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In Melbourne, the dream of owning a standalone house is slipping away for many potential buyers.
The disparity between house and unit values has become increasingly pronounced, making detached homes a distant goal for many.
According to data from CoreLogic, as of December 2024, typical Melbourne houses cost buyers 51.1%—or $310,202—more than units.
This gap has widened significantly over the years. Back in December 2014, the price difference was $121,322, a figure more than doubled today. Looking even further back to December 2004, the disparity was only $47,976, illustrating how housing affordability has shifted over time.
A similar trend is observed across various capital cities in Australia. Using PropTrack data, it's clear that since 2010, house prices in these cities have surged by around 123%, whereas units have only risen by 64%.
Tim Lawless, CoreLogic's head of research, explained that this growing gap implies that purchasing a unit no longer automatically leads to an eventual upgrade to a detached home. He stated, “Buying a unit probably used to be a bit of a stepping stone. You buy into the apartment sector and then hope to eventually upgrade into a larger, detached home, but with such a big price difference, and the fact that it’s probably been a lot harder for unit owners to accrue equity, that upgrading step is a lot more challenging now.â€
Brendan Coates from the Grattan Institute observes this from a land value perspective: “Land is scarce, and therefore it’s valuable, so if you want to have that backyard, you are going to pay a premium for it. Not everyone can have a freestanding house, and that means there’s more competition for the limited number of freestanding homes that exist.â€
The outlook is that the chasm between unit and house prices will continue to grow as cities expand and population numbers soar. The Urban Taskforce has projected dramatic changes, specifically noting that the share of detached houses in Sydney may decline to only 25% by 2057.
This transformation will echo across Australia’s capital cities as challenges associated with housing density and population growth come to the fore. Increased migration rates continue to exert upward pressure on property prices and rental costs, pushing affordable housing further out of reach for many urban dwellers.
The availability of detached houses is dwindling, resulting in soaring prices and fewer households having the luxury of a backyard, altering the property landscape of Australian cities.
Such developments suggest that future homeowners and city planners alike must adapt to changing trends in housing affordability and preferences, considering alternative living arrangements or innovative urban planning solutions.
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NSW plans for powered vessel-free zones at selected Port Stephens beaches this summer are a timely reminder that boat ownership decisions are shaped by more than purchase price, interest rates and fuel costs. For buyers comparing vessels for family trips, fishing, towing or personal watercraft use, local access rules can affect how often a boat is used and whether a chosen model suits the waterways that matter most. - read more
The Reserve Bank of Australia’s latest rate increase has added a fresh complication for households considering a new or used vehicle before the end of 2026. The cash rate target rose by 25 basis points to 4.85% effective 4 November, extending a year in which borrowing costs have again become a central part of the car-buying decision. - read more
Australian mortgage holders have another rate change to factor into their household budgets after the Reserve Bank lifted the cash rate target by 25 basis points to 4.85 per cent at its November meeting, effective 4 November 2026. The move follows the September increase and gives refinancers a fresh reason to test whether their current loan still stacks up, particularly if their lender passes the rise through to variable home loan rates. - read more
The Reserve Bank of Australia’s 3 November 2026 decision to lift the cash rate target by 25 basis points to 4.85 per cent has added another layer of pressure to farm machinery planning. The change, effective from 4 November, takes the benchmark rate to its highest level since late 2008 and follows several increases during 2026, making finance structure and cash-flow timing more important for producers considering tractors, harvest gear, spraying equipment, irrigation assets or handling systems. - read more
ABC Rural reporting from Tasmania has put a fresh spotlight on how quickly dairy equipment decisions are moving from single-machine purchases to connected operating systems. A north-west Tasmanian dairy farm has been profiled as Australia’s first to combine GPS-enabled virtual fencing collars with robotic milking, using animal data, automated movement and milking hardware to reduce the amount of hands-on labour needed to bring cows through the dairy. - read more
Securing finance for any significant purchase can be a challenge, especially when it comes to acquiring a truck for business purposes. Coupled with a less-than-perfect credit score, this task can seem daunting for many Australians. The ripple effects of financial constraints can impede business operations, affecting the lifeline of commercial ventures that rely on transportation. - read more
New businesses, sole traders and self-employed operators may be able to access truck finance in Australia, but lenders usually assess more than the truck itself. This guide explains the common eligibility factors, evidence and preparation steps that can affect a commercial truck loan application. - read more
Finding the right financing for a commercial vehicle in Australia can be a critical step for businesses and individuals alike. Whether it's for a single van or an entire fleet of trucks, understanding the intricacies of commercial vehicle loans is key to securing a deal that aligns with your financial goals. One factor that stands out in determining your loan terms is the credit score—a numerical representation of your creditworthiness. - read more
Getting the right truck loan can be essential for business owners who rely on commercial vehicles. These loans cover a variety of commercial vehicle types and are crucial for ensuring your business operations run smoothly. Truck loans, specifically, provide the necessary finances to purchase trucks, which are indispensable in industries like logistics and delivery services across Australia. - read more
Truck loan repayments are shaped by the amount borrowed, interest rate, loan term, repayment frequency, fees, deposit and any balloon or residual amount. Understanding these inputs can help Australian business owners interpret repayment calculator results more clearly before comparing finance options. - read more
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Mutual Fund: An investment vehicle made up of a pool of funds collected from many investors for the purpose of investing in securities such as stocks, bonds, money market instruments, and other assets.
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