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:
This week: Hotter December inflation lifts the odds of an RBA rate hike on Tuesday, so first home buyers should recheck pre‑approvals and buffers. Auctions returned strongly with high preliminary clearance rates, signalling solid demand for well‑priced homes — plan finance early and know your limits. In South Australia, a new $800m deal targets 17,000 homes, including nearly 7,000 for first‑home buyers, with faster land and infrastructure delivery. And renters are warned about excessive data collection in rental applications; protect your ID while you save. Visit first-home-buyer.com.au for tools and guidance.
EPISODE 1223 | First Home Buyer Weekly News Podcast | Sun, 1st Feb 2026
7 Feb 2026 | Paige Estritori
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Read Full Transcript:
Hello and welcome to the First Home Buyer Weekly News Podcast, Im Paige Estritori, its Sunday 1 February 2026.
First up, inflation for the December quarter came in hotter at about three‑point‑eight per cent year on year. Thats lifted the odds of the Reserve Bank of Australia, or RBA, raising the cash rate on Tuesday 3 February. If youre pre‑approved, check the expiry and make sure your budget still holds with a small rate rise. We can help you compare options across lenders and stress‑test repayments before you commit.
Meanwhile, the first big auction weekend of the year showed buyers are back. Preliminary clearance rates were around the high‑70s in Sydney, mid‑70s in Melbourne, mid‑80s in Adelaide, the mid‑50s in Brisbane, and the high‑60s in Canberra. That points to solid demand for well‑priced homes. If youre targeting an auction, line up finance early, know your walk‑away number, and use a loan calculator to test different rates.
In South Australia, a new $800 million housing deal aims to deliver about 17,000 homes, with nearly 7,000 set aside for first‑home buyers. The focus is speeding up land release and infrastructure in Adelaides north. If youre in SA, keep an eye on project timelines and eligibility settings. We can guide you through available grants alongside your first home buyer home loan options.
Also this week, researchers flagged concerns about rental application platforms asking for excessive personal data — sometimes dozens of questions about lifestyle. If youre renting while you save, protect your ID and only provide whats required. Buying sooner isnt right for everyone, but an eligibility check can show whats possible without oversharing your data online.
Thats the wrap. For clear guides, calculators and an assessment tailored to first‑time buyers, visit first-home-buyer.com.au. Im Paige Estritori — thanks for listening and see you next Sunday.
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
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E): A valuation ratio of a company's current share price compared to its per-share earnings.
