Stay informed with the latest real estate news, market trends, and expert insights for Melbourne City. Our blog covers everything you need to know about the property market in Australia.
First home buyer with a $650k–$700k budget in Melbourne’s west? This guide explains what you can realistically buy in suburbs like Laverton, Altona Meadows, Tarneit and Hoppers Crossing, how underquoting works in 2026, and why inspection reports, recent comparable sales and interest rate stress-testing are critical before you bid.
Victorian property owners face new 2026 rules on Vacant Residential Land Tax, land tax thresholds and short‑stay levies. Learn who pays, key deadlines, exemptions, portfolio impacts and practical leasing strategies to reduce vacancy risk, avoid penalty tax and protect your Melbourne investment returns amid changing SRO requirements across greater Victoria.
In Victoria, rent can only increase once every 12 months and must not be excessive under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997. From 31 March 2026, landlords and agents must use the new Form 3A rental application, which strictly limits personal information collected and supports fair, compliant screening for renters.
Victoria’s 2026 tax changes are reshaping Melbourne property investment. Statewide Vacant Residential Land Tax (VRLT), tougher land tax rules, and restrictions on passing land tax to buyers all squeeze returns on land banking and investment properties. Learn what these reforms mean for your cashflow, selling strategy, and future acquisitions.
Victorian property investors face significant tax changes from 2026, including expanded Vacant Residential Land Tax on empty homes, higher land tax rates, a new 7.5% Short Stay Levy, and increased congestion and emergency services charges. Melbourne landlords must carefully manage vacancy, structure and strategy to protect yields and long‑term returns.
Melbourne’s 2026 auction market demands sharper strategy from buyers facing underquoting, tight borrowing capacity and volatile clearance rates. Learn how to read price guides, interpret Statements of Information, track RBA rate impacts and set disciplined walk‑away limits so you can secure quality property without overpaying at auction across Melbourne suburbs.
APRA’s new 6× debt-to-income cap and today’s higher interest rates are reshaping how Melbourne buyers and investors borrow, bid, and choose properties. This guide explains how the rules work, how they limit borrowing capacity, and the strategies to stay competitive at auctions while protecting your long‑term financial position.
Victoria’s 2026 tenancy reforms reshape renting by removing no‑fault evictions, banning rental bidding, and requiring all advertised rentals to meet strict minimum standards. Landlords face longer rent increase notice periods, tighter bond and safety responsibilities, and new privacy rules for handling rental applications, significantly strengthening security and protections for Victorian tenants.
Victorian tax reforms from 2026 expand VRLT, raise congestion levy rates, and clarify CIPT for mixed‑use properties. Investors face higher annual holding costs, especially in new levy zones like South Yarra. Manage vacancies carefully, verify exemptions, and recalculate net yields to protect cash flow and optimize Melbourne property decisions today.