Each week, First Home Loan Weekly News Wrap Australia brings a clear, independent recap of Australia’s housing headlines. We sort the noise into need‑to‑know stories on property market movements, policy changes that affect first‑time buyers, regional and city trends, and practical implications for your plans. Expect plain‑English context, quick takeaways, and links to trusted sources, so you can stay informed and confident about your next steps — in under ten minutes.
This Week:
This week: prices slip nationwide, signalling a cooler quarter and a little more leverage for first‑home buyers. Banks expect core inflation to stay high, so the RBA could hold in August, with a small chance of a hike—plan for rates to stay higher for longer. Adelaide defies the downturn with a strong quarterly gain. And fixed mortgage rates are edging down at major banks, but features and break costs matter. For help comparing first homebuyer loan options, visit first-home-loan.com.au.
EPISODE 2502 | First Home Loan Weekly Property News Wrap | Wed, 29th Jul 2026
1 Aug 2026 | Paige Estritori
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Read Full Transcript:
Hello and welcome to First Home Loan Weekly Property News Wrap, Im Paige Estritori, and its Wednesday 29 July 2026.
First, Australias housing upswing has turned. National capital city house prices slipped in the June quarter, and unit prices eased too. The soft patch is led by Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra, while units fell almost everywhere. For first‑time buyers, that can mean a little more choice and negotiating power, but borrowing capacity is still tight, so get your budget and pre‑approval in good shape.
Next up, all eyes are on inflation and the Reserve Bank of Australia, or RBA. Major banks expect core inflation to stay above target for the June quarter, and most tip the RBA to hold rates in August, while one still sees a chance of a hike. Either way, plan for rates to stay higher for longer. Build a repayment buffer, and think carefully about whether a small fixed slice could steady your cash flow.
Meanwhile, not every city is cooling. Adelaide bucked the national trend with a sharp quarterly jump in its median house price. Local demand and limited listings are doing the heavy lifting. If youre open to South Australia, be ready to move fast; if youre east‑coast focused, conditions look a touch more buyer‑friendly for now.
And banks are sharpening pencils on fixed rates. One of the big four trimmed one‑ and two‑year fixed loans by up to a fifth of a percentage point, and others have been edging down too in a quieter market. That doesnt mean fixed is right for everyone. Compare offers carefully, watch the fine print on break costs and features, and lean on a broker for side‑by‑side options.
Thats the wrap. If youre weighing up your first homebuyer loan, start with a free, no‑obligation eligibility check and plain‑English guidance at first-home-loan.com.au. Im Paige, thanks for listening, and Ill catch you next week.
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
Guarantor: A party who agrees to be responsible for the payment of another party's debts should the original party fail to pay or perform according to a contract.
