be allowed to write no more than 20% of new mortgages at a debt-to-income (DTI) ratio of six times income or higher. Australia’s banking regulator, APRA, says lending standards remain sound, but it has seen an uptick in riskier applications and wants to act before housing-related vulnerabilities build up. Who might feel the impact
If you are planning to buy or refinance and want to see how these settings could affect your borrowing options, I can compare lenders and help you find a workable path forward.  Getting a foot on the property ladder is often hardest at the deposit stage, but two major federal schemes are widening the options for buyers with smaller deposits.
The 5% Deposit Scheme lets eligible first home buyers purchase with just a 5% deposit and no lenders’ mortgage insurance (LMI). Property price caps apply – from $500,000 in regional South Australia to $1.5 million in Sydney – so what you can buy depends on where you are searching. Help to Buy goes further. It allows eligible buyers to enter the market with only a 2% deposit and no LMI, with the government taking up to 40% ownership in a new home or up to 30% in an existing home. Income caps apply – $100,000 for individuals and $160,000 for couples or single parents – and participants must live in the property. Previous homeowners who no longer own a property may also qualify. Key takeaways for first home buyers
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