20 May
This year’s Budget arrives at a time when many Australians are already reassessing financial priorities. Interest rates, cost-of-living pressures, rental affordability and ongoing housing supply challenges are all shaping decision-making across both sales and property management.
In the latest episode of Behind the Numbers, we unpack what these changes may mean for the market, how different groups may respond and what agents can do to add value in a shifting environment.
The businesses that will stand out over the next 12 months are likely to be those that move beyond transactions and position themselves as informed, local experts within their communities.
Now that the details around taxation and housing are clearer, the more important consideration for the industry is how consumers will respond.
“Markets don’t move on announcements alone. They move on confidence, affordability, sentiment and how consumers respond to uncertainty.’ – Sadhana Smiles, CEO of REIP and host of the Behind the Numbers Podcast
Turning market uncertainty into client conversations
It’s now time to proactively reconnect with clients and better understand how market conditions are influencing their thinking.
That could include:
- Talking with investors about changing market conditions, rental yields and longer-term portfolio planning
- Understanding landlords will be navigating affordability pressures, compliance obligations and tenant expectations
- Engaging tenants who may now be considering entering the property market
- Connecting clients with finance and mortgage professionals to review borrowing capacity and future lending options
“Periods of uncertainty often increase the value of trusted advice and local market insight.” – Cameron Kusher, Behind the Numbers Podcast contributor
Importantly, many clients are not looking for certainty right now. They are looking for informed guidance, perspective and someone who understands the realities of their local market.
For many agencies, this is less about sales activity and more about relationship building. The conversations happening now may shape future listing activity, investment decisions and buyer movement over the next 6–12 months.
The value of local market intelligence
One of the strongest advantages agents and property managers have in changing markets is proximity to real conversations and local behavioural shifts.
What are investors worried about?
Are tenants reconsidering renting long term?
Are homeowners thinking about selling, upgrading or restructuring finances?
What’s changing in buyer confidence at a local level?
Alongside broader economic trends, agents should also continue monitoring:
- Local supply pipelines and development activity
- Rental vacancy trends and affordability pressures
- Shifts in demand between new and established housing markets
- Consumer confidence across different buyer segments
“I think we’ll see desperate measures being applied because you can only squeeze the market so far.” – Cate Bakos, Behind the Numbers Podcast contributor
These conversations and observations often become early indicators of broader market movement well before the headlines catch up.
For the industry, this is a reminder that relationships remain one of the most valuable forms of market intelligence.
REIP
Real Estate Industry Partners
