Australia's Property Market in 2026: Rate Hikes, Housing Shortages & What Investors Need to Know | Diana Mousina, AMP

The RBA just raised the cash rate to 3.85% — the first hike since November 2023 — and national property prices hit a record $912,465 in January. So what does 2026 actually hold for Australian property investors? In this episode of Invest Smarter, Grow Faster, Julian sits down with Diana Mousina, Deputy Chief Economist at AMP, to cut through the noise and get into the real economic mechanics shaping the property market right now. Diana brings 15 years of financial markets experience and a rare gift for translating complex macro data into plain language — and in this conversation, she does exactly that. In this episode: Why the RBA hiked rates and whether more increases are coming What inflation at 3.8% really means for your borrowing power The two-speed property market — which cities will outperform and why Australia's structural housing shortage: 200,000–300,000 dwellings and counting The global wildcards (US trade policy, China, gold) that could shift everything What smart investors should actually be doing in 2026 — and the biggest mistake to avoid Whether you're considering your first investment property or looking to expand your portfolio, this episode gives you the macro foundation to make a well-informed decision. Diana Mousina is Deputy Chief Economist at AMP, a regular commentator on Bloomberg, CNBC and ABC News, and one of Australia's most trusted voices on interest rates, inflation, and housing markets.     Chapters: 00:00 The State of Australian Property Right Now 00:34 Meet Diana Mousina: 15 Years Decoding Financial Markets  04:46 The Macro Landscape: What's Really Happening in 2026  07:34 Inflation: Why It's Not Going Away Anytime Soon  09:59 Is Australia at Risk of Recession?  11:45 Interest Rates: How Many More Hikes Are Coming?  14:26 What Rate Rises Mean for Property Buyers and Borrowing Power  17:58 Property Price Forecasts: City by City Breakdown  20:34 The Housing Shortage: Supply, Construction and the 1.2M Homes Target  24:17 Immigration, Student Visas and Rental Demand  29:37 Global Wildcards: US Policy, Gold and Where to Invest  33:16 The China Factor and Australian Exports  35:38 Should You Buy, Hold or Wait in 2026?  39:57 SMSFs and Superannuation: What's Changing  43:05 The Biggest Mistake Investors Make in This Market 🎧 Subscribe to Invest Smarter, Grow Faster for weekly conversations with leading economists, investors, and financial experts. This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Please consult a licensed financial adviser before making investment decisions. About Julian:Julian Khursigara is the CEO of Search Party Property, a Sydney-based buyers agency helping busy professionals build sustainable investment portfolios with clarity and confidence. With over two decades in customer experience and loyalty across the Asia-Pacific region, Julian brings a sharp, data-driven lens to property investing. What began as a personal passion quickly became a mission—to close the knowledge gap and empower everyday Australians to invest smarter. In recognition of this impact, Search Party Property was named a Finalist for Buyers Agency of the Year, and Julian a Finalist for Buyers Agent of the Year at the 2025 REB Awards.As host of Invest Smarter Grow Faster, Julian draws on his own investing journey and years of strategic insights to demystify property for time-poor professionals. His philosophy is simple: life’s no dress rehearsal, and smart property decisions today create the freedom to choose tomorrow. Through the show, he shares real-world lessons, expert conversations, and proven strategies to help listeners take control of their financial future—one property at a time.  Connect with Julian:Visit the website: https://searchpartyproperty.com.au/ Follow Julian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/buyersagent-sydney-brisbane-melbourne-adelaide-perth/ Follow Julian on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliankhursigara_buyersagent/ Follow Julian on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/investmentpropertybuyersagent/ Follow Julian on Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@julian_buyersagent Subscribe to Julian Khursigara YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@investsmartergrowfaster If you’d like a personalised review of your financial situation, help setting clear investment goals, and a data-driven strategy to guide your property journey—including insights into high-growth areas and a roadmap to financial freedom book a time here: https://searchpartyproperty.com.au/free-investment-roadmap-session/ DisclaimerInvest Smarter Grow Faster provides general information and commentary about property, finance, and investing. It does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or investment advice tailored to your personal circumstances. Before making any financial decisions, you should seek professional advice from a qualified adviser.While we aim for accuracy and quality, we cannot guarantee all information is complete, up-to-date, or free from errors. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.