What’s really going on in Australia’s property market? In this episode, we sit down with Cameron Kusher, Executive Director of Economic Research at REA Group, to unpack the trends shaping the Australian property market right now.

With access to some of the country’s most comprehensive property data, Cameron sheds light on what buyers are searching for, where listings are rising, and how this all connects to transactions and prices.

We dig into regional differences in price growth—why places like Perth and Adelaide are surging, while Melbourne struggles—and what’s driving these changes. Cameron explains how the rental market is finally loosening up, making it easier for sellers to transition, and we discuss the growing influence of investors in certain areas. We also talk through the impact of interest rates and how expectations of future cuts are influencing sellers’ behaviour.

There’s a fascinating shift happening with buyers too—more selectiveness, fewer bidders at auctions, and changing preferences driven by necessity rather than desire. We touch on how affordability is pushing renters out to the fringes, and Cameron shares insights into how the work-from-anywhere trend is reshaping migration patterns.

This episode really gets under the hood of the property market. If you’re curious about how things are tracking and what’s around the corner, you won’t want to miss it!

Episode Highlights:

00:00 - Introduction

01:09 - Who is Cameron Kusher?

01:39 - How is the spring market shaping up for real estate?

03:33 - Spring selling season dynamics

06:02 - Regional market trends and price divergence

08:26 - Is property market urgency on the rise based on recent search data?

14:00 - Perth's unique market conditions

17:25 - How does REA view the long-term decline in property turnover rates?

20:00 - Factors influencing established dwelling prices

23:20 - Which property types or areas show the best capital growth based on transaction data?

25:24 - Key factors that contribute to the established dwelling price movements

28:47 - Are relocation trends shifting based on geotagged property inquiries?

35:00 - Have you noticed a drop in online demand as rental price growth has slowed recently?

39:13 - Are you seeing trends in rental properties being sold as investors exit the market?

46:33 - What exciting innovations in buyer products are on the horizon at REA?

50:11 - Cameron Kusher’s property dumbo

50:42 - Is there alignment between the PIPA survey results and REA’s online user interest?

About Our Guest:

Cameron Kusher is the Executive Director of Economic Research at REA Group, with 20 years of experience across residential and commercial property sectors. His expertise spans valuations, property development, consulting, and market research, giving him a deep understanding of demographics, trends, and economics. Before joining REA, he spent over 11 years at CoreLogic as Head of Research for Australia. Cameron oversees the production of REA’s market reports and engages with media, customers, and industry stakeholders. Known as a thought leader, he frequently provides commentary, delivers keynote speeches, and writes on housing trends, demographics, mortgage markets, and industry opportunities. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Property Economics from Queensland University of Technology.

Connect with Cameron Kusher:

• Website https://realestate.com.au/
• LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-kusher-bbb71b46/

Resources:

• Visit our website https://www.theelephantintheroom.com.au
• If you have any questions or would like to be featured on our show, contact us at The Elephant in the Room Property Podcast questions@theelephantintheroom.com.au
• Looking for a Sydney Buyers Agent? https://www.gooddeeds.com.au
• Work with Veronica: https://www.veronicamorgan.com.au
• Looking for a Mortgage Broker? https://www.flintgroup.au
• Work with Chris: chrisbates@flintgroup.au

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