What does it mean to understand the property market?
In this episode of the First Property Buyer Show, host Emilie Lauer speaks with Dr Diaswati (Asti) Mardiasmo, chief economist at PRD, about the complexities facing first-time buyers in Australia’s evolving property market.
Asti likens the market to an octopus with many influencing factors: population growth, interest rates, supply, government support, and foreign investment laws – all of which buyers must consider.
She encourages breaking the market into smaller, manageable segments, such as stock type and location, to identify realistic opportunities.
Notably, cities such as Brisbane, Adelaide, and Hobart are now outpacing Sydney and Melbourne in growth, with units experiencing stronger price increases due to limited housing supply.
Despite support schemes like the 5 per cent deposit program, Asti notes that rising prices and limited scheme availability make it more challenging to enter the market.
She urges buyers to focus on financial readiness over seasonal timing, warning against waiting for perfect conditions.
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