For many property investors, 2025 offered compelling reasons to buy.

The cash rate came down three times and property prices soared in many markets, driven by lower rates, tight housing supply and government incentives. Meanwhile, rents continued to climb across much of the country.

So, following February’s cash rate increase, what might investors expect next? Below we explore key investment property trends likely to shape the market in 2026.

Uneven price growth across markets

National home values are projected to continue to rise, but growth is unlikely to be evenly spread.

Insights from Cotality’s Decoding 2026 report show that 87% of real estate agents and financial professionals across the property and finance sectors expect dwelling values to rise over the year ahead, while only 3.5% anticipate prices to fall.

Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia are considered the most bullish markets, with strong price performance supported by high population growth and limited supply.

Looking ahead, Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane are expected to outperform Sydney and Melbourne, where price momentum softened towards the end of 2025.

Increased demand for dual-occupancy properties

Properties that can accommodate multi-generational living are expected to be in high demand throughout 2026.

As both housing prices and rents rise, more families are choosing to live together, making dual-occupancy homes particularly attractive to investors. This includes properties such as a main residence with a granny flat, duplexes, side-by-side townhouses, or homes with a detached studio or cottage that functions as a second dwelling.

These types of properties can offer investment benefits, including higher rental income, greater flexibility and reduced risk.

An uptick in regional investing

Investors seeking value outside the capital cities may have regional areas on their radar in 2026. Regional markets often offer lower entry costs than capital cities, high rental yields, and the opportunity for investors to diversify their portfolios across geographic locations.

In terms of price growth, regional areas have remained comparatively strong, yet they’re still feeling some pressure. Flexible working arrangements and lifestyle migration has meant more people are thinking of moving to regional areas, increasing demand for housing.

In 2025, regional dwelling values rose 9.7%, compared to 8.2% across the combined capital cities. Western Australia stood out, with a 16.1% annual increase, followed by regional Queensland, which saw values rise 12.6%. Regional Victoria had the lowest growth, up 6% in 2025.

Energy efficiency a priority

Energy efficiency and climate resilience are becoming increasingly important considerations for investors.

Properties with features such as solar panels, battery storage, electric vehicle charging, quality insulation and smart energy management systems are expected to be more appealing to tenants in 2026, which in turn can enhance long-term investment appeal.

Young buyers looking to rentvest

Rentvesting is expected to gain further momentum in 2026, particularly among younger buyers navigating affordability challenges.

Rentvesting involves renting in a location that suits your lifestyle, while purchasing an investment property in a more affordable area with the potential for solid rental returns.

This approach can suit buyers who value flexibility and lifestyle, are priced out of their preferred suburb, but still want to build wealth through property ownership.

Thinking about investing?

With the right knowledge and support, property investors can navigate 2026’s property market with confidence and take advantage of emerging opportunities.

If you’re considering purchasing an investment property this year, get in touch. We can help you understand your borrowing capacity, compare lender options and structure your finance to support your long-term investment goals.

Loyalty is an honourable trait, but not necessarily when it comes to your home loan.

Sticking with the same lender indefinitely may mean you’re paying what’s known as a ‘loyalty tax’. This often shows up as higher interest rates compared to what new customers are offered.

With interest rates on the rise, now could be a good time to check whether you are paying loyalty tax and it may be worthwhile exploring your options along the way.

What is loyalty tax?

Loyalty tax refers to the extra cost some borrowers pay simply by staying with the same home loan provider over time.

To attract new customers, lenders often advertise lower interest rates or special offers that aren’t automatically passed on to existing borrowers. As a result, long-term customers can end up paying a higher rate without realising it.

In some cases, the longer you remain with one lender, the more a loyalty tax can creep in. That’s why reviewing your home loan from time to time can help ensure you’re still on a competitive rate.

Interest rates aren’t the only area where loyalty tax can apply. In some cases, long-standing customers may miss out on special offers, encounter additional fees, or receive a lower standard of customer service than new customers.

Why it pays to review your home loan

Whether it’s your utilities or your mortgage, comparing providers can help you identify areas to save. While the amounts may seem small at first, they can accumulate over time and contribute to broader financial goals.

What to do if you’re paying loyalty tax

Compare rates

Start by checking how your current interest rate compares with the rates your lender is advertising to new customers. If there’s a noticeable difference, it may be time to take action.

Request a lower rate

You may also consider negotiating directly with your lender to see if a more competitive rate is available. In some cases, lenders may apply a discretionary discount to retain existing customers.

Having a strong credit history and a lower loan-to-value ratio can help strengthen your negotiating position.

Shop around and refinance

If you’d like to see what else is out there, we can compare home loans across the market for you. If we find a more suitable or competitive option, refinancing could be worth a look and it may even give you access to new customer offers.

We’ll break down the potential savings and explain any costs involved, so you can decide with confidence.

Ready to say goodbye to loyalty tax?

When it comes to home loans, it doesn’t pay to set and forget. Regularly reviewing your mortgage and comparing options can help reduce the risk of paying a loyalty tax.

The good news is that refinancing is generally more straightforward than buying a property. There’s no contract of sale, no real estate agents, and often far fewer parties involved – just us and, in many cases, your lender.

To get started, get in touch today and we’ll help you run the numbers.

Nothing compares to that feeling of buying your first home. If you’re planning a 2026 property purchase, saving the deposit is often one of the biggest hurdles. Careful planning and perseverance can play a role in working towards this goal.

Here are some tips to help you work towards your savings target.

Set a savings goal

The first step is to work out how much you’ll need for your deposit. Check out what properties in your preferred suburbs are selling for, and from there, you can work backwards and estimate the amount of deposit you’ll require.

You may like to look into the Australian Government’s 5% Deposit Scheme, which allows eligible first-home buyers to enter the market with just 5% deposit. If you’re not planning to use the scheme, aiming for a 20% deposit may help you avoid lenders’ mortgage insurance (LMI).

Create a budget

Next, create a monthly budget. This can help you to understand how much you may be able to save.

Factor in your total monthly income after tax, then list all of your expenses. Don’t forget to include regular costs like rent, utility bills, insurance, and streaming services, as well as unexpected expenses like your car repairs.

There are loads of budgeting tools available to help with tracking expenses. Some apps even break down and track your expenses as well as provide suggestions to help you work towards your saving goals.

Automate your savings payments

If you don’t have a separate savings account yet, opening one may be a useful first step – for example, an account that offers interest and has low or no ongoing fees.

Setting up an automatic monthly transfer may help you build savings over time, with less day-to-day effort.

A strong savings track record is something lenders look for when assessing home loan applications, so this habit may be relevant when you’re preparing to buy.

Reduce spending

If you’re looking to make progress towards your savings goals, you may need to cut down on discretionary spending. That might mean saying goodbye to your gym membership and instead exercising outdoors. Joining the local library instead of buying books new. Or cutting down on meals out and limiting entertainment such as streaming services.

There are also ‘no spend challenges’ shared on social media, such as limiting clothing purchases for a period of time or reducing how often you eat out. Some people find these approaches to be helpful when reviewing their spending habits.

Ways to increase income

Some people consider ways to generate additional income when working towards a savings goal. This might include options such as tutoring, taking on additional hours at work, or exploring a side project.

You may also choose to review items you no longer use, such as sporting equipment, musical instruments or collectibles, and consider whether selling them aligns with your circumstances. Small amounts can contribute towards a savings goal over time.

Talk openly about your goals

Talking to your family and friends about your home buying goals can be helpful for some people in staying mindful of their plans. Social catch ups might look a little different in 2026, such as more dinners at home with friends rather than going out. Over time, these adjustments may support your savings efforts.

Being prepared

Buying your first home is exciting, and we’re here to provide information and support throughout the process.

As your finance broker, we can help you understand how much you may be able to borrow, explain the costs involved in buying a home (such as stamp duty and legal fees), and discuss finance options including pre-approval.

We can also explain whether you’re eligible for government incentives, such as the First Home Owner Grant or the First Home Super Saver Scheme. And if your deposit isn’t quite there yet, we can talk through what alternative options could be available to you.

Get in touch if you’d like to discuss your options.