The statistics related to Australia’s housing problem are well known and well written about. Most investors know that the federal government has a goal of building 1.2 million homes over the next five years. Almost all of us know it won’t be met – certainly if the current pace of housing completion stays where it is at the moment.

Add to that a massive trade deficit and an influx of migration and what do you have? An almighty supply problem.

But while Australia’s residential housing supply crisis is well known and well written about, some people want to turn this crisis into an opportunity. Builders see it as an opportunity to build homes at more modest prices, and build-to-rent schemes are already paying off for investment firms backing such projects.

But should you get involved as an individual investor? Or if you don’t have your own home yet, should you invest before buying for yourself?

To find out, Signal or Noise offers this preview ahead of the 2024 property show. Our theme for this year’s real estate show is whether the best way to tackle Australia’s housing affordability crisis is to look at it as an investment opportunity .

Mie and Diana Mousina from AMP are two of the most respected real estate commentators and investors in the country:

• Louis Christopher, founder at SQM Research
• Andrew Schwartz, Co-Founder and MD at Qualitas

Note: This episode was recorded on Monday, November 4, 2024. The full episode will be released on Thursday, November 7, 2024.

Topics covered:

• A BCA report suggests that construction productivity has fallen by 12%. Is this a SIGN for a worsening housing supply situation?
• There are currently two major policy items being proposed related to housing supply – one nationally and one for Victoria. Will any of the policy proposals really move the dial?
• Of these indicators, which will have the biggest impact on property prices in 2025: RBA, migration, shortage of skilled professionals or something else?
• Auction clearance rates recently fell to lows since December 2022. Is this a SIGNAL for property demand moving forward?
• Would you buy a residential property right now?