Each week, First Home Buyer Weekly News Summary Australia Podcast delivers a clear recap of the biggest housing stories across the country. We sift market movements, policy updates, auctions, and building trends into plain English, spotlighting what matters if you’re planning your first place. Expect concise context, practical takeaways, and credible sources, so you can stay informed without the noise. A trustworthy, industry-focused news wrap you can rely on, every week.
This Week:
Weekly wrap for 18 September 2026: Markets price a likely RBA hike with the decision due 29 September. Conditions are easing for buyers as selling times lengthen, prices sit below the March peak, and listings lift in several capitals. Sydneys auction clearance rate slumps to about 47%, giving patient buyers leverage. A new update on the 5% deposit guarantee finds negative equity has risen slightly but remains low. Takeaway: stress‑test budgets, compare lenders, and be ready to act when value appears.
EPISODE 2991 | First Home Buyer Weekly News Podcast | Fri, 18th Sep 2026
24 Sep 2026 | Paige Estritori
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Read Full Transcript:
Welcome to the First Home Buyer Weekly News Podcast, Im Paige Estritori, and its Friday, 18 September 2026.
First, rate-watch. Markets now see a high chance of another cash rate rise this month, and Reserve Bank of Australia leaders are set to face questions in Parliament today ahead of the next decision on 29 September. If youre budgeting for a first place, build in a buffer so higher repayments dont derail your plans, and make sure any pre-approval reflects todays settings.
Next up, the market mood has shifted in favour of buyers. Homes are taking longer to sell, national prices have eased for several months and now sit a little below their March peak, and listings have lifted in cities like Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. That means more choice and more time to negotiate. Use that breathing room to compare lenders and structure your first home buyer home loan in a way that suits your deposit and timeline.
Meanwhile in Sydney, last weekends auction clearance rate dipped to about forty‑seven per cent, the weakest in five years. More sales are happening before auction or being withdrawn, which signals a gap between seller hopes and buyer budgets. If youre house‑hunting there, ask sharp questions on price guidance, be patient, and put your finance groundwork in place so you can move when value appears.
And finally, new analysis of the five per cent deposit guarantee shows a small uptick in negative equity among recent buyers using the scheme, but levels remain low at around one per cent of participants. The softer conditions are hitting pricier pockets hardest, while many affordable and regional markets look more resilient. The lesson for first‑timers: know your scheme caps, understand how your deposit and repayments interact, and let an expert compare options across a wide range of lenders with transparent costs.
Thats your wrap. For tools, guides and a free first home loan assessment, visit first-home-buyer.com.au. Im Paige Estritori—thanks for listening and good luck with your week of inspections.
The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.
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Knowledgebase
Inflation: The rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services rises, eroding purchasing power.
