The Times Australia
The Times Real Estate

.

The gap between demand and supply is widening

  • Written by Tim McKibbin, CEO, Real Estate Institute of NSW

Regulators have signalled their intention to impose conditions which will see lending  criteria tightened. How this will be applied is a case of wait-and-see. 

Often, it’s investors who are the focus of macroprudential intervention, although the  market in recent times has been largely driven by owner-occupiers.

Governments and regulators must be careful not to discourage investors because of the critical role they play in a rental market already under stress.

It’s not a chicken-and-egg scenario. Tenants who want to rent a property need for a  landlord to be willing to take on debt to provide them that security.

We know that, despite common misconceptions, the vast majority of investors are not  uber-wealthy by default. Most have one investment property, acquired through debt  which they are servicing to prepare themselves for income during retirement, or which is already providing essential rental income to them in retirement.

Make property investment too arduous or prohibitive and people can look to other asset  classes like the equities market, which do not put a roof over peoples’ heads.

Restricting the ability of people to access finance may limit the size of the offer they’re  able to make on a property but does not soften demand, because buying or renting a  home is not a choice for people. It’s a necessity.

When it comes to issues such as price surges and affordability, the responses from  Governments typically amount to noise. Ideas like swapping stamp duty for property tax  and crackdowns on negative gearing are smoke which clouds the reality that these issues cannot be solved while the gap between demand and supply is widening. 

The forthcoming intervention on lending criteria has all the hallmarks of more noise. 

It will be interesting to see how the market behaves in the wake of this coming  intervention, especially in the context of a new Premier in New South Wales, and with  the reality of the 70% double vaccination landscape soon to be revealed.

The residential housing market is powering the economic recovery, so any regulatory  tinkering must be careful not to jeopardise this, a point which must be recognised by the  state’s new leader.

Property Times

Duke of Dural to Get Rooftop Bar as New Owners Invest in Venue Upgrade

The Duke of Dural, in Sydney’s north-west, is set for a major uplift under new ownership, following its acquisition by hospitality group Good Beer Company this week. Led by respected private hotelier John Azar, the Good Beer Company has a proven t...

Top Tips for Finding the Ideal Block to Build Your Home

There’s something deeply personal and exciting about building your own home. You’re not just choosing paint colours or furniture, you’re creating a space that reflects your lifestyle, your dreams, and your future. However, before you start sketchin...

The Home Buying Process Explained Step by Step

Buying a home is a thrilling milestone, but it can also feel like navigating a maze without a map. With paperwork, finances, and decisions at every turn, understanding the home-buying process is crucial for success. Whether you're a first-time buye...

Thinking of Selling Your Home? Here’s What You Need to Know

Selling a home is more than just putting up a “For Sale” sign. It’s a strategic process that involves preparation, pricing, and negotiation - all aimed at getting the best value for your property. Let’s go through the most important steps to take b...

Times Magazine

Building an AI-First Culture in Your Company

AI isn't just something to think about anymore - it's becoming part of how we live and work, whether we like it or not. At the office, it definitely helps us move faster. But here's the thing: just using tools like ChatGPT or plugging AI into your wo...

Data Management Isn't Just About Tech—Here’s Why It’s a Human Problem Too

Photo by Kevin Kuby Manuel O. Diaz Jr.We live in a world drowning in data. Every click, swipe, medical scan, and financial transaction generates information, so much that managing it all has become one of the biggest challenges of our digital age. Bu...

Headless CMS in Digital Twins and 3D Product Experiences

Image by freepik As the metaverse becomes more advanced and accessible, it's clear that multiple sectors will use digital twins and 3D product experiences to visualize, connect, and streamline efforts better. A digital twin is a virtual replica of ...

The Decline of Hyper-Casual: How Mid-Core Mobile Games Took Over in 2025

In recent years, the mobile gaming landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with mid-core mobile games emerging as the dominant force in app stores by 2025. This shift is underpinned by changing user habits and evolving monetization tr...

Understanding ITIL 4 and PRINCE2 Project Management Synergy

Key Highlights ITIL 4 focuses on IT service management, emphasising continual improvement and value creation through modern digital transformation approaches. PRINCE2 project management supports systematic planning and execution of projects wit...

What AI Adoption Means for the Future of Workplace Risk Management

Image by freepik As industrial operations become more complex and fast-paced, the risks faced by workers and employers alike continue to grow. Traditional safety models—reliant on manual oversight, reactive investigations, and standardised checklist...

The Times Features

Is our mental health determined by where we live – or is it the other way round? New research sheds more light

Ever felt like where you live is having an impact on your mental health? Turns out, you’re not imagining things. Our new analysis[1] of eight years of data from the New Zeal...

Going Off the Beaten Path? Here's How to Power Up Without the Grid

There’s something incredibly freeing about heading off the beaten path. No traffic, no crowded campsites, no glowing screens in every direction — just you, the landscape, and the...

West HQ is bringing in a season of culinary celebration this July

Western Sydney’s leading entertainment and lifestyle precinct is bringing the fire this July and not just in the kitchen. From $29 lobster feasts and award-winning Asian banque...

What Endo Took and What It Gave Me

From pain to purpose: how one woman turned endometriosis into a movement After years of misdiagnosis, hormone chaos, and major surgery, Jo Barry was done being dismissed. What beg...

Why Parents Must Break the Silence on Money and Start Teaching Financial Skills at Home

Australia’s financial literacy rates are in decline, and our kids are paying the price. Certified Money Coach and Financial Educator Sandra McGuire, who has over 20 years’ exp...

Australia’s Grill’d Transforms Operations with Qlik

Boosting Burgers and Business Clean, connected data powers real-time insights, smarter staffing, and standout customer experiences Sydney, Australia, 14 July 2025 – Qlik®, a g...