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:
Paige recaps four need-to-know stories for first home buyers as at Sunday 26 April 2026: price growth is strongest below five per cent deposit scheme caps; auction clearance rates sat around the low 60s over ANZAC week with more listings ahead; several lenders lifted fixed rates as markets await the 29 April CPI, keeping RBA moves in focus; and in Melbourne, unit rents have overtaken house rents, reflecting inner‑city demand. Takeaways: confirm scheme price caps early, get pre‑approval, compare lenders, stress‑test repayments, and weigh unit versus house trade‑offs. Visit first-home-loan.com.au for a free eligibility check.
EPISODE 1696 | First Home Loan Weekly Property News Wrap | Sun, 26th Apr 2026
1 May 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 Sunday 26 April 2026.
First, a quick reality check on the five per cent deposit guarantee. Fresh analysis shows homes under the schemes price caps have risen faster than properties above the caps since October, and the share of suburbs still under those caps is shrinking. If youre planning to use the guarantee, lock in your price-cap research early, consider nearby suburbs or units, and get your pre-approval in place so you can act quickly. We can guide you through the scheme rules and lender options.
Next up, auction markets. Through ANZAC week, national clearance hovered around the low 60s, with Sydney and Melbourne in the low‑to‑mid 60s, Adelaide stronger, and Brisbane softer. Listings were lighter due to the holidays, but volumes should ramp up from next week. For first-time buyers, that means more choice soon; set your limit, have finance ready, and decide in advance whether to bid at auction or pursue private‑treaty listings.
Meanwhile, lenders lifted fixed home loan rates again, and some boosted term deposit rates too. Markets are watching the March quarter Consumer Price Index on Wednesday 29 April, with expectations that inflation staying sticky could mean more cash rate moves later this year by the Reserve Bank of Australia. If youre weighing fixed versus variable, compare options across multiple lenders and stress‑test repayments a notch above todays rate so youre comfortable if costs rise.
Finally, renters in Melbourne just saw a twist: units have edged above houses on weekly asking rents, roughly six hundred dollars a week for units versus a little under that for houses. Demand is strongest close to the CBD, driven by students, new arrivals and city workers. If youre saving a deposit there, consider house‑shares or slightly outer‑ring suburbs; if buying, units can still be a lower entry price, but factor in strata fees and servicing when you check eligibility.
Thats the wrap. For tools, plain‑English guides, and a free eligibility assessment for your first homebuyer loan, head to first-home-loan.com.au. Im Paige, thanks for listening and have a great 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
Collateral: An asset that a borrower offers as a way for a lender to secure the loan.
