Buying a home can be tough, here’s how some Aussies are adapting

29 September 2026
Housing

Piece originally published on news.com.au

By Denton Pugh, NAB Executive for Home Lending
After four interest rate rises this year, many Australian home buyers will be wondering what comes next.

Spring normally brings more energy to the property market, but this year has been subdued. Auction clearance rates across the capital cities hovered around 50% through September, compared with around 70% at the same time last year. In other words, fewer homes are selling at auction.

Home buyers will be watching closely when the RBA meets next week. With inflation still elevated, another rise can’t be ruled out.

So where does that leave someone hoping to buy?

There's no getting around the fact that buying property is tough for many Australians right now. And for some people who are in a position to buy, that might mean taking another look at the plan.

That could mean buying with a sibling or friend or renting where you want to live while buying somewhere else.

Take buying with a sibling or friend.

We tend to picture people buying property with a partner, but that’s not the only option.

What if one of you wants to sell? What if someone’s financial circumstances change?

These are conversations to have before you start looking at properties. Independent legal and financial advice is also worth considering when buying with someone else.

Then there’s rentvesting.

Say you love where you live. It’s close to work, your friends are nearby and you don’t particularly want to move. The problem is, buying there doesn’t work for your budget.

For some buyers, that can mean continuing to rent where you want to live while considering whether buying elsewhere makes sense for your circumstances.

NAB’s hotspot data shows some first-home buyer rentvestors looking to more affordable outer metro and growth areas, including Craigieburn in Victoria, Liverpool in NSW and Toowoomba in Queensland.

New builds may also get a closer look from some rentvestors, with negative gearing to be limited to new builds from July next year.

And these decisions don't have to be permanent.

A property bought as an investment might one day become your home. Or the home you buy today could become an investment later on.

None of these ideas are new, and they won’t be right for everyone. But in a tougher market, some buyers are giving them another look and considering what might work for their circumstances.