From 1 January 2026, Victoria's Vacant Residential Land Tax reaches residential land left undeveloped in metropolitan Melbourne for five years or more, and the State Revenue Office is watching. Here is what it can cost, who is caught and what to check now.

If you're a doctor, dentist, lawyer or other professional running your own practice, one of the more underused strategies available to you is buying the premises you work from through your self-managed super fund.

Melbourne's median house value sits at approximately $970,000 to $980,000, more than $600,000 below Sydney's median, the widest gap between the two cities since around 1999, according to property analytics firm Cotality.

When the banks that set your interest rate can't agree on where it's heading, it pays to understand what's driving the uncertainty, and what it could mean for your repayments either way.

If you ruled yourself out of the First Home Guarantee a few years ago because you earned too much, or you assumed there'd be a long wait for a place, it's time to take another look. Since October 2025, the scheme has been overhauled.

Few decisions have a bigger impact on your financial future than buying a property. Whether it’s your first home, your next home or an investment property, getting the finance right can make a significant difference for years to come.

Renovating an investment property can help attract quality tenants, improve rental returns and potentially add value to your property. But before choosing paint colours or collecting quotes, it’s worth understanding how you’ll fund the project.

After years of fierce competition, fast-rising prices and crowded auction weekends, the market is beginning to show signs of a shift. More properties are being listed for sale, homes are taking longer to sell, and buyers are becoming increasingly selective about what they’re willing to pay.

Australia’s property market is moving through a softer phase. Rising interest rates, stretched affordability, and the federal budget’s tax reforms have eased buyer demand.

With property prices easing in some markets and recent federal budget housing tax reforms appearing to reduce investor competition, conditions may be becoming more favourable for first-home buyers. In this type of environment, there could be more choice, less pressure and more room to negotiate than we’ve seen in recent years.

With the cash rate on hold, many borrowers are taking a closer look at their home loans. If you haven’t reviewed yours in a while, it may be worth exploring whether your current loan still suits your situation. With cost-of-living expenses still stretching household budgets, even a small reduction in your interest rate could make a meaningful difference to your monthly repayments.

Property investors may be motivated by different goals. With changing market conditions and some areas seeing slower price growth, some investors may be placing greater focus on rental yield and cash flow rather than capital growth alone. This shift may influence both property selection and financing decisions.

For many homeowners, timing can be one of the challenges when purchasing their next property. If you’re planning to sell your current home to fund your next purchase, a bridging loan may be worth considering.

With interest rates rising, many borrowers are taking the time to review their home loan arrangements. A review of your loan structure may assist in managing repayments,.

Buying your first home is an exciting milestone, but it can also feel overwhelming when everything is new and unfamiliar.

With interest rates rising in recent months, many Australians have seen their mortgage repayments increase. As a result, more homeowners are starting to ask whether refinancing their home loan could help them reduce costs or improve their loan structure.

When it comes to buying an investment property, you don’t necessarily need to limit yourself to your own backyard.

For many property investors, 2025 offered compelling reasons to buy.

Loyalty is an honourable trait, but not necessarily when it comes to your home loan.

If you’re looking to buy your first home in 2026, one of the first big questions is whether an apartment or a house makes more sense for you, which often comes down to your lifestyle, financial situation and what you’re working towards.

Property investment looks different for everyone, with no single approach suiting every situation. As market conditions, lending rules and affordability, continue to change, planning and preparation are becoming an increasingly important part of the conversation for investors

Nothing compares to that feeling of buying your first home. If you’re planning a 2026 property purchase, saving the deposit is often one of the biggest hurdles. Careful planning and perseverance can play a role in working towards this goal.

As interest rates shift and the property market evolves, your mortgage may not be something you set and forget. Just like your financial goals, your home loan needs can change over time, which is why it’s worth checking in regularly.

Home prices continue to climb across Australia. In October, national dwelling values rose 1.1% – the strongest monthly gain since June 2023.