Forge Real Estate Logo

Forge Real Estate Insights

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.


Negative Gearing and CGT Changes Melbourne

Negative Gearing and CGT Changes Explained: What Should Melbourne Property Owners Do Before July 2027?

Negative gearing and CGT reforms are moving toward their 1 July 2027 start date. Melbourne property owners should confirm purchase timing, model hold-versus-sell scenarios, review grandfathering, and seek tax advice before making rushed decisions.

First Home Buyer's Guide 2026 Melbourne

First Home Buyer’s Guide to Melbourne 2026: How Can a Cooling Market, Rate Hikes and Stamp Duty Concessions Work in Your Favour?

Melbourne first home buyers face higher rates but more room to negotiate in 2026. This guide explains Victorian stamp duty concessions, the First Home Owner Grant, the 5% Deposit Scheme, and how to use price thresholds carefully before signing.

Hidden Property Risks Melbourne buyers should check before signing

Doctored Building Reports, Waterproofing Failures and Structural Damp: What Must Melbourne Buyers Check Before Signing?

Melbourne buyers should not rely blindly on vendor-side reports. This guide explains how to verify building and pest inspections, check waterproofing, structural damp and balcony risks, and negotiate or walk away before a contract becomes binding.

Winning in Melbourne's 60% Clearance Market Without Overpaying

Melbourne Auctions in a 60% Clearance Market: How Buyers Can Win Without Overpaying

Melbourne auctions are no longer moving in one direction. With clearance rates around 60%, buyers can find leverage, but only with suburb-level data, finance readiness, contract review, building checks, and a clear walk-away price.

First Home Buyer Hotspots in Melbourne

Where First Home Buyers Can Still Buy Smart in Melbourne in 2026

First home buyers in Melbourne still have options in 2026, but the best value is not always the cheapest suburb. Compare infrastructure, growth corridors, units, townhouses, stamp duty thresholds, commute costs, planning risks, and lifestyle fit.

Melbourne Off-the-Plan Market: Higher Risks, Still Worth Considering

Are Melbourne New Builds and Off-the-Plan Apartments Still Worth It in 2026?

Melbourne off-the-plan apartments can still make sense in 2026, but incentives are not enough. Buyers should test stamp duty savings, developer strength, construction risk, owners corporation costs, defects, finance conditions, and resale demand before committing to a new build contract.

Is Melbourne Finally a Buyer’s Market in 2026? How to Use the Slowdown

Is Melbourne Finally a Buyer’s Market in 2026? How to Use the Slowdown

Melbourne’s property market is finally tilting toward buyers in 2026. Prices are softening, listings are rising, and auction clearance rates are easing, giving home seekers more leverage. Learn where discounts are strongest and how to negotiate smarter on price, conditions and valuation shortfalls across apartments, houses and off-the-plan projects statewide.

New Victorian Rental Laws 2026: What Renters and Small Landlords in Melbourne Are Getting Wrong

New Victorian Rental Laws 2026: What Renters and Small Landlords in Melbourne Are Getting Wrong

Victoria’s 2026 rental law changes are transforming how Melbourne renters and small landlords manage leases, rent increases, pets, and property standards. This guide explains banned no‑fault evictions, illegal rental bidding, stricter minimum standards, rent increase rules, pet approvals, and accessibility modifications, helping both sides avoid VCAT disputes and stay fully compliant.

Strata Nightmares in Melbourne: How to Avoid Defects, Special Levies and OC Drama When You Buy

Strata Nightmares in Melbourne: How to Avoid Defects, Special Levies and OC Drama When You Buy

Discounted Melbourne apartments in the CBD, Docklands, Southbank and St Kilda Road can hide costly strata defects, special levies and owners corporation disputes. Learn how to read OC minutes, assess building risk, understand cladding and insurance issues, and use pre-contract strata reviews to avoid expensive strata nightmares when you buy.


Looking For Your New Home?